Reviews

too much happened in the last episode

I thought the acting was wonderful and the storyline was very intriguing. I definitely loved the female lead queen. The way she protected her children, her strong character, and her kindness were spot on.
On the other hand, the Queen Dowager just got boring after a while. She’s so evil and stayed so evil yet untouchable, which seemed impossible.
and it is her character that actually made me give the show a lower rating because I just became so bored with her 16 episode uncontrolled evil.
I get that she needed to stay in the show until the end, but I think I would’ve liked it better had there been some attempts to control her bad behavior.
The storyline between the young Crown, Prince and Princess was sweet. The brothers are awesome. I really enjoyed the rest of it.

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Fire vs. Fire: Li Qin and Chen Zheyuan Just Set the Standard for C-Drama Romance

This is officially the best C-drama I’ve ever watched, literally the definition of a perfect show. It hit every single note for me. I am obsessed with a power couple dynamic, and the fact that the producers never made Fu Yixiao "vulnerable" or weak was such a win. She is an absolute icon, and seeing her go head-to-head with Feng Suige was the ultimate fire vs. fire trope. This is exactly the kind of powerful romance I’ve been looking for. The chemistry between Li Qin and Chen Zheyuan was so top-tier that I’m already manifesting them in another drama together. The entire show was just too aesthetic, and that final scene? Adorable and so empowering. I loved how it defied typical historical tropes by encouraging Xiyang to become Empress—it was such a serve. What really sealed the deal for me was that the ML and FL were never portrayed as weak. Even when things got intense, they never abandoned each other; they just supported one another and leveled up. Their "cozy" romantic moments were literally to die for. If I had one tiny complaint, it’s that there was a bit too much focus on Feng Suige’s character arc. I was genuinely hoping Fu Yixiao’s childhood backstory would finally resurface to give her even more depth. But honestly? Even with that, the drama is an absolute 10/10.

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Absolute epic, fantasy drama worth watching!!!

Just finally finished and my face is all puffy from crying.

1st off what’s with the low MDL score?? To the haters let’s agree to disagree because I absolutely loved this drama. People comparing it to Pursuit of Jade is ridiculous…2 very different gendre!!!

As a watcher of many Xianxia and Wuxia dramas, this is beautifully executed. It was bold, raw and gritty. The fight scenes were dark and ruthless with amazing choreography. All of the actors were fantastic in the fight scenes.

Reba was absolutely stunning in this, she embodied the cold, regal and ancient sovereign. Her acting range was excellent in this, from the cold void to the warm mortal experiences. Let’s talk costume….like wow!!!! Seriously breathtakingly gorgeous human being

Arthur to Reba’s character was also well done. People saying they didn’t have chemistry must be blind. His character was so tragic but once he decided on redemption to save his nation and to tenaciously love a cold sovereign. He fought so hard for her love because she didn’t know how. She kept pushing him away for valid reasons but he never gave up and taught her how to love. His character and back story is also truly interesting.

Miles Wei as Yan Ke was brilliant, his villain was next level!! I literally felt cringey and disgusted during his scenes with He Simu at the end. That is such a reflection of his amazing acting abilities.

Overall I loved this drama, it felt epic, unique and like an old school production where they are not scared to cover the handsome actors in blood.

I will have to watch it all over again some time 9.5/10

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Best Series I've ever watched

