It could be worse. At least the dialogue is quite modern and easy to understand. I know the Chinese viewers don't…
I think the dialogue in court and the parts where they read out from correspondence are the more archaic parts and those tend to be the parts that I struggle with (plus random 成语 that I'm not familiar with)... but Chinese is more a 2nd language to me so I could be wrong.
As of episode 17, I am living for this show! (As a side note... it is pretty challenging watching this with Chinese subs even though the English subs are not the most accurate at times.)
This is not for everyone. Yes. Of course. Ma Bo Yong story is ALWAYS hard to watch. There is no lovey dovey cute…
Ah, I need to watch Chang An! I saw an episode on cable TV but forgot to track it down after that. I'm not crazy about Luoyang because of the ending, but it was still lots of fun... I ended up getting iQiyi premium because of that show 🤣 Thanks for letting me know about Da Ming; I had no idea this show was coming out.
This is my favourite drama so far, right up there with Word of Honour! It's really not for everyone, though. There aren't that many action scenes and most of the drama consists of (similarly costumed and bearded) middle-aged men talking in a room. My mother summed it up when she said watching this show is like doing homework - but I would add that it's like *fun* homework. For me, the satisfaction of watching this show has come from figuring things out as they unfold before the 5 min recap at the end of every episode, remembering who's who, and which characters' self-interests are aligned with each other (at least for the time being!).
At this point there are 10 more episodes to go. Hopefully, I won't feel differently about the series when we get to ep 24!
The good: - A+ acting. Chen Kun has excellent on-screen rapport with whoever's acting opposite him. He's also a naturally funny actor, which helps ease the tension in a good way. Main and supporting cast is fantastic overall (except maybe Angelababy...) - Fully realised characters and relationships. The character of Chen Gong has wonderful interactions not just with Xun Xu, but also Guo Gang and Mi Chong. Bai Yu also does a fantastic job of portraying Xun Xu as a hardened spy with a sentimental streak. - Moral grey areas. While some characters do things that can be described as "good" or "bad", the larger conflict between Cao Wei and Shu Han and high-level politicking between Zhuge Liang and Li Yan is (rightly) depicted as a morally neutral battle for survival. - Fun narrative. The storytelling is more show than tell, and you do have to hit pause or rewind sometimes to make sure you understood what just went on. - Good costuming. I can't speak to the historical accuracy of the costuming, but I appreciate the drab, monotonous colours and how everyone superficially looks the same. Realistically, that's how people would dress during a war. Also, it's consistent with the overall theme of deceiving appearances.
The bad/so-so: - There are a few moments where the camera-work goes a bit awry, and it becomes clear that a TV set is being filmed. - I have mixed feelings about the 5 min recap at the end of every episode, which feels a bit like hand-holding. It's helpful, but also disrupts the mood a little. - Angelababy. She's done an okay job, but her character portrayal seems a little flat compared to the rest. Also, her character looks like she was put through too many airbrush filters!
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At this point there are 10 more episodes to go. Hopefully, I won't feel differently about the series when we get to ep 24!
The good:
- A+ acting. Chen Kun has excellent on-screen rapport with whoever's acting opposite him. He's also a naturally funny actor, which helps ease the tension in a good way. Main and supporting cast is fantastic overall (except maybe Angelababy...)
- Fully realised characters and relationships. The character of Chen Gong has wonderful interactions not just with Xun Xu, but also Guo Gang and Mi Chong. Bai Yu also does a fantastic job of portraying Xun Xu as a hardened spy with a sentimental streak.
- Moral grey areas. While some characters do things that can be described as "good" or "bad", the larger conflict between Cao Wei and Shu Han and high-level politicking between Zhuge Liang and Li Yan is (rightly) depicted as a morally neutral battle for survival.
- Fun narrative. The storytelling is more show than tell, and you do have to hit pause or rewind sometimes to make sure you understood what just went on.
- Good costuming. I can't speak to the historical accuracy of the costuming, but I appreciate the drab, monotonous colours and how everyone superficially looks the same. Realistically, that's how people would dress during a war. Also, it's consistent with the overall theme of deceiving appearances.
The bad/so-so:
- There are a few moments where the camera-work goes a bit awry, and it becomes clear that a TV set is being filmed.
- I have mixed feelings about the 5 min recap at the end of every episode, which feels a bit like hand-holding. It's helpful, but also disrupts the mood a little.
- Angelababy. She's done an okay job, but her character portrayal seems a little flat compared to the rest. Also, her character looks like she was put through too many airbrush filters!