The Double (2024) Episodes 15-17
In all honesty, the Luyang arc is a mixed bag. There are aspects that are good and aspects that test my internal plausibility meter. While I wouldn’t accuse A’Li of being a Mary Sue in the classic sense, there’s a lot that she gets up to that can’t be explained by audacity alone. The plot armour is strong in this one because there are several occasions that she could have been killed and one or members of the Ye family could have become scapegoats for her death. Save for the presence of Xiao Heng perhaps lurking in the background like a faithful watchdog. An untimely death is all too possible considering the history. The Double is also structured like a manga/manhwa series in terms of location arcs, increased difficulties with greater risks and idiosyncratic humour. There are times when the show feels like a live action adaptation of a manhwa/anime. The kind of humour is telling — like the nutty Governor Tong and his sidekick indulging in exaggerated opera antics that almost breaks the fourth wall. This goes some way to explaining why the show uses a great deal of close-ups like panels in a comic book. Moreover the combination of a kind of Anne Shirley-Pollyanna story with revenge and palace politics adds to that uncomfortable feeling that the show is in danger of tipping into even more absurd territory. Make no mistake I read manga and watch anime routinely so the parodic humour doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Still one gets the impression that A’Li bites off more than she can chew. She seems to be extraordinarily lucky that the people around her have more goodwill than she realises. Take Lai Biao for example. He has his code of honour sure. But did anyone know that before? Dealing with stepmother and company was one thing. Dealing with the underworld is another. On the one hand she knows she needs Xiao Heng’s help but seems to resent it while expecting it. She seems to know that the Jiang family has become too hot to handle so it’s off to Luyang she goes. While there she sticks her neck out in a way that brings more attention to herself. A person with that kind of appetite needs to be extraordinarily intelligent or unbelievably lucky.
I can’t speak to the novel but as a viewer of the screen adaptation, Third Uncle (Ye Mingyu) comes across as the most redundant character in the series. Except for the occasional comic relief apparently. As the episode with the drinking game seems to indicate, he’s more like a placeholder for Xiao Heng. Evidently a maiden of her position shouldn’t be seen running around with the country’s most eligible bachelor so uncle is there to chaperone her until he’s too drunk or when the real hero shows up to save the day.
Being a busybody is par for the course in detective work. But being an unofficial sleuth without official help is troublesome to say the least. Even Sherlock Holmes needed the sanction of Lestrade to solve crimes. Miss Marple was also inclined to call in call in allies from Scotland Yard. It’s also not that clear if A’Li wants revenge or justice because those are not the same things. Also I’m left wondering if she’s wanting justice for herself or the whole world. Again, that’s a big ask. I’m constantly reminded that anytime if any of the Bad People are inclined to, they could use the people around A’Li as hostages.
So things end up happily for the Ye family and everyone sings kumbaya. It’s hard to begrudge them this feel good moment because despite the disunity, this is a family that’s nothing like the quarrelsome Jiangs . Despite the buffoonery, there’s sincerity and affection. When the chips are down, they rally around each other. It’s enviable. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. It is a family not just in name but in relationship. We laugh at them and we smile as they celebrate the return of Second Uncle. Everyone played their part for the good of the family.
Still there are things to like about in Luyang. Episode 17 was particularly good. Not just because of the rain scene which was better than scraps off a rich man’s table. No one thinks about the age difference when these two close in on each other. The slowburn certainly adds to the anticipation. Let’s hope the payoff satisfies. However I find myself not really watching this show for the romance as excellent as the chemistry is. Whenever Xiao Heng is in the building, I am reminded that this storyline has a certain amount of credibility.mileage because of him. His connection to people, places and things positions him as a classic crime investigator accompanied by lackeys who run errands for him. The conspiracy that he’s unravelling with A’Li may or may not be all that complex. I doubt it will be anything we’ve not seen before. Nevertheless the thrill of the chase has its own kind of enjoyment. Even if it seems that A’Li is trying to swallow a whale, it’s reassuring to know that there’s Xiao Heng watching and biding his time not too embarrassed to ask for help or accept it when backed into a corner. Their paths are destined to intersect from their first encounter at Zhennv Hall.
It occurred to me after listening to a podcast about Faust and Mephistopheles that Shen Yurong has made a deal with the devil in Princess Wanton to maintain a certain degree of neutrality (impossible under the circumstances) and to keep both his sister and mother alive. Staying with Princess Wanton Nutcase is exacting a terrible toll on his conscience and dignity but not without irony, as his inability to keep to his marital vows and the princess’ interference in their marriage has paved the way for A’Li to participate in the uncovering of that conspiracy.
Because trivial historical titbits tickle my curiosity, I did a little research into the Suzhou Brocade that was referred to in the Luyang arc. What’s been translated Suzhou Brocade seems to be better known as the Song Brocade although it did not originate during the Song dynasty but reached its zenith during the Northern Song dynasty. During the Southern Song dynasty workshops were built in Suzhou which was already the centre of the silk industry in China. Apparently the making of the brocade was quite complex involving over 20 processes. The techniques applied to the Song brocade resulted in a finer softer texture.
As for the main romance, it is progressing at the speed I was expecting it to. Lots of long stares and teasing. A bit of push and pull. That’s what the rain scene exemplified. I can’t expect too much from a 40-episode drama. If the leads pair up early, it usually means some kind of separation ahead. So yeah, a slowburn is better as long as there’s a good sensible ending at the end of all the build up. Sadly C dramas just don’t do payoff all that well in general.
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