Are You the One? (2024) Episodes 12-20

As Cui Xingzhou resigns himself to impending marriage to cousin Binglan, he receives an imperial mandate that sees him traipsing off to Jinjia Pass (the northwestern border of Qi) to fend off enemy hordes. To all intents and purposes, it’s a suicide mission tailored for him. The present Empress Dowager ruling as regent is keen to be rid of this thorn in her side, Prince Huaiyang. He accepts of course. To refuse would mean instant death for him and his family. The mission itself certainly is a hoop he must leap through to survive politically but far more importantly, it sets the stage for a number of discoveries that reveal a cozy business arrangement between a government official and a neighbouring tribe over the issue of iron ore. Furthermore, as it is likely that Xingzhou would not return unscathed, Binglan feigns illness signalling her intention to withdraw from the longstanding marriage arrangement nagged on by her scheming mother.

Prior to and even when she gradually discovers who Cui Jiu really is, Liu Miantang shows herself to be the perfect wife. Not only does she serve as a contrast to Binglan, who is pragmatically after the status of the prince’s consort, she is rather too good to be true. It is with a tinge of irony I note that the fake wife in amnesia fog is better qualified to be the wife of Prince Huaiyang than the officially designated wife. Xingzhou doesn’t begrudge Binglan that bit of pragmatism and in fact willingly sets her free so she can marry someone else untainted if he… kicks the bucket on the battlefield. Miantang’s loyalty on the other hand is more than commendable. It’s absurdly so. When she reads his Dear John letter and divorce certificate, she packs up and heads off to join him in the frontlines. Despite being moved by this gesture, he raves on that it’s all ridiculous. What’s driving her to go above and beyond the call of duty? It’s madness of a sort.

While at Jinjia Pass, Miantang proves herself to be the perfect general’s wife. She organizes the women in the village and rallies them around the fate of their loved ones. She claims membership as “one of them” and keep them busy. Soon this support system of the war turns into a well-oiled machine. There’s a even a pregnancy and difficult birth thrown in to tug at the heartstrings. Certainly it doesn’t hurt Miantang’s credibility as an efficient organizer with the ability to adapt according to circumstances. More than that she puts up a united supportive front with the man she thinks she’s married. Though deceived about his identity, the fact that he’s on the frontlines is real enough as well as the fact that he is caught in a life-threatening conspiracy.

Her decision to demonstrate her devotion to this extent not only makes it doubly difficult for Xingzhou to let her go but it also increases the possibility of his cover being blown. It turns out that she’s in familiar territory. In her past she was co-ordinating a transport business that included the major players that are moving around a large-scale chessboard. It would only be a matter of time before she regained her memories, putting two and two together. By Episode 20 she’s in full-blown revenge mode ready to inflict damage and make use of Cui Xingzhou’s clout to rid herself of a persistent foe.

It becomes evident after about 15 or 16 episodes who Ziyu (Chang Huasen) really is and it’s not hard to see why he’s chosen to also hide his identity. He’s another one who is lying about who he really is. Obviously there are plenty of people who want him dead including the current Empress Dowager. His blossoming relationship with Shi Xueji (Yuan Yuxuan) is one of the more interesting developments. They have have been thrown into an arranged marriage by political expediency and while he’s not in love with her, he’s kind enough to give her some reassurance that it won’t be a lifelong tragedy in the making. I find Shi Xueji herself to be likeable in her good sense and wit. She’s no fool and because she’s no fool, she’s not entering into this betrothal as a giddy schoolgirl with romantic notions of marriage with a man who loves her only. Quite admirably she’s making the best of a situation in which she has no control and discovering perhaps, it’s the lesser of two evils. It could be that she’s the real Cinderella of this story escaping a stifling repressive family environment to find her oyster elsewhere. She’s also a contrast to other women (her sister included) that presume that they deserve better and are entitled to the best that life has to offer — and at the top of that list, a high status husband. The moral emerging here among the main romances is, to coin the words of Mr Knightley, that men of sense don’t want silly… or scheming wives for that matter.

With high status comes not only a great deal of responsibility but being a moving target for political opponents. A man who doesn’t have a reliable wife, can’t be sure that in times of crisis she won’t abandon ship at the first sign of trouble. After the events of Jinjia Pass Cui Xingzhou soon pronounces himself finally in love. He has found the love of his life and this time regardless of what pressures are placed on him, he will have his way. Just when he finally decides he’s going to have a proper marriage with Miantang, she’s seething with resentment that he pulled wool over her eyes.

Are You the One is a fun show. I like it and there are elements of it I really enjoy. But it becomes increasingly obvious that it’s not a 40 episode drama. At most it should only be a 30 episodes. Even then, I suspect it would be a stretch. Clearly the drama is being padded by side romances and characters that don’t need to be part of the landscape. Many of the comedic moments are included to lighten the storyline rather than add anything to the character arcs or overall storyline.

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