Added to my Soon to Watch list. I did some searching and it looks like this drama will air the last episodes December…
Would like to add a caution. Usually binge watch. So glad I did not with this drama. A binge watch will set your mind, heart, and perhaps soul back a good week. Its very intense and often shocking. In fact, not sure it ever stops shocking in nearly every episode. Buckle up and good luck. 😂
A solid list. a. YZ must be alive. At least I hope so. b. Qingyi and his mom - if they do not show up it will be a disappointment. Even if its a catch up on where they are and what they are doing. The writer is so darn good. Gotta believe.
YFS recruited Su Chang Lin to be an eventual rival to ML and his side. How far in advance do all of YFS & ML calculations go before checkmate? There is no final checkmate only an everlasting 10D game of generational chess. When YFS says that only the two of them know the vengence story associated with SCL is a lie he means to say he (SCL) might ultimately be the one to 'outsmart' us all. Unless ML and/or his side also has someone to take his place then ultimately he and his side will loose to YFS and his side in whatever form either takes in the future.
Each episode feels like the deaths just started. Amazing and exhausting!
I paused ep 20 and went out and purchased a big bag of chips. Could not think of anything else to sooth myself. Not even a fan of chips. Just wanted the crunch inlieu of grating my teeth. Gonna be both sad and glad when this drama is over and I am not going to rush to rewatch.
Why did the young emperor kill Zhang Mo? Is Xiao Wen Jing on a redemption arch? Does he have remorse for killing Zhang Mo?
Why kill? Because he is a killer. Impulsively protecting himself and his ego or vigilante killing (the stalker) does not matter. A killer is a killer.. End of. He enjoys hacking people up with an axe and everything about it including the gore.
Redemption arch? Nope. More like a circumstance arch. Why is redemption even a possibility? Because he is rich and or powerful means he can get a way with murder? Is the writer leading us to move beyond XWJ killing instinct? IMO the writer is not - he is giving everyone the opportunity to make their decision which creates a grey zone. Will he be a better emperor because he has these new life experiences? Probably yes. Does that then mean he is not a stone cold killer - no.
Having remorse? Naw. He is attached to himself and the source of his power - the empire. He finally understands that individual people make up the empire. He is reflecting on that and making his apology.
The ML is not expecting the new Zhang Mo to be something he is not nor is he expecting him to change the true nature he has already displayed. ML changes his tactics to account for XYW's true nature and intent and creates motivation for him to do good things - or at least the things the ML needs him to do.
And, the things ML gets him to do makes ZM feel like a good person or at least a better one.
Bottom Line: Xiao Wen Jing is a full on bad guy no matter what he is manipulated into doing or not.
a. YZ must be alive. At least I hope so.
b. Qingyi and his mom - if they do not show up it will be a disappointment. Even if its a catch up on where they are and what they are doing. The writer is so darn good. Gotta believe.
Why kill? Because he is a killer. Impulsively protecting himself and his ego or vigilante killing (the stalker) does not matter. A killer is a killer.. End of. He enjoys hacking people up with an axe and everything about it including the gore.
Redemption arch? Nope. More like a circumstance arch. Why is redemption even a possibility? Because he is rich and or powerful means he can get a way with murder? Is the writer leading us to move beyond XWJ killing instinct? IMO the writer is not - he is giving everyone the opportunity to make their decision which creates a grey zone. Will he be a better emperor because he has these new life experiences? Probably yes. Does that then mean he is not a stone cold killer - no.
Having remorse? Naw. He is attached to himself and the source of his power - the empire. He finally understands that individual people make up the empire. He is reflecting on that and making his apology.
The ML is not expecting the new Zhang Mo to be something he is not nor is he expecting him to change the true nature he has already displayed. ML changes his tactics to account for XYW's true nature and intent and creates motivation for him to do good things - or at least the things the ML needs him to do.
And, the things ML gets him to do makes ZM feel like a good person or at least a better one.
Bottom Line: Xiao Wen Jing is a full on bad guy no matter what he is manipulated into doing or not.