#fahai

I would like to preface this with the information that I am only somewhat familiar with the original tale and the only other retelling I have experienced thus far was the White Snake animated movie of 2019. For this series I’ll be going off of the English subtitles from Netflix. Additionally I am a queer individual, so expect some queer reading on my part. Mild spoiler warning for the first twelve episodes of the series!

In light of Netflix removing the series soon I have decided to sit down to watch it before then and ended up binging the first twelve episodes in one day. Needless to say I really enjoyed it and would like to get my thoughts and appreciation out here.

To briefly touch on the visuals before getting into the characters and story, the overall vibe I got is comfortable. Like it is colourful but not oversaturated. The costumes are pretty but not over the top, similarly the makeup is clearly there but looks simple enough to not be distracting to me.

The CGI is stylized. It doesn’t try to bend over backwards to be photorealistic and I personally like that. It work for me, it’s, again, comfortable to watch.

Continuing with the characters, the one that stood out to me right away and who I grew to like very quickly is Xiao Qing.

She reads very queer to me starting off with her cultivation of a male human form for so long despite being afab. Now this was due to a desire to protect her mother and attempting to follow established gender roles thusly in a way, though she also had no apparent personal issue with it other than the transformation being a little more difficult, likely because it is a bigger change.

Then she basically flipped to a female human form on a dime out of convenience, so she could accompany Bai Suzhen. Her gender non-conformity persist in that form and all this combined to me paints a picture of her not quite caring about her own gender as such. Nevertheless I wouldn’t put any specific label on her, both because it would not be my place to do so and because I don’t see any for her other than maybe gender non-conform in a general sense.

However you cannot tell me she doesn't have a small crush on Bai Suzhen at least in the beginning.

Aside those things, the small quirk of her enjoying food is very adorable too. So far she has undergone some good character development as well becoming a better person and learning from her elders while still being true to her personality, I quite like that. One would think she’d be an annoying character at first, but she grows into a solid and likeable person.

Now to actually start from the top in terms of characters, beginning with the strong female lead Bai Suzhen.

Not only kind and compassionate, she gained enlightenment through the presence of Guanyin go figure how that might have factored into this, she is also very educated and skilled in martial arts. She is kind but not a pushover, strong willed but not obnoxious. Both a healer and a fighter depending on what is needed at the moment. Capable of handling herself, but not rejecting help when offered. All in all she’s just a great person and a highly likeable protagonist in my eyes.

The supporting ladies like Xu Jiaorong are wonderful as well when they come up, being very helpful where they can.

The male protagonists are nothing to sneeze at either! Of course our male lead Xu Xian is a kind and caring physician already making him quite likeable.

Additionally he falls in love with Bai Suzhen specifically because she is his equal and shares his values. Seeing them work together and help each other as physicians is so cute and really makes you root for them.

He is not without flaw however, much like the rest of the cast, and I am not just referring to his health troubles. While not being a particularly big character arc so far he does grow as a person and his past thus also his past growth is revealed, making his a well rounded character.

Then we have Li Gongfu.

He might not be quite as bright as our leads but is still capable in his job. He is also aware of his own shortcomings and accepts help and advice. And of course he is very loyal to his wife and clearly loves her, which is just so nice to see.

And the four immortals, which are initially with Qing and then Bai Suzhen as well, are great support characters. Funny, caring and useful! The one fight scene where they displayed the abilities of their animal forms was particularly enjoyable to watch.

So far the antagonists have been well balanced usually through an antagonist lady being paired up with antagonist men and both taking equal part in causing trouble. They have also been fleshed out rather nicely with motivations and goals as well as personal grievances.

Plus some were even somewhat sympathetic, particularly the mother who yes has done very bad things undeniably so, but has been pushed to a degree to act like that to begin with. Really a more tragic character than outright evil in my opinion.

Then we have Jin Ruyi of course, who is the classic jealous love rival.

Rather early on I developed hopes for her undergoing character development. Not necessarily in the direction of outright getting along with Bai Suzhen, but maturing, learning to see Xu Xian as his own person and subsequently letting those two be even if she might not like it. And I was pleased to see such an arc beginning towards the later end of the first twelve episodes.

