The Problematic of the Unproblematic

kakashi: The team moves against the human traffickers, and I want all of the criminals to BURN in the deepest depth of hell. Trotwood: Tell us how you really feel, Kakashi. Don't hold back. JoAnne: What's the opposite of glitter, Trot? Can we shoot them with a glitter can full of tiny burning nail points or something?  Little pieces of a black hole that, when it hits them, immediately shoots right through their bodies? Eleanor: What about burning hot nails? *tries to restrain myself* I guess though we have to treat criminals justly otherwise we're just as guilty *sigh* I really hate human traffickers. 

kakashi: Oi. So many new kdramas! I will watch zero. Hahaaaaaaa, freedom! SakiVI: I need to cull. And I'm out for this week.  Too much going on, and too much depressing me about this world. JoAnne: I am watching allllllllll the dramas.   That's true. It's why we like you. Well, not only because of that .  Well, I'm not, really, but it felt that way with all the stuff starting. Hopefully I won't like anything new that started this week or will start next. Trotwood: I feel like I'm beseiged by the new. I don't have time. And I need something fun. I'm looking into starting another short show (10 eps 15 minutes each), Universal Star for something light.

kakashi: Lots of people are in a lot of pain in this episode and we find out that our Wingkind Emperor does not want to go back to Wingkind Territory. Hmmmm ... has someone been nasty to you, dearest Tianyi? We will come and beat him up for you! JoAnne: What kind of scar do you think that is on Tingjun's temple, there? A real one, that's for sure.  

Trotwood: For a show that is short with very short episodes, in these episode it asks its characters (and by default its viewers) some very philosophical questions about living. Do you try to avoid loss when you know it’s going to happen? How do you remain optimistic when you know something will end? Why do we keep going when we know we will die eventually? What would we do if we were immortal? Thus, none of you should be surprised that this squeecap is not as "mini" as the others. JoAnne: If we think about it for a minute, we all know that everything ends, eventually. Despite all evidence to the contrary, though, something in our brains doesn't really let us think about that until we get pretty old, or learn that we're fatally ill. We think about it a bit when someone near us dies, true. Perhaps a bit more when the death is premature, or particularly random. But in general, we avoid these thoughts. Poor Mi Jo cannot, though, because she knows that she'll b...

kakashi: Bye, bye Tingjun - fate doesn't want you near Fuling. I won't object! Everybody attempts to save Jishu in this episode ... but that doesn't go too well. JoAnne: And you know what I say? Forget the bastard. He's really not a nice guy, even if he isn't exactly a villain.

kakashi: Did I say this show is ultra weird yet? No? It gets trippier and trippier. JoAnne: It resembles a certain type of Saturday morning show kids watched in the 70s - we called them cartoons anyway because back in the dark ages, all that was on TV on Saturday mornings was cartoons. But there were also these really super cheesy live-action shows, too.  Ice would fit right in. SakiVI: this episode had some ROFL moments. 

kakashi: Our team switches from Zishan to the human trafficking ring ... and finds out that they are closely connected. Yao Meng is put into danger and everyone is really tense. I hope nobody is hurt! It all seems so dangerous. Trotwood: Not Yao Meng! I'll be tossing tables if they do something to her. JoAnne: If you cover those tables with glitter first, you can kill two birds with one stone. Eleanor: Kakashi, I think I'm dead with that screencap (or maybe it's all the glitter I'm inhaling here ;))

kakashi: Our most favorite character returns, but ... well, he's different. I'd also say the drama turns even wackier than it already is, but is that even possible? JoAnne:  Hi folks. Back from my premature visit to the recap for episode 45, which was well on its way to convincing me I was showing early signs of dementia. I couldn't remember any of this and didn't know what anything was about! More than usual, I mean . SakiVI: He's back, my baby is back!

