History doesn't give you the happy ending you want

Despite the valiant job the actors did, I know how history played out, so there was no happy ending for this lot. I think the most tragic thing for me personally was that 'true love' does not necessarily endure every hardship. When I invest myself for 50 episodes, I'd like at least a happy ending - and so I quit while I was ahead. (Thank you reviews!)

Unfortunately (though I am a Chen Xiao fan) there was no chemistry between the ML & FL - none of the couples, in fact. I couldn't get invested in any of them. Perhaps because I knew what was coming down the road, I didn't get attached. There were a lot of holes and hanging plots too - so very little closure to storylines and characters. (What happened to the second Queen? What happened to the Emperor's first son? What happened between the brother and his wife who had her childhood sweetheart in the house? Just to name a few loose ends... or did I stop watching too soon?)

I tried to stick it out, but the reason I watch CD is to escape from 'real life' - so once I realized where this was going, I stuck it out till the bad guy got his Karma (great episode btw) and then gave up.

Leer más

A drama with the potential to score, and then the writer & the director dropped the ball!

This drama had a lot of potential, but the writing was shoddy, and the director also did a poor job of telling the story. There were holes in the storyline throughout, that left the viewers guessing and wondering what just happened and why! There was no obvious character development even with the main characters.

I started watching this because of the excitement from the (mostly) followers of both Xu Kai and Yang Mi. Xu Kai was good in his role as Yang Hua – and Yang Mi as Qin Shi was passable. I found him to be a little too passive and she was wooden and barely emotional until the very end when things fell apart.

I think the thing that saved this drama for me was the chemistry between the ML & FL. Despite their poorly written roles, their connection was believable, and they were sweet together, especially Yang Hua. (Those puppy dog eyes). Yang Mi was underwhelming – not believable as a kick-ass independent career woman. She could deliver some good punchlines, but ruined the image with the whiny, petulant kissing-up to her lady boss.

Let’s talk about the story arcs. SML (Tao Junhui) – I didn’t know whether to pity him or kick him to the curb. His character had potential to be a decent person but man! Weak and spineless! And his girlfriend was such a spoiled, bratty bitch! She certainly did not deserve the ending she got. The brother (Wenyu) and his wife (Meimei) – what a dysfunctional mess! We had to guess about their ‘growth’ and they too turned up with a happy ending. Yes, ML & FL got their happy ending too, but I don’t think enough time was given to that conclusion and it felt like we were cheated out of it in the last episode.

People who deserve special mention:
Baddies – Li Dai. I see quite a few viewers admired her. I did NOT. She was a vicious bitch. With ‘friends’ like those, you don’t need enemies. Her character could have been admirable. Instead (imo) she was petty, spiteful and mean. Tang Yihui (lady boss) – what a piece of work! And FL was like her lapdog - fawning and desperate for attention. It’s a pity she got away with so much manipulation. And just a mention – Yang Hua’s mom. If I had a parent like her, I would ask to be put up for adoption.
Goodies – Yang Hua’s best friend (Cai Liang) – misguided and shallow at times, but a true friend. There weren’t a lot of those in this series. Qin Shi’s older brother – I'd like a big brother like him. But the best character of all hands down was Yan Hua’s dad! Soft-spoken and long-suffering, but wise and loving of his family, especially his son. I loved his scenes the most (after our lead couple, of course).

I wanted to give this one a high rating and a good review, but after about episode 30, it was mostly downhill for me. I can’t even say it’s worth re-watching. After the long wait and anticipation, it disappoints – and that is solely the fault of the writer and the director.

Leer más

This screenwriter must have something against women

I'm bitterly disappointed in the female characters in this drama, especially the FL. I am sure the actress is simply playing the role she was given, but like the other female characters in this show, the women come across as being just plain dumb & useless. For the most part (with the exception of the King's eunuch who is a blithering idiot) the male characters seem at least rational and sensible. A few are poor actors and don't look the part (the army general) - same with a few of the female characters (the dowager who looks like a cheap harlot in her shoulderless outfits). The princess is another giggling ninny. Are there ANY smart females in this show? The answer is a resounding NO!

I made it halfway and kept waiting for the turnaround that some of the reviews suggested, but now looking back at the irritating scenarios and really immature behavior of the female characters, I wonder how this drama received as high ratings as it did. I should have trusted the low ones.

Honestly, this drama's failure squarely belongs on the shoulders of the screenwriter/director; and I promise myself that I will never watch anything he writes again until he develops a respect and accurate understanding of women's roles in these dramas. If this is his personal opinion of women, he needs a serious attitude adjustment.

I am tempted to just watch the last episode to see how it ends - but if it's much the same kind of silliness for the rest of the episodes, it wouldn't be worth my time.

Leer más

Had about as much as I could take

Unfortunately, you can't change what happens in history. I just could not sit through any more senseless deaths and power-hungry schemers. I just couldn't stomach any more egomaniac emperors and rulers, schemers, and senseless sheep doing nothing. Not for 54 episodes. Frankly, when they killed off the loyal guard so early, and then one by one killed off the people who had been loyal to the prince as a child - that was it. I skipped to the final episode just to see how they tied it up. I tried hard to follow the twists and turns - but in the end, they could have told the story with one third of the number of episodes and maybe I would have toughed it out. It just dragged on and on.