STORY - 10/10
It is undeniable that "Nirvana in Fire" is one of the most rewatched and acclaimed series in C-Drama history. Therefore, I went into this drama with somewhat high expectations. Not only did these get easily surpassed, but Nirvana in Fire also became my favourite series I ever watched. In fact, the story is so masterfully crafted that it transcends its C-Drama bubble and I could comfortably recommend it to everyone.
Although the series starts of with the first episode being quite confusing due to the many things introduced at once, the story does not remain that difficult and is, in general, quite easy to understand. Should you get confused at some point, helpful and entertaining blogs such as "the fangirl verdict" are here to help you out. Overall, you quickly start to grow accustomed to and love the excellently written characters. Regarding whom my favourite character is, I really struggle to choose between the many great ones.
To name a few: Mei Changsu, the main character, stands out the most as the genius strategist with a tragic backstory and a secret identity, who is looking for revenge, by any means possible. Prince Jing, a highly idealistic, righteous individual, who wants to seek justice. His mum, Consort Jing, a very comforting, but also very smart woman. And there are many more…
On top of that, the relationships between these characters really enhance the plot. For example, Mei Changsu and Prince Jing have more chemistry in their bromance than some BLs out there. Every time, the prince came close to discovering Mei Changsu's real identity, it had me sitting at the edge of my seat.
Whereas other dramas would resort to long-winded backstory-segments, "Nirvana in Fire" manages to convey the past relationships of the characters through excellent acting and great dialogues, which make you fill in the blanks yourself by showing the impact of their shared past instead of outright telling us.
Beyond that, it's extremely impressive that the pacing is very consistent and doesn't linger too long at any points. As a result, I excitedly looked forward to every single episode and was never disappointed.
Furthermore this series was quite addictive due to the relatively short story arcs dealing one by one with the various smaller conflicts within the larger narrative. Each obstacle and enemy gets absolutely obliterated, which is a very satisfying outcome to see. Besides that, it's very entertaining to see Mei Changsu's genius plans come to fruition, which often have an unexpected twist and sometimes not really work out the way you would expect.
All in all, the series managed to hold my attention through all 54 episodes. This was quite surprising to me, as I usually prefer and am used to much shorter shows.
However, I had some mixed feelings toward the ending. Even though it was quite satisfying in the sense that all questions were answered, all important conflicts resolved, and it made sense, I wished that they had done it a little differently (can't say how exactly due to this review being spoiler-free). Overall this doesn't sway my very positive opinion, but with such a near-perfect show, I needed to point that out.
In conclusion, the story is one of the greatest ever told in the history of humankind and everyone should watch it at least once.

ACTING - 10/10
The acting in this is the best I've ever seen in an Asian drama. All the actors, but expecially Hu Ge, who is Mei Changsu, convey nuanced emotions and inner conflict expertly. This series wouldn't be the same without this amazing cast. It's truly rare that the actors add so much value to a series.

MUSIC - 10/10
I love the OST. In fact, I was even listening to the opening on loop for a while. It is very epic and gorgeous. Other than that it always perfectly accentuated what was happening in the show.

REWATCH VALUE - 10/10
I will certainly rewatch his many times. Despite the fact that I just finished watching it a couple of months ago, I already feel the urge to start a rewatch. I'm positive that I would enjoy it just as much as my first watch.

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L&P - Life and Pursuit of Love

It’s an odd title for a love story Lighter & Princess and it naturally makes you wonder: is there more beneath the surface? The answer is an emphatic yes.

I’ve never been particularly drawn to Arthur Chen in his action roles, but here, he proves he’s far more effective in a character-driven drama. There’s a quiet intensity in his performance that works beautifully opposite Zhang Jingyi. Their chemistry isn’t loud or exaggerated, it’s in the glances, the pauses, the unspoken tension. Those small moments carry the story just as much as the plot itself, and they’re difficult to replicate.

What makes the series compelling is its central character, Li Xun, a male lead riddled with contradictions and emotional blind spots. He’s far from ideal, and that’s precisely the point. His flaws aren’t just narrative devices; they generate the tension and momentum of the story. In many ways, the writing leans into these imperfections, allowing the audience to constantly question him, understand him, and occasionally feel frustrated by him. That complexity is what keeps the story alive.

Yes, there’s a touch of hyperbole, this is still very much a Chinese drama, but surprisingly, it doesn’t derail the narrative. My usual frustration with 30+ episode series is the unnecessary padding, yet here, the story remains relatively focused. Side plots exist but rarely distract, and the emotional arc stays intact. It takes its time, sometimes slower than necessary, but not indulgently so.

The relationship at the heart of the series feels almost like opposing ions, naturally drawn together, yet constantly at risk of being pulled apart. There’s a push and pull that feels inevitable, almost fated, and that tension gives the romance its weight. It may start slow, but I found myself fully invested, never tempted to skip ahead. The performances and the writing demand your attention and reward it.

