Brennnndda

Ep. 23-24 were lessons to both Chang Ge and Sun in futility.
Sun worked so hard to free Chang Ge, only for her to shake off his hand and dive back into the fire. Likewise, Chang Ge risked everything to rescue General Luo Yi, only for him to sacrifice himself so she could escape. I think it's a hard lesson that both had to learn.

Ep 28-29: That ending fight scene between Sun and Gongsen's men was hilarious. Boys will be boys I guess. The entire time Sun was with them I was shouting "just let them fight it out and be done with it" lol

Since Chang Ge has been away from Sun, it's allowed her to reflect on her past choices and where her future path should go. It's also allowed her to look at Sun through a different perspective so that when they reunite, they will be a united front. From the previews for ep 31, I'm glad they don't drag out the separation (not that they really could since there's only 19 episodes left and there now seems to be a new enemy on the horizon).

Sher and Sun's resolution sadly came too late. Sher's priorities were so screwed up that he honestly only competed with Sun for self gratification. In all honestly, it was completely unnecessary because the Khan would've done everything to prevent Sun from inheriting the Ashile Tribe since he's always been the outsider. Had they worked together since the beginning, their brotherhood could've been epic and Sun would've put his life on the line to protect Sher and to make sure Sher inherited the tribe with no problems. Ah, what could've been . . .

If there is going to be a sad ending (which I personally don't think is likely)...it will probably stem from Sun's side. I don't see anyone from Tang plotting against the couple in a way that would end up killing one or the other. Her uncle still loves her very much and she's no longer a threat to his reign. The greatest threat I sense is probably from Sher's mother. There's a sneakiness about her that makes me feel uneasy.

Contemplating watching this while I wait for The Long Ballad to air. Does anyone recommend this?

It was hinted at that after Sun brought Changge to his camp around ep 15-16. Mu Jin had said "Central Plains people can't be trusted" and Sun gave him the side-eye which caused Mu Jin to backtrack a bit.

It was hinted at that after Sun brought Changge to his camp around ep 15-16. Mu Jin had said "Central Plains people can't be trusted" and Sun gave him the side-eye which caused Mu Jin to backtrack a bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if Khatun is plotting to assassinate the Khan and make her son a puppet king with her in charge. She has no connection to the Ashile tribe and no connection to Tang. She literally has nothing to lose.

It doesn't feel like it's going to be sad. There's no foreboding air of darkness encompassing any of the characters (at this point)

I've honestly never thought Changge didn't feel anything or didn't know of his feelings. It's more like, at the time they met and the subsequent events thereafter, she was never in a position where she could focus on romantic emotions.
After her family was killed, she was constantly running and fighting for her life. In between doing those two things, where would she have the time to focus on falling in love?
Her emotions are clearer now because all her grievances have subsided (for the most part) and she's had time to think things through

I think Sun does know. After he brought Changge to their camp the first time (ep 15~16), Mu Jin made a comment like "people from the central plains can't be trusted." Sun looked at him and Mu Jin backtracked saying "I didn't mean it that way..."
I think it hinted that they know there's some secret behind his origins.

I'm really loving the director. First there was the fantastic game scene then all the fight scenes that followed all the way until today's episodes. (I don't care for the animation though, so excluding those lol). I personally think, acting-wise, this is Dilireba and Zhao Lu Si's best drama yet. They are all killing those emotional scenes!!

I want to say I'm annoyed with Changge's character...but I kind of understand where she's coming from as well. It pisses me off that she's constantly taking Sun's help for granted and further digging a hole for herself...but in hindsight, her actions were due to her own convictions.

Hers and Sun's priorities are very different. His is to save her life but hers is to save the lives of her people. If she didn't save her uncle on the bridge, all of Tang could've fallen to the Ashile Tribe (and we've seen how they treat their prisoners). The general was someone loyal to her father and kind to her, it wouldn't make sense if she just left him to die. If Sun were in her position, it's difficult to say he wouldn't have made the same choices. It is without a doubt though that she did overestimate herself, but it was always his choice to come for her.

