The Record of Strange Things (2022)

A detective fan favourite series

Girlfriend died of drowning in a room devoid of water. Few years later, encountered a mysterious key that can unlock doors to anywhere one wishes, and perhaps the answer to the unresolved case from the past. That's where our story, the Record of Strange Things begins.

Depending on the type of audience you are, this setup may or may not sound interesting. As a Chinese drama fan, RoST is a unique category of its own where users in modern world can leverage on supernatural objects. Thus, it's worth exploring just based on this point.

As an old school detective fans, this is the basic setup of every other detective teams' new adventure to a strange world. Indeed, the plot structure is nothing original. After the necessary introduction of our main characters, the remaining episodes are structured into a few arcs with the same formula. Each arc is centered on a strange object and key characters relating to this case. While the arcs can be watched as standalone case on its own, they are related. Resolution of each arc gets our characters closer to the climax and finale of this RoST season.

Sounds troupe-y and Conan-ish? Yes, but old school detective fan favourite would buy this setup for RoST is a detective story done right. RoST has lovely characters, fascinating twist and turns of story arcs as well as consistent, tight logic of overarching plot.

One, we have the coming together of these unlikely quartet that's lovable.

At the beginning, they are forced to work together by circumstances and coincidences. They continue to work together because they have strengths that complement each other which make 1 plus 3 more than 4. What's great about this quartet is we truly see a believable friendship journey. From the start of distrust to enjoying each other's company to being a formidable team, we can feel each stage of progression and dynamics between them that's playful and enjoyable to watch. It makes us like them, as characters, and as 1 team.

Beyond these 4 main characters, the supporting characters and / or villains (it's a matter of perspectives) have their own motivations, personalities and brains.

No actions, inconsistent with characters' respective motivations.
No moments of unnecessary fillers.
No surprises, convoluted to the point that they do not make sense.
No opponents who are dumbed down to make our main characters "shine in comparison."

Special mention to Zhi Wei, a high ranked officer from the opposing organisation. Yes, he is that annoying villain-ish fella that somehow grows on the audience, unsuspectingly. Think of him as RoST version of Loki. Beyond Zhi Wei, RoST has smart opponents who do things that make sense and actually pose real challenge to our main characters - how lovely.

Two, we have intriguing story arcs that will keep audiences locked on the screen to find out what's happening next. The beginning is a little slow with the necessary setup and introduction. But once it gets past that, every moment matters. Just when we thought we have the plot figured out, we will be thrown off track with surprises that makes sense when it's revealed - how fascinating.

Three, we have well thought-out logic and consistent story plot through and through. The buildup of each moment is done well. The rules of how each objecr works are watertight and well used by the owners. As such, we are given satisfying face-off between the characters - some arcs more polished than the other, but all passable nonetheless. At the very least, none of them would make us go - "huh, but why would you do that?" What's more, the story is well injected with humor to balance off the tension that comes with a mystery show involving supernatural objects - how wonderful.

With all these coming together, the lackluster production quality and poor acting of some actors in RoST are forgivable. It's a show that was completed in 2016. It's from a production team that was tight on resources.

To sum it up, RoST is a story about the coming together of a group of 4, aided by strange objects that give users superpower. While we aren't sure if we will ever see the light of season 2 and the resolution of some setups, RoST is a love letter to detective fans, made by a production team who has equal love to this genre.

Give it a try and some time - perhaps it might grow on you. At least it didn't have 1000++ episodes like Conan.

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