Drama TeaBrocade Odyssey episodes recap and review
Set in the Tang Dynasty, Ji Ying Ying’s (Seven Tan) family fell from grace when her father was wrongly accused of the crime of insulting the emperor. She grew up to be a scrappy young lady who runs a dyeing workshop.
One day, she meets Yang Jing Yuan (Zheng Yecheng) who seems very interested in her. He has an ulterior motive, which is to get the “Shu red” brocade technique that her father was famous for.
Eventually, her childhood friend Zhao Xiu Yuan and the prince of Nanzhao Kingdom will come to covet Ji’s dyeing skills and her family’s secret dyeing recipe, the very same one that got her father killed.
Episodes 1-3
Ji Ying Ying was once from a wealthy official’s family. Her father was the “brocade officer”, an official in charge of the lucrative trade. At a time when silk and the art of Shu brocade was highly prized, the position was a very important one.
However, one day, Ying Ying’s father was framed by enemies and literally killed in front of her eyes.
Since then, she’s had a big fear of the colour red, which is really inconvenient if you’re in the dyeing business.
Episodes 1-3 is about how Ying Ying went from being that frightened child being chased out of her luxurious home to building a business despite her family’s fall from grace. She grows up to be a scrappy young woman who is a very cunning and capable businesswoman.
We see her struggling with the brocade or silk tycoons who push small dyers like her around. While she wins one battle after another, she is always bringing her family closer and closer to possible ruin, because the more she wins, the angrier the tycoons get.
One formidable one is Mrs Hua, who is a merchant who monopolizes the trade and controls the river where they wash the silk.
Zheng Yecheng is Yang Jin Lan, a scion of the powerful Yang family who returned to his hometown after years gallavanting around as a swordsman with an official title.
He is the only one willing and brave enough to take on the position of Brocade Officer because the previous officers have been dying mysteriously.
So far, so stereotypical and cookie-cutter. And honestly, when I first watched the first episode, I was rather worried that nothing would make it rise above this predictable plot.
Fortunately, the leads are Tan Song Yun and Zheng Yecheng. While Yecheng’s role is pretty similar to the ones he played before – the aloof official – Song Yun glimmers and sparkles as Ying Ying and she’s the reason why I keep watching.
Frankly, I would not have been interested in watching it, because under a more inexperienced actor or a bland one, this would have been a really boring drama.
I mean, to be honest, in the first two episodes, I was pretty bored to the point where I was actually doing housework while watching it. I missed chunks of it and had to rewatch the whole thing again and again, which is kind hilarious, because I actually watched episodes one to four a few times just to make sure that I got all the points. Hey Youku, I think I just contributed to your heat index.
The other interesting I can say about Brocade Odyssey is how they did an AI switcheroo on Zhang Huowei’s face. (He plays Zhao Xiu Yan, Ying Ying’s childhood sweetheart, but I’ll call him Robo Zhao from now cos he’s about as unreal as one.)
Actually, the AI swap was done pretty well (though at some angles it still looked like Zhang Haowei), except when they really focus on his face, and then you realise that his mouth doesn’t quite look natural. Of all things to change, I think that was the most difficult to manage. When he talks, it feels as if I am watching an anime character. That said, I wonder if this will set a precedent for the future – what to do with scandalous, troublesome actors.
Anyway, I hope Robo Zhao’s role is a tiny one, because if he is going to be really prominent for 40 episodes it’s going to be a darn weird, uncanny valley experience.
Despite its bland, cookie-cutter plot, I really appreciate Brocade Odyssey’s more relaxed, happy vibe.
After a quarter filled with really intense dramas with sad endings, one after another, it’s great to relax a little. (Unless the writers get “creative” with the ending, and if they do that I’d be taking a plane to China to “be creative” with the writers.)
So, Brocade Odyssey aired at a timely moment, and I think this is what saves it from being ignored. If it had aired during the competitive period when Love Game in Eastern Fantasy aired, it would probably be drowned out.
At first I thought Youku made a mistake airing this right after Pearl Girl, because do we really need another scrappy young woman building a business during the Tang Dynasty?
Well, maybe we do, especially how dark and depressing it became. Maybe it’s kind of smart to air something similiar, but happier!
