Focus on: Episode 12: Zhao Yunlan & Shen Wei talk and have two different conversations

[awanderingcoyote]

Location of the scene: Episode 12, 4:41 to 7:48

I sourced the screencaps from sid_guardian | Guardian Screencaps, Episodes 12-19 (dreamwidth.org) :heartheart:

Special Note: For this episode, there is a TW for mention of suicide. Also of note, I’m using Viki’s translations of the dialogue. Last note, my thoughts at the time of writing the screencaps up are in ()'s.

Context: In episode 11, SID is called into a research institute/lab because of three apparent suicides of three scientists. It’s found that one of the scientists called Shen Wei’s several times before his death. When we meet up with Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan in episode 12, Shen Wei is talking about his colleague and how it couldn’t be suicide while Zhao Yunlan is talking about something else altogether, mostly.

The scene opens with Shen Wei making/pouring tea for Zhao Yunlan and Zhao Yunlan sitting on the couch in Shen Wei’s spacious office. Zhao Yunlan sits and watches Shen Wei.


There’s a moment when Shen Wei turns around and looks at Zhao Yunlan and then the camera shows the perspective of Zhao Yunlan looking back at him. (To me ZYL’s face is very serious here. No laughter, no gregarious expressions, very serious, which isn’t how we see it often, this sets such a tone for ZYL)


Shen Wei comes around and places the teacup on the table between the two of them. To note, as Shen Wei walked around Zhao Yunlan definitely followed his movements the whole time. As Shen Wei begins to sit the camera pans over SW’s shoulder to give a glimpse of ZYL’s face. (It is such seriousness. SUCH seriousness)


When the camera pans back to SW his expression is quite blank/neutral. (To me this reads as SW putting a wall of ‘don’t look at me’, though not in the actual sense, more like the please don’t see beneath my very professor-ly glasses and soft sweater vest)


Eventually, SW looks to ZYL and the two have a staring moment where SW shifts several times in his seat (nerves? I read this as nerves. I also like how the camera angle showed it over ZYL’s shoulder/perspective this time.)


SW only starts talking once he’s looked away from ZYL (SW looks so dedicated with all the words he's about to say in the next two minutes LOL)


The next bit is dialogue-heavy so I’m going to condense the picture spam a little bit and just fangirl over the parts that made me really go OMG. Though this whole scene really did just make me go OMG for the whole four-ish minutes.

SW opens with: Correct Zheng ZhongYuan was one of my upperclassmen in university. He majored in sonar. Which is the transmission of sound waves underwater. We always communicated in our fields of research. Last night at 11 he even called me to discuss new results from his research claiming he achieved oscillation of sound waves but out of water.

(It’s interesting to note that at the beginning of what SW said ZYL was looking at him, but as he continued to speak ZYL’s gaze dropped down. SW pretty much keeps his gaze down for the majority of this conversation. ZYL only looked back up at SW with his next line.)

ZYL: Professor Shen, your body sure recovered fast (obviously not referencing anything in what SW just said)

SW: It’s impossible he committed suicide. He was very competitive, a scholar with great ambitions. He was deeply passionate and eager about his research in sound waves. So, unless he was bewitched into delusion, I can’t imagine any other possibility. (clearly he was all: I shall ignore what ZYL just said and add more words to keep him at arm’s length)

ZYL: I’ve been thinking, since Professor Shen never drinks and is cut-off from all electronics, you’re pretty much a living fossil. Seeing things now my intuition is actually useful sometimes. (ZYL is just like: I’m gonna keep pushing, yup!)

SW has something of a frowny face: Are you even listening to me? (I just about died here just pls SW pls)

ZYL leans in: I only want to hear you tell the truth (I’m dying even more here)



(The staring. STARING. Also, SW swallows audibly as the two stare at each other. I can just hear the aw snap in my head with that, but SW is SW and so he continues onward!)

SW: Sound manipulation isn’t my field of expertise. Regarding this case I want to help but I don’t have the capability.
As soon as SW speaks ZYL drops his head and clasps his hands together. (pls SW pls)


ZYL: You damn well know this isn’t what I’m talking about. (I believe ZYL is hitting the table with his hands - because he is done. DONE . Also, he doesn't look up at SW until the very end of what he has to say)
SW just looks down his expression that of a kicked puppy.


