I Just Finished "Love And Redemption"

Drama Llama

Perhaps one reason some Wuxia series are hard-to-watch is because of the length. Love and Redemption is longer than Return of Condor Heroes (2006) by 18 more episodes. I guess the popularity of the series caused an extension - which for me did create some useless fillers such as Wu Tong's "must do it with Ling Long" getting extended for too long. Though, Princess Weiyoung was five episodes shorter than this one. So, back on track, I didn't expect myself to enjoy it due to the length. It was quite enjoyable actually and true to its title. It's all about love and redemption. There will be spoilers so avert your eyes if you haven't watched it. Yes, spoilers! It's a happy ending! 

The series does have some unique twists. King Bailin was too obsessed with maintaining order that he becomes what nearly becomes the main antagonist. It also turns out that the War God was also Rahu Ketu (the Mosha Star) was from whom the War God was born. I find it still weird how plots like a man enter a woman's body and vice versa. Rahu Ketu was the one predicted to rise to lead the Demon Tribe to occupy the Heavens. However, like in folklore, the demons aren't always malicious and some people in the Heaven Realm are malicious. Bailin's actions really caused him to go crazy though he goes into repentance towards the end.

For me, some parts were getting along for too long. For instance, I still feel Wu Tong's crush on Ling Long can get that disgusting. Though, I don't blame Wu Tong for wanting to do it with Ling Long. The actress Zhang Yu Xi (Ling Long) is kinda attractive even if she doesn't have sex appeal. I felt Wu Tong did have his lust object bite him at the back. I don't blame Ling Long for doing what she did. I want to imagine that Ling Long probably got molested by Wu Tong off-screen. I find Wu Tong's death to be rather poetic. Ling Long's insanity and desire to destroy Wu Tong was something expected. Just think, would a rape victim just allow her rapist to rape her? Wu Tong did try to even marry her. It's screwed up. I think the plot was a filler that tends to divert from the plot point of Si Feng and Xuan Ji's love story. Though, Wu Tong's actions really are pretty much a contrast to the title in one way or another. Best enjoyable part? It was when Wu Tong's arm got chopped off by main villain Yuan Lang. I bet he wasn't able to jack off. Though, he did get a prosthetic that was magically produced. Still, it was satisfying to see him bite the dust and fall into Hell. 

Drama Llama

The most entertaining part is show-stealer Peer Chu. I feel Peer himself really knew how to fill the air with a frightening aura as the main antagonist Yuan Lang. Yuan Lang himself was always intimidating such as when he chopped off Wu Tong's arm with his own strength. It was entertaining to see Yuan Lang do what he does best - manipulate everyone. Yuan Lang even manages to cheat death and Hell, even fools Rahu Ketu into restoring his body, and how he ends up causing much of the show's trouble. It was too good to be true for him to side with either Si Feng or Rahu Ketu. It's revealed that Yuan Lang always wanted power and more power. Peer is already known to be a villain actor. Peer nails it as Yuan Lang. I felt Yuan Lang's death at the hands of Ruo Yu was poetic. I really felt relieved every time the villain survived because he should be finished off in the finale. So, he did get defeated and his dark soul can rot in the Netherrealm for all I care. 

Pretty much, it was a good series. Though, I wish Wuxia series were shorter because I want to watch more of them. I just compare watching a good long series to a caveman eating a roasted boar by himself. In today's digital age - it's like tasting every good food in the buffet yet you're getting too full.