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sid_guardian2021-05-01 12:47 pm
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2021-05-01 12:47 pm
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Focus on the singing in the car scene, ep 14
Ep 14, 14:56 to 17:06 (here on youtube)
It’s easy to assume this takes place the morning after the "I know your secrets" / "We've always been friends" / "I'll need compensation… join the SID for me?" conversation (discussion post here). Otoh, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are heading to the Department of Supervision for a formal/scheduled meeting with Minister Gao, who's expecting both of them, so either Zhao Yunlan reported in remotely about his new recruit the night before or early that morning, or a day or two have passed.
Anyway. They're in Zhao Yunlan's ridiculous enormous red Jeep, and Zhao Yunlan's high spirits are spilling out in the form of singing and driving too fast. At least at this point he's keeping both his hands on the wheel (fingers tapping).
Shen Wei says, "Anything joyous? You're driving so fast." He doesn't seem sternly disapproving or anything, but he's serious. The mismatch between their moods is palpable.
As far as I can tell, Zhao Yunlan doesn't slow down. He says, "Nope, we’re going to the ministry to report Zheng Yi’s case. I hope we can finish it quickly. Those guys are so talkative, especially that Minister Gao. He remembered you since last time you showed your power and saved him during the wedding, so he asked me to bring you along."
(This always makes me imagine Zhao Yunlan on the phone with Minister Gao, earlier, with Minister Gao saying, "Yes, yes, I remember Professor Shen. He's the hero who stopped the chaos at the wedding. So capable! Bring him with you to our meeting -- I'd like to thank him again," and Zhao Yunlan saying, "Ah, about that... I'll bring him but could you please not mention his power? It would make him uncomfortable." Because Zhao Yunlan can totally be tactful -- just not to Shen Wei's face.)
Shen Wei, in wry Professor Shen mode, starts, "I may let them down. I'm just an ordinary--" but cuts himself off and looks discomfited.
"An ordinary? An ordinary master? Or an ordinary Dixing leader?" asks Zhao Yunlan.
Shen Wei looks at Zhao Yunlan with a hint of uncertainty. "I hope you'll keep this secret from the others."
Zhao Yunlan's "reassurance" is typically glib: "No worries. I’m not stupid. If they know they've been lazing around under the watchful eye of the Black-Cloaked Envoy, they might all retire early out of guilt and fear."
"They are afraid of me, and I feel uncomfortable staying together with them," says Shen Wei, clearly speaking as the Envoy. "If I wasn't worried about the Hallows being snatched and used by the wicked, I wouldn't have come back here." This raises so many questions! (See below.)
It raises questions for Zhao Yunlan, too, who jumps at the opportunity to pry a little. "Did you have a bad experience here before?"
The Envoy doesn't answer and looks straight ahead. I'm never sure if he's thinking of the ancient war, losing Kunlun, losing Ye Zun, or the more recent matters of Zhao Xinci's SID and general Haixing anti-Dixing bigotry.
After a moment, Zhao Yunlan nods and says, "Fine, change of topic then. Does it mean I’m the only one you’re comfortable with--"
"--since I’m the only one you told your identity?" The last part, bordering on flirty. Apparently either a) he has amnesia and has forgotten the circumstances under which Shen Wei's identity was revealed, or b) he took Shen Wei's "Who says I can't [erase your memories]?" at face value. ;-p
The Envoy looks out the open passenger window and huffs, refusing to play along with the suggestion that he revealed his identity by choice.
"Okay, fine," says Zhao Yunlan, determinedly cheerful. "I’ll let you choose a topic."
Shen Wei looks at him and says, "We can just not talk."
Zhao Yunlan nods, casts him a sideways glance to see how much he can get away with, then immediately gets in his face with the singing and hand motions. Off the Envoy's look, he says, "Well, you didn’t say I couldn’t sing!" and laughs.
Shen Wei looks away and grins, too, despite himself.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
"If I wasn't worried about the Hallows being snatched and used by the wicked, I wouldn't have come back here."
