Ep 1. Time of great waste

In the first episode of The Longest Day In Chang'an season 1, titled "Time of Great Waste," viewers are transported to the Tang Dynasty in the year 744 AD. Set in the city of Chang'an, which is now modern-day Xi'an in China, the show takes place over the course of one day and follows the events leading up to a potentially catastrophic disaster.

The episode opens with a thrilling chase scene as a group of thieves attempts to steal a valuable item from the city's marketplace. The scene sets the tone for the entire show, which is fast-paced and full of action. After successfully evading the guards, the thieves are forced to split up and find hidden places to hide the item.

This sets the stage for the introduction of our two main characters: Zhang Xiaojing, a veteran soldier turned prisoner, and Li Bi, the chief of the Chang'an police department. The two men have a history together and a rocky relationship, but they are forced to work together when it becomes clear that the theft is part of a larger plot that could threaten the entire city.

Their investigation leads them to a group of rebels who are planning an attack on the city's most important celebration of the year, the Sweet Osmanthus Festival. The rebels are led by a charismatic and mysterious figure known only as "The Shadow," and they have a complicated plan to infiltrate the festival and cause chaos.

Along the way, the episode introduces a range of other characters who will play important roles in the story. There's the skilled martial artist Shen Hao who is enlisted to help protect the festival, the clever and opportunistic merchant Wen Tao who sees a chance to profit from the chaos, and the young musician Yi Ning who is set to perform at the festival.

As the day wears on, tensions rise and the stakes get higher. The threat of the rebels' attack looms over everything, and the characters are forced to confront difficult choices and unexpected obstacles. The episode is full of twists and turns and ends on a cliffhanger that will leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Overall, "Time of Great Waste" is an exciting and engaging start to The Longest Day In Chang'an. The show does an excellent job of immersing viewers in the setting and culture of ancient China, and it is clear that a lot of attention has been paid to historical accuracy. The performances are strong across the board, and the action scenes are particularly impressive.

The episode also sets up a compelling mystery that will keep viewers guessing throughout the season. Who is The Shadow, and what is their ultimate goal? Will Zhang Xiaojing and Li Bi be able to stop the rebels in time? And what other challenges will they face over the course of the longest day in Chang'an? Viewers will have to tune in to find out.