很长时间，红颜祸水，祸国妖女这些话充斥着中国的史册以及各种各样的电视剧，其实与其言女子误国，倒不如说昏君自误！
《易经》有云：“君不密失其臣 臣不密失其身 几事不密则成害。”很多时候我们谴责这样那样的女子，一国倾覆或许他们是有责任，可是朝堂之上奸臣得道，忠言不达听，君主不肯听，这才是真正的误国误民，历史从来都是相似的事情在不断重复，李世民活到开元也未必不会出现安史之乱，刘彻活到现在汉朝也未必不会灭亡！
  休说女子误国，不过昏君自误罢了

林奕华曾经在《我与无线的恩恩怨怨》中批评过《帝女花》，认为它是一出试图结合历史剧与青春剧的TVB典型剧集。
然而在我此前和此后看的所有历史剧里，只有这一部多年后依然念念不忘。

虽然故事峰回路转的结局始终画蛇添足，但也可以理解人们诸多苦尽甘来、花好月圆的真诚祈愿。
金庸故事里的阿九，多年后依然背负着国仇家恨孑然一身。而帝女花中的长平，无论生离死别身边都有周世显相伴。
虽然在时局的翻覆下，小儿女之间的感情事是那样的无足轻重。然而也是在这样的时局下，才可以看清一段情究竟如何深挚不渝，生死不移。

真正的深情，不仅可以禁受得住所有苦难离散的考验，而且能将万丈浊世褪离成为黯淡背景。

一、亡国之痛
整部剧里最让人感怀的，不是长平公主与驸马周世显。
而是他——大明亡国之君，崇祯。

整出帝女花，只有一个人真正为大明江山心力交瘁。
他从未耽于逸乐，也未荒废朝政，但祖辈们的江山，还是亡在了他的手里。其实是末世之势早已病入膏肓，高处不胜寒的他即使拼尽全力，也挽不住大厦将倾。
朱由检的无奈与悲痛，每个人都看在眼里。

内乱不息，外侵不止。
与皇太极的三十三场失利如同重锤，闯军的势如破竹更是芒刺。朝堂中奸佞当道，地方上贪官盛行。忠直之士信而被谤，后宫外戚结党营私。
崇祯之败，在于他既没有乃祖雷厉风行的气势，也没有洞若观火的能力。徒有振兴之心，奈何户枢已蠹，摧枯拉朽之声早已不绝于耳。
一人之力，徒叹奈何。欺上瞒下的漩涡里，他看不清真相，辨不明忠奸。时局一乱，座下众人更是各怀鬼胎、自有打算。
环环相扣的此消彼长，最终断送了大明江山。

说到底，这家与国，真的很像是他一个人的。
饶是他可以亲力亲为筹措粮饷，省吃俭用支援前线，也解不了周世显积重难返的燃眉之急。即使他放得下皇帝的身段，忍得了男人的羞辱，也唤不回吴三桂毅然离弃的心。
大明的最后一道防线，崩溃得不费吹灰之力。

每一场仗都打得艰苦卓绝，每一个人都用得进退两难。前线将士奋战浴血，他在后方殚精竭虑。
前有虎豹之师，后有流寇暴民，身边还尽是豺狼走狗……风雨飘摇的大明末世，无论他如何力挽狂澜，也看不到一点点曙光。
召集百官的钟敲了又敲，无人来应。紫禁城里人人乱如热蚁，惶惶不可终日。他的江山，就在他的眼前轰然崩塌。
亡国之痛人人尽尝，但，没有谁可以超过他。

二、青梅之情
一直记得，当漏夜商议国事的世显得知儿时所画的那幅画被昭仁撕坏以后，不顾疲惫也要重新为长平再画一幅。
那时她坐在他身边，看他提笔蘸墨仔细描摹，忍不住轻轻侧头靠在他的肩上。世显笑说你这样我没法画啦，长平稍稍坐直身子，然后又侧头依偎了上去。
不需要山盟海誓，不需要情浓胜火。两人心中情意，尽在不言之中。

