Playing Ep 17

What people are saying

• loudjaguar

  Overall 10

  Story 9.5,  Acting 10,  Music 9.5,  Rewatch Value 9.5

  This tension-laced historical drama whisks us away to the ancient and grandiose streets of Chang'an during its Tang Dynasty heyday. The series boasts an exceptional script, replete with complex characters and a labyrinthine ballet of political maneuvers. Initially, the narrative grips viewers with a rapid tempo and electrifying intrigue, practically pulling us to the edge of our seats. As the saga unfolds into its latter stages, the pacing deliberately eases, pivoting to illuminate the personal histories and power plays at its core. Yet, this downshift...

  by no means saps the drama's vim; rather, it enriches our connection with an already captivating ensemble.
  
  Delving into the psyche and backstory of the show's key players proved a captivating pursuit, their intricate layers and divergent agendas fueling intrigue. The show excels at rounding out its characters, adorning them with shades of complexity that afforded me the joy of unraveling their drives and ideologies—an undertaking as enthralling as the tale itself.
  
  The casting is spot-on—a testament to the dedication poured into matching each role with the ideal performer. Worth special mention are two standout leads, whose performances can only be described as magnetic. The younger co-star, in particular, delivers a maturity that belies their tender years, crafting a nuanced persona that resonates deeply with the audience.
  
  Visual splendor is writ large across the series, thanks to magnificent cinematography and production design. Each set, each costume is a feast for the eyes, dovetailing seamlessly into the show's sumptuous tableau. I would often find myself pausing and rewinding, simply to relive the beauty captured in a single frame.
  
  Authenticity is another feather in the cap of this astounding series, with astounding attention paid to historical detail. Each shot bears the hallmark of diligent research and a painstaking commitment to period accuracy—elements that never ceased to impress me throughout my viewing.
  
  Yet, imperfection is an intrinsic trait of any endeavor, and this series is not immune. Sound design proved a distracting fly in the ointment, with a score occasionally overpowering the dialogue, and inconsistent voice dubbing that sometimes jarred the experience. Additionally, certain plot threads tended to tangle amidst an abundance of political ideology, while the final stretches didn't soar as high as their precursors. However, these foibles never significantly diminished the joy I derived from this series.
  
  Indeed, it is not a show for the casual viewer. It demands your undivided focus and a willingness to immerse yourself fully in its world. For those willing to invest the time and attention, the rewards are manifold—whether you savor it for its sheer adrenaline-fueled thrills or linger over the intricacy of its world-building. I found myself driven to explore more about this remarkable city and its era, ignited by the show's flickers of historical brilliance.
  
  It was with a sense of elation that this series claimed a place among my personal pantheon of favorites.

• sourhippopotamus1

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 10

  Diving into this series may pose a challenge for those who are impatient with slowly unfolding plots, but rest assured, the depth of the characters is deftly crafted and encapsulates the very essence of the genre's soul. Each installment, clocking in at an accessible duration, makes it quite tempting to consume in large swathes.
  
  For those who depend on subtitles, the heavens have smiled upon subscribers of a certain streaming service, gifting them the entire season without delay. While another platform scrambles to catch up,...

  the former offers a seamless viewing journey from start to finish.
  
  Should you reach the crucial turning point of the narrative, it's highly likely you're hooked enough to go all the way. Curiosity will indeed become your driving force, with only the unfolding drama able to quench such a narrative thirst.
  
  My words may seem to nudge you toward hitting the play button, but to truly grasp the caliber of this story, the experience is a must. See it for yourself, and only then judge the intricacies of this intricately spun tale.

• lazysandra

  Overall 9.5

  Story 9,  Acting 9,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 9

  An opulent series with a universal draw, this historical spectacle delivers an exhilarating, aesthetically magnificent sojourn to an age-old celebration in the heart of a bygone empire's shining beacon. Delightful to both the uninformed and the erudite, it offers viewers the choice to delve as deep into its complexity as they desire. Lovers of history commend its educational element, steeped in the era's grandeur encompassing intellectual, political, and cultural advancements. While some audiences may find the historical intermissions off-pace, these enriching narratives are favorably contrasted...

  with the less substantive fillers of its contemporaries.
  
  With each shot meticulously framed, the series is a cornucopia of cinematic grace. Artistry and precision radiate through every visual aspect—even nature's chaos is captured with an aesthetic discipline. While the portrayal of beauty slightly diverts from the era's norm, the production otherwise indulges in a faithful replication of the period's ethos. Including an eclectic cast that seems lifted from the pages of graphic novels, the ensemble adds vibrant characters such as a formidable African merchant, a relentlessly loyal assassin, and an improbably agile prince of Persian descent. The feats of the protagonists invite a willing suspension of disbelief, setting the stage for heart-pounding sequences and dramatic visual storytelling.
  
  The tale unfolds with the breathless immediacy of a clock-ticking thriller, woven through with political intrigue and detailed backstories informing the ensuing conspiracy. With a substantial number of complex players involved, allegiances are as malleable as they are opaque, occasionally blurring the line of the story with added historical asides.
  
  The drama fosters a nuanced view of its characters, far from purely virtuous or entirely villainous. Despite initial indifference toward them, a deeper, honest representation of human nature's spectrum emerges, compellingly enacted by an exceptional ensemble. Viewers witness a shift in focus toward the struggles of the common folk, a refreshing perspective that honors the perseverance and uncelebrated efforts of those often overlooked in tales of grandeur.
  
  As the narrative progresses, the intensity shifts towards the masterfully depicted political tangles and the slow exposition of the grand scheme. The complex layers of the conspiracy are laid bare, engaging viewers in a mental game of connecting the dots. Although the ultimate reveal might strain credulity, the unfolding power play, reminiscent of classic strategems, delivers its own satisfying twists and ties up the narrative adeptly.
  
