Nirvana in Fire (2015)

Story - Strong plot with several amazing aspects, build up is a good kind of heavy but you must be patient, the story will drag and take forever but if you're patient enough it'll get you through. Like every drama you will be bound to some disappointment and poor story development in some areas. Very little hints of comedy and romance but they give you enough to show different sides to the characters. Relational build up I feel wasn't too great, this drama was more focused on the goal than the relational development. There is a lot of soul and passion that makes the story great and intense but at some points it will drag because of the redundant political schemes.

Cast: - You will love the main character, I mean who doesn't love Hu Ge? I wanted to see more sides to him in this drama. It would have been cool to see different mini versions of the drama with the same plot but just Hu Ge with different characters. Knowing the past of the main character, how would the story developed if he was still aggressive and cunning? Or silly and clumsy? It would have been way cool to see Hu Ge fight in this drama. At first, I didn't get a good glance at the princes and I found that I didn't like her until I had a clearer look at her. She's beautiful! Wished they had more romance. Overall, the acting cast is great, they chose a good set of experienced actors and actresses. You can tell that it's not your typical mediocre cast. The main characters bodyguard was young and could tell he was a newbie but he has more fighting scenes than he does acting/talking scenes.

Music - I didn't pay attention to the music, I just like the opening song which was just music, very enjoyable. Other songs or soundtrack didn't stand out too strong for me.

Rewatch Value - I wouldn't watch this again because most of it is just political scheming. There are probably one or two scenes I'd go back to rewatch, that's it.

Overall - I rated this 7.5 which is a fairly high score for me. There were some things I was really looking forward too but I was left disappointed but it didn't make me hate it. Most reviews for this drama put a 10 and seemed to be absolutely in love with it, I wasn't. But it wasn't terrible.

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I was hesitant to watch this series but decided to give it a chance based on the reviews that I read. Most people have given it high reviews, I thought surely it would be amazing. I guess I am continuously the oddball when it comes to rating the series but anyway I will give My honest review.

Plot: The series revolves around a man who was betrayed along with his father, family and fellow soldiers by ambitious men both equal and superior in status. Our lead suffered greatly and as a result he was away for a very long time. The series starts off by showing his reentry into the world that wants betrayed him and his effort to seek revenge and clear his family‘s name.
It should be noted the series is predominately about revenge and revealing the wrong that has been done. There is a significant amount of brotherhood and loyalty shown within the series which made it more pleasant.
You will see the normal power-hungry royals and those people who will stop at nothing to please them and maintain their sense of value.

Message: Although it was revenge driven, I do believe that there was a significant message within the series one in which I believe that we can all relate to it in terms of admitting mistakes.

What I liked about the series was that it it had action as well as an intense amount of intellectual plotting. The young male guard was fun to watch.

Well I just like about this series with that it was extremely slow. The people tops slow. They walk slow. They argue slow and they plotted slowly. Everything just seemed so slow. I also feel that it was dragged on way too long. Although there are many significant moments that happened near me and it just felt draggy. Once the major event happened/big reveal happened the show kept going. That being said the last two episodes really added no value to the series. Nothing changed it was really anti-climatic and the ending was just blah.

I actually feel weird saying this but I really did not like our male lead. He did so many things and used people to obtain his goal but he is suppose to be good. He seriously used and betrayed someone who thought that he was a good friend.

On another note, I felt there were loop wholes. How he got to where he was. He just was.

Action: Some
Plotting: endless
Politics: yes
Romance: none present
Good acting: yes
Brotherhood: yes
Betrayal: YES
Karma: slow but yes
Suspense: sort of but not really.
Rewatch for me: nope, too long and slow.

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A Kingmaker Narrative that Tears Your Heart Apart

(2021-4-16) Hmm... SO far it's ABSOLUTELY superb! The women are all TRULY strong, Mei Changsu's character weak but determined, and the way the plot unravels is simply superior to any other drama of 'kingmaker' and 'revenge' I've ever seen. Only on episode 6, I'll be back with a more detailed review.

