Do you remember if you preferred the first or second half of the show?
Honestly, I liked it all, and would recommend it -- although I probably preferred the first 18 episodes over much of the rest of it.
Would say probably from Episode 20 or so for about the next 10 episodes it's a bit draggy, but it redeems itself later on. Especially with the last few episodes.
It's just that, in the middle, it really bogs down with deceptive plot after deceptive plot involving the same people, to the point that it seems like the writers have gotten themselves to that point and aren't quite sure where to go after that.
Remember though, I didn't notice that draginess as much during my first watch so, if you're watching it for the first time, I'd say go for it. :) You'll probably love it.
Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si are really great together, and it's fabulous to have a female protagonist that isn't taking sh&t from anyone :) Plus the plot is interesting, and the supporting cast is excellent.
It's just that some dramas hold up perfectly for a second watch (Crash Course in Romance, Crazy Love, The Untamed, Her Private Life, etc) and others, like this one, show their failings -- failings that most people don't notice during the first watch through. I know I didn't.
Start with Love like the Galaxy,You are my glory,Fall in love,Flight to you
The Chinese government mandated that dramas had to be shorter as people were complaining that the production company milked every drama for as much money as they could get out of them (more episodes = more advertising).
So, if you don't like a longer series (and I'm not a gigantic fan, although everything I watch seems to be 40 eps lately :) -- start with the newer series, they're generally at 30 or 32 episodes or so.
Also remember, even tho there are more episodes, they are usually shorter than Korean dramas (around 45 minutes compared to an hour or more, so you can watch a couple of episodes an evening in less time than a K-drama).
Watching it for a second time, and realizing how much it drags in the middle. The constant political plots and deception get quite old. Still enjoying it, the cast is exceptionally good, and the two leads are great, but can't rate it the 10/10 I originally did as it should have been condensed into no more than 32 episodes.
I actually disagree with the content of the article. It's the part about adjusting quickly to the world of Dafeng.…
The article was written by someone who obviously doesn't like Guardians of the Dafeng (or hasn't watched it, and is just stating her opinion), as it's incredibly biased towards negativity right from the first few paragraphs.
It's a problem with MDL's so-called "writers", when they're writing a news piece but then shove their own opinion in there as well.
And yes, GOTD is excellent. One of the best Cdramas of last year.
This is a perfect example of how to write an article full of bias and lies. Always amazes me that MDL actually keeps so many of their so-called "writers" employed, as what they churn out is incredibly poor quality.
Those ratings are such joke, what do you mean this crazy show is rated only 7.7 ??
It is why MDL ratings are not remotely reliable and should be ignored. The site allows people to rate bomb a drama if something "offends" them, if there's a sex scene, if a comment about a particularly group of people "offends" them, if a character in it "offends" a specific nationality, and on and on and on.
In this case, it's likely the sex scenes or that the King is a horrible person, so they'll downrate the drama because of that. You can't fix stupid. Don't even try :)
Also, never base your decision to watch a show based on what fools on MDL downrate. In most cases, the lower rated shows are usually the more interesting, more well-written, more well-acted shows, and not the high rated shows with the same romance plots of 1,000 other dramas.
I'm currently on Episode 19 and, believe me, she's in it far more than I/you would like. Her character is the…
Actually, I take back what I said about her as I just watched Ep 21 and, wow, she's just done a 180 degree turn. Amazing acting, superb character change.
And btw, I'm giving it a 10/10.
I'm a journalist who, among other things, writes about Asian dramas, and this is easily one of the best-written, best acted, most unusual and beautifully filmed dramas I've watched in a long time. And, believe me, I've watched thousands of Asian dramas over the last 30 years.
1 
It's excellent, and the events of Ep 3 (I won't spoilt it for anyone who hasn't seen it) are really well done.
Ju Jing Yi does a superb job with the changes in her character as well. Currently on Ep 7 and loving every second of this one.
Would say probably from Episode 20 or so for about the next 10 episodes it's a bit draggy, but it redeems itself later on. Especially with the last few episodes.
It's just that, in the middle, it really bogs down with deceptive plot after deceptive plot involving the same people, to the point that it seems like the writers have gotten themselves to that point and aren't quite sure where to go after that.
Remember though, I didn't notice that draginess as much during my first watch so, if you're watching it for the first time, I'd say go for it. :) You'll probably love it.
Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si are really great together, and it's fabulous to have a female protagonist that isn't taking sh&t from anyone :) Plus the plot is interesting, and the supporting cast is excellent.
It's just that some dramas hold up perfectly for a second watch (Crash Course in Romance, Crazy Love, The Untamed, Her Private Life, etc) and others, like this one, show their failings -- failings that most people don't notice during the first watch through. I know I didn't.
So, if you don't like a longer series (and I'm not a gigantic fan, although everything I watch seems to be 40 eps lately :) -- start with the newer series, they're generally at 30 or 32 episodes or so.
Also remember, even tho there are more episodes, they are usually shorter than Korean dramas (around 45 minutes compared to an hour or more, so you can watch a couple of episodes an evening in less time than a K-drama).
It's a problem with MDL's so-called "writers", when they're writing a news piece but then shove their own opinion in there as well.
And yes, GOTD is excellent. One of the best Cdramas of last year.
Always amazes me that MDL actually keeps so many of their so-called "writers" employed, as what they churn out is incredibly poor quality.
In this case, it's likely the sex scenes or that the King is a horrible person, so they'll downrate the drama because of that. You can't fix stupid. Don't even try :)
Also, never base your decision to watch a show based on what fools on MDL downrate. In most cases, the lower rated shows are usually the more interesting, more well-written, more well-acted shows, and not the high rated shows with the same romance plots of 1,000 other dramas.
And agree with you on her lack of chemistry. IMO someone like Cai Wei (Liu Mei Han) has much more chemistry with him.
Honestly, I never understand people who skip scenes and then think they watched/understood a drama. It's very strange.
And btw, I'm giving it a 10/10.
I'm a journalist who, among other things, writes about Asian dramas, and this is easily one of the best-written, best acted, most unusual and beautifully filmed dramas I've watched in a long time. And, believe me, I've watched thousands of Asian dramas over the last 30 years.