The Double

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Overview

Synopsis

Xue Fang Fei is happily married to Shen Yu Rong. But one day, she’s accused of having an affair by her step-family and killed by her husband. She’s miraculously saved by Jiang Li who dies shortly after in tragic circumstances. To avenge Jiang Li and herself, Fang Fei assumes her identity. On her journey to revenge, she meets the Duke Su who becomes an ally.

My Opinion (No Spoilers)

FLAWLESS drama! I can assure you that The Double is worth the watch! First of all, the costumes, decors, direction and acting performance are top-notch. The scenes in the rain, the storm, the snow, and the pear blossoms are absolutely beautiful. Add an incredible use of colors (red and black mainly) and you’ll get the aesthetics and cinematography of the drama. Second, the plot is extremely well-written. I loved how they turned Jiang Li’s revenge into a chess game in which anyone can be a pawn. The intrigue is full of strategy, clever moves and brilliant twists. Even the villains are smart and know how to play their cards well. I’m not going to lie though, the ending was not the one I expected, but they added post-credit scenes in another episode (40.5) that wrapped it up well. Last but not least, the romance is fantastic. The leads are a power couple, quick-witted and calm even when pressed into a corner. They stand on an equal level of capacities which is something that I definitely loved – usually indeed, heroines tend to be vulnerable and fragile, in need of protection. Well, Jiang Li sure knows how to protect herself. And don’t get me starting on the Duke, he was a perfect character. All I can say is that it would be a mistake not to check this drama out! So, don’t miss out on it.

Analysis

Historical context

Characters
Xue Fang Fei, all for revenge
The ‘cruel’ Duke
Wan Ning, the devil wears jewels
Shen Yu Rong, denial at its peak
Ji Shu Ran, the evil stepmother

The world’s a stage
Act 1 – Zhennu Hall
Act 2 – The School of Integrity
Act 3 – Luyang
Act 4 – Huaixiang
Act 5- Dingzhou
Act 6 – Ji Shu Ran’s downfall
Act 7 – Wan Ning’s pregnancy
Act 8 – The rebellion
Act 9 – The battlefield

A brilliant chess game
On the Emperor’s side
The Duke is King
Queen Jiang Li
Wen Ji and Lu Ji, the static rooks
Jiang Li’s father as the Knight
Consort Ling, a useful bishop
On Prince Cheng’s side
Wan Ning, Queen of the Palace
Yuan Song, the trusted rook
Shen Yu Rong, the unexpected Knight
Li Zhong Nan, the frail bishop

The 2 revenges

Cinematography

The symbols
The Duke’s fan
Shen Yu Rong’s flute
Xue Fang Fei’s pendant
The pear blossoms

Historical context: Before I deep dive into the review, I believe it is important to give some historical context to the drama. Though it’s not explicitly said, the story supposedly takes place during the Tang dynasty. The figure of the Emperor is inspired by Emperor Tang Xuan Zhong (712 – 756 AD) whose reign is one of the longest and represents a peak in Chinese political and cultural fields. It’s an era of prosperity and advancements in governance. The Double invented fictional places like Dai Country and Zhao Country, but embeds its intrigue into History by referring to places like Luyang that really exist. All of that to say that The Double emphasizes on two main points that mark the plot: first, the Emperor is benevolent and enlightened, that’s why his subjects, like the Duke, take his side to protect his reigns. Second, the capital is essentially based on officialdom. This means that your rank and function at the palace influence the power that you and your family have. Society depends on this social order between officials. If you desire more than you rank allows you, then that means you will need to use your wits to devise a good strategy and leverage on your connections. Throughout the entire drama, that’s exactly what Jiang Li does. She uses this social order to her advantage and benefits from it to satisfy her revenge.

Characters: The Double relies on a vast network of characters that take part in the intrigue at some point. Though some are only secondary, they all have a role to play in Jiang Li’s successful revenge.