I'm back, and in pain. I will be honest, I knew that this drama was going to pull at me. Unlike some other viewers, I am not a crier. Rather than sad, I get very angry, irritable, and uncomfortable while I watch a series. Whether the story is bad or the plot just enrages me, I usually am not able to feel true, unadulterated sadness.

But this show got me.

I'll be honest, I did not shed many tears. Instead, I had to gasp for air whenever my throat burned or my chest tightened. Fei Lu's adorable personality paired with his tiger-like martial arts, Mei Changsu's friendships with Tong Liu, Commander Meng etc., the character growth and tragedy befalling Jingrui, the upstanding righteousness that is Marquis Yan, and the star-crossed love between Nihuang. Prince Jing. and Mei Changsu, all made me emotionally invested and torn. The women in this show are the best I've seen. TRULY strong. Contemplative, elegant, and poised. And even when they weren't, their performances as victims in a corrupt empire and patriarchal world made their actions all the more believable. The stereotypically 'masculine' and tomboyish women such as Princess Nihuang and Dong are not overdone. They are militaristic but still can carry themselves with an air of femininity. And CONSORT JING OH MY GOSH. SHE RAN THIS DRAMA, CONSORT JING SUPREMACY!!!

Ai, do not get me started on the steady rise of Prince Jing!
Psalm 118:22 "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."

Robbed of his brother-in-arms and the leaders he respected to corruption and chaos, it is only his steadfastness and longing for justice (much like Marquis Yan) that stops him from going insane. I'm also glad the series went the route of making this his only flaw before the Emperor. Prince Jing was a character thoroughly well done. While he's the stereotypical straight arrow, he is portrayed as a correctly flawed human. He constantly is suspicious of Su Zhe's morality, is rash and impulsive in his quest for righteousness, and is obsessed with the Chiyan case to the point of self-destruction. This drove him and Mei Changsu apart vehemently when it came to saving one of the last Chiyan Army survivors. It was to the point I wanted to fling my laptop. You can be frustrated with him, you can berate him, but you can UNDERSTAND him. It's not the "good-just-to-be-good-can-do-no-wrong bullshit." On the topic of Prince Jing...

One of the cons I have with the series is this: The secret of Mei Changsu's identity being kept from Prince Jing.
I'll be honest. The reveal was anticlimactic, and upsetting.

There were many better moments throughout the show where it could be revealed to Prince Jing.
WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS. THE ABOVE REVIEW IS ENOUGH. FIRST-TIME VIEWERS, STOP HERE!

1.) When Fei Lu said Su Zhe refers to Prince Jing as 'water buffaloo' 2.) When Su Zhe's manners and phrases slipped, becoming more Lin Shu-like (WHICH WAS SO ADORABLE WHENEVER THEY'D MEET THROUGH THE TUNNEL AH) 3.) When Consort Jing flipped out about Su Zhe's health in front of Prince Jing...then ordered him to leave...{This actually may have been the best moment. If he stayed outside the tent and heard her cry while holding Mei Changsu..oh man...} and 4.)The moment where Su Zhe was horribly sick and rambled in the night, (and Prince Jing stayed the night with him... eheheehhehe) Sorry. In any case, the scene where Prince Jing left the Emperor's interrogation and realized while walking and piecing everything together was...boring. It was sad of course, And many heaved an exclamation of "Finally!" It was not a cathartic release. And then after the reveal... their playful banter was far and in between! WHERE'S THE TEARS AND HUGGING AND ANGST?! I FEEL RAGE! The final showdown with that hard-hearted Emperor- The climax- it was so too good for words. The pain held in for years was unleashed in a court-led demand for justice. Watching the Emperor fall to the ground in guilt and horror after being force-fed his sins was bittersweet. All in all...the series was amazing. I don't know how I held out for so long :')

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Reviewed in increments~ Intense, straightforward storyline! 5 Stars!

