Maiden Holmes (2020)

Romance that kills a drama.

I like the first 2 minutes into the series, when it shows how the lead female character Su Ci's observant character is displayed through animated scripts on every object she observes, based on which she deducts her conclusion as part of the investigation. It looks awesome and sophisticated. It would have been amazing if this feature continues in the entire movie, especially when she does her job observing and analyzing a crime scene.

The story still looks promising at the earlier parts of the drama, where a female detective cross-dresses as a male detective, investigates crime scenes and catches criminals. Unfortunately the good storyline rather drifts away after a while. The turning point, as usual, is when Su Ci met Prince Qi, the the lead male character, and start to fall for each other. Romance is okay, but for a supposedly a crime-fighting movie, the romance between Su Ci, who is a smart female detective, and Prince Qi, a war hero, is too dominating and physical. The holding hands, kissing, staring and glazing, etc., is kind of too much, and to some extent, disturbing. The romance is so lame that it kills their characters as a detective who fight crimes, and a war hero prince who had shed a lot of blood during the war time. On the other hand, the relationship between Bei Ming and Ru Shuang, though, is notably more natural, seamless, and somewhat believable. In fact, Ru Shuang is my favorite character.

I was a bit excited with hope, when Prince Qi, who has an eyesight problem, showed a great and fierce martial arts skill and managed to beat up a bunch of soldiers who wanted to captivate him. I thought his eyesight problem and this martial art skills were going to be explored and to take a big part of the storyline. Unfortunately that was not the case.

Nonetheless, taking the romance out, the overarching storyline is good - with several twists here and there, added by a bit of complexity at the end. For this reason I watched till the end.

If you are into cinematography and seek for a drama with creative camera angles and lighting effects, etc., this may not be the one for you. If you are into wuxia movies, this is also not for you. But if you just want to sit, relax and enjoy an overwhelming romance, this could be for you :)

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Damsel in distress number 856374552391297467325523615646

I came here after watching "Imperial coroner", my personal favorite c-drama so far. It was suggest in these reviews and comments all around MDL and you tube how this drama has strong, smart and capable female lead. And that 4 people are working as a team, just as in "Imperial coroner". So, my conclusion was that FL is the center of this drama and she is the one pulling strings.

But NO!
FL is far from strong and far from capable. ML (who is kind and best bf/husband material in the world) is the one who always solve cases and he is the strong one. FL is only capable for 2 things: 1) to get angry on ML for no reason and 2) to constantly get saved, over and over, by ML. She just can't do anything right an she can't save herself when she is in trouble. She is a paradigm for what we call "damsel in distress". There is minimum one saving per episode! Annoying and boring because we have seen it so many times. Hated this with all my heart.

To top it all, actress can't really act. She has like 2 expression for the whole drama: 1) blank and 2) I stepped on something smelly. And her cross dressing is soooo unbelievable.
ZLH did decent job considering this was his first acting job. Hope he will take acting lessons and improve, because (I have to admit), I like him a lot.

Cases they solve are "OK", but not up to Holmes name.

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Decent story, EXCELLENT ROMANCE, but could've been executed better

Don't get me wrong, this was one of the best costume dramas I'd seen since TROTR. The chemistry was off the charts, the kissing scenes were so natural, and the plot was really nice.

I felt like something was missing though, which is why it didn't get a 10/10. It felt like a drama stuck between trying to be dark and mysterious but was failing at it.

Besides that, I loved the plot. Not a trope or misunderstanding in sight, and it was well rounded overall. The ML and FL were dedicated to each other, and none of the typical attempted break-ups happened. I really liked it for that.

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I don’t usually watch historical dramas probably because I grew up having to endure hours and hours of watching these dramas with my grandma and parents... barely understanding anything (no subtitles) and just watching tragedy after tragedy unfold (murders, betrayals, kings with too many wives, heartbreaking forced marriages, family power trips, evil queens, poisoning, bloody battles, etc). Can Chinese dramas be anymore tragic?!

I saw a clip for this drama because I liked the FL and thought I’d give it a shot to see if there was such a thing as a sweet historical romantic comedy. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! There wasn’t much to the plot and there were some cliches, but I liked how things were resolved fairly quickly. It was a light and easy watch... exactly what I was looking for. The FL and ML’s chemistry was so sweet and believable ... I wondered too at times (like I’m sure many did), if they actually liked each other in real life! The friendship amongst the 5 friends was also fun to watch and I loved how they all stayed loyal to one another to the very end.

I’m definitely more open to watching more historical dramas after this one, although I still don’t know if I can handle the more traditional tragic ones where it takes them 30 years to reunite and only after 50 episodes ( if one of them doesn’t die first!) ?

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At first I quite like this drama. So long not see the ML that flirting with our FL in historical drama. But due to one illogical plot I have to reduce the score.

