Reviews

Character and story development

This episode shows story development where the characters seem to be growing in character building by the choices they seek in their different pathway. Although the two leads chose to pursue their separate pathway, there is still a sense of caring for each other in how they think of each other when separated. Also, we saw the first brother finally realise that his years of yearning for his mother's affection seem less critical. He now knows that she doesn't care for him and instead wants to use him. Also, this episode moves to the relationship building between Feng Xi Yun and Huang Chao. The next few episodes will showcase how they start to respect one another through their skills and determination. Excellent acting from the 2leads and other members.

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Life is a series of Choices

This show continues to be about choices -- love turned into blind jealousy is toxic to the soul. Guen-Soo can say he did what he did because of what Yi-Seo noted, but, ultimately, he chose to undercut a friend, so blaming his choices on Yi-Seo won’t cut it. All that crap about him not being able to stop is on him, especially since the reason he chose that path was to get her, and he lost so, why continue; it’s beyond YS now. Unfortunately, the Guen-Soo we loved is no longer, there is no coming back for him. Guen-Won is back, and DanBam goes global; everyone seems to have moved on, but the feel of the underlining calm before the storm looms heavily and sooner or later it will explode. I don’t know what I expected, but nothing about Soo Ah changed; it’s strange, but for the first time, I felt pity; for the lonely life choice. Everyone faces tragedies, trials, and obstacles; the way I see it, Soo Ah, the President, Guen+2 are but products of their choices, not victims of their circumstances. I Loved Sae-yo-ri’s closing words, yes please live on. I did not want the episode to end, but alas, another great one!

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Cheng's Mansion Open House

May '23 Focus on CSS' 2nd admirer -- Yuan Shen -- Young Master Scholar, who has taken a fancy to CSS but is going about it in a round-about-way, at the same time as a favor for his master, who once was engaged to CSS' 3rd Uncle's wife, Sang Shun Hua. Handsome, well educated, high reputation and sought after by many young female admirers. From start CSS never acknowledges him like his many admirers and so he is highly attracted to CSS. We also meet Qiqi, General Wang's daughter, straight forward, bold and daring. She and the Cheng girls hit it off instantly. What a bag-of-fun when CSS & Qiqi are together.Jul '22 Music: Opening: music accommodates the flute which ties in with CSS' instrument she plays & closing music ties in with leads feelings for one another -- music took a bit to warm up to -- but now love it! At the open house we meet Uncle Wan...

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People are not dead.

This episode establishes a new wave of conspiracy, sends home the sad truth that Master Lei has little support, and reveals a shocking truth we all knew to be true, that Yin Xue is not dead....

1)Recall, Thunderclap sect is a navy sect.  So we open to a fleet of ships.  On board the biggest ship, Niang holds an elaborate funeral for her husband.  The branch masters primarily seem to back her as a successor because of her experience, and Master Lei is seen as an inexperienced philanderer.  Niang at first seems to support Master Lei then states that they will re visit this after the funeral.  MW, Master Lei is seen off by Die Yi.  Phoenix (who I forgot about) observes them and asks if she is his secret love and he immediately tells her that she is his sister and that he will tell her on the way.

2)MW, Team Evil Palace holds a team meeting to boost morale.  Led by Anye Luo, he implores Feng'er to stop hesitating and kill Flame Lord.  He reminds him that he must do this as a son, that he must vindicate him, and to stop being sentimental.  He promises Feng'er that he will devise a ploy to get Yu away, since he seems to be the biggest barrier.  

WHY DOES ANYONE TRUST THIS OBVIOUSLY EVIL AND UNTRUSTWORTHY GUY??? IN  A GOOFY OUTFIT??

3)Royal brother number 3 is visited by Wu Xia a.k.a. Castellan who encourages him to lure Yu out.  Prince 3 wants to know what he stands to gain and Wu Xia reminds him of their old alliance--a not so subtle threat--which he calls him out on. Wu Xia insists that he does not plan to blackmail him, he believes this will suit his plans as well as it will help erase him as an obstacle.  Third prince is on board.

4)MW, Lei travels with Phoenix, who is recognized as a celebrity who is to be pitied as she is with Lei, who appears a bit scruffy.  He again tries to make her go away with silver but she again rejects it.  Trusting her more, he sends her ahead to visit branch lords and try to lure them to his side, however the branch lords urge her to leave and state that the ones who have objected to her have gone missing.  They have to act cautiously.  Phoenix leaves in defeat, and she reports back to Master Lei and complains that his father's men are less loyal than a courtesan.  Lei blames himself, for wasting his time playing instead of earning their respect.  He devises a plan to make an impact but she does not believe it will be easy.