Leer más

Too much heartache for me

First off - I wanted to complete this drama, I love Wang Hedi. He is perfect for these characters who start out emotionless and who develop deep feelings after a time. I don't know how his portrayal could have been described as a 'plank' - you can see the feelings in his eyes. He and the FL had chemistry - not the kind that blows your mind with passion, but a quiet kind of soulful connection that makes you long for a happy ending for both of them. After all the hype I read about the second couple, they were just so-so for me. She was flighty and silly most times, and he was more the plank than anyone. Still, I would have liked a better ending for them too.

I'm not bashful about wanting happy endings - they are why I watch these fantasy dramas. If I wanted real-life, I would stick to historical productions (which I avoid unless they are not filled with tragedy and endless violence). So, I left while the going was good and while I could still imagine them living through another reincarnation and finally having the happiness they deserved.

Leer más

Another heartbreaker

Three for three: dramas I have dropped because of the endings. The acting has been noteworthy - I liked so many of the characters (and despised the villains, showing that the actors did a great job in their roles) - and despite his current troubles, I loved Li Yi Feng in this, and will continue watch his dramas regardless.

BUT I watch these shows to escape, not to be heartbroken in the end. I'm not into the 'next life', 'together in eternity' crap. I want the happy ending where the couple shares weal and woe and end up together. I couldn't invest 50 episodes only to be weeping at the end for the characters I grew to love.

So... on to the next title with more hopes of romance and intrigue and most of all, a happy ending!

Leer más

When the Characters are Worse than the Acting

13 episodes in, I was still mildly curious about the FL's story and her past. I liked her character a lot. No shallow, silly behavior. She's confident, smart, and strong. She's good to her friends and those who work with and for her. No entitled bitchy attitude. I liked the FL's friends and their relationships with her. I would have liked to see her story through to the end.

I don't despise the ML's character although he's pretty full of himself. Unfortunately, he wasn't enough to keep me invested in him or their relationship. His character didn't seem worthy of this strong woman. And whoever was responsible for his wardrobe choices needs to be fired. Some of them were pretty awful.

So why did I drop this like a hot rock?

1) Most of all, the little sister - this actress looks like she's 12 years old, and always manages to behave like a petulant, spoiled child who just needs to leave the room. I was fast-forwarding through all her scenes from the first episode she appeared in.
2) The ML's assistant - who is just a useless lackey who couldn't care less about his job or his boss. In the real world who would keep such a moron by his side anyway?
3) The housekeeper - who got away with everything and who nobody made accountable.

Sometimes the good outweighs the bad, especially with so many episodes but there was not much good in this one. As mildly interesting as this started out to be, there just wasn't enough tolerance to put up with some of these characters (especially the little sister!) I hope the FL will get some better scripts and roles that will showcase her talent.

ZERO re-watch value.

Leer más

Don't Waste Your Time

This series was 40 episodes too long. A poorly written, uninteresting story with boring characters and very little relationship development or chemistry. The couples were perfunctory and there was absolutely no romance or PDA at all. The relationships between the 3 female characters were nothing special, and I hope is not indicative of sisterhood in Chinese women professional or personal.

One emotional story arc was the death of the FL's mother. That was pretty powerful despite the silliness of trying to pass off the boyfriend as her son-in-law. Still, their exchange was touching.

I like Liu Yu Ning - and actually watched because of his main role. I got a bonus thrill seeing Dai Gao Zheng (even with his shirt on the whole time). But their characters were really blah and boring, as were the characters played by the lead actresses. On the whole, all the characters were about as exciting and interesting as watching paint dry.

This was a very disappointing drama. VERY DISAPPOINTING. Spare yourself and save your time for something worth watching. You'd get more out of watching the real news than this drivel.

Leer más

Good looking men in uniform - what's not to like!?

This was a pretty good drama. The story held together enough to follow without confusion and not get boring or too draggy. Characters were introduced and I could keep track. The actors did a great job in their roles, and I really liked the sense of loyalty and camaraderie they portrayed. Loved the brotherhood between the three best friends. ML & FL had great chemistry also. Chen Xing Xu was the big appeal for me. I loved him in this role, although I would have liked him to smirk less - but he was so good to look at, it didn't matter!

Token annoying brainless female - Tan Sang Yu. When will the writers get it right not to write at least one obsessed, delusional female character into the plot? She was so irritating and bratty and served little or no purpose but to give women a bad name and be excessively annoying! How about not stalking a guy to get him to notice you, let alone like you! Ugh!

Saddest scenes were the ML losing the people he loved (especially Tan Si). The writers barely held the rest of the story lines together and tied everything up pretty nicely in the end. FL's expressions were a little wooden, but her chemistry with the ML made up for it.

Rewatch value? A definite possibility.

Leer más

I'm glad I came back.

