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sid_guardian2021-11-12 01:29 pm
shadaras) wrote in sid_guardian2021-11-12 01:29 pm
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Focus On: Zhu Jiu Wakes Up in the SID (ep20)
Timestamp: Episode 20, 23:22-25:35
I’m using the community subs Solo made.
Screencaps sourced fromkernezelda’s screencap galleries.
Context:
This happens after Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan trick and capture Zhu Jiu. Earlier this episode, we learned how and why Zhu Jiu pledged himself to Ye Zun, and why he has such a grudge against Hei Pao Shi.
The SID discusses how injured the unconscious Zhu Jiu is, and Zhu Hong uses her family’s snake venom to heal Zhu Jiu enough that they’ll have a chance to interrogate him. Since Zhu Jiu remains unconscious for some time, the SID rescues Guo Changcheng, Chu Shuzhi, and YH from the labs and have a nice reunion dinner.
Unfortunately, the Inspectorate asks Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei to go debrief during this dinner, leaving the rest of the SID to watch over Zhu Jiu on their own. At 22:27-22:50, Ye Zun calls out to Zhu Jiu in his mind, rousing him back to consciousness.
Events:
Zhu Jiu is strapped to the medical table in the SID’s lab. He thrashes around as he wakes up.
When Zhu Jiu opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is Guo Changcheng. Guo Changcheng is startled, and takes a few seconds to shout out that “Zhu Jiu is awake!” for everyone to hear, while Zhu Jiu takes a look at the straps holding him in place.
Zhu Jiu laughs a little and settles his head back on the gurney in defeat. Eyes closed, he says, “So I failed completely in the end.”
Guo Changcheng, because he’s an earnest sweetheart, comes over and says, “Are you thirsty? Do you want a cup of water? I saved some dumplings for you, let me get them.”
There’s a beat, as Zhu Jiu turns his head towards Guo Changcheng. I don’t think Zhu Jiu opens his eyes here; if he does it’s very slight! Then Zhu Jiu goes, “Are you crazy?” because Guo Changcheng’s politeness can’t be anything he expected (and possibly nothing like he’s experienced before).
Guo Changcheng: “No I’m not.”
Zhu Jiu: “I’m the SID’s mortal enemy.” (Eyes open; he looks confused and tired.) “You used to curse me. And now you want to give me water?” (He raises his head again, still confused but more aggressive now.) “What the hell is that about?”
Guo Changcheng: “I didn’t think of that.” (He’s still standing politely, looking at Zhu Jiu.) “Eat when hungry, drink when thirsty.” [Zhu Jiu’s head flops back onto the gurney in defeat, turned away from Guo Changcheng.] “How else do we survive?” (Shot changes to a close up of Guo Changcheng’s face) “Anyway, you can’t commit crimes now. We’re all equal.”
Zhu Jiu’s eyes open, and he stares up at the ceiling. “Equal?” He raises his head again to look at Guo Changcheng. “Ridiculous. I’m an upright Dixingren.” More angrily, he continues with, “How could I be equal to you humans?”
As he finishes that line, Chu Shuzhi strides in. Guo Changcheng is immediately paying attention to Chu Shuzhi. Zhu Jiu continues, saying, “How could I be equal to the likes of you!” and then Chu Shuzhi punches him.
Zhu Jiu bounces off the table a little, but he does stop talking.
Chu Shuzhi grabs Zhu Jiu’s chin and forces him to look at Chu Shuzhi. As Zhu Jiu starts laughing, Chu Shuzhi asks, “How do you feel?” His tone of voice is quite neutral.
Zhu Jiu says, “More comfortable than ever” and then they both laugh.
Chu Shuzhi bends closer over Zhu Jiu and says “Good.” His own animosity comes out as he says, “Enjoy the rest of your time like that.”
Chu Shuzhi releases Zhu Jiu (whose own mask of a smile fakes) and turns away, calling for Guo Changcheng. Chu Shuzhi strides out of the room and tells Guo Changcheng to take Zhu Jiu to be interrogated.