Xue Fang Fei, all for revenge: Xue Fang Fei (Wu Jin Yan) married her first love Shen Yu Rong (Liang Qi Shun), a man of humble beginnings. Despite the gap in their status (Fang Fei’s father is a city governor), Fang Fei always encouraged her husband in his endeavors. Whether emotionally or financially, she’s always supported him because she believed in his vision. She’s convinced that Yu Rong can accomplish great things for the people if he were to become Academician. So, she helps him reach this position, even if it means sacrificing her wealth and comfort. Personality-wise, Xue Fang Fei is impressive herself. She’s considered as the most accomplished woman of her town. She’s proficient in arts like music and sewing. She’s very clever and is a master at strategy – for example, she’s undefeated at the Game of Go. Finally, she’s diplomatic and has a talent for navigating the political spheres. Though she’s praised by everyone and could clearly become more than a simple wife, Xue Fang Fei enjoys her position as Shen Yu Rong’s spouse. She loves him and is entirely devoted to his success. That is until she’s betrayed in the worst possible way. Shen Yu Rong’s demonstrates his love and gratitude for Xue Fang Fei by attempting to kill her. He also annihilates her entire family, leaving her alone in the world. That moment in a turning point for Xue Fang Fei. She was innocent and pure when she first married. She blindly trusted her husband, never doubted, never wavered. This led her to this stormy night. When she miraculously survives, Xue Fang Fei wants to die. She’s lost everything and everyone she’s ever cared for. However, Jiang Li convinces her otherwise. She persuades her that revenge is what will relieve her from her resentment and pain. There’s a clear shift in Xue Fang Fei’s personality after her attempted murder. She grows mature overnight. She now knows the true face of the world: a cruel, ruthless place in which anyone should be wary of the other. From then on, Xue Fang Fei uses all her skills against Shen Yu Rong. Her eloquence and wits serve her revenge. Yet her goal never transforms her into an evil person. She just becomes a remarkable Jiang Li and a formidable, undefeated opponent whose goal is to punish those who wronged her. Otherwise, she still the same beautiful soul: kind, gentle and benevolent with people. I think Shen Yu Rong underestimated Xue Fang Fei’s abilities or at least he refused to see them. He never had to confront her, so he couldn’t possibly see how much of a contender she could be in the officialdom. The only person who truly sees Xue Fang Fei’s value is Duke Su (Wang Xing Yue). The future Jiang Li notices it and can see a great partner in the Duke. They are equals both intellectually and emotionally, making them a perfect match. Xue Fang Fei has tested the Duke all along and chose herself to be with him. She knows he’s no coward like Shen Yu Rong and thus trusts he won’t betray her. To him, she becomes his Little Leopard Cat – a pet name that made me laugh a lot!

The ‘cruel’ Duke: The Duke, also known as Xiao Heng, is an intimidating figure. Dressed in black, wearing a poker face, and cooling himself with his fan, the Duke is synonymous with threat for most people. As the Emperor’s main investigator, he acts in the shadows (or straight in the open) to neutralize potential dangers. The Duke cultivates his image and reputation. He resorts to torture during his examinations and is not afraid to confront his enemies head-on. Moreover, he doesn’t make distinction between ranks. He embodies justice which means that everyone is equal in his eyes whether it’d be ministers or modest subjects. On top of his terrifying looks, the Duke shines at strategy. He’s the Emperor’s greatest weapon to uproot corruption. Xiao Heng is like a general on a battlefield devises plans not only to win his battles, but also the war. His cold demeanor is an asset, as it allows him to conceal his game. Though he’s a rather solitary individual, Xiao Heng benefits from a vast network of informants starting with his two sidekicks Wen Ji (Pan Yu Cheng) and Lu Ji (Wang Le Fu). The Duke knows that information is power and he leverages on it very well. Brilliant, resourceful, and skilled in martial arts, the Duke is a force to be reckoned with. He sees right through people and knows how to maneuver them. He uses their desires and selfish interests’ in his advantage without ever revealing his. However, the Duke is tender and softhearted once you get to know him better. He doesn’t let people in easily and when he does, it’s proof of the trust he has in you. That’s the case for the Emperor with whom he shares a common fate, but also with Xue Fang Fei. He’s been interested in her long before she changed her identity, but decided to play along. Indeed, their goals converged, but he was also curious to see how far she’d be able to go. In the end, he falls hard for this intelligent woman who’s not afraid of a fight. She’s different from other ladies and that’s what makes her attractive in his eyes. I think it’s really endearing to see how the Duke melts before Xue Fang Fei. He’s always been very guarded and secretive. But with her he’s cute and genuine. He conveys his feelings and devotion through words and (more importantly) actions. He saves her from deadly situations several times because she’s his partner in crime. He’s no fool and can see where her game is going, but it’s much more fun to actually witness it and support when needed. The Duke also shares a lot of common points with Xue Fang Fei. They are clever, persuasive, resourceful, kind towards those who deserve it, capable of making allies, eloquent, convincing. They also share the same goal – protect the Emperor – and have the same ambition: getting their revenge. Xiao Heng’s parents were killed by Prince Cheng during a battle against the Dai Country. His father was an illustrious warrior, praised, respected and admired by all. He had uncovered the Prince’s project to overthrow the Emperor and nipped it in the bud. So, the Prince drove him to his death by leaving him behind on the battlefield. He then disguised his death and went on with his greedy project. Xiao Heng knew something was off. He promised he would avenge his parents and succeeded in his plan.