I started watching this drama and stopped after the first 10 episodes. The story was hard to follow, and some of the reviews I read indicated an ending I wasn't sure I wanted to invest watching 59 episodes for. But after a few days of not finding something else to watch, I came back, and am I glad I did!

These fantasy themes are not for me - but I liked the actors, so I gave it a shot. Loved the ML - loved him! And OMG when he spread those golden wings - he looked very godly to me!! The chemistry between he & the FL was really believable (although she was annoying in the beginning - and if she had a dollar for every time she called his name, she would have been rich!) The supporting actors were great too, and the relationships between them was very endearing.

Star of the show, the Flying Snake - Teng She! LOVED his character. That hiss in his sentences was just terrific. And the most annoying character was definitely the Silver Snake. What an ass! I wasn't even sorry for her in the end - because she deserved everything she got - in fact, I'd even say she didn't get the karma that she deserved. And I skipped past some of the disgusting behavior of the 'seniors' and sect-leaders. For a bunch of leaders and supposedly wise people, they were dumb and stupid and small-minded.

How many times could people be wrong about the ML's character? Especially the FL!!! I loved how the truth finally got thrown at her in full force. I rewatched that part a couple of times. They could have given the ending a little more time though... after 59 episodes we deserved a little more than 5 minutes of togetherness as a group.

I think I would definitely watch this again, but I would fast-forward through the fight scenes and some of the draggy parts, just to see the ending.

Leer más

Just a Sweet Story

Despite a couple of loopholes, this was a very sweet (and sometimes very touching) story. The actors did a good job, and there was definitely chemistry between the ML (very swoon-worthy) and FL (she has beautiful, expressive eyes). Liked the other couples also - but sorry that FL's maid and ML's brother were not around. I guess they have the 'next life'.

The story was simple, but the characters were a little more complex and well-played by the actors. The ML was really great playing the cynical, stoic hero - but he could still portray his emotions all over his pretty face. When he cried, I cried too. He didn't back down from telling it like it was (loved the wedding night brush-off to Na Xi)

I would have given this series a higher rating if the bonus episode had been as good in production as the rest of the series, but it looked like it was thrown together as an afterthought - an afterthought that needed a lot more flow and explanation. This episode (36) made the whole series so much more rewarding for the viewers. Although episode 35 was also an appropriate ending, it had me bawling on my seat and aching my heart out for the ML. Either way, I would have liked the story.

This is a nice change from the backstabbing, intrigue, and drawn-out drama of some series. Again, this was just a very sweet story.

Leer más

Who writes these things?!

It's not the first drama I have watched because of the ML. I'll watch Luo Zheng all day long and that is why I hung in there with this one as long as I did. I tried with the FL, and I understand that the actress is playing the part she's given, as well as the supporting actors playing roles they are also given - but her character was ridiculous. So were some of the supporting characters.

The premise of twins switching places was flimsy. The 'good' twin supposedly sacrificing for the good of her mother. She's supposed to be an influencer - smart, strong. But the character is so incredibly whiny and petty and just plain foolish! Petulant and gullible, she is forever running away into the arms of her 'friend'.

I'm getting so tired of these stories written on foolish women who are either childish and silly or delusional and fanatical. What is wrong with strong women (who are not written as mega bitches), but who can be independent and intelligent and mature? And the constant miscommunication and petty misunderstandings. There are great stories to be told without all those cliche drama situations. It's frustrating and disappointing.

Leer más

Ridiculous

What a waste of good actors. I kept waiting for the story to get serious. How can a strong female lead role be so shallow and silly and be taken seriously? How can a strong male lead role be taken seriously if he's portrayed like a spoiled child? 10 episodes in, with no hope of either of these characters growing up and getting really fed up with the corny comedy and the awful music score, it's hard to see how Mu & Yang could turn out to be great war strategists and military leaders. I love Chinese dramas, this one is a serious letdown. I'm giving up after this episode.

Leer más

No Sunshine in Sight

What a boring disappointment! After 25 episodes of waiting for the story to evolve and get to some point, I gave up. There was so much potential with this drama, but it fizzled almost at the start. The story was draggy and uninteresting, even with the various characters who also had potentially good story arcs.

I actually liked the chemistry between the ex-husband and the best friend. They were really meant to be together from the beginning - and so, as annoying as he was, hanging on to the FL, I'm glad they ended up together. Loved the second couple and even the third couple (hockey kids). These three couples contributed all the romance there was to this drama. Up to the 25th episode there was NOTHING between the lead couple, so I couldn't even comment on whether there was chemistry between them or not.

I loved the ML's parents, although their shouting and screaming was very unattractive - but they were refreshing in other ways considering the trope of nosy, overbearing parents who want to run their children's lives in these Chinese dramas.

This was (believe it or not) my first Xiao Zhan drama. He's easy on the eyes, and he was pretty believable and sincere with this character - but there was just no sizzle to keep me interested. I've seen the FL in other dramas, but I was definitely underwhelmed with this one.

36 episodes of a boring, draggy story was too long. TOO LONG! Writers, this was a definite failure even with the valiant efforts by the ensemble of actors. Absolutely no way I'd rewatch this, or recommend it to anyone else - let alone give it a high rating.

Leer más