PREVIOUS COMMENTS

This post was originally one long post at point2e.com and was transferred to its own blog due to the length of contents. The comments in here ranging from spoilers to speculations to discussion about this series was as a result of that long post. Therefore all comments previously posted by various commenters from 13.06.2015 until 28.07.2015 are in here. I have closed the comments section in here. If you have any comments, if it is...

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EPISODE 27

The following is a semi recap plus review plus opinion on the specific episodes, emphasising more on the review than the recap. Spoilers alert and highly opinionated. Read at your peril.

Are you really happy? Is this really what you really want? Does destroying Hua Qiangu really doesn't matter to you? - Donghua to Dongfang

In this episode you will see 3 things;

1. How can you even like DFYQ? He is beyond evil, he is insane and yet he is the clearest minded of them all. He should be hating the one who killed his dad (Donghua) and yet he dedicated his entire hatred to BZH. Twisted and yet he really just wanted to expose the hypocrisy of them all, the most powerful being BZH was most tactless when he said what he said to a young boy but DFYQ really knows how to hold a grudge. And he even got things wrong. Wugou killed himself, yet he said BZH killed him. BZH did save HQG and yet he said BZH let HQG walk into a trap knowingly. In other words, DFYQ was the ancient time's spin doctor. BZH again asks him who he is (BZH surely has a bad memory!) and says whatever he plans, he won't win because good triumphs over evil. What did DFYQ do? He doesn't care.

2. Donghua is the world's biggest wuss and traitor. He stood by and let DFYQ cause the death of one of his sworn brothers, Tanfan, he let him hurt ZX, he let him plan all those things against BZH, he even protected DFYQ from Tanfan who was fighting back. Tell me, if that is not a wuss, what is? Who is a wuss? Donghua, he's the wuss. And biggest traitor of them all and a coward as well. At least Wugou died a glorious death.

3. What a miserable bunch of immortals, today 1 more died. So many blood spitting scene and rather beautifully done, I will admit that much.

Of course ZX brought it on herself. She went to see DFYQ in disguise as the Pavilion Master seeking a way to kill HQG and he gave her a dagger that if not controlled well will even kill the one who wields it. ZX went to find a comatose HQG who was so distraught at what she was told, she was still in coma, in her dream where she dreamt ZX rushing to kill her but instead her own shifu stabbed her. Anyway BZH arrived to save the day and I suppose what hurts ZX more was BZH actually fought back so hard and powerful, ZX herself was mortally wounded although later we find out the dagger had a part to play. I thought perhaps BZH has crossed the line as well. Surely there must be another way? And ZX is insane anyway. So to save her life, Tanfan on the advice of  DFYQ in disguise who really wanted to see them all suffer, said Tanfan has to give life to save life. So he used up all his cultivated energy and well, died. ZX cried, asking;

Why are you so foolish? I am not worth it...

Perhaps she should say this to herself when it comes to BZH. Tanfan dying said;

You are worth my life..

and died. 

Uncut version stopped here but cut version will end with ZX turning to the dark side I think.

Anyway happiest was DFYQ, worst is when all this was happening, Donghua in disguise was looking on, doing nothing and when he did wanted to, DFYQ asked him;

One of them must die. Who do you want to see live?

And I guess perhaps he too was in love with ZX, because he chose to do nothing knowing Tanfan will do all he can to save ZX's life. And guess what? There ends the miserable drunkard life of Tanfan whilst ZX never learns; she will go on to hurt BZH, causing HQG to mortally wound her own shifu with a poison so powerful, BZH was planning his funeral. You know what, maybe ZX is BZH's calamity. She's the one causing all of BZH's woes. And BZH doesn't even care if she lives or dies. I would wish in next episode maybe he goes to visit her to find out if she's ok but I doubt he will. Kinda cold man!

Before that, HQG was still in coma. Deep coma. Whilst Tangbao and DFYQ arrive to accompany him, DFYQ in his own moment was impressed  that BZH was very meticulous in his care for  HQG as Tangbao takes care of HQG, our handsome immortal plays the magic harp perched on top of huge stones to ease HQG's mind from nightmares. Donghua even said in surprise that BZH who favoured no attachments, no ties have now changed. Anyway I wonder did BZH like say Hmmmm I will sit here to play the harp?

