Ep 40 was one loooong goodbye. As the episode played out, little by little you knew it was a farewell and made…
I completely agree. I miscounted and thought the happy ending of EP39 was the finale, so when EP40 started playing I instantly got 'bad vibes' as it seemed like the ending would be really sad after all 😢 Even though Bi Qiu was made out to be a villain for nearly the whole of MLC, I think it was a stroke of genius for the writers to have LLH explain to Bi Qiu (and therefore show the audience) exactly how he went from the arrogant, revenge bent LXY to the carefree LLH and how those early years of living and farming as LLH changed his mindset, because Bi Qiu also struggled for 10 years to let go of his guilt of poisoning the beloved LXY and even tried to kill himself in front of everyone.
In the wrap up special video, the directors did mention that MLC would be LLH's long goodbye to the Jianghu and they really made good on their promise 😠I agree that that jumping off the cliff was so symbolic and poignant. What a heartbreaking but perfect exit 💔
I am so glad that I found MLC, because it was only by chance that I saw someone mention it on IG, otherwise I would have missed this masterpiece. It’s been really interesting following everyone’s comments and apologies in advance for this ramble – I love this drama so much, but alas, have no one to share this with! (NB: This really is very, very long, so skip if it's not your thing!)
Knowing that it was a bromance, I was expecting humour and warmth, but I wasn’t expecting so much heartbreak and to feel so attached to these characters in such a short space of time. I binge watched the last few episodes on fast pass but it was only after processing it overnight that I could even be in the right mind space to describe how I feel about MLC. This was my first CY drama and my god, what an introduction to this sublime actor – definitely not an idol actor that just gets by on looks! What a talent, I loved how he brought to life all the complexities of LLH & LXY. Every scene where he confronts SGD, you could turn off the subtitles and sound and you could probably take a really good guess at what was happening because somehow CY manages to capture all the changing and complex emotions of that moment. It’s so easy for actors to go overboard with sad or angry moments, but CY’s delivery is always spot on, so measured, so controlled. (Also, props to the writers/directors for getting SGD to shed a tear, it didn’t make him sympathetic to me but I thought it was an interesting reaction that I rarely see from villains). CY’s acting when he was imprisoned by JLQ also stood out to me for some reason – I really liked that cheeky, can’t-quite-believe-what’s-happening, ‘oh well, I’m going blind but I’ll try and wrestle out some information and drive JLQ up the wall anyway’ attitude! And let’s not forget to mention his stunts. I’m sure CY was a martial artist in a previous life because the BTS of his stunts and swordsmanship are so beautiful, confident and skilful – I loved watching it and wished we had more! The drunk sword dance had me feeling all the feels T_T
The casting directors really did a great job with the casting – every actor’s acting was on point and I have a new respect for Joseph and XSY (they definitely did him dirty in TTEOTM). The OST, although just 4 tracks, packed a mighty punch. I cry every time I listen to 一壶莲花醉 because it is like LLH’s song telling FDB how he came to have these world view, why he’s made the decisions he’s made and not to be sad, because they will meet again.
Regarding the ending, I really liked it! Well, all 3 of the endings in my mind 😉
*SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL UP AHEAD*
EP39: I accidentally miscounted and thought I was watching EP40 when EP39 finished and I was happy with this ending. We didn’t find out about LLH giving the Emperor the flower yet and the last scene was our LLH & FDB joking around, so in my mind, after a lot of bickering and threats LLH finally used that flower. Although he will never get his martial power back, he doesn’t mind because he can finally live his life in peace doing a bit of gardening and fishing with his dog. I don’t think he would definitely go around the Jianghu with his 2 best friends since he’s adamant that he wants to leave it behind. I was satisfied with this happy ending 😊
*SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL UP AHEAD*
NOVEL: I haven’t read this yet but my understanding is that 2 years after LLH doesn’t show up at the East Sea, FDB finds him living in a village near the sea. The Bicha poison has caused him to go blind, paralysed his arm and he has seemingly lost his memory and/or gone mad. FDB and DFS both go and look after him every now and again, and when DFS asks him if he really doesn’t remember, he gives a sort of indirect answer. Even though I heard that many readers didn’t like this ending, I really like this ending! LLH is alive. I think it’s realistic that Bicha, after melting his internal organs, caused some lasting damage even if it didn’t manage to kill him off completely. I’m not sure if he is completely cured since it’s been 2 years in the novel, but at least he’s alive. Whether he really has forgotten I don’t think it matters – if he has, then at least he’s forgotten all the pain of LXY’s life, if he hasn’t, then he can at least be at peace knowing that he has his 2 truest friends looking after him. Either way, he’s living the carefree life he wanted, doing a bit of farming, going fishing every day, where no one is trying to plot against him or kill him.