Lately, I’ve found myself drifting away from Chinese dramas, leaning more toward Korean and Western series for tighter storytelling. But every so often, a show like Lighter & Princess reminds me why I started watching them in the first place. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it refines what works: strong chemistry, flawed characters, and a romance that feels earned rather than manufactured.

I’m glad I gave this one a chance.

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Only worth watching if you love the Cast

For me I love actress Zhu Zhu. And even though the story frustrates me every episode of nasty characters with too much screen time, I continue to watch for her. This is the typical C-Drama where the negatives outweighs the positives so I'll start with the short list of positives:

Worth watching Parts:
1. Zhu Zhu .... I mean isn't she just one of the most beautiful, refined actress in decades?
2. 2nd ML. You know he played a nasty ex husband in Filter? Now he plays a charming 2nd ML who hardly gets ANY screen time. He nails both characters! Only in ep 24 do you see some sweetness.
3. Few good supporting characters: (again NOT enough screen time) The cook bestie, the ML's finance guy.

Now for the Rants.... skip this if you are easily offended

1. Too many nasty characters with overboard screen time. That really needed to be cut down by 50%. I would rather watch more interaction w/ the 2nd ML but nope. It's always drama central w/ repetitive gossips and backstabbing.
2. Even by ep 24, she's a manager now, still with no real power.
3. ML - still not likeable. Script issue. Clearly Ep 25 2ML is that much more mature.
4. ML/FL chemistry, none IMO. All the way through the end.
5. Very repetitive theme over and over again. She gets into a new department, there's always someone trying to backstab her and she succeeds in the end.

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What A Disappointment

When the trailer first dropped, I was so excited to watch it. I genuinely thought it was going to be another great survival game set in a high school environment, similar to Night Has Come.

But after spending 8 hours watching every episode, I quickly realized this was more The Conjuring-type horror… which was definitely not what I expected or what the trailer really hinted at.

The premise itself was actually really interesting: a mysterious app that grants wishes at the cost of your life , dark and thrilling, right?

Unfortunately, I went into this drama with really high expectations, which made the disappointment hit even harder. I didn’t completely hate it , the beginning was intriguing, I laughed with the characters and even got scared at times but I never felt truly connected or invested. I was mostly just curious to see how it would end.

In the end, it’s a short K-drama that can help pass the time if you’re bored, but don’t expect it to live up to its promising concept.

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A Romance Held Together by Second Chances

Road Home is honestly a very simple, romance-focused drama at its core. It follows Lu Chen and Gui Xiao from their teenage years to adulthood, showing how they separate and find their way back to each other after more than a decade. Nothing huge or dramatic really happens here. It is very slice of life and slow paced, and everything revolves around their relationship. So if you are going in expecting action or something intense like You Are My Hero, this is not that kind of drama at all. The police and SWAT parts are there, but they feel more like background rather than the main focus.

The strongest part of the drama is definitely the main couple. Their chemistry really carries the entire show. You can feel the history between them, especially in the way they look at each other and how they act when they meet after being apart. Since they spend a lot of time in a long-distance relationship, even small moments feel important. There is a lot of clinginess, longing, and quiet affection. What I really liked is how mature they are. There are no childish misunderstandings or unnecessary breakups. They both know they made mistakes in the past, they talk about it, and they move on without dragging things out. That part felt very refreshing.

Visually, the drama is beautiful. The scenery is honestly one of the highlights. There were moments where it felt like I was watching a travel show because everything looked so calm and pretty. But at the same time, the CGI really pulled me out of the experience. Once you notice how empty the places are, like restaurants or streets with barely any people, it becomes hard to ignore. It starts to feel a bit artificial, which is disappointing because the real locations were actually very nice.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing and storytelling. The first part of the drama is enjoyable if you are invested in the romance, but towards the end it starts to feel messy. Some plots feel stretched while others are rushed or not explained properly. One scene that really stood out was when the ML gets seriously injured and suddenly we are just in the hospital with no proper explanation of what even happened. Moments like that make the story feel incomplete.