Beautiful effect though, the one special effect I like apart from the original no CGI needed handsome shifu.

Even when ZX attacked, shifu carried HQG and she was still in coma until ZX was carried away by Tanfan, then she woke up to see her shifu and then fainted again. When she finally and truly woke up, her first thought was...

Did I kill shifu? Has the calamity prediction came true? Oh no... I have caused injuries to shifu again....

Poor thing. BZH doesn't know Wugou told her about the calamity thing so he also doesn't know why HQG was so troubled. Tangbao worried about HQG said shifu is ok, a bit injured but resting but HQG kept thinking she has hurt him again and caused injuries again. And so she decided she wants to go back to her old village, Tangbao thought everyone was going but HQG has made up her mind;

Shifu, Xiaogu could not stay by your side anymore. Xiaogu must leave you.

Because in her mind she just wants her shifu to be safe. And I was so happy with this short scene. Because it shows HQG is not someone who just ignore the signs or defy the fate and all that stuff. She isn't needlessly naive or foolish or dumb. She did want to leave her shifu, out of love for her shifu. She blames herself again and again. I bet shifu will stop her and tell her he doesn't believe in the calamity crap. Ever notice with Wugou, for 2 years he was fine with Yunya until he found out about the calamity thing, kicked her out and all went downhill. Even after Yunya's death, Wugou kept killing. Meaning he was obsessed with the calamity, he was controlled by the calamity but in the end it was in his mind. If BZH never knew HQG was his calamity for life, they probably would be just fine. It's everyone overreacting that makes the calamity curse seem like true when in fact, it is nothing. I don't see Wugou constantly falling down on his face not knowing why when Yunya was by his side. Is this the side effect of adding in the calamity curse? That it actually makes no sense?

But Xiaogu asks DFYQ about calamity and what DFYQ told her alarmed her; no way to break the calamity curse, unless death. Which means either HQG kills herself or she leaves. She really really love her shifu. I bet shifu won't let her leave because it is not in his nature to bow down to fate. And he loves her too. As for DFYQ, probably the world's biggest two faced hypocrite but I feel Donghua has that title for now. How can any fan ship DFYQ who did all he did and still be friendly to HQG in his two face mode. BZH is leaps and bounds more honest with his Xiaogu, he really treats her well and respects her and cares for her. DFYQ cares for her but his desire to destroy outweighs his care for her and so by maintaining his friendliness with HQG, that makes my blood boil!

Meanwhile, however cute HQG is, she gets no love from Mo Yan. At Changliu, Shiyi was so concerned about her he wanted to bring her medicine and guess what? Mo Yan forbids him because he really doesn't care shit about HQG. Who else doesn't?

Ni Mantian. Her story here is like a deviation from the last episode. I wanted so much to see HQG look at her shifu's eyes and ask "Am I your calamity curse? Will I get you killed?" and instead this episode started with Mo Yan being heartless and a shitty jerk and then moved on to Ni Mantian and her quest to learn a forbidden kung fu manual her father has just to beat HQG simply because DFYQ in disguise (and this guy is everywhere!!) said she won't beat HQG until such a drastic action. Shuo Feng is somewhat in love with her  which shows however shitty unkind evil spoilt brat you are, as long as you look like Ni Mantian, even a stone will fall for you. Rubbish isn't it? Anyway her father won't let her learn because she will become a man if she learns. I am not bothered with her story so I won't recap any further except to add she wants to do all that because...

a. she wants to beat HQG

b. she is angry HQG got to go traveling with BZH and learn so much stuff

c. BZH who is leader of Changliu should be at the swords competition and yet he's not there and he's with HQg

d. and all she gets to do is practise sword. Maybe she can ask Shiyi to bring her out. I just feel Shiyi is not a good master. He can't even control his students.

And that's that. All boil down to ..

