The Long Season

This TV show triggered self-compassion for my own midlife crisis.

Yes, you may not encounter the sad life in this series, but you will definitely get older. Even the most powerful people will get old, and when that time comes, how to live decently?

It does suck to have your wife and children die abnormally and your best friend die in a car accident like Wang Xiang in this title, but it's even worse to face your own old age. The good thing is that the screenwriter gives a more positive and optimistic attitude, which seems to encourage us viewers not to be afraid of getting old. But specifically for each individual, it may not always be that easy.

Frankly, I've started to have to face some of the signs of aging, my mind gets older sometimes, and trying to act young seems to make me cringe because appearances can't hide it.

Let's hope I get the same optimistic ending, like the ending line: look forward, don't look back!

Snapping my fingers once in a while, shattering the distance between the distant past and reality.

For the middle-aged people in the northeast of China, 1990s is an unforgettable era which is full of magic and trauma. The transformation and decline of industry deeply affected the society and every family's life. People lost their jobs and the crime rate became higher. All of them make the era an abundant source for Chinese literature, and the creation of this amazing tv drama.

Basically this is a crime drama, but this is more about the characters' personalities and life, which is familiar with true detective series. It's a brilliant and touching combination of 1990s China style and tough detective novel. The emotion and the connection between people in this drama are so powerful. If you are a fan of true detective, you may love this.

It is not only the suspense story itself, but also the beautiful work that presents the truth of life with a mixture of joy and sorrow through the description of life and people. The suspense is part of the story, and the core is life and destiny.

At the first few episodes, it starts out a bit slow. I also confuse by the different time narratives. When it comes to build up more characters likes Wang Yang, Shen Mo and brother, as compared to the suspenseful dismemberment case, it is more attractive about the fate of these people. The more I feel empathy for the murder, the more I sense about impermanence of life.

The success of the TV drama is not only reflected in the restoration of the sense of time in the props and scenery, but also the character creation and the actors' subtle performance. Though I'm not a native Putonghua speaker, I can still understand their effort in picking up a perfect Northeastern Chinese accents. Wang Xiang and Gong Biao in the play, regardless of their accents or demeanor, are exactly like our uncles and fathers in real life! Plus, the lighting and music are exceptional good.

Quite easily the best, most well made Mainland Chinese drama I have ever seen. A true crime story that goes way beyond the crime itself, as it touches on society, human nature and so much more. Everything from the cinematography to details of every character and scene is carefully constructed. The setting is distinctively Northeastern China and China during that time. Not everything should or needed to be painted roses, and I believe The Long Season could serve as a vital lesson to those in charge of this department in China in determining what makes a good TV show. The leads, especially Fan Wei delivers a performance of the ages. The characters are so well sculpted and their relationship with each other are so authentic and true. This is one powerful drama that uniquely celebrates character development and character faults and hits hard long after the end credits. Oh yes, and the end credit, each one featuring a different song to reflect the mood of the episode, is the cherry on top.

For those of you reading this epitaph, we don't know at this point that this is the whispering train whistling through the Möbius Ring rising and sinking after generations of crushing Then let's give a resonant ring. If there is no echo, the season will continue to be long, but be sure to turn back before moving forward.

I admire and marvel at the director's ability for pacing, and his artistic standards are amazingly high. I love his camera angles and techniques, and I love the soundtrack in this drama. The plot is well thought out and interesting in many places. The natural human condition of the Chinese people is captured with ease. And, of course, it's all thanks to the superbly cast actors and actresses. Except for Shen Mo, whose acting sometimes lacks an explosive power and seems a bit stilted compared to the rest of the cast.

Why is this season so long? Maybe this is the season of life.