Guo Changcheng comes up to Zhu Jiu and starts undoing the straps holding him down.
Zhu Jiu says “Wait” (Guo Changcheng does) and then, staring up at the ceiling, says, “I need to use the restroom.”
Guo Changcheng pauses and glances at the door Chu Shuzhi left through.
Then Guo Changcheng continues undoing Zhu Jiu’s bonds. He doesn’t say anything to acknowledge Zhu Jiu’s request in this scene.
(We find out pretty soon, of course, that Guo Changcheng did as Zhu Jiu asked.)
Commentary:
I picked this scene partially because I just really like Zhu Jiu, but a lot because I think the conversation he has with Guo Changcheng is fascinating!...also there's my chu shuzhi/zhu jiu hateship agenda...
Guo Changcheng’s sincerity and kindheartedness seems like something Zhu Jiu hasn’t experienced since joining Ye Zun. He might have before that—he had to get his own too-easily-shattered idealism about serving Dixing somewhere—but Ye Zun’s influence has left Zhu Jiu very bitter and violent, devoted only to Ye Zun and his goals.
Guo Changcheng is the antithesis of a lot of Ye Zun’s goals, in that Guo Changcheng’s heart is big enough for the whole world and he’s going to do his absolute best to help everyone even when he stumbles.
So yeah, Zhu Jiu wakes up from Ye Zun’s voice and is confronted by Guo Changcheng and it feels like there’s a moment where Zhu Jiu’s too shocked to be able to parse anything that’s happening. Which means, unfortunately, that he falls back into the trap of Ye Zun’s (probably magically-enhanced) brainwashing and declares the Dixingren supremacy he’s been trained to espouse.
Chu Shuzhi, then, comes in and punches Zhu Jiu. This almost feels like a microcosm of the Ye Zun-Shen Wei debate (and resolution) in this show: “We’re equal” as the original worldstate, Ye Zun (here embodied in his disciple) going “We aren’t”, and Shen Wei (here represented by Chu Shuzhi) acting to defend that equality.
...also, on a less-meta note: I just really enjoy Zhu Jiu and Chu Shuzhi’s antagonism and how often they laugh and smile together and how it’s all a show, a nice little facade over their actual feeling and violence. It’s a delight to watch.
A few other thoughts/questions:
Why did Chu Shuzhi leave Guo Changcheng alone to bring Zhu Jiu to the interrogation room? I understand the plot/narrative reason—Guo Changcheng is the only person Zhu Jiu could so easily trick and overpower—but why did he leave? Did Chu Shuzhi worry he’d snap and kill Zhu Jiu if he stayed? Did he think Zhu Jiu was still weaker/more injured than he actually was? Something else?
For that matter, they don’t seem to be using the medical equipment Zhu Jiu’s tied to for anything right now other than something to tie him to. Why didn’t they move him to the interrogation chamber already?
I’m using the community subs Solo made.
Screencaps sourced from
kernezelda’s screencap galleries.Context:
This happens after Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan trick and capture Zhu Jiu. Earlier this episode, we learned how and why Zhu Jiu pledged himself to Ye Zun, and why he has such a grudge against Hei Pao Shi.
The SID discusses how injured the unconscious Zhu Jiu is, and Zhu Hong uses her family’s snake venom to heal Zhu Jiu enough that they’ll have a chance to interrogate him. Since Zhu Jiu remains unconscious for some time, the SID rescues Guo Changcheng, Chu Shuzhi, and YH from the labs and have a nice reunion dinner.
Unfortunately, the Inspectorate asks Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei to go debrief during this dinner, leaving the rest of the SID to watch over Zhu Jiu on their own. At 22:27-22:50, Ye Zun calls out to Zhu Jiu in his mind, rousing him back to consciousness.
Events:
Zhu Jiu is strapped to the medical table in the SID’s lab. He thrashes around as he wakes up.
