#(because tingsheng doesn't know)

[presumenothing]

You know what, I want to talk about the awesomeness that is Jingmum. This is the lady who after confronting the fact that all her loved ones are either dead or in immense amounts of emotional/physical pain, offers to take care of the rest of the plan for the retrial. and MCs doesn't even kinda deny she could do it, cause at this point she totally could!!??!!! I mean she spent years trapped in the palace with infrequent visits from JY, unable to do anything, but she waited (1/2)

whoops, sorry I don’t exactly remember what it said but really, just the fact that after years of waiting she slowly and methodically collects what power she can. So when the time comes she can fully support her son(s). All the while remaining the kindest and classiest lady to ever Grace the imperial halls. (Also Lin shu was totes terrified of Jingmum, cause she ALWAYS knew what was what. And she would just stare at him, with that LOOK till he went and did what she wanted)Jingmum is the best mum

so!! I love!! Lady Jing!! she’s like… idk Nihuang but with more smiley and less knife emoji, ready to serve up demise on a cold platter for these two

but honestly if you think about it Jingmum had possibly the closest relationship to many of those who died after Lin Shu himself? first to Lin Xie as a brother, by extension she’d probably have known everyone in Lin manor, we already know she was close to Yueyao, and she probably watched Jingyu grow up too while tending to Yueyao. like. the only other surviving person who might’ve been as deeply connected to so many of them would probably be Yan Que? because deep as Jingyan’s grief is I’ve always felt it was more individually tied to the loss of Prince Qi and Lin Shu. which is no less terrible. but Jingmum lost basically the whole world of people she was close to in Jinling. and we already know how Yan Que reacted to that.

aNYWAY YES end digression but she’s badass indeed. imagine if she’d really taken over the Chiyan plans from that point, somehow? because yes, it does seem possible that she could’ve succeeded with the rest of it – persuading Liyang etc. tbh she and Gao Zhan together could probably rule all of Jinling’s court if they set their minds to it, with the degree of influence they wield without anyone really realising.

(imagine that though. like Jingyan never would’ve said no to Lin Shu, but then we also have Lin Shu not daring to defy his mum. probably her moderating Stare of Doom is the only reason why Lin Shu didn’t bully Jingyan into the ground when they were kids. cue Nihuang taking notes in a corner)

[heukheuk]

NIF2 Episode 15 (no spoilers)

Not so much a recap but more my general thoughts on the show so far.

First of all: NIF2 definitely holds up. 

Great scenery (I need more gifs or pictures just of the sets), interesting and diverse characters and most important of them all: every detail is important.

I’m glad that in one of the interviews they told us that they don’t try to make NIF2 hold up against NIF1 but their goal is to make it an even better show. Totally the right approach on doing a sequel imo. Placing it around 50-60 years later than the 1st season is also a good choice. The NIF1 atmosphere is still there and they have the opportunity to tell a new story with new characters because enough time has past that the show doesn’t get entangled in old characters but also doesn't feel disconnected at all. Always exciting then one of the “old” characters gets mentioned.

While I didn’t know any of the actors before I’m enjoying all of their performances. Especially the interactions of the characters seem so natural.

I’m only slightly worried about Liu Haoran (mainly because I know nothing about his range as an actor) because he’s been great so far at portraying Xiao PingJings carefree spirit but as the trailer has foreshadowed a lot of sorrow coming for him I’m looking forward to see more variety in his acting. 

Only after watching the first 6 episodes or so I’ve heard about people doubting Huang Xiaomings acting abilities in other works and I wouldn’t have guessed that based on NIF2. He’s just great. Not only is he incredible good looking but I also want him as a big brother (how he pets PingJing is just too cute). The Xiao family in general is just a ray of sunshine and family goals (maybe besides the bias of Tingsheng towards PingZhang).

It’s a lot of fun to detect traits of NIF1 characters in NIF2 characters. Meng QianXue is quite similar to her great-uncle and I’m looking forward to see her in action more. Just how she drew her sword immediately to protect PingZhang reminded me so much of MengZhi in NIF1 being protective of MCS (or even the level of Prince Jings protectiveness of him). PingJing reminds me of Lin Shu as he was shown in the flashbacks. All in all everything that is happening basically shows how the Lin family might have lived before their downfall.

This is also the main reason why I’m feeling more anxiety watching NIF2 than NIF1. We all know how badly it could end for the Xiao family. They know they have enemies but they feel quite safe in their position and are convinced that as long as they are careful and draw a strict line between them and politics nobody is going to harm them. Which is true for enemies like Xun Baishui (favourite enemy so far: he’s up against my favourite family but all his actions make total sense and you can’t hate him...even though he’s a little bit careless regarding the priest) but not for the priest (possibly). Haven’t screamed so many no’s at my screen for a long time.

