Xanfan

So happy that Alen Fang is ML again. He's so consistently handsome, I just swoon like one of the girls chasing him. Hope it will be a HE for him and FL with several episodes of them enjoying being with each other.

Not empty - I'm relieved it ended "ambiguously" as I would not have been able to handle watching Zan's guilt and flashbacks for Ben dying because he came to save him. Some nightmares about death/hospitals/funerals have returned so will watch YT travel vlogs instead or something that looks light like Les Belles. This was an excellent series depicting the horrors of war and the positive effects of truth journalism and exposing just how cruel "enemies" can be. I wonder if volunteers and journalists should also be given a stint of combat skills training before entering the areas because not everyone respects the lives of "press" or other professional like doctors or other relief workers.

I agree. People with PTSD don't usually commit suicide if they have people who love and support them and a hopeful purpose in life. Seeing the olive tree doesn't mean they died because even the kids in the bus towards the end saw the olive trees they had planted. And if you watch till the very end after the credits of Ep 38, they didn't fade away while looking at the olive tree.

To me Benjamin is the real hero in this series although he maintains a casual playboy look as a coping mechanism. He never gets to share his PSTD with anyone and keeps his promise to Rina to keep Saxin safe. Saxin is indeed brave too as his loss of his mom was the greatest. We will always have the unsung heroes - I'm crying for them too.

She seems fragile, but maybe she should learn how to use it. Which reminds me, I haven't seen any females in the army there.

25 and 26 were tough to get through and seemed like such long episodes. I found that I watched about 10 minutes then did some activity, watched some Youtube travel vlogs, and then continued with the TV on. We have to be careful not to trigger something we had "covered" with care until a safer time.

I hope it doesn't turn into one of those "individual sacrifices for the pride of your home country" endings. After showing us the sufferings of precious lives (and those around them) from the ravages of war, it would be so disappointing to have them all dying for the greater good, just when we believe that caring for each other is so important for emotional recovery. It would cheapen the series to have another sacrificial lamb hero theme. Regardless of our wishes to have world peace, there is only so much that can be done before the hurt overwhelms us.

This has moved from a sad story of PTSD and trauma to a co-dependency tragedy. The psychologist isn't helping much with the counselling and is depending on the pills. They both need to get a different counsellor who is suitable for them and firm with their advice. I guess that would be infringing on human rights and free will.
Sadder than all of this, is the apparent bravery of those who are still in Eastern Country who have no emotional support at all. Yet war is increasing globally due to evil, corrupt and greedy politicians/corporates and the reality of violence grows closer (crime, looting/riots, theft) - I'm speechless as to a solution and almost stopped watching due to the vivid reminders triggering my own flashbacks! Those who criticize this series haven't gone through any really traumatic situations as it sure is heartbreaking.

I think Luo Zhan is quite handsome if only he'd relax while - but that terrible hairstyle or wig!!!

I see the pills they're both taking which I guess is modern medicine. Does China not believe in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) for trauma and/or depression? I know Rhodolia and Ashwagandha are herbal remedies which could help.

I think one can cycle in and out of depression and PTSD. Ran is feeling better but she should understand that his trauma is greater and also that if she goes back to Eastern Country that he would follow - and harm himself in the process because PTSD is incremental and can get to the point of no return if one doesn't stay away from triggers (even worse is the actual repeat of the situations). I'm hoping both of them would stay away from battle/violent areas even if only in simulations.

Episode17: quick question. I thought she lived with her father/new wife or her mother, then I'm sure she said she lived alone in her grandparents' old house - but in this episode is it her sister is visiting?

I think that they're showing the point of view from the ML and FL's perspective. That is, as a protective mechanism, the mind after such trauma, tries to block out as many of those terrible memories as possible. It's only when, at an unexpected moment or a trigger that the flashbacks happen and that's in bits and pieces because reliving through the whole sequence of events would certainly drive one to suicide. Also the most horrific moments can be distorted or out of sequence if it's sudden trauma, like a bomb blast or being attacked. It's only chronically clearer if it's a medium or long-term trauma, like being helpless to save one's loved one during an illness (e.g. locked out of visiting parents to care or advocate for them in hospital during a pandemic).

They are out of the warzone, but the flashbacks will haunt them forever - price to pay for trauma, one is never the same again.

Why are there so many flashbacks to their romantic moments, and only from one or two episodes back? It's not like we've forgotten - I'd much rather have more war action or more lively interactions. It is only me but we need new experiences not memories at this early stage.

PTSD doesn't have to come from a single incident. Its symptoms can manifest from a series of possibly unrelated events caused by a feeling of helplessness when OTHER people get hurt or injured. I think it's most likely to affect the Empaths who have deep compassion and often put themselves in stressful situations to help others, while repressing their own emotions. It's sad that so many countries don't have mental counselling and medical support for those who "serve" like military, police and paramedics because they supposed to "be brave".

I don't care about the rest of the series right now but am in tears watching Episode 7. For anyone who has lived in poverty or in an environment of abject violence, it's a heartbreaking reminder of the war zones in reality which are much much worse.

I can't leave this one! Tried many of the current and those a few months back series and can't get past a few episodes before I think it's not as good as MM (plot not good, some leads and sides not good, cgi and costumes boring). So spoiled by MM, it will be hard to find something else to watch. Looking forward to more Bailu and ARP series, but somehow I feel it will be "lacking".

Questions help please: who decides who will "inherit" the divine mantle and at what time, looks like one can refuse it or accept it? And who is/was the woman "Heaven" who would decide and manipulate what happens through the ages? Is she like the supreme god? It almost mirrors our existence that we're like pawns on a chessboard, blah!

Thank you! Wow some series over 500 episodes - will keep me entertained for a long time *smile*