JulesL

Ah ok, thank you! I wondered why they didn’t show him in the cast list

I liked how the drama came a full circle in one sense and drew parallels between the love of the QD and CSR, and the leads. It helped me finally feel sympathy for the QD and CSR.

I’m glad that they didn’t keep dragging DS on as the clueless character, knowing nothing and thinking he knows everything.
I would love to see the King playing the villain. He has a much better vibe than the ridiculous Grandfather, Mayor of Hangyang and CSR

I still don’t get why everyone including the sneak Court Lady Jo still refuses to tell DS the truth about his grandfather and why he cannot be the Crown Prince. It’s the biggest plot hole for me, and clearly a weak way for the show to drag this stupid enmity between brothers. The show could done much better with this side plot instead of turning the SML into such a trope

Just that he seemed possessive and like to restrict Rosie

You mean the first love? I can guess that he did something terrible to break her heart but I wonder if he can be redeemed especially over time and after Rosie has experienced a lot more of life

Yes, the show is definitely going that path based on the previews :D
Huang Zhen Hua is not going to have the quiet but romantic relationship like his parents…hehehe

I don’t know yet. From the previews, he feels a bit like a jerk

Me too! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

The romantic in me wants her to end up with her first love, if she cannot be with her soulmate

Aiyeesh, I had high hopes for the brother’s love line - thinking that he’s the perfect person to bring out Xiao He from her shell.
Well the previews seem to imply something else for him 😁

I cannot wait for that! As usual, the previews have a feeling of tension so I hope Jiang Li continues to triumph!

I actually like it since it’s a good balance of win and loss, sacrifices for what was truly worth it. Ultimately the show used the Ye family to emphasize A Li’s redemption for Jiang Li and her own anguish for not being to redeem herself with her own family.
Of course it would be more satisfying if the governor was punished properly. Maybe we will get that in a quick dialogue line tomorrow.

I totally get what you’re saying, especially about the leads being a couple. So far it doesn’t feel natural.

She was a bit flat in the first part and then began to show more development later. But since the scenes were so short, the development was not portrayed well.

Ep 17 - excellent wrap up of the current sub plot! This really enjoyed watching the Ye family!

The current villain and his side kick (governor of Luyang) also seem like caricatures. Like the Princess. Interesting style to mix into the story development.
BTW, is Tim Pei the actor playing Chu Lan?

I am of course all for multi-dimensional characters. In fact morally gray ones are my favourites.
What I don’t like about QD is how they developed her character - it was not well done. Multi-dimensional characters are still consistent in showing those dimensions throughout the show.
She was shown as being selfish and evil in the beginning, doing the same kind of deeds on her own with no remorse. Then suddenly she’s pushing back on the others for doing the same. Her reflections and guilt were not shown until later and was not transitioned well. It was like a 180 degree change for me. Some inconsistencies were terrible. For example, her reaction when the FL told her that CSR killed her mother and then not even saying a word to CSR. Wasted scenes there but maybe due to editing.
Overall, I can understand why she didn’t evoke much sympathy from most viewers.
To me, she was a flat character then became a different type of flat character.

Exactly - the QD character was written and developed so badly. The inconsistencies are enough to turn us off!

As angry as I am at the show, it still managed to make me tear up during the sad and happy scenes - the CP with his maternal grandfather and the end of ep 16.