Wan Ning, the devil wears jewels: Princess Wan Ning (Vivien Li) is a complex character. Though she appears as the ultimate villain most of the drama, you can’t help but empathize with her towards the end. Her father, the former Emperor, never loved her. She was the daughter of a concubine and thus never shone in his eyes. She was sent to Dai Country as a hostage. There, she was sexually assaulted by her ‘husband’ (if we can call him like that), beaten up, and simply treated as cattle. She would sleep with the muttons and wait for death to take her away. These tragic events traumatized her. She resented her father and thus even his kids – like the Emperor. She wants to wipe out his legacy entirely. She also started to develop a certain form of resentment towards people. Never again would she let someone belittle or humiliate her. To make matters worse, Wan Ning got pregnant in Dai. However, she couldn’t bear the thought of having a child with her violent husband. So, she forced a miscarriage. After that, she never could get pregnant again. This was the price of her future and it turned into a weakness overtime. When she goes back to the capital, Wan Ning is a changed person. She’s spoiled, arrogant, and cruel. Her status protects her from retribution whenever she behaves badly. So, she continues to do so. Her methods are brutal and violent whether it’d be at war or in love. The first time she meets Shen Yu Rong, she falls in love with him immediately. He’s kind and gentle; fair and pure. He’s unlike any man she’s ever met before which attracts her to him. But the Academician is already married to Xue Fang Fei. Projecting her unreciprocated feelings on Shen Yu Rong, Wan Ning decides to suppress the obstacles that stand in her way aka the wife. She rallies Shen Yu Rong’s family to her cause and forces him to kill his spouse if he wants to protect his mother and sister. That crime irrevocably bonds the two characters in a cycle of love and hate. The more Wan Ning wants Shen Yu Rong, the more he hates her. When the latter is pushed into a corner, he uses Wan Ning’s feelings against her to take her down. Despite her brilliance, Wan Ning’s mistake was to love the wrong person. Just like Xue Fang Fei, she was betrayed by Shen Yu Rong and paid the price.

