The Problematic of the Unproblematic

kakashi: Who dunnit? We don't knowsit. panda: things get murkier in this chapter JoAnne:  I guess it's about time for that.

kakashi: Drama, you are too cruel TT__________________TT Panda: Episode that made me place Cao Cao firmly and forever in the shit list. Shit List!! JoAnne:  I suppose we were lucky to have him be somewhat ambiguous even this long.  I definitely enjoyed debating myself on whether he was a misunderstood good guy or whether he was just not YET a really bad guy.

kakashi: Lots of Wenruo action and acting ... man, the man can ACT. I could watch him and Cao Cao all day. Can we have a spin-off? The Cao Cao-Wenruo Years? Alas... panda: *sobssss* JoAnne: Why can't we have nice things? Why? Why?

kakashi: Oh shit. We just knew Sima Lang would get into trouble, didn't we? That was fast. panda: I could smell it the minute Weasel thought of the idea. Jo: Dumbass.

kakashi: To be or not to be the Crown Prince. It continues.

kakashi: It's a prison sentence for Cao Pi and Sima Yi ... but for how long will they have to stay inside? And what's at the end of it... a death sentence or a happy reunion with their wives? JoAnne: *Counts remaining episodes* Ooooh, let's pretend we don't know! PandaR: LOOOOOOOL

kakashi: Two people are revealed as saints in this episode, whereas Cao Pi shows how much his father's testing is threatening to make him lose himself and the right path. panda: I must be evil but I felt some satisfaction with what happened to A Zhao in this episode. JoAnne: Ooooh, this was a good one, if a little obvious in all respects. As for A Zhao...she's a naive girl, and she received an important lesson.  Let's see if she actually paid attention.

kakashi: Cao Cao shows his benevolence and a merry celebration party turns sour, revealing the limits of said benevolence. Panda: Getting rid of all these problems is like playing "whack-a-mole". JoAnne:  Other than Weasel and anyone who curries favor with him, who are the bad guys in this?  I'm starting to be confused.

kakashi: Sima Yi gets pulled in deeper and it seems Cao Pi's patience is finally paying off ... bromance! Here it comes! Panda: I am so afraid to get my hopes up, but it does seem like It's Happening!! JoAnne: I LOVED this episode. Were you guys laughing at everything, too?

kakashi: A wedding and a death and lots of tests for Cao Pi. Panda: Even though I mourned the sinking of my ship, I still found the scene pictured below moving.

kakashi: Cao Cao is revealed as ruthless father and he and Si Ma Yi look into each other's faces and recognize the other as formidable ... enemy? Potential ally? We will see. panda: Stakes get ever higher as alliances get solidified and lines get more formally drawn between the Cao brothers. JoAnne: Who will win in this deadly game of chess? Well, not chess. Go. What's the Chinese version of Go? Weiqi .

kakashi: A turtle, a new female character and some rather unexpected developments. JoAnne: Listen, fanfic is one thing - bestial porn is entirely another. Besides, what could you even do with a turtle? panda: I knew that turtle was going to be trouble the minute I laid my eyes on it! 

kakashi: Sima Yi is crazy. panda: Those eyes! *shudders* JoAnne: I defy anyone to look good at that angle, though. What?! That's my best angle!  

kakashi: The most difficult part of The Advisors Alliance are the many, many characters. In addition, almost all of them have two names - the second is the so-called courtesy name , "a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name". Here are the recaps The list is up to date until episode 8 

kakashi: I must apologize for the long gap between recaps, I honestly don't know where time went! It's quite shocking it's already mid-September. It's strange with this drama, I very much enjoy it when I watch it, but then, I forget about it quickly. Panda: I enjoy it but because I wait till recaps to watch,it's also really spaced out for me. I don't mind though because the subbing speed is snail-like (not complaining, just stating facts). As always, I am grateful we even get subs at all. JoAnne: I do the same thing. Panda and I are so alike you can barely tell us apart, right?

kakashi: Friends and foes are revealed, but are the lines that clearly drawn? Sima Yi starts using his head, which seems quite capable ... but is there enough time? JoAnne: Oh good! It's recap time - you'll explain the stuff I was confused about! Panda: Our boy finally starts showing some of his lauded smarts here.

kakashi: A very gripping second episode, in which we realize how clever Cao Cao is and how slow Sima Yi is. He has a long way to go. Panda: What an action filled episode, Wow.

kakashi: A new recapping project, yaaaaay! With a gazillion characters who have more than one name. So, we're in the Three Kingdom era (220–280). And this drama is about the life of Sima Yi , a historical figure of great importance, and his journey from timid scholar to venerated general and politician. Be advised, the 1st (and often the 2nd) episode of historical CDramas require a lot of attention. I will also start a post for the characters because ... yes, it's complicated. panda: Yay!! Advisor's Alliance recaps. This drama had been on my list ever I saw the trailer last year. The fact that it's based on a real historical figure was the cherry on the sundae so to speak. I am just so excited it's getting subbed. Liu Tao is my chinese actress bias and the guy below giving his best Death-Eater glare (Wu XiuBo) is also a fav. 60 eps (both seasons) people... And the first was a doozy. JoAnne: Woohoo! I'm excited because my friends are excited. I probably nev...