Episode 2 recap: The Land God and Me.
Over here, there are four extremely lazy individuals. Because they are all so lazy, they formed a brotherhood and made a pact. No matter what happens, they agreed not to move unless absolutely necessary. If someone can't hold out any longer, they must help the others with their tasks. None of them want to do anything or even cook. Liu Bo couldn't bear his hunger any longer and felt that he should make something to eat.
The others stated that they had already agreed that whoever couldn't hold out would be the one to cook. Since Liu Bo couldn't hold out, he should go and cook. Liu Bo also didn't want to move and believed that since they had made an agreement, he shouldn't betray their beliefs. So he remained motionless. The group arrived at the land temple, and Liu Bo lifted up the fallen statue of the Land God, encountering the Land God of this place.
Liu Bo made a wish, saying that he wanted four bowls of rice, a hundred mu of fertile land, and abundant wealth. The Land God agreed and conjured four bowls of rice for Liu Bo. Liu Bo was shocked and said that he wanted four bowls of cooked rice. The Land God explained that four bowls of rice could be cooked from the given rice, and Liu Bo should cook it himself. The Land God also cast a spell to make Liu Bo go and cook. Liu Bo felt very frustrated, realizing that he had betrayed his beliefs.
The Land God mentioned that there was still a hundred mu of fertile land. Since Liu Bo had mentioned it, the Land God assured him that he would receive it. He mentioned that there was wasteland in the back mountains, and Liu Bo could clear it to cultivate the land.
Liu Bo felt extremely frustrated and didn't want to move at all, but the Land God cast a spell on him, leaving Liu Bo with no choice but to clear the land. The other three brothers mocked Liu Bo, saying that they had agreed not to move, yet only Liu Bo was clearing the land. Liu Bo asked the Land God if all the gods were like him. The Land God replied that other gods granted people's wishes, but he didn't think it was right, so he followed his own methods.
Liu Bo was still frustrated and wondered if he could sue the Land God. The Land God brought out the statues he made and told Liu Bo to sell them, saying that he would have abundant wealth that way. Liu Bo couldn't stand it and decided to refine the statues. The originally ugly statues suddenly became very beautiful. The Land God's apprentice was also frustrated, wondering why Liu Bo didn't sell the statues to support himself since he had such abilities. Liu Bo explained that he was accustomed to laziness.
Liu Bo worked hard but eventually became addicted to it. However, he encountered heavenly inspectors who accused the Land God of neglecting his duties and wanted to punish him. Liu Bo hurried back to inform the Land God and helped him up from the fallen statues. However, they discovered that there was a barrier preventing them from leaving. The Land God disappeared as a result of the punishment. Ten years later, Liu Bo had been living a diligent life and now had a wife and children.
So far, the three episodes released have not disappointed me. The first episode cleverly weaves satire into absurdity, giving off a hint of Jiang Wen's style. There are some philosophical thoughts and shades of "The Grandmaster." The sincere and heartfelt intention in the second episode, along with the knife at the end hinting at the development of a romantic relationship, struck a chord in my heart.
The crying scenes of the two characters in the third episode were quite tear-jerking. It's a gradual improvement, maintaining sincerity and staying true to the initial vision.
In each episode of this drama, you can already predict the ending early on, but it still keeps you engaged. The collaboration between the two main characters has a subtle atmosphere. There's no quarreling, no drama, just a natural flow.
The most delicate aspect is that they are clearly the best partners, yet every work they are involved in tells a story of separation.