Shen Wei is a liar. How much do you think he's still lying or omitting details here? Did he come to Haixing just for the Hallows, in search of Kunlun, to corral Dixing troublemakers, or for R&R? Or some combination of those? Did he only remain in Haixing for one of those reasons, or did making a life in academia become a draw in its own right?
Or is he talking specifically here about the Envoy's coming back in episode 1? He recognises Li Qian's necklace just before the Shadow Man attacks. Was that why the Envoy made his appearance? (Chu Shuzhi had already subdued the Shadow Man.) Or was it because of Zhao Yunlan, to get to know him in both guises?
How about you -- what do you like (or dislike) about the car-singing scene? What do you think is going through their minds? How many more questions would Zhao Yunlan have asked if Shen Wei had seemed at all willing to answer him? (My answer: ALL the questions!) Would Shen Wei have answered his questions if he'd asked them in a more sincere, Kunlun-like manner? Does the car-singing imply that Zhao Yunlan also sings in the shower and at other times?
Come and discuss this scene! :-) Links to meta, picspams, and related fanworks, new or old, are very much appreciated. Basically, this is the place for anything you want to say or link to about this scene.
Singing in the Car scene summary
It’s easy to assume this takes place the morning after the "I know your secrets" / "We've always been friends" / "I'll need compensation… join the SID for me?" conversation (discussion post here). Otoh, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are heading to the Department of Supervision for a formal/scheduled meeting with Minister Gao, who's expecting both of them, so either Zhao Yunlan reported in remotely about his new recruit the night before or early that morning, or a day or two have passed.
Anyway. They're in Zhao Yunlan's ridiculous enormous red Jeep, and Zhao Yunlan's high spirits are spilling out in the form of singing and driving too fast. At least at this point he's keeping both his hands on the wheel (fingers tapping).
Shen Wei says, "Anything joyous? You're driving so fast." He doesn't seem sternly disapproving or anything, but he's serious. The mismatch between their moods is palpable.
As far as I can tell, Zhao Yunlan doesn't slow down. He says, "Nope, we’re going to the ministry to report Zheng Yi’s case. I hope we can finish it quickly. Those guys are so talkative, especially that Minister Gao. He remembered you since last time you showed your power and saved him during the wedding, so he asked me to bring you along."
(This always makes me imagine Zhao Yunlan on the phone with Minister Gao, earlier, with Minister Gao saying, "Yes, yes, I remember Professor Shen. He's the hero who stopped the chaos at the wedding. So capable! Bring him with you to our meeting -- I'd like to thank him again," and Zhao Yunlan saying, "Ah, about that... I'll bring him but could you please not mention his power? It would make him uncomfortable." Because Zhao Yunlan can totally be tactful -- just not to Shen Wei's face.)
Shen Wei, in wry Professor Shen mode, starts, "I may let them down. I'm just an ordinary--" but cuts himself off and looks discomfited.
"An ordinary? An ordinary master? Or an ordinary Dixing leader?" asks Zhao Yunlan.
Shen Wei looks at Zhao Yunlan with a hint of uncertainty. "I hope you'll keep this secret from the others."
Zhao Yunlan's "reassurance" is typically glib: "No worries. I’m not stupid. If they know they've been lazing around under the watchful eye of the Black-Cloaked Envoy, they might all retire early out of guilt and fear."
"They are afraid of me, and I feel uncomfortable staying together with them," says Shen Wei, clearly speaking as the Envoy. "If I wasn't worried about the Hallows being snatched and used by the wicked, I wouldn't have come back here." This raises so many questions! (See below.)
It raises questions for Zhao Yunlan, too, who jumps at the opportunity to pry a little. "Did you have a bad experience here before?"
The Envoy doesn't answer and looks straight ahead. I'm never sure if he's thinking of the ancient war, losing Kunlun, losing Ye Zun, or the more recent matters of Zhao Xinci's SID and general Haixing anti-Dixing bigotry.
