The Qin Empire- Hou Yang, Wang Zhi Fei, Gao Yuan Yuan

[Surferket]

The ending sucks.

[sunnysnow]

The ending sucks.

Why so? I find it quite nicely done, albeit more exaggerated and perhaps less gruesome than what was reported to have happened historically.

[Surferket]

GYY and her lover died. He was the man who built the system for a stable and unified China.
And evil truimphed.

Why so? I find it quite nicely done, albeit more exaggerated and perhaps less gruesome than what was reported to have happened historically.

[kenixgoh]

GYY and her lover died. He was the man who built the system for a stable and unified China.
And evil truimphed.

Well can't possible change history with Shang Yang escaping death... anyway King Qin Hui Wen retained the policies of SY and made State of Qin as comparable with Wei & Chu whom were the strongest at the time.

[Surferket]

I was not impressed with the Qin Shi Wan when he was a young prince and later when he became king. He knew he was being manipulated by the senior statesman to execute Shang Yang on trumped up charges of rebellion and yet he was powerless to prevent being so forced.

Reminded me very much of the Qin Shi Wan in Heroes when he was forced by state rules to execute Jet Li when his heart was in letting him live.

PS - I was very surprised when the show ended with the death of Shang Yang. I'd not expected the whole series to be about the father of Qin Shi Wan and Shang Yang the architect of Qin renaissance.

[sunnysnow]

The King at the end (King Huiwen) is not Qin Shi Huang. QSH is actually his descendant some generations later.

The series actually portrays King Huiwen's treatment of Shang Yang in a more positive light as compared to what was recorded in history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huiwen_of_Qin

As for the focus of this series, I've mentioned in the first post that:

"The Qin Empire" is the screen adaptation of "Hei Se Lie Bian", the first of six stories which in total, make up Sun Hao Hui's historial novel, "Da Qin Di Guo".

Hei Se Lie Bian (this series) takes place during the warring states period and focuses on the reforms instilled by Qin's Chief Advisor, Shang Yang.

At this point in time, Qin state was still weak and building up its powers. It is only generations later that the kingdom grew stronger and was finally used by Qin Shi Huang to unite the other states and proclaim himself Emperor.

[Surferket]

My Chinese history sux.

Seems by the time Shang Yang was executed Qin was already the strongest in terms of economy and military that other states have to pledge peace to it.

[Surferket]

Sunny, I looked at your wiki link and the English is pretty weird:

"King Qin Huiwen also played a major role in the unification of Qin Shi Huang. "
??????? reunified his grandson?

The wikis on Red Cliffs were worse

BTW, although the GYY character in this series is supposed to be skilled in swordsmanship I did not see her actually fight with a sword.

[sunnysnow]

Sunny, I looked at your wiki link and the English is pretty weird:

"King Qin Huiwen also played a major role in the unification of Qin Shi Huang. "
??????? reunified his grandson?

I think the poster meant King Huiwen also played a major role in the unification of China by QSH. Meaning that although QSH was the one who ultimately unified the states, the beginnings of the process and the progress of Qin was started generations ago and King Huiwen was one of the major contributors to this process. So was Shang Yang.

BTW, although the GYY character in this series is supposed to be skilled in swordsmanship I did not see her actually fight with a sword.

Actually she did fight in one scene. Can't remember which episode exactly but it was when Shang Yang visited her and their son for the first time after years of separation and while they were chatting alone, a group of assassins turned up for Shang Yang. Bai Xue (GYY) took the soft blade sword (which she was originally hers but had given to Shang Yang) and dueled with the assassins.

[Surferket]

I have a short review on this historical drama series up on my site at http://www.asiamovies-tvshows.com with clips.
On the whole I find it very engrossing although saddened at the ending. I think this series grossed over the extremity of penalties under Shang Yang's reformation.
Worth watching if you like Chinese historical based dramas.

[Shi-Potian]

GYY is a magnificent actress but I can't stomach the fact she never gets a happy ending.

[chickenfeet]

Watching the series now, this has to be one of the best Chinese historical drama ever.

I would put the series on an equal footing as Han Wu Da Di and Toward the Republic.

Very very high production value

[chickenfeet]

The picture quality is absolutely wonderful on HD TV

[chickenfeet]

anyone's watching this great series ?

[rad2905]

Hi, everyone.
I've downloaded the series, however I don't know the language, and I'd like to find English subtitles, if any.
Please, please help!

Thank you!