EP40: Heartbreaking but beautiful nevertheless, in my opinion! This is just my opinion and my interpretation so don’t come for me. The whole point of an OE is so that the audience can come to their own conclusions. I personally love an OE when it makes sense and I think it made sense in MLC – after all, the Jianghu was never sure if LXY was truly dead or alive, and some of the messages of MLC are to let go even if you can’t get the answers / closure you want, and that the world is so wide, heaven has its own plans, who knows what will happen in the future. I found FDB going back to where they first met at that restaurant and that lonely, empty table so heartbreaking. Was the scene by the sea someone’s imagination? Not DFS or FDB I don’t think, it seems odd they would imagine them both arriving at the same time. Then LLH’s? Maybe! But DFS, FDB and our hulijing are looking up at something so I don’t think it’s LLH’s dead body collapsed on the beach - although their expression is hard to read (I'd be fascinated to know what the stage direction was, were Joseph and XSY told what they were 'looking' at or were they just directed to show an ambiguous response). Then there’s LLH’s small, sad smile. Was he reminiscing, did he hear the 2 people behind him, or something else? Who knows. Personally, I think they did end up meeting. So what happened next? We pan wide to an empty beach, devoid even of footprints (what a beautifully executed shot btw). I think this is the director’s way of saying ‘LLH has disappeared from the world’ – whether that means he died after meeting his friends, died elsewhere, was spirited away to a safe place by his besties, who knows. Personally I think he died after meeting his friends. It was already a miracle that he survived 3 months, so did he call them to the beach because he suddenly decided to live? Seems less likely considering his character, but possible! Maybe FDB managed to keep him going with his yangzhouman and they found some kind of cure (I’m glad this didn’t end with a last minute, out of the blue cure, that would’ve been such a disservice to this beautifully crafted drama IMHO). Since he can no longer be LXY or LLH, did he want their help hiding him so he can go back to his farmer's lifestyle? He already hid so well himself, so why suddenly ask for their help? Personally, I think he knows he’s been lucky to survive 3 months and he knows his time is coming so he wants to see his 2 best friends and his dog and drink with them by Lian Hua Lou one last time. To say goodbye and for closure – ‘Don’t be like me searching for years for a dead body. I’m about to leave soon. I’ve let everything go and so should you. It’s time for you to move on.’
Those are just my thoughts. Tbh, I’m satisfied with any of those endings although perhaps the EP39 ‘ending’ is the ‘least’ satisfying for me since it doesn’t quite fit with LLH’s character and the story IMHO. I kind of wish they just added the extra 5mins to EP40 – EP40 I think is much sadder than the extra 5 mins since it sounds like he definitely died (our doctor friend [sorry I forgot him name!] saying he probably used up his remaining one month’s worth of life fighting SGD and signing off his letter with such finality).
Sorry again for the long rambling post – I have so many complicated feelings about this masterpiece, I can’t describe or emphasise how much I loved it and how much it has changed my own viewpoint. Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts 😊
In the wrap up special video, the directors did mention that MLC would be LLH's long goodbye to the Jianghu and they really made good on their promise 😠I agree that that jumping off the cliff was so symbolic and poignant. What a heartbreaking but perfect exit 💔
Knowing that it was a bromance, I was expecting humour and warmth, but I wasn’t expecting so much heartbreak and to feel so attached to these characters in such a short space of time. I binge watched the last few episodes on fast pass but it was only after processing it overnight that I could even be in the right mind space to describe how I feel about MLC. This was my first CY drama and my god, what an introduction to this sublime actor – definitely not an idol actor that just gets by on looks! What a talent, I loved how he brought to life all the complexities of LLH & LXY. Every scene where he confronts SGD, you could turn off the subtitles and sound and you could probably take a really good guess at what was happening because somehow CY manages to capture all the changing and complex emotions of that moment. It’s so easy for actors to go overboard with sad or angry moments, but CY’s delivery is always spot on, so measured, so controlled. (Also, props to the writers/directors for getting SGD to shed a tear, it didn’t make him sympathetic to me but I thought it was an interesting reaction that I rarely see from villains). CY’s acting when he was imprisoned by JLQ also stood out to me for some reason – I really liked that cheeky, can’t-quite-believe-what’s-happening, ‘oh well, I’m going blind but I’ll try and wrestle out some information and drive JLQ up the wall anyway’ attitude! And let’s not forget to mention his stunts. I’m sure CY was a martial artist in a previous life because the BTS of his stunts and swordsmanship are so beautiful, confident and skilful – I loved watching it and wished we had more! The drunk sword dance had me feeling all the feels T_T
The casting directors really did a great job with the casting – every actor’s acting was on point and I have a new respect for Joseph and XSY (they definitely did him dirty in TTEOTM). The OST, although just 4 tracks, packed a mighty punch. I cry every time I listen to 一壶莲花醉 because it is like LLH’s song telling FDB how he came to have these world view, why he’s made the decisions he’s made and not to be sad, because they will meet again.