What I like:
+ FL smart, brave, adorable sometimes. Well what not too like about this FL... Haha...
+ ML handsome, smart, not so cold & kinda flirty with our FL... Haha...
+ The chemistry between our lead couple. Even though it's not the best chemistry, but I can feel their feeling for each other.
+ How Pei Zhao / Prince Qi (PQ) respect Su Ci (SC) opinion & her job. PQ never use his position as a prince to make things easier for SC at her job. Even when she compete for her promotion, PQ only teach her & do his best to assist her in her lesson.
+ Adorable second couple. The stupid Xie Bei Ming & smart Dong Ru Shuang at the first look not so match, but in the end their the perfect fit for each other.
+ The unusual brotherhood of Prince Qi & Emperor. Usually brother of empire like to stab each other, but here see how trust emperor with his brother is really comforting.
+ The good choice that Xie Bei Ming (BM) pick. We can see the struggle BM when he has to choose between the right thing to do and his adopted father. Even though still he kinda stupid to try avoid everyone in the process....

The minus:
- Once more all the case kinda force to be there. To make this drama still about investigation upon all the story.

Ok the illogical plot that I meant. Don't read if you don't want to get spoiler
Maybe it's only me but I really feel this kinda strange. The incident where SC try to stab PQ. She said it's because she recognize his voice as the mastermind behind the massacre of her family, but hello... Aren't you supposed already know PQ voice from the beginning.... How can you just identify him as the murderer now.... For me it's doesn't make sense, because for me his voice is no different from the beginning. And that whole 'incident' or story just for they can make the thing happen later kinda make sense or feel more tense....

Overall this quite good story for you to watch.

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This ended up being an amazing during love month.
The romance arc is great. Cute and fun.
I loved just about everything about it. I'm not even going to pretend that my favorite element wasn't Pei Zhao, cause it was! I loved his self-deprecating, way of looking at the world, very down to earth and resourceful.Pei Zhao is an awesome hero, and Su Ci is an equally awesome heroine. She is gutsy, intelligent, and sweet. She never gave me the urge to ignore her and focus on the hero because I didn't like her.
My one complaint was detective aspect. Riddles and mystery. No, no and no. They were not fully developed and were boring.
That being said, I was invested in what happened between Pei Zhao and Su Ci.
I'm glad I watched this series.

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This was such a great series, one of the best Cdramas I've seen so far. The characters were great, the relationships touching, the cases they solved always interesting and the main arc so well-plotted!

What I adored was that both Su Ci and Prince Qi were smart! They were intelligent and cunning and resourceful and lovely, kind people. But mainly, they were Smart(TM)! Both of them! And it was perfectly portrayed in how they both solved the final case, the main arc case, though they approached it from different sides: Su Ci by following clues, Prince Qi by trusting and working with people, winning them over.

Another thing that I loved was that Prince Qi suffered from PTSD caused by that one disastrous battle where he lost all the men under his command for which he never forgave himself even though it was not his fault but the work of a traitor.

Another thing that I loved #2 was how how much everyone loved Prince Qi: his brother (the Emperor himself), the Empress Dowager (even though Prince Qi was the son of her husband's concubine), all the prince's men (every single one of them would've died for him)... Because he was honest to gosh good people and everyone knew it.

I also loved how the relationship between Su Ci and Prince Qi developed, that he always supported her and ever since he found out that she was a woman, he did all that was in his power to change the laws so that she could officially work as an official. That was simply amazing.

Oh, and the ending was perfect. I loved it when found families stick together!

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One of the best cdramas I've watched

This drama involves 5 young people working together to solve crimes and uncover conspiracies. they seem to specialise in crimes which people think are committed by ghosts or angry gods, but are actually done by real people. The group is made out of Su Ci, a girl who cross dresses as a man to work at the investigation bureau and who is especially talented at noticing small minute details and logical thinking which are often is the key to the case. she is also the remaining survivor of her tribe that was accused of treason, and her goal is to prove the innocence of her people. Pei Zhao is a prince who is set on proving that there were traitors who sold out their army during war, and he has especially good sense of smell and hearing due to eye problems. Xie Bei Ming is a skilled fighter but not very smart, but he is loyal and has a good heart. Ru Shuang is a brilliant doctor and master of poison and she is often key in developing poison antidotes and saving lives. Fei Yue is Pei Zhao's servant and he is a good cook and very loyal to his master. The group solves a series of crimes together, ultimately all pointing to one mastermind, who is revealed early on in the series and is always trying to foil the group's plans. All the crimes end up being part of a big plan by the main villain, including both cases involving the leads.

I especially liked the fact that there were no misunderstandings or drawn out conflicts within the group itself. the main couple each hid things from each other at the start but when they came to light the couple was able to work out their issues and distrust and eventually emerged stronger. the group dynamics were funny at times but I could also see the genuine trust and love they all had for each other and how they supported each other through their lowest times.

