GrnGrnTmt

Yeah, based on the conversation the concubine is trying to set up Yuwen Yue with the princess. I guess it makes most sense since Yan Xun is technically out, Zhao Xifeng and Wei Guyang(?) are dead and Yuwen Huai has been disfavored. Yuwen Yue is the only one that's still one of the grand families and who recently came back from the border with success and honor. Clearly both the princess and Yuwen Yue hate the match so I wonder how he'd get out of it. I do wish there was something of a love rivalry for Chu Qiao for Yuwen Yue, just a tiny tiny one, just so we can see Chu Qiao get jealous too.

Yeah right? The eng sub isn't out for ep 36 yet but saw the preview. I hope Yuwen Yue finally opens up a bit to Chu Qiao and let her know how he feels so that she starts thinking about her own feelings. This is a great development for Yuwen Yue - even the fact that he explained Linxi's death to her really shows big development for Yuwen Yue who in the past would not have explained his actions to anyone. I really feel like Chu Qiao likes Yuwen Yue deep inside, like she has one of those heart-fluttering moments with Yuwen Yue and really looks at him as a man while with Yan Xun she may like him a lot but I wonder how much of it is simply deep friendship/companionship and sympathy and not she's got the hots for him as a man. These scenes where she is all smiles with him bother me a bit. I think I'm definitely Yue/Xing ship now.

Why would there be a season 2? Just based on the clips and the photo stills, as well as the way the story is progressing I feel like they could end the story well within the allotted 58/68 episodes.

I like his new outfit too, I dig the collar and the fitted sleeves.

Feng Yun Ling is an actual organization because in Chu Qiao's flashback, the woman calls her "Xiao Jiao Zhu" which literally means "little master/owner of organization." Also, when Yuwen Yue was talking about the Feng Yun Ling he called Luo He the "Jiao Zhu" and her daughter as the younger "Jiao Zhu" again meaning master of an organization. The Feng Yun Ling is an actual spy organization but it has not been clarified what the decree is. Yuwen Yue did say that unless the decree is found the young master of the Feng Yun Ling returns the underworld will not be able to do anything. I'm hoping that we will get to see more reveal of Chu Qiao and her ties with the Feng Yun Ling and her identity soon, now that the Yan Xun story has settled a bit.

I have to agree with Nikideema. Legend of Condor Heroes, the Return of Condor Heroes and The New Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (but I recommend the older ones from the 80's and 90'). All three are based on a famous trilogy by Jin Yong. The three are THE classic of wuxia and arguably built the terminology and concepts of the wuxia world as we now know it. The best one that fits the criteria that you talked about is probably the New Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre starring Tony Leung (prob one of his debut dramas). I know it's quite old but aside from the picture quality everything else is quite similar to modern day makes of period pieces, with the exception of the acting which is out of this world good. The late 80's and 90's were the golden age of Chinese dramas and movies. I've seen period pieces from then and now and the stories, the acting and execution were so much better then than now it's almost unbelievable. I mean, what happened right? I think what happened is that Hong Kong reunited with China in 1999 and it took time for the industry to readjust (production, investments, censorship etc). Also, recent historic and wuxia pieces rely so much on CGI. Before, it was mostly wire work and zero CGI. I feel like the Chinese period dramas are making a comeback (with a lot less CGI) and Princess Agents is a great example of such a comeback. But if you want something really good then anything from the 80's and 90's are great, and many of them have the low profile character that rises to rule the world story. I will never forget Zhang Wu Ji from The New Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre.

Linh I also feel like she is different in the drama then in the novel. In the drama, she is the princess of Liang and also their top spy. There are 3 powerful spy organizations (according to Yuwen Yue): the Eyes of God, The Wind and Cloud Decree (of "jiang ho" or the underground - jiang ho actually means the "outside world of fighters and masters outside the law, it's a term used in most wuxia stories, but I digress) and Secret Repository (Liang State).

In the drama, she is something like a "pen pal" with Yuwen Yue. In episode 4 Yuwen Yue takes out a box with a little blue and orange bird figurine and he writes a letter talking about how "xiao die" - little brother? is the only one with whom he can speak freely about his troubles. Then, fast forward in episode 11 when the Liang princess first gets to Chang'an gate she says, "I've finally arrived at your city Brother Yue, I hope I don't see you bc if I do I will have to kill you." Then, later in episode 18, although she should escape she goes back to the inn where they were staying to retrieve that bird figurine that was with Yuwen Yue before (or which he has the same one of), then Yuwen Yue follows and see a book laying open and seems to recognize the words, then the camera focuses on him like he is thinking about or knows something. Then, later in episode 20, when Liang Princess and Yuwen Yue are fighting, their eyes meet and they seem to sort of recognize? each other.

