Great acting, great battle scenes -- Overall worth-watching!

I've always liked historical/period drama about palace politics, usurpation of the throne and the likes - not harem politics. That's why I enjoy watching The Rebel Princess.
A few notes on the drama from my point of view:

Pros:
1. Great casting and top-notch acting not only from seasoned actors such as Zhang Zi Yi, Zhou Yi Wei, Yu Hewei, Shi Ke and Yuan Hong, but most of actors in this drama. They set the bar very high -- they act naturally and very convincing. Don't mind the age thing, and ignore the characters' age, because it's not that important (at least for me). Moreover, the chemistry between FL and ML is sizzling, amazing, through the roof - you name it! I'm not sure I could find any other dramas as satisfying as this one in acting department.
2. The production, Cinematography and visual show us that this drama is done carefully, in detail and is expensive - we can see it from the quality of properties, for instances soldiers' clothes and equipment, and other small items.
3. This is the first C-drama that I didn't want to miss battle scenes because the choreography is that good! And who'd want to miss those battle scenes especially with the charismatic General Xiao Qi. Again, not sure I would find a perfect ML, a perfect General like Xiao Qi -- thanks to Zhou Yi Wei -- in other dramas.
4. Beautiful OST (all songs) and background music (instrumental).
5. Actors use their own voices, except for Hong Kong actors (Angie Chiu and Kara Hui among others) because of different dialect.

Cons:
1. To fit the story, it would be better if the English title was "Ode to Shangyang" not "The Rebel Princess".
2. It is said that due to rules and regulations, the producers had to cut episodes from 80 to 68 eps. As a result, some scenes in the last few episodes a bit confusing and felt rushed.

To enjoy this drama and not get lost in schemes, intrigues, etc, we really have to pay attention to dialogues -- including that is spoken casually -- as well as to the acting of supporting characters. So that we won't be confused as why in ep 36 Song Huai En suddenly dreamt about Awu -- because we can see that he's enchanted by Awuin ep. 18 (a scene after Xiao Qi left the city). Or on how Hu Yao ended in the palace (ep 54) -- because prior to that scene (in the same episode) when Zitan arrived at the city gate he instructed his maid to find a doctor to treat "the girl" that they found -- even though no scene about it.

Overall it's a drama worth watching and re-watching.

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