Welcome to the Open Thread, everyone! Thanks for joining in on this group watch of this very special show! ❤️
We’re finally at the end of this 14-week journey; thanks for hanging in there with me! 🥲
There are 2 things I wanted to mention here:
1, If you’d like to check out my review of Love Like The Galaxy, you can find it here!
2, I’ll make a separate announcement next week, but just wanted to give you a heads-up, that there’ll be a group watch of The Red Sleeve after this, and we’ll start our discussions on 6 July 2024!
Without further ado, here are my reactions to this finale set of episodes; have fun in the Open Thread, everyone! ❤️
My thoughts
Episodes 53-56
Full disclosure: I was going to talk about Show’s last 4 episodes as two separate pairs, but honestly, now that I’ve gotten to the end, I’m rather overwhelmed with thoughts, and I’ve decided that it would be more satisfying to just talk about all 4 episodes at once.
All in all, this was a very solid ending, to a wonderfully absorbing ride.
I know I did talk about how Show seems to get a little disjointed in its late stretch, most likely due to the heavy editing that was done to get Show down to 56 episodes to accommodate its assigned time slot, but I do feel like Show reins that in, for the finale, so that what we get feels intentional and whole.
Yes, it’s true that it does feel like we jump from some plot points to others in a somewhat fast and disjointed manner (like, what’s the explanation behind Shaoshang and Yuan Shen’s engagement not being real, if she’d really gone to visit his parents with him?).
But, I reckon that that, again, has to do with Show’s tight timeline, which resulted in some of that context ending up on the cutting room floor.
More to the point, last set of episodes, I’d mused that for Shaoshang to finally come around and forgive Buyi, Show would likely have her in danger, where Buyi then swoops in to save her.
And I was right, but I also wasn’t?
What I mean is, I was right that Jitong decided that she would have it out with Shaoshang, and that that basically involved trying to kill her. And I was right that Buyi swoops in to save the day.
But I was wrong in thinking that that might be enough to break through the strong hedge that Shaoshang’s erected around herself, particularly with Buyi.
Then I thought that perhaps the Empress, in talking to Shaoshang on her deathbed, might be the one to get Shaoshang to reconsider her stance.
And the Empress does talk to Shaoshang about it, but in the end, this is not the thing that causes Shaoshang to change her mind.
It literally takes Buyi almost dying, for Shaoshang to get through that hedge, to embrace Buyi again.
And you know what, I think it makes sense.
Because, in the first place, the depth of betrayal that Shaoshang had felt, had been so deep that it had nearly killed her.
She’d given all that she thought she could give, towards loving and trusting Buyi, and when he’d forsaken her and forsaken her heart alongside, it had gone bone-deep – soul-deep – into Shaoshang.
If she’d changed her mind any more easily, it would have.. cheapened her pain, in a manner of speaking?
Also, it’s an echo of sorts, to that time when Shaoshang had let go of the last of her reservations, when she’d been desperate to protect Buyi from the whipping that he was getting, for beating up the families of the girls who had bullied her.
With Shaoshang, her principles run so deep, that it essentially takes a life-and-death sort of situation to break through to her true heart.
And with this betrayal by Buyi being such a profound one, I would believe that it would take Shaoshang thinking that he’d literally died, for her true feelings to overcome all her hurt and reservations.
That said, at the same time, I do think that the other incidents leading up to Shaoshang’s change of mind have a cumulative effect.
She may not have changed her mind about Buyi when he’d saved her from Jitong’s murderous plan, but I’m sure that it had planted a seed, y’know?
And while the Empress’s last words to her may not have, in themselves, changed her mind about Buyi right away, those words had planted a seed as well, I’m sure.
Altogether, this has an overall effect of nudging Shaoshang’s thoughts and feelings towards Buyi, in a mounting sort of fashion, I’d like to think.
And then, the sight of him choosing to put her wellbeing over his own, as he very possibly dies in the fire, is just the final straw that breaks through all of her reservations and pain, to help her see with clarity, finally, that she would forgive him and live with him, if she could.
Sure, it is a stretch that Buyi would be able to find an exit through a secret passageway so quickly, since the explosion happens very soon after the trapdoor closes on him, but I’m willing to close my eyes and believe that our general is very fast on his feet, especially when his life is on the line.
Also, I just can’t bear the thought of Buyi NOT making it, so I’m going to willfully throw all need for logic out the window, and just revel in the sight of him coming back to Shaoshang, safe and sound, and not too much worse for wear.
I love the way Shaoshang ruuuns to him and throws her arms around him, and I love how his first, very earnest, words to her, are, “Shaoshang, are you forgiving me? Don’t deny it later.”
Awww. I love it when our badass general is also a smitten puppy, and there is something so earnest, heartfelt and tender, in the way he seeks this confirmation from Shaoshang.
