I've finally got to watch episode 59 & 60 after subtitles became available. Despite the spoilers about the ending, I was surprised to find myself quite liking them.
The last several episodes definitely focus on the final battle between Ning Que and Xie Hou. One thing I really dislike from these episodes is the attempt to insert another unnecessary romantic line. It doesn't contribute anything to the story, let alone move the plot forward.
Ning Que's speech about his ordinary heritage is the highlight of episode 59 for me. It's powerful and moving, that the common people (or in Ning Que's case "the downstairs people" per Downton Abbey's parlance) are overlooked and not even counted in the statistics. I now understand that his motivation to enrol into the Tang Academy wasn't only to learn how to cultivate -- but it's also a way to climb the society ladder, although I suspect he has an inherent disgust to the elites. By doing that, he'll be able to be the voice of this underclass. He probably doesn't like the fact that Sang Sang has become part of that social elite, but their love and bond are too strong to break.
Now, onto episode 60. I actually like that the battle takes a pretty considerable amount of time. It doesn't feel like they rush the fighting, like how I felt about some of those in the earlier episodes.
They use much more CGI for this final battle, and while I understand that it's necessary because this battle involves lots of magic, to tell truth the CGI isn't too fantastic. It feels like a downgrade from the previous CGI using, e.g. when the Phoenix attacked Ning Que or the using of talisman (by Master Yan Se and even Mo Shan Shan). And due to less hand-in-hand combat, it also feels much less exciting than the fightings at the Old Spring Breeze pavilion or at the teahouse. There's also a scene when Xie Hou was surprised and Hu Jun's expression isn't convincing.
Contrary to most commenters about the ending, I think it's an almost perfect closure. The whole series has been built up for Ning Que's revenge. So when his nemesis dies, it's the attainment of his life goal. Xie Hou's letting his life taken (I'm not sure suicide is the right word) doesn't take it away from Ning Que. It's great to see Ning Que and Sang Sang work together, although viewers weren't informed or even hinted about their planning for that. On the other hand, this also makes Xie Hou a multidimensional villain. He committed a slaughter, not because of greed or power or merely evil trait, but because of his faith. Sadly the same thing cannot be said about some other villains in the drama, particularly the Xiling's Justice dept. This is also what's lacking in the writing.
What I would like to change in the writing of the finale is Sang Sang's condition, I can see that the production team wanted to give shock effect and excitement for the next season. But IMO they could've ended it with Ning Que swearing to find a cure for Sang Sang, because many viewers -- particularly those who never read nor known the book -- were left with the impression that Sang Sang dies.
Last note: I'm quite impressed with Chen Feiyu's acting in the last episodes. I think I can see the tension within Ning Que closer to the date of his battle with Xie Hou. He's very tender towards Sang Sang and there is melancholy in his eyes when he tells her to go back to Wei City if he fails to bring down Xie Hou. The way I see it, in spite of his determination to move to the capital, he and Sang Sang always feels Wei City is their real home and the people their real family. I wonder though if it is like that in the book. I mean, can't Ning Que entrust Sang Sang to the royal family and Fu Zi, since they are more resourceful than the Wei people?
I'M BACKKKKKKK!!!! to stalk this page... that's how much this drama made an impact in me!!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hCc8x1ofrY&list=PL_dNHAG1QGiuQJaRGNh1tream5ClUuN9K&index=34Can't…
The songs are in my playlist :). I also still rewatch my favorite parts, like Wan Mei and Chang An's dialogues in episodes 16 and 25. Always in awe of their acting :)
If approved by MDL, the new drama entry for Season 2 I submitted should appeared soon.Sorry for the recent absence,…
Happy New Year to you too Erudite! Sorry to hear about your recent condition, so take your time, your health is the most important thing. Thank you for helping us enjoying the dramas here back in 2018 :)
Finale day! I'm both excited and dreading it. I can't wait to see how they will end the show. At the same time, I'm reluctant to bid farewell to the drama and its cast. I'm not planning to follow Season 2 due to the cast change. (Yes, I'm one of those people with "low standard of acting" who like Arthur Chen's portrayal in general LOL). I haven't decided if I'll watch the finale episodes raw, or wait until Viki completes the subbing, so I can hold off a little longer. Knowing me, most likely I'll sneak a peek at the raw episodes tomorrow morning :))))
PS. @Erudite: it would be great if you can share your thoughts and tidbits from the production, etc. Always love your little info! :)
Can you give the names of some teenage Chinese actors who can play better than Arthur here? Honestly, I see none.…
It's called "Your Mileage May Vary". You are entitled to your opinion on Arthur Chen's acting, but that doesn't mean you get to belittle others who like it. Give your arguments, but stay away from calling those who differ from you "having low standard". By doing this, you're having a low standard in basic decency.
