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sid_guardian2022-07-31 06:59 pm
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2022-07-31 06:59 pm
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Scene discussion: Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing in a Dixing bedroom
Location of scene: episode 23, 5:26 - 6:42 and 7:48 - 9:15
Context: Shen Wei has used the Sundial to heal Zhao Yunlan's eyes. The Master of the Merit Brush has sent a threatening letter, and Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are going to Dixing to research the Merit Brush. Da Qing, having just had some flashbacks about Ye Zun, is not about to let Zhao Yunlan go anywhere with Shen Wei alone. (Who says cats can't be protective? :D)
In Dixing, our heroes discover the archive is closed until the new Dijun takes the throne, and they decide to stay in Dixing for the night. Somewhere in the middle of this, the designated successor to the Dijun is replaced when An Bai offers to sacrifice himself to save his friends and thereby draws the Dijun's attention. (But that's a discussion for another day ...)
On to our scene:
Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing are led into a room by the Deacon. (We don't see Shen Wei leaving them, but it must have happened between the previous scene in the palace and this.) We see a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk and chair, an old-fashioned radio, several other items of antiquated-looking furniture, and some candles. I really like the aesthetic!
(Back in the early days of the fandom, this bed was a crucial piece of evidence for the important question of whether Dixingren sleep. Today, I think we still have some mileage we can get out of the radio and what it means for Dixing infrastructure. *g*)
Zhao Yunlan, sucking on a lollipop, complains about the light: 这儿光线也太暗了吧？
Isn't the light too dim in here?
(Brief aside: I really love how, even when it's meant to be very dark in a scene, this drama lights everything properly so the viewer can actually see what's on screen! I'm very happy to see more than the characters. *g*)
The Deacon explains: 地星的光力资源有限。值此盛会灯火都被集中抽调进了地君殿。令主要没别的事的话属下就先告辞了。
Dixing's light resources are limited. For this grand occasion, they've all been diverted to the Dijun Palace. If the Lord Guardian has no other issues, I will take my leave.
From Zhao Yunlan's reaction, I take it that even after his previous visit to Dixing, Dixing's darkness and lack of resources still hasn't quite sunk in for him yet. I can't imagine that would endear him to anyone, even if the Deacon wasn't who he is.
Also, from the Deacon saying resources have been diverted to the palace, I wonder if that's just a figure of speech and he means the official hall we usually see, or whether this bedroom isn't in fact in the palace proper ... (Where else could it be? Why?)
Once alone with Da Qing, Zhao Yunlan lets out a big sigh and complains about the light some more: 这刚恢复了光明啊，这又得做一个睁眼瞎呀。
I just regained the light, and now I have to be a blind man again.
He flops into the single visible chair, and Da Qing (sitting down on the desk) half mocks, half chides him: 我的赵大公子啊，你就下了一次地星，怎么感觉处处树敌呢？这家伙明显和你不对付。
My Master Zhao, you just came down to Dixing once, why does it feel like you make enemies everywhere? This guy obviously doesn't like you.
(I would really like to know the connotations of Da Qing's use of 大公子 ...)
Zhao Yunlan is fine with that: 他跟我不对付？我还跟他不对付呢。
He doesn't like me? I don't like him either.
(Good instincts! But then, that guy isn't exactly being subtle.)
Next, Zhao Yunlan asks, because he's noticed Da Qing's weird behaviour towards Shen Wei: 行了，说说吧， 你之前对沈巍那样到底是想干什么呀？这敌意不像是能装出来的。
Never mind. Tell me, the way you treated Shen Wei earlier, what was that about? That hostility didn't seem feigned.
Da Qing hesitates. 说出来恐怕你不信。我找回了当年的记忆，不过就一点点。
If I tell you, I'm afraid you won't believe it. I've recovered my old memories, but only just a little bit.
You can practically see the gears turning in Zhao Yunlan's brain when Da Qing says he's recovered his memories!
[Our scene is briefly interrupted for a look at Chu Shuzhi and Lin Jing at the Ministry.]
