sid_guardian | Guardian love letter

I posted this to my own account, but am also pasting it here

Guardian, the show and the fandom, helped get me through getting laid off from my job of 18 years. It helped get me through a personal relationship shift (still helping with that one, thanks!). It gave me back my writing--in a different form, and one I never expected, but no less welcome and rewarding. New people, new energy, new obsessions, all helping me not dread every new day.

I love the characters, even the one who nearly made me quit watching in the early days. Xiao Guo, I had to look away during many of your first scenes but re-watching the last few episodes recently reminded me what a good and believable arc you had--still susceptible to Ye Zun's power, but fighting hard! I love the characters who made me fall from their first moment of screen time. Shen Wei, Shen Wei, your charming professorial demeanor combined with the potential villain set-up was brilliant. Chu Shuzi, charging in with your face and your shoulders and your annoyed BAMF-ness (even though I'm so glad they lost the puppet and just kept the strings). I love the characters who at first annoyed me (Zhao Yunlan, that's inappropriate behavior with your new subordinate) and then delighted me (oh, you're some version of inappropriate with everyone). I love the characters who I didn't know I loved so much until suddenly I just did. Zhu Hong, you are perfect and I wait for the opportunity to someday use the phrase "Well I have to go and shed my skin."

I love the found family aspect. I love how we see bad family (Zhao Yunlan, Ge Lan/Wang Zheng), no family (Shen Wei), well-meaning but misguided family (Guo Changcheng, Zhu Hong), compared to the supportive devotion they offer each other as SID members (which makes Lin Jing's betrayal and redemption so meaningful even though I have issues with his character as a person).

I love Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan's love story. I love how the show uses time travel (usually a big NOPE for me) in such a wrenching, romantic way. I love how there is never a time during the show when at least one of them isn't already in love with the other. I love the pining. I love the quiet comfort and domesticity.

I love how Zhu Hong's one-sided love story isn't treated as shameful and she's not portrayed as weak or less-than for having feelings as a woman. I love how she eventually comes into her power and owns that love even though it broke her heart.

Is the show perfect? Of course not. Love rarely ever is. But I love it so much, and I love everyone in this bar.

Thank you, show. Thank you, fandom..
ETA: I wrote this to fulfill the Guardian Lantern square on my bingo card. Thank you, organizers, for doing that! It's been nice motivation.