Wynndzofchange

only 32 in this season.

Flourished Peony is SO good!

I am only on episode 8, but it doesn’t feel draggy to me at all. it’s like you’ve moved to a small rural town and been welcomed by everyone you’ve met. Every character is quirky, had their hurts and joys but they are all willing to come to each others side when things go awry.

This is very true. I also think the ML’s granny is a real gem - so sweet and kind, but she can flip the switch and give her grandson a beating for being foolish. I am only on episode 8 and this has to be one of the best C-dramas I have ever seen.

So. I have read a lot of comments about the ML being less than stellar, and how he was suddenly cured from Bi-polar disorder. I feel I need to defend the chapter of the ML as many of those comments did not include the other issue he had that they called emotional barrier syndrome. This is just a hypothetical defense, since none of what I am about to include in my comment, but is based on personal and observational experience.

The emotional barrier syndrome is also known as emotional dysregulation, and is on the Autism/ADHD spectrum, as is bipolar disorder. Medication does help control the highs and lows of these comorbidities of spectrum disorders and he was taking medication (they even mentioned it a couple of times and showed the FL giving it to him with a reminder it was time to take it). They just didn’t follow through with that in the drama, nor explain that emotional dysregulation combined with bipolar disorder can often be a ticking time bomb because the ability to articulate and process emotions and stress can cause violent outbursts in some people.

Imagine wanting to express something but cannot because your brain is overloaded with stimulation and frustration mounts until you blow up. Or you cry, but hate it when you do and you try to push the tears down, but you can’t and you get angry. This is what is evident to me in the ML’s behavior. A lot of therapy and often immersion techniques to for open the emotional knot (knot in your heart as a lot of C-dramas call it) can cause drastic personality changes.

So maybe rethink the way the ML lead behaves with this in mind.

There’s no excuse for violence toward women however. And his privileged attitude due to his family’s status is very frustrating.

I am only on ep. 6 of this drama, so I can’t attest to anything beyond this point, but I have to say that as someone with a much lighter degree of EDS, I feel bad for the emotions he has suppressed on top of losing a lot of memories that he has lost (this would be a form of immersion in the emotions I mentioned earlier).

Maybe this will help fill a few of the holes in the first few episodes for someone.

We also don’t know how much of the scenes were left on the cutting room floor or were edited out by regulatory sanctions.

I agree. They are business oriented people and trust is hard won when many people curry favor by lies and bribery. Both have had difficult pasts and that is another reason to be cautious. There push and pull dance of showing care for each other is well done. Some might disagree because the drama is not moving fast enough in the direction they want it to, but the basis for their relationship is being built on mutual trust and respect.

Finally finished with this drama. While I really enjoyed this drama, I was disappointed in the ending. The ML and FL had a happy ending but that wasn’t shown to the audience. Their marriage was alluded to, but we didn’t get to view anything other than them in their wedding attire. Nor did we get to see her meet with the emperor. We were left with her standing on the palace steps alone, and the man who risked his life to help her and the silk and brocade trade was nowhere in sight.

One teeny tiny thing bothers me about some of the historical dramas. The blo*d spewing out of the mouth when people are stabbed in places nowhere near their neck or lungs, and the buckets of paint spilled near the deceased after a sword fight, but no puddles near or right next to the bodies.

Overall, it was a good story. The acting was spot on (although seeing the actor that played Prince Bai may make me want to punch my television), I think it would be a good while before I rewatched it.

Rich historical setting? yes.
ML & FL solely interested in each other? After her first love bows to corrupted power, FL and ML come together and commit to only each other. However, her childhood sweetheart loses his kindness and turns into manipulative stalker, while another man appears out of the blue (Prince of a neighboring country posing as a merchant) kidnaps the brocade and silk workers along with the FL, and tries to force her into becoming the princess consort. I detest his character in the drama. So if you are looking for no involvement of other characters trying to tear the leads apart, this is not that drama.

