Zhao LS is the MFL
I started watching it because of ZLS. The story line just got too tedious after a while so i stopped.Acting was mediocre and the storyline not exactly the most exciting. There's not much twists and suspense to keep me looking forward to the next episode. Even the "chemistry" between the leads were at best good acting rather than genuine connection.
I also find myself rewatching previous episodes because I lost track of the story. After a while I stopped because the details didn't really matter.
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Forgive, Never Forget. Love and Honour.
A romantic action thriller tale of betrayal, nefarious plots and ultimately triumph of love.Superb characterisation by ML, FL and main supportings. Initially by Episode 3 one is left wondering what is there left of the story line? Then the subterfuge and scheming starts, within the family and within states, each twist and turn leads one to binge the next episode for the outcome. Both ML and FL literally lived their characters, Usually the ML struts and becomes the hero without acting but LYN showcased his emotional side here as well. There will be many new acolytes of Song Zu Er for just her beautiful expressions even without considering her fabulous acting. One can literally watch the series just to see her.
If the ML and FL set the drama tone, the supporting were the garnishing that lifted this CDRAMA to another level. You can't help but root for Wei Liang and Xiao Tao.
Great cinematography and this is one series where the OST is worth listening to for every episode instead skipping forward.
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Watch this for Yang Zi.
The only good reason to continue watching this is for Yang Zi. The only other reason is to complete the series from Fluorished Peony.The most envied actor must be Li Xian. Unless there is real life chemistry, there are many instances of sizzling on screen chemistry between him and Yang Zi. The villain serves to irritate more than being hateful. However more irritating than the villain must be the character, Liu Lang
The story tempo changes from draggy to incredulous plot twists. Its literally impossible to die despite the multitude of apparently violent injuries inflicted. Except the last death where a simple stab is adequate.
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Incredibly tedious.
Started off interesting. After a while, the narrative gets bogged down with very superficial minutae.There's a huge focus on the state of the art IT system that gets irritating after a while. The story is supposedly over 24 hours. After several weeks of trying to sieve the difference in crucial plot details versus details of the IT infrastructure, clothing etc, it just got too tedious. Everyone walked around with supposedly blood and gore artistically applied on; no smearing, no change, only on the face with hair, clothing spared
The only army required seems to be those in the "IT" industry. Otherwise the male protagonist is perfectly capable of taking down endless stream of baddies with his shortened sword (mark of shame).
One word describes the OST - numbing. What was supposed to be suspenseful was just draggy.
Just got too tedious snd i stopped.
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This review may contain spoilers
FL is Beautiful.
The basic storyline, where both ML and FL had switched identities had great potential that were not well developed. There's much confusing major details that didn't make sense.How did the FL and ML ended up journeying together to the capital? A father not recognising his son? Confusing time frames, e. g. Yan Lin seem to know JXN way before XW but they kinda arrive in the capital simultaneously....
What exactly is XW's disease that is so incapacitating at times and yet is miraculously absent at the end?
The Emperor, Lord Linzi and Princess are siblings. With different degrees of friends...... YL knowing JXN long time but Prince only meeting JXH later. Same for relationships between Princess, YL, XW and JXN etc. It's like these people exist within their own specific time frames that may or may not overlap.
Within a short time period, not well chronicled, XW arrived and rose to be the most trusted advisor to the Emperor. Its not clear how this happened. And of course it happened with him incognito to the Emperor.
And the baddies are just so underwhelming and totally undeserving of the heroic exploits of the good guys.
There's enough to keep moving on to the next episode .....much prob due to a forlorn hope that the storyline would fill up the gaps ....or to the enigmatic FL.
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Brutal and stylish fight scenes.
This series takes gang fights to another level of sophistication and numbers. The ML literally puts Rambo to shame with his body count despite not using any guns. He could also had featured as a professional baseball player with his superlative skills with a baseball bat.The action started fast and furious and it took 3 episodes before one could catch a breath to figure out the story line. Then it was a rush to the finish albeit less adrenaline fueled as it becomes more apparent that the killings must finish and the ML will be immortal until his mission to end all scum lives is completed.
Overall a good watch for those more appreciative of gruesome violence.
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Failed Father.
The premise of this series is good. There are many threads, each with its own story. It's anecdotal, it's heartwarming, it's infuriating and it's enlightening of the times. Overall, it's sketchy. Somehow the details didn't fully fleshed out the picture.There is much to like. There's much realism and tales of life. There's much to appreciate. But there is also too much emphasis on some nuances and some bits of the acting seems over dramatised. I count 5 divorces. For 36 episodes and a family of 5 siblings, this seems a lot. The character play of antagonism between QZW and elder son QYC is a little overdone. The furtive, paternalistic and overbearing characterization of QZW, with his obviously devious scheming just got more irritating than hateful. Even QSM's portrayal of a ditzy sister get a little worn.
