holic89

Same as me. I’m not a native speaker, still learning. That’s why it took some time to do it and cross-checking. Glad everyone enjoys it.

As for me, I’m not favored for the live comments. It can be distracting. Usually, I check them later for a second time, just for fun. 😉

I’ve seen them. Wow! All the short clips are really good. Love all of them. Well done!

I got some spare time this week and decided to make translations for one promo interview on Douyin with the 4 cast members interview. Those who want to kill some time can check it out. Mind you, I tried my best to interpret the interview with my limited Mandarin. And pardon me, my grammar was all over the place. I was too lazy to double-check. Lol, if anyone wants to check them over, feel free to do so. Any corrections on the translation or grammar please forward them through personal message or comment there. Cause I don’t want to flood this section with such comments. I’ll do my best to correct them.

Anyhow, enjoy! 😉

Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdoPolYA0A

Could not agree more with Xijun and General Xiao (who turned out to be LuLu). TBH, when Xijun was introduced to the series, she was at her lowest. Emotionally. She lost the love of her life, and we, the viewers were presented with the worst of her. She expressed her sadness and heartbreak in the most exasperating ways. We who know nothing bout her were painted with the impression that she was always this way. It’s fallacious. And it’s our own mistake to make the presumption in the first place.

Later when Xijun learned that the love of her life was alive, of course, she did not want to let him go. It was her second chance to redeem all her missed opportunities prior to his presumed death. Igniting resolutions in herself; she wants to spend more time with him, to talk more with him, to know more about him, to always be by his side, etc. The reason was simple, it’s because she know the great feeling of loss, hopelessness, and depression.

All I can say is the exposition of Xijun character was contentious. Not unique but uncommon. It did not follow the regular format in a drama, where the viewers get to know the character, as the story rolled mishaps/tragedies happened, and then, the character either struggled and resurfaced or drowned and sank into his/her chaotic self. If it were like this order, the viewer would sympathize Xijun character. But NO. We get this angry, crybaby, annoying, thoughtless persona. WHY? Because the main story of this premise is not bout Xijun but the two male heroes. The writer had to insert her story fast so that, we could see how significant she was to the plot, without forsaking her own back story (which I very much appreciate). But there is a catch to it, the viewers' interpretation. Whether they will celebrate the character or hate the character resulting in total abandonment to the whole main story. This is what happening to the SToTD series.

I did not realize until you mentioned this. and you’re probably right. Her father's overprotectiveness showed in the earliest episodes and nearly the end episodes in S1. 🤔 So, it made sense.

OMG, Remember that he had to shave his mustache in S1?! LOL. That scene was brilliant. One of my favorite cases in S1.

Ditto!

Too bad people feel that way. Glad that the writer shed some light on Yingtao character and did not forget her in S2.

You don’t know how my heart dropped when SWM cast her away, I was screaming at the screen, NO! Thank God, we get to see her again later.

Chicken Fei. Thirteen Fei. Handsome Fei. Who would guess the vagrant from Ghost Market, turned out to be a disciple of King Medicine to a miracle doctor. The savior of our heroes. If it wasn’t for him, LuLu and SWM would be dead already. In S1 he saved the princess and women in Luoyang, while in S2 he saved the slaves in Yunding. Without a doubt, he’s the miracle doctor. 👍

Also, I always can count on him for comedic relief. Always on point with his funny antics injected between those serious cases. I really enjoyed his stint with SWM with their portrayal as comedy duos in Mo’s Inn and briefly in Hanzhou. And his tryout to become a coroner and a detective is worth mentioning. His so-called ‘ride-along’ in the Tongtian Rhino case with LuLu was entertaining, and the deduction he made in the ‘Provider’ case may sound ridiculous but it made sense. Think about it, what he was trying to convey actually that Mr. Cao is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And he is not far off. Even LuLu agreed. 😊 Nonetheless, I’m convinced that Chicken Fei was at best at curing people rather than doing detective work. Looking forward to his character in S3.