六度离乱，聚又复散。
乱世中的颠沛流离，人世间的沧桑变幻。十年，甚至二十年，他仍是他，她仍是她。彼此心中，从来也不曾有过其他。哪怕各自身不由己，曾经命运殊途。
这份情，才可以海枯石烂，才值得至死不悔。
身为公主，一样躲不开后宫残酷的纷争，拗不过政治棋子的宿命。年少时因母亲被人陷害而流落民间，回宫后依然逃不过处处皆在的明枪暗箭。被中伤，被利用，被羞辱，直到最后心甘情愿登上明知结果的选婿凤台，看到红帘外不顾一切也要前来的他。
明明是一生一世的一双人哪，却又偏偏相爱而不能相守。

儿时的分别，各自前途未卜。然而情根深重心中，从来无一时可忘。
与世显在铸炮坊相认的那一场，多年辛酸已不需明言。他和她也一样，即使命运为他安排了另外的选择，他依然明确知道自己真正的心之所向。
所以他甘愿背负薄幸的骂名，甘愿受尽千夫所指，也要登上凤台去尽一份自己明知无用的努力。
那么多的往事依然历历在目。如果说青梅竹马的两小无猜不过是稚子童心，而经历过多年分别重聚与失而复得的两个人，便再也没有什么可以质疑。
他懂她的身不由己与心甘情愿，她懂他的情深意重与义无反顾。
心照不宣的默契与感怀，早就已经超越了所有的婚嫁之盟。

覆巢之下，焉有完卵？
即使天意垂怜，终于守得云开月明，然而世事的磨砺从无半分轻减。他辗转战场生死未卜时，她亦流落异乡朝不保夕。即使等到劫后重逢，国破家亡又已是另一番人世沧桑。
偏安一隅苟延残喘的南明，依旧躲不过政权斗争的漩涡。每一个人，都无可避免地在命运的棋局上对应着自己的位置，面临着无奈无情的生死聚散而无从抗拒。
天日已换，重新踏上京城的两个人，心境已全然二致。
那场婚礼是众望所归：在清廷，是笼络人心；而在民间，则是佳偶佳话。但只有这两个人心里清楚，这场婚礼究竟意味着什么。
双双赴死，殉的不是情，只是国。身边有他，生死何惧？

人间风雨几时休，鸳鸯到死也并头。

三、千金之谊
楚圣卿这样的朋友，千金难买。
对世显肝胆相照，对长平情深意重。看似口花花的浪子心性，一旦深情就势不可挡。

他和周世显全然不同。
他不温文儒雅，而是满口油腔滑调。他也没有满腹韬略，只得一腔热血。所以他出自好心的想法，常常招来意想不到的结果。
为周后翻案引来的一顿廷杖，险些要了他的性命。虽然众人牵连受罚，然而最伤的依然是他。
而更伤的却是，他眼睁睁看着深爱的女子欢喜悲伤，自己却连一个替补都算不上。

明知一切都不会如愿，仍是甘心守护在她身边。
为她分忧，逗她展颜。在她最危难的时候挺身而出，在她与世显欢喜相逢之时默然走开。
不是没有想过转变自己成为她所喜欢的那种类型。然而痴情太深，已经方寸大乱。时时处处的刻意模仿并没有让她爱上自己，反倒让他确信了她的心里，早已无人能进。
此后仍然不变的坚守，这才令人感佩。

画蛇添足的结局里，只有想到圣卿才觉得宽慰。
虽然不能与她厮守，但能看着她美满，必定也是他的心愿罢。不过这样的人，心中深情虽满，却也注定空寂一生。

四、乱世之殇
乱世万象中，人心渐渐清晰可见。
大时代背景的翻覆下，个人的命运那样百折千回，最终的选择和最后的结局往往不如人意。
朝代的更替，从来充斥着血与火的残酷、信与义的较量，人在其中无以立足。
尽心的，百般努力付诸东流；相爱的，天各一方不得相守；忠良的，辗转沙场以身殉国。
每一件亡国事，都是一段血泪史。

