Escape from the Trilateral Slopes 边水往事 definitely left a mark, with Douban ratings opening at a solid 8.1. Whenever that ending song plays, “Get some money, make some money, scared money don’t make no money…” you know this isn’t your usual C-drama.
The setting, in a fictional place that was actually shot in Xishuangbanna of China’s Yunnan Province brings a very different vibe—tropical and immersive. We get to learn the story through the lens of the main protagonist Shen Xing, played by Guo Qilin. But now that the series has ended, there’s one hurt that probably everyone who watched is feeling. [SPOILER ALERT]
A Character Death That Shook Fans
In the series finale, Dan Tuo dies. He may have been rough on the edges, but Dan Tuo show’s a softer side especially when he began treating Shen Xing like a younger brother, caring for him and making sure to always bring him food. Dan Tuo’s reckless loyalty and brotherly love made his death all the more heartbreaking. He knew what staying would mean, but someone had to take responsibility. Ultimately, Uncle Cai kills Dan Tuo as they both feel it’s better he does the deed than someone else. The moment is painful, Dan Tuo dying by the hands of the man he respected most, who slit his throat in a tragic twist that left viewers in tears. Even veteran actor Francis Ng, who’s a critically-acclaimed actor, had a hard time filming the scene.
The role of Dan Tuo is undoubtedly a significant break for actor Jiang Qilin, who has been around for a while. It may be surprising to some who discover that Jiang Qilin was once part of a duo (青鸟飞鱼) that even sang a song for Chinese Paladin 3. The actor who drew attention in Go Go Princess also appeared in Daylight dramas such as Minning Town and Bright Future, though he was mostly in supporting roles.
The Director on the Challenges of a Complex Ending
In the original novel, Dan Tuo wasn’t a significant character—his death at the hands of Cai Shu was straightforward. But in the drama, the director made him a character to remember. In an interview with Yu Li (娱理), Director Lao Suan shared that the story of the Daban brothers was mostly newly created, so for him, the characters are like his babies. He said, “When you have to kill them, there’s this lingering regret and complex mix of emotions.”
Dan Tuo’s death was inevitable. Even though he adapted to the rules in the Trilateral Slopes, it seems he longed for a life outside, yet unlike the main protagonist who could go back home, Dan Tuo had nowhere to go. The director admitted he wasn’t sure how to film Dan Tuo’s death. In the original, it was a betrayal, but in the drama, it’s filled with emotions, camaraderie, love, and a sense of reluctance that reflects his life principles. For Cai Shu, killing Dan Tuo was a turning point—he had crossed a line, making a choice that pushed him beyond the point of no return. Lao Suan said, “A good ending is not hard, and a bad ending is not hard—what’s hard is when everyone has no choice but to end up where they do, and that’s really very hard.”
Hope for Season 2
Meanwhile, it was recently confirmed that Shen Xingxing, the author of the novel Escape from the Trilateral Slopes is based on, has been working on new material, meaning there’s a second part to the story. This got fans excited about the possibility of a Season 2, but it was later clarified that it’s the second part of the novel, not the drama. Still, with the success of the series, perhaps there’s hope for a new season on the screen.
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