Episodes 4-6
By episode three, things really pick up and get more interesting. Remember what I said about mad tycoons in the previous episode recaps? Well, Mrs. Hua deals a big blow to Ying Ying. These three episodes focus on their feud coming to a head, with Ying Ying at her lowest point. She realizes that her plotting and scheming have landed her beloved brother in a terrible position—humiliated and forced to work for people who abuse him.
Mrs. Hua forces Ying Ying to do the unthinkable to save her brother: betray her loyal merchant comrades when they need her most. Losing their support for her business, and more importantly, their friendship, is utterly devastating for her.
However, while Mrs. Hua proves to be formidable, she has a powerful backer behind her—the twice-widowed Madam Niu Wuniang, who is equally intimidating.
Robo Zhao, Ying Ying’s beau, comforts her. I still wish he’d go away, but apparently, he has a prominent role and will eventually turn into a possessive antagonist. Well, his unreal AI face will suit that role perfectly.
Meanwhile, we discover that our Brocade Officer, Mr. Yang, has daddy issues. Honestly, if I had a penny for every hero without daddy issues, I’d be very poor indeed. Yang continues to help our heroine, but one can’t help but wonder what his true motives are for becoming a brocade officer. Surely, it’s not just to spite his father and outshine his sibling, as we’re led to believe? I suspect he has a bigger mission.
As you can see, Brocade Odyssey maintains its light-hearted vibes. Even though there are tense moments, the show never ventures into complete darkness.
I believe dramas of all kinds have their place. A drama doesn’t have to be deep, dark, or depressing to be worth watching or considered quality. Brocade Odyssey fulfills a need we all have when it comes to dramas: to be happily entertained, and it does this well.
That said, while Seven Tan and Zheng Ye Cheng deliver charismatic performances, I do worry because I can almost predict every twist and turn of this drama—and so far, I’ve been right. (Honestly, my brain zoned out a few times, and I fast-forwarded through parts of episode 6 out of impatience. Hah!)
While it has been quite predictable for me, there’s comfort in familiarity, common tropes, and well-told stories.
What do you think of it so far? Are you… kinda yawning and wishing for bloodshed and mayhem like me? LOL.
Episodes 7-10
Personally, I found episodes 7-10 rather boring—not because nothing was happening, but because everything felt predictable to me. (Oh look, Ying Ying is overcoming impossible odds yet again.)
But don’t worry—there’s light at the end of the tunnel, I promise!
This time, Ying Ying suffers a significant setback. She’s imprisoned and accidentally causes someone’s death, which reawakens her trauma. She confides in her good friend, admitting she never imagined she’d attract enemies as ruthless as Niu Wuniang.
To make matters worse, she loses Robo Zhao to Wuniang. This raises the question: Did he really have no choice, or was he simply revealing his true nature? I believe it’s the latter. He could have fought for Ying Ying, but he didn’t. I suspect the fear of losing his power and status outweighed his fear of losing her.
He tells her that without power, he can’t protect her. While there may be some truth to that, he also deludes himself into thinking that even after marrying her enemy, he can win her back. In his mind, it doesn’t matter what unscrupulous actions he takes to gain power, as long as he can reclaim her. He proves this by crossing her ultimate red line: claiming the Shu Red Silk for himself and stealing it from the Ji family.
Ying Ying is clever enough to recognize that he’s being threatened and coerced into marrying Wuniang—he admits as much. However, the reason she turns away from him isn’t because she’s deceived by Wuniang’s schemes, but because she sees a terrible quality in him: his willingness to do anything for power, even if it means betraying those he claims to love.
So, the “Evil One” marries Ying Ying’s beau. Look how happy they are! A match made in hell, I guess. ;D
I felt a tiny smidgen of sympathy for Wuniang. With a father like hers, it’s no wonder she resorted to such ruthless tactics to survive and rise above being used as a pawn. In her twisted mind, she believes that by being as ruthless as he is, she’ll finally earn his favor and be seen as his equal. Oh look, more daddy issues!
Meanwhile, Yang Jinglang moves in quickly the moment his right-hand man mutters, “Now is your chance.”
Behold, the human male in courtship mode
https://youtu.be/RktnGuzX0Wc?si=kyem5NOR5HzsQSMd
Now, Zheng Yecheng is trained in Peking opera, which includes some martial arts training. It’s a treat to watch him perform a full-on sword dance. (I really wish Zheng Yecheng would star in a true-blue wuxia drama someday—he’d be a natural fit. But even the little we see here is impressive.)
