Meteor Shower Reflection

I love watching movies of any kind but I have never finished any TV shows. Actually, I just finished Meteor Show Season I yesterday. Shockingly, it took my only five days in total to finish 36 episodes each with the length of 45 minutes. Anyways, as an introduction, it is a romantic Chinese TV show about four rebellious and rich University boys (who want to be kicked out of school) from families with high social hierarchy and one diligent and poor freshman girl who was looked down at. It is pretty good overall, except for the fact that it is a TV show, which I rarely watch. The reason I watched it is simple – because I never get to finish it four years ago, but I remembered it to be special and moving. I was right actually. Though it was great to me because I was only in around Grade 4 or 5 when I first watched it, it actually did not disappoint me at all. Memories of me using my mom’s computer secretly made me want to watch it all over again, just to finish my childhood dream. Well, anyway, I’d like to write a report or discussion with some criticism for this only TV show I finished in my whole life.

The beginning was attracting. It started with YuXun Chu getting the letter of acceptance excitedly and YunHai MuRong (with a broken leg in the hospital) getting the same thing angrily. It is completely funny, which made me laugh.

Later, when YuXun and the most respected boys met, problems started. YunHai then joined the rebellious boys and they become the ‘H4’. YuXun is a just and righteous freshman, unknowing the powerful authority of H4 and admiration they get from every student in the University. YuXun therefore got herself into trouble, because pissing off the H4 is no good. Eventually, YuXun becomes the only enemy of the whole school. This part made me cry a little, when silly YuXun gets herself into such big troubles. I actually liked the part that made me cry because it contained memories I had years ago. I remember the part that makes me cry now, made me depressed for days years ago when I first watched it. I guess crying over a TV show or movies can be silly, but it is an excuse for me to finally release the pressure and stress I get in my daily life. Anyway, the part YuXun getting bullied made me sad, which usually shows me how much I am enjoying a certain book, movie or TV show. However, it also made me angry. I am mad at YuXun herself for being so stupid and immature and also a little angry at the writer. This is something the writer and director could have avoided. I think causing audiences to hate a character for his/her mistakes and problems that could have been easily avoided is not a good sign of a successful movie/TV show. Problems that rarely happen in real life because of their stupidity would never appear in a fluent and perfect movie/TV show.

DuanMu is a member of the H4 and also the first one of them who started being nice to YuXun. He is a little gloomy and somber and amazing at piano, which makes him seem like such a gentleman with the most love from all the girls. I think this is a good plan of the writer. Personally, I love this character and the actor himself actually. So I am glad he is who he is now. Sadly, he falls in love with their graceful music teacher, Xin, while YuXun starts to fall for him. Xin and DuanMu go to London, England together, but he realized they would never work out, so he comes back and becomes a little mental. Meanwhile, YuXun and YunHai become good friends and YunHai discovers his love for YuXun. When YuXun almost accepts to be his girlfriend, DuanMu comes back as single and takes away YuXun’s heart once again. However, this time, YuXun and DuanMu are in a serious relationship, leaving YunHai hating DuanMu. Friendship between DuanMu and YunHai was torn apart for a girl who they were once enemies with. I think there is a little imperfection here. DuanMu changes way too fast that I never adapted even until the end of the show. He was once a quiet and gentle pacifist, but now, he is the cause of the broken friendship between YunHai and himself, and also the lead of the torn relationship between YuXun and YunHai. This is a huge change but why did it only take like only one or two episode? At first, I thought DuanMu was only using YuXun to heal his wound from his break-up, but then he was shown to be actually in love with YuXun, a lot. This is not only too fast; it is also too confusing.

The other conflict is between YunHai and his mother, who disapproves YuXun. This is irritating but well organized and put in. However, after all, YunHai and YuXun got together, in love deeply. Meanwhile, friends of YunHai (H4 members) fall in love with some other minor characters.

At the end as soon as YunHai and YuXun are together, YunHai loses his memory. I think it is way too quickly. This is supposed to be a love story, but the conflicts are popping up one after one, leaving no time for actual romance. First time when it was torn apart by his mother, I had pity for them. But this second time, I am just angry at the director for doing this. I think there should be at least two to three episodes after everything they went through. To, at least, give time for the audiences to heal their own wounds from the characters’ frail relationship.

YunHai finally remembers everything with the help of DuanMu, who loves YuXun silently and chooses to bless and support the assembly of YuXun and YunHai.

This ending is satisfying and the whole plot makes much sense. This is a good show after all. It might not be so good in others’ views, but since it is the only TV show I have ever finished in my whole life, I think it is very good for a romantic TV show.

Now, I would like to talk about the themes of this TV Show, Meteor Shower. There are plenty (since it is very long), such as friendship, finding true love, dignity, proving oneself, determination, disbelief in destiny, forgiveness, motherhood, use of lies etc.

First of all, I would like to talk about finding true love. YunHai admits that he likes YuXun pretty early in the show and he is not afraid to show it. He pursues after YuXun for a long time until finally, she accepts him. Though his mother opposes his decision, he still chases after her. However, as a contrary, YuXun does not realize her true love is YunHai, even when she is in a relationship with DuanMu. YuXun does not want to admit that she likes YunHai, or it is simply just that she does not believe she likes YunHai. DuanMu, on the other hand, already sees that YuXun is crazy about YunHai, even when she is together with DuanMu. She does not know it at all. However, when she almost loses him, she finally realized how much she loves him. Not knowing to cherish until it/he/she is lost is one of the messages in Meteor Shower.

Secondly, disbelief in fate is important throughout Meteor Shower. Topic relating to fate and destiny is talked among many of the characters. YuXun thinks it is destiny after so many failures to try to be together with YunHai. However, whenever DuanMu encourages her to keep going, he claims fate can be changed if she tries.

Last but not least, motherhood was shown many times. YunHai’s mother tries to prevent YunHai from loving YuXun, especially after YunHai loses his memory. She says it is because YuXun has hurt YunHai so many times, she does not want her to be with him. She says it is to protect YunHai. Maybe some people would think it is just an excuse, but I honestly believe her. If I were her, I may not be as contemptible as her, but I would separate my son from someone who would hurt him. I know she may be the cause of some mental break-down of YunHai, but her care and love and expectation to YunHai is genuine. However, I think she pampers YunHai too much. She makes too many decisions for him that it is starting to have a negative effect. This is also one of the messages in Meteor Shower: we should never spoil people too much because it can ruin them.

This is the end of my report or discussion. It is overall a great TV show. It was definitely worth my time.