没有人可以抵挡，也没有人可以改变。
尘世的变迁从来不由分说，每个人挣扎其中，都无非蚍蜉撼树。
生与死，亦已不再能轻易被界定孰轻与孰重。

时代的车轮滚滚向前，碾碎了一切爱恨悲欢。
连理树下依然俪影双双，只不过此时的他和她，都早不是当年的世显和长平。漫天焰火的绽放，尽是向故旧王朝的最后道别。
我喜欢的故事，应当终结在这里。

Main Storyline
The story sets at the end of Ming Dynasty, when the country is facing many problems, including lots of wars against the enemies who wants to take over the dynasty. There are two major parts to the main story, one involves with how the Emperor Chongzhen (Moses Chan) facing the problems within the country, and the struggles around him. The other is the love story of Princess Chang Ping (Charmaine Sheh) and Chow Sai Hin (Steven Ma), they went through lots of difficulties together, they also separated apart and reunited six different times...

Characters and Performances
==> MAIN CASTS
Charmaine Sheh - Princess Chang Ping
She is the favorite daughter of the Emperor, she is very kind, very nice, she always threats everyone the warmest way, which makes lots of people love her, except her sister Sonija. Charamine did an awesome job as Princess Chang Ping, I especially love the way she treats people, makes me feel touching. People always doesn't like her at the beginning, but she didn't mind, and still threats them the best way. There is once, she was sent to do the kitchen work in the palace, the main chef there is really mean, and wants to send her away from the palace very badly. But Charmaine wanted to learn everything from him, she even shares her love story to the chef, which makes him changes his attitude towards Charmaine completely. There is another time, when Annie Man (who is engaged to Steven Ma) realized Charmaine and Steven are in love, Annie was really mad, and hurt herself while riding a horse. Charmaine felt bad, and she is willing to leave Steven, she also tries to find the best medicine for Annie, her efforts touches Annie, and they became really good friends, good enough that Annie died because of helping her... There is also one time, the emperor orders Charmaine to marry a some solider, so that he will not go against the emperor. Charmaine accepts the marriage, and tells the emperor she is willing to do anything for him and the country, the emperor realized how good his daughter is, and appointed Steven to be her husband... Anyway, I think you know the point here, as long as you nice to others, you will get something nice in return, except some extreme circumstances, such as having a evil sister like Sonija, who will always against you no matter what

Steven Ma - Chow Sai Hin
This is a main character, but he always gives me a feeling that he doesn't do much... Don't give me wrong, I love Steven, and I think he is perfect for this role. However, all this character has to offer is his love to Charmaine, his cannons, and his army. Well, his army is not that strong, he lost lots of soldiers, thanks to Moses, who didn't trust him enough. His cannons are not that good, thanks to the enemies, who has cannons which are ten times better. He also has very much love for Charmaine, of course, they began to date since they were six years old. But, you don't get to see them together that much, thanks to the six times they had to separate apart. Everytime they reunion, they will be calling each other's name first, then gives a big hug, then some tears, then we move on to the next scene... Basically, you got the idea of what I think of this character, I don't see much importance of him... However, Steven did very good here, I just love him, he looks great in those ancient outfit, he looks great with his sad look, and he looks great with Charmaine

Moses Chan - Emperor Chongzhen
Here comes my favorite character of this series, and the best acting award also goes to Moses. First of all, this Emperor is little stupid at the beginning, who trust too many bad officials, and send the Empress (Maggie Siu) and her daughters away from the palace. Second of all, he gets little crazy and becoming crazier and crazier towards the end, because of the fact the country is falling apart, and everyone around him are either stupid or evil. The good thing is, Maggie Siu and Charmaine came back to the palace and helping him, it was a little late, but they still helped a lot. Then, there is Steven, who also helps him in some wars. Third of all, he uses lots of efforts to save his country towards the end, he uses too much efforts, his tries very hard, even he is willing to give away one of his concubine Chan Yuen Yuen (Anne Heung) to his favorite soldier Ng Sam Gwai (Marco Ngai), however, everything just failed like they meant to be, the dynasty is over... I feel lots of pity for this character, because all of the works he did to save the country, save his solider, and winning his war, but nothing just went right for him. I remember there is a famous saying came out of this emperor (in the real history), he said before his death, "the emperor is not the reason why this dynasty ends, it is because of the people who work for the emperor". In this series, you can tell he was right, because he trust too many evil people at the beginning, which allow them to do lots of bad things to the country... I also felt very impressed by Moses' acting skills, I think he also put lots of efforts to play this Emperor. I see a huge improvement from him, ever since "Family Man", I begin to like him more and more, and this series just brings his acting skills to the next level

==> SUPPORTING CASTS
Maggie Siu - Empress Chow
Maggie Siu is a perfect actress, she always gives the best efforts, best performances, however she is just not perfect for this role. I think she looks way to young to play Charmaine and Sonija's mother. The make up just don't seem right, especially when she plays as a servant for the Emperor, she looks like Chairmane and Sonija's sister, not a mother. Plus, she doesn't act as a mother, there is once, Sonija steals some money to run her own business, Maggie went around and begged everyone to borrow some money... this just doesn't feel right... there are lots of things she does, just doesn't feel right... gives me a strange feeling... don't know how to describe it, I guess you will know what I am saying once you watch the series

Michael Tong - Chor Sing Hing
I also love this character very much, because he is funny, he is bold, he also has lots of love for Charmaine, but Charmaine only loves Steven. Michael knew that, and accept this fact, but he is still willing to help Charmaine, and sacrifice anything for her, including a fake marriage. He had to marry Charmaine once, in order to protect her from the Qing soldiers (the enemy of the Ming Dynasty). He is the best friend of Steven and Charmaine, the perfect friend everyone dreams to have. Michael gives a wonderful performances in this series, he makes you laugh lots of times, which makes his character very enjoyable. You will appreciate every single thing he does for Charmaine...

Sonija Kwok - Princess Chiu Yan
She is Charmaine's sister, she is Moses and Maggie's daughter, but why is she so evil? First of all, she is Sonija, she is meant to be playing this evil role, remember "Where the Legend Begins"? It is hard to compare which Sonija is more evil, but it is easy to say her performances are still suck. Second of all, whenever you see a nice girl, who is way too nice, and makes you feel surreal, she always and always has an evil sister. I have very little to say about this character, what is there to talk about? She makes too many people suffer, and tills the end, I still have no idea what she truly wants, is it love, money, power, or all of above? This character is too hateful, and you just don't want to see her face too often...

Jay Lau - Tin Fei
She is another evil character in the series, who made the Maggie and Charmaine suffered a lot. She is also has major responsibility for the end of the dynasty. Jay is very good for evil roles, and she is the best when she is pretending to be nice. You can totally feel the differenences.

==> GUEST APPEARANCE
Annie Man - Lee Yuk Han
She loves Steven very much, however he is not meant to be with her, so she dies, in a very stupid way: felt on the ground, and hit the stairs, and that is it. She dies because she wants to help Charmaine, but Charmaine was charged for the death of Annie. Charmaine also got locked up in jail, then the whole thing just got forgotten, tills the end, no one mentions why and how she dies, only us, the audiences know...

