This episode pulls a plow. It makes only the tiniest of plot advancements. We do get indications that JBZ is still there for Ming Yi. She still clings stubbornly to her remaining lies though, so the plot is still stuck on that gimmick. On the other side of that, Ji Bo Zai is apparently now unable to figure out obvious clues that would reveal the truth to him even when laid out right in front of him. And various other characters are just irritating in this episode.This part of this series feels like the writers have no respect for the intelligence of the viewers and are just contriving reasons to drag out the episodes with no real progress in the story. It's a total shame after such a promising first 18 or so episodes.
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Unfortunately, the writers of this series have leaned hard into the same predictable and contrived plot devices of so many asian romance-dramas and the 'lovers who fail to talk to each other' has led predictably into a totally unnecessary conflict and falling out. So this will allow them to drag us through more episodes of misunderstandings as they struggle to live life without each other only to eventually come back together. And of course they are decorating that weak plot trope with other annoying hack tropes like the 3rd-wheel romantic wannabe who is really an obsessed stalker.So much about this show is very enjoyable. The actors are top-notch and the production levels are fantastic. But the basic plot so far is very, very disappointing and not creative at all. It feels the basic story was thrown together by ChatGPT from prompts from a 12 year old. Why is it so difficult to have the characters behave like thinking adults and still write an engaging plot?
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The pace of the romance may frustrate some viewers, but I'm finding it so far to be extremely satisfyingly realistic. Especially because, at least so far, there are no bizarre, contrived romantic mis-dramas. Yes, he has secrets from her, but they aren't romantic secrets and, at least towards each other, they are so far being honest with their slowly developing feelings. The 'bussom friends' remark at the end is the first stumble, but it's not something that will derail their forward growth.
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A lot of stuff happens in this episode, some good, a lot of bad. The bad is not completely unexpected as we are reaching near the penultimate episode, which traditionally in drama story arcs is when everything looks the worst for the good guys. So viewers at this point in the series just have to be ready to suffer through one gut punch after another. On the good side of events, Yan and HM definitely are 'in sync' as a couple now and she steps up to help his(her) family. On the quality of the episode, it is uneven. It has a few really bad plot contrivances that are glaring. The two worst, by far, both involve Han Wei Ping. First off, how on earth did HE happen to stumble upon Hao Chen after the latter ran out of the car and went and sat at some random park bench? Second, after Hao Ming & police show up to rescue Hao Chen, how on earth is it that Han Wei Ping is not arrested? He is shown wandering around completely free. That makes zero sense and is a giant, gaping hole in the story. There are a few other annoying plot holes as well (in particular in the way HWP is able to access HM's home, computer & safe so easily) but those two just really jump off the screen as dumb. On the _good_ side of episode quality, the episode ends with some brilliant emotional acting by Yu Lan as she implores her husband to wake up.
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So Shen Hao Ming and Xu Yan have finally completely reconciled. And all seems finally good and restored between them. The only question is if the writers will contrive some other romantic obstacle between them or if they will let them now stay together and work together to overcome the remaining obstacles facing them - of which there are several.On Yan's side, Lin Tao has seemingly been plotting something nefarious because he's hiding his still-obsession with Qiao Lin. And on Hao Ming's side, his business enemies are getting desperate and looking to blow up Hao Chen's identity in order to discredit Hao Ming and prevent him from assuming a position on the board. As a viewer, I'm hoping that we get to see Hao Ming and Yan face these obstacles together for the final stretch.
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Far too much screen time spent on 2ML. This show is making the same mistake that a lot of poor-quality c-dramas do by devoting far too much screen time to the 'romantic competitor', trying to pump up sympathy for him -- despite objective facts showing him to be a psychotic, obsessed creep who is guilty of some pretty serious crimes. Every second Lige is on the screen, the show plays this annoying 'romantic' piano music and the only expressions he seems capable of are woe-is-me-I'm-a-tortured-soul or disingenuous 'charming smile'. The writers intent is clearly to try to build some sort of 'romantic tension', but it is lame, obvious and just isn't working because it is simply hard to be sympathetic with a psychopath. Worse, the net effect of this is to barely give the actual ML hardly any screen time compared to, well, MOST of the characters. It's frustrating as a viewer because this show is best when either or both of the 2 leads are on screen.
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Till the End of the Moon Episode 25
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This episode sucks because of the plot-induced-stupidity that they ended the prior episode with. None of it feels real because it made no sense for SuSu to be this stupid. It was bad enough she made this mistake earlier in the series when she foolishly visited Xiao Lin's army camp. But to not have learned from that mistake and to be repeating it now is just beyond stupid.So, yea, lots anger, fear, mistrust, betrayal, death happen in this episode, but none of it makes sense because it's built on a plot-contrivance that isn't credible.