The time skip also did not work well. It did not feel like years had passed(in current timeline after there daughter) because the characters looked and acted the same. The wedding and later parts felt a bit underdeveloped. The last episode was especially frustrating because instead of giving us more of their present life, it went back to retelling past events with very little new content. It felt unnecessary and kind of wasted time that could have been used better.

And I really have to mention the pregnancy track because it honestly felt so random and poorly handled. For a romance drama, they completely skipped over the scene to highlight that they got intemate. There was no proper moment, no hint, nothing. One minute everything is normal and suddenly she is pregnant. It felt rushed and disconnected, especially when dramas usually at least give some symbolic hints or build-up. Instead, it just appeared out of nowhere, which made it feel pointless rather than meaningful.

Side characters were also not handled well. Many of them felt like they were just there for the sake of the main couple. Some relationships were not developed properly, and a few characters just disappeared without any explanation, which made the world feel a bit empty.

Even with all these flaws, I cannot say I did not enjoy it. The romance really works. You can feel the love, the longing, and the comfort they bring to each other. That emotional connection is what keeps you watching even when the story starts to fall apart.

Overall, this is a drama that you watch for the relationship, not the plot. If you like slow, soft, and mature romance with beautiful visuals, you will probably enjoy it. But if you need a strong storyline or consistent pacing, this one might feel a bit bland and frustrating by the end.

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Bai Lu Ate, but My Brain is Fried

We love a good fierce feminine energy and Bai Lu slayed for that. It’s so refreshing to see a female lead who isn't just a passenger in her own life, she’s the one driving the bus, orchestrating the chaos, and staying five steps ahead of everyone else. It’s genuinely inspiring, but it’s not for the weak. but this is not a "chill and scroll on your phone" kind of drama.

It’s a total mental workout. If you don't lock in and binge this in under three days, you will skip a few or a lot of scenes just to get to good parts but if you do not you’re going to get lost in the tea and probably drop it. The plot is doing the most, the political maneuvering and shifting alliances are so dense that if you blink, you’ve missed three betrayals and a legal loophole. I actually found myself researching about episodes just to make sure I understood the logic. It’s definitely not easy watching, but for the right person, it’s addictive.

Bai Lu is genuinely such a great actress, and in this drama she nailed it. She absolutely ate this role as a hater, lover, leader and even a mother. She brings that perfect mix of grit and vulnerability, making the "Strong FL" trope feel real instead of one-dimensional. She was the mastermind. On the flip side, Joseph Zheng felt a bit out of place. It’s hard to tell if it was just a lack of screen time or if the producers didn't give him enough to work with, but the chemistry just wasn't hitting like it should have. The production value is top-tier. The sets and cinematography are high-budget and perfectly capture that intense, "everything is at stake" vibe.

Story: The plot is actually super interesting, especially the master plan. It’s a solid 7.5 now because the vengeance aspect is so well-done.
Acting: Bai Lu carries, but the lack of development for Joseph Zheng and some supporting roles holds it back from being a 9.
OST/music: Total flop. For a drama this intense, the OST was weirdly forgettable.
Rewatch Value: I love the FL, but re-navigating that confusing plot feels like a chore.

The main issue is that the show tried to do too much. I was really looking forward to the side-stories for certain supporting characters, but they barely got any focus. If the writers had just committed to making this a pure vengeance drama, it would have been a 10/10. The "hidden lineage" twist and the rushed ending felt like they were trying to check too many boxes. That said, seeing a female leader with a flawless master plan was a highlight.

The drama is genuinely good but too much, too overwhelming and too confusing. You would probably find yourself pausing in between episodes, going to google and researching to understand what heck is going on. Absolutely reccomend but do not rewatch, i don't the drama is that good that I would personally rewatch it.

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REALLY... What the heck. Who cares about the peaches????

Peach Lover... 2/10 (1 star for both leads)This would have been a good drama if they kept the narrative about peaches & how it's related to seduction, love etc. Having to fast forward through all this nonsense about peaches is so annoying.