Anne Heung - Chan Yuen Yuen
In the real history, she is the major cause of the end of Ming Dynasty, because of love. She and Marco are deeply in loved, but due to some misunderstanding, Anne becomes the Emperor's concubine. When Anne and Marco reunions in the palace, the Emperor discovered their affair, but he wants to keep Marco so bad, that he is willing to give Anne to Marco. However, things didn't go the right way... Anne's part was really really small, she didn't appear much, there are no much importance of this character other than the fact that she is the one causes Marco to leave the Empero

Marco Ngai - Ng Sam Gwai
Basically, he didn't work for the Emperor and his country because of one woman, the woman he loves deeply, which makes him went crazy enough, and ignoring the country suffering. You can say he is stupid and extremely stupid, because all he thinks about is love, and no one else

Key Points
The Themesong
I totally love the main themesong sang by Charmaine and Steven, that song is so touching, and I remembered the lyrics frontwards and backwards. Seems like my favorite song of the year so far. Also, the ending song, sing by Steven alone, the slow one, also very beautiful... I loves Steven's voice, he is perfect to sing sad songs because he has very deep voices

The Outfits
There are lots of outfits I really really like to own! For example, the wedding dress Charmaine was wearing, also some of Sonija's outfits, no matter how much I dislike that character, I still likes her outfits. The Emperor's outfit is pretty good too, and the best one is Steven's, his wedding outfit looks so cool

The Performances
Actually, everyone did pretty good job in this series other than Sonija, which nothing surprises me, because we got lots of good actors and actress in this series, and we still get the evil Sonija, so you pretty much can imaging the performances you will expect. Moses was the only "big" surprises for me, because I was not expecting his role to be that major. Charmaine was pretty good as well, like I said, her performances are pretty touching. Steven is also a great actor, however, I didn't get to see his tears, what is up with that?

The Love Story
I will say the love story takes about 40% of the story, because Charmaine and Steven were in love the first moment we see them, then we just get to see them separate and reunion, then we see some struggles, difficulties happened when they were together, which causes them to separate and reunion again... that goes six times. Everytime they are apart, they pray to God, so that they can meet again soon, which is very touching, but everytime they get back together, it wasn't very long, then they had to separate, which is torture... Especially the last one, Charmaine was sent away to be a nun, and Steven was send away to unknown place. They hugged for a long time, and they were forced to say goodbye. Anyways you don't get to see them together so often, but the chemistry still really great. However, you are not going to expect to see any kissing scenes what so ever, all Chairmane and Steven did was hugs, hmm.... what is up with that?

The Story
If you want to learn a history lesson, then you should not pay too much attention to this series. I think the story is only about 30% accurate to the real history, especially that ending, totally screw-up the whole thing (see below for details). Also, the emperor in the real history is a lot more worse than Moses, trust me, because his saying about "the emperor is not the reason why this dynasty ends, it is because of the people who work for the emperor" was like a joke in the history, because it is the way he wants people not blaming on him. But, in this series, that saying fits the story perfectly, and you will feel pity for the emperor. Other than the accuracy factor, there are lots of factors in the series you just don't care much about, don't give me wrong, the series was not dragging, there are lots of things happening, but, you can feel less care about some little factors within the story. You basically will be like, "ok... so what?!" Anyways, you don't get much point out of it, that is what I meant

The Ending
If you don't think the ending is suck, then there is something wrong with you. I don't want to give away too much, but I want to tell you, you will hate this ending! Not only screw up the themesong, it also screw up the whole story, screw up the beginning, and screw up the whole idea! I just hope the camera will stop at this one point, doesn't go any further, and make it a cut, I will feel so much better... If you have no clue what I am talking about, go see the ending youself

The Recommendation
Let me summarize with an equation, if you don't like any factors, or don't belong to any of the factors in my Perish in the Name of Love Equation, then this series is not for you, OK, here goes: Moses Chan lovers + Charmaine, Steven, Michael fans + 30% of history lesson + evil Sonija + 32 episodes of a torture love story + a suck ending + something you don't really care + a great themesong + wants to kill sometime + see how a dynasty ends, so that you will never do the same thing = Perish in the Name of Love

The Review
Believe me or not, I wrote this review for two and a half hours total, I hope you enjoying reading it, and get something out of it, but you don't have to agree every single thing I wrote, thanks for reading this far, I think you should take a short break, and don't forget to take a look at the screen captures, I have a lot!