He performs the sword dance while reciting one of Li Bai’s famous poems. It’s obvious what he’s doing, though I doubt Ying Ying fully understood. Let me simplify it for you with this image:
Episodes 11-12
Well, so much for the sword dance. Ying Ying probably thinks all men are trash and unreliable now, but Jilang makes a valid point: underdogs can’t defeat the powerful out in the open.
This leads Ying Ying to a lightbulb moment—she realizes that Yang Jinglan is the “Future Friend” from her childhood. Of course, we all saw this coming earlier, and I groaned a little when they rolled out the childhood connection tropeTM. That said, this is one instance where it feels like a nice fit.
It seems (to me, at least) that Yang has always liked her, but Robo Zhao (back when he wasn’t so robotic) was always her first choice and constant presence. Perhaps Yang took on this mission for her, with his master serving as a powerful incentive to finally act.
I appreciate how smart Ying Ying is to team up with him and demand an equal partnership rather than playing the damsel in distress. She vows to dye the true Shu Red Silk and decides to undergo some extreme exposure therapy. (PS: Kids, don’t try this at home, especially while standing on slippery rocks near big red boulders.)
I loved the moment with her father, though. Maybe it wasn’t real, but I choose to believe it was his spirit connecting with her, offering comfort so she could overcome her fear.
While episodes 7-10 were pleasant but slow, I assure you things pick up after episode 11. Stay tuned for my next update!
Episodes 13 and 14
“I know I’m a man who is afraid to die, but I am even more afraid of my wife not being able to rest in peace!”
I am so moved by Mr. Huo. He truly loved her. Wipes away tear. Like Wuniang, I assumed he’d save his own skin, but there he was, putting himself in harm’s way just to avenge his wife.
PS: I appreciate how the love for one’s significant other is portrayed in this episode. Mr. Huo is willing to risk his life for his wife, Jilang is willing to scheme and sacrifice to ensure her safety and make her dreams come true, and then there’s Robo Zhao, who thinks becoming a devil and seizing power is the best way to win a lady’s heart. Eh.
Back to the chaos. General Niu proves to be even more ruthless than we thought. (Though I have to wonder why Jilang and Ying Ying brought their most important witness into the belly of the beast. I would’ve wrapped that guy in armor to keep him alive.)
But thank goodness for the magical metal fish deus ex machina badge that saves the day! Whee.
Of course, that’s not the end of it. He sends assassins after Ying Ying… or does he? Turns out it’s all part of Jilang’s sly plan to put the general on edge.
I finally understand what Brocade Odyssey is all about. It’s a Big Boss game disguised as a drama. Each arc introduces an even worse Big Bad. Bwahaha!
Except you don’t gain any magical power points with each level. (Sad face.)
I’m looking forward to their eventual elimination because we know an even scarier Big Bad lies ahead. But perhaps it’s all worth it, as Ying Ying finally achieves her lifelong dream of reinstating the Shu Red Silk under her family name—specifically, under her own name.
Meanwhile, a new power enters the scene… what does this guy want?
Random thoughts:
- I adore Sang. Once a small-town bully, he’s now come into his own, demanding justice for the downtrodden. May he win his loved one in the end. (And, uh, stay alive.)
- I’m still not sorry for Wuniang, even if there are intriguing moments between her and her maid that suggest she might have a kinder side. Sure, they could give her a redemption arc where she realizes the error of her ways, but I still want her to suffer. I’m heartless that way.
- General Niu needs to suffer ten times more than her, though. Life won’t be fair otherwise.
- Robo Zhao shows he’s even capable of turning against his own family for power.
- It’s always a joy to watch 大师兄 (Senior Brother, aka Tang Lian) from Blood of Youth! I like the actor every time he appears on screen. I do wonder who his true master is in this drama—probably someone royal, for sure.
Brocade Odyssey is such an interesting drama. Interesting in that sometimes I can’t wait for the next episode and am tempted to buy express episodes (until I remember I’ve never had much luck with Youku—I won’t be able to watch express episodes despite paying for them, damn it). And sometimes, I’m so bored that writing a discussion post feels like squeezing water out of a rock. This is one of those times. Sigh.
Episode 15
Ying Ying is literally chasing after the mysterious Bai Sheng, whom we know is up to no good. Clearly, he wants the Shu brocade technique for himself, and Ying Ying is his target.
To be honest, I zoned out for most of this episode. The pace was too slow, and nothing much happened.