Zhao Yunlan asks: 那你到底想说明什么呀？
So what exactly do you want to tell me?
Da Qing makes himself clear - he's agitated and very intense: 说明什么？说明沈巍这家伙靠不住啊！
Tell you? I'm telling you this Shen Wei guy is unreliable!
Zhao Yunlan closes his eyes briefly, turns his head aside. (What exactly is this reaction? It looks to me like some degree of "Yeah, duh?" mixed with "oh, come on, it's Shen Wei" ... *g*)
Da Qing continues: 这个愚蠢的地星人一定还有什么事情瞒着我们。他知道昆仑的存在！
This stupid Dixingren must still be hiding something from us. He knows about Kunlun's existence!
Zhao Yunlan, managing to sound like he's rolling his eyes even though he isn't: 我知道。
I know.
(If you're like me and can't quite remember when Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing actually shared their knowledge of Kunlun before, I looked it up, and it happened in episode 21 at the hospital, while Zhao Yunlan was blind.)
Zhao Yunlan digs out the audio player from an inside pocket and holds it up: 他之前给我还这个的时候啊，就已经坏了。如果换做是别人想毁掉这里边的录音，很简单啊，直接删掉。可他这个人偏偏对电子产品是一窍不通，所以只能把整个录音笔都毁掉啊。他是不想让我过问昆仑的事啊。
When he returned this to me, it was already broken. If it was any other person wanting to destroy this recording, it would be simple - just delete it. But him, unfortunately he doesn't understand a thing about electronics. So, he could only destroy the whole recorder. He doesn't want to let me take an interest in Kunlun.
(He sounds very pensive with the last sentence!)
Da Qing thinks there's a very obvious conclusion to this, and somehow Zhao Yunlan isn't making it: 那你还和他靠那么近？
Then why are still you so close to him?
Zhao Yunlan explains his philosophy regarding Shen Wei's secrets: 我只是想赌一把，赌他心里有苦衷。他这个人呀，个性太深沉，喜欢哑巴吃黄连。所以我之能等了，等到他苦到心头，苦到他自己说出来为止。
I just want to make a gamble. I'm betting he has his own difficulties. He's too reserved; he likes to suffer in silence. So I can only wait - wait until he suffers so much he tells me about it himself.
Previously, in the earlier parts of the show, Zhao Yunlan took every opportunity to poke at Shen Wei's secrets and was unable/unwilling to let things go even when Shen Wei clearly didn't want to talk about it. Now, he's decided to back off. Of course now he knows Shen Wei much better now and knows he can trust him; they've grown close, and unlike Da Qing who is currently mixing up Shen Wei with memories of Ye Zun, he has no real reason to doubt Shen Wei's intentions, and he knows that even in his role as the Black-Cloaked Envoy, Shen Wei is very much on the same page as he is when it comes to their fundamental principles.
And I really love the respect in this decision to wait Shen Wei out. Zhao Yunlan still wants to know everything as much as ever, and he's determined to eventually have his answers, but he recognises he can't demand answers, both because that's not going to work on Shen Wei and because he doesn't have the right ...
(Love the similarity between similar Zhao Yunlan's and Da Qing's body language, with the pointing at each other!)
Da Qing makes a face: 你真是个老滑头。
You're a real slippery fellow.
Zhao Yunlan laughs. Da Qing continues: 还有你这么相信别人的时候！可是你越是这样，我越要帮你把着关。
That you'd ever trust someone that much! But the more you're like this, the more I want to look out for you.
Zhao Yunlan has a reaction to this! Look at his widened eyes and half-pout!
(I really love protective Da Qing. People don't tend to make much of the age difference between these two, but Da Qing seems to actually have lived through all those 10,000 years, so Zhao Yunlan - even if he was probably already 17 or 18 when they met, given that Da Qing's memory loss occurred about ten years ago - must have seemed very young indeed to Da Qing. And Shen Wei would be the first to agree Zhao Yunlan needs someone to look out for him. *g*)
Zhao Yunlan asks: 你想干什么呀？
What do you want to do?