I agree! Love Me, Love My Voice is mt go-to when I need to detox from the shrill voiced parents, the spoiled rich love interests who are actually narcissistic stalkers who do not understand the word no, the emotionally blackmailing family, etc. Road Home is also very very good.

I just posted a review saying the same thing as you and the reviewer you mentioned. I had not read many reviews on this drama when I wrote it, but I am glad that there were others who appreciated the historical importance of the Silk Road and the great lengths those who forged that road took and risked life and limb to get it done. I am glad you appreciated that aspect of it as well!

calculating in a good way, and loyal to her friends and family, and always mindful of those who have suffered at the hands of the rich clans, this is a good role for her. She fights the establishment and earns the trust of everyone she encounters. To the haters who comment about her facial expressions - it’s her face. Whose expressions should she be using? Regardless of the critics, she has never disappointed me in any of the dramas I have seen her in.

The only small critique I have is that I would have liked to have heard more traditional music in the drama. It might have helped to set the mood a little more.

Overall, this was a great drama. Even though creative license was taken in the characters, the plot has many twists that keeps me coming back even though my angst was pretty high in some episodes. By the time I reach the end, I may need a cocktail to calm my nerves.

As a side note, as an adult in my 60’s, I can say that when a drama evokes me to dig into the history of a dynasty represented to understand the depths of the plot, then I consider it well worth the time spent watching and definitely holds a great deal of rewatch value.

I am on episode 23 where she visits the Yang mansion. The angst level made me pause the episode and do something else for a while it was so strong 🤓

I am laughing at your comment about eating your hat :D It seems to be a trend recently where everyone but the ML and FL all have the mental capacity of a goldfish. I will leave my review after I watch as many episodes as I can without eating my hat too!

Also - note to film makers. When people fall off cliffs, their clothing, hair and skin go through changes. They are falling down a cliff and speed accelerates weight/resistence, NOT like standing in front of a window and having a gentle breeze caress their face. No one screams on the way down, their hair remains in its place (except for a few strands blowing softly), their clothes do not cling to their forms and actually look like they’re falling. Work on this :)

(cont’d) The battle scenes were beautifully choreographed, and it was a pleasure to see the ML put his musical stage presence together with his acting skills to make his character shine. Kudos to the costume designer as the scenes where their robes are fluttering with their spins and leaps were beautiful to behold.

I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t show anything about how the Angry Prince was dealt with also.

The ending leaves you with the impression that there will be a sequel. Hopefully they will resolve the Prince issue.

Tgey also left out the status of the treasure map. Perhaps a sequel will explain.

The scenery was stunning in a lot of the episodes. For instance the lotus farm. Just beautiful.

Overall I liked the drama, and might watch it again to see if there were things I missed the first time through.

I have watched that drama so many time. Everything about it was lovely. And what you said is true. It needs to be a solid them, have a good director who is interested in quality instead of making sure to use every trope ever invented, a good screenwriter, excellent cast and an OST worth listening to after wards.

I understand the drama behind it, but wouldn’t it be nice if a couple and their friends could all just get to know each other and get together without the tropes? Love Me Love My Voice is a prime example of that.

He is definitely a creeper. Couldn’t stand him myself! Spying on her through the window of her work place. Staring at her after he fakes his purpose to get into her workplace and bribing the boss and her “best” friend. Getting an apartment for her when she barely knows him. And his bizarre behavior.

Agreed. It’s also easy to “judge” a situation through empathy rather than to be impartial despite their personal feelings. The phrase “That’s up to the judges to decide” was used multiple times.

Agreed. The drama is focused on the collaboration of a very talented artist and the police department to identify the criminal, locate them and build the case for the judicial system to handle. It isn’t about the morality or empathizing about the people or situation in any of them. This show stretches your mind and makes one appreciate Tian JuanCi even more as an actor. He’s brilliant.