oreades206

The rating on douban has gone down to 8.0 https://movie.douban.com/subject/36318037/
It's disappointing but as much as I love the series (still is my most favorite cdrama) I've got to admit season 3 is not as good as the previous (S1 + S2) . Even on iQiyi China, it's rated 8.8. Season 1 is rated 9.1 and season 2 9.4. I, myself, rated S3 8.5 with S1 9.0 and S2 9.5 on MDL.
I find that some of the creative decisions made by the production were merely to please some fans, such as fans of LLF & PXJ cp, fans of SWM & YT cp, fans of LLF's fight scenes, etc. It's not about the rating but we've got to admit that the rating (on Douban in this matter) does reflect the quality of S3. I hope in S5 the team take this into consideration and go back to their usual self (in S1 & 2), which is focusing on the detective work of LLF & SWM.

That makes sense. So far they've managed to weave the political dynamics really well.

When I saw that scene, I was like "Guys, I know you're a couple and in love. No more sugar please. You'd give me diabetes!" 🙄
Yes, I remember in S1 in the crocodile God case, LLF saved XJ. But it's not like he sent her to die or something. I think the whole gang went to infiltrate the cult. They left XJ home (coz I think it's too dangerous for her if she came along) and she's not even alone. Xue Huan was with her. That makes perfect sense. But in S3, he lets her stalk a suspicious guy. It really doesn't make any sense. They (the creative team) obviously designed it that way so that LLF comes to save her and they'll spin in slow motion. In S1 it makes sense, in S3 doesn't make sense.

Yeah I heard the complaints about STOTD not having enough romance. I think I read somewhere on Douban before. Some fans asked for more romance and Bai Shan said that they could add a little but not too much because at the end of the day it's a mystery-investigation. So they added a little bit in S2.

Bai Shan and Wei Fenghua have worked together really well, creating 2 successful seasons. They know when they need to listen to fans and when they must not. But maybe when he left, the team had nobody to decide to what extent they should listen to fans' requests so they just accepted. I'm just guessing...

Anyhow, I'm not blaming Ju Xingmao and it's not fair to blame him since he just took over the job from somebody else. I'm blaming the decision made by Guo Jingyu's team LOL

I think they haven't decided on who will shoot S5. Both directors are busy at the moment with their respective project. And Wei Fenghua is reportedly still writing the script of S5.

Tbh ep. 36 - 37 is a buzzkill for me. To create a scene where LLF and PXJ spin in slow motion, eyes locked, they made LLF let PXJ stalk. Why? LLF is a general who has military and intelligence knowledge, doesn't he know that it's too dangerous for PXJ who has no martial art skill? It frustrates me when they made the characters' growth inconsistent. In S1 and S2 LLF has grown to use his brain more and here in these 2 episodes he doesn't use his brain? Why is he not resourceful? It's inconsistent with his character's growth.

Plus when PXJ went to stalk, she didn't even change her clothes. In S1 and 2 sometimes she wore travelling clothes that look more casual, I remember in S1 when she tried to visit LLF she wore casual male clothes. Also the female spy wore male clothes but she wore thick make-up. Who would believe she's a he?

Sorry for ranting. I'd enjoyed the drama until ep 36 - 37. I'd never expected STOTD would make these stupid mistakes. I got the feeling that they rushed to shoot S3 taking advantage of the success of S2.

Of course I don't think Ju Xingmao is bad. But I just think that since he didn't handle S1 & S2, he probably didn't fully grasp what the previous director had built and developed. There's a sense of discontinuity. But I still like S3 nonetheless.

I share your sentiment. The scene where LLF let PXJ stalk is a buzzkill for me. Obviously, they made it so that LLF would save PXJ and create that eye-lock and spinning in slow motion. Btw, I've heard season 4 will come in mid December and season 5's script is still being written.

He will appear in the last case.

I find their cases much more interesting when they're away from the capital.

I'm with you. I like all seasons but S2 still the best. I think they should have waited to shoot S3 when Bai Shan had finished with his project instead of changing the director. I saw on his weibo ppl urge him to direct S5. Though I can't wait for S5, I'd prefer they waited for at least a year to shoot it to give the writer enough time to write good cases and for Bai Shan to come back and shoot S5 instead of Ju Xingmao.

He's still the tallest Guo Jing to date lol

I found this on YT. It's from their group viewing on 10th Nov as part of their promo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MeJhyUzW5A

IMO if the scripts are good, episode counts won't matter. For example TVB's Legend of the Condor Heroes 1994 has only 35 episodes but it was well written. On Douban it has one of the highest rating with a score of 9.0.

Idol dramas are my pet peeves 😂

I think it will. The micro drama features all original cast unlike the previous micro drama which featured SWM. Also I've read on weibo that we'll get to see LLF's past.

I have no problem with the acting but I'm with you on the pace. It's too slow. e.g. yesterday's 2 episodes. Two episodes and nothing happened. Already 24 episodes and only 1 interesting case so far. I have no idea if it's the script or the director or perhaps both. It looks like they rushed making the 3rd season. There's 3 cases remaining. I hope one of these is interesting.

You're not the only one. I was baffled too. Two episodes but it felt like nothing really happened. Apparently this director adopted a more cinematic but slow-paced narrative in comparison to the previous director. He probably aimed at increasing viewers anticipation but it ended up leaving the viewers confused and overly brain-teasing. I still love STOTD and really appreciate the beautiful shots but I've got to be honest season 1 and 2 are much more enjoyable. I hope they pick up the pace.

Really! Yaay! I think they should take this opportunity to make longer STOTD like 50 ep. I wouldn't mind. Or more proper EB s3 (if they decided to make one) 😁

I will watch it too. I meant the trend of making micro dramas in general in China right now, not just STOTD. Sorry I didn't make it clear 😁

Most Cdramas are high octane romance. Romance in STOTD is pale in comparison. 😅 I read somewhere on weibo or douban that in an interview, YXW was asked why there's romance in STOTD. He replied he had no idea. Audience wanted it so they gave it. The team is known for listening to what audience suggest. Perhaps this suggestion has turned into a demand 😅 Well, I'm not into romance. As long as S5 has good cases, I'll watch.

But I'm afraid if the romance is too much (for STOTD level), the general audience may not like it, especially guys. STOTD series have generated significant numbers of male audience who care only good criminal investigation dramas.

YW. There's a thread above explaining this in details. Many are confused too . The micro drama has opened for reservation on iQiyi China but not on iQiyi international.

You're welcome!

He's as stiff as a board. Just like LLF lol