Drama Digest
The drama tells the story of the rise and fall of Ge Nie Men. The show is set in 1916. It comprises a set of ruthless people. They do not value the lives of the people who cross them and only pity the inferior. Ge Nie Faction is a secret society that has taken the lives of many. It continues to do so without any remorse. The show starts with the assassination of Jin Yuntian, the leader of the Qing gang. He works under the leadership of Suoyao. Ji Yuntian is assassinated at the start of the story. The sudden disappearance of the seals causes chaos in the faction. Tied to Ji Yuntian’s death is police officer Zuo Nian. He is on an undercover mission. But he is also found dead. Gao Fei ropes in Zuo Nian’s twin brother to continue the undercover mission. Zuo Si is different from his dead brother. Zuo Nian and Zuo Si are the two opposite sides of a coin. Zuo Si earns his livelihood by tricking people with his magic tricks and dreams of living a simple life. Zuo Si wants to take revenge for his brother’s murder. It opens a new storyline. It is not as straightforward as one would imagine. Will Zuo Si fulfil Gao Fei’s wishes? Will he take revenge for his brother? Is Zuo Nian’s murder linked to Ji Yuntian’s assassination? Who killed them? Watch the drama to see how it unfolds.
The Feel-Good Part
The storyline is complicated yet keeps the audience engaged throughout the episodes. The setting adds to the at the atmosphere of thrill and suspense. It creates a sense of mystery. The characters are well-rounded. They undergo a lot of development throughout the drama. The script moves forward linearly and does not go off on tangents. The direction is commendable. The characters come from different backgrounds, yet their stories are intertwined somehow.
The Disappointing Part
There are too many characters and stories to follow. It becomes difficult to understand them and their motives. The episodes are long, with a lot of information. The show might become tedious to watch. It reduces the factor of enjoyment.
In-Depth Analysis
The overall story is a genuine representation of China in 1916. The country was in unrest. Secret societies emerged all over the country. The political system observed a vast change. The characters add to the uniqueness of the plot. There are a lot of problems to solve. The real murder is unknown. The Faction seals are missing. Everyone is after these seals. Innocent people are killed. There is no easy solution. The suspense is maintained throughout the episodes. The storyline is skilfully crafted with a lot of attention to facts. It presents scenes with a grain of salt and does not heavily distort the facts.
Star Power
The actors form the backbone of the story. The actresses are a breath of fresh air. They are more than damsels in distress. They can fight their own battles. The villain of the story captures the quality of his character well. Most of these actors play roles of morally grey characters.
Overall Opinion
The show is very exciting to watch. Viewers will root for Zuo Si. Theatre fans will love the plays performed in the story. It adds a hint of drama.