Episode 16
Pin’er, in a bout of rebellion, decides to go on an adventure with Ying Ying to Gubei Village, where people… worship a brocade? Of course, the Yu Brocade Master, who was frightened off by Niu Wuniang, happens to be there too. The brocade holds special meaning for him because his son wanted to recreate this village’s brocade pattern but tragically passed away before he could.
Meanwhile, Jinglan is off doing more exciting things, like shooting apples off a general’s head. (Kidding… but not really.) He’s actually trying to recruit said general to his side to deal with General Niu.
Episode 17
Poor Sang gets friendzoned so hard by Pin’er that he can barely walk upright afterward. Fortunately, my fear that Sang would revert to his ne’er-do-well ways was unfounded, as he takes his responsibilities seriously and helps Ying Ying with the auction.
Meanwhile, our dear Jinglan is understandably angry that Ying Ying went off on an adventure and is now heavily involved in business with a shady man. He makes his intentions pretty obvious to Ying Ying, who isn’t as clueless anymore (I think) but isn’t willing to go there.
Are the ladies in this drama just unable to recognize a good catch right in front of them unless the guy is dying in their arms or something? Okay, I take that back—writers, don’t you dare go there. But honestly, as much as we kinda like this modern “boss girl, I don’t want to marry, career first” approach to female characterization, I just don’t feel it in this drama. I get that women back then couldn’t do business if they were married most of the time, but this drama isn’t really about realism. So, why couldn’t our women have it all?
There are so many men chasing after Ying Ying at this point that I have to chuckle. There’s Bai Sheng, the mysterious merchant who is probably some kind of kingpin and definitely not a good guy.
Then, of course, there’s Robo Zhao, who is still after her despite being married.
And finally, there’s Jinglan—who, as we all know, wins her heart in the end. He’s the only one who made her wishes come true and did the best thing she could ever ask for: clearing her father’s name.
They share a romantic moment, but as is typical in CDramas, she isn’t ready to take things further with him yet. He’s sweet enough to say he’ll wait for her. (YOU’RE GONNA REGRET IT, GIRL. THEY ALWAYS DO.)
It’s clear that Ying Ying likes him but feels it’s not the right time because she’s just starting to build her business and wants to focus on it. Understandable. Very career woman of her.
Episode 19
Jinglan succeeds in his mission to nab a key witness: the logistics officer who not only orchestrated the brocade swap decades ago but also killed Ying Ying’s father.
People, you don’t have a great track record of keeping your key witnesses alive. You’ve gotta do better this time. Spoiler alert: they don’t.
Meanwhile, Robo Zhao gives Ying Ying a big speech at their usual bridge, claiming he turned his life into hell because of her. For a few seconds, I actually felt a smidgen of pity for him—but it turns out he’s still an asshole. Not just an asshole, but a delusional and deceptive one.
He genuinely believes it’s her fault that he ended up humiliated. When she stomps off at his pathetic excuses, he commits the worst act yet: he abducts her, forcibly marries her, and is presumably about to rape her when Jinglan barges in and gives Robo Zhao the beating of his life.
But I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of him.
The way he married her was so cowardly. He didn’t even have the guts to do it openly or proudly, with her mother’s consent, because he knew what he was doing was absolutely despicable and unhinged. Even this final act of his so-called “love” was done in a cowardly, dishonorable, and covert manner.
I think Ying Ying was crying not just because of what she was being put through, but also out of disbelief at what he had become. It was the absolute death of whatever affection she ever had for him, and grief over the loss of who he once was and what he had turned into.
I thought Seven Tan acted this scene brilliantly, conveying her grief through her eyes alone.
Episode 20
How I feel about everybody this episode:
Ugh, Jinglan’s noble idiot era has begun. Madame Ji gave him “the talk,” and he’s gone off on some dangerous mission. Again.
While Ying Ying is no longer clueless about Jinglan, her mom throws a wrench into their budding romance. I seriously want to strangle that woman now because she’s always making the wrong decisions for her daughter. She doesn’t know her daughter well enough (or doesn’t want to) and ends up making society-acceptable decisions that Ying Ying would hate.
As a result, Jinglan is convinced not to pursue Ying Ying—just when she finally declares her intention to accept his advances.
I’m glad, though, that Ying Ying isn’t buying his “we’re just allies” talk or accepting this noble idiocy from him. She promises to wait for him.