Ep 19 ~ so glad I finally found a complete eng sub version of this drama series! The cast is amazing! Storyline intriguing,… intense, with very few draggy scenes up to this, almost halfway point! Love it so much!
Ep 50 ~ omg! The performances of the entire cast is fantastic! This has been one of the best drama series I’ve seen in a very long time! I will miss this storyline and the characters very much!
Completed! Enjoyed this series so much, I’ve binged-watched late into the night! I can’t stop gushing accolades for this drama series! ML ~ played by HU GE is phenomenally sublime!
Would definitely recommend,.. AND would definitely rewatch!

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A great story. Intelligent and engaging. Just be patient at the start

Dramas that are as long as this one, tend to take a while to really get going. And even then you may not be fully invested in the characters for a while longer than that. For me, Nirvana in Fire was no exception to this rule. BUT it was well worth the wait. By the end, I cared way too much about all of the main characters but especially the ML who seriously deserved for the truth to be known. What a journey for them all but particularly for him. I wouldn't say that he was ever after revenge and he wasn't as cold or heartless as I was expecting him to be. He just wanted what was wrong to be set right. And how can you not want that for him when the wrongs were so great and the struggle was so hard. Of course, he doesn't get everything that he (and we) wanted but it was fascinating to watch him as he got closer and closer.

So, it was all quite epic really. And it's very smart. There are a few reversals in the fortunes of important characters that are brilliantly manipulated by MCS. There are moments of so much tension and then pure joy. Really fun to watch.
I was expecting it to be confusing at the start so I sought out a cheat sheet for names and relationships and that was helpful. I also expected it to be funnier from what I read in advance. And it wasn't despite a lot of smile moments. It didn't matter though. This was a brilliant drama in terms of premise, writing, the intricate story arcs, the subtle and realistic characters, their significant development, the firm direction, impressive costuming ... and especially the acting. There are some very impressive performances throughout this drama but especially at the end.

Anyway, I loved it, didn't want it to end and would recommend it to anyone who's willing to pay attention and wait for it until it grabs you ... which it surely will. It's so refreshing to find dramas that are this good.

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An excellent TV show that I never wanted to skip or end . . .

Almost 4 years later, this drama is still the gold standard and has aged extremely well. Each plot piece fits perfectly, heroes and villains all have interesting, nuanced stories. The music adds great atmosphere, though I wish it was a bit more varied (they heavily rely on some 2 excellent songs/musical theme) . Scenes from the show linger in your memory far after the show is over, and I did rewatch certain scenes - though not the whole show.

I have other criteria I score by:

Complex Themes - 10
(The series does not jump from random plot element to plot element, but actually builds on concepts regarding narcissism, good leadership, sacrifices for the greater good, etc.)
Character Growth - 10
(Characters are not just playing the same 5 facial expressions. They face tragedies and setbacks, and they actually change as a result; even the 'evil' or 'bad' characters have moments of weakness and sympathy.)
Nuanced Women - 6
(The female characters are nuanced, but in the end they have much less screen time than the men. Also, felt like their storylines were somewhat cut or dropped by the end).
Cinematography/Production Values - 7
(Did not distract from the drama, but also did not add to it. Seemed mostly filmed on 3 or 4 standard sets, costumes/design were competent but not particularly interesting, action scenes were a bit poorly choreographed and limited).

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Smart people everywhere, yay!

OVERALL
This drama has got to be one of the deepest, most aesthetically pleasing historicals. Watch it if 1) you are looking for smart, complex characters (good and evil), 2) you like revenge plots 3) you don't mind the odd fantasy element. Reconsider if 1) you care too much about the age and looks of the cast, 2) you're looking for romance, 3) conversation-heavy dramas bore you. I would still give it a try though, but it's up to you!

