It’s good, but that depends on what you’re looking for…
In 10/10 shows, every character has an ending (a closure) and it’s always a Good one. A good ending doesn’t mean Happy ending for the character: a good ending/closure can be epic, happy, bittersweet, or tragic, but it’s never rushed or anti-climactic.
Well, that being said, this drama is :
A 10/10 if : you mainly focus on the lead couple. You like arranged marriage plot with no divorce, no amnesia, no fake death, no stupid separation. You’re not fond of love triangle, love when arguments don’t drag on and are quickly addressed. Not only that, but you’re in awe when the leads gradually grew closer and more intimate as time and conflicts pass. They don’t do the very cliché tango : one step forward, three steps backs. You can clearly see it, as well as the side characters (from the maids to the antagonists). Once they confess to each others, the FL’s brain doesn’t shrink, and she doesn’t become a damsel in distress ; the ML doesn’t forget about his status as a ruler, past friendships or grudges to only advocate for the FL (and by extension her clan) yet he never really makes things difficult for her. The chemistry is on fire, the intimacy over the top: nobody plays coy here. It’s a good HE for them.
A 9/10 if : you’re into all the above, and you also care about the leads’ close aides (maids, advisors, generals, family members). They must fit their role, be well-written and developed. If they are used as a comedy relief, their intervention must ease the conflict. You like when those characters have their own life, hobbies, and personalities (strengths and fears). They are their own and nobody property. They are loyal, but not to the point of obsession. Furthermore, they call out the leads, give them another perspective, and help them grow. You’re happy if those characters have a decent ending.
A 8/10 if you’re into all the above BUT want the leads’ close aides to have a good ending. For example, you don’t like when a character that plays a key role in the general plot ; in the leads’ relationship and in final battle not to be shown his full rise to lordship or how good he was in the battlefront. (I will keep it at that so not to give you spoilers).
A 7/10 for all the above AND you think that villains, especially main villains, shouldn’t be subpar. For you, good villains are as essential to the plot as the leads, and you can’t stand when the script purposely sabotages the villains just to make the MLs shine (here mainly the FL). You like when the villains' story is properly told, you want to see them struggle, lose some and win some, thus becoming wiser and deadlier. If the villains are put together, you want to see how they went from : “let’s form on alliance of interest” to “I admire what you did here” to “I think I’m falling for you”. Good villains force the leads to step up their game. Bad villains are just stepping stones.
A 6/10 if you can’t stand when the script not only sabotage the villains but also their close aides. You hate when, for the leads' sake (mainly the FL again), a villain relative is forced by the script to act contrary to his heart. Or, you hate when plot armor is conveniently used in favour of the leads’ relative (mainly the FL) when clearly without it, the villain relative has the edge on a one on one fight. Here, when the villains have good advisors, their advices are seldom taking into account or the advisor is described as a caricature.
However, it’s a 5/10 or less if you expect a Nirvana In Fire or Secret of Three Kingdoms. Unfortunately, the political aspect is but a background noise that suddenly become louder at the last 6 episodes. The show browses on the financial, political, and military cost of the ML initiatives. The dynamics between the different clans are glossed over. The FL position as lady Wei is never truly challenge, she’s very much shield by the ML and his Grandmother from the get-go, as a result, her schemes just make her appear vile…
There is much more to say, but I’ll stop here. For me, it’s a solid 7,5/10 drama. If the premise was the same a Destined, it will be a 10/10. Like many comments point out TPoB is a romance with a political subplot, however Sound of the Desert it’s a better rendition of a sly FL pits against a manipulative villainess.
Well, that being said, this drama is :
A 10/10 if : you mainly focus on the lead couple. You like arranged marriage plot with no divorce, no amnesia, no fake death, no stupid separation. You’re not fond of love triangle, love when arguments don’t drag on and are quickly addressed. Not only that, but you’re in awe when the leads gradually grew closer and more intimate as time and conflicts pass. They don’t do the very cliché tango : one step forward, three steps backs. You can clearly see it, as well as the side characters (from the maids to the antagonists). Once they confess to each others, the FL’s brain doesn’t shrink, and she doesn’t become a damsel in distress ; the ML doesn’t forget about his status as a ruler, past friendships or grudges to only advocate for the FL (and by extension her clan) yet he never really makes things difficult for her. The chemistry is on fire, the intimacy over the top: nobody plays coy here. It’s a good HE for them.
A 9/10 if : you’re into all the above, and you also care about the leads’ close aides (maids, advisors, generals, family members). They must fit their role, be well-written and developed. If they are used as a comedy relief, their intervention must ease the conflict. You like when those characters have their own life, hobbies, and personalities (strengths and fears). They are their own and nobody property. They are loyal, but not to the point of obsession. Furthermore, they call out the leads, give them another perspective, and help them grow. You’re happy if those characters have a decent ending.
A 8/10 if you’re into all the above BUT want the leads’ close aides to have a good ending. For example, you don’t like when a character that plays a key role in the general plot ; in the leads’ relationship and in final battle not to be shown his full rise to lordship or how good he was in the battlefront. (I will keep it at that so not to give you spoilers).
A 7/10 for all the above AND you think that villains, especially main villains, shouldn’t be subpar. For you, good villains are as essential to the plot as the leads, and you can’t stand when the script purposely sabotages the villains just to make the MLs shine (here mainly the FL). You like when the villains' story is properly told, you want to see them struggle, lose some and win some, thus becoming wiser and deadlier. If the villains are put together, you want to see how they went from : “let’s form on alliance of interest” to “I admire what you did here” to “I think I’m falling for you”. Good villains force the leads to step up their game. Bad villains are just stepping stones.
A 6/10 if you can’t stand when the script not only sabotage the villains but also their close aides. You hate when, for the leads' sake (mainly the FL again), a villain relative is forced by the script to act contrary to his heart. Or, you hate when plot armor is conveniently used in favour of the leads’ relative (mainly the FL) when clearly without it, the villain relative has the edge on a one on one fight. Here, when the villains have good advisors, their advices are seldom taking into account or the advisor is described as a caricature.
However, it’s a 5/10 or less if you expect a Nirvana In Fire or Secret of Three Kingdoms. Unfortunately, the political aspect is but a background noise that suddenly become louder at the last 6 episodes. The show browses on the financial, political, and military cost of the ML initiatives. The dynamics between the different clans are glossed over. The FL position as lady Wei is never truly challenge, she’s very much shield by the ML and his Grandmother from the get-go, as a result, her schemes just make her appear vile…
There is much more to say, but I’ll stop here. For me, it’s a solid 7,5/10 drama. If the premise was the same a Destined, it will be a 10/10. Like many comments point out TPoB is a romance with a political subplot, however Sound of the Desert it’s a better rendition of a sly FL pits against a manipulative villainess.
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