They share another look (my heart *wheeze* I’m dying again)

SW leans back and then further forward: It seems that Chief Zhao still hasn’t given up suspecting me.

ZYL: Not suspicion but lack of understanding.
ZYL gets up and grabs a chair and continues to speak: It’s strange long-lived sundial, mountain river awl, even though we’ve gone through so much together still, I realized you’re becoming more and more perplexing to me.


SW, while not looking at ZYL once again: Sometimes when you think too deeply your perception becomes clouded instead. To be honest I’m just a normal person who happens to be unlucky.

At this, ZYL looks to roll his eyes and head before he closes his eyes (I read this as ZYL not wanting to look at SW as he tries to pull this act again)

Poor SW tries to smile/laugh it off and here he looks at ZYL again. (I feel like there's a fragility to SW's demeanor in this moment)


SW: I don’t know why somehow I became involved in these strange cases and that’s all there is to it. ZYL rolls his eyes and head again and actually lifts his hand in frustration. (ZYL's expression read a cross between frustration and FFS. Also, I think Shen Wei’s theme song plays in the background when he speaks.)

(The head roll from ZYL. He is like: I am done. Pls dear god I’m done.)


ZYL: Fine. Forget it. Gonna make a call.
SW looks away (the sadness in those eyes)


My Favorites of this Scene:
There are many things that hit me as my favorites in this scene, but I would have to say the amount of intense stares between the two and all the emotion that Zhao Yunlan puts out there by being quiet and serious and frustrated, versus flippant.

Sure, Zhao Yunlan is seemingly 'free' with his emotions, but really he hides behind his over-the-top flirty, go-happy-lucky-guy, but in this scene, the emotions are honest to gosh real. There’s no hiding behind teases, no hiding behind playfulness, Zhao Yunlan has stripped that all away and has basically offered it to Shen Wei.

And while Shen Wei sees this and understands this for this moment (or so I think with all those STARES and swallows) he can’t quite yet give Zhao Yunlan the truth of the whole situation.

Which is sad. SO SAD. Because Zhao Yunlan wears that upbeat attitude of himself like armor and here, he’s taken that armor off and has been rebuffed by SW.

It makes me feel bad for the two of them. ZYL trying so hard to get SW to be honest with him and SW trying just as hard to protect ZYL by keeping him in the dark. Even if that tactic rarely ever works out for SW.

The tension with the back and forth was really great. The camera work was likewise really great giving glimpses of each as they react to one another and all the unsaid things that are flying quickly in the undercurrent.

Pondering Points & Questions:
* I love how in quite a few episodes with big emotions it always seems to happen around a couch LOL. Whether it’s ZYL’s apartment couch, SW’s office/apartment couch, or the SID bullpen couch, but if there’s a moment it’s probably near a couch.

* Did anyone else feel like when SW paused before bringing the tea over to the table that there was just a sense of trepidation from him? To me, it felt like when he looked at ZYL that he knew this wouldn’t necessarily be a normal (as normal as one can get) conversation. Especially with ZYL so serious. So. Serious.

* It’s pretty clear what ZYL is feeling in this scene, but what thoughts do you think are going through SW’s head as they speak? Especially when he wouldn’t look at ZYL as he talked about his colleague.

Any other thoughts, comments, or questions are most welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read my spammy spammy post. :heartheart:

Comments

[trepkos]

The scene is a thing of beauty, and it's so sad that Zhao Yunlan had to trick the truth out of Shen Wei.
I don't know why Shen keeps it secret for so long - does he maybe think Zhao will like him less if he knows he is the BCE?

[awanderingcoyote]

It really is a thing of beauty, completely agree!!

And possibly that's what SW thinks! He for sure doesn't want ZYL to see him differently/think differently of him. It would break SW's heart!!

I could also see it being the fear of possibly pushing things faster forward (IE: SW's timeline for his end game concerning how to save everything/everyone and most importantly ZYL) and doesn't want it to go by quicker.