The QSL and MYD's relationship, as well as QEQ and MSQ's were better written with its moments of challenges and warmth.
The bigger acting parts belong to the male actors but the female actors did a better job. Esp Mao Xiao Tong and Zhu Zhu.
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There is enough in the story to keep viewers eagerly anticipating the next episode. Details may be stunning yet lacking, e.g. the extravagant wedding yet in both the Ning and Fei mansions, there is a paucity of staff in detailing the rich lifestyle. Poverty is everywhere yet the poor are somehow made up looking poor but lack the actual dirt.
Overall the entire drama is engaging with superb acting.
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Not sure about the hype.
I started watching this for its high ratings. The starting was promising. By Ep 10, I was struggling.The whole premise of the "Intelligence Unit" reflects this series' hype and not intelligence. Somehow Chen Ping Ping knows everything. Somehow. The most fascinating aspect of the whole series was CPP's wheelchair. A palace that is empty but for the Emperor, who is so self absorbed. A woman immortalized by a memorial tablet. A Saintess perfect in the role of the harlot but totally lacking in seductive charms. The hero who spends his childhood in the countryside and then literally walked perfectly suited into his adult role as martial arts exponent extraordinaire, fitting perfectly into the imperial world of subterfuge and political under world. He somehow has incredible attributes and manages to outwit and outfight every baddie thrown into the mixture with irritating aplomb. Mostly he out mouth rather than do.
Political intrigues that starts off intriguing but culminates in yawns.
A sickly princess who craves chicken legs .......she was actually the brightest spot in the whole series.
Did I look forward to Season 2? Maybe. Just to tell myself that I may be wrong. That Season 1 is the lead up to a huge season finale .....
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This review may contain spoilers
A different cup of tea.
A rather unusual story line where the main theme is that of dominant and liberal female values clashing with the more pedestrian male-centric society in ancient China. The main family's females decide and make choices while males play second fiddle. The ultimate display of power is not merely from martial prowess but the possession of a historically, bestowed gift.The story line is intriguing, confusing, engaging and definitely stretches the credibility of ancient Chinese values. As a thriller it succeeds, as a romance it barely stirs the heart strings and as a travelogue into the tea-scape of China, it is fabulous.
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When circumstances, nature and humans conspires.
The crimes are heinous. Not for gold, not for millions, not for passion, not for vengeance. Because humans want a better life.Forget stars, starlets, celebrities or cameos. Just actors and actresses acting. Fabulous cinematography. Riveting story line. This series is a story of China as well. Living within the constrain of times and rules. And how humans strives for happiness. As for the the crime/s, the roller-coaster of clues and motives keeps the suspense on teeter hooks. Its a story of the boondocks but the intelligence behind it is dazzling.
There must be Sandstorm 2. For redemption. Because she does not deserve it.
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Watch this for Yang Zi and Peonies
The biggest reason to watch this drama is Yang Zi. There are more than enough twists and turns in the plot to keep going to the next episode. There's also much confusion as to the relationship between Prince Ning, the Emperor and San Lang. The other members of the cast are good at best with the more outstanding character being Zhu Fu.Overall the storyline is simplistic, incredulous but entertaining nonetheless. There's enough to ensure that one continues watching Season 2, In the Name of Blossom.
Other than Yang Zi, the peonies are incredibly beautiful.
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A FL who grows into role.
The storyline has enough twists to keep binging. The domestic intrigues were more captivating than the court manoeuvrings. There were too many gaps of credibility especially wrt Shenyuan's abilities and the overly psychotic preoccupation with Yinning and Lu JX relationship that had many sketchy details left hanging.Ren Min got better and grew into her role. The supporting were often as captivating especially Dong SY as Yixiu. The maids and Bro gang were great, too, esp Qing Qu. Not sure what was the purpose of Cheng Lang.
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I tried to continue after finishing Season 1
More of the same from Season 1. You can not watch S2 without watching S1. The story continues, and gets more bizarre. S1 ended with a supposedly cliff hanger. Maybe it would have been better if FX was not revived .....just saying.This time even Lin Wan Er lost her allure from S1. At least there was some emotional depth from her in S1. I just could not continue as I did for the entire 46 episodes of S1, just to catch more glimpses of her.
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