This is getting a little bit longer than expected and there’s no order anymore..oh well.

I think the thing I was mostly worried about was the plot line. The setup of season one is just so ingenious (I could fill a whole page about how brilliant it is to make the ultimate goal that the emperor has to admit his own mistake. Maybe I do that, also to silence unnecessary GOT comparisons). While I think the plotline so far is highly entertaining, well-written and far from the typical wuxia plotline it cannot quite reach the level of the first one. There’s obviously still a lot that’s going to happen but the setup itself can’t quite reach the one of NIF1. Still it’s a good choice because the plot this time around also manages to give more depth to NIF1 because of the similarities between the Ling and Xiao family).

Also the absence of any romantic development in NIF1 was a good choice imo and as they haven’t shown too much yet in NIF2 I cannot say how I feel about a possible romance between PingJing and Lin Xi yet. But I’ll trust the writer on that one.

Some have voiced disappointment with Lin Xi as a possible (more like most likely) love interest of PingJing and called her a stereotypical tsundere character. And I have to disagree on that one!! (come at me!) She reminds me of  a less experienced consort Jing. Not only is she a doctor she’s levelheaded in any situation, knows how to handle herself and sees the big picture. She’s not deliberately cold towards PingJing just ignores him when he’s too annoying to be dealt with. Other than that she interacts with him in the same calm but perfectly civil manner as with anyone else. Obviously she might put some distance between them in order to avoid any sense of romance but for me that doesn’t count as tsundere. She’s not cold, just calm. At this point in the story they still have a long way to go. She’s already a grown women while he’s more of a manchild.

All his playful attempts at flirting with her are just soo bad (while the unintentional caring gestures he makes are quite endearing) and he gets freaked out as soon as he thinks she might start to get interested. Sorry PingJing, I laugh at you most of the time. I think it’s great that so far there’s a real friendship developing between them. How he shows up at the pharmacy when he needs company or just a place to relax is so nice to see. Reminds me of PingZhang and Meng QianXue who beside being married seem to be close friends.

I hope Lin Xi’s character gets developed more besides being PingJings love interest. Only character I miss is someone similar to Princess NiHuang. Just 100% badass and intelligent.

This is getting too long, i might need to sort my other thoughts in other posts split by topic (the great depiction of enemies and “evil”characters in the NIF universe e.g.)

Cinematography has improved tremendously, music is great (can’t wait for the instrumental soundtrack), besides the dubbing (WHY???) the sound-mixing got better as well and last but not least the fight scenes are even better than in NIF1.

THE TREE FIGHT IS SO GOOD! (I rewatch that at least once a day)

TL;DR: Really good! Exceeding my expectations! Great characters and actors! Some worries remain but I have a lot of faith in the writer and director.

[naanima]

Disclaimer, my Chinese is not the best but I'll have a crack. The conversation between Yue and XPJ (my humble opinion) is pretty much the most important conversation in the last ep. Yue explicitly states that PJ is too powerful, he called a hundred thousand without the backing of the Emperor, AND they came. He is too dangerous, and his stay in court will only lead to paranoia and fear. However, it is not the only reason, the most important is that PJ is tired, he is hollow (?). If PJ really wants to he can find a way to stay in court. But PJ doesn't, and both implied and explicit thoughts is that both Yue and PJ are too smart for their own good but they are also dumb (loyal) in the eight ways.

PJ tells the Emperor he will return if he is ever needed. There is also a whole tangent about Yuanshi needing to choose his own future, make his own decisions. That he is not going to become bad just because of his lineage. Pingzhang was the son of a traitor but no one would ever say he wasn't loyal.

Yuanshi is young, but he is the Emperor, and both Yuanqi and General Di made the comments (or heavily implied) about how Xiao Pingjing would be a better Emperor. And even if Yuanshi believes PJ would never betray him, there is still the possibility and politically PJ is too dangerous to be in court.

I'm not sure if this will make sense, but historically and in all Chinese historical dramas, Emperors are known to becoming ruthless once they fully come into power. They cannot to be seen as weak, they cannot be seen as easily swayed, and they cannot have someone who has saved them, who has seen them at their weakest, at their most vulnerable live. They are the son of heaven, and they must be above reproach. It is telling that people who have never seen Yuanshi looks at him with awe. He is divine and cannot be seen as weak. Pingjing can't be seen as stronger than Yuanshi. I was chatting with a Chinese friend of mine, and it is funny that both of us knew the exact moment, 100% that Xiao Ping Jing couldn't stay in court. It was when Yuanshi heard Yuanqi and PJ talk to one another, it was when Yuanqi listed all the reasons that Yuanshi doesn't deserve the throne, that Pingjing, Changlin would be the better choice. We were like, crap, he just said all of that publicly. Pingjing can't stay. And then to have that followed up with Yuanshi publicly stating Chang Lin wouldn't betray him - it is both an expression of true trust, but also a saving grace for PJ. Then the order for Yuanqi's death. That, that is the Emperor.