Lord, I already want this “break” to be over. It’s so tedious. I’m not looking forward to the next few episodes because it feels like they’re going to drag this out. How many episodes will they be apart? It better not be more than two, because my patience is running thin.
Meanwhile, Wuniang is living her worst nightmare—under the control of yet another husband and chained up! She married Robo Zhao thinking he’d be her ticket to freedom, believing he’d be easy to control. Instead, he’s turned the tables on her and wrested control with the full blessing of her father.
Do I feel sorry for her? Nah, this is exactly what she deserves. It’s one of the worst punishments she could get, especially after gloating at his beaten-up face after his “wedding.” They deserve each other.
Unfortunately, she’s clever enough to use his mom to convince Robo Zhao to marry Ying Ying. Again. Lord.
I don’t know what she’s up to, but honestly, whatever.
Spoilers for Episode 21
Yes, dammit, they’re dragging this out. Ying Ying’s aunt visits. Can I be honest? I really don’t care about this aunt. We’re getting drama with relatives? Really? I know Chinese New Year is coming, but you don’t have to remind me of my yearly trauma this early! Wake me up when it’s over
As I’ve said before, the problem with Brocade Odyssey is its uneven pacing. This drama needs to balance the conspiracy parts with the business parts. The business moments are pretty boring, while the conspiracy parts are exciting enough to make you wish you could watch the next episode immediately. But the pacing is all over the place. As you can see from my thoughts on the previous episodes, when it slows down, it really slows down.
Episode 21
Poor schmuck—I knew Ji Yaoting would be rejected hard by Yu. I sense a pattern here.
All the men in this drama want their beloved women to be themselves, but the women are commitment-phobic and value their independence. I think the drama is driving this point a little too hard. Having three women do the same thing feels repetitive, lol.
Aunt is trouble, all right. Now Ying Ying has to get involved with that shady foreign merchant who works for Bai Sheng because of it.
Jinglan’s secret mission in Nanzhao is interesting, especially compared to the business-Zhao and Bai-is-up-to-no-good plot back home.
Episode 22
Niu Wuniang is going batty because her plans have landed her in deep trouble, but I still have no sympathy. That said, why is Wuniang so attached to her maid? I wish there was some backstory because it’s driving me crazy.
I knew Aunt would be trouble, but that much trouble? Really? Poor Mum is now in prison, accused of murder, and Ying Ying has to beg for help from everyone important. It must’ve been hard for her, pride-wise, to do this. And if that’s not bad enough, Yaoting is publicly tortured.
Honestly, this whole plot is still boring me, despite the murder and mayhem, because I can see everything coming from a mile away.
Episode 23
It’s safe to say that Bai Sheng is the mysterious Prince Bai of Nanzhao. It also looks like General Niu has been secretly dealing with Nanzhao, likely with Prince Bai.
I’m not convinced that marrying into the Yang family was Ying Ying’s only way out of this situation. Maybe I’m not paying enough attention, but can someone explain exactly why this was her only option?
Since it was Madam Yang’s idea, perhaps she was motivated to secure the only maker of the Shu Red color for her family. Ying Ying, desperate after everyone else refused to help, agreed—even if the possibility of real help was slim.
Episode 24
First, Zheng Yecheng’s fight scenes are top-notch, as usual. His escape from Nanzhao is beautifully filmed.
They’ve really put effort into the fight scenes. Can we just stick Zheng Yecheng in a wuxia drama already? Like, now?
Anyway, Jinglan returns just in time to snatch the bride. Again. He proposes that Ying Ying switch grooms, she accepts, and then he faints dead away. (I was touched that his dad and family were so worried for him. Despite his aloofness, they do care for him a little.)
Later, Jinglan wakes up and… wait, did he just offer a divorce “when the time is right”? Jinglan, she didn’t even ask for it!
So, they have another wedding, and this time, instead of being a concubine, Ying Ying becomes Jinglan’s rightful wife. (Chinese New Year’s Eve dinners in the Yang family are going to be so awkward. 😅🤣.)
Just as things seem to settle, General Niu gatecrashes the wedding to arrest Jinglan. Ying Ying can never have an ordinary wedding, it seems.
This is where Jinglan finally reveals his backer: the Crown Prince himself! (Knew it had to be royalty.)
