Reviews

slow and meandering and then picks back up at the end

If anything I think this drama is very good at endings. The cliffhangers never feel too much or confusingly head-scratchy. I think the ending with Seori realizing who she is made up for what could have been a lackluster episode. The thing is, this episode is still pretty well-paced and written, but since we've had such good episodes prior, it falls flat in comparison. Like in any other drama it would be one of the best, but in this one it feels a lot like an interlude meant to stretch out the plot. Which is a shame, considering the drama itself only has 14 episodes. Still, the highlights of this episode definitely were Seori and her grandmother. It's a good way to tie in their emotional relationship after the many scenes we've had with her grandmother gently encouraging her and caring for her. It may feel out of place for those primarily invested in our main couple. Still, if the prior episode was them stepping away from the mains to give a bit more time to our side characters, then this one focused mainly on her and her grandmother.There were hints throughout the series that Seori and Danshim were not a traditional body-swap. They did a pretty good job seeding in those hints, which is why I don't feel like this revelation came out of left field. I do wish now that I've finished episode 12 that we did stick with Seori being stuck in Joseon era for episode 11 instead. But I see why they chose not to do that if our Consort Kang has apparently always been Seori all along.We have so much to wrap up in these last two episodes. The whole Joseon era thing, Seori's two-faced actress friend, Choi Mundo, Mun Taehee as well to an extent, and also the grandfather who's also putting in a little acting time himself. It does feel a little contrived to have the grandfather step in from the shadows to help with the Mun-do situation when it should be Se-gye dealing with it himself but WHO KNOWS. I don't particularly enjoy the office politics part at this part because Seori is so removed from the situation. I mean she always has been and that's one of the reasons why she feels insecure when Mo Tae-hee pointed that out, so it makes SENSE but do I like it? No. Overall, this episode was a bit of a bump in the road but not one I actually dislike.

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Smells and mind games

I don't think the Evil God is dead. They blew him up the first time and he survived, so I doubt this time will be any different. I suspect that to actually kill the God, they need to destroy all the mini-statues first, though I'm not entirely sure how. They seem to be so lively and practically invincible. Plus, there is more than one to deal with! 🤨My biggest joy, of course, was seeing them finally end up on the same ship. I'm hoping for a proper reunion next episode, perhaps? 🤗🥹 However, Haixia could also strategically choose to act from the shadows. ☝️ And Hailou and Steven are such an entertaining duo! I can't stop laughing at how Steven just completely goes along with all of Hailou's insane plans. 😂Haixia's hunt while tracking the smell of cured meat was so trippy. 😵‍💫 Especially that scene in the storage room when the Evil God's mini-statue played those mind tricks on him, dragging up all the worst possible thoughts he could have about himself regarding his disability. Poor Haixia! 🥺😟P.S. But Miss Dong got me all confused. She's Haiqi in disguise, correct? Or did I miss something before...? 😕

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My heart is bursting!

Spoilers ahead. And much gushing. This is just such a beautifully understated series. I love the seven deadly sins motif of this episode, and the last one too. Episode 2 dealt with lust but this one was all about envy. Now it could be said that Tan was jealous, but that's not quite right, and the implications of the difference say so much about Tan's feelings. Jealousy is the fear of losing something that you have to another, but envy is wanting something that another possesses. Tan doesn't have Barth, and - although it's based on assumptions and rumours - he feels like Cherry and Barth are essentially an item. He envies Cherry, not only because he (incorrectly) thinks she has Barth, but also because of the ease with which she can express her interest in Barth. The boys all think Barth is more cool because of Cherry liking him, and they can openly flirt (as least Tanrak thinks they're flirting when he sees Joseph tying Mary's sash), and Tan knows that this would not be the case for him. It's such an important statement about how LGBTQ people are ultimately not afforded the same right to love by society as heterosexuals.The shower room scene was amazing!! Tan being left alone and then Barth appearing brilliantly highlighted how their relationship is other, separated from the normal world. But that separation leads to freedom. I loved the way that Barth looked calm and confident, openly looking at Tan's body, while Tan looked scared and only took surreptitious glances at Barth's body - it beautifully showed the difference in how each of them view their feelings. The care that Barth showed seeing if Tan had a fever, and Tan's face - you could imagine how it must have felt for him having Barth touch him like that. And it clearly emboldened him because when Barth started tickling him and Tan told him to stop, who was it who went back to the other one first? Tan! And the tickling leading to that moment where their eyes locked and they both knew how the other felt was electrifying. And then the lights went off?!I may have screamed at the screen, "IT'S A SIGN! GOD WANTS YOU TO KISS!" ^_^; And the moment being broken by society returning around them - the room filling with people who would never understand - was so poignant.And the final scene. Tanrak physically shutting Barth out by closing the door on him but then still communicating through the mesh window?! An astounding metaphor for the fact that we can't lock out our true feelings, they always find a way in. Tan saying, "I don't even understand myself" with that pained expression on his face was so sad and I'm sure it will resonate hugely with a lot of people who have, and are, struggling with their sexuality, expecially those whose religions tell them that what they are feeling is wrong. "I'm not God's favourite son" is one of the most heartbreaking lines I've heard in a long time. T_T But also, I have to take a minute to fangirl at GemFot's kiss!! HOLY CRAP!! It was SOOOO good!! The way Tan's eyes stayed closed after the first kiss! The way that his eyes stayed locked on Barth's lips after it - the hunger in those eyes was insane!! The way he pushed Barth against the wall, hands in his hair, and kept going back for more!! It was sublime. Unless something goes very very wrong, this show is going to go down in history as one of the best Thai BL's ever made! I'm counting down the days until episode 4!!

