Judge Dee's Mystery Reviews

An unexpected twist! The Queen's Phoenix Seal goes missing, and we initially think General Kang, who has earned the Queen's trust, is running around the city searching for it.
But it turns out that all the clues point to General Kang as the mastermind behind it all! This kind of "unexpected yet logical" twist is truly captivating to watch!

I have endured the hardships of studying for decades, and now I hold my brush to enter the high gates as an official." I really like the lines from the TV series "The Great Tang Di Case." There are many similar phrases, and I initially thought they were direct quotations from classical poetry, but it turns out they were created by the screenwriter.
They truly put in a lot of effort~

The props are exquisitely crafted. I want to travel back in time and live in the Tang Dynasty. It would be amazing to solve a case with Di Ren Jie (no doubt I won't be a burden, hehe). The overall pacing is tight, focusing on the progression of the cases.
The various forces and intrigues coming and going make it incredibly exciting.

The investigative process of Di Ren Jie is so meticulous! From analyzing the crime scene to even noticing a burnt piece of rope outside the door, no detail is wasted. It keeps you engaged and makes you want to brainstorm along with him while watching.

I watched for twenty minutes and then quit. It just doesn't compare to "Mysteries of the Tang Dynasty." Is Zhou Yi Wei trying to be another kind of "Prince Duan"? He really comes off as pretentious and overly slick.
The "acting" of someone who has skill appears especially forced and unnatural. They want to portray a relaxed and carefree state of the character, but it's just too much of an obvious and deliberate effort.

Throughout the investigation, every glance from Zhang Sun Qing is worth pondering. It doesn't feel like he's just solving a case; it's as if he's playing a game of "Werewolf" with all the intricate strategies that go beyond my imagination.
Is this the work of the old aristocracy opposing the Empress? I don't think this case is as simple as it seems.

I think Zhou Yi Wei is okay, not oily here. Why are there such strong opinions? Is it so difficult for middle-aged actors to change stereotypes? The literati of the Tang Dynasty were not weak and helpless.
It's quite exciting to see a bit of martial prowess.

There is an ambition to excel, but it falls into the category of making more mistakes than successes. The intention was to create an eerie atmosphere with filters, but the dark green tones only make the characters appear extremely dirty.
There was an effort to focus on cinematography, but the fragmented editing only seemed like a show-off. Choosing a group of "method actors" to carry the scenes resulted in none of them truly fitting their roles.

This script is a disgrace to these actors. The logic is chaotic, none of them use their brains. The flaws in "The Golden Case" are unbearable. How can a restrained Jin Sang destroy the mast and the rudder?
And not a single objection from Di Daren, who was present? I don't know if the screenwriter lacks brains, but he definitely hopes the audience watches without using their brains.

Can someone tell me when did Hou Yu accompany Liu Zhongshi?
Where did the time for the crime come from?

Formulaic and pseudo-good film, it has the appearance of a high-budget production with exquisite set designs, aesthetically pleasing filtered scenes, and a strong cast. However, it's all superficial, leaving a tasteless experience.
The character design of the protagonist is passable, but the plot is dragging. The attempts at suspense and detective work feel repetitive and forced, which is truly disappointing...

I'm at episode twenty, and I'm feeling a bit aesthetically fatigued. Di Ren Jie solves cases entirely based on fantasy without any evidence. He contradicts himself multiple times, and then the protagonist just confesses on their own.
There aren't any surprises, but it's still watchable. I just want to make an appeal to the Chinese entertainment industry to please stop using plastic surgery faces... It's really distracting. There are too many high-tech plastic surgery faces in every film and TV drama.

The fact that the Empress can transfer Di Ren Jie to such a remote place like Penglai County as a magistrate indicates that it's not a well-governed region. Harmony is just superficial, as there have long been hidden undercurrents. Cao Hexian's daughter being able to lurk here for so long must have some significant plan in the works.
Di Ren Jie can expect numerous challenges awaiting him.

