the emperor doesn’t sound, look, or act like an emperor should’ve given that role to someone else
Emperors ranged from impressive people to those being propped up by the wife's family to those who were under absolute control of the eunuchs and were nothing more but puppets on a throne.
There is no such thing as Emperors were so, so and so. They were humans whose power varied greatly from absolute to none. Here it's clear Eunuch Cao has great power, the Marquis even tells you as much when he says he controls everything that should reach the Emperor. So this Emperor isn't one of those who has absolute control. The actor is fine.
The marquis was right when he called him young and impatient. The name Zang Hai mentioned as the third person…
He wasn't fooled. He knows it's not her. At least I think so. He told him everything and pretended that the third person is the queen and he believes it to force the real third person out.
There is no "someone" left. ZH was the someone.Who else does he have, maybe some guards, his son (faithful or…
Of course there is someone left. The third person. I think this is why Zanghai spilled everything. He knows it's the wrong name and he is trying to force the third one out through the Marquis.
I am surprised people don't think Zanghai didn't reveal himself to the Marquis on purpose. I think he did because he knows that the third name is wrong. The Marquis won't tell him, the eunuch certainly won't so he has to force them out somehow.
Wow! Such beautiful and appropriate words to describe one scene! Your words blended each other to a scene of special…
Ah, thank you so much.
Please keep watching, it only gets better with every episode. While actors are the final step in this process and I am genuinely in awe of Xiao Zhan's acting in this scene, I can't forget that he is the ultimate figure who is expressing what the writer has initially imagined and written down and what the director is setting up through the scene, music and his direction of it all. It is such a phenomenal collaborative effort, this drama. I have a hard time expressing my admiration.
Xiao Zhan has already created one iconic character in Chinese drama that is Wei Wuxian but I can say with absolute certainty that we are seeing another iconic one emerging and that is Zanghai. We are so lucky to see it in real time as it happens.
Right? I want to say 50 things but they are all tangled together because it is all just too good and too well…
Same, same. I had to talk above about that scene in the treasure room because I was going to burst if not but evey single thing today was out of this world. Standing ovation for real.
I am going to go crazy if I don't talk about the scene where he reveals himself to the FL.
Now, this is just my personal preference in acting that I am using as a reference. In that scene, Xiao Zhan is absolutely contained, all the emotions he is trying to express, that Zanghai is feeling in this moment are pulled inward.
His eyes are the main way of expressing Zanghai's emotions. He isn't breaking down, he isn't yelling, he isn't sobbing. There is just this very quiet, completely forceably controlled expression on his face and those eyes that are projecting what he feels.
First shock about who he sees, then almost horror because he actually has feelings for her and yet she is there. Then that small, small huffed out laughter in incredulous resignation with fate playing tricks on him.
When he opens the space where his parents are placed, there is a look of true madness in his eyes. Too much grief, too much tragedy has happened to this man. All throughout very, very slight body movements, almost like trembling, containing all that rage he must be feeling.
Bowing to his parents remains, giving them the only burial that he can and the absolute, sheer devastation that is eminating from him. That haunting female voice. And then in the end, he still chooses life. Just kill me, it is easier. This is way too much for my poor soul.
Masterclass of acting. That is what we saw. Masterclass.
I can't make a coherent comment, what a pair of episodes. Later, when I can digest this. But what acting by Xiao Zhan, what directing by ZXL. What great showing by the Marquis and Eunuch Cao.
If they don't get award nominations for this, there is no justice in this world.
Omg the directing in ep23. Oh. My. God.Zheng Xiaolong, the master that you are 😭😭😭
That scene in juxtaposition!
Cao eunuch and the Chinese opera. Marquis and polishing the sword. Cao in full view. Marquis in full view, then the hidden shadow.
The way the space and framing is used in the whole scene. The male voice and below the instruments and nothing else. The camera work. Wtf this is perfection.
Acting and character chemistry is not the same as romantic chemistry.That some of you are incapable of understanding…
Relax, it absolutely does not leave him off the hook. On the contrary, Zanghai's revenge is finally starting to properly begin now and it's phenomenal. I can't say more because spoilers but omg it is so good!
Remember, just because it appears that Zanghai gets along with the Marquis, it doesn't mean he does. He has his reasons for that behavior.
Acting and character chemistry is not the same as romantic chemistry.That some of you are incapable of understanding…
I don't want BL either though.