To be honest, I had high expectations for this episode, so I’m deflated that we’re back to the “we’re only allies” square one, relationship-wise. Heck, even Ying Ying looked disappointed, haha. I mean, come on—at least a forehead kiss?
Episode 25
Oh, finally, our main couple is over their “does he/she love me” routine and has actually said it. Okay, in their reserved, shy way, but they said it nonetheless.
I thought the murder case was solved rather… conveniently. Honestly, it could’ve been easily disproven! If the true murderer hadn’t confessed due to the trickery, then what? Eh. But by that point, I was so fed up with the whole case that I just wanted it over so our couple could move on to the real important stuff: their relationship.
I wanted to say that Jinglan and Ying Ying did everything backward as a couple, but actually, when you think about it, marriages back then often happened this way. Most couples didn’t know each other before getting married and only started “dating” after marriage.
So, our couple had a very typical Chinese marriage. (Well, if you exclude the bride-stealing and lack of ceremony, that is.)
I’m glad to say I wasn’t bored during these two episodes. Even though nothing substantial happened plot-wise, many significant things unfolded between our couple. For one, they’re finally getting to know each other as husband and wife and have become more than just allies.
That little scene in front of her house was endearing. Ying Ying never got to have a proper ceremony and was essentially married in haste and secrecy, without even her mother’s knowledge. So, it was sweet that Jinglan gave her that moment, including getting the Crown Prince to provide betrothal gifts! With the Crown Prince blessing their marriage, who dares gossip about them or call the marriage a farce now?
We also learn that Jinglan is the Crown Prince’s junior brother—they shared the same master, the former Brocade Master who was murdered. His backer isn’t just some aloof dignitary but someone he shares a close bond with. That’s a good thing.
Episode 26
Of course, it took our couple about 1.5 episodes to get to the confession scene, where he finally admits that he likes her as more than an ally. Jinglan, you sure took your sweet time, lol.
I like that Ying Ying was prodding him toward that moment. Thanks to the talk she had with her mom in the previous episode, she realized that all her suspicions about his feelings were confirmed.
Jinglan made things very confusing for her (no thanks to Mum’s interference, though she at least apologized for it). It kinda makes his reluctance to admit they were more than allies on their wedding day somewhat understandable. I think he’s just not used to being in love and didn’t want to scare her off by saying, “I really want you to stay,” when he wasn’t sure how she felt about him. (Hey, maybe she’s like Yuniang and her other friend, both wanting to be single, independent women, right?)
I thought the confession scene was kind of cute because he acted like a shy teenager. And while some of us might want them to be a bit more demonstrative (ahem), I found it beautiful that right after she kissed him on the cheek, he took her to see his late mother’s memorial. That was a meaningful gesture.
Both were finally cementing their affection for each other and their commitment to stay together as husband and wife. All that divorce nonsense can be chucked out the window. (I hope, though, since this is only Episode 26, meaning there are 14 more episodes to go. Who knows what’s going to happen before the end?)
Okay, confession time: I was dreading the kissing scene because Seven Tan is… not known for her kissing scenes. I winced my way through her kissing scene in The Sword and the Brocade, but she did okay here. At least she smiled? Lol.
Also, don’t you get shivers when Jinglan addresses her as 夫人 (furen, dear wife)?
Let’s hope noble idiocy doesn’t raise its stupid head again.
Anyway, in these episodes, we also get a glimpse of how horrific her life would’ve been if she had married into the Yang family as a concubine. For one, everything she worked for would’ve been taken by the Yang family. Her fate would’ve been very grim indeed, and for an independent woman like Ying Ying, she probably would’ve withered away.
So, yes, we’re all glad she ended up marrying Jinglan!
The Yang uncle is 100% going to cause trouble for Bloom Society, for sure.
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Episodes 27-28
I’ll be honest—I’m totally bored of Second Uncle’s shenanigans, Wuniang’s scheming, Bai Sheng’s antics, and Robo Zhao’s moping. All of them are just making life difficult for Ying Ying, and of course, we know she’ll prevail eventually. I’m at least pleased to find out that the Yang matriarch is on Ying Ying’s side. But honestly, I could barely pay attention to what was happening on screen because it all felt so predictable and pedestrian.
The one highlight of these episodes is Jinglan’s dad attempting to mend bridges with his son, asking, “Shouldn’t I be given a second chance?” This is probably the most earnest speech from a CDrama dad ever. I almost wanted Jinglan to give in right then and there, but while he’s clearly moved, he isn’t going to make it easy for his father—though he has softened a bit. It’s sweet that Ying Ying is trying to be the bridge between them.
