budoboo

Ryan Cheng Episode 17 on repeat. Classic drama gaze.

Swung back around to this drama with some serious caution. Fear of re-occurring Ning PTSD kept me away for a moment. Up until this second half I considered the selection of the actress as a fatal flaw miscasting.

Viewing second half and feeling more relaxed. Starts to become apparent what was meant to be - that the writer and director must have given the storyline enough time and detail for Ning to go from zero to hero (as demonstrated in the GuZheng incident).

Finding the high points of the drama even more appealing this second half - brotherhood (shadow whispered by sisterhood) and battles (military & personal). Just love the idea of honor, integrity and life bonds. Throw some steller sword play, a few wuxia moves, and battle blood in the mix means a must watch. Some better than good acting going on as well.

Notes:
- Di Lin's wife. Something is way wrong there she seems darker than him. Wonder how the book presents it.
- Ka Dan. At times feels like stand out acting. Would rather her character had the hard arch vs Ning.
- Si Yilin. Hot & cold. Swings from thirst trapping to not sure if that camera angle is working for him. Going to go with thirst trap. Those stare downs alone are worth the watch. Meow.
- Ma Wei. Due to be Ning's husband. Slightly creepy so far.
- Yang Xu Wen. Get that he should have been a stone cold star by now. Even a mega star. I really appreciate his acting here and have nothing but praise for Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 1&2. Still, is it wrong to have an aversion to women falling out of your hotel room? Too soon?

Paris at the beginning of summer or fall is the best time to appreciate its marvels. Enjoy! Please do concern yourself with the bedbug epidemic and take good care of your belongings when you get home.

Good point.

The original Eternal Brotherhood.

Dipped in the middle though not as much as many if not most dramas. No complaints.

Some of the realist in recent memory. She was really good at crying.

Chemistry on point.

I like your enthusiasm. Have you written a review?

Second the vote for Eternal Brotherhood 2 though I would start with Eternal Brotherhood. LYN is hot as hell in that as well. Manly man man.

They are making a choice to be each others prisoner and give into the fate of the union. The longer I am married the more it feels like being in a welcomed state of prisonership. Its actually an unimaginable joy when you discover being 'trapped/imprisoned/bound' by mutual respect, loyalty, commitment, and love. Seriously. The point is that being trapped, imprisoned, bound, etc. for life is a conscious choice that is made each and every day.

Supporting actors were outstanding to the last one of them.

Me too. Eating up too much brain space and actually effecting my work. Was Ep. 8 that did me in. Waiting to binge watch over a long weekend.

Found it hard to believe that she would take her own life? Die hard narcissist getting rid of themselves. Naw.

It must have been so frustrating for them all to wait for this drama to finally come out. They all worked so hard and so well together.

Best comment all darn day. Exactly this.

Agreed. The writing was better than the directing. Not easy to pull off.

Well written. Enjoyed reading.

Now this is funny.

Wow. There was nothing not to like about the ending. Ramped the energy way back up and it was satisfying to say the least. Its a drama I will watch again over time. Its hard to pick the standout actor. They were all so good at different times through out the drama in their own way. Having said that I will say that LYN stayed 'hot as hell' yes pretty please during the entire drama. Well done. And, if there was an acting edge it would have to go ever so slightly to the FL particularly towards the end of the drama. That girl can really cry. That and her ethereal historic-like beauty was inarguable hence it fit in with the title of the drama. I do so luv it when all the elements line up. It was an absolute viewing pleasure.