SakiVI: Gosh, deserts are scary places! And camels need money, did you know? kakashi: I know a camel personally, his name is Rashid. He once was on stage together with my husband and we always go see him when we're at the zoo. I actually like camels a lot .  Trotwood: The pic below is so pretty. The one thing I can say that is consistent about show is that it is lovely to look at and they don't waste good vista shot ideas. JoAnne: A camel spit in my husband's face once, in Kuwait. I have always found this enormously funny.

kakashi: The cohabitation shenanigans continue, but unfortunately, there is Jishu and Tingjun to spoil the fun. JoAnne: I really miss Wingkind Emperor, sigh. I need to start Wuxin sooner rather than later even if he's not the main guy. SakiVI: cohabitation is how people get closer, according to the patriarch in one daily drama that I'm watching. 

kakashi: Freezing here in Europe, it's so cold! I'm so glad I have hot men to keep me company. In particular, I've fallen into a Zhang Ruo Yun-shaped hole. Don't worry, I'm fine, I don't want to come out for now. I admit that he's a bit young (I have this over 30 rule, in general), but I'm making an exception for him. Okay, maybe I need an intervention. I'm now watching Chinese talk shows with him. Raw.  Trotwood: We are having a lull in the cold here, but unlike my students, I am not fooled. February is usually the cruelest month. I did start Voice and am mainlining Pretty Lui Hui Zhen because it's the only sorta happy light show on my plate because without WLF I only have Voice and Solomon's Perjury. I have no Japanese dramas either on my list either. Does anyone know when the Shin Mina show starts? That looks like it might be good and more light fare. it's budget (cuts) season, so I need all the fun/happy I can get from drama...

SakiVI: Some seriously scary stuff happens in this episode, as well as something incredibly sad. Read on. kakashi: It was a very action-laden, very "WTF ARE YOU DOING!"-episode. Trotwood: It was too bad because the WTF stuff detracted from the sadness that we really should be feeling and the real warning this should be giving them about the dangers and risks they are taking. JoAnne: We may have to agree to just ignore these things, I guess?

kakashi: And so it begins. The Wingkind Emperor really can't help it. See that happy smile on his face? He is falling in love with this girl he keeps calling stinky. You fall hard, boy. We want to see you suffer. JoAnne: This is the drama that taught me that the name Ya Tou actually just means Girl, apparently. Although later it will be translated as Woman. But in a rude way, if not endearing. Ambivalent. Like the Wingkind Emperor . SakiVI: That means Old Nine Gates' Ya Tou was actually nameless.

Episode 5: Does a Man Change? Or Does Love Change Cold open is of Mi-Jo gripping Junu's arm from end of last episode. He looks at her in surprise, but she just smiles slightly and says that she accepts his apology. He winces a bit though because she’s gripping his arm so tightly. She lets go and they both look awkwardly about. SakiVI: How strong is she?  She must've built tough fingers. 

kakashi: But hello! Granny, is that you?! JoAnne: Oh Holy Hell, what now? SakiVI: Pffft.

kakashi: Are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet? Sacred Snow Mountain is only a hope away, but it takes f o r e v e r to get there, apparently. SakiVI: All we've heard about this entire time is Sacred Snow Mountain. It's why Mermaids get used, and why wars are waged (I think) and yet, is it really worth it?  JoAnne: Let me go out on a limb, here, and say no. go away, you annoying fairy.

kakashi: We're at the final episode! Which is, sadly, very draggy. But it gets us to our happy ending! And they're so cuuuuute. It's all that matters. JoAnne:  I'm holding out for a date at a hair salon for both of them. New hair for a new life! Sparks: HEA for the win! His hair really grew on me and has developed an Elvis association...I'm not sure why. Her hair, though, is unceasingly distracting... Trotwood: I'm still trying to figure out how she sleeps. Shuk:  Extra neck pillow?