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Finally! Both characters have confessed (to themselves as well as to each other) that they like each other! So we can move past that and focus on all the obstacles they still have to overcome, not just for each other, but for justice and revenge.
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This episode puts Lady Wei's brilliance on full display. She deftly maneuvers relationships with both Wei Shao's Grandmother and Mother to resolve problems and finally, when violently accused by Wei Shao of something she didn't do, demonstrates in dramatic, caclulating fashion why she is innocent. Wei Shao once again succumbs to his long-ingrained hate to impulsively react in the worst way. But he is unable to deny her reasoning and it forces him to examine his some of the memories from his childhood trauma which fuel the hate which keeps clouding his judgement. He acknowledges her innocence and moves finally to the correct next question.
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Good god I'm so sick of watching Situ. Is this series all about Situ Ling and his disgusting obsessive stalking? Is he the hero? Why is this show spending ridiculous amounts of screen time staring at his sad, woe-is-me face all the time? Why is it constantly playing flashbacks of all the misfortunes this psychopath suffered? As if those misfortunes justify his psychopathic nature?And why do the writers keep having the FL be so clueless about obvious, simple things? All the facts clearly tell her that she MUST be the last Bo clan descendent. But she acts as if it is a great mystery. All the facts make it clear that Situ Ling is an obsessed, dangerous stalker -- he literally ran up to her, cast some sort of paralyzing spell on her and forced her to drink some potion without her consent. But she lets it slide? How on earth she would agree that she is 'indebted' to him for that is ridiculous. And why can't she see the obvious disconnect between Situ's potion and the fact that her spirit veins have been repaired and realize that something else must have happened?What the F is wrong with the writers of this show? Is FL the strong, independent and intelligent champion warrior Ming Xian? Or is she a clueless, stupid and easily manipulated idiot? They are literally writing her into a willing stalker victim. It makes me want to vomit.The cast, costumes, sets and overall production of this show are fantastic. But the writing and plot direction at times are just painful and cringy to watch.
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This episode gets a 10 simply because it finally kills off the stupid lie that has been dragging the series down for many episodes. The FL's unwillingness to confess her identity has been an absurd and stupid plot device that should have expired long before this. But at least now it is finally done with.
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This was a good episode overall. But the thing that is dragging on this whole storyline is that the writers have failed to give us a reason to empathize with Ming Yicontinuing to lie about her identity to Ji Bo Zai. There is no apparent reason for her to continue to do so and it is hurting both of them that she is. It could be accepted if the story presented a compelling reason for why she continues to lie. But it doesn't. So it has become annoying and feels contrived. As if she is only doing so to drag the plot gimmick out. This is a pretty big flaw in this otherwise very entertaining drama, and the flaw is getting bigger as it proceeds. If they don't either explain it or conclude it, it could make the entire series unwatchable as the audience looses empathy with the heroine.
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A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 18
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Zhou When Yuan, upon receiving his graduation honors, literally and verbally announces in front of everyone that he is willing to do evil in order to get what he wants?What a loser creep he is. But shouldn't his words have sent alarm bells in the heads of everyone at the ceremony? Or do we assume they were said so softly that only the Vice Principal could hear him?Smart enough to be the 'top scholar', but not smart enough to know he can't really ever get what he wants?.
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Vincenzo in the freshly pressed blue suit was giving me Phoenix Wright vibes. And the wink and grin by Hong Cha Young at Choi Myung Hee just before they went in was so precious! Jeon Yeo Been has me in stitches, watching this show. On the darker side, Jang Han Seok is the scariest kind of villain because he's hiding in plain sight and seemingly harmless to everyone but we as the audience know he is a dangerous psychopath. So there will be constant tension around him at least to the point where he is finally revealed.
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So it's cool that the first thing he does upon leaving the hospital is go pay his respects to Papa Hong. Later, while it was also super-cool the way they start the revenge arc, one nitpick I have that also bothered me in the opening episode: Lighting the fire by casually dropping your lighter looks stylish for the show, but (a) means you lost your nice lighter and (b) is evidence connecting you to arson. Looks cool. Kinda dumb. Also kinda dumb of Cha Young to take off her mask once in the truck - never know if a security camera might still get a good angle. Oh well. This is just nit-picking. Absolutely loved the emotional reveal in the van ride of just who is helping them get revenge for Attorney Hong. Wonder how long before the good guys make the connection between the "Jang" brothers?
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