he's rude and arrogant it’s also maybe because of the way he grew up always trying to survive and killing, it's…
If they intended it as a joke, they failed miserably. Because it's not funny at all. What's worse, they made Sang Sang forgave him quickly and couldn't wait to be picked up by him. It may mean to show that Sang Sang knows him well and can sense that he just panicked and couldn't think clearly hence the hitting attempt. But it really doesn't come across that way. It makes me really uncomfortable, but I've invested too much on this couple, so I decided to push it aside & pretend that scene never happened LOL. I hope many express their disagreement to the production team, so for the next season they make sure to show this is a healthy and balanced relationship.
he's rude and arrogant it’s also maybe because of the way he grew up always trying to survive and killing, it's…
I've seen the BTS of that particular scene. Yes, that's exactly how the director directed it. Both Arthur & Song Yiren were doing what she told them to (she even made example of how Arthur must attempt to beat Yiren). I don't understand it at all & frankly I'm disappointed.
EMBARASSSING drama. Plot turns to crap at Ep47 (Viki version). I can see why Arthur Chen doesn't want to do S2.…
On the contrary, I think it should be the most logical option for that period of time, given that they are not blood related. I'd assume people around them would be more than happy that there's less unwed couple, no?
Much better scenario than cousins marrying each other, or a king marrying sisters, which, you know, ACTUALLY happened.
And I can't believe you thought a rape is a brilliant plot.
Can someone explain why yue ying decided to go with the king in the end? and did gong zi just move back permanently…
It's been months since I finished the drama. Yue Ying's reason was never outwardly spoken, but it was suggested that she did that to protect Gongzi. The king has asked for her before, and was refused by Gongzi. If Gongzi rejects the king's request again, it can be regarded an offence.
Gongzi moves back to Bi An Dian, and tries to regain his influence but Wan Mei doesn't let him. (It's insinuated in Wan Mei's conversation with herself on the swing).
I think, they actually don't like the idea of Sang Sang being a small and thin girl with a rather dark complexion,…
I tend to agree with Lullina, I find Kris Sun rather... bland? A cold character is indeed often rather tricky and difficult to portray, the actor has got to have the right amount of aloofness, because otherwise he/she can come across as merely expressionless. Every time I see Long Qing on screen, I can't help thinking that Wang Duo could've done a helluva job for that character. And he has a pretty face too -- he'll be convincing as the "prettiest man alive", Tang Empire version.
I agree with most comments here that Ning Que - Mo Shanshan arc has been longer than necessary. I can accept additional scenes to portray the narratives in the novel (and it's far from being easy). The show seem to want to dramatize the triangle aspect. It is fine, but they went overboard with it and -- I agree with Lilly -- waste screentime which could've been allocated for more interesting arcs. I've seen up to the latest ep raw, so I might've been lost in translation. But Sang Sang still acting childish in ep 47 while she's already 15 won't make her and NQ a believable OTP. Based on the BTS clips, that's exactly how the director wanted it to be, and I don't understand the decision. It only makes Sang Sang seem like a spoiled little sister who's jealous with brother's girlfriends, while it supposedly demonstrates how these two transition to romantic love.