When Zhu Jiu opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is Guo Changcheng. Guo Changcheng is startled, and takes a few seconds to shout out that “Zhu Jiu is awake!” for everyone to hear, while Zhu Jiu takes a look at the straps holding him in place.
Zhu Jiu laughs a little and settles his head back on the gurney in defeat. Eyes closed, he says, “So I failed completely in the end.”
Guo Changcheng, because he’s an earnest sweetheart, comes over and says, “Are you thirsty? Do you want a cup of water? I saved some dumplings for you, let me get them.”
There’s a beat, as Zhu Jiu turns his head towards Guo Changcheng. I don’t think Zhu Jiu opens his eyes here; if he does it’s very slight! Then Zhu Jiu goes, “Are you crazy?” because Guo Changcheng’s politeness can’t be anything he expected (and possibly nothing like he’s experienced before).
Guo Changcheng: “No I’m not.”
Zhu Jiu: “I’m the SID’s mortal enemy.” (Eyes open; he looks confused and tired.) “You used to curse me. And now you want to give me water?” (He raises his head again, still confused but more aggressive now.) “What the hell is that about?”
Guo Changcheng: “I didn’t think of that.” (He’s still standing politely, looking at Zhu Jiu.) “Eat when hungry, drink when thirsty.” [Zhu Jiu’s head flops back onto the gurney in defeat, turned away from Guo Changcheng.] “How else do we survive?” (Shot changes to a close up of Guo Changcheng’s face) “Anyway, you can’t commit crimes now. We’re all equal.”
Zhu Jiu’s eyes open, and he stares up at the ceiling. “Equal?” He raises his head again to look at Guo Changcheng. “Ridiculous. I’m an upright Dixingren.” More angrily, he continues with, “How could I be equal to you humans?”
As he finishes that line, Chu Shuzhi strides in. Guo Changcheng is immediately paying attention to Chu Shuzhi. Zhu Jiu continues, saying, “How could I be equal to the likes of you!” and then Chu Shuzhi punches him.
Zhu Jiu bounces off the table a little, but he does stop talking.
Chu Shuzhi grabs Zhu Jiu’s chin and forces him to look at Chu Shuzhi. As Zhu Jiu starts laughing, Chu Shuzhi asks, “How do you feel?” His tone of voice is quite neutral.
Zhu Jiu says, “More comfortable than ever” and then they both laugh.
Chu Shuzhi bends closer over Zhu Jiu and says “Good.” His own animosity comes out as he says, “Enjoy the rest of your time like that.”
Chu Shuzhi releases Zhu Jiu (whose own mask of a smile fakes) and turns away, calling for Guo Changcheng. Chu Shuzhi strides out of the room and tells Guo Changcheng to take Zhu Jiu to be interrogated.
Guo Changcheng comes up to Zhu Jiu and starts undoing the straps holding him down.
Zhu Jiu says “Wait” (Guo Changcheng does) and then, staring up at the ceiling, says, “I need to use the restroom.”
Guo Changcheng pauses and glances at the door Chu Shuzhi left through.
Then Guo Changcheng continues undoing Zhu Jiu’s bonds. He doesn’t say anything to acknowledge Zhu Jiu’s request in this scene.
(We find out pretty soon, of course, that Guo Changcheng did as Zhu Jiu asked.)
Commentary:
I picked this scene partially because I just really like Zhu Jiu, but a lot because I think the conversation he has with Guo Changcheng is fascinating!
Guo Changcheng’s sincerity and kindheartedness seems like something Zhu Jiu hasn’t experienced since joining Ye Zun. He might have before that—he had to get his own too-easily-shattered idealism about serving Dixing somewhere—but Ye Zun’s influence has left Zhu Jiu very bitter and violent, devoted only to Ye Zun and his goals.
Guo Changcheng is the antithesis of a lot of Ye Zun’s goals, in that Guo Changcheng’s heart is big enough for the whole world and he’s going to do his absolute best to help everyone even when he stumbles.
