I'm sorry! It has been FIXED! Now it is white on dark gray, rather than, um black on black! *Is an idiot*. Thanks for pointing it out!

Watching Chinese history drama series/movies is often an exercise in masochism. I know that it will end bad - it is about the Imperial Family, very rarely will it end happy. Someone will go mad, many will die (especially those who does not deserve to die), and at the end of the day nothing much has changed, except more innocence has been lost. Also - Zhan Yi Mo is directing, this just equal more pain. I want to watch this, but only when I'm in the mood. Have not seen 'Pan's Labyrinth', really WANT to see it. Just have to get the time for it.

It is so pretty. The costumes and the set designs are just amazing.

Is OK. I'm just glad someone pointed out to me. I had no idea it was black on black, and I could kick myself because I'm one of those people who -always- whines about how webpages should have easy to read texts, and what do I do? Makes it really difficult to write and read.

You poor girl! I have been watching Ancient Chinese Imperial Family dramas as far back as I can remember. More often than not it starts with an idealistic young Heir to the Throne who by the end of the series has turned into this horribly tragic, ruthless and lonely figure. And the people that get caught in the cross fire always gets the short end of the stick. One of the troupes is the fox-like cunning of Emperors (the good ones) - that they are always three steps ahead of everyone; their wives, theirs sons and their followers. Attempting a coup is usually the Emperor's way of letting you hang yourself. Then there are deaths - wives jumping off walls, smashing their heads against stone pillars, executions - being torn apart into five pieces, having one's limbs broken and then being kept alive in a terracotta jar. Sons committing suicide, dying in battle, being betrayed - it is fascinating to watch.

I still remember this old series about the oldest son of the Emperor, how he was NOT the favoured son to inherit the throne, and that his younger brother was the favoured one. When his brother was out leading an army in war the old Emperor died. The uncle (who always favoured the elder son) was the only person with the Emperor when he died, and announced in front of the court that the Emperor's will was to let his eldest son take his throne. Despite the fact that many thought the uncle was lying through his teeth they couldn't outright accuse him of lying. Besides, to go against the Emperor's words, even in death, was basically sentencing yourself to death. So they set up the coronation ceremony only to have it be gate-crashed by the younger son who is angry and feeling very betrayed by his older brother. Before an outright civil war could begin, the Empress, who kept quiet through the whole affair, walked up to the official holding the Emperor's will (it is like a scroll) walked across all the stunned courtiers and royal family members and dumped the scroll in one of those burning dish torches. People's reaction was hilarious, because the only person who can get away with an act like that was the Imperial Empress, Mother of the Emperor. No matter who becomes the new Emperor, both sons were hers. She was untouchable, and she pretty much single handedly stopped a civil war. She loved her younger son more but she also knew to have the truth of the scroll revealed would have ended in much more blood and death.

Of course she eventually commits suicide (or possibly murdered), and the younger son, in his grieve blames the elder son, attempts a coup and dies in the crossfire.

Historians are kind of two mind on whether the elder son was misunderstood or was he a blood thirsty dick head. Either way historically, the Emperor did some shitty things even is he did create stability and wealth. And his son is pretty much agreed upon as one of the must just and respected Emperor in Chinese history.

Now, if only I can remember their bloody names. [So sorry about the boredom].