cashew | 《成化十四年》

So, I'm glad I pushed through past the first ten minutes, because it was worth it (so far). (If interested, you can watch it here - only Chinese subs, I haven't found any full translations for this show yet.)

Some basics: The original novel was a mystery BL(耽美), with an emphasis on the mystery and the BL being secondary (per the author's notes). So immensely secondary. I'm like 4 chapters into the novel and the love interest has yet to show up. This is a good thing. The BL is just flavor, the real driver of the story is plot and mystery and imperial politics. Basically, this is what I've been wanting this whole time and I think this show is finally delivering. (Additional novel v TV show comparison here.) So, thoughts.

A civil officer being forced to collaborate with the martial officer to solve cases and much shenanigans ensues. This is a beautiful set up and needs to happen so much more. (I'm honestly shocked this isn't set up more often given this is the classic set up in the most famous Chinese mystery story.)
The martial officer is the emperor's nephew, because of course he is, and is supposed to be immensely handsome. I say supposedly because I find the actor who plays him to be very ordinary looking (for an actor). Make-up department is falling down on their job.
I honestly can't help but compare this to 《君子盟》 and the difference is stark. Like, don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy 《君子盟》, but it's so obvious that the show (and original work) had no BL elements, while 《成化十四年》 has lots of scenes that were adapted from BL scenes. One such classic scene is having the stronger character shove the physically weaker character against a wall and "warn" them of the dangers of stepping into a lawless market while being suuuuuuper close to each other.
Jackie Chan is part of this production team and it shows in the action scenes. I wonder if anyone informed Jackie Chan of the fact that this was originally a BL web novel. 😅😝
I'm liking the dynamic of our crime solving duo. I'm tolerating the childishness of the main character because he's only 22, so he's still got idealism and stubbornness of YOUTH tripping him up. Other than the ridiculous opening scene, there hasn't been an overwhelming feeling of the MC having a main character shield, so that's nice.
The costuming is hit or miss. Sometimes the costume is period appropriate and other times the anachronism is painful to look at.
There's a few anachronisms during the dialogue. I'm going to overlook it as I think the show has a low opinion of their audience's grasp on archaic grammar. (The original novel keeps the dialogue semi-classical while using modern vernacular for narration.)
The first mystery managed to hit all the classics: corrupt government officials, aristocracy sexually harassing the peasants, lovers dying together, assassination, power struggles, conspiracies, quid pro quo, evil eunuchs, morally ambiguous eunuchs, politically powerful eunuchs, arresting aristocracy, conflict with the NORTH, emperor appears as a major supporting character, dowager empress and everything that comes with having the dowager empress in a story... I have high hopes and expect at least one aristocratic head to roll at some point.
I really love the cinematic attention given to food. A point of similarity this show shares with 《君子盟》 and I am here for it.
The acting is pretty middle of the road. Action scenes are on the high end for a web series.