Da Qing explains: 老本行，跟踪。我先去探探沈巍的路子，看他现在在做什么。
The usual job, tracking. First I'll scout Shen Wei out and see what he's up to right now.
(Did Shen Wei absent himself without explaining where he was going or why? Da Qing probably wouldn't have believed him if he had explained, but still!)
Da Qing kicks Zhao Yunlan's foot, which he's propped up on a knee. 你就说准不准吧。
Just tell me if you'll allow it.
Zhao Yunlan (with a gesture that says "of course") agrees to Da Qing's suggestion - for all his trust in Shen Wei, he's not opposed to a little spying: 去啊。
Go then.
Da Qing immediately gets off the desk and leaves.
(Can I just say I love the way you can see the lollipop inside Zhao Yunlan's mouth in the last cap? :D)
Questions:
Come talk about this delightful scene! And if you have fic or art recs related to them, that would be fantastic! :D
Context: Shen Wei has used the Sundial to heal Zhao Yunlan's eyes. The Master of the Merit Brush has sent a threatening letter, and Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are going to Dixing to research the Merit Brush. Da Qing, having just had some flashbacks about Ye Zun, is not about to let Zhao Yunlan go anywhere with Shen Wei alone. (Who says cats can't be protective? :D)
In Dixing, our heroes discover the archive is closed until the new Dijun takes the throne, and they decide to stay in Dixing for the night. Somewhere in the middle of this, the designated successor to the Dijun is replaced when An Bai offers to sacrifice himself to save his friends and thereby draws the Dijun's attention. (But that's a discussion for another day ...)
On to our scene:
Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing are led into a room by the Deacon. (We don't see Shen Wei leaving them, but it must have happened between the previous scene in the palace and this.) We see a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk and chair, an old-fashioned radio, several other items of antiquated-looking furniture, and some candles. I really like the aesthetic!
(Back in the early days of the fandom, this bed was a crucial piece of evidence for the important question of whether Dixingren sleep. Today, I think we still have some mileage we can get out of the radio and what it means for Dixing infrastructure. *g*)
Zhao Yunlan, sucking on a lollipop, complains about the light: 这儿光线也太暗了吧？
Isn't the light too dim in here?
(Brief aside: I really love how, even when it's meant to be very dark in a scene, this drama lights everything properly so the viewer can actually see what's on screen! I'm very happy to see more than the characters. *g*)
The Deacon explains: 地星的光力资源有限。值此盛会灯火都被集中抽调进了地君殿。令主要没别的事的话属下就先告辞了。
Dixing's light resources are limited. For this grand occasion, they've all been diverted to the Dijun Palace. If the Lord Guardian has no other issues, I will take my leave.
From Zhao Yunlan's reaction, I take it that even after his previous visit to Dixing, Dixing's darkness and lack of resources still hasn't quite sunk in for him yet. I can't imagine that would endear him to anyone, even if the Deacon wasn't who he is.
Also, from the Deacon saying resources have been diverted to the palace, I wonder if that's just a figure of speech and he means the official hall we usually see, or whether this bedroom isn't in fact in the palace proper ... (Where else could it be? Why?)
Once alone with Da Qing, Zhao Yunlan lets out a big sigh and complains about the light some more: 这刚恢复了光明啊，这又得做一个睁眼瞎呀。
I just regained the light, and now I have to be a blind man again.
He flops into the single visible chair, and Da Qing (sitting down on the desk) half mocks, half chides him: 我的赵大公子啊，你就下了一次地星，怎么感觉处处树敌呢？这家伙明显和你不对付。
My Master Zhao, you just came down to Dixing once, why does it feel like you make enemies everywhere? This guy obviously doesn't like you.
(I would really like to know the connotations of Da Qing's use of 大公子 ...)
Zhao Yunlan is fine with that: 他跟我不对付？我还跟他不对付呢。
He doesn't like me? I don't like him either.
