The more I watch Chinese dramas, the more I pick up on various themes. These, I think, are observations most westerners would make when watching such a show. But I'm curious if somebody raised in China sees the same themes or if they interpret things a little differently.
In Jin Yong stories, for instance, the hero is generally a little simple, very trusting, very good, and one tends to get the notion that 天's guiding hands are ensuring the success of his endeavors, that he has only found such greatness as a blessing for his natural goodness. The deus ex machina is in this sense not just a plot device of convenience, but rather a way to express 天's favor.
I was quite surprised with 夜天子. In the first few episodes, I got the distinct impression that this was practically a how-to guide for overthrowing a corrupt government. The message I got in the first dozen episodes was that a government that does not serve the people is not a legitimate one, and that when it becomes abusive, the people must tear it down and rebuild.
This, of course, rather struck me. How could a country with such censorship and such political control ever allow the airing of a show practically begging the people to overthrow the government. This is what led me to wonder if people in China, thanks to their unique cultural situation, interpret the themes of shows differently.
Any examples or ideas with regards to this general topic will be most elucidating.