Adapted from Cang Yue's "Zhu Yan", after the "Jade Bone Yao" starring Xiao Zhan and Ren Min started broadcasting, the broadcast platform has continuously received hot news, and it is a trend that must be exploded. It must be admitted that fantasy/Xianxia dramas have always had a very wide audience base, and the top-tier Xiao Zhan and S+ fantasy dramas are somewhat of a strong alliance. The popularity of "Jade Bone Yao" is obviously higher than that of Xiao Zhan's last drama. Simultaneous heat. The top stream is still the same top stream, and the fans are still the same group of fans. The extra popularity comes from the larger mass base of fantasy dramas.

"Jade Bone" poster

Although it is a work completed two years ago, "Jade Bone" does not appear to be too outdated in terms of production. Whether it is live shooting or special effects production, it generally meets the positioning of S+. However, as far as the overall framework of the plot is concerned, "Jade Bone Yao" does not surpass the routines of general fantasy plots.

Over the years, due to the indiscriminate bombardment of fantasy dramas and fairy tale dramas, this genre has quickly become routine and patterned. Most of the works on the market wield the same "three axes", and the tricks are roughly the same. . "Yu Gu Yao" two years ago naturally also has the imprint of the times.

The first move is the construction of a grand world, the "slogan expression" of chivalrous spirit and protection of the common people.

Compared with general costume dramas, the biggest difference between fantasy or fairy tale works is that they surpass the "first world" we live in - the real world, and create a completely different time and space background. For example, in Xianxia dramas, the world view is the arrangement and combination of the six worlds (gods, immortals, humans, demons, demons, ghosts/underworld); in fantasy dramas, there are also ethnic groups other than humans, but they are more based on "Shan Hai Jing" etc. Chinese myths and legends to create a fantasy space.

"Yu Bone Yao" begins with the big marriage of the heroine Zhu Yan (played by Ren Min). Zhu Yan escapes successfully, but her master Shiying (played by Xiao Zhan) finds Zhu Yan...

Time Shadow (played by Xiao Zhan)

Zhu Yan (played by Ren Min)

Just when the audience was delighted that "Jade Bone Yao" was finally not like a traditional fantasy drama. At the beginning, the baritone voice explained the world concept of the plot in the form of narration; Among them, within the four seas, there is a fairy island named Yunhuang, where the Kongsang, Yuren, and Ice tribes live here for generations..." Yun Yun, it is still not immune.

narration world view

Fantasy dramas all have a grand and mysterious grand world view, which is not only to create a "defamiliarization effect", but also to build a "fantasy Jianghu". In the "Fantasy Jianghu", there must be evil villains, who wreak havoc on the world and poison the living beings, and urgently need the rescue of the righteous faction or righteous person represented by the protagonist.

"Fantasy Jianghu" is in chaos, waiting for the hero and heroine to be rescued

In fact, whether it is a fantasy drama or a fairy tale drama, they are all nourished and influenced by martial arts dramas, trying to retain the concepts of "jianghu" and "xia" in martial arts dramas. It's just that the chivalrous spirit of traditional martial arts dramas runs throughout. In today's fantasy and fairy tales, the chivalrous spirit has become more of a "slogan" existence, and the love of the protagonist is the core of the drama.

The same is true of "Jade Bone Remote". Although the protagonist's lines such as "for the world" and "for the common people" are very frequent, the protagonist's three views are extremely "correct", and his words and deeds are always like "moral pacesetters", but it does not affect their character in the play. The main task is to fall in love. What's more, "family and country feelings" and "saving the common people" have become the standard values of costume dramas, and they have also passed the review. Nowadays, even if they fall in love in puppet dramas, the protagonists must join hands to protect the common people in the end.

The second trick in "Three Great Axes" is a joint interpretation of feudal conservative values, such as the concept of hierarchy, vicious female supporting roles, palace fighting and house fighting, and female competition. There are many elements in "Jade Bone Yao". , but there is a dramatic conflict.

Some viewers may expect that the grand world view in fantasy and fairy tale works can be like the "secondary world" (the secondary world) mentioned by JRR Tolkien, the author of "The Lord of the Rings", with its own history, culture, and logic. "In no way commits itself to a realistic representation of the world as we know it". Most of the domestic creators do not have such ambitions, on the contrary, they are committed to the performance of the "familiar world", and they are the conservative part of the "familiar world".

Therefore, in "Yu Gu Yao", the heroine Zhu Yan actually used the concept of "concubine concubine" to suppress Bai Xuelu (played by Wang Churan), a concubine princess. Come to take the role, and Bai Xuelu, who dances very well, is a concubine, and her performance of "excellence" is her "deception".

Zhu Yan stood up for her friend on the grounds of her concubine

It's already a fantasy world, and it's really unimaginative to play the concubine in a house fight drama. And Bai Xuelu, who has become a "vicious female partner", is basically a functional role at present-because of her status as a concubine, she harbors resentment and always wants to steal the limelight from her sister Bai Xueying (played by Lu Yuxiao). As for her "Gong Dou" technique, it is quite childish - such as "accidentally" (deliberately) throwing Bai Xueying's dance skirt off a cliff, and so on.