So yeah, Zhu Jiu wakes up from Ye Zun’s voice and is confronted by Guo Changcheng and it feels like there’s a moment where Zhu Jiu’s too shocked to be able to parse anything that’s happening. Which means, unfortunately, that he falls back into the trap of Ye Zun’s (probably magically-enhanced) brainwashing and declares the Dixingren supremacy he’s been trained to espouse.
Chu Shuzhi, then, comes in and punches Zhu Jiu. This almost feels like a microcosm of the Ye Zun-Shen Wei debate (and resolution) in this show: “We’re equal” as the original worldstate, Ye Zun (here embodied in his disciple) going “We aren’t”, and Shen Wei (here represented by Chu Shuzhi) acting to defend that equality.
...also, on a less-meta note: I just really enjoy Zhu Jiu and Chu Shuzhi’s antagonism and how often they laugh and smile together and how it’s all a show, a nice little facade over their actual feeling and violence. It’s a delight to watch.
A few other thoughts/questions:
Why did Chu Shuzhi leave Guo Changcheng alone to bring Zhu Jiu to the interrogation room? I understand the plot/narrative reason—Guo Changcheng is the only person Zhu Jiu could so easily trick and overpower—but why did he leave? Did Chu Shuzhi worry he’d snap and kill Zhu Jiu if he stayed? Did he think Zhu Jiu was still weaker/more injured than he actually was? Something else?
For that matter, they don’t seem to be using the medical equipment Zhu Jiu’s tied to for anything right now other than something to tie him to. Why didn’t they move him to the interrogation chamber already?
no subject
...even if part of that is me wanting to mug him for his clothes and jewellery<.<I like that even in the face of the enemy who's been opposing them all this time, Xiao Guo still remembers that people are people; sure Zhu Jiu would kill him if he could, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve water or food. One of the things I really like about Xiao Guo is that he's kind!
> I just really enjoy Zhu Jiu and Chu Shuzhi’s antagonism and how often they laugh and smile together and how it’s all a show, a nice little facade over their actual feeling and violence.
That screenshot of Lao Chu smiling down at Zhu Jiu... phew!! Those two really just want to tear each other apart, and the thinly leashed violence is something else hehehe
> Why did Chu Shuzhi leave Guo Changcheng alone to bring Zhu Jiu to the interrogation room?
I got the impression that Zhu Jiu was pretty badly injured and expected to die without the intervention of the Snake medicine - so it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't expect him to be able to put up much of a fight, especially not with the dark energy suppressing handcuffs.
> Why didn’t they move him to the interrogation chamber already?
Is there anywhere to lie down in the interrogation room? Maybe he had to be moving under his own power because he would only be able to sit while he was there, and they didn't want to just dump him on the floor?
no subject
Yes! He's such a good person. :D
no subject
no subject
Yes, yes! I love that too! :-)
Is there anywhere to lie down in the interrogation room? Maybe he had to be moving under his own power because he would only be able to sit while he was there, and they didn't want to just dump him on the floor?
That's a good point. And yeah, I agree, they probably thought he was still weaker than he actually was, and that Guo Changcheng would ask someone before being tricked into taking off the handcuffs. (I wonder if he would have asked CSZ first, if CSZ hadn't been behaving in such an explosively angry manner?)
no subject
Maybe he was trying to get Guo to assume a more responsible role ...? A bit thin, though. I yelled at the TV when he did that.
I love Zhu Jiu's schtick - his mad eyes (a bit like Glory, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and the way he sometimes looks like he's thinking, "Did I do/say that? I'm so crazy, I scare myself."
no subject
Hee! That's a great connection -- they certainly do have some similarities! :-)
no subject
It looks to me like he has them open just a tiny bit – the light does reflect off his eyes.
Zhu Jiu continues, saying, “How could I be equal to the likes of you!” and then Chu Shuzhi punches him.
