If you are looking for a typical historical drama with a romantic triangle/quadrangle and a plot you can guess after three episodes, this is not the show for you.

If you are looking for a rich story, filled with three dimensional characters, that slowly draws you in, you should definitely add this to your list.

The story develops slowly and things are not always what they appear. The story is set in a fantasy world with a long and complicated history, a world where no one is simply "good" or "bad". The characters are complex and it may take a number of episodes for the viewer to fully understand their motives. Everyone exists to achieve their goals, whether it is for the benefit of their family/tribe, to uphold long-kept promises, or for personal ambition/advancement. Resist the urge the fast forward through episodes or you will be completely lost trying to follow shifting alliances and palace intrigues.

Visually, this is one of most lush and masterfully filmed TV shows I have ever watched.  Much is conveyed through the use of color, framing, how long the shot is held, etc. The show is worth rewatching for the visual aspect alone.

For the most part, the cast is simply superb and brilliant. There are plenty of fresh, pretty faces, but also older actors picked for their abilities. The principal actors worked hard to help you understand their internal turmoil and deeper motives.  Granted there are a couple of minor characters who were cast for their looks rather than their acting ability or perfect Mandarin pronunciation. But I'm just being a bit nitpicky.

Overall, this show is worth watching. Just know that things may be confusing. It may take some time for you to make sense of it all. Just like real life.

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