Final Review - Maiden Holmes (2020)

Final review/rating: Maiden Holmes (2020): Light hearted, satisfying romance between equals

This is 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

A romance between intellectual equals💕

Maiden Holmes is so wholesomely satisfying! Finally, an intelligent heroine and an equally intelligent and high EQ hero, who isn't intimidated by having a smart lady by his side.  I get the feeling that Prince Qi would happily cook dinner and change the kid's nappies while his wife goes out and kicks baddies' butts, while also providing any backup she needs. In a word, ideal!

I really love how smart and level headed Su Ci is, and how comfortable Prince Qi is with her intellect - this crime solving duo really is a satisfying romance between equals.     

SPOILERS AHEAD 

The titular Maiden Holmes 

Chen Yao as Su Ci

Chen Yao is great as Su Ci - she channels the slightly awkward vulnerability of a woman who has survived (and thrived) in a man's world as a man, and who doesn't quite know how to deal with the tender feelings that being the love of Prince Qi's life entails, even though she returns his feelings.  

A capable, kick ass heroine 👍

Although she knows martial arts, it is her brains rather than her brawn that impresses.  She is the exact opposite of some of the archetypal cutesy/immature/high pitched/clingy heroines in the genre - I like her measured tones, her level headed insightfulness, and her bravery.

The dashing Prince Qi

Zhang Ling He as Prince Qi

Newcomer Zhang Ling He is also a breath of fresh air in his debut role as Prince Qi.  He has surprising range for a newbie actor, convincingly charming the audience as the deliciously flirtatious playful prince as well as the devoted swain and battle scarred general with painful memories. 

I am looking forward to seeing Zhang Ling He in more dramas in the future - he's definitely one to watch.  That flirtatious smirk is a thing of beauty and his chemistry with Chen Yao's Su Ci was spot on.  They look so very good together!   

Got your back 💕

Prince Qi is also delightfully modern in his outlook - he encourages Su Ci to excel and even fights the patriarchy for a world in which she can hold office as a woman.  

I really 💗 the scene where he tells Xie Bei Ming not to underestimate Dong Ru Shang and that he thinks women such as Su Ci are every bit as capable, and in fact more capable, than their male counterparts.  In every sense, he always has Su Ci's back, just as she has his. Relationship goals!  

The Plot 

Fei Yuan 

The plot is nothing to write home about (for a brief spoiler free synopsis, see here) - the various investigations and detective cases are really a device to let us see more and more of the chemistry and teamwork between Su Ci and her Prince Qi, as well as their friends, Dong Ru Shang and Xie Bei Ming, and Prince Qi's loyal young aide, Fei Yuan, who is more cute little brother than servant.  

The Royal Uncle is the predictable villain of the piece, responsible both for the massacre of Su Ci's clan and the ambush of Prince Qi's army and the final denouncement is again a predictable defeat of evil. Familiar tropes abound, but when it's done so well and so sweetly, why complain? 

Prince Qi and Su Ci💕

Satisfyingly, there are no love triangles or evil other woman/man and there are few annoying misunderstandings between Su Ci and Prince Qi, which is a refreshing take in this genre.  

They fall for each other right from the start and there are many romantic scenes throughout. So many tender glances, steamy kisses, and sweet words - the chemistry between Su Ci and Prince Qi is undeniably good and they look so right together.  While there is the "he-saved-her-when-they-were-children" trope, I like it that Su Ci doesn't find this out until they are head over heels in love with each other.  

Dong Ru Shang and Xie Bei Ming

Side Couple sweetness 

I should also add that the secondary couple are very cute in Maiden Holmes - Wang Yi Zhe's clever Dong Ru Shang is paired with the slightly clueless but ever-so-devoted Xie Bei Ming, played by Zhang Jia Ding.

They provide some contrast to the lead couple in that both are much more hot headed and prone to rush into things, though their hearts are in the right place. Xie Bei Ming also goes through some heart searching and angst of his own when he discovers that his godfather (the villain of the piece) is using him to harm his friends...  

Final thoughts

Cuteness 💕

🐼: Maiden Holmes is one to watch if you are looking for a satisfying, largely angst free romcom, with delightful couple chemistry and an unambitious plot.  

The young cast are picture perfect and the happily ever after is heartwarming and well deserved.  

An enjoyable 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