I want two things. I want the main plot to be written and acted well and I am getting that.
Romance exists, whether we like it or don't, so since it exists I want that to be written well too. And I am still waiting for that part. It's frustrating.
If you asked me what I want I would put no romance in a drama like this. But it's here and it is here to stay. So at least write the FL properly 😭
Acting and character chemistry is not the same as romantic chemistry.That some of you are incapable of understanding…
They don't like that that's the whole point. They want romance to be the whole focus.
Someone here a few days ago said that the romance fans will turn everything about this show about it and will destroy any other other conversation. I thought she was exaggerating, I wish I could apologize to her now.
And I don't mind the romance though I am not a fan of those types of things. But it was set up well in that boat scene, the character has a good basis and now we are just waiting until the writer actually starts developing her story. I can't believe today is 23 and we still haven't properly started her arc. Not in any meaningful way. It's frustrating.
There is no such thing as Emperors were so, so and so. They were humans whose power varied greatly from absolute to none. Here it's clear Eunuch Cao has great power, the Marquis even tells you as much when he says he controls everything that should reach the Emperor. So this Emperor isn't one of those who has absolute control. The actor is fine.
And yes, that scene was so great. Perfect balance of funny and then of serious that followed.
Please keep watching, it only gets better with every episode. While actors are the final step in this process and I am genuinely in awe of Xiao Zhan's acting in this scene, I can't forget that he is the ultimate figure who is expressing what the writer has initially imagined and written down and what the director is setting up through the scene, music and his direction of it all. It is such a phenomenal collaborative effort, this drama. I have a hard time expressing my admiration.
Xiao Zhan has already created one iconic character in Chinese drama that is Wei Wuxian but I can say with absolute certainty that we are seeing another iconic one emerging and that is Zanghai. We are so lucky to see it in real time as it happens.
Now, this is just my personal preference in acting that I am using as a reference. In that scene, Xiao Zhan is absolutely contained, all the emotions he is trying to express, that Zanghai is feeling in this moment are pulled inward.
His eyes are the main way of expressing Zanghai's emotions. He isn't breaking down, he isn't yelling, he isn't sobbing. There is just this very quiet, completely forceably controlled expression on his face and those eyes that are projecting what he feels.
First shock about who he sees, then almost horror because he actually has feelings for her and yet she is there. Then that small, small huffed out laughter in incredulous resignation with fate playing tricks on him.
When he opens the space where his parents are placed, there is a look of true madness in his eyes. Too much grief, too much tragedy has happened to this man. All throughout very, very slight body movements, almost like trembling, containing all that rage he must be feeling.
Bowing to his parents remains, giving them the only burial that he can and the absolute, sheer devastation that is eminating from him. That haunting female voice. And then in the end, he still chooses life. Just kill me, it is easier. This is way too much for my poor soul.
Masterclass of acting. That is what we saw. Masterclass.
What a masterpiece.
If they don't get award nominations for this, there is no justice in this world.
Cao eunuch and the Chinese opera.
Marquis and polishing the sword.
Cao in full view.
Marquis in full view, then the hidden shadow.
The way the space and framing is used in the whole scene. The male voice and below the instruments and nothing else. The camera work. Wtf this is perfection.
Zheng Xiaolong, the master that you are 😭😭😭
Remember, just because it appears that Zanghai gets along with the Marquis, it doesn't mean he does. He has his reasons for that behavior.
And quite possibly a family member that betrayed her country.
Conflict, tension, both wanting each other but being pulled in the other direction because of obligations. Which will prevail? Love or duty?
Come on that is stuff that epic romances are made of! Why would you be unhappy. It makes for legendary romance!
Zhifu's mother should have swallowed.
I want two things. I want the main plot to be written and acted well and I am getting that.
Romance exists, whether we like it or don't, so since it exists I want that to be written well too. And I am still waiting for that part. It's frustrating.
If you asked me what I want I would put no romance in a drama like this. But it's here and it is here to stay. So at least write the FL properly 😭
Someone here a few days ago said that the romance fans will turn everything about this show about it and will destroy any other other conversation. I thought she was exaggerating, I wish I could apologize to her now.
And I don't mind the romance though I am not a fan of those types of things. But it was set up well in that boat scene, the character has a good basis and now we are just waiting until the writer actually starts developing her story. I can't believe today is 23 and we still haven't properly started her arc. Not in any meaningful way. It's frustrating.