When it first started out about the mask man talking breaking up with peach, etc.. the storyline was pretty interesting. They totally went off script of the ***Peach Lover*** to just ... what??? The title of the drama is PEACH LOVER... NOT... let's learn about an off the wall relationship while being narrated about freaking peaches & how they are infused throughout the WHOLE drama. The drama would have pulled higher ratings if it wasn't for the nonsense narration on peaches in my personal opinion..

Po, becoming interested in becoming the mask man's new Peach... all this was making it feel that it was going to be a fairly good out of the box drama. UNTIL........ every freaking time they started narrating about the fruit peaches! OMG.. dude, if I wanted to know about the fruit & how it's looked at as a seduction fruit... I'll GOOGLE ! I don't think the writer realized how annoying this was going to be.
The young male lead actor playing Po's role, his facial expressions, they can be creepy & there were plenty of times he looked like he wanted to devour the targeted area he was eyeing . What was even funnier was the scene with him eating a peach during ... well ... during. While he is thinking about the ***during*** and explaining to his friend about when eating ... YES, you're right... eating a PEACH... OMG... tag this drama Peachy Porn Comedy. I've seen more seduction with someone putting a condom on a banana with their mouth . I know that I've been hard on this character, but it's just been annoying how the writer gives this character such a sleazy side... then I thought, maybe not sleazy, but more on the Nymphomania side (which isn't a problem if he was).  However, After watching & learning more of Po's inner thoughts.. I found later that he was neither... he just needed that special warmth & attention from someone he adored.

🙄HELLO... Why is the 2nd couple even in this??? Cute couple. yet... with the sleaziness of this drama, they're a bit out of place in my personal opinion.

The best part of this drama was when Po does his video diary .. It's sincere and helps understand his thoughts of who and why his feelings are at a crossroads with his relationship with Sasom. Sexual scenes became a little more tame after episode 3, but picked up again... . As the drama progresses, I noticed that Po is growing more mature in his thought process. I'm trying to find the reasoning behind this storyline........ then around Episode 8 is when things start to get serious.. and for the first time, I felt tears for Po. Yet, I felt his decision that he made was a wise choice, especially when the pain he felt inside during the issue with Sasom's past showing up & how Sasom couldn't bring himself to admit who or what position Po is to him. That even hurt me to tears... it's an uncomfortable feeling, especially after Sasom's confession the night prior.

One thing for sure.. this main leading actor  Ki Niwat Naknuan is really outstanding with portraying his character (personally rated his acting with this character 10/10). His maturity, expressions & chemistry on screen ... he knows how to pull the viewer in. This is only his 2nd drama, but the 1st time being a main Lead. The other drama he is starring in is *Interminable, which I'm not sure I'll watch. I'm on the fence in deciding. One thing for sure, is I hope to see more of his acting skills in leading roles... he's definitely powerful. Hopefully, he will be matched with someone who can match his pace. Unless he's already with the actor Poom who plays his partner. 


OMG.. I'm tired of ranting about this drama....Watch it at your own risk. I would say from ep 7 & 8 is when the story finally felt more focused.

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Cinematic masterpiece that feels like truly finding jade

Slow-burn chemistry, rich backstories for well-rounded characters, catchy OSTs, and multi-layered plot that have the most insane and satisfying buildup. This drama has set a new standard for historical Chinese dramas.

The most defining aspect of this drama is the cinematography. Truly a feast for the eyes and heart. Yet, the visuals would have been nothing without the leads. Changyu's growth from butcher to the Flower-Adorned General is so satisfying to watch, she's unapologetically herself. And here comes Zheng, the ultimate downbad husband who's only soft for his wife. Their characters are so lovable. They moved me to tears in laughter and heartache.

It's rare to come across a drama that is perfect in all aspects. It truly felt like you were living the legend of Changyu and Zheng in their journey as the ultimate power couple who stands as pillars of justice in the Daiyin.

Ultimately, it is a tale of beauty. The beauty of love for friends, family and the fated one you will find in every lifetime. A story so beautiful that will leave you breathless until the last episode.

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So why did nobody wish for it to stop?

With all the wishes being made, you would think at least one person would say, "Okay, a supernatural curse is following and killing everyone; let’s try wishing for it to stop." But no. Not once. It wasn't even on anyone's radar. They just wished for literal nonsense; not a single wish was actually beneficial to the plot.