CRAP GENERIC FANTASY DRAMA... Until Ep39.I never understood some the praises I read below. Just thought it was…
The drama is based on a very popular, award-winning novel, so accusing it of stealing the plot from Nirvana in Fire is a stretch. With more than 1000 chapters, it's also pretty long, and the producer has planned to make 3 seasons for the drama adaptation. They've started filming for Season 2. Based on the comments of novel readers, so far the drama follows the original source closely, with a few changes to spice it up. The series is also praised for the perfect casting, PARTICULARLY Sang Sang, who's described in the novel as "thin, small and dark". I actually find it refreshing that the female lead character is not the typical beauty.
The last several episodes definitely focus on the final battle between Ning Que and Xie Hou. One thing I really dislike from these episodes is the attempt to insert another unnecessary romantic line. It doesn't contribute anything to the story, let alone move the plot forward.
Ning Que's speech about his ordinary heritage is the highlight of episode 59 for me. It's powerful and moving, that the common people (or in Ning Que's case "the downstairs people" per Downton Abbey's parlance) are overlooked and not even counted in the statistics. I now understand that his motivation to enrol into the Tang Academy wasn't only to learn how to cultivate -- but it's also a way to climb the society ladder, although I suspect he has an inherent disgust to the elites. By doing that, he'll be able to be the voice of this underclass. He probably doesn't like the fact that Sang Sang has become part of that social elite, but their love and bond are too strong to break.
Now, onto episode 60. I actually like that the battle takes a pretty considerable amount of time. It doesn't feel like they rush the fighting, like how I felt about some of those in the earlier episodes.
They use much more CGI for this final battle, and while I understand that it's necessary because this battle involves lots of magic, to tell truth the CGI isn't too fantastic. It feels like a downgrade from the previous CGI using, e.g. when the Phoenix attacked Ning Que or the using of talisman (by Master Yan Se and even Mo Shan Shan). And due to less hand-in-hand combat, it also feels much less exciting than the fightings at the Old Spring Breeze pavilion or at the teahouse. There's also a scene when Xie Hou was surprised and Hu Jun's expression isn't convincing.
Contrary to most commenters about the ending, I think it's an almost perfect closure. The whole series has been built up for Ning Que's revenge. So when his nemesis dies, it's the attainment of his life goal. Xie Hou's letting his life taken (I'm not sure suicide is the right word) doesn't take it away from Ning Que. It's great to see Ning Que and Sang Sang work together, although viewers weren't informed or even hinted about their planning for that. On the other hand, this also makes Xie Hou a multidimensional villain. He committed a slaughter, not because of greed or power or merely evil trait, but because of his faith. Sadly the same thing cannot be said about some other villains in the drama, particularly the Xiling's Justice dept. This is also what's lacking in the writing.
What I would like to change in the writing of the finale is Sang Sang's condition, I can see that the production team wanted to give shock effect and excitement for the next season. But IMO they could've ended it with Ning Que swearing to find a cure for Sang Sang, because many viewers -- particularly those who never read nor known the book -- were left with the impression that Sang Sang dies.
Last note: I'm quite impressed with Chen Feiyu's acting in the last episodes. I think I can see the tension within Ning Que closer to the date of his battle with Xie Hou. He's very tender towards Sang Sang and there is melancholy in his eyes when he tells her to go back to Wei City if he fails to bring down Xie Hou. The way I see it, in spite of his determination to move to the capital, he and Sang Sang always feels Wei City is their real home and the people their real family. I wonder though if it is like that in the book. I mean, can't Ning Que entrust Sang Sang to the royal family and Fu Zi, since they are more resourceful than the Wei people?
PS. @Erudite: it would be great if you can share your thoughts and tidbits from the production, etc. Always love your little info! :)
Much better scenario than cousins marrying each other, or a king marrying sisters, which, you know, ACTUALLY happened.
And I can't believe you thought a rape is a brilliant plot.
Gongzi moves back to Bi An Dian, and tries to regain his influence but Wan Mei doesn't let him. (It's insinuated in Wan Mei's conversation with herself on the swing).
Link: http://www.xunyee.cn/rank-teleplay-play.html