(Good instincts! But then, that guy isn't exactly being subtle.)
Next, Zhao Yunlan asks, because he's noticed Da Qing's weird behaviour towards Shen Wei: 行了，说说吧， 你之前对沈巍那样到底是想干什么呀？这敌意不像是能装出来的。
Never mind. Tell me, the way you treated Shen Wei earlier, what was that about? That hostility didn't seem feigned.
Da Qing hesitates. 说出来恐怕你不信。我找回了当年的记忆，不过就一点点。
If I tell you, I'm afraid you won't believe it. I've recovered my old memories, but only just a little bit.
You can practically see the gears turning in Zhao Yunlan's brain when Da Qing says he's recovered his memories!
[Our scene is briefly interrupted for a look at Chu Shuzhi and Lin Jing at the Ministry.]
Zhao Yunlan asks: 那你到底想说明什么呀？
So what exactly do you want to tell me?
Da Qing makes himself clear - he's agitated and very intense: 说明什么？说明沈巍这家伙靠不住啊！
Tell you? I'm telling you this Shen Wei guy is unreliable!
Zhao Yunlan closes his eyes briefly, turns his head aside. (What exactly is this reaction? It looks to me like some degree of "Yeah, duh?" mixed with "oh, come on, it's Shen Wei" ... *g*)
Da Qing continues: 这个愚蠢的地星人一定还有什么事情瞒着我们。他知道昆仑的存在！
This stupid Dixingren must still be hiding something from us. He knows about Kunlun's existence!
Zhao Yunlan, managing to sound like he's rolling his eyes even though he isn't: 我知道。
I know.
(If you're like me and can't quite remember when Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing actually shared their knowledge of Kunlun before, I looked it up, and it happened in episode 21 at the hospital, while Zhao Yunlan was blind.)
Zhao Yunlan digs out the audio player from an inside pocket and holds it up: 他之前给我还这个的时候啊，就已经坏了。如果换做是别人想毁掉这里边的录音，很简单啊，直接删掉。可他这个人偏偏对电子产品是一窍不通，所以只能把整个录音笔都毁掉啊。他是不想让我过问昆仑的事啊。
When he returned this to me, it was already broken. If it was any other person wanting to destroy this recording, it would be simple - just delete it. But him, unfortunately he doesn't understand a thing about electronics. So, he could only destroy the whole recorder. He doesn't want to let me take an interest in Kunlun.
(He sounds very pensive with the last sentence!)
Da Qing thinks there's a very obvious conclusion to this, and somehow Zhao Yunlan isn't making it: 那你还和他靠那么近？
Then why are still you so close to him?
Zhao Yunlan explains his philosophy regarding Shen Wei's secrets: 我只是想赌一把，赌他心里有苦衷。他这个人呀，个性太深沉，喜欢哑巴吃黄连。所以我之能等了，等到他苦到心头，苦到他自己说出来为止。
I just want to make a gamble. I'm betting he has his own difficulties. He's too reserved; he likes to suffer in silence. So I can only wait - wait until he suffers so much he tells me about it himself.
Previously, in the earlier parts of the show, Zhao Yunlan took every opportunity to poke at Shen Wei's secrets and was unable/unwilling to let things go even when Shen Wei clearly didn't want to talk about it. Now, he's decided to back off. Of course now he knows Shen Wei much better now and knows he can trust him; they've grown close, and unlike Da Qing who is currently mixing up Shen Wei with memories of Ye Zun, he has no real reason to doubt Shen Wei's intentions, and he knows that even in his role as the Black-Cloaked Envoy, Shen Wei is very much on the same page as he is when it comes to their fundamental principles.
And I really love the respect in this decision to wait Shen Wei out. Zhao Yunlan still wants to know everything as much as ever, and he's determined to eventually have his answers, but he recognises he can't demand answers, both because that's not going to work on Shen Wei and because he doesn't have the right ...
(Love the similarity between similar Zhao Yunlan's and Da Qing's body language, with the pointing at each other!)