I particularly enjoy watching Di Ren Jie confront Ma Rong in the TV show. The female character has a somewhat naive and cute demeanor, and she lacks knowledge to fully understand the hidden meaning behind Di Ren Jie's words.
When he compares her to a puppy with the "bad habit of eating poop," she probably only grasps the surface meaning. She serves as a comic relief in the suspenseful atmosphere.
I hope the female character doesn't grow up too quickly, or else my source of joy will be gone, haha.

The woman in the Lai Mansion seems to be a pitiable character. She is infatuated with the painter Xu Kai, but it's evident that the women depicted in each of Xu Kai's paintings are all Yin Lian.
It's jealousy that gradually drives her towards madness. If only she knew that Xu Kai was already dead... I dare not imagine.

Someone like Di Ren Jie is naturally meant for solving cases. With eyes observing all directions and ears listening to every corner, he can quickly perceive the essence with the slightest movement.
Give him a clue, and he can unravel the big mystery. The folding screen case should be a piece of cake for him. I'm sure he'll encounter more complex cases in the future, right?

Without forcefully portraying and emphasizing the importance of major characters, Great Tang Di Ren Jie focuses more on the ordinary and vibrant lives of supporting roles, which often makes it easier to empathize with them compared to the protagonist's rich life experiences.
I absolutely adore Ma Rong and Qiao Tai, two capable assistants. And Cao An is truly unbelievably beautiful!

When the plot of the folding screen case suddenly appeared at the end of the fourth episode, it was like a shark jumping out at the beginning, giving me a big fright. But I have to say, my curiosity was immediately piqued, and I eagerly clicked on the fifth episode.
The pacing is really well done, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Please keep it up!

Can anyone appreciate Qiao Tai, the follower? Although he doesn't have many lines, he gives off such a reliable vibe. There's never anything suspicious about him, and in an instant, you can spot his figure in a hidden corner.
He never lets a hint of suspicion arise. When Ma Rong volunteered to go to Bazuong, Qiao Tai was secretly protecting her. As soon as he heard they were going to drink, he relaxed and revealed a relieved smile.
I really love this loyal and simple-minded character!

Di Ren Jie is truly skilled at solving cases. The first thing he does after bringing back the male corpse from Penglai County is to conduct a post-mortem examination. He then creates a portrait and posts it to help identify the body.
He can also deduce the victim's cause of death based on the injuries. His investigative techniques are incredibly experienced.

Who hasn't seen Zhong Chuxi's empress look in "The Great Tang Di Gong An"?? Without exaggeration, it has truly surprised me. Her previous urban drama just finished not long ago, but here she is, making a grand entrance as the empress.
I'm telling you, it's mind-blowing. Don't miss it!

I feel that the Phoenix Seal Case is a major turning point for the character of Di Renjie. It transitions him from the previous image of a wandering swordsman in Hu clothing to becoming the magistrate of Penglai County.
It marks a significant turning point in his life, and we will witness a more mature portrayal of Di Gong in the subsequent episodes.

The human heart is hard to decipher. What we see is not always true, and what we hear is not always real. Immersed in the process of unraveling the truth, we experience a unique journey of solving the case. When the mystery is unveiled, numerous details flash back in our minds, and suddenly everything becomes clear.
That's the true fascination of a suspenseful detective drama.

The fast-paced and decisive investigative approach really captivates me. From Di Ren Jie discovering the male corpse in Penglai County to quickly narrowing down the suspect to Li Han within just two episodes, it seems like this case will be solved within three episodes.
I appreciate how they don't drag out the storytelling and focus on the case details. It truly resonates with me, haha.

Irresponsible speculation: Teng Kan's madness might have been caused by the herbal soup given to him by Yin Lian. The painting on the screen was created by Xu Kai. Perhaps the two of them planned to drive Teng Kan completely insane, but they didn't expect Li Han, Yin Lian's old lover, to intervene and end up killing both of them...
So, in this case, Teng Kan is actually the beneficiary??

I was really scared by the scene where Teng Kan refused to take the medicine and went crazy on the spot. When I searched it, I found out that it was actually acted by Yin Xiaotian.
I mean, didn't everyone have such great performances when filming this drama? Every actor looks slim, tall, and exceptionally good-looking! The director is really skilled at filming, huh!

