A fantasy-adventure that sucks you in like quicksand

… into an immersive, highly creative world that could easily inspire fanfiction.

Ni Ni breathes life into Ye Liuxi’s character, an amnesiac seeking answers to her identity and past. Ni Ni’s charisma and on-screen presence is undeniable--an explosive force to be reckoned with. Bai Yu plays her level-headed counterpart, Chang Dong, a mature and intelligent guide haunted by disaster and loss. Sparks fly when they’re together. Along the way, more characters join them and add a touch of humor and absurdity.

The initial episodes introduce the characters and the world slowly but surely. Viewers begin to learn about the fantasy world along with Ye Liuxi as clues lead her to Chang Dong, then into the desert, and finally through Yumen Pass and into the parallel world. The secondary world is so incredibly rich and imaginative that it left me eagerly anticipating what else the writer could conjure. From salt monsters and shadow puppet gnats to a saran wrapping anti-theft guardian, it’s a trove brimming with creativity that would delight any fantasy lover.

Unfortunately and perhaps in an attempt to appeal to a general audience, there’s a fair amount of hand-holding to introduce the fantastical elements, mainly through a token but beloved character--a sorcerer--that conveniently info dumps. Not only does this hinder the pacing, but it also robs viewers the opportunity to see this new world unfold more organically.

The show also botches two crucial elements: the villain and the climax. The final act deflates like a balloon and missed opportunities abound. While loose ends are resolved, they’re done in an underwhelming fashion. Long Zhi, played by Meng Ziyi, could have been a truly formidable villain but instead comes across as a hollow shell and an empty promise … partly because of MZY’s acting and partly because of the role. There’s also no true final confrontation between Long Zhi and Ye Liuxi, which could’ve been a battle for the ages between two fierce females.

This drama had the potential to be truly epic and left me yearning for what could’ve been, especially since censorship issues may have hindered the show. Criticisms aside, if you’re unsure about watching, please give it a shot and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by all the hidden gems this show has to offer.

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Look up “scumbag” in a dictionary

… and you’ll find a picture of Wei Ming.

(His parents deserve a footnote, too.)

“Alliance” is a story about unlikely friendships, perseverance, autonomy, and dysfunctional families. This drama is also a master class in show versus tell, making crystal clear which characters the viewers should like/despise via solid acting and in-depth looks into their lives. Li Zefeng plays Wei Ming--douchebag extraordinaire--a manipulative sleazebag without any redeeming qualities. Zhang Xiaofei plays Lin Shuang, a talented programmer turned mother/housewife who is forced to come to her senses, see his true colors, and subsequently redefine herself. Jenny Zhang plays Jiang Xi, a young woman dragged down by her family and seeks security and refuge from the wrong person: a married man.

The drama depicts its antagonists as exhaustively despicable and shameless. Wei Ming and his parents are hypocritical, greedy, and manipulative schemers. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Jiang Xi’s mother is another piece of work that deserves her fair share of karma. Does that make for compelling characters and good television? Depends on your taste and for me, at least, how well other elements are handled.

The alliance between Lin Shuang and Jiang Xi requires some initial suspension of disbelief. The writers do a great job of showing us how Lin Shuang realizes Wei Ming is the main problem and that she approaches Jiang Xi out of desperation to obtain leverage in a divorce. That said, it’s still a big ask for viewers to accept. It helps that viewers see Lin Shuang, through flashbacks to her past, as a pragmatic person with high standards who single-mindedly pursues and achieves her goals. More credibility is established when Jiang Xi wavers along the way and hiccups occur. The appearance of a new mistress also helps solidify their alliance. Once viewers move past that initial hurdle, their friendship, support, and positive influence on each other is a beautiful sight to behold.

I suspect many viewers will find their tolerance tested—as mine was—while waiting for Wei Ming’s comeuppance. The longer the wait, the bigger the payoff should be, and herein lies my main critique. Wei Ming’s downfall was disproportionate to the amount of his BS viewers had to stomach. That includes his parents, too. (Forgive me for thirsting for more schadenfreude.) That said, all story threads were resolved well—and that’s no easy feat, especially since so many shows mishandle endings. Lin Shuang took the high road, as befitting her character, to live her best life without him and her influence rubbed off on Jiang Xi, whose growth and transformation made her the show’s dark horse.

This drama offers insight and wisdom about women who persevere even when their families drag them down, the resilience it takes to overcome crises, the wonders of (unexpected) friendships, and the strength found in solidarity and sisterhood. Zhou Shen’s ending theme song—and especially the lyrics—deserves a special mention as well. (He rarely disappoints!)

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