After a moment, Zhao Yunlan nods and says, "Fine, change of topic then. Does it mean I’m the only one you’re comfortable with--"
"--since I’m the only one you told your identity?" The last part, bordering on flirty. Apparently either a) he has amnesia and has forgotten the circumstances under which Shen Wei's identity was revealed, or b) he took Shen Wei's "Who says I can't [erase your memories]?" at face value. ;-p
The Envoy looks out the open passenger window and huffs, refusing to play along with the suggestion that he revealed his identity by choice.
"Okay, fine," says Zhao Yunlan, determinedly cheerful. "I’ll let you choose a topic."
Shen Wei looks at him and says, "We can just not talk."
Zhao Yunlan nods, casts him a sideways glance to see how much he can get away with, then immediately gets in his face with the singing and hand motions. Off the Envoy's look, he says, "Well, you didn’t say I couldn’t sing!" and laughs.
Shen Wei looks away and grins, too, despite himself.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Things on Zhao Yunlan’s mind
- Relieved and glad that the truth is finally out in the open
- Gloating about having (inadvertently) forced the issue
- Impatient with imminent bureaucracy, but happy enough that it can’t puncture his high spirits
- Bursting with questions and curiosity about the Envoy
- Trying to get Shen Wei to relax his boundaries between Professor Shen and the Envoy
- Trying to show him that this development is a good thing, and jolly him into being okay with it (minor success at the end with the singing?)
Things on Shen Wei’s mind
- Still pissed off about the reveal (Zhao Yunlan putting himself in danger, Zhu Jiu getting away)
- Zhao Yunlan’s gloating is not helping!!
- Maybe doesn’t feel like he’s been cornered into joining the SID (because he rejected the compensation request, after all), but aware that Zhao Yunlan tried that
- Wondering how he’s going to balance his university work with his work with the SID
- Anticipating University Chancellor’s reaction and concerned that his new role might impact his academic career (see this scene discussion post)
- Aware that Minister Gao has seen his powers at the wedding and unsure how much discretion he can count on
- His life is getting complicated, identities harder to compartmentalise. Uncomfortable with the overlap and not sure which "mode" to be in
- Recalibrating his secret-keeping – how much to reveal/keep hidden
- Considering how much being aligned with the SID increases the danger for Zhao Yunlan, and what steps Shen Wei can take to mitigate that.
"If I wasn't worried about the Hallows being snatched..."
"If I wasn't worried about the Hallows being snatched and used by the wicked, I wouldn't have come back here."
Shen Wei is a liar. How much do you think he's still lying or omitting details here? Did he come to Haixing just for the Hallows, in search of Kunlun, to corral Dixing troublemakers, or for R&R? Or some combination of those? Did he only remain in Haixing for one of those reasons, or did making a life in academia become a draw in its own right?
Or is he talking specifically here about the Envoy's coming back in episode 1? He recognises Li Qian's necklace just before the Shadow Man attacks. Was that why the Envoy made his appearance? (Chu Shuzhi had already subdued the Shadow Man.) Or was it because of Zhao Yunlan, to get to know him in both guises?
Things I love about this scene
- There’s a mismatch of moods, but they still like each other, and Shen Wei finds Zhao Yunlan funny despite himself.
- Zhao Yunlan's dorkiness is never more evident. I think he's unsure how their relationship stands, whether he can take the same liberties with the Envoy that he took with Professor Shen, etc, but rather than standing back and waiting to find out, he's decided to show ALL his emotions at 110%, thus inviting Shen Wei to express himself likewise.
- Shen Wei is angry and uncomfortable, and perhaps feeling vulnerable now that his secret is out of his control, but he's not making any effort to hide his discomfort; he’s not being polite or conciliatory, he doesn’t recriminate, and he doesn’t try to pull rank.
- Shen Wei is still sorting things out, especially whether to (and how to) integrate his different personas and roles, and Zhao Yunlan knows it, and this is how they're both dealing with the change in their professional and personal relationships.