Regarding the ending, I really liked it! Well, all 3 of the endings in my mind 😉
*SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL UP AHEAD*
EP39: I accidentally miscounted and thought I was watching EP40 when EP39 finished and I was happy with this ending. We didn’t find out about LLH giving the Emperor the flower yet and the last scene was our LLH & FDB joking around, so in my mind, after a lot of bickering and threats LLH finally used that flower. Although he will never get his martial power back, he doesn’t mind because he can finally live his life in peace doing a bit of gardening and fishing with his dog. I don’t think he would definitely go around the Jianghu with his 2 best friends since he’s adamant that he wants to leave it behind. I was satisfied with this happy ending 😊
*SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL UP AHEAD*
NOVEL: I haven’t read this yet but my understanding is that 2 years after LLH doesn’t show up at the East Sea, FDB finds him living in a village near the sea. The Bicha poison has caused him to go blind, paralysed his arm and he has seemingly lost his memory and/or gone mad. FDB and DFS both go and look after him every now and again, and when DFS asks him if he really doesn’t remember, he gives a sort of indirect answer. Even though I heard that many readers didn’t like this ending, I really like this ending! LLH is alive. I think it’s realistic that Bicha, after melting his internal organs, caused some lasting damage even if it didn’t manage to kill him off completely. I’m not sure if he is completely cured since it’s been 2 years in the novel, but at least he’s alive. Whether he really has forgotten I don’t think it matters – if he has, then at least he’s forgotten all the pain of LXY’s life, if he hasn’t, then he can at least be at peace knowing that he has his 2 truest friends looking after him. Either way, he’s living the carefree life he wanted, doing a bit of farming, going fishing every day, where no one is trying to plot against him or kill him.
EP40: Heartbreaking but beautiful nevertheless, in my opinion! This is just my opinion and my interpretation so don’t come for me. The whole point of an OE is so that the audience can come to their own conclusions. I personally love an OE when it makes sense and I think it made sense in MLC – after all, the Jianghu was never sure if LXY was truly dead or alive, and some of the messages of MLC are to let go even if you can’t get the answers / closure you want, and that the world is so wide, heaven has its own plans, who knows what will happen in the future. I found FDB going back to where they first met at that restaurant and that lonely, empty table so heartbreaking. Was the scene by the sea someone’s imagination? Not DFS or FDB I don’t think, it seems odd they would imagine them both arriving at the same time. Then LLH’s? Maybe! But DFS, FDB and our hulijing are looking up at something so I don’t think it’s LLH’s dead body collapsed on the beach - although their expression is hard to read (I'd be fascinated to know what the stage direction was, were Joseph and XSY told what they were 'looking' at or were they just directed to show an ambiguous response). Then there’s LLH’s small, sad smile. Was he reminiscing, did he hear the 2 people behind him, or something else? Who knows. Personally, I think they did end up meeting. So what happened next? We pan wide to an empty beach, devoid even of footprints (what a beautifully executed shot btw). I think this is the director’s way of saying ‘LLH has disappeared from the world’ – whether that means he died after meeting his friends, died elsewhere, was spirited away to a safe place by his besties, who knows. Personally I think he died after meeting his friends. It was already a miracle that he survived 3 months, so did he call them to the beach because he suddenly decided to live? Seems less likely considering his character, but possible! Maybe FDB managed to keep him going with his yangzhouman and they found some kind of cure (I’m glad this didn’t end with a last minute, out of the blue cure, that would’ve been such a disservice to this beautifully crafted drama IMHO). Since he can no longer be LXY or LLH, did he want their help hiding him so he can go back to his farmer's lifestyle? He already hid so well himself, so why suddenly ask for their help? Personally, I think he knows he’s been lucky to survive 3 months and he knows his time is coming so he wants to see his 2 best friends and his dog and drink with them by Lian Hua Lou one last time. To say goodbye and for closure – ‘Don’t be like me searching for years for a dead body. I’m about to leave soon. I’ve let everything go and so should you. It’s time for you to move on.’
Those are just my thoughts. Tbh, I’m satisfied with any of those endings although perhaps the EP39 ‘ending’ is the ‘least’ satisfying for me since it doesn’t quite fit with LLH’s character and the story IMHO. I kind of wish they just added the extra 5mins to EP40 – EP40 I think is much sadder than the extra 5 mins since it sounds like he definitely died (our doctor friend [sorry I forgot him name!] saying he probably used up his remaining one month’s worth of life fighting SGD and signing off his letter with such finality).
Sorry again for the long rambling post – I have so many complicated feelings about this masterpiece, I can’t describe or emphasise how much I loved it and how much it has changed my own viewpoint. Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts 😊