scarlettoe

Princess Gambit at first hooked me, because I usually found cdramas that push the stereotype of 'red flags' or 'enemies to lovers' onto the leads to be executed poorly in terms of its inconsistency (the 'enemies' phase between the leads is either cut too short or it isn't consistently represented in a way that really accentuates 'red flags' or 'enemies'), so when I tell you that this cdrama was an unexpected find that really gripped onto me-- it was initially like a hidden gem.

Both the leads are calculated and smart -- a dynamic that truly elevates the concept of 'enemies to lovers', let alone the increasing tension between the two. I love female leads that have wits and are steps ahead of their opponents, and Jiang Taohua exceptionally embodies it -- her overcoming numerous life-and-death occurrences under the guise of her pretentious facade with logic/reason backed by every move she makes is what makes her stand out. Likewise, their opponents such as Meng Huaijin or the Meng family in general are not to be overshadowed by as well -- their commitment to upholding their nobility accompanied by their shrewdness allows them to be pitted on a somewhat fair level against both the leads. The cdrama is generous in shedding light about how the world isn't simply just black or white but contains a lot of grey-ish shades in between. That being said, I frankly thought this show was not receiving as much as hype I would've wanted since the plot and the characters literally HOOK you from the very beginning.

BUT, after first half of watching the show, misunderstandings appear and a lot of plot holes/depth is missing to central characters. For instance, the show does a horrible job by portraying Empress Lv, a major character that is seen to be the 'final villain'. The show offers very little insight into her backstory, leaving viewers with only a handful of vague dialogues to understand her motives. Likewise, the prince entangled with her is underdeveloped; the show fails to explore why he was so deeply infatuated with her or what drove him to such extreme lengths on her behalf. The biggest misunderstanding that the show dragged horribly was Taohua's reluctance to accept Shen Zaiye's feelings even when it is obviously served on the platter. This not only feels repetitive but also undermines the emotional growth of both characters. Instead of creating meaningful tension, it becomes a tiring loop that stalls the plot and weakens the payoff of their eventual dynamic.