How about you -- what do you like (or dislike) about the car-singing scene? What do you think is going through their minds? How many more questions would Zhao Yunlan have asked if Shen Wei had seemed at all willing to answer him? (My answer: ALL the questions!) Would Shen Wei have answered his questions if he'd asked them in a more sincere, Kunlun-like manner? Does the car-singing imply that Zhao Yunlan also sings in the shower and at other times?
Come and discuss this scene! :-) Links to meta, picspams, and related fanworks, new or old, are very much appreciated. Basically, this is the place for anything you want to say or link to about this scene.
no subject
I love this! He probably included something about never cleaning the fridge ;)
Poor Shen Wei! He can no longer pull his innocent normal university teacher look! I love how this moment shows us how much of a habit it was to him.
I'm laughing so much!
This is a great post and you make so many good points about that scene!
no subject
LOL! Absolutely!
Yeah, that's fascinating, isn't it? I think of him as being very deliberate about everything, but there are definitely some ingrained habits there.
Thanks!! *beams*
no subject
Otoh, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are heading to the Department of Supervision for a formal/scheduled meeting with Minister Gao, who's expecting both of them, so either Zhao Yunlan reported in remotely about his new recruit the night before or early that morning, or a day or two have passed.
Yes! I always love these little potential time gaps where you could slot something in, and I'm glad that despite the overall arc Guardian has a lot of these. :D
Because Zhao Yunlan can totally be tactful -- just not to Shen Wei's face.
LOL!
"I may let them down. I'm just an ordinary--" but cuts himself off and looks discomfited.
That's such a telling moment. He just comes out with that line from habit – how often has he said something similar? A LOT, apparently! And I'm not sure if he's more bothered by the fact that he has to adjust his automatic responses, or by the reminder that the previously-segregated parts of his life are now overlapping, but I'm sure both of those must be pretty disconcerting to him.
I'm never sure if he's thinking of the ancient war, losing Kunlun, losing Ye Zun, or the more recent matters of Zhao Xinci's SID and general Haixing anti-Dixing bigotry.
I think it's probably everything connected to YOHE era, all rolled into one. So much that he can't really talk about.
Shen Wei looks away and grins, too, despite himself.
This is the bit that saves this, for me. Zhao Yunlan's smugness and gloating is kind of insufferable here, or would be if Shen Wei wasn't so clearly fond of him and not seriously bothered by it. This scene shows really well that despite their very different personalities they still fit together.
This is a Shen Wei who’s been up half the night writing a probably quite cathartic account of things Zhao Yunlan did wrong -- the self-criticism -- on Zhao Yunlan’s behalf.
Hee! I love how you put that. :D
Did he come to Haixing just for the Hallows, in search of Kunlun, to corral Dixing troublemakers, or for R&R? Or some combination of those? Did he only remain in Haixing for one of those reasons, or did making a life in academia become a draw in its own right?
I think he originally came for the Hallows and Kunlun, and stayed for more reasons than that, but the Hallows and dealing with Dixing troublemakers are how he can justify it to himself.
Or is he talking specifically here about the Envoy's coming back in episode 1?
Ooh, that's an excellent point! Without having seen the Sundial, would the Envoy have appeared? Would he have appeared anyway because he already saw Zhao Yunlan, and wanted to meet him in his other identity as well? If he hadn’t already seen Zhao Yunlan, would the Sundial have been enough on its own for the Envoy to end the long stretch of not personally dealing with the SID? There's a lot of potential for AU scenarios in that ...
no subject
Yes, me too! Some of them are quite subtle. :-)
And to whom? We've only seen him say it to Zhao Yunlan. I can't think who else would have prompted it. Maybe he just thinks it a lot? *g*
Agreed. He has a lot on his mind and he has to keep his wits about him/override his usual reactions. And yes, I think you're right that it's probably YOHE he's thinking of -- it's such a big, important thing, and he must be wondering if he's changed anything by revealing his secret.
