f13.net

New series from Netflix. Ten episodes, all available at once. I've watched two episodes and admit I'm hooked. It's definitely going for a romanticized version of the story, but I didn't find it too over the top (despite one naked kung fu fight).
Playing up very heavily on Kublai Kahn's lack of xenophobia - his court is practically a melting pot of cultures. Not sure how historically accurate any of it is (I barely remember any of it from school) but it's entertaining, violent, and adult (lots of boobies). I get a kick out of some of the little details like Kahn groaning and struggling slightly every time he gets out of his chair or off his horse, which I didn't expect after some of the early stylish fight scenes.

The scenery is pretty amazing. Apparently it was filmed in Kazakhstan and Malaysia (with some Venice as well).

Watched the first two episodes and it just seems so flat and boring.  It's like they saw game of thrones, took all the violence and sex but left out any humor and charm or characters your might give a damn about.

*shrug* I don't know, maybe the visuals and setting just had me.

Marco.

no

Seeing as there are arguments about whether or not Marco Polo ever visited China, the series is probably pretty close to the accuracy of the source material anyway  :grin:

Oh come on, Marco Polo goes to China and learns Kung Fu from a blind Master in Kublai Khan's court while wooing the Chinese princess of a lost clan, what could be more historically accurate than that?

That said, I got to episode four last night and I have to say they impressed me in their ability to make me dislike the bad guy of the story.

Polo?

I'm through episode 5. It's kind of dull. Outside of Kublai Khan and maybe Hundred Fist, everyone else is either a cardboard cutout or just bland. But I will say that it really looks great. There are lots and lots of naked women too.

I'm sorry.  Someone else would have said it anyway.  You know that's true.

Yolo.

Just watched the first episode.  I like it as well!  Blind Kung Fu master is a little over the top and kind of racist, but digging the vibe of the show so far.

It's all a little over the top (watched all 10 episodes in about 4 days or so), but I enjoyed it. It's a B-Grade Spartacus/Game of Thrones type story (blood, violence, lots of boobies - kung fu boobies mind you) but that's not a bad thing. It's just not a completely awesome show. Definitely has it's moments though that elicited more than a couple 'HOLY FUCK THAT WAS COOL' reactions in me.

I like it. The sets and costumes are very well done.

I don't expect realism from TV. I expect escape. It's not Game of Thrones, but I'm finding it a nice thing to watch while I knit, nevertheless.

Watched the first two episodes.  Kind of boring.  Not feeling it.  Not sure if I'll continue, kung fu boobies or not.

I'm okay with everything other then the whole Blue Princess romance plot thing. I don't buy that relationship for a second.

Season 2 is out now, so I am re-watching season 1 together with the wife (who had not seen it).  I like it a lot.

The more they focus on the "actual" Mongol stuff the more I like it (as opposed to when it focuses on Marco Polo).

spoiler if you haven't seen s2 yet: