Watch the first 12 episodes to enjoy charming detective comedy with great male leads and then drop it like a hot potato.


"My Roommate is a Detective" is a Chinese detective comedy done right. It has all of the ingredients: funny charming (and hot) characters who always look sharp in their impeccable period get-ups, genuinely funny slapstick humour, engaging banter, and fresh cases (especially for those unaccustomed to Republican era dramas). Most importantly, the story is very consistent and fast-paced so occasional silliness of the cases is easy to forgive.

The titular roommate-detective Lu Yao is particularly delightful as the story never lets him get out of any situation with his dignity intact. One moment he's a genius Sherlock Holmes wannabe / arrogant Oxford alumni and the next he shamelessly stuffs his face with free food, gets his thin lies (and pickpocketing habit) exposed, and runs away at the slightest sign of danger.

Inspector Qiao, on the other hand, is a stern no-nonsense official who can bark orders like any other quasi-military personnel but who is actually very patient and easy-going. His street-smarts allow him to spot and hire Lu Yao while his patience allows him to tolerate the genius detective's antics. Inspector Qiao's perpetual dry amusement and air of contentedness is a a balm for the viewer's soul.

It goes without saying that both characters are played by gorgeous actors.

The female lead Ms. Bai does grate on one's nerves at the beginning of the drama. She gets away with some really outrageous actions and her struggles are hard to sympathise with. I wouldn't agree with those who say she isn't necessary for the plot because she does provide case details and occasional funny banter. Moreover, her scenes become less and less eye-roll worthy as the show progresses.

The cases themselves are a bit on a sillier side but quite inventive. They lean more towards Conan Doyle than Agatha Christie with the focus on forensic analysis and gathering of the clues. None of that 'let's all meet at the ballroom in our evening best to dramatically reveal who is the murderer among us' stuff. On the other hand, the time period means that police brutality, nepotism, and dealings with mafia are the norm.

Moreover, C-dramas ostensibly can't portray good people being killed so every other victim turns out to be a person who has committed severe crimes. That makes culprits more sympathetic than the victims which is a weird dynamic for a lighthearted show where the viewer is supposed to root for the detectives.

Some problematic stuff appears here and there, not to mention that Inspector Qiao is a gangster but a honourable one?? The viewers aren't supposed to take any of that seriously but some cases really push their luck.

The opening and ending music themes are really nice.

All of the above concerns the first 12 episodes of the show. The 13th episode makes it clear that there will be no meaningful character development or dramatic story-line in the rest of the show. The heroes begin to act out of character and the focus of the story shifts to romance and family drama. This makes it harder to tolerate the silliness of the cases with their at times truly atrocious resolutions. The super-obvious fanservice and in-your-face romantic scenes are also nothing to celebrate.

If you aren't put off by any of that the drama continues to be quite watchable. I believe, though, that even as light-hearted as the drama is it should have taken itself seriously at least some of the time. Too many questions beg for answers (Will Lu Yao find the courage to stand for what he believes in? Will Inspector Qiao fight for real justice or remain a mafia lackey? Will Ms. Bai gain real independence? Will she get awareness of her own privilege?) while it becomes increasingly clear that the answers will not be in any way satisfying.