The Gauche in the Machine (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
china_shop) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sid_guardian2020-11-14 10:50 am
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2020-11-14 10:50 am
Entry tags:
Focus on: SID team reviewing video of the Envoy, from episode 2
Location of scene: episode 2, 11:11 to 12:24
Scene recap
In the lab, Lin Jing, Zhu Hong and Wang Zheng are watching video of the Black-Cloaked Envoy and Zhao Yunlan on the rooftop in episode 1.
The footage is upside-down because Lin Jing had been openly filming the Shadow Man confrontation with his phone, and when the Envoy appeared, he dropped his hands to his sides. For some reason, it's also slightly distorted. (Maybe large amounts of Dixing energy bend light?) There's a small chimney or vent on the ground in the Envoy's shadow.
Lin Jing says, "Did you see that? This is very bad. Dixing's Black-Cloaked Envoy is said to be ruthless.[1] Why was he lenient towards our boss? He isn't biding time for revenge, is he?"[2]
--
[1] Said by who? Is this something Chu Shuzhi has put around, to intimidate everyone into being respectful? Did it come from Zhao Xinci via Zhao Yunlan or Professor Ouyang? Did Zhu Hong (who was the first to recognise the Longevity Dial, after all) say it based on Yashou lore? Or someone else? Regardless, this is a continuation of setting the Envoy up as a mysterious and fearsome figure.
[2] I love that everyone is fully aware of how rude Zhao Yunlan was to the Envoy, and even though they endorse his attitude (and take their cue from it), some of them are a little nervous about the consequences. They don't yet 100% trust that Zhao Yunlan can navigate these waters.
"I think you are the bad one. Do you think it's a mistake that the name 'Lao Zhao' makes even ghosts apprehensive?" says Zhu Hong.[3]
"Exactly," says Wang Zheng. "You dared to film the Black-Cloaked Envoy when he visited us?"[4]
--
[3]foxghost says here that in the novel "Zhu Hong will SAY Zhao-chu to his face and refer to him in convos and in her head with utterly foul language, so anything from asshole to bastard to motherfucker to a slur, occasionally 鬼見愁 / guijianchou / even ghosts feel horrid when they see him."
(FWIW, Zhu Hong also uses this or similar epithets for Zhao Yunlan when she delivers the laptop to Shen Wei for the "bears" scene in ep 7, under her breath when she's angry with ZYL in ep 9, and in her dream in ep 31.)
But I'm not sure what that reference to Zhao Yunlan implies here. Is she saying he can hold his own even with the Envoy? And how did Zhao Yunlan earn this reputation as an asshole/ badass?
[4] It's not clear why filming the Envoy is disrespectful. Because it was done surreptitiously, and it means Lin Jing didn't pay attention in his presence? Because they're undermining the Envoy's otherworldly mystique? Or just because secretly filming anyone would be rude?
This is the face Chu Shuzhi makes as comes in and overhears them. Really not happy.
Lin Jing shushes Wang Zheng too late. Chu Shuzhi thumps on the desk and lectures them sternly: "The Black-Cloaked Envoy is our hero. He is not gossip fodder."
"I nearly forgot. We have a huge fan of the Black-Cloaked Envoy here," says Wang Zheng, completely uncowed and somewhat teasing.[5]
Lin Jing, being corporeal and a desk jockey, is more easily frightened. "Lao-Chu, don't be mad. I'll delete it now. There, it's deleted."[6]
--
[5] I feel like calling Chu Shuzhi a fan is dismissive of both the Envoy and Chu Shuzhi, at least in Chu Shuzhi's eyes. It suggests Chu Shuzhi's dedication to the Envoy is a matter of personal taste, rather than grounded in objective reasons. But then, the SID don't know that Chu Shuzhi and the Envoy have an ongoing relationship.
[6] No one checks to make sure he's deleted it. And I presume he's already sent a copy to Professor Ouyang.
