I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
Jed owes a lot of money to people (we are later told he borrowed money for making a film), so he gets arrested. Even though he spends just one night in jail, it's his first time in such an environment. He's crammed into a tiny cell with numerous other inmates. Bible, a young prisoner on volunteer duty, is tasked with guiding new inmates. He somehow takes a liking for Jed and protects that first night from getting bullied. Jed gets bail next morning and Bible asks him to never come back again. Three months later his cheque fraud eventually lands him in a longer prison sentence. Jed reunites with Bible, who initially seems cold and distant. Bible plays several pranks on Jed, pushing him to toughen up and adapt to the harsh environment. When Jed falls sick, Bible takes him to prison hospital where the doctor turns out to be his ex-boyfriend. Over time, Jed adjusts to his new routine in prison and also starts to fall for Bible and soon enough the two start a romance. Towards the end the prison gives some funding to Jed to make some video and he becomes popular. The romance goes through ups and downs and the show has a very abrupt ending.
It requires research and imagination to create a tender love story in the gritty realities of prison life. Sadly it also takes a proper execution team to deliver results and here there are so many faults. The series doesn't flow properly and it feels disjointed. Even the way love grows between Jed and Bible is a bit awkward. Sometimes they are happy and smiling, other times then completely ignore each other. We are never told whey Jed's name catches Bible's attention when he sees it for the first time in the list? What actually made Bible fall for Jed? Did he knew him from before? I am not convinced that they ‘loved’ each other but merely wanted the craven companionship as both were lonely, misfits, and in a sense so close to depression it would not have taken much for either one to have it becomes full-blown. The last episode went totally weird. Jed wants to arrange a singing contest and film a music video with the inmates. So random!! The lighthearted plots feel out of place, undermining the gravity of imprisonment. There is a feminine boy who is like the muse of a 'scary' inmate who makes Bible have sex with him, it is weird!! It is a bit frustrating because it misses the chance to address more mature and meaningful topics, given the setting that was chosen for this show. The series should have taken a more mature, realistic approach, exploring deeper emotions and complexities in their bond, rather than trying to incorporate ideas from high school romance. As actors Bible has charisma and stands out. Jed just looks out of place and out of character most times. The awful finale destroys much of my goodwill. While I still appreciate its unique setting, this BL drama underachieves in many ways. It doesn't deliver what I'd expect from a compelling prison romance. (3/10)
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