Gold!
Many wishes fulfilled! The duet that we've been waiting for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNOSO8QYQc
Luo Mingxi sang the themesong!
I just realized that the opening themesong for Till the End of the Moon is sung by Liu Yuning, the same actor that plays Luo Mingxi in the Legend of the Anle! I love how Luo Mingxi keeps ribbing Han Ye over Anle. It's always so on point too. Han Ye tries to rib back, and keeps improving, but it's like a swipe vs. a slow burn. The banter is too funny. Whenever Han Ye calls him by his name, he's always like "Address me by my title." I'm not your friend.
In other news, and Anle is an exception, but watching other dramas now feel like they are mini chapters from TTEOTM, just fleshed out. Is it just me? Six degrees of separation from TTEOTM.
Not Exceeding: One more time!
Look what I found?! I keep finding myself paying special attention to certain parts of the song, waiting for him to sing this one part, but every time the camera/auto-focus shakes so violently. lol. ::sigh:: Pretty amazing voice, especially to do a solo on this song, but where is his partner in crime? I don't feel quite as complete! Plus, would love to put a face to the also amazing vocals! Fan service, fan service, please.
Singing both parts solo
A Special Treat?
Speaking of various versions, for more details of dragon conciousness, see Back from the Brink...episode 32!?!? hahaha =) I think 32 is our lucky number.
English Dubbed Version
It looks like they are releasing TTEOTM episodes again, with English dubbing this time. So far, only a couple of episodes are released. Not sure how the dubbing was done, but it sounds very AI. I'd prefer the original version, with English subtitles, especially if you are watching the series for the first time. The costumes and special effects definitely played a huge role in the initial impressions, but the writing and the actors gave depth and dimension to the story. Bai Lu's voice is so unique and distinctive, Luo Yunxi's emotions are epic, and their chemistry is what makes this series so great, it's such a waste to essentially "overwrite" those elements.
I can picture Bai Lu curiously taking a look at the dubbed versions, find herself in her opening scene, and bursting out laughing with her hearty laugh. Her opening line and her dubbed voice. lol. Not trying to be mean, it's just that I hope this version is only one option among many, and isn't THE only version or THE default setting that they plan to release to Netflix in U.S. (if they ever), for instance. Even Marvel's Shang Chi used the characters' original voices and added subtitles. I actually enjoyed TTEOTM more than Shangi Chi!
I only watched <15 minutes of dubbed version. (It's hard for me to rewatch any movies or series in its entirety, in general. But I would rewatch TTEOTM at some point.) I'm genuinely curious how these now iconic scenes, that are full of emotion, are going to play out with this dubbing!
Episode 40
The end la!! Yeah, I was like "What? That's how it ends?!" hahahah. So, of course, I was team HE. But what's worse than a BE? An OE!
I read somewhere that there might be a special episode and/or additional content. I haven't seen any of these yet, but at this moment, I feel like the ending is actually NOT that open-ended. I just didn't like HOW it ended. lol
If they plan to do a Season 2 or something, then this ending is fine. But if they are moving on, as an audience, we feel TTJ deserves better. He's earned his HE and more. He suffered so much. We don't want this bittersweet longing. We don't care what the lyrics say, or what Buddhist teachings, or how we mere mortals who can't see the grander scheme of things. We want sweet kisses. From Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi. Please?
But let's prepare for the worse. If it's any consolation, TTJ did get an HE. Think of the journey and transformation that's been through. When the body is long gone, and the soul has long passed space and time, did the love ever exist?
This question is like the "If a tree fell in the forest, but no one heard it, then did it fall?" Honestly, this general question miffs me a little. So much debate, but the answer is YES!! Absolutely! The freaking tree fell. It's like those people who put on earphones, looks at their cellphone, and THEN crosses the street. The sky could fall....? And yet, the tree was the problem? Because it didn't make a big enough impact? If you were the falling tree, I bet you'd wish you were near a street.
ANYway, lol. I think the show answered the question. As long as the memories are in the heart, then they exist. Notice that all the gods, ChuHuang etc. reappeared somehow. The fact that TTJ and LSS had a daughter together solidifies that the memories and their everlasting love will continue to exist. So the love between two people is so small in comparison, but yet it is this love that changed the world.
...It's just that we, and especially LSS, would like the physical body to reappear too.
As another consolation, remember that infamous answer? When people die, their souls travel to the river. Gods don't have souls. When gods die, there is nothing left. But TTJ is technically demon with human/practicing immortal soul at this stage. So there's that... And again, even ChuHuang reappeared.