Shen Yu Rong, denial at its peak: Shen Yu Rong’s greatest enemy is his ambition. At the beginning of his career, that same ambition brought him success. Despite his humble beginnings, his fairness and moral virtue pleased the Emperor. He became an Academician, carrying the hope for a brighter future. He had everything to be happy. Unfortunately for him, Wan Ning had her heart set on him. She cut his wings and they both spiraled down after that. Shen Yu Rong was indeed unaware that his family had framed Xue Fang Fei. His mother and sister were threatened by the Princess, and thus accused Fang Fei of adultery without informing Shen Yu Rong. They saw a better opportunity to rise their status with the Princess on their side, so they took it. In the blink of an eye, Shen Yu Rong lost ground. He tried to kill Xue Fang Fei and went on with the masquerade. By the end, his former wife confronts him. She asks him to stop his scheme and atone for his sins. But Shen Yu Rong is shamelessly adamant. He justifies his actions by saying that he had no choice. He needed to protect his mother and sister. But in reality, it’s easy to read between the lines. Shen Yu Rong is protecting his career and social status. He’s sacrificed so much, even his wife, that he can’t renounce everything he’s built now. His ambition to leave his name in History turns him into a devilish person. After that conversation, Xue Fang Fei realizes that there’s nothing she can do to save him apart from winning the war. There’s one interesting point about this character that makes him complex in my opinion. Even though there’s no turning back for him, and he’s conscious of that, he’s never stopped loving Xue Fang Fei. His moments with Wan Ning are tainted by Xue Fang Fei’s spectrum. No matter how much she forces it, Shen Yu Rong is unwilling to replace his wife with the Princess. As if it were not enough, Fang Fei’s ghost is constantly haunting Shen Yu Rong. His dreams, nightmares and even lucid moments revolve around her. Jiang Li’s appearance doesn’t help. Instead, it makes him dive deeper into madness. Xue Fang Fei was his one true love. But he was unable to protect her. Worse, he disgusts her now. By the end, Shen Yu Rong senses that his end is near. Defeated and rejected by his beloved, he says a final goodbye before jumping off the city wall. I think Shen Yu Rong redeemed himself at the end. He kills Wan Ning which frees him from her control and is a sort of atonement towards Xue Fang Fei. He should’ve gotten rid of the Princess sooner, when his wife was still by his side. His cowardice and greed made him lose his heart and mind alongside Xue Fang Fei. She was his everything, that’s why he can’t properly function without her. Hence his tragic but necessary end that puts him out of his misery.

Ji Shu Ran, the evil stepmother: Ji Shu Ran (Joe Chen) is Jiang Li’s first antagonist upon her return to the capital. She’s the reason why the real Jiang Li was cast out at age 10 and is not pleased with her comeback. Though Shu Ran looks like your typical evil stepmother, there’s actually more depth to her character than meets the eye. She was in love with a painter in her younger days, but her father forced the split between the two. Coming from a wealthy and prestigious family, her father could not accept to marry his daughter to a poor painter. He broke his fingers and ousted him. Heartbroken, Ji Shu Ran followed her father’s command to marry into the Jiang Family. She poisoned Jiang Li’s mother, her own friend, and took her place. After that, she disposed of her other children and of the concubines. She threw herself in the stairs while pregnant and accused Jiang Li. The 10-year old couldn’t even defend herself and was sent to Zhennu Hall right away. When Xue Fang Fei returns as Jiang Li, Ji Shu Ran resorts to all means possible to toss her out. She even uses her own daughter Ruo Yao to scheme against her stepdaughter. Without realizing it, Ji Shu Ran turned like her father. She became a parent obsessed with her reputation and thus controlling her children’s lives. Her sad love story and toxic relationship with her father turned Ji Shu Ran into a monster. That’s why she loses her sanity at the end. Her guilt comes back like a boomerang and hits her in the face. All her misdeeds resurface and she’s left with no choice but to capitulate. She forfeits her current situation and imprisons her mind in a world where the simple sight of flowers makes her happy.

The world’s a stage: Like many other Chinese dramas, The Double gives the impression that you’re seeing a well-oiled play, as characters embark on their journey. However, this show goes beyond the impression. It offers a real ‘mise en abime’, a play within a play. Indeed, the story can be split into 9 distinct acts, each with its own intrigue that impacts the overarching narrative. They all take place in a different location (Luyang, Zhennu Hall, Huaixiang…) and focus on key events (the murder of Xue Fang Fei, the School of Integrity and exam, the mystery behind the gold mine, the rebellion…). That’s the main stage. There’s however a second stage, with Jiang Li and the Duke, that is more subtle. Indeed, the Duke himself confesses that he’s a huge fan of plays and operas. That’s the reason why he generally watches the action unravel from his balcony. And guess who’s the main actress in most cases? More than once, we get to see the Duke becoming a spectator to Jiang Li’s actions, though it’s important to mention that he’s also a ruthless actor behind the scenes.

