Ep 1: Guo Changcheng arrives at the SID

[china_shop]

Episode 1, 7:00 to 10:47, and 11:17 to 12:18. Dragon City establishing shot, night.

Guo Changcheng trembles his way down Guangming Rd, clutching his notification letter. There's no one around and the lighting is bad, so I'm guessing it's not a great part of town? Dried leaves blow across the surface of the street. It's a Halloween-y vibe.

Xiao Guo reaches number 4, and a motorcycle roars up. It's Zhao Yunlan, of course, riding straight towards Xiao Guo, who holds up the letter like a shield.



ZYL: (still wearing his helmet) Who are you? 什么人啊？
GCC: (still hiding behind the letter) My name is Guo Changcheng, 24 years old. I am here to notify you. This is my report-for-duty letter. 我叫郭长城 今年二十四岁 我是来通知的 这是我的报到书
ZYL: What? 什么
GCC: (turns the paper to reveal the writing on the letter) I am here to report for duty. This is my notification letter. 我是来报到的 这是我的通知书

Zhao Yunlan takes off his helmet in slow motion as per the opening credits. Xiao Guo quails. 



Zhao Yunlan comes over, snatches the letter and looks at it.

GCC: Some... Someone told me to report for work. 有人通知我 让我来报到上班

Zhao Yunlan airily tosses the letter away (not so discreet for a secret agency!), grabs Xiao Guo by the sleeve? wrist? and drags him inside.



Lao Li is in the entranceway frying fish, in a very unscary way. Zhao Yunlan calls a greeting (Uncle Li | 老李叔) and, with an arm wrapped tightly around Xiao Guo's shoulders, takes out a lollipop and waves it in Xiao Guo's face.

GCC: (uncomfortable but polite) No, thank you. I don't eat sweets at night. 谢谢 不用了我晚上不吃糖
ZYL: Open it. 打开

Xiao Guo reluctantly takes the lollipop. Zhao Yunlan gestures at the building around them. "How is it?! Not bad, right?" 怎么样 还不错吧

 

Xiao Guo is about to obediently eat the lollipop when Zhao Yunlan grabs his hand and, holding eye contact, directs the lollipop to his own mouth. (/o\!!!) 

 

ZYL: (in an undertone, leaning even closer) I just quit smoking. I need to have something in my mouth. 刚开始戒烟 嘴里非得叼一点什么 He laughs.



In Xiao Guo's first act of assertiveness, he extracts himself from Zhao Yunlan's hold. Zhao Yunlan puts his free hand in his pocket.

GCC: Well, why must I report at midnight? 那个 为什么非得这个时候来报道啊
ZYL: Good question! (points his lollipop at the SID crest) If it's not a little special, how could we be called the Special Investigation Department? 问得好啊 如果不特别一点怎么能叫特别调查处呢
ZYL: (cont.) Since you were chosen to join us, you must be special, too. 能被选进这 说明你也很特别



GCC: No-No, I... I'm not special. I'm especially normal! 没有 没有 我一点也不特别 我特别一般
ZYL: Enough. You go in first. 行了 你先进去吧
(shouting into the main room) Hey, guys, the newbie's here! Treat him well! 里边的 新人报到 好好招待一下

Changcheng stumbles into the main room, where Zhu Hong is working at her computer.

Cue introductions to the team which, in the interests of length, I'm going to summarise.



Zhu Hong seems to either teleport or move superfast. She circles him, with a hissing noise, and when he takes her hand, he exclaims at how cold it is. Zhu Hong smiles and says, "Can't help it. I can't be compared to you warm-blooded animals." Xiao Guo looks down and sees her snake tail.



He screams and runs for the stairs.

At the other end of the room, human-form Da Qing slides down the circular staircase banister. "Where did this wimp come from?" He shifts into cat form at the bottom, and Xiao Guo peers across anxiously, trying to make sense of what's happening.

An explosion rocks the building, and Lin Jing stomps out of the lab in a cloud of smoke. Xiao Guo points and identifies him as a Saiyan. (Viki subs: a term for a group of aliens from the anime "Dragonball"; according to a Dragonball wiki, "In the series, the Saiyans from Universe 7 are a naturally aggressive warrior race who were supposedly striving to be the strongest in the universe, while the Saiyans from Universe 6 are protectors." Their names are plays on vegetables.)



Lin Jing brightens at the description and says, "I like that name!"

