Watch if: You are up for a grimy and moody investigative period drama that addresses the complexity of justice, vengeance, and moral decay. Also, it’s only 12 episodes long!!
Skip if: You’re not in the mood for intense and heavy.
If I were being tortured by choosing only one drama to watch in 2023, Ripe Town would make the list.
The show opens with a gruesomely staged corpse accompanied by a chilling quote from the Analects of Confucius, which quickly sets a philosophical tone that runs throughout the show. The body belongs to Head Constable Leng 冷捕头, who is the mentor and father figure of Qu San Geng 曲三更.
San Geng and two friends swiftly embark on an investigation that inadvertently leads to an extensive uncovering of his mentor’s life and secrets. The thought that his mentor might have done something deplorable haunts him while he struggles to maintain some measure of objectivity. His probe also unearths unpleasant revelations about a fire that broke out in the wealthy Lu family mansion twenty years ago, and the people surrounding this family. Here’s everything I loved:
Profound Dialogues
The show is littered with takes on justice and morality, which repeatedly remind us of the frailty of human nature, and how prone we are to corruption. The Confucian morals being taught at that time seem hypocritical in a society burdened with class divisions and discrimination. Lu Zhi is seen saying to Lu Zhong, “These books always encourage people to be good. But it’s hard to be good and easy to do evil.”
We hear Constable Leng telling San Geng that the road to justice is a narrow and winding path. But when we get to the end of the show, we are forced to wonder if the main characters are exacting justice or personal revenge, and whether the end justifies the means.
Other memorable quotes are:
“It is expensive to have a conscience.”
“It is impossible for a powerful man to be completely righteous.”
“做人实在太难了 It is too difficult to be a decent person.”
“Delayed justice is not justice.”
Set, Lighting and Sound Design
The use of lived-in sets, candles, lanterns, patched-up clothes, and muted colours contribute to the realism of this drama. Conversations take place in very little lighting and the darkness adds to the sense of bleakness and decay.
Speaking of conversations, I was impressed by the clear diction and enunciation of the actors. The hurried whispers (very ASMR-ish) amidst the quietness of the surroundings remind us that something menacing is lurking beneath the surface.
Every piece of instrumental was aptly used to either create suspense or evoke feelings of dread, despair, and resignation.
Qu San Geng 曲三更
I feel like San Geng is quite the epitome of “still waters run deep”. In the opening episode, he is painted as a straight-laced and upstanding constable with a dream to eradicate injustice. We see him talking with Constable Leng about having a conscience and the need to get rid of the local mobsters who take advantage of poor citizens.
As the investigation progresses, we witness his intelligence and careful analysis of each murder. Our eyes are slowly opened to what he’s truly capable of and how he cleverly manipulates the people around him to achieve his goals.
Side Character who should be Main Character – Lu Zhi 陆直
Running parallel to the present-day investigation is the backstory of Lu Zhi, a young servant who was rescued into the Lu family and who exudes wisdom beyond his years.
[spoilers ahead]
The young actor Yu Yao 于垚 who played Lu Zhi steals the show with his nuanced portrayal of a servant boy who turns out to be unexpectedly intelligent. He starts as a charming and good-natured young boy who tries to please his master and gain a father. Unfortunately, his hopes were trampled and his transformation to a conniving young man is chilling to behold. A heart-wrenching scene in episode 9 which became the catalyst for Lu Zhi’s change was difficult to watch and I had to steel my heart to get through it.
Parallel narrative of San Geng and Lu Zhi
Over time, we witness the loss of San Geng’s innocence and the slow corruption of his motives. He morphs into the likeness of his mentor as he starts resorting to somewhat questionable methods during the investigation. Sadly, his idea of justice becomes blurry in a world of revenge.
[end of spoilers]
Deadpan Humour
Lastly, absolutely love the wry humour sprinkled throughout the show that helps cushion its intensity.
friends: “yes, unless they are blind.”
