Charlie C

Summary:
Coroner/physician FL + general/political-competent ML = solving cases together with their subordinates, friends and families. They want to uncover the truth behind the murders and deaths of their father and mother (FL) and cousin (ML).

Liked:
+ Arc-style story-telling with cases last for a few episodes;
+ Blended well mystery, thriller, comedy, action, romance, political intrigue, and tragedy;
+ Focuses on solving crimes, work with a few dashes of romance;
+ Clear-headed, sensible characters with proper development;
+ Well-established and well-built relationships between the leads, from partners, to friends, then lovebirds;
+ Great chemistry of the leads, the leads with the supporting and guest cast;
+ Proper good acting, especially so with some guest stars;
+ Women empowerment but walk the talk;
+ Social commentary with nuances;
+ The last mystery was great;
+ Good OST and music;
+ Great set design, art direction, cinematography and martial arts choreography;

Disliked:
- First 5 eps were weak;
- Illogical and uneven writing at times, but story gets better as the series progresses;
- A bit too fast-paced, thus, lacks some and better explanations and clarifications;


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Longgggg:

Even though, it was one of the top shows in 2025 per Yunhe, I almost didn't watch it because of the 6.5 Douban score. Then, I remembered "Love Has Fireworks", which I enjoyed immensely, also got around that mark... I proceeded with cautions. And here I am, finishing it after two weeks (or so)!

The first 5 episodes are a chore (how this trait is similar to "Love Has Fireworks, again). It is like child play and illogical. Its only saving graces are the set design and art direction. (More in comments.) So, I continue and the next two cases get better.

Case stories-wise, from episode 6 onward, they are all good and intriguing. I get how this show caused a stir in the online community during its run time. Even if the perpetrators are mostly kind of obvious, it keeps me guessing on the how's and the why's. I want the plots to unfold. I want to see how each arc ends. Admittedly, the quality of each arc isn't consistent due to different storylines and focuses. Still good overall, especially the intense last case (episode 32-28).

Logic-wise, it's similar to the hill-car-chase scene in "One Battle After Another". This is due to how fast-paced this show is. It would have benefitted if they gave some, better or more explanations for their examined findings. (More in comments.) I'm left baffled and need to rewind several times just to clarify or catch up with the dialogues and re-examining (googling) what (heck or nonsense) they might be spouting.

Here are what it gets better at and is better than many shows I've watched.

First, the acting and characterisation:

This is my first Li Lan Di's projects. I heard a good deal about her skills as an actor. She leaves me disappointed in the first arc. But gradually, she grows into her role and plays a convincing, likeable, rational, reasonable and emotionally-sound FL.

This is also my first Ao Rui Peng's series. Before, I considered him an idol-actor. So colour me surprised when dude can act consistently and expressively throughout. He fits this role to a tee (like He Yu fits the green tea crown prince in "Blossoms of Power").

They both have great chemistry as business partners, then friends, and finally lovebirds. Their relationship is well-established and well-developed. It's one of those healthy, reasonable relationships that doesn't include simps, but two clear-headed people who respect, understand and love one another, good or bad. They compliment, reassure, advocate, and most importantly, help one another heal and grow.

The HEALING of the two leads, in my opinion, can be easily overlooked. But it's their anchor, where their trust and love for one another shine the brightest. Because they are healed, they are able to move forward and move on from the tragedies that befall upon them. Beautiful and equal partnerships like this are rarely well-told in Chinese series.

Thanks heavens, these two characters are not greasy! They seem OP (more in comments), but I continue to grow fond of and root for them, instead of feeling turned-off. Because they take things seriously and earnestly. Many series I've watched where main characters act like know-it-all and holier-than-thou that they give me constant secondhand embarrassment.

Second, the main storyline that interweaves NUANCES with social commentary:

Frankly, I have to really look at it to see a stronger connection among all the cases that lead to the final case. It's somewhat less noticeable given the arc-style story-telling. As the episodes creep up to the 20s, I get worried that it won't spend enough time on the biggest case or the big bad. ("Legend of Zang Hai" failed at this for me.)

But, bear with me, the dead ends are reasonable. I remember watching "Justice Bao" and "Young Justice Bao" as a kid. Even they got to walls, from time to time. Under restricted legality, they simply had to drop until new clues and opportunities revealed themselves. This is similar. So, when it unravels, it freaking unravels! The last case is packed with suspense and intensity. Like the previous ones, it gives hints but I have to watch it to see where it goes. It's a satisfactory, powerful and focused ending.

What I love most are the nuances and social commentary behind the story, dialogues and characters. It shows the jarring pains the patriarchy causes, including that belongs to the systems, ideologies, movements (ie. feudalism, totalitarianism, feminism, sexism, ect.) and affect family and people at deeply and harmfully personal levels.

I also appreciate the impartiality where, sometimes, someone and something can't be categorise in black-or-white. Viewers who don't like being looked down upon will definitely appreciate this. Oh, how they have back-and-forth arguments between the bad guys AND back-and-forth discussions among the good folk (for examples: emperor vs cult leader, empress vs noble consort, FL vs ML, leads vs empress dowager) is chef's kiss!

Third, this series has a good blend of mystery, thriller, romance ("Legend of Zang Hai" should take notes), comedy, social commentary and tragedy (someone add this to the tags please). It has a RECAP in the conclusion! That's a first and an extremely good thing for me. Because I want to revisit and re-appreciate all the impactful characters. It also means a great deal of reflection and learning. Rare as it is, I'm all for it and for more of it.

Fourth, the production, notably the art direction, set design (again), cinematography and martial arts choreography. Beautiful short-story flashbacks. Beautiful and forceful fight scenes. (I'm sick and tired of greasy, posey characters and stories trying to portray coolness, instead giving serious cases of cringe and goosebumps (even hives), colour me yikes for real).

Fifth, I almost forgot: They don't COUGH UP BLOOD unnecessarily! Hurrah, hurrah! I'm (also) sick and tired of seeing characters coughing up blood in the most inane situations, circumstances or for aesthetics. It cheapens the story and the characters as a whole. (Colour me in disgust.)

Sixth, I almost forgot again... The first half of this series is damn hilarious to me, including comedic bits and ridiculous settings (honest lmao). The third and last part is dead serious.

I really want to keep this short. But I realise, I have kept it long enough. I'll share some more thoughts in the comments. I especially welcome discussion :D

Lastly, I think iQiyi has some good investigation shows under their name. They should seriously consider expanding "Coroner's Diary". I'd absolutely watch another season or two, provided its quality can be kept. I'm sure Li Lan Di and Ao Rui Peng can only benefit from something like "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" (wink, wink).

Conclusion: I'd watch more season(s) of this.