Peridot83
How twisted do you have to be to profile twisted minds?
If I was just grading the plot on the first 2/3s or so, I would give the story a 9.5
On the surface Simon Bo, brilliant, troubled psychological talent from a wealthy, well-connected family, has nothing in common with Jenny Jian, a sweet gifted university student. But it turns out that they have complimentary talents - Simon Bo can get into the head of perpetrators, while Jenny Jian has a talent for getting into the heads of victims and their families.
But as the plot takes off in the second half, Jenny Jian largely gets left behind and the case gets increasingly convoluted and absurd.
The acting is top notch, I never even felt like the main characters or secondary characters were 'acting.' The old friendship between Simon and Fu Ziyu, and Jenny and Li Xunrun are realistic, friendly and comfortable. The tension and relationship between Simon and Jenny is slow moving while becoming increasingly more familiar. For all the seriousness, there are lighthearted moments and joy between the two.
The music is competent and works to set the mood. It doesn't have to much rewatch potential - as a lot of the tensions come from the mystery elements.
Complex Themes -9
(Where is the line between understanding the enemy and becoming him? What is your responsibility to use your talents for the greater good and at what cost? The show leaves a lot of this open ended but does explore it in detail)
Character Growth -8
(Jenny grows a lot over the first 2/3s of the series, as she learns her own strength and grapples with evil/horrors that can exist in the world. Simon Bo doesn't grow as much but softens a bit and becomes a bit more humble as well - but unfortunately as the plot gets more chaotic their growth/development stalls out)
Nuanced Women -6
(Jenny is really nuanced but she is practically the only female character who isn't just there to move the plot forward (the other two female characters being a US gov't agent and Simon Bo's sister)
Cinematography/Production Values -7
(Lots of filming in the real world, and good camera work. Costumes/settings etc. are competent. Major negatives for not recognising their limitations and attempting to set part of the show in the United States whilst not finding competent actors).
If I was just grading the plot on the first 2/3s or so, I would give the story a 9.5
On the surface Simon Bo, brilliant, troubled psychological talent from a wealthy, well-connected family, has nothing in common with Jenny Jian, a sweet gifted university student. But it turns out that they have complimentary talents - Simon Bo can get into the head of perpetrators, while Jenny Jian has a talent for getting into the heads of victims and their families.
But as the plot takes off in the second half, Jenny Jian largely gets left behind and the case gets increasingly convoluted and absurd.
The acting is top notch, I never even felt like the main characters or secondary characters were 'acting.' The old friendship between Simon and Fu Ziyu, and Jenny and Li Xunrun are realistic, friendly and comfortable. The tension and relationship between Simon and Jenny is slow moving while becoming increasingly more familiar. For all the seriousness, there are lighthearted moments and joy between the two.
The music is competent and works to set the mood. It doesn't have to much rewatch potential - as a lot of the tensions come from the mystery elements.
Complex Themes -9
(Where is the line between understanding the enemy and becoming him? What is your responsibility to use your talents for the greater good and at what cost? The show leaves a lot of this open ended but does explore it in detail)
Character Growth -8
(Jenny grows a lot over the first 2/3s of the series, as she learns her own strength and grapples with evil/horrors that can exist in the world. Simon Bo doesn't grow as much but softens a bit and becomes a bit more humble as well - but unfortunately as the plot gets more chaotic their growth/development stalls out)
Nuanced Women -6
(Jenny is really nuanced but she is practically the only female character who isn't just there to move the plot forward (the other two female characters being a US gov't agent and Simon Bo's sister)
Cinematography/Production Values -7
(Lots of filming in the real world, and good camera work. Costumes/settings etc. are competent. Major negatives for not recognising their limitations and attempting to set part of the show in the United States whilst not finding competent actors).
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