Drama Digest
The show is set in Shanghai in the 1930s. It is about Ding Yiquing, a wealthy businessman’s daughter who came to Shanghai from Ningbo to find her missing brother, and meets Communist underground workers in the meantime. She leads the path to revolution with her inherited business skills. From experiencing the War of Resistance in Japan (1938) to the Pacific War (1948), this group has faced obstacles one after the other. It is the story of hope and their resilience.
The Feel-Good Part
For a show, where revolution takes center stage, it is quite concise with its duration. Usually, dramas like these prolong the story to the point, where it becomes unbearable and boring; Great Miss D is a breath of fresh air in that aspect, and hence compelling. The action scenes are quite gripping which adds to the thrilling aspect of the show. The set pieces and costume design are quite believable, which helps provide an immersive viewing experience. The cinematography is another robust aspect of the drama as it really gives the audience a flavor of that period. The episodes span over 4 years going back and forth, which adds an interesting layer of different events that take place and keeps the plot moving forward with a good pace.
The Disappointing Factor
There is very little chemistry between most of the romances that take place throughout the show, which often feels like a waste of time as the plot is loaded and heavy, all the romance scenes come at the cost of thrilling action sequences that would’ve been a lot more interesting to watch. The villains of the show are completely uninteresting and unconvincing, which makes the conflict of the show feel pointless and often dull. This also alienates the audience from the struggles of the characters and their struggles, which causes detachment, and hence negatively impacts the audience’s emotional investment through the episodes. The conclusion of the show feels insufficient and implausible as it promises no prosperity for future generations as Miss D passes the baton to the main protagonist. This makes the emotional aspects of the show fall flat and may leave the audience with a sense of dissatisfaction.
In-Depth Analysis
The drama is visually appealing, which really helps deliver the period it was set in, and helps the audience engage with the plot better. The drama is definitely well-made; the writing is where the shortcomings of the show make an appearance. The length of the show is the novelty factor of the show as dramas about the revolution tend to be longer, hence the treatment of the show is new and provides fans of the genre with something new.
Star Power
The actors have performed well in their respective roles; however, the problem arises when they are put together. There is a lack of consistency among the performances which led to the lacking chemistry in the romances.
Overall Opinion
The Drama is good for a one time watch and manages to keep the audience interested for the most part. It is executed well enough to make for an entertaining viewing experience.
