Playing Ep 12

What people are saying

• tinyelephant

  Overall 7.5

  Story 6,  Acting 9,  Music 5,  Rewatch Value 3.5

  As the series progresses, the complexity spirals - a bewildering labyrinth where exceptional performances fail to steer the narrative towards coherence. The cast's valiant efforts reflect their talents, yet despite this, the storytelling remains stunted, unable to bloom fully under the weight of its scattered fragments. With gaps aplenty—narrative potholes of various depths besiege the viewer, resulting in an incomplete tapestry of tales.
  
  In this tumultuous drama, the mystery surrounding Bai Liu's celestial abilities—and whether they are ever fully reclaimed—adds to the audience's furrowed brows instead...

  of the intended awe. And addressing the climax, let's just say it leaves much to be desired, a cacophony of loose strands that left viewers exasperated more than satisfied.
  
  On a brighter note, the magnetic interplay between the lead protagonists offers some redemption. Their evolution from reluctant antagonism to a robust, romantic entanglement is one of the show's few compelling threads. Their exchanges, peppered with an engaging blend of wit and affection, provide a respite from the overarching chaotic flow of events.
  
  A subplot, centering around secondary characters, shines a bit brighter, outpacing the primary narrative with a conclusion that offers a silkier finish. The supporting cast, including the steadfast Minister Fan, buoys the drama, imbuing it with enough intrigue to keep audiences tethered till the end credits roll.
  
  Visually, the series is a feast for the eyes. The grandeur of dragon pillars—surprisingly static during pivotal scenes—and the splendor of the astronomy office offer hints of what could have been. The costumes, a vibrant parade of hues, provide some solace, painting the scenes with cultural richness from the military garb to ceremonial wear.
  
  In essence, it feels like a masterpiece that needed more time on the easel—instead, what we received was a fragmented puzzle with missing pieces, a showcase of potential overshadowed by underdevelopment. It's a tale of missed opportunities, where strong acting stands as a testament to the profound depth that was promised but not fully delivered.

• silentmulan30

  Overall 5

  Story 4,  Acting 8,  Music 1,  Rewatch Value 5

  Be aware that this review may reveal key plot points
  Why, oh why? I confess that I found myself invested in this historical fantasy drama, only to be left feeling betrayed by its concluding chapters. Initially, I appreciated the storied journey that was neither overly complex nor trivial, yet its charm dwindled as the narrative progressed. The romantic spark between the central couple served as the show's sun—a shimmer of light in an otherwise dimming sky. Discussions surrounding the age discrepancy of our leading pair...

  surfaced; however, pragmatism justifies their gap, taking into account the time required for a man of modest origin to ascend as a revered commander and the youth of our heroine, whose age aligns with societal expectations of antiquity.
  
  The lack of a rich musical score, however, subtracted greatly from moments poised to be both momentous and stirring. Key scenes such as the protagonist's unification efforts and the climactic battle suffered as a result. Music, which often underlines the gravity of a scene, was notably absent or ill-suited, transforming potential epicness into blandness.
  
  The latter part of the series introduced a temporal twist with the male lead traversing timelines, which had potential but failed to deliver a coherent alteration of known events. Conflicts and plot points that should have been were forgotten, leaving a residual feeling of incompletion.
  
  Furthermore, the female lead's celestial abilities were presented as both a curse and a gift, an inconsistency that muddled her character's significance. The conundrum deepens with the revelation of her father's similar mystical traits, inexplicably correlated with the tribe's animosity towards her. As the story unfolds, the use—and lack thereof—of her powers raises perplexing questions.
  
  Now let us delve into the character of Yu Wuyuo—a figure of untapped depth. His background, suffering, and aspirations had the potent allure to carry the narrative on their own. Regrettably, the writers missed an opportunity to explore his animosity towards the emperor, neglecting to flesh out a rivalry and a possible romance with our cursed maiden that could have enriched the tapestry of the storyline. The resulting void, particularly considering he is cast as the primary antagonist, is palpable.
  
  Amidst untold tales, the myth of the Winged Clan lingers—an enchanting aspect that was scarcely touched upon. Ponder the strategic and visual splendor their elevated homeland could have provided and the bewilderment at their defeat despite their aerial supremacy and magical prowess. Mysteries remain concerning their kin, the magical spear, and the loyalties of their descendants.
  
  Culminating in a final confrontation that should have soared, the written sequence perplexes; decisions in tactics and setting defy the established advantages of the airborne clan. The lackluster denouement of a character that had flown so high in viewers' esteem, wounded fatally by such a trivial blow, becomes the ultimate travesty of his arc.
  
