Yes, part of the problem I have with the end is that I agree that some of the show was written toward it -- toward the ending that was required, that the characters had to die, because they could not be allowed to have a happy ending, not as an mlm couple in a PRC drama.
But then, a lot of the show was also taking from the novel (if not the plot, then specific scenes, e.g. the confrontation in ep 23 is nearly a direct adaptation), which does end happily.
I think the story as arranged did necessitate sacrifice -- many stories do. But I don't think that sacrifice had to be their lives. Shen Wei losing his powers and becoming (whole or partly) a mortal Haixingren -- even as Zhao Yunlan took the serum and became Dixingren -- could have also met a lot of the requirements of the narrative setup. (Plus there are threads like Xiao Guo being the lantern's wick that are left dangling...)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-03-31 03:11 am (UTC)But then, a lot of the show was also taking from the novel (if not the plot, then specific scenes, e.g. the confrontation in ep 23 is nearly a direct adaptation), which does end happily.
I think the story as arranged did necessitate sacrifice -- many stories do. But I don't think that sacrifice had to be their lives. Shen Wei losing his powers and becoming (whole or partly) a mortal Haixingren -- even as Zhao Yunlan took the serum and became Dixingren -- could have also met a lot of the requirements of the narrative setup. (Plus there are threads like Xiao Guo being the lantern's wick that are left dangling...)