THE STORY
I'm writing this review after watching this drama for the 3rd time, actually. I watched it once four years ago, and then again right away with my parents, but watching it once more years later is like watching it for the first time. I had this drama on a pedestal for the longest time, and while I still think it's an absolutely amazing drama, I can now tell some of its flaws too.

The Good: The best thing about NIF are the characters. They're all SO well-written, not always with a crazy amount of depth but always with consistency and SMARTNESS - which is great, especially for the villains, who are often reduced to dumb, unrealistic caricatures in dramas. Also, one thing that many, including myself, deplore about NIF is how it is extremely male-centric, but the drama kind of (just kind of) makes up for it with a whole bunch of smart, badass female characters. The plot comes in as a close second in my list of best things about NIF. The drama is one big chess game and there isn't one move out of line. Everything has a purpose for the story, every character as well, and it's so cool to see things come together. Lastly, I have to say NIF has down periods that can be a bit slow-paced, but it has just as many segments that are super sensational, making you feel excited or getting you to cry buckets. So while it's not the best binge material, it definitely sends you on a rollercoaster ride. Oh, and I have to mention the visuals in this drama, because the sets, costumes and shots are so beautiful. There's definitely a lot of high quality in NIF.

The Bad: On the negative side, we have a very poorly managed love story in this drama. Romance is not the center of NIF and it makes sense that it recedes to the background, but the drama goes beyond that. What we see is a main lead CONSTANTLY dismissing the girl he is supposed to like. He lies to her again and again, never consults her before he does anything (even something that will impact her as well as him), never includes her in his plans (but he includes every other person that may not even be able to protect themselves as well as her), almost never is shown feeling/thinking/longing for her (he seems to care more about every other character than her), etc. Overall, I ended this drama feeling like female lead liked him a lot more than he liked her and that he did not deserve her. On a similar note, I didn't appreciate how women were so overlooked in this drama. Sure, it has boss female characters who, while they don't do much, manage to steal your heart when they do appear. But why can't they play a bigger role in the plot? Some might say 'oh, but at the time...', but it's not really a valid argument. While some women couldn't move freely about, many could and the drama does show that. And in any case, it's not like they couldn't make them bend the rules through secret passages and such. So not including women in the plot seems like a deliberate, male-centric move. A final thing I didn't particularly like in this drama is the incorporation of fantasy elements. They're not enough to ruin the whole experience, but they could also have been removed/replaced by realistic elements and it wouldn't have made the drama worse (quite the opposite).

THE ACTING
Pretty solid by everyone. This is why the cast's age should never be a factor to decide whether to watch a drama or not. NIF has an older cast but their experience makes their perform top notch. The roles that most caught my attention in this drama were the Emperor (absolutely the best, I would say) and the villains, but they all play very well. Several scenes are just goosebumps-worthy!

THE MUSIC
Absolutely amazing. Nothing I'd listen to now that the drama is over, but compared to other dramas in which the same happens, the music REALLY stood out for me. It's like in a film, carefully selected and placed to boost the scenes but not overwhelm you or distract you from what's going on. And it's just SO beautiful!

REWATCH VALUE
Well, I watched it three times already, enough said! But I must say, I did do some fast-forwarding this time...

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An excellent production in every measure: the plot, acting, good looking cast, cinematography, music, costume. I had watched some of the mega newer Chinese dramas like Ten mile peach blossom, Fu Yao and Ashes of love. When I initially saw that the rating of this drama was higher than the former three, I could not believe it. The former three are already so good, how is it possible to beat that. Now that i have completed watching it, i am very impressed. Every episode keeps you captivated and is of very high standard with no slackening throughout the series. There are only two elements I don't like about this drama. The sad ending is depressing. It made me cry and i am not one who cries easily . The explanation of the hero's illness and the difference with his deputy's situation is somewhat ridiculous. For these, I rated the story 8.5, otherwise it would be 10. While i would re-watch Ten mile and Fu Yao, i probably won't rewatch this as the ending is too much of an emotional roller coaster for me. But i have to say this again, it is an impressive production.

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