Impulse control, Lao-Chu!
Really, punching a guy who#s tied up, not to mention already at death's door? I'm not fond of this moment at all, and it sours the whole scene for me. The aggressive mutual laughing is so great, but. No.
Guo Changcheng’s sincerity and kindheartedness seems like something Zhu Jiu hasn’t experienced since joining Ye Zun.
Yes! GCC is so good like that, the opposite of everything Zhu Jiu has chosen to be in Ye Zun’s service.
This almost feels like a microcosm of the Ye Zun-Shen Wei debate (and resolution) in this show: “We’re equal” as the original worldstate, Ye Zun (here embodied in his disciple) going “We aren’t”, and Shen Wei (here represented by Chu Shuzhi) acting to defend that equality.
I can see the thematic resonance, but CSZ (in this scene) is fighting words with violence. I wouldn't call that a defence.
Why did Chu Shuzhi leave Guo Changcheng alone to bring Zhu Jiu to the interrogation room?
I figure they thought he was incapacitated enough that it didn’t matter. (And it might not have, if GCC hadn't been silly enough to take off the handcuffs!)
Why didn’t they move him to the interrogation chamber already?
I don’t think there's room in there, as
no subject
Yeah, that's what I thought, too.
Really, punching a guy who#s tied up, not to mention already at death's door? I'm not fond of this moment at all, and it sours the whole scene for me. The aggressive mutual laughing is so great, but. No.
Yeah, it's pretty dodgy, eh? In some ways, though, it seems to put Zhu Jiu at ease. He knows where he stands with hostile captors -- whereas GCC's kindness was doing his head in. *g*
(And it might not have, if GCC hadn't been silly enough to take off the handcuffs!)
I was just saying above, maybe GCC would have checked with CSZ first, if CSZ hadn't proven himself violently unsympathetic to Zhu Jiu's needs...
no subject
I really liked this episode in that it really felt like it humanized ZJ much more and I know I felt some sympathy for him while watching the scenes.
...also, on a less-meta note: I just really enjoy Zhu Jiu and Chu Shuzhi’s antagonism and how often they laugh and smile together and how it’s all a show, a nice little facade over their actual feeling and violence. It’s a delight to watch.
And yes, that was some excellent acting on their parts! The whole subtext of: Haha going to kill you and also nono, haha, I'll kill you first, sort of vibe.
And GCC, he is really the heart/soul of the SID crew. You can just get the sense that he's trying so hard to help ZJ see that they're all just people in the end, and they don't need to be enemies.
no subject
*nodnod* That makes sense.
And GCC, he is really the heart/soul of the SID crew. You can just get the sense that he's trying so hard to help ZJ see that they're all just people in the end, and they don't need to be enemies.
Yes! He makes everyone around him better, too. I wonder if a glimmer of his pure goodness would have eventually got influenced Zhu Jiu, if Zhu Jiu hadn't managed to escape first... I mean, probably not, given all Ye Zun's mindgames, but it's interesting to think about.
no subject
Chu Shuzhi's violence against a restrained prisoner seems out of place to me, for so many reasons -- as a representative of the SID, as a representative of the Envoy, the fact that he does it right there in front of Changcheng! (Isn't he worried about what Changcheng will think of him? Maybe that's why he leaves so abruptly?) I wonder how much it's pent-up fury at Zhu Jiu's specific attack on Changcheng and Ye Huo. Like, I'm not sure Chu Shuzhi would do that on his own behalf, you know? And he's certainly not acting as a SID agent. Or maybe it's more like one Dixing criminal to another. Oh, maybe in Chu Shuzhi's mind, this is a foretaste of what's in store for Zhu Jiu in Dixing prison?
Or is it just a language of violence, and CSZ recognises that they both speak it, and doesn't want Zhu Jiu to get comfortable or think he can rely on Changcheng's good-naturedness? /random questions, no answers
Anyway. *leaves kudos* :-D