I don't enjoy episodes where the leads are apart and I'm furious that Changge was such a coward that she literally ran away due to guilt/Sun's harsh words to her. However, I really do think Changge and Sun need time apart. At the grasslands, Sun hovered too much and Changge was too stubborn to listen to his warnings. Time apart will let both re-evaluate their situations.

The scene with Sun's mother was spectacular. All the credit goes to Wu Lei! To me, Sun always has this aura of authority and maturity. However, his heart-wrenching cry over his mother's death made him look like a little lost child. My heart shattered with him!

Sher is a special kind of stupid. He's a child who acts before he thinks. He didn't understand the repercussions of his actions until it was already too late. To him, fighting with Sun was due to his own inferiority complex while to Sun, it was a matter of life and death. Had Sher put his ego aside, he and Sun could've had a closer relationship than the one Sun has with Mu Jin.

As of right now, my favorite character is Leyan. She's come so far and has become so strong. I root for her to find her place. My heart melted when she told Changge that she'll do all she can to protect Changge from now on. Both girls have already lost so much but their losses definitely made them stronger.
(Side note: Wei Shu Yu really does get the short end of the stick. First he loses out on Changge then Leyan and now he's stuck babysitting the crown prince lol poor guy won't catch a break)

After watching 24-30:

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been waiting for the schedule ❤

I honestly wrote off all Chinese dramas until TMOPB lol
TMOPB opened up a dangerous door of drama binge-watching for me.

Now Chinese dramas are essentially my go-to before I even think to glance at dramas from any other country.

To be honest, I don't think Wei Shu Yu is compatible with either of them. He's more like the big brother type when things are good. When things get bad, he hesitates too much which makes him indecisive. . .which eliminates him as a love rival lol

I was curious as to why there were women and children in Sun's camp if they are technically a war band...but getting sent slave girls for procreation makes sense.

Chang Ge is "more likable" than Le Yan because of her strength..but I can appreciate Le Yan's character because she was probably the more "normal" type of woman in that time period than Chang Ge. Plus, although they are both princesses, their upbringing was different.

I think the show does a good job at showing compatibility amongst the 2 main couples.

First, there's Sun and Chang Ge. The first thing that attracted Sun to Chang Ge was her intelligence (the game scene in episode1). Yes, he's had to save her a couple times but he sees that like himself, she's a fighter. If you think about it, Sun and Le Yan would never have been attracted to each other. Sun grew up fighting so he needs to be with someone that shares his drive. Le Yan was too coddled and protected to understand what it means to fight for something (until now...since she's on her own).

Likewise, when you put Hao Du and Chang Ge together, there's no way romance would ever blossom from that. They are both too stubborn to ever be compatible. Le Yan's gentleness and innocence brings out a different side of Hao Du that only she gets to see and that's why I hope they both survive and end up together.

In my opinion, it definitely gets better as the episodes progress.

I think he initially liked Chang Ge but since she was exiled, he hasn't really seen or been with her at all. Plus he thinks she's dead thanks to Sun.
It would be completely implausible for him to keep pining after Chang Ge at this point.

Even though we've only seen small interactions here and there, I find myself loving Sun's people. They aren't bad people, just rough around the edges like Sun is.
Caring about them scares me because I have this foreboding feeling they won't survive once shit hits the fan and Sun separates himself from the Khan.

I haven't read the manhua but from comments I've read..it actually surprised me that the characters were different then the manhua descriptions.
For one, it's kind of strange CG would be so hell bent of revenge in the drama if she wasn't close to her parents anyways. (Like, yeah, they are her parents and they were murdered but the drama basically portrayed her having a minimal relationship with both). If anything, the revenge part would make sense because of the sense of betrayal she felt from her uncle.
Second, the description of Sun is that he is the foster son the the Khan and led a really hard life..yet the Sun in the drama is quite mild and kind in nature. I was hoping to see his ruthlessness and cunning but I don't think it's the character is coming across that way. I'm not sure if the drama writers were afraid he would come off as unlikeable...but now he just seems bland.
Despite liking the cast, there's really nothing exceptional in either the FL or ML characters.

I hate that age is always a complaint. It's annoying how people can't look past numbers (within reason).