5)In a twist, Lei shows up in mourning clothes to bow to his father's tablet.  He faces the lords who avoid looking him in the eye and greets them and announces that Niang is his father's killer (because he is a dunderhead).  Niang is slick and is prepared,much more than him. She insists that he was not present when their clan was framed or when her father died.  She accuses him of trying to frame her and claims innocence.  When he states that Prince Yu can verify this, she dismisses it as further evidence that he is framing her because Yu is aligned with Flame Villa, their enemy.  He accuses her of being with the dark river palace and again, this is dismissed.  Everyone present implores him not to do this now (it lacks tact. but he is angry).  He is asked to leave (he played a big hand and lost but at least a seed of doubt was planted).  He sulks alone in  a room, and Niang visits him.  She tells him to leave that no matter what he says, the sect is hers.  Lei is incensed and provokes her and she tells him that the only reason he is alive is because she promised his father.  Lei swears to kill her if she does not kill him but she let's him leave.  

6)Before leaving Lei shouts his frustration at the Branch Masters who are not really interested in Niang's crimes.  They make it clear that times are uncertain and they need leadership.  Essentially they say he is immature and unable to understand, so they leave him.

7)Lei returns, defeated, and Phoenix says she knew it would not work. BUT then a few branch masters--three--appear pledging their loyalty.  Three is better than none.

8)MW,Zhongli updates Ge'er on the mediocre success of Lei.  Madame Niang now leads the branch, which puts her in control of the southern waters, and Ge'er admits she can do nothing because they do not trust her.  Elsewhere Joaqin continues to look for the Misty Lineage, and is unsuccessful.  A follower reports his movements to their Grand Master, who then reports that their chief--Yin Xue--foolishly removed a frost curse and now has to wait 100 years before it can be removed.  Yes, Yin Xue is ALIVE!!!!  He is treated daily by the Grand Mentor and literally preserved in ice.

9)Ge'er visits the people and realizes that times are bad--a lot of people have come in land, refugees, and are starving, fleeing the Japanese.  MW, the emperor is updated by 3rd prince--the Japanese have dealt massive casualties, however they are not looking for a long term fight and are open to peace. They wish a marital alliance with Yu specifically, but alas, Yu has a consort and may not agree.....the message is passed on to Yu.

10)Yu rejects the offer and states he believes that the Japanese are not genuine.  3rd prince is happy.  He can now lead troops--with Yu--and plans on killing him on the battlefield.  MW, Ge'er discusses this issue with him and she tells him that she believes it is a conspiracy because no matter what he chooses he is at a disadvantage. If he marries and they fight, it puts him in a bad position, if he refuses it is bad.  The episode ends with him asking Ge'er if she would care if this were not a conspiracy....

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The wife is really annoying =__=

So many times this episode (and the last one!) I wanted Dal Ja to open up and say that she never really was with Uhm Gi Joong. It was all a misunderstanding - she decided not to be with him once she found out he had a wife. Even if they've been away from each other for 2 years she decided not to be involved with him.



The wife is psychotic - she doesn't seem to listen to reason and anyone who holds on to someone who doesn't even want to see them for over 2 years has serious clinging issues. She's not living with him but she doesn't want anyone else with him. I wonder if we'll find out everything that happened between the two of them.



I love Tae Bong, I never expected the debt collectors that were chasing him to be involved with his family. The grandfather is funny though - 10 years? 8 years? 5 years? 3 years? Haha.



Loving this drama so much already, can't wait to watch the rest :D

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Interesting, interesting a time jump before the final episode.

First of all I love that scene on the hill that "looks" like the one from the game. Not to mention the way the devious Xiao Nai proposed! Ha-ha.



Another fun episode and despite how I normally feel about time jumps I think it's pretty tasteful. Not to mention that we'll have another whole episode in the time jump left!



I'm bummed that a certain scene is now just happening between Cao Guang and Er Xi. (Did anyone else get vibes that the foreign dude thought Er Xi was the cutest thing ever?) I'm very curious if we'll find out where Shao Xiang ended up?



Not to mention Mr. Beautiful and KO! I can't believe my Love O2O high will be finally coming to an end.

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