Didi

It is starting to feel a little campy like some cartoon where these dumb goons keep targeting the villain and never seem to get it in their head that they won't win

@Tao keep watching....you might change your mind. or you might not

@Shae sorry if offended you I clearly misunderstood your comment I also didn't mean to imply that you were seeking a gratuitous sex scene I only meant that sometimes shows with more freedom i.e. less censorship can have this issue because in the states there is little restriction and most shows have a lot of unnecessary sex in my opinion--it's just there without any rhyme or reason; my apologies again for misunderstanding

@Alexandria this sounds totally creeps but I checked out your watch list and it seems like you prefer more action oriented dramas instead of melodramas and shows where romance compliments the plot but is not the primary focus

episode 25 conclusion: Conclusion: It does not bother me if a show is predictable. But I thought this was pure filler. The only new piece of information we learned is they emphasize the dynamic of carrying out justice: if Qu Yuan had indeed committed the crime, then he should be punished but his status as the military leader's son adds a new angle. It emphasizes yet again that not everything is as black and white as Qu Yuan sees it. Justice is not clean cut. The emperor could punish him, but he hesitates because he cares for him. He should declare war, but he cares about his sister and what that means for her. Qu Yuan doesn't care if he dies because of his pride. He won't have his name blackened.

Now that all sounds interesting but its execution is long winded and draggy, so to me, this episode is like a 7.0 or a 7.5

well it's different--I don't have any basis of comparison--the love story I have decided is like a reverse Titanic, with the male lead being the rich person--and it is occurring in the midst of a power struggle between two powerful states--the script focuses heavily on dialogue and even more so on emotion so there is a lot of scenes just featuring a character not saying anything but looking sad or depressed--a lot of over the top actions that emphasize the emotion--and one or two cheesy characters. I like it, it has a slow simmer feel, but the pacing can be difficult I think , especially in the wake of so many dramas that are more action based--so I know that is a long answer, but I think the show will do one of the following) 1. bore you if the pacing is too slow 2.you will dislike it immediately because the focus on emotion may make it seem unrealistic, even by drama standards or 3.you will like it, if only because of its dialogue and attention to the dynamics in family, state, and politics and I think very few will LOVE it. you can put it down and pick it up again no problem. empress of china is the same way for me. I put it down at episode 40 something but plan to pick it up again--and that's my LONG ANSWER lol

@KMR I am really beginning to think that it isn't lazy writing that this is deliberately done to make the audience more sympathetic to the male leads character because he isn't a very nice guy

@Shae China has REALY strict censorship laws on the one hand, it forces them to be creative and I think it helps them avoid becoming shows with a lot of gratuitous sex scenes but on the other hand, it really frustrates the audience who want the satisfaction of seeing these two express their love in a physical way....

I can also see where most of their budget went when writing the show, and I know it wasn't CGI or locations

so I have returned after a hiatus and I will admit I had higher expectations of the show (I even wrote an article endorsing it!) so I am putting on my reality glasses. so far the story is solid and it falls into a category of drama that is more like a daytime soap because there are a lot of interweaving plots and storylines it doesn't speed up time in the way other shows do, but simmers towards a big action point. because it feels like it is clearly set up into 'arcs' the first arc being 'the falling in love/trying to escape fate' is the first twenty episodes. another criticism that the show does not fully take advantage of its simmering style. for ex, instead of building towards another big lot point, writers chose to make use of an important plot point too early, in my opinion, to hasten them being reunited--I really like his dream sequences, even if the CGI is cheesy, because it is clearly his subconscious and gives us insight into what he is feeling--he is a poet so he must have heightened feels--I have a feeling this show will linger in the 7.5-8.0 area for me

@JennM thanks! i like to write summaries so it makes happy you like them!

finished 17--So I am in a state of confusion. Now I am wondering if her character is being written this way tho show how imperfect she is and how she hurts people, just like the emperor, but she feels her reasons are noble while his aren't. thus they aren't that different. he is more likable because he is very direct and knows he is ruthless and that he hurts people, he doesn't try to pretend to be noble. her character is frustrating because she believes she is doing something that is selfless and thoughtful but doesn't see how it is the exact opposite. perhaps they want us to know that these are two extremes and neither is great?

@ Ruby well i am on episode 16 and it's kind of like yes and no

@ruby i don't think it means you find it appealing if you like the show....don't know anyone who does....

I know! I really think that BQ in peach blossoms had the 'strong but imperfect' character down pat; here Li'er just sort of does things that are so out of character.....it should really be called 'the king' and not the 'king's woman' bc so far the show is really all about him which i don't mind just misleading

@ All_In I am doing some research and the most I can fine is that this show is a 'prequel' of sorts to a larger novel about their son. i haven't found an actual novel of this version online but the story with her son is supposed to be much bigger--and more popular--because they even made an anime out of it if you find anything out let me know

...i just saw nirvana in fire as a 'similar' drama and while i haven't seen it it seems like on a whole different level to this one....but that is my bias coming out bc i really wanted to like this show and now i just cringe whenever i see it

yea--i am curious too--respect completely if it isn't your cup of tea but just to see another perspective i am curious

ugh i don't care when i can really see what's coming but when the execution is so poor, it makes me really mad! come on writers! you guys can do better!

@moondust --right! i really feel like she is just there to advance the plot--i know it isn't the fault of the actress because she plays her part well--it just that this drama is really one of the ones that could have been a 10 but sort of lingers in the 8 area--which isn't bad but when you KNOW it really could have been better if they hadn't cut corners with some of the characters it just makes you frustrated