So the first 4 episodes are kind of hard to get through, but by ep 6 it starts to pick up.

I enjoyed those establishing episodes a lot tho, not for the content, but that it really set the stage for understanding and sympathizing with Shao Shang.

The main downside is 1. I honestly expected Wu Lei (Leo Wu's) acting to be better, and so far, it reads as stiff. I'm not sure when filming took place, but it shouldn't make that big of a difference. From the previews I've seen of later episodes where General Ling has to be more emotional, his acting does seem to get better, but I'm painfully aware of the fact that he's acting too often now. His handsome face just can't make up for it past a certain point :(

I think because he was a child actor, he's trying to take on many roles where he plays a more mature and manly character, but those roles aren't as convincing just yet. I hope with time he'll improve. Imo, his acting was a little better in The Long Ballad (or maybe the long hair made me dumb and i just ignored any of the flaws, haha).

I saw a reviewer say it might've been better to cast General Ling's character to an actor 35-45 years old, and I think I have to disagree. General Ling is a young character—the emperor dotes on him like his own son, and has also commented on the fact that he's still too young and inexperienced with war. I think that puts him at around 20-30 years old, max, but I'm leaning towards 21-25 (Lu Yuan is 21/22 I think(?) and Ah Yao is around 19, correct me if I'm wrong).

Zhao Lu Si is doing a wonderful job, and she adds dimension to SS's character. She's killing it rn, though I'm kinda worried she'll be stiff for more romantic scenes, but it makes sense because Shao Shang is ony 15 and is inexperienced. (Having to constantly make a mental note that girls married very young back then, haha T_T)

The older members of the cast also deliver pretty well, esp that grandma, the mother, and the father. Wow the grandmother is disgusting, but she sure is funny in her ignorance. Actress is selling it. So is the mother. I've never wanted to yell at a fictional mother this much before, who's more of a bridge burner than she is a mother. my god.

I like the wealth of characters, the world really feels immersive. the romance is a little slow right now, and I don't really like how it keeps hitting us over the head with General Ling as the obvious choice, but the ML's character in and of itself has few faults and is very respectable. I actually like his character, if just for the fact that he keeps being less assertive, but that's because he's busy, and falling for CSS was not in his plans.

Did i say the main downside was Wu Lei's acting? The 2nd downside, is that this is taking too long to update! With 6 eps every week, 2 every Tues, Wed, Thur, you'd think it'd be enough to tide us over. I'm starting to wish this had been picked up by Netflix, but even then, they'd never drop all 27 at once TT_TT. Here's to waiting another 4 days TT^TT

anyways, im eagerly waiting to see the newest eps lol. hopefully i'll update the review when i finish pt. 1.