Chu Shuzhi steps into a more dramatic camera angle. The tinkly piano music of the mysterious and numinous plays. (It's the same music that plays in ep 15 when the incognito Regent is persuading an unsuspecting xiao-Guo to escort him to the SID, and it's used at other times too. I'm not quite sure what it's supposed to signify here, given we already know lao-Chu is Dixingren.)
Chu Shuzhi glares at the others coldly and changes the subject. "Anyone know why we're saddled with the newbie? He's hopelessly stupid and a coward.[7] Does Zhao Yunlan tolerate that?"[8]
--
[7] This is the first time we've seen Chu Shuzhi since xiao-Guo tried to question the Envoy about taking the Shadow Man away, so this complaint is at least partly a reaction to that. Chu Shuzhi does not want to have to look after a kid who's clueless/entitled enough to publicly critique the Envoy!!
[8] Note Chu Shuzhi isn't taking his grievance to Zhao Yunlan -- maybe because Chu Shuzhi's working at the SID on the Envoy's behalf, and he feels like he can't make trouble. Or maybe he just doesn't like talking to Zhao Yunlan because of the casual anti-Dixing bigotry.
"It's exactly the opposite," says Zhu Hong, sounding firm and reasonable.[9] "Despite his outwardly cold attitude, who knows, Lao Zhao might appreciate him. Such an innocent child in these times. Where can we find one like him?"[10]
--
[9] I love that neither Wang Zheng or Zhu Hong is scared of lao-Chu. I don't know if they trust him to be too chivalrous to hurt them, or if being a ghost and a Snake Yashou, respectively, gives them confidence.
[10] Do you think Zhu Hong really believes Zhao Yunlan might think that way? Why doesn't she pass on his theory about xiao-Guo's arrival being the result of nepotism?
Chu Shuzhi is incredulous at this defence.
"Innocent?" He scoffs and complains, "Fine, then why do I have to be the one to babysit him? I'm the only field personnel in the SID. You think I don't have enough trouble to deal with?" He stomps off without waiting for an answer.[11]
--
[11] Oddly, he doesn't go back the way he came; either there's a second exit from the lab or he came in to get something.
The others look at each other and snicker.
Great things about this scene
It's a minor scene, but there are a lot of things to enjoy about it.
Questions
As well as the various questions above, here are some discussion starters:
Feel free to answer just some (or none) of the questions and/or weigh in with your own thoughts. Share links to meta, picspams, and related fanworks, new or old! Self-recs whole-heartedly encouraged.
Scene recap
In the lab, Lin Jing, Zhu Hong and Wang Zheng are watching video of the Black-Cloaked Envoy and Zhao Yunlan on the rooftop in episode 1.
The footage is upside-down because Lin Jing had been openly filming the Shadow Man confrontation with his phone, and when the Envoy appeared, he dropped his hands to his sides. For some reason, it's also slightly distorted. (Maybe large amounts of Dixing energy bend light?) There's a small chimney or vent on the ground in the Envoy's shadow.
Lin Jing says, "Did you see that? This is very bad. Dixing's Black-Cloaked Envoy is said to be ruthless.[1] Why was he lenient towards our boss? He isn't biding time for revenge, is he?"[2]
--
[1] Said by who? Is this something Chu Shuzhi has put around, to intimidate everyone into being respectful? Did it come from Zhao Xinci via Zhao Yunlan or Professor Ouyang? Did Zhu Hong (who was the first to recognise the Longevity Dial, after all) say it based on Yashou lore? Or someone else? Regardless, this is a continuation of setting the Envoy up as a mysterious and fearsome figure.
[2] I love that everyone is fully aware of how rude Zhao Yunlan was to the Envoy, and even though they endorse his attitude (and take their cue from it), some of them are a little nervous about the consequences. They don't yet 100% trust that Zhao Yunlan can navigate these waters.
