Cloud Prison 2 (2020)

Part 2 is all about psychology

I prefer the story of Part 2 to Part 1. For Part 1, I am still debating (with myself) if Zhang Yan was wrong to copy the murderer's diary? The thumb drive was planted in his bag, and he had expanded on the notes, gave it meaning and make it into a novel, so it isn't a direct copy..... Anyway, back to topic. Can you watch Cloud Prison 2 without watching 1? They are related, it is more meaningful to watch 1 first.

While Cloud Prison 1 focus on the technicalities and viewer's experience with this unique storytelling style, Cloud Prison 2 focus on the motivations and psychological implications of all involved. Hence the plot pace is slower and there is more dialogues. Midway through, I felt like I was watching a 1-man play in the theatre. It must be difficult for the actors in this drama, as they have to emote directly to the camera. Natural acting is really difficult when there is no opposing actors, and you might get too self-conscious and overly dramatic. Which is the case for the main character in Part 2 (not revealing his name as this is meant to be a surprise, if you haven't manage to guess the identity of the mastermind in Part 1), he would feel overly dramatic at first. But on hindsight, after I finished the drama and was reflecting on what I have just seen, I realized his character had been in hiding for many years. All this living alone and plotting schemes to entrap people, and finding out their secrets and weaknesses....... it would drive anyone to the edge of madness. Rather than saying he is the mastermind, he is only a fish in the bowl. So who is the mastermind? Ah.... the people viewing the fish in the bowl ;)

The 2nd main character, is the daughter of the main character. It is difficult to describe her without giving away the plot.... Maybe I can say she can be a study subject of human nature and psychology. Her inclusion in the story is 1) to give the main character to show his humane side 2) to talk about depression. I really love the scriptwriter's way of presenting her. When there are depressive people in dramas, we usually see them looking very melancholy or acting out. But here, she is quite calm and rationale. Instead, director use other ways to show her "unbalanced" side. The weibo account that is full of food images and her smiling face, a bandaged wrist (to show she had slashed her wrist), etc.. little details which feel very, very sad when her story is revealed.

For music, there is actually no music in this drama, more like ambience music to mock the situation.... But what little it has, is really enough. And I definitely will be re-watching this drama soon.

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