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.
Regarding YFS's death, I thought it was really well done because it showed that XHA ended up killing him using…
I think the trick is not "little." There are interesting push and pull in that scenes.
XHA surrendered and "conceded" defeat. He showed how defastated and tired he was. He was a madman, talking about being mad, the feeling and the yearning to see the beloved again, and hallucinating about his sister.
When I watched this I do believe that he is really crazy. YFS believed it, too. So he let XHA to get out, to meet his demise in the sword of a Huben outside. But, unbeknowst to YFS, XHA had a plan with Mr. Long to trick YFS. What is needed is a moment of reflection, to feel his feeling and be aware of his fatherly love toward Wang Pu.
The previous talks with XHA is a priming to control YFS's perception when a figure like Wang Pu flashes in front of him. Emotion took his critical thought, open himself to an attack and he cannot defend himself now.
Regarding YFS's death, I thought it was really well done because it showed that XHA ended up killing him using…
I don't know what scenario would be the best, YFS to die this way or that way.
For some people, his die must be dramatic, like involving a sword fight. But, our ml cannot do martial arts. Maybe in a battle, but it won't do since he is still in control of military. He will the the one who win. Maybe through direct assssinantion, but nobody can't do that either since YFS is surrounded by his shadow guard. What else?
So I think, XHA is the best strategy: By surrendering himself first and do the rest as showed in the episode, using himself as the "weapon".
Maybe we think it kind of anticlimatic, but maybe it is because we are too often see victory achieved through fights or poisons or the means of justice or sacrifice (typical of historical drama), not mind trick, psychological manipulation, and deception. So, this drama is truly exceptional.
2 
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.
XHA surrendered and "conceded" defeat. He showed how defastated and tired he was. He was a madman, talking about being mad, the feeling and the yearning to see the beloved again, and hallucinating about his sister.
When I watched this I do believe that he is really crazy. YFS believed it, too. So he let XHA to get out, to meet his demise in the sword of a Huben outside. But, unbeknowst to YFS, XHA had a plan with Mr. Long to trick YFS. What is needed is a moment of reflection, to feel his feeling and be aware of his fatherly love toward Wang Pu.
The previous talks with XHA is a priming to control YFS's perception when a figure like Wang Pu flashes in front of him. Emotion took his critical thought, open himself to an attack and he cannot defend himself now.
For some people, his die must be dramatic, like involving a sword fight. But, our ml cannot do martial arts. Maybe in a battle, but it won't do since he is still in control of military. He will the the one who win. Maybe through direct assssinantion, but nobody can't do that either since YFS is surrounded by his shadow guard. What else?
So I think, XHA is the best strategy: By surrendering himself first and do the rest as showed in the episode, using himself as the "weapon".
Maybe we think it kind of anticlimatic, but maybe it is because we are too often see victory achieved through fights or poisons or the means of justice or sacrifice (typical of historical drama), not mind trick, psychological manipulation, and deception. So, this drama is truly exceptional.