"I think you are the bad one. Do you think it's a mistake that the name 'Lao Zhao' makes even ghosts apprehensive?" says Zhu Hong.[3]
"Exactly," says Wang Zheng. "You dared to film the Black-Cloaked Envoy when he visited us?"[4]
--
[3]
foxghost says here that in the novel "Zhu Hong will SAY Zhao-chu to his face and refer to him in convos and in her head with utterly foul language, so anything from asshole to bastard to motherfucker to a slur, occasionally 鬼見愁 / guijianchou / even ghosts feel horrid when they see him."(FWIW, Zhu Hong also uses this or similar epithets for Zhao Yunlan when she delivers the laptop to Shen Wei for the "bears" scene in ep 7, under her breath when she's angry with ZYL in ep 9, and in her dream in ep 31.)
But I'm not sure what that reference to Zhao Yunlan implies here. Is she saying he can hold his own even with the Envoy? And how did Zhao Yunlan earn this reputation as an asshole/ badass?
[4] It's not clear why filming the Envoy is disrespectful. Because it was done surreptitiously, and it means Lin Jing didn't pay attention in his presence? Because they're undermining the Envoy's otherworldly mystique? Or just because secretly filming anyone would be rude?
This is the face Chu Shuzhi makes as comes in and overhears them. Really not happy.
Lin Jing shushes Wang Zheng too late. Chu Shuzhi thumps on the desk and lectures them sternly: "The Black-Cloaked Envoy is our hero. He is not gossip fodder."
"I nearly forgot. We have a huge fan of the Black-Cloaked Envoy here," says Wang Zheng, completely uncowed and somewhat teasing.[5]
Lin Jing, being corporeal and a desk jockey, is more easily frightened. "Lao-Chu, don't be mad. I'll delete it now. There, it's deleted."[6]
--
[5] I feel like calling Chu Shuzhi a fan is dismissive of both the Envoy and Chu Shuzhi, at least in Chu Shuzhi's eyes. It suggests Chu Shuzhi's dedication to the Envoy is a matter of personal taste, rather than grounded in objective reasons. But then, the SID don't know that Chu Shuzhi and the Envoy have an ongoing relationship.
[6] No one checks to make sure he's deleted it. And I presume he's already sent a copy to Professor Ouyang.
Chu Shuzhi steps into a more dramatic camera angle. The tinkly piano music of the mysterious and numinous plays. (It's the same music that plays in ep 15 when the incognito Regent is persuading an unsuspecting xiao-Guo to escort him to the SID, and it's used at other times too. I'm not quite sure what it's supposed to signify here, given we already know lao-Chu is Dixingren.)
Chu Shuzhi glares at the others coldly and changes the subject. "Anyone know why we're saddled with the newbie? He's hopelessly stupid and a coward.[7] Does Zhao Yunlan tolerate that?"[8]
--
[7] This is the first time we've seen Chu Shuzhi since xiao-Guo tried to question the Envoy about taking the Shadow Man away, so this complaint is at least partly a reaction to that. Chu Shuzhi does not want to have to look after a kid who's clueless/entitled enough to publicly critique the Envoy!!
[8] Note Chu Shuzhi isn't taking his grievance to Zhao Yunlan -- maybe because Chu Shuzhi's working at the SID on the Envoy's behalf, and he feels like he can't make trouble. Or maybe he just doesn't like talking to Zhao Yunlan because of the casual anti-Dixing bigotry.
"It's exactly the opposite," says Zhu Hong, sounding firm and reasonable.[9] "Despite his outwardly cold attitude, who knows, Lao Zhao might appreciate him. Such an innocent child in these times. Where can we find one like him?"[10]
--
[9] I love that neither Wang Zheng or Zhu Hong is scared of lao-Chu. I don't know if they trust him to be too chivalrous to hurt them, or if being a ghost and a Snake Yashou, respectively, gives them confidence.
[10] Do you think Zhu Hong really believes Zhao Yunlan might think that way? Why doesn't she pass on his theory about xiao-Guo's arrival being the result of nepotism?
Chu Shuzhi is incredulous at this defence.
"Innocent?" He scoffs and complains, "Fine, then why do I have to be the one to babysit him? I'm the only field personnel in the SID. You think I don't have enough trouble to deal with?" He stomps off without waiting for an answer.[11]
--
[11] Oddly, he doesn't go back the way he came; either there's a second exit from the lab or he came in to get something.