See, ot1h, I totally see how it reads as smug gloating, and Zhao Yunlan definitely started off the tea/recruitment scene the night before (or a few nights before) obnoxiously smug until Shen Wei put him in his place. But here, I really think that Zhao Yunlan is just SO HAPPY to have Shen Wei at his side and to know his secret that he can't keep it in, and because he's not yet able to express himself genuinely, he comes across as a caricature/insincere. (Same with the early flirting.) And I think Shen Wei understands that, however much Zhao Yunlan's EXTREME HAPPINESS grates against his own more complicated frame of mind a little, and knowing that is why it doesn't bug him too much. If that makes sense?
*nodnodnodnodnod*
And for personal as well as political reasons. The Hallows are dangerous, and if someone's after them it could totally spell trouble and he needs to stay on top of that (as well as trying to return them to Dixing for infrastructure reasons), but also, the Hallows must be inextricably linked to Kunlun in his mind, I think? You're absolutely right -- that would make for some awesome AUs. :-)
no subject
Oh, come to think of it I can totally see him deflecting like that whenever he's complimented for something!
But here, I really think that Zhao Yunlan is just SO HAPPY to have Shen Wei at his side and to know his secret that he can't keep it in, and because he's not yet able to express himself genuinely, he comes across as a caricature/insincere.
Yeah, that's a good point. I do think he's genuinely happy! And he really doesn't know how to do "sincere" at this point. I just think it's really obnoxious to be like that at someone who very much doesn't share the mood. (Luckily for him, Shen Wei is used to Kunlun being kind of obnoxious sometimes. *g*)
but also, the Hallows must be inextricably linked to Kunlun in his mind, I think?
Oh, yes, that too! That's a great point. They're plenty important already without the Kunlun connection, but I think it makes complete sense to him that both popped up again at the same time.
no subject
Episode 1, 6:19: "Professor Ouyang, you jest. I'm just an ordinary scholar, doing research as part of my job." !!!! :D
This made me go back to the list of things on Shen Wei's mind and try to guess how many of them Zhao Yunlan is aware of. He presumably doesn't know about the university's no-moonlighting policy or it would have come up sooner, and while he knows Shen Wei has other secrets ("always been friends"), he doesn't have a clue how significant they are. So he might think Shen Wei's silence is mostly "omg you let Zhu Jiu kidnap you!" outrage and Shen Wei's barriers between identities coming crashing down, and think that being "this is a GOOD THING" in Shen Wei's face will help. But yeah, not his best call and extremely jarring from Shen Wei's side.
LOL, so true.
no subject
Oooh, yes, excellent find! :D
So he might think Shen Wei's silence is mostly "omg you let Zhu Jiu kidnap you!" outrage and Shen Wei's barriers between identities coming crashing down, and think that being "this is a GOOD THING" in Shen Wei's face will help.
Yeah, he really doesn't know how serious things are, or how much more there is that he still doesn't have a clue about ...
no subject
(Thanks to an anon source for the link! ♥)
no subject
I wonder if this wasn't the first time Shen Wei witnessed Zhao Yunlan (as Kunlun) over the moon and gloating like a euphoric bunny. Something like this doesn't quite happen again on screen, but there have been a few times Shen Wei is so understanding and familiar with Zhao Yunlan's moods and quirks that he starts to reflexively recall out loud an event from YOHE. I can imagine baby!Shen Wei redder than a pomegranate and trying not to smile thanks to his infectiously charming goofball of a beloved Kunlun.
I always wonder what Shen Wei feels and thinks about everything in relation to the time travel stuff. If he's figured out by this point that Zhao Yunlan is a younger Kunlun, was him figuring out Shen Wei's identity a cunning plan that is much closer to what Kunlun had done during the war compared to his other schemes earlier in the show? Is the giddy, singing, speeding man next to him more recognizably Kunlun than he has been since they met at DCU? It's hard to know, but it's nice to see the real beginning of Shen Wei relaxing himself more around Zhao Yunlan.