In regard to Xiao Xue Huan as Chicken Fei called him, has grown to be a bright young man. Although, there is not much to say bout him from S2. Cause of his appearance only in the last case. My complaint is the interaction of him with his lady, Xijun, because if you follow them from S1, you know how precious their relationship is. Xijun was the one who paved the opportunity for Xue Huan to what he had become in S2. Once, just a family servant, and now, a martial artist who is learned and purposeful. Pity that they didn’t show much in S2, but I’ve high hopes in S3 😉

All and all, my long waits from the S1 ended till the S2 finished are paid off. I never invested in drama like I did with SToTD. BRAVO! 👏 Not only the actors and actresses in the main team but also those who participated in respective cases and episodes. And those who worked behind the scenes; the directors, the writer, and the production team regardless of how big or how small the roles was, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You! For the hard work of making this project happen with such great success. Onward to Chang An and see you again in S3! 🥰

I believe they did take note of what the C-fans commented. Not sure about international fans though. So far C-fans support for LuLu/Xijun has been positive. So, maybe we could get something in S3, you never know. 😉

💯😁

I don’t know how the rating works in MDL. And most of the time I find it unreliable. Usually, I’ll go to the synopsis, tags, and reviews just to get the essence of what the drama/film is all bout. But then again, my taste in drama/film usually contradicts what the mainstream offers. Thus, I’ll watch whatever I want and make my own final evaluation later.

The biggest observation of Yingtao character is that she became ‘brother-in-arms’ to LuLu. Lulu knew he could rely on Yingtao to keep the other team members who had zero fighting skills safe in the distance while he faced the fight, like he had to fight the fake Mara scene or when he fought the treasure hunter in the Vajra Temple ruins. Occasionally, LuLu placed his trust in Yingtao as their protector if he was not around which we saw it happen in Hanzhou and Yunding. And whenever LuLu is overwhelmed by the fight or outnumbered in a fight, she is ready to lend a hand even if she has to put herself in danger (you know what scene I’m talking about here 😉). Truly heroic!

Nearing the end of S2, Yingtao actively participated in examining the crime scene with SMW. With SWM openly admitted to Chicken Fei that he had taken Yingtao as his disciple. A great development of her character, not just as a bodyguard to SWM but also as his assistant in solving crime. Surely it would be interesting if this continues in S3 😉. The casting for Yingtao character for me was perfect. The last time I saw the actress was in ‘The Sword and the Brocade’, and I’m not a fan. Her character for me was meek and forgettable as I remembered, on the other hand, totally loved her in SToTD. Glad the actress took the role of Yingtao 👍.

Yup, the Supreme Court’s uniform. He did look extra smart in those. Although there’s a review that said that the costumes in this series are not entirely accurate for the Tang Dynasty, I would say I won't mind it. Plus, maybe the production team sought after practicality, considering LuLu is most of the time engaged in fighting scenes. Alas, it didn’t change my mind, still love all the outfits.

I noticed that too. It’s so cute that they wore matching clothes.😊

My point exactly!

That most definitely sounded like Xijun’s love for LuLu. I’m glad you enjoy her character too, even if her screen time is minimal.

Same. Also now you mentioned Yingtao, can we appreciate her growing sisterhood with Xijun? It’s so endearing!🫶

Understandable. Everybody’s different. Some take time to like her. Dare I say, that the only one who likes Xijun from the start is Lu Ling Feng.😉

One thing I noticed is that the emperor (crown prince back then) in S1 especially during the case in Luoyang, even though he was warring with the princess (his aunt), he still valued her as a family. Lulu is his cousin, so basically he’s family. I gonna give the benefit of the doubt and I still believe that the emperor's decision was all goodness on behalf of LuLu. After all, LuLu is from the Lu Clan of Fanyang and he proudly mentions that his family is the benefactor to the emperor because he is the legitimate heir to the throne for Tang. This is elaborately explained in S1 at Luoyang.

So, in S2 regardless of whether the emperor scheming something, he did not mention directly or discreetly the intention of killing LuLu. We know the ones who put a bounty on LuLu’s head were Chamberlain Yang and his associate (I don’t remember his name if it was ever mentioned). At the end of the ‘Mo’s Inn case, it was revealed that the secret decree was from Eastern Palace, yet SWM comforted LuLu that it may not be from the emperor. Also, remember that LuLu did mention after the ‘Drunk in Yunding’ case that now any imperial documents they could not be so sure if it was genuine or fake. So all this I think will be answered in S3.

Off-topic, I found a YouTuber made a great review on SToTD 2. If you have a time, go check out. Highly informative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrPiH9fzQaA

I think everyone got the gist of what happened with SWM snitching and LuLu’s demotion. It is not far off. TBH, S2 didn’t show much of what going on in the court and the power struggle in the capital. There’s a lot going on in the year 711-712AD, even the name of Queen Wei was thrown in episode 6, which is another rabbit hole that I am reluctant to get drawn into. Nevertheless, understandably S2 is more focused on the team and their journey to the West. And the show sticks to the format. Hope we can get a clearer picture of what going on in S3.

Agreed!