Act 1 – Zhennu Hall: It all starts at Zhennu Hall. That’s where Xue Fang Fei is found and saved by Jiang Li. The young woman has been trapped in this cold and authoritarian place where she suffers from the Lead Nun’s abuse. Jiang Li insufflates the will to live again to Xue Fang Fei. Zhennu Hall is an ambiguous place that serves as Jiang Li’s tomb, but also as Xue Fang Fei’s birth cradle as she comes back to life under the identity of her dead friend. It’s also a stepping stone in Xue Fang Fei’s encounter with the Duke, as she uses him to get out of Zhennu Hall and set her plan into motion. The Duke is not blind of course and knows from the start that she’s concealing her real identity. Still, he decides to play along. That’s the pair’s first alliance and certainly not the last one. Let the partnership begin.

Act 2 – The School of Integrity: After imposing herself as the real Jiang Li, the second act of the drama revolves around her rise as the capital’s most prominent young lady. Considering her past and imprisonment in Zhennu Hall, Jiang Li is conscious that she needs to redeem her prestige and rebuild her reputation. This is the only way for her to reach the sphere of high-ranking nobles to which Shen Yu Rong and Princess Wan Ning belong. So, she devises a plan to join the School of Integrity. If her father rejoices, her step-mother Ju Shi Ran and step-sister Ru Yao see her as a rival and a threat. At school, Jiang Li is surrounded by enemies. However, it’s a good way for her to test the waters and assess whom she can trust. She finds excellent allies in her cousins Ye Shi Jie and Jing Rui and the daughter of her mother’s friend Liu Xi. Jiang Li leverages on the school dynamics to get rid of the youngest son of the Li family and rekindle her connection with her mother’s family the Yes. At some point in time, she proves her skills and thrives as the capital’s most precious gem. But her abilities also arouse the suspicion of many, starting with her family.

Act 3 – Luyang: After her spectacular entrance in the world, Jiang Li decides to take a step back and leave for Luyang. This is a strategic move to protect herself from nosy enemies, but also to get closer to the Ye Family. Indeed, they are powerful merchants who can provide her with support if she manages to sway them over. Upon her arrival in Luyang, she discovers that the Ye family is about to lose its fortune, because it’s supposedly defrauding people and sending them to their death. Parallel to that, the Duke also sets foot in Luyang to investigate Official Li and the wealth he’s mysteriously accumulating behind the Emperor’s back. Both storylines are linked and serve as a connector between the two protagonists. They thus stand in line to hinder Minister Li Zhong Nan’s plan to destroy the Ye Family’s reputation before submitting them and using its wealth to fund Prince Cheng’s rebellion.

Act 4 – Huaixiang: In this 4th act, the story takes a more personal turn for Jiang Li. While in Luyang, she learns that her father is still alive, but about to be executed for embezzling the Emperor’s goods. Without wasting a minute, Jiang Li goes to Huaixiang. Her journey intertwines once again with the Duke’s. He’s after the governor, a corrupt official working for Li Zhong Nan, who’s the sole responsible for the embezzlement case. Jiang Li and the Duke unite their forces once more to investigate a gold mine that serves as Li Zhong Nan’s source of money. To wreak havoc with his plan, they put an end to the governor’s vile actions and report the gold mine. Huaixiang is a turning point in the protagonists’ relationship, as they confess their feelings for each other and openly join hands.

Act 5 – Dingzhou: Jiang Li goes back to the capital to clear her father’s name from the accusations. However, this puts her in a precarious position, as she’s freed a convicted man. On her way back, she stops in Dingzhou where famine runs rampant. After having heard of her virtue and wealth, Jiang Li finds herself cornered. She’s surrounded by starving people who only dream of robbing her. People are teased by the Li Family to strike, while Jiang Li struggles to hold on. So, the Duke imagines a plan to save her using the support of the Ye Family. Jiang Li brings her father back to the capital. Politically, this is a killer move. The Emperor can now investigate the case, clear the sick old man of charges and weaken Wan Ning’s influence and power.

