The word epic is often used casually but in this case it’s probably an understatement because this series was absolutely phenomenal.

I don’t think there’s been a series that, IMO, is as riveting as Empress of China not even Story of Yanxi Palace which continues to have a chokehold on me.

There’re a few reviews with great recaps so I won’t bore you, what I will say however is that I did not for one second regret watching it.

If there’s one issue I have is the dumbing down of her intellect in order to make the audience more sympathetic towards her; nevertheless, I understood the intent seeing as how she’s depicted historically it makes sense to present a more benevolent monarch whose life story had mainly been presented through a patriarchal gaze in order to paint her as this monster who would kill her children to hold on to power. Therefore, this depiction makes more logical sense and I applaud the writers and cast for a job well done.