This review may contain spoilers
A series about women during the Tang dynasty. No matter how much they excel in their fields, it will never be good enough. They try to escape, but to no avail. And faced with the glass ceiling that awaits them, they must move mountains.
Each case explores women's issues, empowerment and sisterhood, but also arranged marriage, harassment, suicidal thoughts, the cult of youth, the exploitation of bodies without consent (the plight of all those locked-up surrogate mothers is... appalling), and power struggles at the very top of the aristocracy that prove fatal only to women…
The reasons behind doing wrong are sometimes good, however. It's more nuanced than it seems. Even if the series loses a bit of momentum halfway through (the part about the mysterious illness, which isn't Covid, mind you), it picks up again afterwards.
And the romance is really lovely. The two make a lovely couple, each with their own strong qualities and temperaments. Their relationship grows alongside their investigations.
The displays of affection between the two protagonists are heart-warming. Like a cat, Li Peiyi/Bai Lu shows her love in her own way. She's so cool, fearless and assertive. He, Mr Xiao, is more reserved and attentive. He doesn't rush in headlong, but he always supports his partner. He doesn't know how to fight and acts accordingly. I adore them both. It's the same dynamic as in Legend of Zang Hai, which I loved. (And a second season is planned !)
Visually, it's red, black and white everywhere. Or pale pink and green. Or whitish and orange. The colour palette is so beautiful, all in subtle shades. Grandiose sets. Large drapes separating the characters during a mundane conversation in a maze of colours. Wood panelling, indoor gardens, leafy mountains fringed with wispy clouds. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
The fights are kept to a minimum but are impressive. The laws of gravity ? Not for us. The old man with his spear ; what agility !
You just have to get past the first episode and its questionable VFX. I gave up there when it came out. Picking it up again now, I realise my mistake.
Did you know ? You can get rid of poison by pricking your fingertip. No, of course not.
Each case explores women's issues, empowerment and sisterhood, but also arranged marriage, harassment, suicidal thoughts, the cult of youth, the exploitation of bodies without consent (the plight of all those locked-up surrogate mothers is... appalling), and power struggles at the very top of the aristocracy that prove fatal only to women…
The reasons behind doing wrong are sometimes good, however. It's more nuanced than it seems. Even if the series loses a bit of momentum halfway through (the part about the mysterious illness, which isn't Covid, mind you), it picks up again afterwards.
And the romance is really lovely. The two make a lovely couple, each with their own strong qualities and temperaments. Their relationship grows alongside their investigations.
The displays of affection between the two protagonists are heart-warming. Like a cat, Li Peiyi/Bai Lu shows her love in her own way. She's so cool, fearless and assertive. He, Mr Xiao, is more reserved and attentive. He doesn't rush in headlong, but he always supports his partner. He doesn't know how to fight and acts accordingly. I adore them both. It's the same dynamic as in Legend of Zang Hai, which I loved. (And a second season is planned !)
Visually, it's red, black and white everywhere. Or pale pink and green. Or whitish and orange. The colour palette is so beautiful, all in subtle shades. Grandiose sets. Large drapes separating the characters during a mundane conversation in a maze of colours. Wood panelling, indoor gardens, leafy mountains fringed with wispy clouds. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
The fights are kept to a minimum but are impressive. The laws of gravity ? Not for us. The old man with his spear ; what agility !
You just have to get past the first episode and its questionable VFX. I gave up there when it came out. Picking it up again now, I realise my mistake.
Did you know ? You can get rid of poison by pricking your fingertip. No, of course not.
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