Ghost stories aren’t my thing as a rule but I can understand the perennial fascination with them. It isn’t the existence of ghosts themselves that matters to most readers but what they represent for the living — for those left behind. Survivor’s guilt and regret are hugely powerful emotions that play a part in how ghost stories are conceived and told. Ghost stories aren’t about ghosts per se but about grievances and unfinished business. Mixed into all that is regret. That’s my theory at least and for the purposes of this post I intend to stick to it.
This was definitely splendid theatre work in shadow puppetry. I think the new musical score helped too. I know some people equated it to the scene of "The Red Wedding" from GAME OF THRONES, but I didn't see it that way. I am glad you pointed it out that this isn't really the story of HWS' revenge, because I think the discussion still goes that so many people are upset that he fell in love with Niaoniao when he shouldn't have (me rolling my eyes). I love the scene of her family stepping in and stepping up to help her so she could go rescue the dude in distress! kidding kidding. But it was such a beautiful scene with her in her red dress, riding on the black mare to go save HWS. I still am processing why if he knew all along, he chose this moment finally to execute his plan and kill Ling Yi, given how he's carried this heavy burden for so long. I understand Peng Kun's death and his aunt's death was a domino effect, but I am still trying to logically understand his detective work and the desperation that eventually set the massacre into motion.
According to Zisheng, the reason why he chose that very moment to execute his revenge was to protect the Cheng family and to take full responsibility for his unsanctioned actions because he didn't have proof of Ling Yi's culpability and his identity as Huo Wushang. That's his reasoning and not even Niaoniao could fault that.
The reason she was upset with him was not because he did it on the evening of their wedding. But I will talk more about it in the next post.
Thank you for the clarification, friend. I might have to go rewatch the scenes because I felt I missed a huge chunk of information and probably why I am so confused. Yea, I did understand that CSS wasn't upset at him for doing what he needed, but we'll continue that part in your next post too. I can't wait to read your thoughts for the next two ahead. See you again soon!
Just Wow! You have made me appreciate and understand Huo Bu Yi and Shao Sang's motives because of how you intelligently fleshed out the narrative surrounding them.
A pleasure to read your take on these flamboyant episodes.
It is indeed heartrending to watch her ask repeatedly "do you have something to tell me ?" and them being interrupted twice before his confession. Clearly these disturbances were not taken as sign to stay silent by the rational HWS, however they were pegs in the separation fence building up between our couple.
This was definitely splendid theatre work in shadow puppetry. I think the new musical score helped too. I know some people equated it to the scene of "The Red Wedding" from GAME OF THRONES, but I didn't see it that way. I am glad you pointed it out that this isn't really the story of HWS' revenge, because I think the discussion still goes that so many people are upset that he fell in love with Niaoniao when he shouldn't have (me rolling my eyes). I love the scene of her family stepping in and stepping up to help her so she could go rescue the dude in distress! kidding kidding. But it was such a beautiful scene with her in her red dress, riding on the black mare to go save HWS. I still am processing why if he knew all along, he chose this moment finally to execute his plan and kill Ling Yi, given how he's carried this heavy burden for so long. I understand Peng Kun's death and his aunt's death was a domino effect, but I am still trying to logically understand his detective work and the desperation that eventually set the massacre into motion.
As always, a pleasure to read your words, Lily!
Always good to hear from you, Kathleen.
According to Zisheng, the reason why he chose that very moment to execute his revenge was to protect the Cheng family and to take full responsibility for his unsanctioned actions because he didn't have proof of Ling Yi's culpability and his identity as Huo Wushang. That's his reasoning and not even Niaoniao could fault that.
The reason she was upset with him was not because he did it on the evening of their wedding. But I will talk more about it in the next post.
Thank you for the clarification, friend. I might have to go rewatch the scenes because I felt I missed a huge chunk of information and probably why I am so confused. Yea, I did understand that CSS wasn't upset at him for doing what he needed, but we'll continue that part in your next post too. I can't wait to read your thoughts for the next two ahead. See you again soon!
Just Wow! You have made me appreciate and understand Huo Bu Yi and Shao Sang's motives because of how you intelligently fleshed out the narrative surrounding them.
Truly a satisfying read! Thank you.😍😍😍
A pleasure to read your take on these flamboyant episodes.
It is indeed heartrending to watch her ask repeatedly "do you have something to tell me ?" and them being interrupted twice before his confession. Clearly these disturbances were not taken as sign to stay silent by the rational HWS, however they were pegs in the separation fence building up between our couple.