SakiVI: Ha, we get some interesting happenings here, and I'm afraid I struggled with my words because I wouldn't go mountaineering or whatever it is this lot were doing even if I was paid a million trillion bitcoin. So, I was rather lost as to what to call many things. Anyway, the other more knowledgeable ladies of this squeecap will surely fill in.  kakashi: The mountains are my second home. That is why I will have to point out certain FAULTS in this (and the next ) epi sode. Haha. But I liked it ! JoAnne: Okay, I'm settling in, preparing for the rant to come.  Trotwood: I don't thinking there will be ranting only thoughtful analysis.

kakashi: The real monster is revealed in this episode and yes, it's unexpected.  Trotwood: Most things are unexpected in this show except for how attractively shot everything is and how by the end of each episode I crave pancakes. JoAnne: Mmmm, pancakes. I like mine thinnish, and I don't mind the occasional crispy edge. Not crepe-thin, but thin. Shuk: [shaking her head at everyone's pancake obsession] So far I've really enjoyed the ride, whoever the villains turn out to be. Just give me more SnaiLion! Eleanor: I'm not sure if I found it completely unexpected, but the villain is much crueler and nastier than I supposed they could be. Ugh. People like that are so horrid. 

kakashi: Alright! Headed straight for a happy ending ... or are we? Oops, no... a little detour first. Trotwood: You were joking about thinking we were going straight to the happy ending part, right? JoAnne:  But this is it. There's no more time. It has to be happy. Sparks: You'd be surprised what you can live through. Whoops, I mean - you'd be surprised what they can cram in 2 episodes... ;) But first we get smothered in their sweetness. *yay* Shuk: I'm happy for whatever happy they give us at this point in time.

kakashi: I really need to pick something else up besides Candle. I feel almost naked without anything more to watch.... Oh, wait! There are subs for Voice ! Trotwood: It's so obvious to me that the winter lull at work is over. Starting to get stressed about drama watching when drama watching is supposed to relax me. Doesn't help that I started watching Voice . I need something fun and warm to take the place of Weightlifting Fairy. Any suggestions? JoAnne: Fun and warm? Not Korean, not until the beginning of February - and then I predict Strong Woman Do Bok Soon will fill that bill. Right now we could try Thumping Spike 2 , or completed web series (6 episodes) called Choco Bank that stars Kai and is...um...a vehicle to teach youth about the financial services industry .

Trotwood: I am back to try to help finish up our promise. There has been a lot of anger and slap threats going on in these posts. But this episode gives us love and loss but little anger on my part. The episodes don’t have titles, but I’m calling this one “I Really Want to See My Mom.” kakashi: *sniff* Sparks: It's nice to tap into much sweeter (and some sadder) emotions for a while.   JoAnne: We're so close to the end...that kiss better be from Mars. Shuk: As long as WeiBiatch doesn't show up, I'm pretty okay with it.

kakashi: There is an amulet to open and a Flower on the loose. Excitement all around, really. And why is the Emperor so tame all of a sudden? Could it be ..... looooove? JoAnne: To quote from our esteemed colleague, 'its twu wuv' SakiVI: Whooo, yes, it is! 

Episode 3: Know Thyself then Know the Guy Trotwood: We open right after she falls breaking the lightbulb and watch how the hand she cuts nearly immediately heals itself. Wow. Immortality and no scarring. Impressive. The tense moment we thought we had at the end of last episode isn’t really that tense at all because he breaks it up with a smartass comment although she has to fan herself because she feels hot. JoAnne: And of course he didn't notice the abnormal healing. It's too soon. SakiVI: I wonder if that is why this woman never had any descendants, because her body would just reset itself? Or maybe I'm just assuming she hasn't had any since she seems so alone. 

