「一起查破天下奇案，匡正江湖 」A spectacular summer drama that exceeds expectations

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

Highly anticipated drama---and happy to say it matched my expectations. I've been waiting for the release of Mysterious Lotus Casebook ever since the cast was revealed and they began filming.
I want to share my thoughts about this drama as someone who's never read the original novel (but plan to).

Some notable things to point out:

1. The pacing of MLC: Since Li LianHua was introduced as a character concealing his true identity, it may be expected that the storyline will drag out the big reveal until way later. However, the pacing of this drama felt opportune; not rushed but also not dragged out. While Fang DuoBing had suspected LLH being Li XiangYi, the moment he confirmed this notion was when LLH finally used his power to defend FDB in ep. 27. I appreciate every detail written into the individual cases that weave together into the larger picture of their final mission.

2. The open ending: To me, it doesn't make sense how the "alternate/extra" ending was locked behind a paid content on iQiYi. I was expecting to see a more conclusive resolution, yet was left with an almost dialogue-less extra episode. This leaves me to believe that, when DFS and FDB arrived at the beach where LLH was, they left together to roam JiangHu together and continue to look for a cure, since the camera panned out to all three of them gone. I saw some comments saying it was the two's illusion, since it was already 3 months past and LLH should've died. This could make sense, since there was actually no explanation of how DFS and FDB found LLH or how they showed up in sync, but I would like to believe in a happy ending. In my opinion, the scene at the end of ep. 38, where all three of them walks off together, would be the "perfect" ending. The ending definitely left many questions for the audience to ponder and solve with imagination.

3. Casting/acting: Partly why I was waiting for this drama with such anticipation was because I watched ChengYi's (LLH/LXY) spectacular acting in both Love and Redemption and his episode on "Happy Camp." I held high expectations and yet his performance proved far beyond. Even when little to no words are spoken, his eyes tell so much---the sadness, the determination, the tenderness, the anger---all told through a crafted stare. He's also undoubtedly a master in this kind of wuxia sword fight/footwork combined. I also found Zeng ShunXi (FDB) though Ultimate Note, where he played Wuxie, and was needless to say very excited for his new performance. The youthfulness, naivety, and the unwavering sense moral idealism of FDB was portrayed perfectly by ZSX, and the audience got to experience his growth through his journey, even giving up the position he worked so hard for for someone he loved. ZSX brought FDB to life. DFS also never failed to deliver his sense of high dignity and position of power all while showing his "human" side, especially when interacting with FDB (they're so silly) <3. Some characters, notably Xiao ZiJin, Qiao WanMian, and Yun Bi Qiu (mildly) annoyed me but nevertheless their actors still did an amazing job!

4. Jiao LiQiao: Contrary to what many might feel about her, I love the way her character was portrayed. Instead of forever staying under Di FeiSheng, she decided to flip their positions when she realized DFS will never behave in her favor. The actress's also portrayed JLQ's cunning character perfectly, from her sharp smile to the way she laughs. Honestly she was so psychotic to the point where I love her. It was also perfectly ironic how her life "began" when DFS saved her ten years ago, but it was also ended by the same man in their marriage chamber.

5. FDB's mother: I love the character of FDB's mother!! Oftentimes in Chinese costume dramas, the mother of the main leads are often written as one of the two: evil, or soft. However, FDB's mother is an actual badass character! I adored her determination, her love for her son, and how she didn't want FDB to get involved with JiangHu but still supported him. She was headstrong and never backed down---also loved her and her son's interactions!

Overall, this is definitely one of my top 3 dramas, with thoroughly thought-out details in each of the cases, perfectly portrayed characters, and beautiful cinematography and script-writing. My biggest criticism would be the ending (I feel like I paid to watch an unfulfilling extra ending and the behind-the-scene on iQiYi and it wasn't that worth, but I also heard the novel ending was even more open and thus I will say I'm satisfied with what the drama production team gave us). I'm already planning on rewatching Mysterious Lotus Casebook, and I definitely recommend anyone who loves mysteries/case-solving, JiangHu brotherhood, and wuxia fighting to give this masterpiece a watch!

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