Xiao Yuanshi is Emperor. It doesn't matter how young he is. He has ordered the death of a person without advice. He must make all future decisions on his own. And what type of Emperor he will be in the future is unknown, but it will be his choice, he can't rely on others.

One last thing, even the AMAZING/HAPPY ending between PJ and LINBOSS is tempered with Pingjing's warning that the future is uncertain and he might need to return to court. Pingjing is still a son of Chang Lin, he understands his duty, but he is also becoming his own person, both Pingzhang and Tingsheng wanted him to be happy. And PJ is tired.

I really don't know if this made sense, but the ending worked for me because PJ is still loyal, but he gets respite before he is needed once more.

Finale Thoughts: Nirvana in Fire 2

RANT INCOMING :P SPOILERS AHEAD.

I loved this show. Is it Nirvana in Fire 1? It isn’t in my humble opinion. Is it a good show? Yes 100%, possibly even great in my books for Asian Drama.

I was with this show 150% throughout. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me appreciate good drama. And of course there are 1-2 missed scenes and plot holes but well, every show has them. Whaddaya do?

The last 5 minutes of the shoe however disappointed me hugely. Now I am not a Mandarin speaker, but I can glean enough to understand that yay Pingjing and Lin Xi had their happy and cute ending (ALSO FEIZHAN LIVED YAAAAS).

But it seemed so so so out of character for the Pingjing this show had built up. Pingjing liked and loved a carefree life, until he learnt to bear the responsibilities of his family name. After TS’ death, indeed, he was set free to live a happy life again, chilling at Langya Hall. A well deserved rest after the years of shit and politics.

Even when he had an inkling that something was wrong, Pingjing sent a letter to Minister Xun - because no matter what, there was an elder at court who was loyal to the Emperor. And was clever in his own way. Okay, understood he wanted to keep to his quiet abode.

Now, in the end everything has changed. General Yue and Feizhan are incredible tactical and martial minds, but Yuanshi is still a 14 year old who has NO ONE left but Pingjing who he can trust and who can work the courts to his advantage with his brilliant mind if he wants to. Many many ministers, signed up to be with Yuanqi as we saw in Episode 47-48. After Minister Xun has passed I am sure there is a giant power vaccumm left behind. Who will handle all of this?

Pingjing can stay back in the capital for at least a few years till Yuanshi is an adult? Support and help him rebuild the nation? Now remember in NIF1 once the Emperor became sick and Jingyan was regent ALL enemies took the chance to attack - even with a powerful martial Crown Prince at the centre. Though Bei Yan is gone and Da Yu was subdued by Pingjing, Donghai is still bristling and Southern Chu is also there. No matter the talent of the generals, Yuanshi has to hold fort down alone in the capital - while changing over to a new administration. It is not an easy task! Citizens will be affected.

I dont expect Pingjing to clean up the messes of others. But he can do so so so much more.

I understand Pingjing wants to be happy. Lin Xi is a smart woman and not one to hold herself or him back. They can be together a few years later, or Pingjing takes holidays to be with her and his family.

The directors and Hai Yan gave us two beautiful worlds crafted with the essence of deep military loyalty, sibling-hood, love for the nation and love. Jingyan and Lin Shu/Mei Changsu is one of the greatest love stories ever told in my opinion. No matter how much fix-it fic I write, it still remains a fact that MCS with his decaying body, willed to sacrifice it for the nation.Jingyan took upon the toughest mantle for the good of the citizens and risked treason for Prince Qi. Nihuang swallowed her bitterness at the Emperor to serve the people of Yunnan. The nation had failed all 3 of them yet they persevered.

TS, Pingzhang all dedicated themselves to the country - TS’ younger brother died worrying and loving him first before caring for his own kid. This sweetness exists between Yuanshi and Pingjing - the deep bond of love - but I dont know why PJ cannot stay with him and help him. There is no need to be a military commander, just stay and help Yuanshi get back on his feet.

Pingjing has worked very very very hard. He has shown us a journey from naivete to measured intelligence and strategic planning. If the storytellers wanted to give us a stock happy ending, they succeeded (although I very very much doubt if Hai Yan is into happy endings at all ahaha).

However I would have felt the realistic bittersweet ending, where Pinjing would have put his country and his duty to support his little brother, the same way his father and his brother and his grandfather Jingyan and granduncle/secret grandmum MCS had done. I still think he and Lin Xi could have had a happy life.

I dont want PJ to be another Lin Shu. But in my mind I cannot accept the whole badly-CGI’d running off into the sunset bit. This is Nirvana in Fire, I need to see more pain.

END RANT.

Please feel free to disagree with me. I would LOVE to hear the opinions of those reading.