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Taking a break from The Sword and the Brocade because the consent issues were wearing on me. They're not even that bad, objectively, but it is hitting a Button.
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But I am still feeling bored and sickly and kinda down! Boooo. Maybe I'll take the unprecedented step of buying something off my Steam wishlist that isn't on sale.

Or have a nap. That also sounds good rn.

Anyway I'll probably get back to the show eventually, I like it overall and the stuff that bugs me is a relatively small part. But we'll see, my brain is unpredictable about these things. (See: the fact it took until a few episodes AFTER the last scene that bothered me before my brain went Time To Stop)

Masterlist, Character Guide, and Content Notes

I've added an extra content note: People in arranged marriages being pressured to have sex they don't want, though in every onscreen interaction they say no and this is respected.

Which is a bit wordy, but that specific vibe happens a lot.
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Masterlist, Character Guide, and Content Notes

I start by going over some of the earlier plot again, and then we move on to later episodes. I stopped for the night at the end of episode 12 so I'll end the post there as a nice clear marker. I was going to say "even though it's kind of short" but as I scroll down to select it to cut and paste into the dreamwidth post box... not so much, haha.

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I don't know how entertaining this will be, I just have Feelings and noone sufficiently interested in het cdramas for me to feel comfortable rambling to them in sufficient length.

I'm only up to episode 11/45 and already have enough rambling to fill multiple posts, so am just going to start with a masterlist and character guide and go on from there.

So!

The Sword and the Brocade is a Chinese m/f live action TV romantic drama.

I was inspired to watch it by this spoilery ffa thread where a couple of people agreed that it is far from the objectively best cdrama but somehow makes it's self indulgent wish fulfilment incredibly enjoyable.

The slightly less spoilery but long Viki summary starts with:

Born a concubine’s daughter, Shi Yi Niang (Tan Song Yun) was very well aware of her low status and lack of social connections. However, her low rank never once stopped her from speaking her mind or pursuing her dreams. Believing women should be free to pursue a life outside the home, Yi Niang hoped to someday use her embroidery skills to secure her freedom. But destiny had something else in store for her.

tl;dr And then she gets into an arranged marriage with an emotionally distant famous general and they Uncover Mysteries and Fall In Love.

Based on the first ten episodes I agree with the people at FFA: this is not the best cdrama in any objective sense but it is sure COMPELLING.

Also, every remotely complex plot point and important character dynamic is explained repeatedly. There are multiple characters whose main role is to ask dumb questions so someone has to explain everything to them. It's not very subtle but is great for my sleepy brain, which can otherwise find subtitled historical dramas a bit confusing.

Viki has the whole thing available for free if you make an account.

Content notes: Not involving the main characters: Terminal illness, miscarriage, sick children, violent spouse
Involving the main characters: Violent abuse from heroine's sort-of-parent. Love interest is sometimes kinda mean to those he has power over. Heroine is technically underage but the actress is in her 30s lol. People in arranged marriages being pressured to have sex they don't want, though in every onscreen interaction they say no and this is respected. Past rape.
( No major spoilers just a character guide and list of posts )