But definitely some component of fear in there for SW. Thank you so much for commenting and reading :D I appreciate it!!

[trepkos]

Thanks for taking the trouble to put it together! Zhao gives Shen so many chances to "come clean" it hurts.
Also, the set dressers did an amazing job.

[awanderingcoyote]

Yes, he did have so many moments to come clean! Totally agree!! And yes, the set was very well dressed. Such a nice professor office :D

[nnozomi]

Oh, this is a great read of this scene (also nice screencaps). I don't have much to put in, but you're so right about Zhao Yunlan's serious face and its effect.
ZYL rolls his eyes and head again and actually lifts his hand in frustration. (ZYL's expression read a cross between frustration and FFS.
Also, this always seems to me--if I'm remembering the moment right--like the typical gestures Zhao Yunlan uses when he's going to make a joke out of something, pass it off as a casual no-problem, except that he doesn't complete the gesture or go on to make the switch into pseudo-lightheartedness the way he usually would. This in itself shows so effectively how angry and frustrated he is.

[awanderingcoyote]

Oh my gosh, yes! I didn't even think of that with his typical play it off gesture, but yes! I can totally see that and then it's aborted because of ZYL's level of frustration.

And I think SW was possibly going for that maybe - to try and get them back on their typical footing of serious SW and playful ZYL, but they were well past that point :D Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!!

[china_shop]

Ahh, this is a great post for one of my favourite scenes! Yayay!

I have a bit of a different reading of it than yours, though, because I don't really see Shen Wei as fearful. I think he's proud and stubborn, and he has that reserved Envoy observing-and-weighing thing going on. Re not maintaining eye contact, I tend to read that as a formality/reserve thing, rather than a nervousness thing (plus I read once that it's impolite to maintain eye contact in China, so I factor that in). Obviously MMV!

So, here, I think he starts out all, "Okay, ZYL has figured something out, and we have to negotiate how we're going to deal with that moving forward. I'm sticking to my no-confirmation plan; eventually he'll accept that and play along." So he keeps acting as if nothing has changed, nothing is wrong, and waiting for ZYL to fall in line. There's an uncertainty/frustration to it, because of course Shen Wei doesn't want to be at odds with ZYL himself or step back from him personally, but ultimately he's the Envoy of Dixing -- he doesn't owe anyone his secrets, not even (least of all?) the chief of the SID.

(Also, I kind of love that Shen Wei makes ZYL tea but doesn't make any for himself. He's doing the bare minimum politeness requires. *g*)

Meanwhile I think ZYL starts out staring at Shen Wei to try and reconcile the Professor with the Envoy. He's still getting a handle on the enormity of it. The Envoy of Dixing is making him tea! But he knows, now, and he wants Shen Wei to say it, to let him in. And you're totally right, he's not hiding his feelings or fronting here. So he unsubtly hints that he knows (but never asks outright) and gets frustrated that Shen Wei won't volunteer a confirmation.

I think ZYL expects Shen Wei to spill based on the strength of their friendship and never considers that the Envoy might have good reasons both political and existential for holding back (as well as personal reasons which are maybe more obvious). But I do love how ZYL moves to sit next to Shen Wei, indicating that as far as he's concerned they're on the same side. He doesn't want to go head-to-head, he wants to stand shoulder to shoulder.

And he tries again, and Shen Wei repeats his cover story, once more inviting and encouraging ZYL to go along with it. Even laughing slightly. Refusing to budge. And ZYL gives up but without conceding.

tl;dr, I feel like Shen Wei is acting as the Envoy for a lot of this scene, politicking and negotiating under the surface. And I think ZYL totally knows that, and it's driving him bonkers because it's not what he wants from Shen Wei. *pets him* And Shen Wei regrets that ZYL feels that way, but not enough to deviate from his plan (because SO DAMN STUBBORN).

And then, to quote myself from 2019:

SW: Honestly, I'm just a normal person, nothing to see here.
ZYL: Fine. Forget it. I'm making a phone call... Something's wrong at the office!
SW: *immediately drops charade* I'll go with you.
ZYL: *nods*

Like, what do they talk about in the car on the way? (I'm guessing they probably don't. Because Zhao Yunlan is thinking, "If you'd told me the truth, we could have teleported! If anyone gets hurt, it's on you!" And Shen Wei is alarmed by his driving and doesn't want to distract him.) (Does the jeep have one of those portable stick-it-on-the-roof sirens? It really should!!)


