first_snow55

Such a poignant epi. DFJ, you are a true hero. It was wonderful to see DFJ and WXS interaction and had things been normal they would have actually become great friends. Sigh. But it was still great to see them become brief friends and form an alliance. He even spared WXS feelings by not telling about his brothers. It's fitting that it was none other than DFJ who avenged his sister. That scene where LC hears him call mei mei while she is at the ancestral hall just shows depth of their bond. I have mixed feelings about not seeing the fight between DFJ and FYK. I wish they had shown it but I also feel like it's a kinda poetic that they didn't.

This epi highlighted some parallels. The first is the obvious parallel between the three brothers from the two generations. SMZ-BCF-WXS is basically history repeating itself. Thirteen Doom is the BCF of his generation with SMZ being Marquis Zhuge and WXS as his own master Tianyi. The other is the not so obvious parallel between the two adoptive sons, DFJ and FYK. One loyal and selfless until the very end and other selfish and rotten to the very core. One driven by his resolve to protect his adoptive family and the other relishing in the destruction of his adoptive family. It's also fitting how the 'protectors of their respective families' DFJ and WXS joined hands against the common enemy.

Very sad how things ended for Shifu. WXS did his very best to save both his wife and master but it was just not meant to be. And finally, it's kinda obvious where DFJ is heading. I think the prelude to the final epis are actually really good. I also feel like many people just didn't understand the drama.

DFJ and LC is the best sibling relationship in the drama for me. They are right up their with WKX and Ah Xiang for me.

Thoughts on epi 34...

Can BCF sink any lower? Forcing LC to marry him and later rubbing it on SMZ's face. That's just pathetic. Loved how SMZ remained dignified throughout. I do feel very sorry for LC but at the same time I don't. She is partly responsible for the mess she is in. She should have just listened to DFJ and let him run their sect. It's not about being a man or a woman, or being the biological heir. DFJ is older, wiser and more experienced. Yes, she was traumatized and she internalized it, but her own father was responsible for the all the mess and the last person she should have listened to was him. Instead she took his advice and asked BCF for help and even started following his footsteps. Had she confided in DFJ and SMZ things wouldn't have escalated this far. Those two leading the two sects would have actually resulted in peace and they could dealt with the Chancellor and Youqiao group if the two sects joined hands. She was very unfair to SMZ as well. She never once told him the things she faced, never once shared her pain or burden. She never even gave him the chance. Had he actually known everything she has gone through, he would have turned the world upside down for her. No matter how much she loves him, she just didn't trust him enough or respect him and unfairly directed all her anger towards him.

I loved the way the drama depicted the parallels between the two weddings. One full of happiness and the other one full of misery. Very much enjoyed the scenes between WXS and WR. I don't care what people says, I like them as a couple.

DFJ is the best brother/friend anyone can have. His one and only mission in life is to protect his loved ones. Such a great character and so well enacted by Yang Tong.

Lei Mei, seriously girl, do you really think a man who is obsessed with his wife would have you? It's ok to love someone and please have some self worth.

Thoughts on epi 32 and 33...

You're welcome.

Epi 31:
I was so deeply moved by LYN's incredible acting in epis 30 and 31. He displayed such a wide range here. He was especially good in the part where he visits Mr. and Mrs. Wo's house. I don't know why people dislike WXS-WR couple so much. I loved their scenes in these couple of epis. Poor SMZ, he is truly such a honorable man and just doesn't deserve the treatment he is receiving from BCF and LC. He has done no wrong. Baron Chen's acting is so good as well. I know most people love SMZ the character, but somewhere I feel like Baron's performance is underappreciated.

Thank you.

Thanks for the link.

I still haven't finished the drama, have ten more epis to go so this isn't my final review. But I am going to say a few things for new viewers or those who might be curious. This drama is actually quite dark and the tags on MDL still doesn't convey it fully. So if you're looking for a drama that's just about friendship, bromance, romance and adventure, this probably isn't the drama for you. At the start it may look like a story about bunch of young, righteous people finding their way in jianghu, but it eventually turns into a rather sad story of loyalty and betrayal, power struggle and despair. While it's wuxia and a classic wuxia, there are more psychological battles than actual battles here.

Also, it's based on novel and novel fans are rarely satisfied with any adaptation no matter how good or bad and in this adaptations case, very few international have actually read it and opinions regarding the novel is mostly hearsay. While the scriptwriter may have deviated a lot and the drama may seem messed up, based on whatever info is available on the novel, the novel plot in itself is quite messed up. The drama is maybe messed up in a different kind of way. If the completely followed the original plot it probably would have been equally or more distressing.

So to summarize it, I'd say it's a sad, painful and complex story with happy moments sprinkled here and there. I feel that some viewers disappointment here stems from just having wrong expectations or not even knowing what this drama was supposed to be all about. I wouldn't say it doesn't have flaws, I haven't even finished this yet but I still think it's pretty great. It's a good story, just not a fun story. So if you're here for a light drama or for something with just fun and adventure this is not the drama for you. It's sad and gloomy and there are people in it who wittingly or unwittingly self-destruct or destruct others.

It's frustrating to see some people label it as a bad drama maybe because the genre is not for them or they wrote a story in their head and drama's story didn't match it. Not every tale should be about happiness, there can be sad stories and sad people too. I think it's one of those dramas that is going to grow a fanbase overtime, as more people who are actually ready for such a story watch it.

They are my favorite couple in the show and both actors and their chemistry is so good. It's really sad how things turned out for them.

Yes, it's for both but his win for Wen Kexing feels really special, because I don't think anyone expected this due to the circumstances. It's an iconic character and a milestone in his career and he deserved this recognition for this character. I am sure Gong Jun must be so happy too.

DG was underappreciated by the international audience but it was actually quite well received domestically. This is proof of that.

LYN's acting in the prison scenes, especially in ep 28 was so great. SMZ and LC's scene was heartbreaking.

I am so happy so to see Gong Jun's hard work and talent getting recognized. Congratulations Gong Jun!!! WOH is a masterpiece and WKX is an iconic role and he breathed life into it !!!This is much deserved !!!

Not sure about discord but feel free to talk about WOH here as well.

Did Gong Jun actually win an award for WOH?!? Is this a dream???
PS: I know he won for DG as well but he deserved it for so long for WKX. I am so ecstatic.
Congratulations Gong Jun !!!

Same here:)

Thanks.

That's a high rating. I think my rating for it will be similar too.

Thanks. I already got the main spoiler from twt, The pics and clips are everywhere. Also some people posted a few things here without spoiler tag. Anyway it's two more weeks for non members and I just didn't want to wait that long.

So how is it? How is the ending? Is everyone satisfied with how things ended? It's not over us for non members yet but I already feel kinda empty knowing it's officially over for members. I know it's going to be sad, that's fine with me. Just hope it leaves an impression.