So, in sum, I feel like there is more between Liang princess and Yuwen Yue. Maybe they changed this from the novel so that the Liang princess actually loves Yuwen Yue to give Chu Qiao a bit of competition? Not sure, but I'm sure we'll see more of her and that storyline to be further developed.

Yah know? Right? This weekend was especially tough after that preview for episode 33: "Do you still remember me". Kill me now.

LOL!! I love your thoughts on this drama. Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel too. Especially all of the "ugh" and the "oh no!" and the "dang it!" and the "noooo!!"s. And I love the "drug addict with vampire teeth." Hah! So funny. I thought I was the only one who thought he had vampire teeth!

I'd recommend this to your brother. He may not be keen on the CGI and some of the special effects (Chinese dramas are trying to increase the production value on these dramas and this one and Fighter of Destiny are much better quality then others but may not compare yet to Korean or American dramas). That said, if you want "no characters are safe" and people are just killed if the story calls for it, then this is for you. That's basically the calling card of Game of Thrones that made it so enticing to the viewers and I found that to be similar in this drama. Also, the intrigue, the strong characters and the plot pacing is pretty great and similar to GOT, although not as complex or well-executed (but HBO has a multi-million dollar budget for GOT so not a fair comparison). So I think this will be a good historical piece to start him on. It's definitely one of the better made, if not the best made in the recent many years, that I have seen. I don't recommend The Mystic Nine or any of the other fantasy wuxia dramas. The story and pacing of Mystic Nine is incredibly slow, irrelevant and illogical as a story. I tried to keep with it bc I really like Zhao Liying and William Chan but I just couldn't get through it. Also, some of the fantasy wuxia dramas have bad CGI and focus too much on CGI and looking pretty than character development or story so I personally found them unimpressive. I think Princess Agents is a great starter piece. Fighter of Destiny is very well paced and made as well, with a central plot point. But I thin he'd enjoy Princess Agents more despite some of the love elements.

I feel like this week will focus more on some logistics of bringing all the characters back in form after 3 years away, as well as testing out Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao's rekindling. Then I feel like next week will be more about YWY and CQ as well as Yan Xun's development towards revenge and cruelty. Then I think it will have to be the war and the piecing together of Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue's identity. My personal thoughts, not a spoiler or anything.

I agree that this is Zhao Liying's best role so far! When she was first cast, people had doubts about whether she'd be able to portray such a strong character and I think she's proven everyone wrong. I definitely love her as Chu Qiao, she is doing a great job portraying vulnerabilities as well as her strength. She's not just a big strong woman. She is someone who has gone through some really cruel and tough times and has survived them all with the determination of someone who really wants to live and will do everything she can to follow through on her beliefs and sense of right and wrong. You can clearly see the character's development as well as have a strong sense who this character is through ZLY's acting. Even her big big pretty eyes which could normally be considered just cute she uses to portray both innocence as well as resolve and determination. I'm really loving ZLY as Chu Qiao. Also, I didn't know how I'd feel about Lin Geng Xin. Never seen him in anything and didn't really like the way he looked but he's really grown on me as a character. More so than Yan Xun, who I had seen in a movie before and liked more initially. Now I feel like Yuwen Yue (Lin Geng Xin) is much more interesting and has more depth than Yan Xun.

Yeah right?? The beginning episodes were great about revealing bits about that but after Yan Xun's story they seem to have forgotten about it. When is she going to remember her identity and will she ever get all her powers back???

Haha! I have the exact opposite thought! I think he looks SO much better with his hair up then down. He just looks younger and more like a fighter than just a "gong zhi". I also like his clothes better. The sleeves are tapered and everything is a lot less flowy.

Yeah, me too! I don't think he was hiding out in that building, I think he just goes there but I did wonder what the heck the grandfather was doing when shit was literally going down for everyone. And also during the 3 years Yuwen Yue was sent to the border.

So far I've been pretty impressed by the pacing and direction. There is a purpose to every conflict and there don't seem to be too many wasted and irrelevant scenes or plot points. I think part of this is because the story rests on two very simple but focused arcs: revenge and recovery of one's identity (this can be literal for Xing'er or analytical for all of the characters). Since there is a lot of ground to cover for each character and story progression, I think they have enough material to take it all the way to 58+ episodes.

I have a feeling he's going to do something incredibly degrading and cruel to her that I can only guess at.

Based on the nose, I'm going to guess Yuwen Yue ;) By the way, has anyone noticed how small Yuwen Yue's teeth are?? They're tiny! They remind me of the kid from Stranger Things, y'all know who. It's such a stark contrast to Yan Xun who has large teeth. :)

The uncuts have "[未删减版]" this in the title caption. Even if you can't read Chinese just look for the characters.

Ahh! So that's the little kid in the photo stills!