She is not quite where I would like to see her yet, but she clearly has undergone development becoming less spoiled after tragedy struck her. And she can’t be blamed entirely for still being stuck to Xu Xian given how she has been strung along for a scheme by the Hu Kexin.

When speaking about character development we cannot forget about the monk Fahai.

In previous iterations he has been mostly an antagonistic force, but this time around he is here to learn! With a kind master to start him on his journey he still had to make the decision to follow his instructions of not harming the demons if his cane does not deem it necessary. Thusly he is gradually unlearning his prejudice and seeing the nuance in the world more instead of viewing it purely in black and white.

Jingsong, oh Jingsong, he messed up and he messed up big time, a supporting character turned antagonist in my eyes.

If he had decided to help with Xu Xian’s poisoning, like I believed for a moment he might, I could have seen him getting redeemed. But now that he is still so stuck in his ways and completely disregarding Bai Suzhen’s agency, no matter how ‘well meaning’ he might be, he has lost me. His mouse form is still funny though.

Last but not least shout out to Guanyin, my favourite bodhisattva, always happy to see her.

On the story overall there is not much miscommunication being the cause of problems, it is mainly other people deliberately trying to keep our two leads apart. However the two physicians have clearly growing wise to this and do not trust other peoples’ words about each other so easily anymore.

The theme of nuance is woven throughout those first twelve episodes and I am expecting this to continue. The protagonists have their flaws, some technically good people are shown to do bad things for one reason or another and some antagonists aren’t all bad either and generally have a motivation behind their actions.

I finished Netflix’s “Legend of White Snake” a little bit ago

SPOILERS

I should have a little more faith in Xu Xian and Suzhen. They easily take care of the situation. Suzhen apologizes for Qing Er, as she likes to play tricks and Xu Xian gives a little more money to give back to the people. Qing Er feels bad, because she couldn’t even earn money for them and even gave them more trouble. Suzhen says she forgives her, she knows she meant well, and Xu Xian apologizes for not being able to provide for them and promises he will turn things around soon enough. Qing Er is about to tell him there’s no use in going asking for a job, but Suzhen stops him from doing so and suggests that he opens his own practice. Was about time. He objects that it takes too much money, but smart Suzhen just tells him that wherever he is, it could be his office since he has the qualifications to be a doctor. So she decide to do everything in her power to help him open his practice and she learns so much with big sis.

Suzhen then works really hard to make a new kind of cream and it’s actually getting really popular because of the perfume. Even when people consult Xu Xian, they want to buy some more. Even her embroidery his popular, but he refused to take an order, because her hands are already all hurt from the work and he doesn’t want her to work that hard. She came to send him lunch and he gets a little upset because he told her to eat first and then send it to him. They so cute, having a competition about who is more hard working.

During his meditation, Fahai encounters a devil spirit which claims to actually be himself, like his dark soul? Wow. This is interesting. Like, Fahai dedicated his life into chasing demons and as everybody else, he also has his inner demons. Oh my. What happened to master monk? Did he died? Wait what? He gives him something that can oversee any illusion and asks him to go on a journey.

Xu Xian takes Suzhen to his parents’ grave, to introduce her. Right then, they bump into that ugly official. He forces them into kneeling in front of him and he threatens Xu Xian, saying he doesn’t need to go greet his parents because he’s going to make sure he joins them in death anytime soon, plus he will give Suzhen to his son because he likes her. Suzhen hahaha. She’s so petty. She’s like who are you to pretend to kill my husband and give me to your son as if we are objects? How about you walk on a stone and fall on the ground?

