RHA3GAR

For me, Zhan Zhao was a tremendous watch on many levels. The best part was the more traditional wuxia fighting sequences. I am so tired of the CGI firework show passing itself off as martial arts. This drama was a welcome return to true wuxia roots. The acting of all the characters, the sets, the costumes, were all top notch. The only thing which I felt held back the drama was the plot. I was hoping for a Jin Yong type of story, but what we got instead was just another run of the mill "investigating corrupt officials" storyline. I realize that they are likely trying to get on the good side of the government censors, but seriously, isn't there any show that doesn't have the same plot? For those hoping for romance in the story, there really was next to none. And those people who cannot stand watching episodes where the villains are seemingly on top, then you may be frustrated. Zhan Zhao himself is too powerful to have a storyline if he is at the peak of his powers, and so he is nerfed for all of the show by injuries, poisoning or both. And both the villains and heroes were guilty of letting the other side off the hook when they were down instead of finishing the job. Purely unable to explain their actions. The ending was somewhat satisfying without really explaining how it got to that point, which is another point of frustration. Overall, this series was excellent in every way except for its plot, which treads a well-worn path and doesn't always give the viewers what they had wanted to see.