The others look at each other and snicker.
Great things about this scene
It's a minor scene, but there are a lot of things to enjoy about it.
- This is one of a small handful of moments that show the early internal dynamics of the SID team, absent Zhao Yunlan. (Another is the start of the popcorn scene.)
- We don't know it yet, at this stage, but all of the characters have secrets: both Lin Jing and Chu Shuzhi are spies, representatives of what will come to be opposing forces (Lin Jing may well have recorded the video for Professor Ouyang's benefit); Wang Zheng has amnesia; and Zhu Hong is badmouthing Zhao Yunlan while secretly being in love with him. For all that, Lin Jing, Wang Zheng and Zhu Hong seem to genuinely like and enjoy each other's company. Meanwhile Chu Shuzhi is on the outside, prickly, frustrated, and getting no sympathy whatsoever.
- We really get to see what Chu Shuzhi is up against. As far as he's concerned, they don't respect him or the Envoy, no one cares about his working conditions, and now he's saddled with hapless xiao-Guo, who has zero skills and speaks before he thinks. Seeing this painful beginning makes the later developments, when lao-Chu and xiao-Guo grow close and the team as a whole coheres into a family, all the sweeter.
- Given the irreverence not just of Zhao Yunlan but the whole SID, it's no wonder Shen Wei didn't want to disclose his identity at first!
- The lab. Check out all the amazing details in the set!
Questions
As well as the various questions above, here are some discussion starters:
- How would you characterise Chu Shuzhi's relationship with the SID as a whole, at this early stage? Does he feel like he's primarily working for the Envoy, or representing the Envoy on the side while working for the SID?
- Is Lin Jing afraid of Chu Shuzhi or abashed at being caught out being irreverent?
- If Da Qing had been there, would he have joined in the giggling? (In the next scene, he reports to Zhao Yunlan who's asleep on the couch that the others are gossiping in the lab.)
- Given there hadn't been many significant cases lately, what do you think the SID's general attitude to the Envoy and Dixingren is, at this time?
- What's your favourite background detail in the lab?
Feel free to answer just some (or none) of the questions and/or weigh in with your own thoughts. Share links to meta, picspams, and related fanworks, new or old! Self-recs whole-heartedly encouraged.
no subject
I'd really like to think that they do have meals together before the start of the show, even if it's not that often. They look pretty comfortable with each other during the meal you mentioned.
I thought when the cases started popping up, Zhu Hong and the others gradually got pushed into the field, rather than it being generally the case? Da Qing almost certainly does recon, though.
You're right. Zhu Hong even explicitly complains about not being a field agent in episode 3. And if it was expected for her to do what are essentially field agent tasks, it's unlikely she would have said anything. I was misremembering.
Maybe Chu Shuzhi told him about cases so the Envoy could deal with the offenders before the SID found them.
I like this idea a lot.
no subject
Maybe less official ones, with Da Qing complaining he's hungry, and Zhao Yunlan sending him out for takeout, and the others kind of gathering around like hungry pigeons? Or just more snacks and less food with actual nutritional value? Idk, I like the idea that Guo Changcheng's arrival, combined with the increase in cases and having to pull together to handle the dangers, caused a shift in the team, bringing them closer and making them more like a family and more protective of each other. I guess mostly it's that I want to have seen that develop, rather than it being already firmly established. But I'm not sure there's strong canon evidence either way. (Correct me if I'm wrong! :-)
no subject
I really like the way you've put this. It made me realise that I prefer Guo Changcheng's arrival to work a bit differently. I prefer it as a disruption to an already established close team dynamic, rather than a catalyst for the SID members becoming closer. I like to imagine that the shift in dynamics happens primarily because they change their attitude to their job, not necessarily each other.
As for canon evidence, yeah, I don't think there's a lot either way, but I actually think your preference for the team becoming closer during the course of the show makes more sense as a reading, story-wise.