I started watching Joy of Life because of it's epic reviews on MDL. It's rare that a title gets a consistent ranking of 9. Also, I was in hospital and on bedrest so I had nothing else to do. This is a drama that started very very slowly. So slowly in fact that I got a bit bored mid way and watched a few other shows before I went back to it (determined to give it a shot given its high ratings online). I think it only started to pick up after the 30th or so episode.

The cinematography of this show is incredible. Props to the Director and Cinematography team. The colour scheme and music they chose gives you an idea of what to expect. It's overall moody and foreboding and has an almost eerie air. Nothing is as it seems. Suspect everything. Trust no one. I feel that I was in perpetual late autumn / winter in this show. It has a very dark, dystopic aura about it.

Fan Xian is an extremely erudite, precocious and arrogant character. He's smart, but he's not that likeable. To be honest, not many people in this show are likeable. If I have to choose one person to like it's the Emperor. It took me a while to get used to Fan Xian's face and character as it's not normally the sort of face you will see in period dramas. But then this is not your typical period drama. This is in an altogether alternate reality.

I love dramas with smart, witty leads and Fan Xian is no exception (except he's arrogant and not that likeable). He was able to counteract most of the attacks against him. What I didn't like was the weakness of the FL (can we call her that? Maybe just Fan Xian's love interest). With the current trend gearing towards strong FLs who are equal, if not better than the MLs, I was surprised by how weak Lin Wan'Er was. Maybe they will surprise us in the second season. All she does is spend her time cooped up in her room because she's sick with TB (and recovering now thanks to Fan Xian). She sits around pining for him, hoping to see him next or else lying in bed coughing. I really wished that she could be stronger and solve crimes and face challenges with Fan Xian. That would really make me like the second season. Instead she's constantly playing the damsel in distress, waiting for Fan Xian to save her.

I was honestly surprised and disappointed by her character since the entire premise of the show was based on Fan Xian's own mother who everyone revered as ahead of her time. If it's so girl power - how come Lin Wan'Er is so weak? Maybe they will flesh out her character in the next season. I felt that the entire show was written by men, for men (pretending to be feminist but cannot really understand women) and a quick glance at the director, executive producer and writer proved me right.

Overall it's an extremely intelligent show (apart from the very obvious issues of the weak FL) with a fantastic soundtrack (I was happily surprised to hear Li Jian singing the opening song). I surprised myself by actually rating it so highly (because I really don't like Fan Xian that much) but I must say the plot twists and turns (towards the end) kept me going and hooked. This drama really stands out on its own. You'll be hard pressed to find another show like this.

If this series was a beverage it would be whiskey served neat. Not easily enjoyable, but if you like it, you really will.