If we are supposed to recognize the head fighting pirate as someone other than head fighting pirate, i do not. I was hoping he'd have an extra long pointer finger on his left hand.
I appreciated the showdown between Du Cui Que and Lan Xiang. The bluff by Lan Xiang, the weak women with oil lamps turning into oil throwing women ready to set fire to attackers. And the newly widowed sister throwing her pipa to save Lan Xiang.
I especially appreciated that pipa throw because Lan Xiang can't always be the only brave one. She was genuinely terrified when the burning Du Cui Que came at her. That the formerly meek sister counter attacked and saved her means Lan Xiang doesn't have to be the only strong one.
Lin Jin Qi is standing far more upright and strong on that boat after being sliced open 5 different ways. Ow ow ow. And his poor left hand!
I think this really stuck the landing. Even the fickleness of the ever-changing emperors. Han Liang could have been Lin Jin Qi and vise versa.
I'm glad for the verbal confirmation that Scholar Han *did* marry that townswoman. And that Lin Jin Qi had such respect for him even after they'd been love rivals. Because life moves on. People grow.
The ending arc was choppy with all the time jumps, but did not ruin the rest of it.
9.5/10
@JillsJoy
Binging Story of Yanxi Palace brought me on episode 14 in record time.
Against The Current will follow soon , for 99% sure.
Unless #kdrama #GrandGalaxyHotel will be released, but don't expect that to happen.
That first episode is very very brutal. When an entire clan is wiped out for treason, that just means the men and male children. The women and other children are left to a different fate, of despair and, for some, suicide.