The final 75th episode of Tribes and Empires is released today on Dramafever and it marks the end of a long journey. Without revealing too many spoilers, here are some thoughts.
The final few episodes of Tribes and Empires gave me déjà vu. It’s the same sinking and disconnected feelings cropped up towards the end of Princess Agents.
Tribes and Empires’ script was co-written by the book’s original author, Jin Hezai. This fact is really surprising considering the inconsistency of pace, characters, and plot development.
During the first half, the incredible cinematography, acting, and suspense blew me away. It filled me with immense anticipation. The plot was so intense it often took several days to process and be ready for the next episode. From the bottom of a broken fan-girls heart that feeling did not last.
Towards the end many new plot points were introduced, yet some of the established plots were dragged out. How many episodes do we have to see Muyun Yanshuang (Princess Jing) tied up? The final scene of the final episode… what a bizarre and random moment to close on.
In the end there is very little resolution. The initial questions we had, the ones we thought were being answered, were not and instead the plot comes full circle and we are left with the exact same questions, if not more.
Going back to the very first episode, why was that solo traveler desperately looking for “That Man”? Learning a bit more about him, how did the traveler expect that interaction to go, telling him about Muyun Sheng?
During the 75 episodes, “That Man” is rarely mentioned, so much so that I forgot about him. Yet at the end, he becomes incredibly significant and drops a bomb that feels like cop-out and potentially overrides all the other plots. If he succeeds… I don’t dare to think it makes everyone’s journeys pointless. This twist actually reminds me of Lost Love in Times.
Perhaps the book fills in the blanks and ties all the pieces together. In Princess Agents a lot of the people who read the book filled in the blanks for those of us who didn’t read it. We are so grateful for that!
It doesn’t seem realistic that there will be a sequel. We are left to wonder and speculate. What will happen to Novoland? What will happen to the all the people we met there?
Dr Muz
i hope they will make season 2… or else i might lose faith in chinese drama if they do like this, keeping completely open ending.
AndreaK
It would be great if they did! Hopefully the "open ended" dramas are a phase. That on the reason Nirvana on Fire was so good, it had a solid ending and the story was completed.
AndreaK
If anyone has read the book, does it mention more about the relationship between Muyun De and Lan Yu'er? I am so intrigued by their relationship, but there wasn't much information in the show.
Unknown
The ending did cover the decline of the empire that leads to chaos. Maybe the writer of the novel can finish the novel so we can actually have an ending. I heard the novel is up to the point where the 3 main characters are in control of separate territories (the son of the general did manage to make a comeback). I heard the son of the general will try to gather some magic items needed to beat destiny. Hopefully, those who are not interested in being emperor can give way to the one who is more interested in being emperor to avoid more bloodshed.
clichenicheblog
this is disappointing 🙁 i had been anticipating this drama for years! i'm only up to ep 35.
i read the director blew the budget which is why the cinematography and plot goes downhill. the drama was stretched by 10 or so episodes so he could sell the drama for a higher price.