I have to admit that I felt a little bummed that our newly reconciled lovebirds couldn’t bask in each other’s presence for a little longer, but I do appreciate the significance of them working together, to prevent a calamity from befalling their entire nation.
It’s larger-than-self, stirring stuff, to see Buyi and Shaoshang choose to trust each other wholly, and apply themselves to their chosen tasks, to save the people they’ve committed to saving, while believing fully in each other, that they would come out of this victorious, together.
I do love that Shaoshang’s entire family comes to join her in protecting the village, even though Show is not clear on how her family even knows to come to Guo Village.
But, y’know, whatever, at this point. It’s just great to see the entire family rally around Shaoshang.
And, on a side note, I’m particularly tickled at the fact that even Yangyang, who looks like she has nothing to do with being on a battlefield, is togged out in armor, and happily yelps in response, in the tiniest high-pitched voice, when Shaoshang assigns her to help put out the fire with sand. Tee hee. Cute!
It’s great that our people come out victorious, but really, the most stirring moment of all, is when Buyi hurries to Guo Village, and is reunited with Shaoshang, all over again.
The slo-mo hug, with them mutually embracing each other, with such gladness and relief, is a sight for sore eyes, seriously. 🤩
FINALLY. My OTP is together again, and this time, they don’t have to hurry off anywhere, to save anyone. They can finally just BE together, and that feels so hard-earned and precious.
After all the fighting and drama, Show works to serve up some levity via some lighthearted moments with our various characters, but, not gonna lie, my eyes were only for our OTP.
I love their conversation, as they stand looking at the stars, and in particular, my favorite part is when they tell each other that they’re lucky to have met each other.
“Zisheng, your character and personality are just like a newborn child’s. You’re the best man in the world. I’m lucky to be able to encounter you.”
“Shaoshang, you’re the purest, kindest, and most steadfast lady I’ve ever encountered. You’re the best lady in the world. I’m lucky to be able to encounter you.”
Specifically, I like the original dialogue, which is more poetic than my subs.
Both of them actually say, “To be able to encounter you, is my fortune for three lifetimes,” which echoes Buyi’s earlier words to Shaoshang, when he’d told her, after his whipping, “To be able to receive Lady Shaoshang’s heart pains, is my fortune for three lifetimes.”
Alongside this, I also like the idea that Buyi has gained not just a wife, but a family, as he joins hands with Shaoshang in marriage.
I’m a little bummed for our Wingman Emperor that he has to miss the wedding, which will take place in Hua County, because he is THE mother hen of all mother hens, in this drama world, and he’s been dreaming of marrying off Buyi for years.
More importantly, the Emperor is literally Buyi’s foster father, so he’s not just being randomly busybody, about wanting to witness Buyi’s wedding. He’s a de facto parent to Buyi, and I feel that they should have accorded him that honor.
I’m also rather disappointed that we don’t actually get to see the wedding, and that we don’t get to see Shaoshang and Buyi live in that dream house that Shaoshang’s talked about building, on that piece of land that Buyi’s shown her.
But, I can rationalize that the Emperor could easily decree that they need to have a second wedding, when they get back to the capital, and then he’d be able to make it as grand as he likes.
And, I can also quite easily picture the wedding in Hua County, with all the warmth of family and friends surrounding Shaoshang and Buyi, as they officially become husband and wife.
Mainly, I’m just grateful to be able to see Buyi’s and Shaoshang’s smiling faces, now that they’re together again.
Those contented smiles are so precious, and tell me that, as far as they’re concerned, all is right in their worlds, because now they have each other, and will face everything in life, and in the world, together. ❤️
Leslie really summed up this drama at it’s core, for me.
Ele – thanks for all the helpful and insightful notes from the novel. I’m grateful for the link you provided to it. Now I just have to find the time to read it!
Thanks for being here every week too, @beez – it was good fun watching “with” you!!
Aw, thank you SOOOOOOOO much kfangurl for spoiling us with this (much pestered-for) group watch!!! I thoroughly enjoyed reliving the show, combining my watch with reading the translated novel – the version I’m reading has just reached the aftermath of The Red Birthday and I am desperate to read how the novel finale compares to the drama!!
I digress. The show was as epic and beautiful and dark as I remember but, a bit like when I rewatched Ten Miles of Peach Blossom, the sheen and adoration I had first watch for Ling Buyi was a little less gleaming!! Maybe General Ling’s behaviour to our Niao Niao rankled more, knowing on the second watch how bad the choice he made really was: to head out to Papa-Actually-Uncle’s birthday bash right before the wedding… It hurt more and I was much less persuaded he had to exact revenge.
Still, some of my most very favourite scenes OF ALL TIME remain true:
The two times General Ling cradles Niao Niao’s head and gruffly reassures her “I’m here” 😍 EEEeeeep!! And swoon 🫠
The totally stunning scenery in the garden when ginko leaves fell gently around them as General Ling said farewell to a (painfully) oblivious Niao Niao as he went to battle, and she to marry A’Yao… Sob 😢Also, sigh! So pretty!!
The chicken – I mean, duck 😅 winged armour and The Look General Ling gave Niao Niao as he turned on his horse to leave for battle. How did she control herself not to leg it after him and, hehem, persuade him to stay?!
And lastly, the heavy scene following the Empress’ death where she tells him she’s going to live on and be OK and he replies that he will cherish his life from now on 😭 Tears in his eyes, she tries to smile but the agony on her face is just so,,, Oh, I love both their expressions! It made my heart break but also somehow felt so lovely. Do you know – and this will be an unpopular comment to happy ending fans – but I wouldn’t have minded if the show had finished there. That parting, with such sweet sorrow, had hope and promise enough for me 💗
The clothes! Ah, I loved the clothes!! The humour, generally, was very funny to me. Yes, the grandmother verged on obnoxious but I adored her – especially the way her ‘selflessness’ when Papa Cheng was missing and they were all in prison, revealed her fearful but actually good heart. She really made me cry in those scenes! And, ooh, the chemistry between our leads!! Believable and squeal-y and very, very feel-good. The whole cast really impressed me, but obviously especially Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi 🥰
Well, it really is one of the best dramas out there. Thanks again! And I’m looking forward to my first watch of The Red Sleeve next!! xx
First, I couldn’t have been more wrong last week, when I expressed doubt that we would spend more time with the Cheng family as Show wrapped up its story. Happily, the family was everywhere, but especially in episode 56. Arriving in all their glory to help save Guo Village, the granary of the nation, and NiaoNiao, the Chengs were magnificent!!
Favorite moments: “NiaoNiao, Mother is here to help you!” (with the emphasis on help, rather than save – respect!) And then, one by one the family responding “Order received!” to Shaoshang’s instructions. They finally get her strength.
Second, it took me nearly two full watches to realize that this is Shaoshang’s story, even more than the OTP’s or Buyi’s. Throughout the watch I’ve marveled that she is one of the most interesting FLs I’ve watched. It finally occurred to me, in this last stretch, that Shaoshang and her choices drive almost all of the important action in the show, at least the important emotional action! How was I missing it?
I think it’s primarily because star-power Wu Lei is the ML, so evidence to the contrary, I assumed Buyi was the focus of the story. Buyi is an intense, commanding character, for sure – especially as delivered by Wu Lei – but there would be no 56-episode story – or at least not an as interesting one – without the combustible, strong, brilliant, Shaoshang to drive a wonderful plot and challenge my notions of the female half of an OTP.
She steered clear of so many FL tropes, loved deeply, but never compromised her sense of self for her love. I tip my hat to Zhao Lu Si – a wonderful performance – and offer a humble apology for not seeing it sooner.
A couple of less significant thoughts I had during these last episode:
Regarding Tian Shuo: Anyone who growls “That useless wench!” deserves the ignoble death they get.
There was big smack, in episode 56: Buyi to Tian Shuo – “He kept you alive for revenge, or he just didn’t remember your name?” Twist. That. Sword.
This was a fun and worthwhile second watch. Between knowing better what to look for, paying closer attention to details, and reading the insightful comments from the group, I feel like I almost watched a new drama. Thanks KFG and co-watchers!
yes it truly is Shaoshang’s story and you’ve nailed it on the head. Buyi/Zisheng is mesmerising but it really is her journey from being a cunning, self preserving girl to someone who grows up, is loved and loves others (including Empress), discovers her strengths and comes into her own and navigates a new relationship with her family and the people around her. I too found it stirring when the Chengs came to help!
While I didn’t commit fully to this re watch, I definitely re read the notes and felt all the feels all over again. What a wonderful journey with Zhao Lu Si, Wu Lei and all the cast. So grateful we did this again!
Yes, I agree. The novel is pretty much entirely from Niao Niao’s perspective. Most of the scenes Wu Lei is in alone were ‘off-screen’ in the novel and recounted after. So his revenge is much subtler and then sudden in reveal. As I watched the show first, read second, I obviously knew reading what was really going on. I wonder how much of a surprise The Red Birthday would have been if I’d read first!
Anyway, I much prefer Niao Niao in the drama, even though her core essential characteristics are the same. The script softened I think some of her sharper, less likeable traits, but it’s mostly down to the way Zhao Lusi played her – with such conviction and vulnerability. It’s still the best show I’ve seen her in. And she totally rocked the clothes!