You're not alone. I've been complaining too. Anyone who cares for good storytelling is up in arms.
I think it's not solely about choppy editing. They had enough time to deliver more scenes, but they chose to use the time slot to express impression, surreal aesthetics, and the beauty of the moments. I guess that is the director's style, with the risk of sacrificing substantial scenes, including action, fight sequences, and great battles.
I remember that the first 15 episodes are full of scenes intended to create an impression, laden with lovely background songs. At first, I enjoyed it because I love their romance. But later, after the Lin'an and breaking-the-dam Arc, there are so many holes, and the plots become increasingly confusing.
Ep25: either deposed emperor gone nuts or pretending to have gone nuts. he is following their orders to the T…
I think, it is valid that he feels threatened. Tiemo is going to invade the land and kill the people. Mean while Wuyang army, Huben army, armies of four regions, and Beiwanhu are not united yet. It is not person to person fight, but nation vs nation. At that moment, the Tiemo is in the superior position.
I'm on episode 6 now and this drama keeps introducing new characters and before I get a chance it figure out their…
This drama is structured like a chess play, step by step to achieve the final target. Each step is like a small story with its own input, process, and output.
The characters are part of the input element. They aren't constantly present throughout the drama. They come and go, alive or died, or threatened to die.
If you felt overwhelmed, you may change the way you approach this drama. Don't focus on characters, but the story itself. As the characters come and go, for me, there is no use of being attached to all of them. The story contains important event, information, and meaning, that would define the overall story.
As the main character is Xie HuaiAn, just focus on him. He is the one with constant presence throughout all episodes. So, you can ease the mental burden.
This drama takes character development seriously. From main characters to the side ones, everyone is changing and has their story to tell. I love that even Yan Fengshan got a redemption arc and each villain got a proper and just ending for their life and their sin.
Also, I love how this drama portrays society and military in a narratively realistic way as well as their respective ethos of life. The sweet and sour of everyday life for common people, families, refugees, business, market, farm land, their innocence and simplicity in handling life, also the life of soldier, their loyalty, bravery, ruthlessness, their human side, the good and the bad.
This drama is really mind provoking, and maybe not suitable for people who don't enjoy serious theme laden with philosophy and introspection, and are not accustomed to complex narratives. The non-linear plot is executed effectively to show how the strategies work, to give suspense, and maintain curiosity. But, to understand it, it really take a lot of concentration.
The battle within character (inner conflict) is as great as the battle between factions. The decision making process is clear, the emotions are not merely a response to event, but drives further actions, the trauma from the past shapes present personality and future decision.
I am so satisfied with TVOA. And thank you, our discussion in the comments is also constructive in building shared understanding about this drama. Hopefully, more drama like this one in the future! See you next time!
We see An several times talking to his dead father. He sometimes get words of comfort or even information. How…
I think those scenes are a manifestation of his thinking process (because there is some effect around the characters, indicating that the meeting is not real).
Before that scene, he spoke with the Huben woman, saying that he needed to think first before deciding what to do. So, he visited a tavern and "saw" Gu Yu. He made a resolution to protect Chang'an. After that, he visited his old house and "saw" his father. He got a solution, involving some assets that he actually still has.
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I remember that the first 15 episodes are full of scenes intended to create an impression, laden with lovely background songs. At first, I enjoyed it because I love their romance. But later, after the Lin'an and breaking-the-dam Arc, there are so many holes, and the plots become increasingly confusing.
The characters are part of the input element. They aren't constantly present throughout the drama. They come and go, alive or died, or threatened to die.
If you felt overwhelmed, you may change the way you approach this drama. Don't focus on characters, but the story itself. As the characters come and go, for me, there is no use of being attached to all of them. The story contains important event, information, and meaning, that would define the overall story.
As the main character is Xie HuaiAn, just focus on him. He is the one with constant presence throughout all episodes. So, you can ease the mental burden.
This drama takes character development seriously. From main characters to the side ones, everyone is changing and has their story to tell. I love that even Yan Fengshan got a redemption arc and each villain got a proper and just ending for their life and their sin.
Also, I love how this drama portrays society and military in a narratively realistic way as well as their respective ethos of life. The sweet and sour of everyday life for common people, families, refugees, business, market, farm land, their innocence and simplicity in handling life, also the life of soldier, their loyalty, bravery, ruthlessness, their human side, the good and the bad.
This drama is really mind provoking, and maybe not suitable for people who don't enjoy serious theme laden with philosophy and introspection, and are not accustomed to complex narratives. The non-linear plot is executed effectively to show how the strategies work, to give suspense, and maintain curiosity. But, to understand it, it really take a lot of concentration.
The battle within character (inner conflict) is as great as the battle between factions. The decision making process is clear, the emotions are not merely a response to event, but drives further actions, the trauma from the past shapes present personality and future decision.
I am so satisfied with TVOA. And thank you, our discussion in the comments is also constructive in building shared understanding about this drama. Hopefully, more drama like this one in the future! See you next time!
Before that scene, he spoke with the Huben woman, saying that he needed to think first before deciding what to do. So, he visited a tavern and "saw" Gu Yu. He made a resolution to protect Chang'an. After that, he visited his old house and "saw" his father. He got a solution, involving some assets that he actually still has.