Why everyone loves HQG? Why everyone is helping her? What's so special about her?

Maybe she didn't get the memo. The I HATE HQG list is as follows:-

1. Mo Yan

2. ZX

3. Wugou

4. Tanfan (consider lar)

5. everyone at SQM's lair except SQM

6. her entire village

7. evil twin at Shu Shan

8. everybody other than the handsome men

9. Even DFYQ by his actions is doing harm to HQG

So NMT, seriously, you need to recheck the list. Most wants HQG dead.

Anyway exciting episodes ahead. I am sure my recap will have more pictures. Question is will there be a first kiss scene between HQG and BZH? Even if it is just an illusion?

EPISODE 25-26

The following is a semi recap plus review plus opinion on the specific episodes, emphasising more on the review than the recap. Spoilers alert and highly opinionated. Read at your peril.

I don't understand you, Zihua. Taking in such an energetic disciple, she must have given you a lot of problems. Are you looking for happiness or are you deliberately looking for trouble? - Tanfan (Episode 25)

For Donghua, Tanfan, Zixun, Zihua, the most difficult is letting go. For me... it is acceptance - Wugou (Episode 26)

Episode 25 & 26 is really on three things;

1. on Wugou and his story with Yun Ya and I suppose juxtapose it with eventually Shifu and HQG;

2. on the five immortals; and

3. on HQG finding out she is shifu's calamity.

Serious stuff and very very relevant to the story. I find these 2 episodes so intriguing in part because of Wugou. Let me start by saying the look is amazing, the costume is amazing but the actor as Wugou is quite simply exquisitely excellent. He appeared the most for 2 episodes but for me made a huge impact.

Well certainly you learn a few stuff from these 2 episodes.

1. the best non-CGI was of course our handsome shifu but in episode 25, the best non-CGI is the view. I am sure it is real. It has got to be real.

2. Tan Fan's house or hut in the bamboo forest. My jaws dropped.

3. The various close ups of our handsome shifu... exquisite

4. That 2 men  or immortals drinking tea can be so hot and so distinctively different at the same time. Also loads of close ups that it was pure ecstacy for me to watch. I am not ashamed to admit I paused, played, rewind, paused and played this tea drinking scene between BZH and Wugou.

5. That 5 immortals have very distinctive personality but share a common love for doing good. Tan Fan it seems is the most easy going, he can drink wine and eat meat, enjoying life to the fullest until Zixun sorta destroyed all that. Will explain more. Donghua it seems the gentlest? Zihua the most stoic. And of course Wugou is supposedly the most errrr.. was it stable? Or peace loving? Point is, let me illustrate my point...

See my point? Do they look peace loving and carefree to you? At this point only BZH remains as stoic as ever but ZX's memory of all 5 included a happy smiling BZH. If being immortals is so depressing, why be one? Tanfan is drinking all alone with his multiple self, Wugou is busy killing people for reasons only he knows, Donghua in the end we find out is held ransom by DONG!FANG!YU!QING! and Zixun, well Zixun is miserable. Everybody knows that, even Tangbao knows Zixun is miserable because BZH isn't in love with her and Tanfan is miserable because Zixun is not in love with him and yet Tangbao and Xiaogu feels if only Zixun was in love with Tanfan, he would have made her a very happy woman. It also seems immortals don;t suppose to live in forest. Which was why Tanfan is weird. Wugou is the richest, he owns the city anyway and like HQG said, shouldn't immortals live a life free of materials but to Wugou, money is needed to save people so being rich is a benefit to an immortal. He also believes in redemption, that perhaps letting go a sinner might make the sinner redeem themselves.

And every immortal in these 2 episodes tells BZH two things;

1. why are you taking HQG as a student? 

Tanfan finds her interesting but too perky, that sort that will bring him loads of trouble, hence the quote above. Something which BZH acknowledges. Tanfan of course sorta hinted BZH doesn't yet realise the consequence of such a cute disciple but I don't think that was what the conversation meant. It was merely towards the personality of BZH; if he is willing to take her as his student, then he is responsible towards her and so he must investigate all these mysterious deaths because HQG is being accused of being involved in the killings by way of her relationship with the evil sect of SQM. He is very concerned about her, that is for sure. Even Wugou feels HQG is not a good disciple for BZH. One look and he feels she is substandard and he certainly told BZH and HQG that and to which BZH simply replied;

As long as I am satisfied with her...

