Reviews

Love vs duty

This was a very interesting episode. Was Kuai Duo on a mission for the Gui seal and the alter was a coverup? Did he help or hinder those that blew up the alter to hide the theft of the seal? And now we know the Queen’s mother used the seal to defeat Yong, but what was the consequence? What price is required to activate the seal? Had he not been married this is a love story like Zhinu and AnTu. The Queen is very aware of her surroundings. She figured out the puzzles and even that he had repainted the death murals and why. She gave such a clear picture of his dad’s kindness. But he knew what he was taking, and she knew where it was going. He would not make a deal but figured it was their last meeting so he left her his book of instructions for various techniques he had mastered. He would not go with her but wanted to gift her with something important to him and possibly helpful to her. They were well matched and would have been formidable. He wanted to be with his family and he refused to move them earlier. This inadvertently condemned them all. Even knowing how it would end, I am not sure he would be persuaded to play it out differently. He said he would willingly die for righteousness and nothing would divert him. Was his cause righteous? Or was he just led to believe it was? By the end of her tale he seemed more gray than white in path choice. Was Chu a helper or nemesis because with this they may have had a partnership of sorts in getting the seal out. But if the now Queen had no clue to its whereabouts, who knew? And how did they find out? There is a story there I want to hear. AnTu surprised both of them showing up. She even set a path of resolution that would have kept the two she loved best alive. The one thing her mother and Zhinu agreed on was her living. And while she was knocked out the Queen shared the details of her last meeting with his father. She noted the names of the two he mentioned but she said he needed to know who his real enemies are…plural. Was it plural with the Marquis and eunuch? Or others entirely? Do the fish activate the seal or keep it from activating? The Queen is the only one that knows the consequence of its use…and for that reason never planned to use it. Why was Kuai Duo willing? Why did he think it wise to relocate it? Who is pulling the strings on this? AnTu and Queen voted for love….seems their men of choice do not. But where does that lead them other than death? Is there another option? I need more episodes dammit.😝

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Solving puzzles

Cao’s squad knows Zang Hai was last to enter Marquis’ house. They want to kill him but Cao wants Gui seal more. He can’t be sure that Zang Hai doesn’t know where it is. The meal with his friends seemed like a goodbye dinner…maybe of the permanent kind. AnTu, to her credit, gave it to him straight. She would forsake her mother forever to run away with him if he would drop the matter. He is in anguish outside her prison door. He so wants to run off with her but chooses to put hope aside and see this path through. She is heartbroken but resigned to his choice. She has made it clear she wants him to live above all else. Zang Hai was ready to deliver his resignation letter to ease the way to leave for Dongxia. Just before it could be delivered, the Queen of Dongxia arrives. Her lipstick is rather distracting. She has a vibe but I can’t place it yet. She is most cunning but it seems neither good or evil…just ready to meet decisively whatever comes at her. She is not the eagle but bird of prey is not a bad analogy. For now I will consider her a lady dragon ready to protect her treasure. She is chained but not down for the count by any means…it is more like biding her time for the long game. She watches and waits. Zang Hai is called to court for an emergency meeting. This has everybody’s attention since session had been cancelled due to Emperor’s illness. This of course was cover story for Cao not being able to attend. He is in critical condition but is singularly focused on Gui seal. He wants all pieces on board til its location is revealed. The Emperor gives a panda vibe. He looks more comfortable in his workshop than in court. The Queen presents a series of gifts and the emperor wants to know what the incredible treasure is that was promised. A miniature house is brought in with a challenge attached. The treasure is inside, but it is a puzzle box to open. She challenges to see if any of their scholars are capable of opening. The head of ministry of works gives it a go. He understands the construction but sees it as a system of locks with no means of unlocking. The Prince suggests Zang Hai. Zang Hai investigates the box and understands the connections between beasts and dots. He sees a specific joint technique particular to his father. He knows he has to open it and he knows his identity is revealed when he does. He chooses to complete the box and present it open to emperor. The roof is lifted off to reveal a jade fetus.This is supposed to be buried in an auspicious location to ensure longevity of rule. Zang Hai is given the job to find a location. The Queen offers him a ride to chat and she shows him some of her cards. She knows her daughter likes him. She has figured out who he is. And she knows he has her daughter. She gives him the first real clue about his father’s death and he is given the option to bring her daughter to her or share his fate. She has already dispatched the yong members guarding coach and he is a lone man amidst amazons. She is quietly just as impressive as Marquis. Can’t wait to see what next episode reveals.

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What Does It Take to Be Familiar?

So this is the first meeting of Xu Zhi's dad and Chen Luzhou. And his dad was acting weird with Luzhou as he wanted to know more about him, sir that move was hilarious. He just pulled down his trousers and Luzhou was too stunned to say anything. hHe doesn't want to take her with him to the photography job cause he knows even if she doesn't do anything she will still distract him. Sharing the expenses thing seems to be a thorn on his side. Aw he's angry cause she's always splitting expenses with him but didn't with that Feng guy. And he said "is that how you coax me?" It was so cute. Oh my when she was racing with that arrogant guy he made an accident happen and colliding his bike jnto hers and they fell down even though she looks okay something might go wrong.

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What a knockout

Episodes 1 - what a start!With the title of ‘Knockout’, you better have some good action and amazingly it does.When Gun, playing ML Thun turns to Keen, played by Nice Boripat Jamsat in the first scene I got chills, he reminds me of a famous Southeast action star, I just can’t remember who. I’m in love lol 🥷🥊♥️.Likes: so many, a first for me.* OMG Samart Payakaroon Muay Thai boxing legend playing Uncle Petch is da bomb 💥.* It has a gorgeous music score moving from classical guitar, to modern pop, to ambient and atmospheric.* All new leads are very strong, the older Thai actors are da bomb diggety, so good.* So much subtext is happening between the support cast of characters Pakorn, Ait, Boong, Marwin and Klao directed so sharply by not so suprisingly Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee.* Ms Muay - what a bitc$ bahahaha she’s so good, I hate her lmao but really.Not so much: ummm…nothing. It’s fiercely antonist driven and I have a feeling my hearts going to be wrenched from one corner of the boxing ring to another!Funny/weird moment: sah cute seeing some of the ‘Joker’ series set.

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The Next Princess

Ep 3 - Oh my Princedomhood the Palace was Palac’ing, that’s for all the haters going on and on and on and on about it not being Palace enough, just check out the golden chairs in the dining room let alone Khanin’s bed! Gurl she rich now lol.And so the battle for the crown doth begineth bahaha we’re off with scheming and just whose head is on the chopping block.New track ‘I trust you’ has entered the OST.Likes: Butler Chakri…I want one.Not so much: Too short, each episode could easily be 90 minutes lol. Some of the scene changes are fast, don’t get me wrong, usually in BLs it feels like 5 minutes of no dialogue/music between scenes but not here it’s wham bam thank you mam and next!JJ’s casting - his big moment came…a royal choir dressed in their finery…then his solo…and we heard an average voice HUH? Was a bit of a buzzkill. The top soprano was too strong overall and to be fair he should have been stronger if given a solo. So here’s where my intial rating is now unfortunately starting to waiver. It seems like nepotism now, so many stronger with better annunciation Thai acotrs are out there BUT Aof is now stuck with the team he has. Given the budget and hype my critical eye is now watching. JJ’s moment was more of a…meh blink and you’ll miss it. Early days still so looking forward to some strong acting from him.Funny/cute/weird moment: The first (non) kiss was direct from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, no it wasn’t but it was a very good effort for a stolen kiss, spy stylez.

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