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What would Shrimpie do?

I wonder how they were able to hide that huge, cave-like construction in the lower parts of the ship. Mystery indeed! 🤨Fast Gun was not as useful a partner as Haixia would be, but he was hilarious for sure. 😂 I loved how Hailou was always half-hiding behind Fast Gun's back (I forgot the guy's name!), almost looking like he was ready to use him as a human shield if the situation called for it. 😏I particularly loved that they didn't forget about Haixia in this episode. I missed his presence on the screen, but at least they gave us his voice reminding Hailou to quit smoking, and adding that self-asked question, "What would Shrimpie do?" when Hailou had a dilemma. That was nice! 🤗 Overall, a quite funny episode. 😂

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Choosing the path of healing

Hmm, A'Li told Xiuyao she dealt with the snakes herself, while to Captain Li she continues to say it was Master Zhu... She's confusing me there. 😖 But Xiuyao finally agreed to the leg treatment! I couldn't be happier for them! 🤗 How caring she is with him, running to ease his pain whenever she hears him groaning. They are so affectionate with each other; it's wonderful to watch the growth of their relationship and feelings. 🥰I am actually quite grateful they gave us not only A'Li's side of the story about what happened eight years ago, but also Prince Li's. They align, but give two different perspectives. I know it wasn't entirely Mo Jingli's fault and he was just an orphaned child, quite easy to manipulate, threaten, and scare. He has been a victim of his status and the Empress Dowager's and Marquis Muyang's greed and ambition; however, it doesn't justify the choices he has made now—especially regarding Ye Ying and Ye Li. 😠😤Ying's scene in the rain... I don't know if she'll turn out to be an antagonist at some point or not, but I feel so sorry for her. I just want to hug her and tell her everything is going to be okay, and that she should focus on herself and her self-growth instead of that scumbag. 😔🥺Side note: Ye Ying's actress looked so beautiful in that rain scene. ☺️

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Injuries, backstories and many feelings

I can really understand Xiuyao's anger. He worries about her so much, and she keeps disappearing and doing God knows what while she's gone... 🥺 But now she's about to tell Xiuyao what happened between her and Prince Li. And did I get that right—he's responsible for everyone being killed eight years ago? I hope her story reveals that too. 😟😯I bet that master who "saved" her is also actually dead, and in truth, the one who saved her was herself... like it has been all those years. Oh, poor A'Li! Her head is even more messed up than I imagined. 🥺😟 I wonder what Captain Li thinks about her story.I did like that Ye Ying picked up the injured Mingxi. For a moment I thought she wouldn't... and their little conversation was as entertaining as I expected it to be. 😏😌 And the physician thinking it was Ye Ying who beat him up, lol? Did he think it was a lovers' quarrel or what? 😂 Her tantrum at Prince Li's party was totally justified. To humiliate one's wife like that? She's right—he could have just rejected the bride if he didn't want to marry her! Oh, how I hate Mo Jingli! 😤😠And Ye Ying is not Ye Li's father's daughter? To me, it looked like that guy who approached Ying's mother might have been her lover or something, and possibly Ying's father? 😯 I am so looking forward to Ying's character arc—her life has been built on lies, and she doesn't seem evil—so will it be a beautiful self-discovery arc or something else? 🤔

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