SakiVI: I like our heroine.  There's nothing that says women have to be smiling and nice all the time, or "sassy and cute". This woman's got her own issues, concerns and goals, and there's nothing wrong with that. Trotwood: Well, so far, I don't like our heroine. I think she makes an interesting character, but I don't like her and because I like enough people in this show, I don't have to like her. As I said (warned) someone at work last week, "You don't have to like people to work well with them. That's what adults do." However, it isn't because she doesn't smile and she isn't nice (Xu Xu in Snail didn't smile for episodes on end, and I loved her). She is barely civil, and I don't respect people who can't even do that and don't believe they should make the effort just because they're experts and/or are paying people. kakashi: I don't like her either. I don't think the show wants us to li...

kakashi: Argh, another episode to rage about. Why do people have to break up for stupid reasons?! Well, at least, Mars gets his superstar status back - it really suits him well. Trotwood: I'm thinking that we don't need slapping outfits anymore (although the rubber gloves will remain handy) because we should just wear our regular clothes. Too many wardrobe changes would be required here. We need slaps all around like in a lakorn. Shuk: Agreed. I'm just ready to line up all the jerks and do one meters-long slap. JoAnne:  I started laughing at 'line up all the jerks' but I bet only Shuk will guess why. Sparks: This episode doesn't bother me as much as the previous. It's a good episode for Mars - hotness all around. ;)

SakiVI: Lots of setup for the next storyline in this episode. Our heroes are learning what they should, and shouldn't, take from a tomb. And our main heroine makes a silent, mysterious appearance. kakashi: Do we like her? JoAnne: Yes, but with some reluctance. She's got secrets and if they're going to hurt Bayi, I will turn on her faster than tuna salad left in the sun for an hour. Trotwood: I don't know her well enough to like her or not. I felt sorry for her before I met her because her dad disappeared. But I thought it rude of her not to greet the people coming in to interview for the trip. So right now, I'm right in middle of no response. I like her. It makes sense to let the others do the talking first. 

kakashi: There is considerably less Emperor in this episode, which is good, because I won't spend hours taking screencaps and gif, but also bad, because there is not much Emperor in this. In this episode, he gets what he wants and at the same time proves that he is not thoroughly rotten. JoAnne: I want him to suffer. SakiVI: He's a difficult person in his way.

kakashi: Slowly, but surely, we are headed towards Sacred Snow Mountain. Someone else needs to die first though. JoAnne: Is it me? SakiVI: Nah, someone else who has been a pain since the beginning. Hey, wait a minute...

kakashi: New players and new leads. Is our team even one step closer to solving this? I'm not sure anymore. Trotwood: Usually, at this point in a drama, I want the good guys to be making more headway. Here I don't care because we are still learning even though the path towards truth seems to be making it harder and harder to get to it. It's like when you start to really clean, your place actually gets messier in the interim. That is what it's like. We are really doing a deep clean and sort and getting rid of the garbage both on the outside but within people as well. JoAnne: Sorry, say that again? I was looking at Ji Bai. Shuk: Things are getting complicated. But that's a good thing, I think. Eleanor: I think Jo is trying to steal my comments. 

kakashi: Holy Moly, Wingkind Emperor is hot. I don't even know what else to write, it's kinda all that comes to mind when I try to summarize this episode. Since there is a lot of him, I liked it a LOT. JoAnne: Despite a universal belief that I would haaaaate this show, I absolutely love it. I can't stop laughing and I am constantly wondering what will happen next. Don't get me wrong - it's terrible. Absolutely terrible. But it's the best possible kind of terrible and I am in love with all of them . SakiVI: yes, Wingkind Emperor is why I kept watching. The others aren't that interesting.  

kakashi: A confession is made, but doubt remains. Trotwood: I confess! I confess! I stockpiled pancake mix because of Husband. Oops. You weren't talking about my confession. Right. Nothing to see here, folks. Nothing to see. Just go below. JoAnne: I think XuXu is judging us. Eleanor: Pancakes do sound rather delicious, maybe XuXu is just thinking she might like to make pancakes with a certain Lion. 