Act 6 – Ji Shu Ran’s downfall: Jiang Li’s return to the capital is synonymous with justice. She’s joined hands with the people who now put pressure on the Emperor to find out the truth. But Jiang Li’s position in her house is complex. Her father is mad at her for putting the family’s reputation at risk by protecting an unknown official. Ji Shu Ran can’t stand Jiang Li’s presence anymore and decides to use her daughter first, then her own ex-lover, to get rid of her. But things turn sour for Shu Ran. Her daughter Ruo Yao stands up against her, emphasizing that her mother always considered her as an object. She’s suffocating and can’t stand it anymore. Meanwhile, her ex-lover proves to be a dead end. He wanted revenge and got it. To make matters worse, Ji Shu Ran’s real face is revealed to the whole family. She’s responsible for the death of Jiang Li’s mother and stepsister. The evil stepmother is then cast out of the house and turns crazy. Xue Fang Fei has finally avenged the real Jiang Li and gotten rid of her first great antagonist.

Act 7 – Wan Ning’s pregnancy: The plot rapidly unravels after that. Now that Ji Shu Ran is out of the picture, Jiang Li can focus on her revenge. Wan Ning and Shen Yu Rong are stronger than ever, while Prince Cheng is at the capital’s door. On his side, the Duke pretends an argument with the Emperor to win some time to prepare. He also goes to Wan Ning and suggests a betrayal. One Jiang Li’s side, she uses Wan Ning’s weakness (her love for Shen Yu Rong) to force a marriage between them. She gives Princess Wan Ning a decoction that fakes the symptoms of pregnancy. Of course, Shen Yu Rong can see right through Jiang Li’s game and pushes the Princess in the arms of the Li Family. In the meantime, Shen Yu Rong uncovers Xue Fang Fei’s scam. Though he tries to get her back, she pushes him away. She gives him a chance to repent, but he’s too implicated now to take a step back. Seeing how unwilling he is, Xue Fang Fei has no other choice but to continue with her revenge.

Act 8 – The rebellion: At the end, Prince Cheng comes back to the capital with the honors and attempts a coup by using the death of Wan Ning as an excuse. However, the Emperor and the Duke were expecting this move, so they prepared in advance. With the help of the Jiang family and Zhao Country, the rebellion is tamed. Moreover, the Duke finally reveals that Prince Cheng caused his father’s death by leaving him behind on the battlefield against the enemies and cutting his only escape route. This is the end of a 8-year long wait for revenge.

Act 9 – The battlefield: After the rebellion is stopped, the Duke becomes a general and goes to war, like his father did before him, to fight against Dai Country. Before that, he gets married to Jiang Li and promises to return. That’s where the plot went wrong for me. The Duke bravely fights with Wen Ji and Lu Ji against enemies. Years pass, the Duke loses his second-in-command, and Jiang Li waits painfully. The last scene shows his triumphant return to his wife who’s next to their pear tree. But we don’t have any other information on their future nor on the timeline. Instead, the drama added a 5-minute long episode that focuses on the couple’s life with their daughter. This was a necessary addition, because the ending left me waiting for more.

A brilliant chess game: Apart from being a remarkable revenge story, the drama gives the impression that you’re witnessing a spectacular chess game. You’re fully immersed in the political intrigue that opposes the Emperor and his brother Prince Cheng, as they carefully place their pawns on the capital chessboard. Each side has its own discardable ace players and secondary contenders that they use to the best of their ability to overtake the game.

On the Emperor’s side: If I had to associate characters with chess pieces working on the Emperor’s side, it would go as follows.