Speaking of the river, was the mo'he river the same "styx" river? there's no souls now? Or maybe the mortal eyes can't see them? I'm not sure. But LSS is god now. And then daughter is hybrid (should be fairy/demon), so surely. but like i said, maybe this is not the same river.
Jiwe's advice to remember your past. How was that played out?
Go writers! Give us more!
Update:
Was reading posts about that the messages that ML and screenwriter wrote. Also, the many fellow viewers. So appreciative. Indeed, thank you for the journey.
Episodes 33, 34, 35
Episodes 33-34, maybe 35 too?
hahah. What a funny scene to open with. Xiao Lin wakes up the morning after, and finds BingChang's undergarments in the blanket on top of him. He freaks out and tosses it to the side. lol. But back in the day, these undergarments are not your dainty undergarments. It was like a full-fledged dress. For a split second, I thought it was his own clothes, until I saw the pink chiffon sash. LOL. Regardless of modern times or ancient times, what girl does that? lol. It wasn't like she rushed out. She even had time to mend his clothes AND FORAGE for mushrooms.
He walks out and sees his outer clothes hanging to dry....hahahha. Whose clothes was he wearing then??!! Whose clothes was everyone wearing??! I think I was more confused than he was. lol. But he seemed to remember everything though....::shrug::
I think we should comment about the Wuxia hero personalities. TTJ is definitely acting more "dai hap". Righteous, smart, capable, courageous, playful, flirty, hero. "It's my turn to not leave her alone." "Technically, YOU are the one following ME." "I left in a hurry. I didn't bring any money. ::wiggle lol:: Do you want to leave me in the streets?"
The main characters paid fan service with a short! I saw the short first, and I was like "Woah. They kissed like that back then?! Like all out in the open at the Harry Potter school?" But I think the short was just to satisfy the audience. hhahhaha... However, after seeing the episode, I understand. The short was necessary. hahahah
Episode 32!!
Super-satisfying episode! Action-packed scenes, powerful dialogs, everything tying back to my favorite song!!!
CJM/TTJ and LSS/YSW finally met face to face. I really appreciate how this series engages the audience, never saying or doing the typical things in typical scenes. For someone who initially didn't have any emotions, TTJ is very intelligent and level-headed in how he approaches people and engages conversations. Super articulate, actually. At the same time, he doesn't always manage to control his emotions. At certain times, he will fluctuate and snap back at certain answers "How do you know he didn't try?!", but then he'll quickly regain composure. Very entertaining to watch the depth and dimension of this actor/character.
CJM/TTJ and LSS/YXW dance around the sensitive subject, but still manage to have the most meaty, meaningful, heart-to-heart conversations. My favorite song played!!!! Twice!! Notice that it was the last part of the song in the first scene! Where they duet! Then the ENTIRE song in the second scene! The whole conversation was paralleling the song on several levels. So purposeful, so thoughtful, and so amazing. Such an awesome creative team!! Such a good song!!
Notice that afterwards, she said she "was not SangJiu", instead of YXW! Why is that?!
The loyal bachelor servant is alive!! But possibly being paired with Fuyu...? And maybe not a good guy anymore?
In the Sing Yi vs CJM fight, a masked, female entity came out of the parasol, like ghosts that seek shelter in umbrellas. Si Ying also wears all red. Eek! So creepy!! This entity is wearing a mask, implying that she's somebody we aleady know? Is it an evil LiSuSu? Fuyu? O.M.G.
Unbelievable. lol. This BingChang/TianHa. Judging from the previews, think she might be some kind of succubus too. Wasn't she genuinely remorseful? We kind of forgave her already, but I guess karma won't let her off so easily.
8 episodes left!! Wahhhhhh!! And there I was complaining back when there was 15. Supposedly, Netflix picked up the series, although in certain markets TBD. Hope it will be full, uncut version and for U.S. markets!
Episode 31
hahah. Pang Yizhi = Harry Potter movie? lol Even after a lifetime. Still no clearer in guidance.
Episode 30
Such a big fuss over love threads, but do people really need them? Xiao Lin still loved ...::shudder:: BingChang without her extra, borrowed thread. TTJ still managed to love. I guess he grew one.
A lot Buddhist teachings, karma, etc. But I am sooooo not zen enough.
My observations seem to be:
demon = no compassion + no empathy => empty inside.
enlightenment = too much experience = too much compassion + too much empathy => also dead inside.
