This review may contain spoilers
My first and last impressions of this show
While I have dropped the show, I don't want to label it as unwatchable. This is a first impression after all but not a good one.The way I see it is that the show is done on the cheap and cobbled together to meet some contractual obligation. It is functional but does not hold up to scrutiny.
For instance, the setting is generic ancient China because the costumes and architectures are a bit of a hotchpotch.
The ML is the Chief Constable of the city police force. His father, a high ranking official, was accused of embezzling a huge sum of money that was earmarked for disaster relief. He is dead by the time the show started. I'm not sure if he was executed or passed due to natural causes. My bad.
The FL is an orphan who was rescued during that disastrous flood and bought up by a shadowy figure who trained her to be a master thief/spy. She can pull off amazing heists with aplomb. The police is baffled. That is until our ML gets on the case.
So far so good, you might say. However, once you get past the heavily staged meet-cute you will realise that the foundation of the plot is somewhat shaky.
To wit, no matter what era in ancient history you pick, the "sin of the father" is very real especially when it comes to political matters. Consider the magnitude of his alleged crime, it would be enough to condemn his family if not his whole clan to slavery and exile if not worse. How did his family managed to hang onto his mansion and servants while the ML rises up the rank in the gendarmerie? Even the King commended him.
Moving on, the FL pretended to marry the ML so that she can search for a MacGuffin in his manor house. She is shockingly ham-fisted. Instead of leaving no trace, she was manhandling and breaking things. She might as well leave calling cards with "I WAS HERE!!" on them.
On top of that, her portrayal just feels stiff. She is supposed to be street smart and quick-witted, but she was put on the spot time and again. I assume the script calls for a minx, but we got a pale imitation. I'd understand if she was a farm girl pretending to be a high born lady but a highly trained operative? She is certainly ill equipped for the task.
To cap this off, we meet the envoy of a neighbouring state on an official visit. The ML is tasked with ensuring his safety. Standard political intrigue stuff. However, the envoy arrived in a common cart, all by himself, with zero fanfare. No servants, no retinue, nada. This is budget travel ye olden style. He then sneaks out of his heavily guarded lodgings to sell off some of the official tributes. Serious? You can hear the gear turning in the writer’s mind. It basically comes down to creating situations that fits into the loose plot. Logic and backstory be damned. Maybe it will make more sense a few eps from now, but it is testing my credulity.
I can even overlook all this shenanigans if the leads have oodles of chemistry. I just don't feel it. Sure, the wedding is nice but I can't say that they are attracted to each other. Even the frenemy option is a bit tenuous.
Oh, just in case you think the rest of the story will be complex and unique. The intro and outro basically gave much of the plot away. BTW, they have already played the amor fati card so . . yes, they will fall in love in due course. I won't even call that a spoiler. ;)
Consider my (gut) reaction after 4 eps, I don't think I can last 20 more. It is not horrible, nor unwatchable but it is a predictable, low rent, low effort production. I didn't rage quit. I Sloth Quit™️. ;)
You might enjoy this. Caveat emptor.
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