The Duke is King: In chess the King doesn’t really play. He observes the situation and makes a move only if necessary. He lets others defend him. That’s what the Duke does. He reads the situation and acts in the shadows, while people get information he can use to his advantage. He never plays recklessly and makes a move only when necessary. But he’s also acting for the Emperor – the great puppeteer. The Duke is also a pawn to the Emperor that gives him a significant advantage to win the game.

Queen Jiang Li: Unlike the King, the Queen is in the heart of action in chess. She’s the visible piece that everybody wants to take down in part because she’s the most powerful of them all. That’s exactly Xue Fang Fei who later becomes Jiang Li. She plays the game cleverly and leverages on her power, but she doesn’t let others get too close to survive the brutal confrontations. Jiang Li is a crucial piece in the game and in the drama. She’s a catalyst of revenge whether it’d be for her or for the King (the Duke). At some point, she unites with the King and accepts to become his pawn because their interests converge.

Wen Ji and Lu Ji, the static rooks: Don’t underestimate rooks in chess, they worth quite a lot. They come in pair. They are reliable and stable pieces placed to defend the King and Queen. From that perspective, Wen Ji and Lu Ji can be compared with rooks. They are the Duke’s armed arms, his second-in-commands who execute his orders, convey precious information, and do the ground work. Without them by his side, there’s nothing he can do. They are trustworthy and faithful pieces, though completely different in personalities.

Jiang Li’s father as the Knight: Like the Knight on a chessboard, he doesn’t play much of a role at first. He remains on the sidelines and tries to support the Emperor when he can, but he’s quite weak. However, he proves his worth at the end by becoming the Knight in shining armor who protects the Emperor and helps him escape Prince Cheng’s troops.

Consort Ling, a useful bishop: Like the Knight, Consort Ling is on the sidelines. She doesn’t reveal herself or her game before the last round. As the Emperor’s favorite consort, she controls specific squares (the harem/the emperor’s heart) and uses them only when necessary. Though she played the Emperor by concealing her misdeeds, she’s willing to sacrifice herself at the end to protect him. She exchanges her life at the end to prevent the Prince from using her as a weakness. By doing so, she reshuffles the entire game, just like the bishop’s presence or absence would take or give away dominion over the board to the players.

On Prince Cheng’s side: There are less pieces to play with on Prince Cheng’s side, which suggests that he’s in numerical inferiority and thus his chances of victory are slim, but his team is a force to be reckoned with. However, one of his greatest disadvantages is that his pieces play for their own interests first. This can be seen as a first sign that his project of rebellion is bound to fail.

Wan Ning, Queen of the palace: Her position as his sister and a Princess in the palace make her a key piece for Prince Cheng. She’s got power, authority, money and influence. For instance, she can manipulate and threaten Consort Ling in order to shortcut the plan of the Emperor’s pieces. Like the Queen in chess, she knows how to attack and how to sacrifice pawns. And she does it ruthlessly. Unfortunately for her and the Prince, Wan Ning is also motivated by her love (if not obsession) for Shen Yu Rong. At the end, he becomes her weakness and she succumbs under the weight of his hatred and her brother’s greed.

Yuan Song, the trusted rook: Prince Cheng can count on Yuan Song (Li Cheng Bin), who is his most trusted advisor and right man. He does all the dirty work for his master and can be considered as a pillar in his plan of rebellion.

Shen Yu Rong, the unexpected Knight: At the end, Shen Yu Rong joins the Prince’s side with Princess Wan Ning. He becomes the Knight who strategizes and goes to war for him. He provides the Prince with brilliant counterattacks against Jiang Li and the Duke, using his wits as an advantage to win squares over.

Li Zhong Nan, the frail bishop: He’s a disposable piece who could’ve been a King due to his influence, power and money. But he’s an empty shell who’s afraid of the Princess. Instead of walking hand in hand, they advance against each other, the Queen terrorizing a potential King and thus weakening the game altogether. His sons are pawns who are sacrificed and gotten rid of when needed.