From nothing to nothing. Literally, what's the point. Right now, aren't they married monks? This is what marriage ends up?? And this is good?? =*((((
What the heck? This "necromanced" Xiao Lin now had a thing for Li Susu??
Episode 29
No. They explained it off. Ye Qingyu is a warrior. He lost his father, brother, sister, and love all in one battle. But unlike the king, he does not have the luxury to mourn.
This Bingchang person! AGAIN?! Why did the writers give me so much hope that she had successfully escaped and would be out of the picture?? I started breathing heavily at the moment that TTJ was DEBATING what to do with her. You know how you're about to explode, but you still have to be quiet so you don't miss the scene? Yeah. Like, we were THIS close to letting this... wench go AGAIN. But I think I was more disappointed at TTJ. Like, this righteousness, benevolence, and generosity stuff is Xiao Lin. This is not your style at all. You are king. What kind of rationale is this? My sense of justice is shaken. All these lives lost b/c she was selfish. As king, don't you have responsibility for those people? Ok. hahah. You ordered her to have poison porridge, since she likes poisoned porridge so much. You came though. Order is restored. Good king.
Woah. The river is the like the Styx river.... Hey, would it be funny if TTJ is going to the river to look for his dead wife's soul, but instead, this BingChang's soul pops up AGAIN? HAHAHAH. Just saying. ;) O.M.G.
Episode 28
Ugh. The body count. The much anticipated episode. sad, sad, sad. No good came out of this. Oh hey, Ye QingYu looks a little....like the new Flounder in the live action Little Mermaid?....Does it look like demon energy (perhaps a little fox demon energy) is sapping his mortal essence? He doesn't seem to be really sad, at least not like TTJ sad. Does that mean my awesome Pianran might have a chance??? But how's that going to work for Ye QingYu?
Episode 27
Wasn't in the mood to follow the general release, even though there many MingYe and SanJiu scenes. Just wanted to get through these next episodes.
Noooooo!! Pianran!!!! ::saddddd:: I suppose at least she had some good battle scenes. Loved how she kept referring to herself as "Goo Nai Nai". lol. It's ok, Ye QingYu. You did try to protect innocent people and your love. No one thinks you failed your family and country. Remember how you were introduced as the actual head of the household? Even your father stepped aside and let you be head of the family? Even your older sister is afraid and has to listen to you? Even the king thought of you highly? But even the mightiest of warriors will meet their match, and for you, that is Pianran! hahahaha. I think I like this couple the best. Pianran!
😒
Episode 26
Worked on the lyrics again. Dream? Check. Love Thread? Check. What about the tear? They were all over my FACE from this episode! That's where!! Your heart will feel each of the spikes. Couple fighting at it's worse. Had to put the screen away at one point. Worse than some of the bullying scenes. Glad that some of the misunderstandings are starting to come out in the same episode (btw, Pianran! Yeah!! This is how you should properly "wait for the answers later"!!), but everything's a mess.
Episode 14
Switching back to English release. After 25, found no solace in this one either. I guess the big event is this more innocent ...erm...drugging scene. lol. I was wondering why she changed dresses. It's like someone being told they were being evicted, and then they change into their prom dress on the way out. hahaha...but I called it, albeit jokingly. lol. Not quite the typical tvb, wuxia behaviour I see, but good for her! lol. But I was watching more carefully. Although it's what she wanted, her devil poison was also starting to act up, so there was also a practical need. But later, she was able to heal/mitigate the poison with her brother... Maybe that first session really helped?....ahhhh!!
Episode 25
Omg. Dudddddde, what did he do to his hands?! That's really contaminated water. The series did such a good job of explaining everything, but this! I know there were some important events happening, but is some serious ezcema!!! And nobody in the entire room even flinched! This is completely unexceptable. No wonder he ends up full Edward Scissorhands later.
Ugh. Granny. How can you mess with the Granny?! Every moment I watch the BingChang character, I keep telling myself to be like Ming Ye or have a big heart like XiaoLin... So now what? 15 more episodes is a lot to go through if things are going to be this way. :(
It's weird too. When she left the first time, he questioned her intentions, but this time, he's just like "let's just forget the past." "OK!!" Even if he was exhausted, after that stunt, any woman would muster up the energy and Sanjiu him first. Then get revenge, save the world, and what not. Like someone else said, maybe at this point, they should just break up due to all the trust issues. ::sad::