The plot of this show is not too confusing or convoluted, but not so simple that the cases are too easily or simplistic, I found it to be a good balance between being an easy watch while keeping me entertained and waiting for the 'reveal'. there is minimal angst throughout the show and enough comedic moments to balance out all the dying and plotting that is going on. the chemistry between the couples is realistic and believable and their growth was very satisfying to watch. Highly recommend this show if you're looking for something easy to watch but not stupid or over the top. Bonus plus point that both females are equally talented and bring their own unique strengths to the group and are important members as without both of them, the cases would not be able to be solved. The cross dressing trope was well used and I thought the FL was one of the more convincing cross dressing actresses I've seen.

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Main couple with double identities

This started of as not that fun to watch for me. I watched ot for Zhanglinghe and this was almost unbearable to watch at first. Maybe because I've watched far better shows in terms of quality that is why I notice all the small flaws and nitpick on them. But after ep 1 I was intrigued. The flow is kinda boring but the investigating scenes are quite interesting especially the fl because she's so smart and I really like that about her. Both main leads have double identities and I really like the gender bender or cross dressing as a boy element in this drama. The romance are a bit lacking to me because they usually focus on investigating crimes and etc but the few romantic scenes are so satisfying. I love how Zhanglinghe, as this is his debut role, delivered the role of Prince Qi perfectly. Although for me, his physique does not match the role as a heroic prince who won many battles, his acting skills we're not lacking at all. I love how genuine and kind he is as a lover but also very intense when it comes to showing his love. I like the part at first he was seen as the womanizing ml but turned out to be smart and cunning prince. Also worth mentioning are the sidecasts. I really love the 2nd couple, they are really fun to watch and had made this show less boring. I love how the drama ended with the team having a happy ending and off to a new adventure together. Overall, the first few moments of this drama is quite boring, the middle part is quite interesting and fun to watch and after that it became a little bit boring again to me.

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Highly recommend

This drama has exceeded my expectations in many ways.
1. The storyline was well written, nothing was rushed or overly extended. Which i find is a rare gem when watching cdramas. It focuses on the goals that the couple is trying to reach all while they develop their relationship.
2. You can see a clear development of their relationship and how there were always helping each other on the sidelines. Also, be warned your expectations for a S.O will be so high after this drama.
3. You see how beautiful friendship can be.
4. The chemistry of the lead couple really took me away (especially how passionate their kisses were!) Which surprised me when i found out that it is the ML first drama

Overall i highly recommend this drama and it will be one that i will go back too if i don't get too carried away by all the other dramas out there.

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If only more dramas were like this

I never write reviews. Partly due to laziness and partly because there will be plenty who are better at writing reviews. However I am writing a review now because I was so impressed with this drama. First drama where I didn’t skip scenes or cringe at silly antics by the characters particularly female characters. It was overall a well written and well executed drama. Great mixture of romance, mystery, action and humour. It was pure enjoyment with minimal frustrations or disbelief at ridiculous actions or plot (except for one scene out of 32 episodes).
What I loved about this drama:
* Great chemistry between the OTP. Beautiful couple who compliment each other. Except for the one scene where the FL thought the ML was responsible for the massacre of her clan which was quickly resolved anyway there was no unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. They trust, respect and support each other from beginning to end.
*Kissing scenes between OTP ... omg hot! None of those motionless eyes open kisses that are so common in c dramas. I liked how the FL also initiated many of their kisses.
*Not only is the FL strong, intelligent and independent but all the female characters are strong in this drama. No silly, bratty, airhead females with whiny voices (my pet peeve). Even the foreign Princess showed her strength of character when she confessed her feelings to the guard but didn’t expect anything in return.
*Handsome ML (pure eye candy) who isn’t your typical stoic, stern hero. He is calm , easy going and cheeky which compliments the FL more reserved personality. He gives FL the space she needs, trust in her ability and judgment even though she is a female. The actor although new did a great job portraying this character.
*No love rivals! So refreshing. Just wholesome healthy relationships.
*The strong bond and trust between the 5 friends and the royal brothers.
*It didn’t take long for the ML to realise FL was a female. Which meant there was sufficient time for the romance and relationship to develop.
*The villainous uncle although evil was also comical at times (talking to the parrot, his facial expressions like rolling his eyes) which was fun to watch.
*Great pace. Plot moved along nicely with no drawn out misunderstandings or angst. Mysteries weren’t that difficult to solve but still entertaining and each mystery was solved within a couple of episodes.
*The ending. Everything is resolved. The bad guys are killed, the good guys get their happy ending. No one had to die unnecessarily. Script writers take note... this is how you write an ending.

This is a light hearted drama that has a tight plot with interesting characters and relationships that remain consistent throughout the drama. It goes to show you don’t need the typical annoying tropes to create an entertaining drama.

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