I won't spoil too much here, but episodes 1-4 tell a case that gives me a feeling of both expected and unexpected outcomes, which I really enjoy. The pacing is well-managed, and the plot is quite cohesive.
The storytelling is clear and somewhat thought-provoking, making it a bit mind-boggling. Looking forward to seeing how it develops in the upcoming episodes!
I'm quite fond of it.

This drama is truly mind-boggling. Every episode is filled with high-energy plot twists. Every character, every line, and every event feels like a twist. It's like I've been fooled twice by stereotypes, and I've decided to never trust anyone again!
You all have issues!

In theory, Teng Kan confessed to his crimes, and the people witnessed it. If there were no breakthroughs, the case could have been closed without objections. However, Di Ren Jie has his own scale in his heart. This is the first major case he's handling in Peng Lai County, and he can't afford to be careless.
No matter what, he must uncover the truth and give everyone an explanation. Otherwise, what's the point of coming all the way from Chang'an if he's just going to give up?

DiFan, your one sentence caused my CPU to overheat. "You can see certain things because someone wants you to see them." So, the clues my partner and I deduced in the previous episodes were intentionally revealed by the other side.
One sentence wasted...

There are so many scam dramas nowadays... At first glance, the production quality is excellent, and the actors are impressive. However, the pace of the plot development is slow, the romantic storyline feels forced, the Hanfu costumes have a studio-like aesthetic, and the pipa playing is off.
I can't help but wonder if the production team was really putting their heart into it. With such a big production, couldn't they have hired a couple of consultants to ensure accuracy? The storytelling falls short compared to "Tang Gui.

Wanglide has yet to make an appearance, and I can't help but feel that things are more ominous than fortunate. Di Renjie, you better work overtime and solve the case for me quickly. I'm so curious about who could be so "greedy" for all that gold!
I can't wait; the case needs to be solved immediately!

The ending of Episode 6, when Di Ren Jie coldly said, "Officials are officials, and bandits are to be slaughtered like bandits," was absolutely badass! While in Chang'an, he seemed like a refined scholar who followed the rules.
But after experiencing the tragic deaths of his fellow disciples, betrayal from his teacher, and being entrusted by the Queen, he has begun to search for a new approach to solving cases!

I'm not used to watching this case without Uncle Hong. No, it's not that I don't like it. Uncle Hong's constant chatter is an essential part of Detective Di's investigations. I love listening to Uncle Hong's ramblings.
Please bring him along for the next case!

The two recent storylines have a good production quality. One is the Phoenix Seal case which portrays the historical background, and the other is the first case in Penglai County, known as the Folding Screen case.
The plot is neither forced nor cliché. I hope they can maintain this quality in the future.

Accidentally watched it at 1.5x speed for a while, and the plot was like a rocket. There was so much information that even my eyes couldn't keep up. Had to switch back to normal speed to watch it properly. It was quite enjoyable, my friends.
There weren't any dull moments, especially when Di Ren Jie and Ma Rong had their scenes together. They delivered some hilarious lines that had me laughing out loud.

Zhong Chu Xi has this feeling of awakening female power. She knows very well that the path to women's rights is undoubtedly a difficult one, especially when it involves eliminating opposition.
That's why she set up a web of schemes within schemes. It gives me a sense of her being ruthless, yet I still love it. This Queen is fierce!

It's really terrible. In "Di Ren Jie," they first frame everyone in the case, listen to their cunning arguments, and then judge whether they're the killer? And they have to include a singer played by Wang Li Kun. That male attendant is clearly a deserter, yet he can confidently continue to assist in solving the cases.
What is Zhou Yi Wei even playing? I haven't read the original work, but his performance is not great.

During the Chinese New Year, I was hooked on a drama. It's evident that the production team put a lot of effort into the costumes and set design to authentically recreate the social atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty.
The plot is tightly crafted with intriguing case setups and resolutions, keeping the suspense at its peak. Interestingly, I planned to read Gao Peiluo's original work, "The Cases of Di Renjie in the Tang Dynasty," during this time.
What a coincidence!