Finally, they manage to have enough money to open their own practice. I am so happy for them awww. But I fear that official, Minister Liang, is going to bring them troubles again... Yep they did. They made sure that some old people and orphans get infected with a really hard to heal disease so they would all go to Baohe tang, Xu Xian’s place, which is bad for them because I didn’t properly understand. But. I don’t care, because they will manage. Oh. The medicine for that disease is really hard. It’s a cream that you shouldn’t ingest. I still don’t get it. But okay. I am not a Doctor. Xu Xian senses there’s something wrong, because that old granny (from the boat) was doing great two days ago, it doesn’t make sense that she got the disease so fast. Oh my god. That underling of the minister offers a mantou to that old lady, but she decides to keep it for her husband. Then he forces her eating. Oh my gosh. What? Old lady ): Why would they kill her ):

So they come to arrest Xu Xian for killing the old lady. What? I mean, she’s like a beggar and nobody would have cared about her if she died of hunger, but now? What the hell?

Well sorry guys. Xu Xian is too smart for you. You should plan better. And wait for Suzhen to come back with evidence. Pfff. As if you could hurt them. Yep. She comes with the old lady’s husband. He also had the disease, but didn’t dare to tell his wife not to worry her, and since she’s blind, she wouldn’t know. And he never let her use Xu Xian medicine because of the ingredient in it, he was worried, but he tested the medicine on him first. And it indeed healed him. He only used a little, so there’s still left to see if it could kill his wife. Omg. He saw somebody killing his wife ): Poor little old man. He recognizes the minister’s underling. He’s evil, I hope he gets caught but... he has a way too important boss. I don’t think he will get punished. Even though it as been proved he’s the culprit. Poor old lady. Poor old man.

Xu Xian made a little extra money and gives some to Qing Er. She hurries to go spend it on alcohol and meets another alcohol lover. Is it a good encounter? That guy picks medicine in the mountains. Xu Xian is looking for good quality herbs. Is that the beginning of a partnership? And a love interest?

So the next they post a announcement as they are looking for good quality medicine, like specifically what they need. So Zhang Yutang comes along and he shows to Qing Er snake eggs haha. She’s so uncomfortable and asks him to watch by himself, but he doesn’t know how to read. Haha oh wow. Everything he has in coming from snakes. She looks so unwell, he thinks she got sick from drinking too much and wants to give her medicine made from snake hahaha.

It is time for my thoughts on the last twelve episodes of the series and my final review. Upfront not much in my opinion has changed, I maintain my position of highly recommending giving this drama a watch. Full spoilers and the disclaimers noted in the first impression of course still apply.

The best way overall to experience the drama in my personal opinion is to set aside a long weekend and binge it in a short amount of days. That is what I felt was best after binging the first twelve episodes in one day, spacing out the middle part and ending up binging the last twelve again.

Delving into the last portion of the story, the plotline with Xu Jiaorong has been resolved rather quickly and with a slight Deus Ex Machina as well. On the one hand it felt a bit shallow due to that, but on the other it didn’t drag things out. It seemed essentially like a last confirmation that Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian have proven themselves more than enough and are fine with each other now. The Mind Demon later taking advantage of Xu Jiaorong I wouldn’t consider a conflict with her but fully with the Mind Demon, especially since she doesn’t remember anything afterwards and clearly hadn’t been in control.

As expected the Prime Minister was not done yet. Though he got his comeuppance rather swiftly too and in the same breath Xu Xian got some closure from his parents, which was very nice to see.

An important mention to me is Li Gongfu, who has proven a wonderful husband and support character throughout the entire series. He could have easily taken the lead during certain disputes between his wife and brother-in-law, but he did not as it was not his place yet he was always there in case he was needed, very respectful just an overall great guy.

One of the best character developments I’d ascribe to Fahai. By the end he has learned that demons can indeed be good too! From little ones helping him in his time of need no less and he repaid them by essentially taking them in, which was so cute. In general there are a couple of good character arcs throughout the series which stick and have noticeably lasting effects. Yet even after their arc is technically completed the character is still clearly around and doesn’t just vanish or gets completely relegated to the background, but instead remain present.

Xiao Qing continues to be very relatable and reading ever so queer to me. If there weren’t so many great characters in this that makes it hard to choose especially for someone as generally indecisive as me, she would be my favourite among them.

The third fourth of the series became mostly Xiao Qing’s story after building it up here and there throughout the previous arcs. Including wrapping up any lose plot threads by the end as well minus those last few big ones in the finale. It was nice to see the main couple become the supporting characters for a while too, something like this can really bring out a new side of someone or reinforce existing aspects of them.