Episode 29
I’m super moved that Jinglan gave Ta Xue a beautiful memorial and grave, but… how in the world did he drag his body all the way to this mountainous area? Didn’t the horse die somewhere far away in enemy territory? Okay, maybe the grave is empty, or perhaps he sent people to retrieve the body later. But this little detail bugs me immensely, lol.
“My life feels like it’s fallen into the abyss again.” I felt a smidgen of pity for Wuniang as she recounted being beaten by her previous husband. It’s sad, in a way—she’s been abused all her life by the men around her. Having only known abuse, she believes the only way to rise above it is to become as cruel as her abusers.
Episode 30
Okay, but isn’t the whole “traveling into the West and encountering great dangers on the road” plotline so similar to The Story of Pearl Girl? I couldn’t help but think that throughout the episode.
Also, I couldn’t help but shake my head at the whole adventure. It felt very… unnecessary, almost? Like, what did you think would happen, Ying Ying? Yuning did warn you. This isn’t a walk in Hengdian Studios, lol. And I have to say, Cheng Dalan died in such a horrible way—omg.
But at least our favorite older brother got to spend some alone time with Yuning, even if it was with bandits, haha.
Episode 31
General Niu receives some doublespeak and hidden messages from his superior, basically warning him that he’s overstepping his boundaries. The commissioner doesn’t know the full extent of his nonsense, so he might not be as merciful if he finds out!
Robo Zhao’s prayer for Ying Ying’s safety left me speechless. I mean, you’ve done everything to destroy her life and put her in harm’s way, even colluding with the enemy… and now you’re praying for her safety? Maybe, I don’t know, stop doing all that? Make it make sense. LOL.
Yuning and Older Brother Ji (I actually can’t remember his name now, lol) spend some alone time with the bandits, but fortunately, Jinglan and the gang save them. At least Yuning realizes she wants to be with him now. I knew it’d take a near-death experience to get them together, lol.
Prince Bai finally reveals himself.
PS: That field of flowers green screen is so fake, omg, lol.
Episode 32
The start of Noble Idiocy #2, as Prince Bai frames Jinglan for attempting to “assassinate” him.
Okay, Robo Zhao, what’s up with your Sadako hairstyle? It’s creeping me out. I suppose it’s meant to show that you’re sad and falling apart, but I’m like, yeah, you totally deserve it. Slow claps.
Strangely enough, I think he looks better this way, LOL.
Niu Wuniang is also praying, but alas, her prayers aren’t answered. Her beloved companion and maid (or something more, heheh) is killed off-screen, and Wuniang loses it.
Ying Ying returns only to find that Madam Yang is in a coma. We know where this is going—hah! Second Uncle is predictably responsible for this.
Episode 33
Wuniang has completely lost it, hallucinating her maid Yu Yuan. It would’ve been a fun story if it was actually the ghost of her maid influencing Wuniang to exact vengeance on her behalf, lol. Sadly, Wuniang meets her predictable end; of course, being the person she is, she frames Robo Zhao on her way out. Well done, Wuniang.
Yeah, I have zero sympathy for either of them, though I did feel a little aggrieved that her dad didn’t even flicker an eyelid over her death except to rail at her for being a useless daughter. His last gesture—imprisoning Zhao (and probably planning to kill him soon)—is mostly to look good to the public: “Don’t let people say I never cared for her as a father.” It’ll be a great day when he’s unalived.
I am NOT looking forward to Jinglan’s second noble idiocy arc, as you can see. I 100% understand why Jinglan did what he did—to protect Ying Ying from being punished alongside him if things go south. Still, I wish they hadn’t done this a SECOND TIME because it feels repetitive.
I’ll come right out and say it: Brocade Odyssey needed to be at least 40% shorter. At this point in the story, it feels like they’re going around in circles.
Episodes 37-38
The pace finally picks up again!
These two episodes are all about Jinglan suffering in prison and Ying Ying scheming to get everyone out. Poor Jinglan is drugged, beaten, and tortured nearly to death by Bai, who’s obviously taking out his jealousy on him. Bleh.
Anyway, thanks to help from Robo Zhao (of all people), Jinglan finally escapes and reunites with the “rebel” refugee forces from Yizhou.
