There are some dramas that are excellent and popular in their time but end up being forgotten soon enough. This series, however, has the makings of one of those classics that can well get remade again and again with room for a different interpretation or emphasis on different things, kind of like some of Louis Cha's novels that have been repeatedly made into new series. The complexity of the plot, the intertwining of the plot and subplots, together with the nuances in characterization make this a series that truly stands out.

There are some series or movies that become famous because of the stars, and there are actors who become huge stars because of a particular series or movie. But this is one of those instances in which it works both ways. Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo have become really famous because of the series, but, at the same time, it would be hard to imagine anyone else playing the two main characters. It is one of those series where, if there is a remake years down the road, people are going to look back and say that it can't match up to the Xiao Zhan/Wang Yibo pairing.

The series is adapted from a novel with strong BL elements, but it does not tell the story simply for the sake of showing the relationship between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. This distinguishes it from a lot of BL series in which the relationship between the main characters take primacy over all else. For instance, the attention paid to Wei Wuxian's relationship with Jiang Chen and Jian Yanli (more like siblings to him although he isn't really an adopted son in the family) also makes the story really moving. Although I see commenters who don't seem to see the depth of Jiang Chen's brotherly love for Wei Wuxian, the series actually portrays Jiang Chen's emotions with nuance. Sure, there may be resentment because of some misunderstandings and even a bit of jealousy, but even when Jiang Chen seems determined to kill Wei Wuxian, he still doesn't hate Wei Wuxian thoroughly. When Wei Wuxian is able to fall off the cliff, Jiang Chen seems to hate him enough to want to stab him to death, but he ends up stabbing the rocky cliff instead (it's rather hard to miss his target, so he probably couldn't bring himself to end Wei Wuxian's life at that crucial moment). From the start, even when they are on good terms, Jiang Chen's bark is worse than his bite, and he is very harsh with his words when talking to Wei Wuxian. But he really cares about Wei Wuxian--even after the Jiang Sect is exterminated and he seems to blame Wei Wuxian for it, he still has enough trust that Wei Wuxian will not turn evil and *pretends* to fall out with him when other sects are out for Wei Wuxian's blood.

The brotherly relationship between Jiang Chen and Wei Wuxian is a nice contrast to the relationship between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. In a way, the feelings between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji cannot simply be bromance. Although Lan Wangji usually maintains a cold and emotionless exterior, his feelings are shown quite early on through his brother (who seems to be able to read his mind), through how he keeps everything related to Wei Wuxian, including Wei's favorite wine (which is contraband in his sect). On Wei Wuxian's part, he also quite early on seems to like to get Lan Wangji's attention and be close to him, trying to talk to him when others try to avoid him out of fear. He also asks Jiang Yanli at one point about what it's like to "like" someone (who else could be be referring to?). He just doesn't seem to realize how much Lan Wangji loves him. Then there's also the symbolism of Lan Wangji's headband, which he is not supposed to let anyone but his beloved touch.

Perhaps in the future, in a more open-minded world, we will have a remake that showcases the censored BL more. But the censoring of the BL elements isn't necessary a bad thing. Of course, if everything else remains the same, it would be at least a bit better if the love between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had a chance to be shown more clearly. Yet, the series seems to do better than the novel (which I have read only snippets of) in showing the emotional bond between the two characters, and the relationship is more romantic with the sexual aspects taken out. (I can totally do without softcore-porn scenes although I would appreciate a clear portrayal of them as a couple rather than "confidantes".)

The Untamed has often been compared to Word of Honor, which is also one of my favorites. But Word of Honor really doesn't come close in terms of developing a good story with a range of complex characters with interesting development. What Word of Honor does better is passing and bypassing the censors simultaneously, but I think this strategy probably started with The Untamed and is pushed further in Word of Honor.