RetiredProf

Thanks for info; it’s good to have a reason on the weapons thing. I had realized this is not much about romance but would like more, ha. Even just more friendly talks.

Maybe somebody has mentioned this already, but has it not occurred to the writer that using a gun on those things would be safer for the humans and more efficient, too? I know it’s not as easy to get firearms in Asia as it is in the U.S. where it’s TOO easy, but honestly! Having fist and knife battles with physically stronger, weapon-like aliens seems a bit foolish to me. I would so much rather see more romance time in coffee shops with the stunning leads than watch sweaty, dirty men poke around a dark forest all the time. And then it wouldn’t seem to drag so much. There is definitely something wrong with the pacing.

That’s just Li Hongyi. He always looks annoyed, and I love him for it, lol.

I got around to this one late and watched it in one go, mainly to see Cheng Yu Feng. I semi-enjoyed the series with many reservations. My main objection is the same one I find in numerous Chinese dramas, and that is in the effort to support strong women, the writer turns the FL into a kind of monster (or so I think). It’s as if you can’t be independent without treating your man like a doormat or a pincushion (WHY did she stab him, and how could he forgive her effortlessly?). The love story becomes all one sided, and the guy turns into a parody of what women used to be portrayed as—willing to give up themselves endlessly with no sense of self or personal dreams to be accomplished, just everything for the loved one, essentially erasing themselves in the process. Just once, I wish the male lead would give his love interest an earful of all the things she’s done to him, tell her he’s finished with being treated like a hated dog, and walk out the door forever, hopefully taking his fortune with him. I would like to order a romance where both leads treat each other with kindness and respect and most of all without cruelty, even if they disagree on the road to happily ever after.

Yes, that one was heartbreaking. I wanted to strangle her.

Love and Redemption is one of his well known ones that I enjoyed the most; it’s a few years old now

Okay, I don’t like to criticize, but yes, she does get on my last nerve. I’m not sure why; maybe it feels like she is trying so hard that I think she is fake? I have definitely known women like this in my life that I fled like the plague. Could not trust them so never befriended any. They never befriended me, either, so maybe they thought the same about me, ha!

I’ve watched the first episode but didn’t know anything except my dear Cheng xing Xu was in it, and WHAT AM I WATCHING? Lol, I guess I’m in for the ride but had no idea at all what the subject matter was. Note to self: look up the plot as well as the cast list or get your socks scared off! 🤭

Def he didn’t want his son to be caring and trusting. His goal was to make an unemotional, impassive, hard person which is what he thought made an excellent monarch (like himself). He failed; Mom’s approach triumphed.

Yes, he is by far the best father figure in this drama, imo. He lived his life as an example of loyalty and sacrifice before his son and for the nation, always extending love and care to his child. The son absorbed and returned the affection but did not accept the philosophy, for which the father could not be blamed. It’s another life lesson provided by the fine writer of this drama: You can do all the right things as a parent but still have a wayward child. Just as you can do all the wrong things (looking at you, Emperor) and be rewarded with a hero son (but one who is also known as a killer god, so maybe my premise breaks down a tiny bit at this point, ha!).

Agree about the fathers and sons. I keep thinking the twisted Emperor is like an early, heartless experimental psychologist using his son’s life as the Grand Experiment: “If I apply negative reinforcement all his life, First Prince will obey my will and rule his people well.” He found out the hard way that forcing someone to your demands through abuse and neglect only works in the short term, if it works at all. It’s the positives of love and nurture that bend the heart and shape character into a trusting, caring person.

Aren’t they supposed to be in some kind of trance, though? Out of their heads? 🧐

Agree with you completely!

The last episode could have been more complete—no, there should have been 20 episodes! That would have done it, maybe. But I am a little dismayed to see so many negative reactions to the final installment. I loved it, even though I would have liked more. And I will admit to being a first couple person (because Eliot stole my eyes), although I enjoyed the second couple too. This was a fabulous series, something different for a change, and my only disappointment is that it’s over.

Yes, his abilities at martial arts and especially swordplay really became apparent in “Dashing Youth”. Beautiful to see.

It’s pretty darn sad when the main event of your weekend is over 8:30 Saturday morning! 😫🤣

Lol! 😍💗

Because most of us women only like men? Lol, that’s why I would never watch a gl; I’m just not interested. Maybe others have different reasons.

Hah! Yes, it does. They are being quite consistent.😁

I have laughed more during these first few episodes than I have in a while. One of the best tropes is that her sneezes bring him to her immediately, and it’s always awkward yet flirty. He goes from impossibly dreamy to scary red-eyed monster, and she is innocent yet smart. What an utterly ridiculous yet charming series. Lots of fun so far!