In conclusion: THE STARING!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Thanks again for this great post!

[awanderingcoyote]

I have a bit of a different reading of it than yours, though, because I don't really see Shen Wei as fearful. I think he's proud and stubborn, and he has that reserved Envoy observing-and-weighing thing going on. Re not maintaining eye contact, I tend to read that as a formality/reserve thing, rather than a nervousness thing (plus I read once that it's impolite to maintain eye contact in China, so I factor that in). Obviously MMV!
Ahh I didn't even think of this, but yes this makes perfect sense!!

So, here, I think he starts out all, "Okay, ZYL has figured something out, and we have to negotiate how we're going to deal with that moving forward. I'm sticking to my no-confirmation plan; eventually he'll accept that and play along." So he keeps acting as if nothing has changed, nothing is wrong, and waiting for ZYL to fall in line. There's an uncertainty/frustration to it, because of course Shen Wei doesn't want to be at odds with ZYL himself or step back from him personally, but ultimately he's the Envoy of Dixing -- he doesn't owe anyone his secrets, not even (least of all?) the chief of the SID.
Yes to all the above! He is trying so *so* hard to get ZYL to return to the status quo. Trying so hard.

I think ZYL expects Shen Wei to spill based on the strength of their friendship and never considers that the Envoy might have good reasons both political and existential for holding back (as well as personal reasons which are maybe more obvious). But I do love how ZYL moves to sit next to Shen Wei, indicating that as far as he's concerned they're on the same side. He doesn't want to go head-to-head, he wants to stand shoulder to shoulder.
Yes, I too love how he sat next to SW like: Dude we are in this together. He's trying so hard to get SW to meet him halfway.

tl;dr, I feel like Shen Wei is acting as the Envoy for a lot of this scene, politicking and negotiating under the surface. And I think ZYL totally knows that, and it's driving him bonkers because it's not what he wants from Shen Wei. *pets him* And Shen Wei regrets that ZYL feels that way, but not enough to deviate from his plan (because SO DAMN STUBBORN).
Yes yes to all of this!

Like, what do they talk about in the car on the way? (I'm guessing they probably don't. Because Zhao Yunlan is thinking, "If you'd told me the truth, we could have teleported! If anyone gets hurt, it's on you!" And Shen Wei is alarmed by his driving and doesn't want to distract him.) (Does the jeep have one of those portable stick-it-on-the-roof sirens? It really should!!)
I imagine it was a very quiet car ride, yes. Similar to the car ride after ZYL sees SW with his father. As for portaling, yes! Like, come on SW we could have been there in two seconds LOLOL.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I appreciate it!! I really had awesome fun breaking the scene down :D Can't wait to do another scene!

[china_shop]

And Shen Wei regrets that ZYL feels that way, but not enough to deviate from his plan (because SO DAMN STUBBORN).

Ha, I'm going to jump in here (sort of replying to myself? oops!) and add that it's also because the stakes are so high. It's not just stubbornness but also there are Reasons -- existential (he has to preserve the timeline, the same way ZYL pretended to be Kunlun), safety (if he gets close to the SID, it could draw them into the line of fire of the people gunning for the Envoy, ie, Ye Zun & co), and probably a suspicion that having the Envoy (confirmed) at his side would make ZYL even more reckless. And as we see in ep 14, as soon as ZYL has confirmed the truth, he starts making his case for Shen Wei to join the SID again (which jeopardises Shen Wei's academic career).

I really had awesome fun breaking the scene down :D Can't wait to do another scene!

Yayayayay!!!! *twirls you* I just posted the sign-up post for the next round. :D :D :D

[awanderingcoyote]

Yes, I completely agree that the stakes are so high it does go beyond stubbornness and safety. It's all about making sure ZYL lives (doesn't matter if SW dies as long as ZYL lives *sob*).

AND WOO! Let me run over and sign up for the next realm. :D :D :D