but he does seem to sense that something is very wrong with the situation, and to be basically prepared for things to go sideways at any point
Yeah, agreed - he seems tense, restrained and wary the entire time we see him in Dixing, ready for whatever may happen. He's very aware of the situation, and I don't think he trusts Wu Xiaojun, even if he isn't 100% sure he's been subverted.
(And then when something does happen, he doesn't defend himself, and deliberately lets it happen. That is such a moment, OMG!)
(he may feel that poking the Regent is the fastest way to get it over with?)
Oh, yeah, I can see that! And maybe also finding out just how far Ye Zun's mind control goes.
I feel like those are probably all three his goals, in reverse order--start with buying time, get through to his brother if he somehow can, and if none of it works, die with him. (It seems to me that Shen Wei considers himself here in Dixing to die, soon or late, he's just trying to do it at the best time, without wasting his death.)
Totally agreed on the order of goals! About Shen Wei being there to die, I'm not sure. I used to believe he walked into Dixing this time round 100% determined to die - get himself captured and end things. Now, I still believe he's 100% ready to die, that he expects to die - but I'd like to believe he's still, despite all that, hoping it somehow won't come to that, and that there's a better future waiting for them ...
I'm ashamed to recount how many times I have rewatched this particular moment.
It's an eminently rewatchable moment! :D
Ooh! Love this.
I love learning about idioms; they're so fascinating!
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Yeah, agreed - he seems tense, restrained and wary the entire time we see him in Dixing, ready for whatever may happen. He's very aware of the situation, and I don't think he trusts Wu Xiaojun, even if he isn't 100% sure he's been subverted.
(And then when something does happen, he doesn't defend himself, and deliberately lets it happen. That is such a moment, OMG!)
(he may feel that poking the Regent is the fastest way to get it over with?)
Oh, yeah, I can see that! And maybe also finding out just how far Ye Zun's mind control goes.
I feel like those are probably all three his goals, in reverse order--start with buying time, get through to his brother if he somehow can, and if none of it works, die with him. (It seems to me that Shen Wei considers himself here in Dixing to die, soon or late, he's just trying to do it at the best time, without wasting his death.)
Totally agreed on the order of goals! About Shen Wei being there to die, I'm not sure. I used to believe he walked into Dixing this time round 100% determined to die - get himself captured and end things. Now, I still believe he's 100% ready to die, that he expects to die - but I'd like to believe he's still, despite all that, hoping it somehow won't come to that, and that there's a better future waiting for them ...
I'm ashamed to recount how many times I have rewatched this particular moment.
It's an eminently rewatchable moment! :D
Ooh! Love this.
I love learning about idioms; they're so fascinating!