Nepeta 22

For me personally, a bad thing. Too many roles are given to this actress & I just don't get it. She brings a sour face to her roles wherever she goes. I'm not convinced she's a good actress.

What a disappointment to see Zhou Yutong casted as FL here. She has too many resources.

That balance of serious against comedic moments is not easy. I have only seen one drama called The Long River do it perfectly in C-drama. But, I hope these inconsistent characters iron themselves out soon. I feel this makes it difficult for me to fully believe in it. The story and mystery is there, but characters need to be consistent and believable for people to fully get into a drama.

So excited. What a long wait!

It depends on your state of mind right now and how you view life in general. I think watching dramas like this helps me to link how things are the way they are today. It also tells me how we are not a million miles off what this drama is discussing right now in the world.

We are part of history every day but we may not feel it, When I watch these dramas, their lives are remarkable but they are not aware of it or the lasting consequences at their time. Also going through change without social media, how do people network? Why did certain people do or believe what they wanted to do? There will be no black and white but more grey and survival as well as influences that change your path. I hope this helps you know whether you want to watch.

I think this role played by Jessie Li may get her some nominations in China for best supporting actress. Let's see. I am very impressed with her portrayal. She has had to grow up fast and hit the road running. You really feel for people living through that time. The interesting thing was some of the early revolutionary promotions were targeted at women and girls to empower them into believing the cause is to end arranged marriages, have control of your destiny and have an education and through independence, work! But is that really true and more mouth than actual action. Here, I think it's quite a realistic portrayal of half truths and the reality of the time.

I would think so, but being such a strange set up, maybe this storyline will come back to bite the ML?

Either way, it is not consistent and doesn't make sense. We all know PinJing is a lonely paranoid soul, so it's like dangling something right in front of his eyes. After those episodes with how the eunuch traced and tracked ML, how can PinJing not do the same?

Yes, I like to think so far that this is to throw us off, but not convincing as the writing has been very clear that PinJing's character is a lonely paranoid soul that has a quest for power and control.

We have seen so many that have lost their lives for less betrayal. So far, ML character has been found to act on his own without consulting him twice in a short space of time, yet those excuses he makes are so paper-thin, the Duke is just not likely to accept or buy them if they were his previous colleagues or even close allies. The characters are not consistent. ML is acting almost too relaxed and assured with his plans suddenly. But this is after so many near misses and scares he is getting more emboldened rather than retreat to be more cautious.

GM's character is also inconsistent. He's larking about, loud and addresses him unprofessionally around servants and even in the middle of a street. Yet, at times in the book shop he talks of being more cautious, not to do certain things, but I'm thinking, your disguise in front of the duke as a blind man is not very disguised and now you're putting yourself in charge of the ML's residence? I feel like when I see his character, we're watching 2 different dramas. He is comical and wise but also careless. I cannot take ML seriously when he listens intently at this man's plans 😉.

Well, I think the director wants us to question GM now, since he is showing reservations on ZH's relationship with XAT. Mentors with no background. Seen that before...and the main character has instilled all their trust in them. BUT, like a lot of lazy writers, it's that same mentor or trusting character that the main character will suddenly turn on in the last episode and we will just have to watch those flashbacks from the ML. Let's see.

As for the marquis, we'll see if he has been so relaxed with ZH. He wife whispering in his ear so far has backfired for her? If he ignores her concerns, it's a character flaw here. We're told so far, she has a fair bit of influence in his decisions.

Remember that scene where Pinjing pulls a knife to Shifu's eyes to test if he's really blind. That kind of un flinching reaction is what you'd expect people who know and trust each other do. Definitely he knows too much about everyone and everything and is more than a classic handler.

The fact that no one even follows ZH's movements to the book store or check his visits to Zhen Tower tells me there is no paranoia with him even though Pinjing is portrayed as a paranoid and untrustworthy person. It seems apart from the eunuch's level of scrutiny, ML here almost has free reign. GM's character has been an odd one. He's in too many places and I'm amazed no one's noticed his presence. He's practically larking with the ML in ear shot of servants etc. Whenever he's in the scene, it's like two parallel dramas happening. He's like a loose cannon.

I'm on episode 15 and urge you to watch at least to 14 and see what you think. The story is definitely there but the characters, especially the main character is unstable yet a genius, that is quite hard to balance. Not sure they got it right.

I stand by my comments that the plots are rushed through and not enough building of the characters can make the drama feel unrealistic. We all know MLs will go through hoops and get out the other side, but his near death experience keeps happening to a point that you become desensitised after the fourth time as you look at the episode count, you know not to worry too much until there's about 4 episodes to go. Surely this is not how the viewing experience should feel.

Inexperience I understand. But the flashes of genius here and there does not fit with the mistakes. When you see how many people have died for his cause you can't help thinking this is not about him at all, but either his "handlers" (mask man and second master) are pulling the strings and he's at the sharp end risking his life.

I'm confused how Duke PinJin has not sent anyone to follow his every steps like how the Eunuch did. His constant entry to that book shop should have aroused suspicion by now. His visits to Zhen Tower prior to episode 13 also goes unchecked.

By episode 13 he looks like he's got a secret army bigger than the powerful Eunuch. You could say he's already recruited 4 players on his side, even though on paper thin grounds. He's on a knife edge and yet he does not act at all cautious around the Duke. Quite bizarre.

Yes, the supernatural elements will be the interesting bits if there will be some. He was definitely born under a lucky star!

I think the issue is too much is happening in such a short space of time. It might be more believable had this happened more slowly allowing the audience to follow the development. But because so much is packed inside 10 episodes, it's almost comical how he's managed to get where he is.

The editing has also made it look like he will get out of anything even how ridiculous. Gaining Pinjing's trust even though he had at least twice did things without notifying him is pushing the limits of believability. If this had happened 2/3 of the way where he had gone behind his back to do things, it's more natural, but by episode 15 he's done that twice and got a promotion? That's almost illogical.

Those opening scenes are a bit scant and it's possible, what the ML saw were only a fragment of the true events. He may have been forced to kill his family. Why keep those things inside his home? That must mean something more than his everyday killings.

Maybe this storyline will be picked up later. Usually we get the classic flash-back on their plans. this one I note, nothing so far. It is definitely suspect. Him asking Zhi Xing not to save him tells me he is testing the Duke in more ways than one. Let's see if they go back to this arc. It's not plotting with the predictions and the general's death. If it goes without any further questions, this is sloppy and unresolved.

I like how the first 2 lines have been modified 😉

She fancies him more and the one to initiate all the outcome so far. No doubt there will be a possible reason and part of her grand plan of utilising him.

If not, she's a sucker for looks, albeit a plastic one apparently!

You get desensitised after that many get out clauses. You look at how many episodes left and just watch it with less worry until the last 4 episodes. The director could have spaced out these arcs to make them more realistic. He lands on his feet in the most unrealistic way it's almost comical at times.