Da Qing makes a face: 你真是个老滑头。
You're a real slippery fellow.
Zhao Yunlan laughs. Da Qing continues: 还有你这么相信别人的时候！可是你越是这样，我越要帮你把着关。
That you'd ever trust someone that much! But the more you're like this, the more I want to look out for you.
Zhao Yunlan has a reaction to this! Look at his widened eyes and half-pout!
(I really love protective Da Qing. People don't tend to make much of the age difference between these two, but Da Qing seems to actually have lived through all those 10,000 years, so Zhao Yunlan - even if he was probably already 17 or 18 when they met, given that Da Qing's memory loss occurred about ten years ago - must have seemed very young indeed to Da Qing. And Shen Wei would be the first to agree Zhao Yunlan needs someone to look out for him. *g*)
Zhao Yunlan asks: 你想干什么呀？
What do you want to do?
Da Qing explains: 老本行，跟踪。我先去探探沈巍的路子，看他现在在做什么。
The usual job, tracking. First I'll scout Shen Wei out and see what he's up to right now.
(Did Shen Wei absent himself without explaining where he was going or why? Da Qing probably wouldn't have believed him if he had explained, but still!)
Da Qing kicks Zhao Yunlan's foot, which he's propped up on a knee. 你就说准不准吧。
Just tell me if you'll allow it.
Zhao Yunlan (with a gesture that says "of course") agrees to Da Qing's suggestion - for all his trust in Shen Wei, he's not opposed to a little spying: 去啊。
Go then.
Da Qing immediately gets off the desk and leaves.
(Can I just say I love the way you can see the lollipop inside Zhao Yunlan's mouth in the last cap? :D)
Questions:
- What do you think Shen Wei said when he left Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing? Why did he decide to leave them on their own in Dixing? Given that in the next scene we see Shen Wei talking to Ye Zun, he may just have wanted to keep them away from that, because you know (and Shen Wei knows, too) that Zhao Yunlan would have insisted on coming along. *g* But did he really expect them to stay in their room and not get up to anything?
- Most surprisingly, while Da Qing gets around and ends up confronting Shen Wei (the pinky promise scene! :D), Zhao Yunlan does in fact seem to have stayed out of trouble that night! Why? (Has anyone written a missing scene about that? If not, why not? :p)
- In this Dixing bedroom, there is only one bed! Do you think a) that means people assume things about Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing from the way they have no boundaries with each other, b) it's meant as a slight against the visitors from Haixing, or c) they understand that Da Qing, being a cat, doesn't need a separate bed?
- What do you think is on Dixing radio? (And does the barkeep eventually end up running a pirate station?)
- Do you think Da Qing explained anything about his Ye Zun flashback in between the two halves of the scene, or is what we see everything that happened?
- What does Zhao Yunlan think about Da Qing's suddenly recovered memories making him suspicious about Shen Wei? And given that Da Qing was worried Zhao Yunlan wouldn't believe him, how do you think Zhao Yunlan would have reacted if Da Qing had told him about it straight away?
- When did Zhao Yunlan arrive at this philosophy about Shen Wei's secrets? Some time after he was nearly climbing the walls trying to get Shen Wei to admit to being the Black-Cloaked Envoy, clearly, but apart from that?
- Within less than an episode of this, Zhao Yunlan discovers Shen Wei in the kitchen with a knife and realises Shen Wei hurt himself healing Zhao Yunlan's eyes. That cuts short the "I'll just wait until he says something himself" by making it clear to Zhao Yunlan that Shen Wei will never "suffer so much he tells [him] about it himself" (he might tell for other reasons, but not because he's sharing his pain!), and leads to Shen Wei promising that Zhao Yunlan will eventually know the truth, achieving a new/different equilibrium. If not for this, how long do you think Zhao Yunlan would have managed to be patient?
- How delightful is protective!Da Qing? ❤❤❤
Come talk about this delightful scene! And if you have fic or art recs related to them, that would be fantastic! :D