I'm quite liking the series so far. If only for some really engaging emotional performances. I'm probably in the mood for angst, and this series really digs the angst.
For most Wuxia's there are 3 main subplots: the overall politics in the Wuxia world, the hero's personal journey,, and the hero's romance. Interestingly in Zu Mountain, there seems to be an unusual emphasis on family in order to explore the theme of loyalty.
The agency behind Wuxia politics is usually a mystery. While there is no overt and central mystery, there are major figures manipulating each other. It's obvious that Zhu Ge Zheng Wo is one of the players, but it's vague who all the players are. I appreciate that they try and tease people with explicit and implicit motives of all the major players. It's not done so well to keep me on the edge of my seat though. I think they fail to grab my attention because Zu Mountain just simply does not come off well as one of subtle intrigue. It comes across as weak and vague, rather than smartly strategic. They should've kept to a Wuxia mystery and/or central tragedy to be solved. I'm not too fussed though, because the drive of Zu Mountain, if it contains the character of Ding Yin, is about a man's struggle between good and evil.
There are times when I find William Chan as Ding Yin really boring. He doesn't stand out as Wuxia material. It's either that, or the pacing for his character is taking a slow burn approach. I get that he is an innocent soul, buffeted around by manipulating agendas, until he boils over into mad-evil Ding Yin. So far, I'm not entirely bought on his internal struggle. Then again, there are moments when he seems really still and strong. Able to be quite perceptive and think for himself, instead of surrendering his every choice to Zu Mountain elders who apparently knows what's best for everyone. I mean, he still does that at times, but he has the presence of mind to at least halt and question some things.
The romance between Ding Yin and Yu Wu Xin is quite engaging. Although on appearances, it is a star-crossed lovers set up, the undertones of their relationship seems to explore loyalty verses betrayal. I'm really enjoying Zhao Li Ying's performance as Yu Wu Xin (even more so as Hua Qian Gu). She's an unpredictable mix of angst, vulnerability, and misguided loyalty to her father. All wrapped up in a cold, haughty exterior that comes across as really quite cool. At this point, she articulates the love shared between the two most convincingly to me. This is quite the feat, considering how many times she deliberately lied and manipulated Din Yin. While I rationally know Yu Wu Xin doesn't deserve any trust or love from the poor man, Zhao Li Ying's performance still manages to get me to the core. William on the other hand, doesn't convince me so much as letting me know he is going through the motions of this pretty love story. However, he does pining very well. When he thinks about Yu Wu Xin while holding the jade whistle she leaves behind, I'm convinced that he is a man in love. So it's somewhat funny when
click to show/hide spoilersYu Wu Xin steals them back after he gets all jerky on her
Surprisingly, some of the best viewing for me comes from the dysfunctional Zhu Ge family. Nicky Wu is just awesome as Zhu Ge Zheng Wo. I can see how he could've come across as a 1D, arrogant, blood-thirsty Lu Pao, but Nicky adds a layer of intelligence and finesse to his performance that always draws your eye to him when he appears onscreen. The manipulative cruelty he displays to his daughter convinces me of his hateful character, as well as the lengths he will go to for the sake of his ambition. Yu Wu Xin goes through a journey of her own in the context of the father-daughter relationship. She willingly becomes a killing instrument, open to obvious manipulation, in order to gain her father's attention. It's really sad, because it seems like she is stuck in this abusive environment because she thinks it's better than being alone or an orphan. Especially so, because she is perceptive enough to be on to exactly how her father manipulates her. She always knows she is making her own choices - whether they are wrong or right - even when her father uses her. Although most of us as an audience would decry her poor decision at being so used, and misplacing her trust, I cannot say that it would be easy to denounce your own father and work against him. Yu Wu Xin legitimately tries, and in the end,
click to show/hide spoilersgrows up and leaves him.
I love how that was done as a journey and struggle.
Nicky and Zhao Li Ying engage as father and daughter really convincingly. Their surface relationship is master and sect member, but when they clash, it's an amazing father and daughter showdown. In one of the scenes when Yu Wu Xin is at the end of her tether,
click to show/hide spoilersshe goads her father to kill her.
It was an awesome clash of wills and pride. Amazingly performed by both Nicky and Zhao Li Ying. On that note, I don't know if the two co-ordinated their mannerisms, but Yu Wu Xin shows similar arrogance in her gestures as her father. It's a fabulous example of showing instead of telling me about the father-daughter connection.
Then there is mum.
click to show/hide spoilersWho for some obscure and convoluted reason chooses to remain dead to the world. In remaining a passive parent in the dysfunctional family, I really think she is being as cruel as Zhu Ge Zheng Wo to Yu Wu Xin. I can't see how she can't say: "Stuff it! I'm taking my daughter with me." All Yu Wu Xin has ever wanted from the start is a loving parent to be with. I suspect even more than being with Ding Yin if it came down to it. Both mum and dad have that capacity to give that to their daughter, but both choose to get lost in their own little revenge and guilt neuroses. I can't say poor Yu Wu Xin, because she is simply too strong a character to be pitied. But yeah, you can see she got the very short end of the stick for parents. It has been interesting to watch her struggle with being a filial daughter and manage not to self destruct under the pressures of a dysfunctional family. In many ways, her journey as a character is more engaging than Ding Yin so far.
But I look forward to Ding Yin becoming 'evil'. Because it looks like sort of a reverse happens at this stage. When Ding Yin is shown in his demony red robes, Yu Wu Xin takes on white robes that styles her almost like an angel. Demon vs angel. Cool.