And of course we have shifu worshipping gaze stance courtesy of HQG. It would seem everybody thinks HQG is not a good enough disciple and you know, they're right and I feel BZH took her in in part because she is his calamity. He wants to change the course of things. Tanfan noted that is the nature of BZH. He is someone who talks endlessly about responsibility, duty, dedication to his work, in short no personal live. When it comes to Zixun, he does absolutely nothing which pisses Tanfan off which was why there was a funny scene when BZH visited him, he fed them and then left. 

2. why is he denying his feelings for HQG?

Which is something Wugou and Zixun kept talking about.Wugou is very sure BZH is or will fall in love with HQG and he is in denial and BZh simply replied with a resolute and stony faced "No" when Wugou said he will fall or is in love or is in denial with his feelings for HQG. I don't get how anyone can impute BZH is in love with HQG. He said no and he meant no. Wugou feels by saving HQG so many times, BZH has betrayed his resolute feelings and his denial but BZH is very sure. Right is right, wrong is wrong, BZH said resolutely he will not be in love with HQG. However perhaps at this point Wugou is using himself as an example and has incorrectly deduced BZH's feelings more than what it actually is. You see, Wugou caught a thief by the name of Yun Ya, took her in, for 2 years began to develop feelings for her eventhough his rule in his Lian Chang (Lotus City) is no love. One day she dropped a life stone and it glowed yellow. Wugou knew what it meant and accused her of stealing some pearls and kicked her out. She thought she did something wrong and as she cried, met her friend Mei Er who found out her shifu and a few other sect leaders were secretly learning a kung fu so dangerous, that Wugou forbade his disciples from learning because it meant they will die before they hit 40. Those manuals were stolen from Lian Chang and Mei Er wanted to get her hands on them and sorta coaxed Yun Ya to steal them. Yun Ya thought if she could bring these back to Wugou, he will take her back in. Anyway she was fatally injured in the process and died in Mei Er's arms, telling Mei Er to bring the manual back to Wugou so that he could forgive her. By this time HQG was listening to this story as she went to rescue an escaped Mei Er who finally found out why she was tortured for many months and she made Wugou very angry by saying he was the reason Yun Ya died, not her and he basically strangled her. She wanted to die and died hoping to see Yun Ya again. Meanwhile Wugou chased after HQG to kill her. Why?

Well, shifu was trapped by Wugou. It seems Tanfan already deduced Wugou was a serial killer. Frankly I don't get why Wugou killed all those sect leaders. He trapped shifu who can only break the enchantment by playing a game of chest. Zixun arrived and met with Tanfan to say goodbye, she went to see Wugou offscreen and basically told him HQG is BZH's calamity star. BZH heard this and vomited his first blood trying to break the enchantment and escaped. Before that Zixun told BZH she makes it her life mission to kill HQG so as to save BZH and BZH can kill her in revenge. Well, HQG doesn't understand why Wugou wants to kill her. To kill witnesses? Nope, said Wugou. He said;

As Yun Ya was my calamity, you are BZH's calamity. I want to save Zihua. I don't want him to end up like me, so I must kill you for him

At this point HQG was beyond shocked. She couldn't believe what she heard. She was shifu's calamity? Wugou even said if he knew Yun Ya was his calamity from the start, he would not have hesitated and would have killed her. When Wugou tried to kill her, she was so distraught by this discovery, she unleashed a power so strong it blasted Wugou back. And suddenly a masked guy came out of nowhere to stop Wugou and then flew off who then stood beside Dongfang. Who's that guy? You shall know. HQG fainted (yet again!!) but before that she saw her shifu rescuing her. Wugou decided not to fight BZH because he knew there was no point in doing that. BZH advised him to surrender and to give a proper explanation to the various sects whose leaders he killed. Yeah I want explanation also! Wugou said;

Don't worry. I will give them a proper explanation.

