The TV series "Three Strange Detectives of Chang'an" is adapted from the online novel of the same name, telling the story of a series of bizarre serial murder cases in Chang'an City at the end of the Tang Dynasty, and three "strange detectives" with different personalities, Dugu Zhongping, Wei Ruozhao and Li Xiuyi, teamed up to solve the case. The drama is divided into five units, each unit has an independent case, and it also connects the emotional entanglements and life mysteries between the three protagonists.
One of the climax of the plot is in the third unit "Human Wolf Transformation", Dugu Zhongping is involved in a conspiracy about the "Buddha with a thousand faces", and he discovers that he is a former member of this criminal group and has killed people. He couldn't believe his past, and he didn't know how to face Wei Ruozhao and Li Xiuyi, whether they would forgive him, and whether he could continue to be a detective. This unit shows Dugu Zhongping's inner struggle and pain, and also makes the audience more curious and expectant about his identity and motives.
Another climax of the plot is in the last unit "Burning Heart Sword", the three protagonists finally find the true identity of the "Thousand-faced Buddha", which turns out to be Yu Zan they have always trusted. Yu Zan was an ambitious politician who wanted to overthrow the corruption and tyranny of the imperial court and establish a new dynasty. He used the organization "Buddha with a Thousand Faces" to carry out his plan, while also exploiting the talents and feelings of Dugu Zhongping, Wei Ruozhao, and Li Xiuyi.
He even sacrificed his lover Bi Lian to achieve his goals. After revealing Yu Zhan's true face, the three protagonists also fall into a difficult decision, whether they should support Yu Zhan's ideals or insist on their own justice. This unit shows Yu Zhan's ambition and pathos, and also makes the audience think and reflect more about his behavior.
"Three Strange Detectives of Chang'an" is a costume drama that integrates suspense, history and love, which takes the end of the Tang Dynasty as the background, showing the vicissitudes and unpredictability of the situation inside and outside Chang'an City. It not only has a wonderful case reasoning and resolution process, but also touching emotional entanglements and life secrets. It creates the image of three "strange detectives" with distinct personalities, outstanding talents and mutual support, and also shows a complex and multifaceted "Buddha with a thousand faces" full of intrigue and variables. It has both a sense of history and a modern aesthetic. It is an excellent work that deserves to be seen again and again.