  In its entirety of episodes, this drama held much promise but ultimately allowed one of its most fascinating characters to fall, overshadowed by a series of bewildering narrative choices, thus casting a shadow over what could have been a remarkable chapter in fantastical television.

• shininglemur

  Overall 7.5

  Story 6,  Acting 9,  Music 8,  Rewatch Value 4

  The Charm of the Protagonists Elevates the Experience
  
  Allow me to share my musings on this latest televised journey that, while not the most remarkable entry in my viewing diaries, has certainly offered its share of delights. Chief among them were the central male and female characters—weaving their magnetic charm throughout every scene they graced. Their vivacity and the palpable chemistry they shared captivated my attention episode after episode.
  
  Surrounding them was a tapestry of quirky and memorable side characters that brought laughter and a dash of...

  whimsy to the narrative, creating pockets of joy in an otherwise average offering. These elements collectively lifted the material, transforming it into a viewing experience I could recommend.
  
  Admittedly, the conclusion of the series didn't quite rise to the crescendo I had hoped for. However, in a twist of realization, the core message of the plot clicked into place as credits rolled, casting past episodes in an entirely new light—quite the "aha!" moment on my end.
  
  A nod is certainly due to the aesthetic components that rounded out the show—the costumes and the soundtrack both did their part, adding layers of texture and ambiance that were greatly appreciated.
  
  A minor critique would have to be the curious omission of certain narrative threads that seemed to drift into obscurity; whether forgotten or dismissed, one can't help but ponder the mysteries left untethered.
  
  In sum, while the show may not have soared to unprecedented heights, the charisma of its leading pair ensured that my time invested was far from wasted. P.S.—The enigma of the lost plotline remains an itch unscratched.

• smartelephant18

  Overall 7.5

  Story 8,  Acting 7.5,  Music 7,  Rewatch Value 2.5

  Alas, what could have been a masterpiece falters in execution. The underpinnings of the narrative brim with promise: an imaginative concept coupled with a stunning display of production values. Yet, the visual effects—a pivotal component across the genre—fall disappointingly short of expectations, jarring the aesthetic continuity of an otherwise handsomely mounted tableau.
  
  Heightening the cacophony of artistic missteps is a perplexing choice involving the series' leading actor—a talent widely recognized and respected—relegated to lip-synching over another's voice. The incongruity resonates with a dismaying dissonance, subduing the...

  authenticity of his performance.
  
  Scenes stumble through an erratic pacing, ensnaring the rhythm in a quagmire of editing oversights. Directorial decisions occasionally perplex, subverting the narrative's potential fluidity, while drama crescendos careen into finales that evoke the disquietude of hastily assembled storylines rather than polished climaxes one might expect.
  
  Yet, through this mélange of shortcomings, the core—radiant in casting and theoretical splendor—retains a fragment of its inherent allure. A score of 2 out of 10 is bequeathed, with merit owed to the excellence in casting and the skeletal remains of an opulent production.
  
  The travesty culminates in the visual effects catastrophe that so severely mars the series' infancy that the temptation to abandon the journey altogether beckons with sweet allure. Initial episodes dangle the carrot of potential, yet with each successive chapter, that glimmer dims under the systematic onslaught of narrative deconstruction.
  
  The series' denouement conflates what might have been a potent sequence of moments into a last-minute compression, suffocating the essence of what could have been a succinctly powerful tale into a protracted saga that overstays its welcome. One laments for the tale untold, for the wasted canvas of opportunity, and for the pinnacle unreached. What might have been is thus relegated to the annals of unrealized imaginings.

• bitteryang3

  Overall 7

  Story 4,  Acting 9.5,  Music 9.5,  Rewatch Value 1.5

  Unfortunately, the latest series I ventured into left much to be desired. Despite the involvement of two incredibly talented lead actors, their performances alone weren't enough to salvage what ultimately felt like a disjointed narrative. Throughout the series, the story suffered from a lack of cohesion, riddled with narrative gaps that led to an unsatisfying, hurried conclusion.
  
  As for the relationship between our main duo, their romance was perplexing at best. The moment their love blossomed remains a mystery, leaving viewers to question the depth of...

  their connection. Then there's the matter of the female protagonist's abilities—a squandered plot point that promised excitement but delivered little. These dormant powers, presumably significant, were glossed over without explanation or reason; their activation as inexplicable as their initial suppression.
  
  In truth, I am left confounded by the core intent of the storyline. Was it a tale of forbidden love? A supernatural journey unexplored? The potential seemed boundless, but the execution failed to tap into it. Sadly, this is not a series that will find its way back onto my screen for a second viewing.