A pleasant surprise.
I do not consider the second season in this review. This is only for the first season, that I think can be taken as a standalone. In my headcanon, season 2 doesn't exist anyway. I'm in denial. Now let's focus on the 1st.
To get it out of the way, I found 90% of the cases boring. Themes of toxic/weird romances and of abused/permanently victimised women are just not on my top list of interests. If it were only 2-3 cases, varied with other types of stories, that would be perfectly fine and interesting. But here it's almost always one or the other. It's redundant. I have an appreciation for them knowing they are based on real life cases and they are very well acted out but they're just not my cup of tea. For those I would rate it like 6 or 7.
The way they are solved is extremely original and makes up for it, that's for sure. That's the whole premise and point of it. But it also leads to another issue : they sometimes reach their conclusions because the script demands it. It's neither logical nor very well written. Plot conveniences are common. However, it goes without saying that I was astounded learning that there actually exist real people like Shen Yi in China. Although maybe a bit less dramatic, it's actually a real thing and the process is shown well in the drama. I think it's incredible and made me appreciate the show even more.
Now, I accepted all of it. So I watched until the end. And then watched again. I liked it the first time. I loved it the second. Because I've got used to the main characters, I realized at the second watch how well written and interesting they really were. The duo of Du Cheng and Shen Yi is simply wonderful. Complicated, funny, touching, with friendship and trust that are slowly but surely growing. As individual characters, they are just as awesome. Du Cheng is a great guy you just can't help but root for but he needs some flexibility in his life. Shen Yi has a fascinating view of the world and a very unique behaviour but he could definitely use some grounding. Their individual arc depends on one another to grow and transform together and it's well done. The rest of the cast, while discreet, is extremely likeable. They could be more developed but that's fine. They have their own distinct style and personality, that's what matters. Commissioner Zhang is my favourite side character. She's both strong and soft, in just the right ways. Very refreshing, as I'm used to corrupted power figures from K-dramas.
Because of everything I love and of how much I love it, I'll go with 8,5 for its rating. I don't like the cases. But I don't really care as long as these characters are here.
I won't say too much more, I think it's better to simply watch it. It's short, entertaining, sad, funny, hopeful and has a satisfying finale. I don't know exactly who is the artist behind Shen Yi's abilities, but he/she deserves recognition. The OST is good and the acting is praiseworthy.
It has its flaws. But what doesn't ? If you don't mind the occasional lack of realism and you love arts, psychology, thrillers, episodic criminal investigations, and/or unique and peculiar characters and great friendships at the centre of it all, definitely give this one a chance. I think it's worth it.
However as far as I'm concerned, this story ends here.
To get it out of the way, I found 90% of the cases boring. Themes of toxic/weird romances and of abused/permanently victimised women are just not on my top list of interests. If it were only 2-3 cases, varied with other types of stories, that would be perfectly fine and interesting. But here it's almost always one or the other. It's redundant. I have an appreciation for them knowing they are based on real life cases and they are very well acted out but they're just not my cup of tea. For those I would rate it like 6 or 7.
The way they are solved is extremely original and makes up for it, that's for sure. That's the whole premise and point of it. But it also leads to another issue : they sometimes reach their conclusions because the script demands it. It's neither logical nor very well written. Plot conveniences are common. However, it goes without saying that I was astounded learning that there actually exist real people like Shen Yi in China. Although maybe a bit less dramatic, it's actually a real thing and the process is shown well in the drama. I think it's incredible and made me appreciate the show even more.
Now, I accepted all of it. So I watched until the end. And then watched again. I liked it the first time. I loved it the second. Because I've got used to the main characters, I realized at the second watch how well written and interesting they really were. The duo of Du Cheng and Shen Yi is simply wonderful. Complicated, funny, touching, with friendship and trust that are slowly but surely growing. As individual characters, they are just as awesome. Du Cheng is a great guy you just can't help but root for but he needs some flexibility in his life. Shen Yi has a fascinating view of the world and a very unique behaviour but he could definitely use some grounding. Their individual arc depends on one another to grow and transform together and it's well done. The rest of the cast, while discreet, is extremely likeable. They could be more developed but that's fine. They have their own distinct style and personality, that's what matters. Commissioner Zhang is my favourite side character. She's both strong and soft, in just the right ways. Very refreshing, as I'm used to corrupted power figures from K-dramas.
Because of everything I love and of how much I love it, I'll go with 8,5 for its rating. I don't like the cases. But I don't really care as long as these characters are here.
I won't say too much more, I think it's better to simply watch it. It's short, entertaining, sad, funny, hopeful and has a satisfying finale. I don't know exactly who is the artist behind Shen Yi's abilities, but he/she deserves recognition. The OST is good and the acting is praiseworthy.
It has its flaws. But what doesn't ? If you don't mind the occasional lack of realism and you love arts, psychology, thrillers, episodic criminal investigations, and/or unique and peculiar characters and great friendships at the centre of it all, definitely give this one a chance. I think it's worth it.
However as far as I'm concerned, this story ends here.
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