Also, is this the only time where Shen Wei suggests that they do not need to have a conversation? Even when things grow more dire, even when one or both of them are highly stressed, they always try to talk or just communicate nonverbally to the point of inventing telepathy. Shen Wei must be super rattled and is trying to re-evaluate his entire HPS-disguised-as-a-humble-doe-eyed-professor strategy. Or he likes this goofy side of Zhao Yunlan enough to let him have his long victory song and dance without interruption? (Like an introvert watching their extrovert friend to express their loud self because that's the best kind of priceless entertainment.)
no subject
I love it too. He's such a bundle of obnoxious joy! *noogies him*
Maybe! I tend to think that, as Zhao Yunlan matures throughout the show and the two of them grow closer, they're more likely to be on the same page at least, but yeah, if they did have reason to celebrate in YOHE, maybe Zhao Yunlan would try to draw him into the celebration by dorkily expressing his own pleasure in Shen Wei's face. Hee!
My own interpretation of that line is that Zhao Yunlan keeps asking questions that Shen Wei can't answer, so rather than continue to refuse to answer, Shen Wei's just, "Let's not talk for now." In other words, I think he really means, "Let's not talk about me." Because Zhao Yunlan does not have his curiosity on a very tight rein! *g* But that's just my reading! And he certainly does seem entertained by Zhao Yunlan's cheeky ebullience by the end of the scene. :-D
no subject
Oh, that's perfect! I really like imagining him bent over the paper, furiously handling the brush - quite cathartic.
Did he only remain in Haixing for one of those reasons, or did making a life in academia become a draw in its own right?
Personally, I'm very much of the opinion that Shen Wei enjoys his job as a Professor, mentoring and teaching students. I think there's a fair bit of evidence throughout the series to support that, from his reluctance to give up his university job even when he clearly started having trouble juggling all his responsibilities time-wise to the way he's just so supportive of his students. So, yes, I think it became a draw in its own right - not enough to supersede his duties at any point, but enough that he wouldn't have chosen to return to living in Dixing unless necessary.
Shen Wei, in wry Professor Shen mode, starts, "I may let them down. I'm just an ordinary--" but cuts himself off and looks discomfited.
This catches me in the feels every damn time, but the implications are quite interesting. Of course he's been saying it a lot to Zhao Yunlan specifically recently, but just how reflexive it is implies to me that perhaps he's been in situations where he needed to reassure people/colleagues/friend/whichever that he's 'totally 100% normal if maybe a little odd' even before Zhao Yunlan came into the picture (aka, that he's always had a little trouble passing as ordinary). Or, alternatively, if it's something he keeps having to tell himself, to stop himself from revealing too much when a little application of his power could help someone.
no subject
Yes, me too, absolutely! I think it's very meaningful for him and a source of much pleasure. But I'm not sure if he'd let himself stay in Haixing because of it, particularly when Dixing is in such a state, you know?
Yes, exactly!
I don't know if you saw in my exchange with
no subject
Or is he talking specifically here about the Envoy's coming back in episode 1? He recognises Li Qian's necklace just before the Shadow Man attacks. Was that why the Envoy made his appearance?
yes, I'm inclined to think this is the only thing that makes sense--"come back here" used loosely to mean "the SID and closer association therewith," as opposed to the general Envoy job that he's been doing for years. (Possibly also lying, and maybe also lying to himself, about how his motivation is not Kunlun-related?)
This is a Shen Wei who’s been up half the night writing a probably quite cathartic account of things Zhao Yunlan did wrong -- the self-criticism -- on Zhao Yunlan’s behalf.
Oh yes! This is great. (The blistering twenty-page version also probably deviated here and there into wistful and/or self-excoriating renderings of Zhao Yunlan's hypothetical attitude toward Shen Wei himself...)
no subject
Yes, excellent point and, really, Zhao Yunlan's saving grace! 100% agree. :-)
*nodnod* That makes a lot of sense. And also, yeah, agreed about him possibly lying to himself, too. He must have wondered how Zhao Yunlan would react to the sight of him in the once-familiar robes, surely!
LOL! Absolutely! :D :D :D