So BZH carried HQG and flew off and then came one of the most beautiful death scene. Basically Wugou threw his sword up, screamed and let the sword pierce him.. like this...

It was as dramatic as it was beautifully filmed. I wished it was with green grass or fields of flowers, that would have been poetic. BZH knew something was wrong and quickly gostan (aka go-as-turn aka turned back) and ran to Wugou and held him..

It was a beautiful death as Wugou in his last breath said;

This.. is my last punishment to myself for all the sins I have committed...

and I was like.. I don't know.. I kinda feel sad for that guy. Perhaps if he didn't push his calamity away.. but Mei Er said calamity is a concept where if you don't kill the calamity, that calamity will cause the victim lifetime of pain and madness. Seriously? Any proof in that? Why not try the other tactic, like not kill the calamity. Surely the heaven will reward those who shows compassion and maybe by accepting your  calamity,  you have earned goodness points and be rewarded likewise? Oh.... BZH will prove me wrong. Ok... but as BZH himself pointed out, Wugou has become obsessed. True! True! But I think it was Wugou who said BZH is also obsessed with being in control as much as Wugou is being out of control. Something like that. Anyway Wugou died.

We see Donghua under the thumb of Dongfang who wants revenge. It seems he has something on Donghua where Donghua will feel pain. So that's how Dongfang controlled him. And to prove my point why I can never understand Dongfang is fan favourite for HQG's affection, Donghua pointed out perhaps Dongfang should stop since he couldn't possibly let HQG know all these and Dongfang quite simply said...

I WANT REVENGE! I DON'T CAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

See! See! Why are you do shipping HQG-DF? Insane!

Tanfan was saddened with Wugou's death whose body disappeared and turned into a beautiful shooting star shooting upwards. He lamented now his only drinking buddy is dead. Meanwhile Zixun promised she will not let BZH suffer and will kill HQG in part to avenge for Wugou's death. Come on lady, give it a rest already! You're doing this because BZH will never ever ever ever love you!

Sad isn't it? One episode 1 immortal dead. And that is 1 memorable 1. 1 more is a drunkard. 1 more is an obsessed fatal attraction crazy woman. 1 more is under the control of another. Only BZH is the unchanged one and nope, he is NOT in love with HQG, yet. He said so, and he said so so surely. You must get his personality to know why I said so and why the wedding scene will be a significant scene in the coming episodes and why in the end we need all those blood drinking scene. BZH as his friends have said has perfected the art of being in control. Because he is so in control, he knows for sure yes and no and right and wrong and what is love and how to let go or not be involved in the first place. Only in the blood drinking moments we will see an out of control BZH and that's when he will be confronted with his feelings for HQG. That's how I see it.

Anyway, Wugou, I cry for thee even if I can never understand what's up with you. Maybe their shifus should re-study the whole calamity thing and take a different approach. Oh and Donghua was from Changliu and from the various conversation, it would seem he would have been the sect leader and not BZH if he didn't go missing! Ahhh I see.

Anyway kudos to the actors. I have got to say, the casting is impeccable. Right actors for the right role. Ceng Hongchang was absolutely amazing. He looked the part and scarily cold and all that. And his fashion is impeccable. I find the men's fashion so much more better than the women's.

As for HQG, how many times have she had blood by the side of her mouth and how many times have she fainted? And why someone so cute and yet NOT ONE immortal like her? Why? What's wrong? Is Ni Mantian the perfect BZH's student then? And how powerful is HQG? We shall see...

Oh save your squealing. BZH is not in denial. He is really not in love with HQG, yet.

Oh and  a short scene on SQM who has truly became insane. SCQ of course hugged him tightly, very loving. Poor SQM. He is now screaming he will kill Zhu Ran which means cue to Zhu Ran appearing in the next episode or so.

ALL ABOUT COSTUMES / PROPS / SETS / HEAD GEARS

A collection of posts about my favourite aspect of this series; the costumes, props, sets, make up and head gears. May contain some spoilers.