Bai Xuelu (played by Wang Churan) is not pleasing at first, but may change in the later period

The third trick, which is also the core trick, is "sadomasochism". The "sadomasochism" in fantasy fairy tales basically stems from forbidden love. After "A Thousand Bone Flowers", sadomasochism between master and apprentice has basically become a standard feature. Although it is in a fantasy world, the ethical order of "Teacher for one day, father for life" is still maintained. The relationship between master and apprentice is an obstacle to love. In "Yu Gu Yao", Shi Ying and Zhu Yan also have a master-student relationship. Shi Ying, who became the young commander, made an oath in front of the gods, "In this life, I will not have fun, marry a wife, return to the world, and wear a crown. I will serve you all my life." God". But he, who is cold and aloof, will eventually be moved by the innocent Zhu Yan.

time shadow swear

However, for Shi Ying, the greater taboo of his love with Zhu Yan comes from their "fate fate". Simply put, Zhu Yan is Shi Ying's "fate robbery". If he doesn't kill Zhu Yan , then, in the future, he will definitely die in the hands of Zhu Yan. The tension of "abuse" is indeed formed here: I love you, so I don't kill you, but let you kill me instead...

Shi Ying and Zhu Yan's "destiny fate" was formed when they were young

Among the parties involved in "sadistic love" in fantasy dramas, there must be at least one party who is "beautiful, strong and miserable". In "Yu Gu Yao", Shi Ying assumes the role attribute of "beautiful, strong and miserable". Although his true identity is the eldest son, Shiying experienced ups and downs when he was a child—his mother set fire to disfigurement, creating the illusion that Shiying had been burned to death in order to save Shiying's life, but Shiying also bears a bad name and is known by the world Disgusted and reviled; afterward, in order to protect Shiying, his mother chose to commit suicide by swallowing charcoal... Almost all the love Shiying obtained from this world came from his mother. After his mother died, Zhu Yan became his only affection, but In the end, he unexpectedly discovered that this affection was even his "wishful thinking"...

"Sadistic love", "beauty is strong and tragic", combined with the unique "reincarnation of several lives and generations" in fairy tale dramas, or "killed by the person you love the most" in fantasy dramas (don't worry, you can still be resurrected), you will be able to The sadomasochistic effect of idol dramas is magnified by N times, bringing stronger aesthetic pleasure to the audience. While being abused to the point of tears, there is also a kind of selfless indulgence.

In the final analysis, the "three axes" of fantasy and fairy tale dramas on the market today, the ultimate focus is "romance", and fantasy dramas have basically become upgraded versions of "ancient puppets". This is not a problem with the drama "Yu Gu Yao". It can only be said that "Yu Gu Yao" itself has not surpassed the shackles of this big framework, so it is not a genre breakthrough.

In the love between master and apprentice, follow the path of fairy tales and fantasy

Of course, this does not mean that "Jade Bone Yao" has no merits. Nowadays, there are many fantasy and fairy tale works, it’s nothing more than a puppet, but even if it tells a love story, there is no credibility at all, such as falling in love for no reason, and being abused for no reason. The reincarnation of the show, the emotional line is advancing in a hurry, everything seems to be going through the process, it is difficult for the audience to have any sense of substitution, and the series will naturally go to the street.

In contrast, as an "ancient puppet", "Jade Bone Yao" has an overall viewability above the passing line, because it makes a relatively convincing narrative about the occurrence and sublimation of the protagonist's love.

Surrounding Shi Ying and Zhu Yan is their "destiny fate" - Zhu Yan is Shi Ying's "fate disaster", either you die or I live. Then, the plot needs to convince the audience, how did this "destiny fate" come about, and why Shi Ying couldn't bear to kill Zhu Yan when he could kill Zhu Yan repeatedly? And how did he go from "unbearable" to "reluctant", and unconsciously fell in love with Zhu Yan?

"Yu Gu Yao" spends more space to lay out in detail. "Fate Tribulation Long-cherished Wish" originated when the two were young. When everyone thought Shi Ying was dead and spurned Shi Ying, only Zhu Yan in this world shed tears for him and paid homage to him. "Fate Tribulation" was planted from this, And this is also the beginning of Shi Ying's intolerance—it would be unjust and immoral to kill the only person in the world who once believed in him.

Shi Ying repeatedly missed the chance to kill Zhu Yan

After the two reunited, Shiying refused to kill Zhu Yan again and again, because Zhu Yan "saved" him and helped him time and time again—when he was insane because of his mother's suicide, it was Zhu Yan who saved him and touched him. Woke him up; for so many years, Zhu Yan has been working hard to revive him (she doesn't know the shadow of time in front of her, it is the old son of the past), and she will not give up even if she "suicides herself"—feeling a malicious feeling from this world Shiying is the first time to receive such warm and hot kindness from others...

Zhu Yan wanted to revive "Shi Ying" even if she gave up her life, and Shi Ying was moved

So he couldn't kill Zhu Yan with his own hands. Instead, he approached Zhu Yan step by step, and rescued Zhu Yan again and again, and his heartbeat also happened unconsciously. Especially the heart bridge blossoms in episode 8, which embodies the heartbeat, which is very beautiful.

The heart bridge blossoms and stretches forward, concretizing the heartbeat of Shiying

And "abuse" has already laid the groundwork at this time. How can the boundary between master and apprentice be crossed? The fate of "life robbery and long-term fate" is difficult to break. The deeper Shi Ying loves, the more painful the moment she is really killed by Zhu Yan.

Nowadays, in the market of ancient puppet dramas, fairy tale dramas, and fantasy dramas, what you look at is the word "love". "Three Broadswords" is indeed a big cliché, but for some audiences, this is a popular, familiar, and easy-to-enter plot world. In any case, as far as the current plot is concerned, "Jade Bone Yao" is effortless, and it also makes "love" smooth.

In a nutshell, the big framework follows routines and lacks transcendence. The upper limit of "Yu Gu Yao" may be too difficult. Fortunately, at least judging from the S+ fantasy works in recent years, the romance and narrative visibility of "Jade Bone Yao" can also remain above the average line, at least not just love for love without brains, Masochism and abuse, the emotional line has a basic logic, which also makes the lower limit of the play not too low. The play is still suitable for puppet lovers.