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Very stream-of-consciousness. PLEASE do not spoil me for the rest of the show!
I had been warned by several kind souls that the first episode makes very little sense, but I was sure I would be the exception and have no trouble with it. Reader, the first episode doesn't make a lot of sense, aside from the great flashback scene at the beginning that sets up the angst triangle of Wei Wuxian (in black with a powdered face, Officially Evil) and Lan Wangji (beautiful serious man in white) and Jiang Cheng (serious angry guy in blue). After that, however, I got very confused; I eventually figured out that the boy in the mask had done some sort of ritual in which he sacrificed his soul (?) to summon Wei Wuxian into his body, but Wei is cursed to have big bleeding wounds on his arms until he punishes everyone that was mean to the boy in the mask. Lots of people show up and there's a big battle and it's very exciting but I couldn't figure out who most of the people were or how they felt about each other, so I watched in on faith that it would get better.
The second episode is, indeed, MUCH better. It still starts off confusing, with a monster hunting plot and lots of characters on the ground and unexplained emotions flying around, but about halfway through things started coming into focus to me; Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng are definitely connected somehow -- I think perhaps adopted siblings? -- and there was a sister as well, who is now dead but whose son is Jin Ling, a hot-headed arrogant guy who we are quickly informed has had a terrible life because both of his parents died due to Wei. And then there is an amazing battle sequence with a living statue, Jin Ling flying through the air shooting arrows, Wei Wuxian playing the flute to magical effect, a mysterious Ghost General wrapped in chains, and then a super-emotional moment of wrist grabbing that hooked me completely. Jiang Cheng's "So, you're back, are you?" and subsequent agonised look when one of the guys in white pointed out that he's the one who stabbed Wei Wuxian back in the day was the perfect icing on the cake.
The episode ends with another flashback sequence, showing a time when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng and the mysterious sister were all friendly, although there's clearly rivalry between the two men. I have to say, it seems hard luck on uptight rules-follower Jiang Cheng to be the heir of a clan whose teachings are supposedly "fulfill one's desires and be carefree".
The short version: I am here for longing looks, overly emotional wrist-grabbing, and angst about past decisions!
I had been warned by several kind souls that the first episode makes very little sense, but I was sure I would be the exception and have no trouble with it. Reader, the first episode doesn't make a lot of sense, aside from the great flashback scene at the beginning that sets up the angst triangle of Wei Wuxian (in black with a powdered face, Officially Evil) and Lan Wangji (beautiful serious man in white) and Jiang Cheng (serious angry guy in blue). After that, however, I got very confused; I eventually figured out that the boy in the mask had done some sort of ritual in which he sacrificed his soul (?) to summon Wei Wuxian into his body, but Wei is cursed to have big bleeding wounds on his arms until he punishes everyone that was mean to the boy in the mask. Lots of people show up and there's a big battle and it's very exciting but I couldn't figure out who most of the people were or how they felt about each other, so I watched in on faith that it would get better.
The second episode is, indeed, MUCH better. It still starts off confusing, with a monster hunting plot and lots of characters on the ground and unexplained emotions flying around, but about halfway through things started coming into focus to me; Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng are definitely connected somehow -- I think perhaps adopted siblings? -- and there was a sister as well, who is now dead but whose son is Jin Ling, a hot-headed arrogant guy who we are quickly informed has had a terrible life because both of his parents died due to Wei. And then there is an amazing battle sequence with a living statue, Jin Ling flying through the air shooting arrows, Wei Wuxian playing the flute to magical effect, a mysterious Ghost General wrapped in chains, and then a super-emotional moment of wrist grabbing that hooked me completely. Jiang Cheng's "So, you're back, are you?" and subsequent agonised look when one of the guys in white pointed out that he's the one who stabbed Wei Wuxian back in the day was the perfect icing on the cake.
The episode ends with another flashback sequence, showing a time when Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng and the mysterious sister were all friendly, although there's clearly rivalry between the two men. I have to say, it seems hard luck on uptight rules-follower Jiang Cheng to be the heir of a clan whose teachings are supposedly "fulfill one's desires and be carefree".
The short version: I am here for longing looks, overly emotional wrist-grabbing, and angst about past decisions!