To be fair, horror shows aren't my favorite. I usually dislike them because of the way characters act without a single common brain cell, and this show managed to capture everything I hate about the genre in its entirety.

Imagine everyone around you is dying from a supernatural curse and your major focus is... that. You're 18 years old, and all you can think about is yourself and some boy? Nari is one of the worst-written characters I’ve ever witnessed in K-drama history. Honestly, her demise is one of the main reasons I’m rating this mediocrity as high as I am. Almost all the characters were so annoying that I found myself more interested in the side characters, who at least provided some entertainment. I know it sounds wrong, but I wanted the villain to win. I wanted all of them to die because that’s how bored I was. The antagonist was completely justified; she took the phrase "I want my enemies to suffer" literally.

Moving past the characters, the plot was so confusing it was hard to keep track of what was happening. The creators relied heavily on cheap jump scares to keep you motivated to watch. The beginning was also far too fast-paced. I understand it’s only eight episodes at less than 45 minutes each, but how can you kill off a supposedly "important" character so early and expect viewers to care? People were dying in almost every episode, and my only reaction was, "Oh, okay." No shock, no emotion—just "What’s next?"
It’s not a bad drama—I’m sure someone else will rate it higher than I did—but it’s not very good either. It’s the kind of show you watch once and then immediately forget. Like so many other Netflix Korean dramas lately, it feels more about churning out content than taking the time to develop a show with actual substance.

This is just my review, but definitely try it for yourselves.

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A Love Story That Forgets Its Full Potential

Never Forget Your Enemy presents an intriguing premise but ultimately delivers a somewhat uneven viewing experience. The series opens with Yeo Sae-byeok and Gi Ha-neul in a hospital setting, immediately establishing tension through Ha-neul’s amnesia. His confusion extends not only to his surroundings but also to his relationship with Sae-byeok, creating a foundation ripe for emotional exploration. Sae-byeok’s decision, encouraged with the support of Ha-neul’s family, to have him move in as a means of aiding memory recovery is a compelling narrative choice that drives the story forward.

While the overall storyline remains consistent, the execution occasionally falters. Certain scenes feel overly exposed, as though the narrative is revealing more than necessary rather than allowing moments to unfold naturally. The use of flashbacks is effective in providing context; however, the series would have benefited from more substantial insight into the origins of Sae-byeok and Ha-neul’s romantic relationship. This lack of depth in their backstory makes it harder to fully invest in the emotional weight of their present circumstances.

One of the more frustrating aspects of the show lies in Ha-neul’s characterization. At times, his resistance to regaining his memories feels unnecessarily drawn out, even when it is clear that emotional remnants of his past with Sae-byeok still linger. His behavior can come across as immature or even petulant, though this is somewhat justified by the subtle detail that he mentally perceives himself as still being 19 years old. This nuance adds a layer of intention to his actions, even if it does not entirely mitigate the frustration they may evoke.

Despite these shortcomings, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. Whether through moments of intimacy, bickering, or quiet physical closeness, their connection feels authentic and engaging. However, this strong chemistry is at times undermined by inconsistent acting. Certain emotional scenes lack the depth and intensity needed to fully resonate, and stronger performances could have significantly elevated the series’ impact.

The cinematography is another area where the show falls short of its potential. While some scenes appear poised to deliver visually striking imagery, they often end up feeling flat and uninspired. In contrast, the soundtrack is well-utilized, effectively complementing the tone of each episode and enhancing key moments.

By the conclusion, the title Never Forget Your Enemy takes on a more nuanced meaning. What initially suggests a story driven by conflict evolves into something far more one-sided, an attempt to maintain emotional distance that ultimately collapses under the weight of unresolved feelings. The idea of being “enemies” in the present proves unsustainable once genuine emotions resurface.

Overall, the series is enjoyable and holds moments of genuine promise. However, it never fully capitalizes on its strengths. With more refined storytelling, stronger performances, and a clearer visual direction, Never Forget Your Enemy could have been something truly memorable rather than simply adequate.

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