kakashi: Still mainly recapping. People struggle to comment on my posts or have given up completely and I'm stressing everybody out. Sorry! Actually, I'm not. Stuff needs to get done! And I'm no longer on holidays when this posts, so don't fear, I will stop recapping like a lunatic. JoAnne: I think your manic run at recapping everything is kind of hilarious :) You know how many episodes there are left COMBINED for Snail, Novoland and Ice Fantasy?! It feels like a death sentence. Haha. Plus, it's a new year, I feel a strong urge to finish things like our ToGetHer recaps . Shuk: I'm trying to keep up the best I can, all the while working on a New Years resolution which involves six weeks of physical therapy. And I can't dramawatch during sessions, even for motivation. SakiVI: oooh, feel better, Shuk!  I'm trying to recap fast, but life is getting in the way.  I'm looking forward to this weekend and this week's episodes of Candle, though.  JinD...

kakashi: No, we haven't forgotten our girl with the awful hair and her (soon) boy with the incredibly sexy arms! The title song makes me happy. This episode less so. Too many stupid people doing stupid things, and everybody is unhappy. Trotwood: I think this might be one of the reasons we slowed down on the recapping. We all knew what was coming. No number of v-neck tshirts can get us out of this pit. But thank you show cordi for trying. Sparks: I was going to blame the crazy Christmas season but I think Trot's right about the main reason. I call this the "Everyone dump on Momo" episode... Shuk: One gets tired of the same thing over and over again.  JoAnne:  Look how sad that makes Mars. He even wore a new color for us. SakiVI: Again, I didn't watch. So, I'll comment blind, as it were.  Nice how this shirt dips down.

kakashi: This drama is set in an ancient world - Novoland or Jiuzhou/九州, a fictional universe, for which 30 books have been written - where humanity is separated into several races. Important for this drama are the "Humankind" (the powerful Ren Tribe) and the "Wingkind" (the Yu Tribe), angelic humans who have the ability to grow wings and fly. The upcoming and much anticipated Tribes and Empires is set in this universe as well and in order to get warm for it, I've decided to recap Novoland: The Castle in the Sky as well. It's only 28 short episodes. Piece of cake! I even got 1080p files for this.  JoAnne: I'm already dying. This is the best kind of bad. Also, in my (very new, very limited) study of Mandarin, I have learned that 'ren' means person - as in 'meiguo ren' means 'American person' - but 'yu', so far, has only turned up as language or fish. So the Yu tribe are fish of the air, maybe? Help me out, commenter...

I really enjoyed this show and think more people should watch. It really wasn’t something I planned to watch. It was about a rapper (I thought), and I don’t like rap. The official poster did not look appealing at all. However, I’m on constant look out for short satisfying drama, especially during busy times at work. This fit. At ten episodes at about 15 minutes apiece, it seemed perfect. Who knew that it would be so satisfying? JoAnne: Same in that I'd no plan of watching, but only because it wasn't really popping up in my news. I've got nothing against rappers per se - but then Trot was saying how enjoyable it was and when I looked, I agreed. Plus: fast episodes and two people I like as leads . For this recap project, I’m calling them a mini-cap because I’m going back to the pattern from Noble My Love and do two episodes each post. I want to try to finish during the winter slow period at work! SakiVI: I was surprised how interesting it was. We have this love ex...

kakashi: The Ice Tribe gets a new King ... his name is Lord Emo the First! Also, Yuan Ji tells part of his story and it is quite interesting. SakiVI: Emo the First of His Name can get a half curtsey from me since I'm Team Shi.  JoAnne: He looks like he's trying to focus his eyes on that little drop down bit from his crown.

kakashi: WE MADE IT! Actually, I was quite certain everyone I care for would die in this episode. Fo Ye does not have any descendants in The Lost Tomb , right? But then I realized that Fo Ye cannot die, because Changsha is Fo Ye and Fo Ye is Changsha. How I know this? The exposition fairy told me. SakiVI: Yay for Changsha, which never caved to the Japanese ! Yay for Fo Ye who always knew the Japanese were doing secret experiments! 

