16
23
4
1
1
1
1
9
2
1
1
1
3
5
4
2
2
doubt the doubt
almost halfway through the year and this is my favourite 2026 drama to date. the current rating here on MDL is probably a combination of factors: perhaps some surprise from new Tian Xiwei fans expecting a certain genre and screentime (this was filmed well before the release of Pursuit of Jade), some viewers not appreciating the plethora of uncles because the cast does skew a bit older and male, and the offbeat dark humor not hitting for everyone. note though that the opening Douban rating is one of the highest for the year so far at an 8.0, since rising to 8.1.
our main character (Zhang Yi'ang played by Wang Xiao) is a middle-aged policeman who left a precinct under a cloud and is now basically a meme. he and his capable junior (Li Qian played by Tian Xiwei) are transferred back under yet another cloud from his new precinct and assigned to solve the case of a murdered senior colleague. along the way, they meet gangsters, corrupt officials, smugglers, petty thieves and many other undesirable characters, often solving cases through pure dumb luck.
this drama really is an entertaining little gem. the story is well thought-out and narratively sound. the music (when it's not repurposed classics, which is a bit odd and jarring) is perfect and surprisingly deep philosophically (okay, bunny bunny bunny isn't deep but the others are), and the pace never drags long enough to be problematic.
its real strength is the characterisation. the actors are a mixed bunch. some are old hands, some comedy team veterans, a few unknowns, and at least one rapper, while Tian Xiwei sits in her own category here as more of a popular traffic actor who provides a grounded, slightly sly energy in one of the few female roles.
being an ensemble cast, it's difficult to call out specific performances but a few standouts:
- Song Yuhe as Fang Chao: as a relatively unknown actor in these streets, I found him compelling and would love to see more of his work. he elevated a petty thief into a surprisingly intelligent, never-say-die master of disguise and yet still managed to be hilariously stupid without feeling disjointed.
- Dong Baoshi (Gem) as Lu Yibo: takes a terrified weak-man caricature that could easily have been little more than the butt of uncomfortable jokes and brings us someone that we could actually support, probably against our better judgment. another actor (rapper) I'd be happy to see more of.
-Wang Xiao as Zhang Yi'ang: having never seen this veteran do comedy before, I appreciated his dry, well-timed dialogue and tendency to project a confidence and knowledge he did not possess. it played well into the actor's uncanny ability to say one thing while silently displaying his internal thoughts to the contrary.
ask me about almost any character and I can write a paragraph explaining everything about them, from their motivations to their petty dislikes. it's such supremely rich writing and truly elevates this from a simple dark comedy.
my recommendation: if you want something a little different to the usual cute idol/bleak crime drama, doubt the doubt of the rating, anticipate the anticipation, and buckle into your sputtering 1990s hatchback for the ride.
our main character (Zhang Yi'ang played by Wang Xiao) is a middle-aged policeman who left a precinct under a cloud and is now basically a meme. he and his capable junior (Li Qian played by Tian Xiwei) are transferred back under yet another cloud from his new precinct and assigned to solve the case of a murdered senior colleague. along the way, they meet gangsters, corrupt officials, smugglers, petty thieves and many other undesirable characters, often solving cases through pure dumb luck.
this drama really is an entertaining little gem. the story is well thought-out and narratively sound. the music (when it's not repurposed classics, which is a bit odd and jarring) is perfect and surprisingly deep philosophically (okay, bunny bunny bunny isn't deep but the others are), and the pace never drags long enough to be problematic.
its real strength is the characterisation. the actors are a mixed bunch. some are old hands, some comedy team veterans, a few unknowns, and at least one rapper, while Tian Xiwei sits in her own category here as more of a popular traffic actor who provides a grounded, slightly sly energy in one of the few female roles.
being an ensemble cast, it's difficult to call out specific performances but a few standouts:
- Song Yuhe as Fang Chao: as a relatively unknown actor in these streets, I found him compelling and would love to see more of his work. he elevated a petty thief into a surprisingly intelligent, never-say-die master of disguise and yet still managed to be hilariously stupid without feeling disjointed.
- Dong Baoshi (Gem) as Lu Yibo: takes a terrified weak-man caricature that could easily have been little more than the butt of uncomfortable jokes and brings us someone that we could actually support, probably against our better judgment. another actor (rapper) I'd be happy to see more of.
-Wang Xiao as Zhang Yi'ang: having never seen this veteran do comedy before, I appreciated his dry, well-timed dialogue and tendency to project a confidence and knowledge he did not possess. it played well into the actor's uncanny ability to say one thing while silently displaying his internal thoughts to the contrary.
ask me about almost any character and I can write a paragraph explaining everything about them, from their motivations to their petty dislikes. it's such supremely rich writing and truly elevates this from a simple dark comedy.
my recommendation: if you want something a little different to the usual cute idol/bleak crime drama, doubt the doubt of the rating, anticipate the anticipation, and buckle into your sputtering 1990s hatchback for the ride.
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