  In conclusion, this rich tapestry of idealism, substance, and grandiosity stands out as a thought-provoking triumph among the offerings of its time. Its ambition may sometimes cloud ease of engagement, yet its combination of visual splendor, intrigue, and action makes it an indispensable watch. It is a testament to the concept that sheer beauty and excitement can be found within a series that also prompts deeper reflection.

• jollyrobocop

  Overall 9

  Story 8.5,  Acting 9.5,  Music 9.5,  Rewatch Value 9

  In the labyrinth of Tang's corrupted corridors, I embarked on a viewing journey, a self-imposed challenge of sorts. Who, after all, dares to craft a voluminous saga sprawled across several episodes, yet unfolds in the dizzying timeframe of mere hours? Sardonically, I scoffed, yet here I am, a full week later, left in the wake of a fervent binge session.
  
  The onset of this series is nothing short of a gripping tapestry of mystery and kinetic spectacle—a visual banquet. One can hardly catch their breath amid...

  the thunderous echoes of horse-drawn pursuits and the agile silhouettes bounding across candlelit rooftops. It invites its audience to traverse a medieval metropolis, plucked from the annals of history itself, as you're whisked from the echelons of regal influence to the grit-infused crevices of its underbelly. On this journey, one encounters a mosaic of souls—some uplifted by the city, others shattered against its stones.
  
  Afficianados of action and tales of herculean figures clad in spandex will find their hearts thrumming with excitement. Enigmatic kingpins of the sinister streets indulge in barbarous mind sports, while cults cling to outlandish creeds, and agile heirs reminiscent of desert folklore defy gravity. Not to be outdone, our invincible protagonist endures, battling insurmountable odds with grit and resolve.
  
  As the narrative unfolds, its latter chapters unveil the weighty consequences of decisions made in the heat of earlier crises. The shift is poignant—characters once hailed as virtuous are now regarded with a critical eye, their flaws laid bare, while those labeled as miscreants arouse unexpected empathy. The narrative refuses to shepherd its audience towards predefined sympathies, instead presenting each character in shades of moral ambiguity that ring earnestly true to their era—not anachronistic heroes plucked from modern sensibilities.
  
  However, as the tale spins towards its denouement, the scribe's hand wavers, entangling motivations and loyalties with a surplus of surprising turns and climactic showdowns—an overindulgence that slightly skews the inner compass of its cast.
  
  In essence, this cinematic chronicle bifurcates in tempo and tonality—the initial chapters ensnaring the viewer in a web of excitement, while its latter half methodically unravels its character's psyches and their intertwined fates.
  
  Ultimately, this drama stands as a testament to visual artistry, steeped in authenticity and populated by unforgettable personalities, offering a narrative both singular and enthralling—plus a magnetic antagonist in the guise of a beguiling scoundrel. For enthusiasts of history, art, and the complexities of the human spirit, this series comes highly endorsed.

• grumpycha35

  Overall 9

  Story 9,  Acting 10,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 8

  It truly baffles me to find such scant coverage of this underrated masterpiece within the streaming community's discussions, so I feel compelled to share my thoughts:
  
  Prepare yourself for an immersion into a bustling ancient metropolis — you're in for a marathon viewing experience. Hold on tight, every nuance and every character you encounter is significant in the grand tapestry of the narrative. The first act of our tale thrusts you into an adrenaline-infused pursuit, a race against time to avert catastrophe that grips you with...

  the intensity of the unfolding drama. As you progress, the pace shifts to delicately peel away layers of a chilling conspiracy, leaving you awestruck and thoroughly shaken. The story later paints a stark picture of the political landscape, revealing the harsh truth that even under dire circumstances, alliances are fragile, and self-interest can undermine the common good.
  
  I must admit, the convolutions of the plot surrounding the identity of the puppeteer orchestrating chaos wore on me, but the realization of the magnitude of the truth hit hard and deep. Typically, I'm wary of stories that overindulge in flashbacks, preferring a more linear exposition of history. This series defies that preference, instead intricately weaving memories into the present in a manner that illuminates character motives and histories just enough to satisfy curiosity without overwhelming. The historical battles and the philosophies they've spawned became an unexpectedly profound element of the show.
  
  The dialogue carries weight, utterances like “I am a soldier” haunting in their simplicity and the reality they encapsulate. This narrative is propelled by a diverse cast, each crucial to the story whether they find themselves mired in conspiracy or outside it. The characters who inhabit moral gray areas were particularly compelling, mirroring the complexity of human nature. While certain characters displayed almost superhuman prowess, this only served to heighten the thrills during action sequences. Regrettably, there is something left to be desired in terms of character growth; their cores remain unyielding throughout the saga, though some enlightenment is achieved by its conclusion.
  
  A few more observations: the series is a visual feast, the depiction of the city's streets beguiling in every frame. There's an admirable commitment to continuity with the physical toll of the story's events visibly etched upon the characters. Although the choreography sometimes feels raw, it lends an authenticity to the combat. The agility displayed in chase sequences occasionally drew out a laugh. Interestingly, I found no deep connection to the central players—rather, it was the fleeting glimpse into the lives of ordinary citizens that tugged at my heartstrings, a heart that the series did not hesitate to trample upon relentlessly.
  
  In conclusion, this is a show that demands your undivided attention for a complete and rewarding understanding. If you relish storytelling that leaves a lingering ache, this series is for you. What begins as a classic struggle between light and dark morphs into an exploration of a much grayer and more somber world than anticipated. Brace yourself for an evolution of allegiance; the characters you champion at the outset may not wear the same mantle by the story's end.