kakashi: Let's see what this drama throws at us in this episode. Think about something you'd never think you'd see. Yes, it's that. If not worse.  SakiVI: I see sad, weepy, bromance in this picture below. JoAnne: There's no way Shi is dead. I'm not even convinced Li Luo is dead. Maybe they're ALL dead, though.

kakashi: I'm always super wary when Chen Pi's in the title of an episode. And I was right to be, because this is the worst edited episode yet. Nothing makes ANY sense. The plot holes are as big as that meteorite tomb. SakiVI: I just admired the Nose. After all, there's not much more time to spend with it, and I'm a bit sad about that, even though this drama is way too long.

kakashi: This episode is fun, fun, fun. Hot Fo Ye (temporarily deep frozen), pretty Lt. Zhang, even Er Ye gets his act together and Ba Ye is helpful and un-annoying. The downside: it's episode 46 of a much too long drama. SakiVI: At least it was all entertaining! 

kakashi: Step by step, Ji Bai and his team narrow the search for Ze Yixi's killer. Xu Xu observes ... mainly her shifu, determined to become his emotional support. Eleanor: Ji Bai! Ji Bai! Ji Bai! Xu Xu! Xu Xu! Xu Xu! I will gladly make cheerleader signs for them and the team. I think hanging out with Trot has definitely rubbed off on me. Of course we'll add some glitter to the signs too. Trotwood: It doesn't count if there is no glitter. JoAnne: I'm picturing edible glitter on Ji Bai's cheekbones, the tip of his nose, the edges of his ears, his Adam's apple... it's getting warm in here, isn't it? Shuk: [fans Jo and offers a tall frosty drink, reprenting our tall frosty man]

SakiVI: Yikes, this one scared me and saddened me. Scared because I have a massive bat phobia from when I got locked in a shed with a bat as a child, and saddened because the death of innocents is always sad, and even more so when said death is plain malicious. Trotwood: Yup this episode made me sad and touched by how touched Fatty was. I was not scared though. I'd be grossed out by all those batwings touching me, but I'm waiting to be scared. kakashi: Oh, I was scared enough for three of you. Oh wait, we are four. I don't watch any horror if I don't have to and this episode almost gave me a heart-attack. In a good way!   JoAnne: I was a little bit scared sometimes. It gives me hope for future episodes! Please, please: scare me and then reassure me with Jin Dong and his big gun!

kakashi: In this episode, a dog is stolen and then returned - it's basically all that happens. I really don't understand why they didn't call it "The Stealing of a Dog (while Ba Ye and Fo Ye are hilarious)". SakiVI: it was funny, but why steal a dog you're going to cure anyway? You just have to ask the owner and explain things. To fill an episode, Saki . 

kakashi: Happy New Year, everyone! May it be good to you and yours. I only recapped this week, I watched almost nothing. We are now done with Old Nine Gates and it makes me sad (it'll take a few days for all of the recaps to post though). Oh, and Ice Fantasy is on Netflix. Shuk: Spent lots of time with family and friends, and earned lots of overtime at work. Trotwood: It seems like a lot of people are on vacation. There have been no subs for this week's episodes of Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku (We Married as Job) or IQ246. So instead, I did a quick review of Jimi ni Sugoi (Pretty Proofreader) that I was actually able to finish. JoAnne: Man, let's put 2016 to BED, huh? Happy New Year! 

kakashi: Do I really need to care about Mo Ce going missing?! *sigh*... or will Er Ye go after her and save her? To live happily ever after and noodle free?! Of course NOT. One of the most pointless and boring episodes yet. SakiVI: The producers were really dragging everything out.  Must've been written into everyone's contracts: this many lines, these many scenes, too bad no more story needed.

kakashi: This episode starts with Lan Shang in the water and ends with the beginning of another war between Ice and Fire. There is a lot of stuff in between too. All the truth is spoken and it seems unlikely that Shi will ever be welcome in the Ice Tribe again. None of these people seem to be able to get anything right. Anything at all. SakiVI: if they could get things right, they wouldn't be in this mess.