The 2 revenges: The drama perfectly entangles the revenges of the real Jiang Li and the fake Jiang Li (aka Xue Fang Fei). After being sent to Zhennu Hall, Jiang Li was only left with resentment and hatred. She couldn’t forgive her father and stepmother for letting her perish in that cold and vile place. She admitted it to Xue Fang Fei. She would get her revenge on them and make them pay. Though Jiang Li dies prematurely, Xue Fang Fei doesn’t forget her revenge while accomplishing hers. She has a debt towards the woman who saved her life and thus punishes Ji Shu Ran and Jiang Li’s father. Jiang Li’s disappearance also gives Xue Fang Fei the perfect opportunity to avenge herself as well. By becoming the daughter of a high-ranking official, she can go head-to-head against her former husband and the Princess who wanted her dead. In the end, both revenges blend together though we never lose the essence of each. On top of that, there’s also an underlying revenge that complements Xue Fang Fei’s at some point. After Jiang Li’s executioners have been punished, the Duke’s revenge against Prince Cheng now intertwines with Jiang Li’s. The plot evolves from personal vendettas to revenges turned towards the good of the Empire.

Cinematography: The Double not only wowed me with its engaging plot, but it also blew me away with its cinematography. The setting, the decors, the costumes, everything participate in the storytelling. Take the colors for example. The red and black represent the Duke. They insist on his cruel side (dark) when he investigates a case, but also on his power and magnificence as a trusted advisor of the Emperor. The work on lights and visuals in extremely pleasing and are used to heighten the tension between characters (the storm in episode 1 that echoes Xue Fang Fei’s fear and anger against her murderous husband), to highlight the pain and melancholy associated with a specific character (the pear blossoms represent Jiang Li and accompany Fang Fei in her journey), or to enhance the heroism of the scene (like the battlefield scene at the end when the Duke ends up fighting alone against enemies). Even the ending leverages on these visual effects. When the Duke comes back victorious from war. As he’s riding his horse, his cape flies with the wind, while Jiang Li, a solitary figure, notices him from afar.

The symbols: There are a few objects that hold quite an important meaning in the drama. I count 4 in total which are the following:

The Duke’s fan: It’s synonymous with his nonchalance at first. But it’s also a powerful weapon and shield that he wields in dangerous situations. The fan reflects the Duke’s personality. Behind his pleasing appearance hides a deceitful, ruthless pawn.

Shen Yu Rong’s flute: Shen Yu Rong’s flute used to be a symbol of his love for Xue Fang Fei. When they were married, they would both play music. Shen Yu Rong would accompany Xue Fang Fei with his flute and its melodious sound would stand for their union. The relationship between the former couple can be summarized by this instrument. When Shen Yu Rong tries to kill his wife, he throws his flute in her tomb to accompany her in the afterlife. That’s a way to put an end to their marriage. Later on, Shen Yu Rong attempts to rekindle the flame with Xue Fang Fei by returning the flute, but she refuses it. At the end, the pathetic villain blows one last time in his flute, as a way to say goodbye to Xue Fang Fei. He’s now playing alone under a dark sky before jumping from the city wall and ending his life, firmly holding his flute.

Xue Fang Fei’s pendant: Back to the times when she was married to Shen Yu Rong, Fang Fei exchanged her mother’s pendant (her only legacy from her mother) for money. She then used the money to help her husband in his endeavor. This is proof that she was willing to sacrifice everything she had for love. After her betrayal, she however manages to recover her pendant thanks to the Duke. When he’s off to war, she offers him to him as a symbol of love, devotion and protection. The Duke goes to the battlefield with his wife’s pendant at his waist, using it to repel death and get back to his lover. It’s interesting to note that in the first case, Xue Fang Fei gave her pendant away for monetary gains. Whereas in the second case, she gifted it to proof her love. This gesture highlights her genuine feelings for the Duke.

The pear blossoms: There’s no doubt that pear blossoms are a red thread in the drama that embodies Jiang Li. As if it were her spirit itself, she accompanies Xue Fang Fei in her journey and protects her along the way. At the end, the pear tree that the leads have planted has bloomed. It’s a symbol of rebirth and new start after all the ordeals they’ve been through.