I found it sweet that Jinglan’s dad is supporting him at the camp, especially after they receive the bad news about Zhuge.
大师兄*, dang it, you died again! (PS: Blood of Youth reference here 😉).
*Senior brother
Zhuge dies tragically, and Jinglan rescues his body. As Jinglan grieves, he imagines Zhuge talking to him like he did before. I’ll miss his sarcastic sense of humor. 😢 Sigh, despite not liking Zhuge’s death, it was at least meaningful and made sense.
Episodes 39-40
Robo Zhao begins his redemption arc and becomes the sacrificial lamb that allows everyone to return to Yizhou. I’m not sure how I feel about him being redeemed (because, honestly, I wanted him flayed alive for all his stupid schemes and the way he treated Wuniang and her maid), but since he manages to outwit Bai, I’ll give him a big 👍.
Later, Prince Bai dies trying to save Ying Ying. Okay, bye.
Honestly, if he were truly ruthless, he would’ve let Ying Ying die. So maybe he’s just a marshmallow inside? RIP—love brain killed him. ⚰️
Ying Ying cries over him. Wait, what? Girl, why? Someone explain this to me, lol.
This is no Xiang Liu x Xiao Yao (Lost You Forever), and I’m not feeling it. You can’t expect the audience to empathize with a man who brutally tortured and poisoned Jinglan, the beloved Absolute Green Flag. These scenes feel wasted on us. And Ying Ying, knowing that her beloved was literally hacked to death in a dastardly game of Go and probably went through hell in prison… I can’t compute how she could have that kind of reaction.
And can assassins just go around killing a Nanzhao prince like that? I’m confused. 😅😆
Back in Yizhou, Older Brother Ji, Yuning, and Jinglan trap Niu and try to take him down. But General Niu is a tough bugger—much respect for being such an effective big bad.
Poor Yuning. She fought so well. Her death wasn’t meaningless, but poor Older Brother Ji, you deserved forever with her. 😢
(BTW, I found it odd that we saw so much of Ying Ying grieving over Bai but hardly anything about her bestie. Feels weird. 😅)
At least Ji helped take down the big bad.
All is finally peaceful. What’s sweet is that Jinglan has finally thawed his relationship with his father and stepmother. He’s even joking with them! Imagine that.
Jinglan and Ying Ying marry for the second time. Yay! Dang it, can’t we see the ceremony?? We didn’t get it the last time.
Ying Ying becomes Lady Very Important and heads off to see the emperor.
Everyone lives happily ever after.
The review
Darlings, I’ve never worked so hard to finish a drama before, LOL. If I weren’t doing these recaps, I probably would’ve dropped it when the Nanzhao arc started—out of irritation—and just fast-forwarded to the happy moments in the last episode. It just felt like they were prolonging an already repetitive story.
The thing about Brocade Odyssey is that it’s not bad; there are some parts that are really, really good—namely, the chemistry between Seven Tan and Zheng Yecheng, even if it’s not explosive. I also appreciate how coherent the story is. These days, sadly, all you can hope for in costume idol dramas is that they make sense until the very end, and Brocade Odyssey does make sense until the end.
The problem is that the plot is very bland and predictable. It’s a comfort watch for sure, but not one that will leave a lasting impression.
One criticism I have is that for a drama about silk and brocades, the color grading didn’t do the fabrics any justice. Everything looked muted. I expected a drama about silk and beautiful embroidery, especially around the color red, to be eye-popping, with every frame filled with gorgeous patterns. But we barely see that. We don’t see how silk is harvested from silkworms or how brocade patterns are woven, though at least we get a glimpse of the complexities of dyeing silk.
The art of making brocades is just a mask this drama wears to make it appear deeper than it is. In the end, it’s still a typical costume idol romance drama about a heroine and her many suitors and the drama that comes with it.
If anything, I think the drama suffers from being “old-fashioned.” As I watched it, I kept thinking this drama would’ve been a hit in the early 2010s. Back then, tropes like delusional and possessive second leads (or third leads!) were common, and all this would’ve felt fresh.
But now, audiences want more than repetitive stories about second and third leads causing drama for the One True Pair. They want, I don’t know, some substance?
That said, Seven Tan and Zheng Yecheng get top marks for putting in the effort with their acting. I have no fault with them, except that I think Zheng Yecheng’s character lacked depth beyond being the Absolute Green Flag suitor with no flaws at all.
Final rating: 7.5
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