Ending Recap: Classic of Mountains and Seas

2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Classic of Mountains and Seas 山海经之赤影传说 seems like a wholesome affair about a quest to gather seven warriors in a race to summon a deity, that is until jealousy rears its ugly head and everyone starts dropping like flies [spoiler alert].

2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap
The final episode begins with a one-on-one battle between Su Mo (Gu Li Na Zha) and Fu Er (Lan Ying Ying) and for the umpteenth time, Su Mo is defeated. Granted that Fu Er possesses black magic and a newfound ability for mind control; yet Su Mo’s lack of improvement throughout the 46-episode run is equally frustrating.
2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap
Zhang Han in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas Zhang Han in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Meanwhile, Chi Yu (Zhang Han) and his alter ego Xin Yue Hu (Zhang Han) are trapped inside an illusion. Desperate to escape, Chi Yu decides to sacrifice himself saying that he owes Xin Yue Hu who has remained in the shadows for most of their lives.


Nevertheless, Xin Yue Hu surprises with a sudden bout of altruism and instead, gives away every ounce of his energy until he disintegrates in a swift but heartfelt farewell among the unlikely brothers.

2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap
Gao Weiguang in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas Gao Weiguang in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Baili Han (Li Chao) has obtained the Green Dragon’s power and he has come to gloat in front of his old-time frenemy Bin Yi (Gao Weiguang). 
 
Scoffing at Bin Yi’s unyielding love for Fu Er that stems from her resemblance to his wife, Baili Han reveals that Bin Yi’s wife was his lover first, implying Bin Yi’s marriage a sham. However, the joke is on Baili Han because Bin Yi knew the truth all along.


Realizing that the woman he loved had stopped loving him long ago, an enraged Baili Han deals a fatal blow to Bin Yi, leaving Fu Er devastated while he exclaims, “how come, when he was alive you didn’t care, now that he is dead, he’s important?”

Gu Li Na Zha in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas Lan Ying Ying in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas

To add insult to injury, Baili Han comes clean that the day Fu Er turned against Su Mo was a result of his scheming. 

While I feel for Fu Er, I do think that she takes the cake for most hated character so her comeuppance is welcome, more so because Baili Han is right in rubbing it in that her path to evilness would not have been so had she not been such a willing participant.

2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas The Ending 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas episode recap

More deaths followed as Shangguan Jin (Kenny Kwan) and Ah Su (Liu Chang De) also die in the hands of Baili Han. Chi Yu might have too if not for Su Mo who makes a wish to rid the bad, destroying Baili Han in the process.

Then comes the clean slate wherein everybody survives. 

2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas starring Zhang Han and Gu Li Na Zha



Final Impressions: From the first casualty to the second and the third, it becomes painfully obvious where the show is headed. Baili Han is simply too invincible and so effective at being the big bad that no one, not even Chi Yu can rival his prowess, which in hindsight wasn’t satisfying at all, especially for me who lives for storybook endings.
 

Nonetheless, Classic of Mountains and Seas has a good concept and at the heart of the adventure are its endearing ensemble of characters. I could watch Team Phoenix just for their tireless banter and their back stories while tragic, make good TV. 

Yet it is so far from perfect. In fact, I was throwing chairs against the wall when Chi Yu died and Xin Yue Hu appeared because it was such a ludicrous change that came just when the sweet moments between real-life couple Gu Li Na Zha and Zhang Han were getting good but I grew accustomed to the idea, thanks for the most part to a mellowed down Xin Yue Hu who had redeeming qualities of his own.

As for Su Mo’s wish for world peace, it negates the events of the entire series, which is a reality that I neither loved nor hated though I suppose it’s better that everyone is alive than dead, putting a bittersweet finality to the saga where only Su Mo and Chi Yu retain their memories so we can take consolation in the fact that they’ll always have each other

But whatever became of Bin Yi, the scroll lady, her loyal wolf boy and even the face-stealing prick?

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 c-drama listing.

Zhang Han and Kenny Kwan in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Lan Ying Ying in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Wu Lei in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Yin Zheng 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas
Li Mao in 2016 c-drama Classic of Mountains and Seas

8 Comments

  1. Unknown

    September 15, 2016 1:15 PM
  2. Anne J

    September 18, 2016 11:22 AM
  3. Unknown

    October 15, 2016 1:01 PM
  4. Anne J

    October 15, 2016 1:12 PM
  5. colourfulGadis

    November 4, 2016 11:44 AM
  6. Anne J

    November 4, 2016 1:16 PM
  7. Unknown

    November 26, 2016 11:34 PM
  8. Unknown

    March 31, 2019 12:51 AM

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