This long drama was really divided into 2 seasons--60 and 32 episodes, respectively. During a tumultuous time in the Tang Dynasty (although it seems Chinese history has always been tumultuous), palace/court power struggles, usurpation, filicides, fratricides, and self preservation and survival all took center stage. Wrapped around all of that was the love story between Prince Li Chu, who later ascends to the throne as Emperor Daizong, and his beloved concubine, Consort Shen, and voila! you have a thrilling and intriguing drama carried upon the shoulders of a talented large ensemble cast.
I love Ren Jialun, so whatever role he's in would seem perfect to me. However, I was less impressed with Jing Tian as his love interest, and her character Shen Zhen Zhu. Her character was supposed to be very intelligent, yet, time and time again, she seemed to be outsmarted by her own cleverness and created so much angst and frustration for the people around her, including me the viewer. There were times I'd be screaming at the screen for her to speak up, or don't do it! She also looked much more mature/older than Ren Jialun so I couldn't buy into any chemistry between them. And this is purely my conjecture, but her disproportionately large eyes and deep heavy double eyelids just didn't look natural as if due to plastic-surgery-gone-wrong which bothered me to no end during her closeups.
As a side arc and probably for upping entertainment value, the fictional love story between Li Chu's brother Li Tan and Shen Zhen Zhu's BFF, was at once beautiful and heart wrenching. The actors who portrayed them were superb. Be forewarned--have tissues ready!
Some humor was speckled here and there to lighten up the somber overtone of this drama given its place in history. It also attempted to provide an explanation for the inexplicable disappearance of Consort Shen in history books. Needless to say, at 90+ episodes, there were too many drawn out scenes that could have been curbed. Still, highly recommended for the history buff and those who appreciate beautiful costumes and sets.
