the stage is set

This drama, I can already tell, will be chock full of all the plot devices that critics pan but I sometimes crave. Beware spoilers.

Ru Yi is presented as a dutiful daughter to a poor farmer. Her best friend (Si Ruo) is the niece(?) to the wealthy Tan (Black Tea Family--they are spoken of the way one might refer to the mob so they have a lot of authority) however Lady Tan heavily disapproves of their friendship. Si Ruo is presented as your stereotypical hormonal teen: her only concern is Mang Kai, her fiancee, and heir to the Tan Family. He's been studying overseas but is on his way home.

Lady Tan's husband is ill, at death's door and coughing up blood, and deeply hates his wife. He holds her responsible for the death of his concubine and son, the latter whom he feels obliged to reveal is alive. She looks nervous but refuses to believe this.

Elsewhere, a man is seen having his last meal and is then shot by firing squad. He seems to be something of a bitter, cynical, and a touch cruel (he smiles slightly right before he is killed, as if to say eff you). He does not die--this is all meant to seem like he dies (and he did not know this--he is surprised to awaken alive). He learns his father was forced to take his own life, and that the Tan family is responsible. He wants revenge.

Meanwhile, Ru Yi and her father visit the ailing Lord Tan but are refused, by the Lady of the house, and even given three silver coins (a year's wages for this poor farmer). Ru Yi shows she is perceptive and intuitive when she tells her father that there seems to be a darkness, or dark intent, in Lady Tan (I have a feeling that Lady Tan will more than live up to this, she has nightmares of a woman burning alive, a woman who is probably the dead concubine I mentioned earlier).

Si Ruo's brother is referred to as the 'town's devil' by his sister but his wife seems to give the vibe of someone not exactly happy with her marriage--like she is putting on an act of happiness. A man later helps Ru Yi from some extremely campy gangsters, and he looks like a stereotypical badboy you might see in a comic, the kind of 'too cool for school' guy'. She is unimpressed, of course, which I imagine will pique his interest later.

The episode ends with Mang Kai arriving and immediately noticing the man sent to pick him up is an imposter--still, he is forced into a car and it seems like the man who wants revenge is behind this.

I Like: The promise of revenge, secrets, murder and betrayal all within a powerful, wealthy family and the clearly innocent, poor girl who is going to (likely) marry into it if the summary is correct. I gave it a 6 for its cheesy *but expected) campyness. I recognize Lady Tan and Ru Yi from other shows and they both impressed me so I hope this is entertaining. I typically don't watch anything after the year 1800 so this should be interesting. I do NOT expect this to blow my mind. I know what I am signing on for.

I Hope: That Si Ruo does not turn into a bitter, hate filled woman because her man is stolen, but that will probably happen and I also hope that Ru Yi is not mind blowing dumb but she seems to be perceptive and intuitive, which is a plus.

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