I am quite pleased with Xiao Qing and Zhang Yutang’s romantic storyline not having a happy end as such and not just because I personally see her as someone more befitting of a less traditional style of relationship. It is a good contrast to the main couple and illustrates that even if romance doesn’t work out for you that don’t mean you don’t have love and support in your life regardless. Yeah, a breakup like this will hurt, but it won’t be the end of the world and doesn’t mean you can’t still find happiness. Also it was a good show of a possible alternate ending that easily could have happened to Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian as well.

At the end I was also very happy for Xiao Qing not only making up with her father, but also becoming a dragon!

Applause for Jingsong getting basically the precise kind of reward I was envisioning for him when he first sacrificed himself. It wasn’t enough to get reinstated as a student under Buddha, but he did get a do over and even help Bai Suzhen one more time!

Now for the last and arguably most longstanding antagonists. Jin Ruyi has come to her senses in the end and done as best she could in the moment to fix things as much as possible. I would not say she got redeemed though, there was too much bad she has done at that point that one last ditch effort just cannot make up for. She should get another chance in another life, but that she didn’t continue with this one might have been for the best for everyone including her.

Wao Daoling, while showing some signs of obsession whenever he tried to eliminate Xu Xian, did as I see it truly love Jin Ruyi, which turned out both complimentary as well as opposite to her. And she did realize that he genuinely loved her after all. The dubious consent situation I’ll generously attribute to the Mind Demon and his schemes with Wao Daoling genuinely having believed that Jin Ruyi was okay with it.

As a little treat I would like to showcase how the costuming brought their A game during the finale. Everyone is serving looks!

Xiao Qing with a very pretty darker greenish blue and jewellery that alludes to shimmering scales or straight up is in the form of snakes.

Fahai in the fanciest getup we have seen him in yet. He is ready to eliminate demons and look fantastic while doing so.

You have to give the Mind Demon credit for his sense of fashion in my opinion. That headpiece is great!

And Bai Suzhen having her outfit changed to darker colours towards the edges matching her husband's, but still being pure white in the center, a great outward visualization of her character in this situation.

Generally it is also nice seeing characters previously shown almost exclusively wearing light colours donning some darker ones.

Last but not least the bigger picture and my opinion on the drama as a whole.

There are some instances where just explaining things upfront could have helped resolve a conflict sooner. And with others perhaps just requesting some help from Guanyin again would have done well, after all I believe at worst she would have just left them on read. But overall the story wasn’t driven too much by unnecessary misunderstandings.

The story as a whole was paced very well, building up conflict consistently and resolving them bit by bit in a rewarding manner, but it was never done in a way where it really felt like the story could have ended then and there as there was always another plot thread unresolved and keeping hold of your interest. Each point of suspense and mystery has a reasonable beginning, never overstayed its welcome and had a satisfying conclusion.

Sometimes it did feel like every conflict was a bit isolated and while the focus was on one in particular the others were put on the backburner without really interacting, even though that would have been logical since people and their issues don’t just vanish and reappear when it is convenient. This was particularly noticeable since the conflicts in the beginning were woven into each other quite well.

An exception here would be the prolonged absence of the Prime Minister, which can be somewhat explained by Xu Xian having been believe to be dead for a while and nothing notable to the Prime Minister happening around him until the Mind Demon spurred him on once more. But those are relatively small complaints that didn’t hamper my enjoyment at all.

Most pleasing to me was that everything had a setup and every setup has paid off in some way. If there was an exception to this I did not take note of it. Additionally only few things felt a little plot convenient and even then usually had some understandable reasoning behind them. The rest one might be able to attribute to karma. I’m personally not really one for destiny in such a rigorous way, but I can get behind karma and for example connections forged in a previous life.

An example to highlight when it comes to setup and payoff would be the two demons in the early part of the story, who together with illustrated well that there are good and bad demons and even that there is nuance as well in the case of the mother and the centipede demon which came around big time at the end when both Xiao Qing and Bai Suzhen became aggressive out of desperation and anguish. And the final foe being a demon of human creation was simply excellent.