22.07.2015

VARIOUS COSTUMES AND PROPS OF OTHER CHARACTERS

I marvel at the attention to details and the subtlety and simplicity of the various costume designs of the other characters. Also notice the swords and weapons. Absolutely beautifully designed stuff. And finally the make up and hairdo. I am especially intrigued by Shuo Feng (the unfeeling unsmiling guy) and his sword and Shiyi and his costumes.However the sword sheath of the no eyebrow character  is really beautiful. I will post more on the fashion but I can say with certainty the men's fashion in here is a winner. Have a look.

17.07.2015

BEAUTIFUL SWORDS

I have expressed my love for Duan Nian and also for the shifu sword whose name I forgot and I don't think I've seen it yet.

Now let me declare my love for Ming Sheng Sword, the one held by Xuanlang and now back to our handsome shifu.

A question must be posed;

Who is more beautiful? Mingsheng or Shifu? Hmmmm...

Seriously, there is artistry in its look, the sword I mean except it should be gleaming like polished which it is not. It looks light as well which isn't good but the aesthetics of it is simply amazing. Front, back, side, stunning looking sword. It looks ancient.

But the names of the swords are really something. Nothing chirpy like Kai Shing sword or Kuai Le sword or Yung Yuan sword. Must be something dramatic.

Beautiful sword.

19.06.2015

ALL ABOUT HEAD GEARS, HEAD ORNAMENTS AND ALL THINGS HEAD!

The last time I was so obsessed with head gears was for Glamorous Imperial Concubine, Qing Shi Huang Fei and that had the gorgeous Wallace in fur and what nots. But it is what's on his head that I love. In fact in most men's head in that series. Not simple but quite intricate. In here, many very simple but such elegance simplicity that I just fell in love with ALL of them. Much attention given even to the most ke-le-fe role. I also love the hairstyle and make up but the head gears for male and female were just swoon worthy and add to the atmosphere and the entire look. I guess that's where the budget went. Some are really functional, some are just for the sake of "Hey, I can design that!", Anyway you will be surprised which one I can't stop looking at at this moment but some of the pictures below are taken from future episodes. I just wish I could look at them up close and personal. Other than Wallace Huo, it's the head gear I want to look at just inches away. I wonder what do they do with these head gears after filming finishes? Museum of Art in Movies and TV perhaps?

GENERALLY LIKE, LIKE A LOT

 

 

SERIOUSLY LIKE, LIKE SO MUCH

OMG, LOVE THESE

 

Same but different angles. Wow!

YOU GOTTA BE SERIOUS! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!

At this point of this series, not yet seen the following but pictures capture the intricate design. So gorgeous!

MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE

Quite difficult to catch and it happened to be on the head of one of the more hateful character but look! It is almost wood like colour with ... is it blossom on it? What flower? Not close enough to see but I could see enough to make me look forward to seeing this head!! It is a close call between this and the above one with Wallace and Wallace always look great with those sort on his head but this one is just gorgeous. The design is awesome!

   

  

 

MOST FAVOURITE SWORD

Only one sword worthy of being most favourite because it is the only one with its own name, its own personally and can act totally badass. No not that disappeared wooden sword made by BZH to HQG or other wooden sword. It's the new one BZH gave to HQG, called I think "Duan Nian" aka Severed Longing? Or Severed Ties? More like Severed Longing. Anyway my heart almost hurt a bit when I see HQG took out the sword cover thingy and threw it onto the floor like "klaaaaaanggggg" sound. She did the same to the wooden sword. Woman, love your sword more ok? Looks fake near but nice design far and hey it is BZH's personal sword so it should be gorgeous.

Wait! Is that the same sword? I remember it is green-ish in the series but too difficult to capture it. Maybe not the same. So yeah!! TWO favourite swords!

I FOUND THE SWORD DUAN NIAN!!!! Thanks to Wallace Huo Forum, it's a GIF. The sword looks young compared to the one above. Beautiful design but it does look light as in not weightless but plastic up close. Still a handsome sword. The one above is more regal.