Zhu Hong: Your experiment failed again? You always screw it up at a crucial moment. 实验又失败了吧 总是关键时刻掉链子
Lin Jing: (defending himself) We can stay safe here because of the shield invented by this Pretty Man of Science to keep out Dixing people! 没错， 喂，你们现在能安心待在这个特调处里 就是靠我这个科技界的国民老公，发明了抵御地星人的护盾
Ling Jing: (cont.) Where's Lao Chu? I want to test my new invention. 老楚呢？我要找他试试我的新发明



Wang Zheng comes down the stairs, complaining of the noise. Xiao Guo smiles at her until he realises she has no feet/isn't fully corporeal, at which point he falls to the floor in a faint.



In cat form, from the table, Da Qing hmphs, "Coward." 胆小鬼

[cut to Li Qian practically sleepwalking on campus, then getting a fright, running, clutching her necklace and screaming, "Go away!"]



And then we have Xiao Guo trembling on the couch, and Zhao Yunlan sitting in a chair alongside. 



Da Qing is on the table, glaring and making a claw with his fingers. Zhu Hong is snacking.

ZYL: (speaking firmly and with confidence) I believe that through that brief contact with us, you have deeply felt the enthusiasm, composure, and friendliness of our team. Am I right?
相信经过刚才短暂的接触 你也能深刻的感受到我们特调处的热情，稳重，友好！对不对！
GCC: (faintly) Ye-Yes. 对对对



ZYL: (taking his hand and leaning in, schmoozing) From today onwards, we will be your family. 从今天开始，我们，就是你的家人
DQ (in cat form): Coward, so troublesome. 胆小鬼 真费劲
GCC: (flails) The cat! - The cat is talking! 猫！ 猫说话了！
Xiao Guo faints, as Zhao Yunlan says, "No! Come on, it's okay!" 别别别



Lin Jing giggles.

ZYL: Still laughing? This is Minister Guo's nephew! 还笑 这可是郭部长塞进来的外甥

Everyone turns to stare.



ZYL: (cont.) If we want a new offices next year, none of you can offend him. 为了明年的新住址， 你们谁都不能得罪他啊
You have to take good care of him, get it? 要好好照顾他，知道了吗？
DQ: *meows*



ZYL: (pointing) And you, you're not allowed to scare people as a cat unless you're out in the field. Otherwise I'll cut back on your dried fish. 还有你 以后除了出外勤，不准变猫吓唬人 否则扣你小鱼干
DQ: Understood. 知道了

What is Zhao Yunlan thinking?
Zhao Yunlan must be able to tell at a glance that Xiao Guo isn't joining the SID for thrills and adventure, and he later tells the team they need to be nice to Xiao Guo because of his connections. So why does he go out of his way to discomfit him, grabbing him, being wildly inappropriate via lollipop, and letting the team greet him in a way bound to terrify him? Is Zhao Yunlan trying to scare Xiao Guo into quitting before he's begun? Can he simply not resist teasing this youthful embodiment of ordinary respectable Haixing? We know from, eg, his getting angry about the sex doll on Wang Zheng's behalf in episode 9, that he can express concerned for the sensibilities of his team members, but he doesn't seem to care how uncomfortable Xiao Guo is feeling.

From writing this post and rewatching the scene, I think what's happening is Zhao Yunlan is observing Xiao Guo closely and testing his responses. He grabs him and drags him around, and almost immediately, Xiao Guo gets an elbow between them, trying to keep him at a distance without being rude. Zhao Yunlan waves a lollipop in his face, forces him to unwrap it and physically directs the lollipop, still in Xiao Guo's grasp, to Zhao Yunlan's own mouth. "I just quit smoking. I need something in my mouth," he confides, leaning in.

At last Xiao Guo is driven to extricate himself, and Zhao Yunlan's reaction to that is really interesting: he half-smirks, his arm hovers in the air for a moment before it drops, and he suddenly gets a lot less handsy. It's like the whole invading Xiao Guo's space/lollipop business was a performance to test Xiao Guo's mettle, to see if he's at all capable of standing up for himself, and yes, with enough pressure applied, he is. He has some small semblance of backbone – something to work with.

(From a storytelling perspective, I think they had to heighten Zhao Yunlan's behaviour to match the others', and also to get Xiao Guo off-balance so the rest of the introductions could have a stronger effect. But from Xiao Guo's pov, I feel like the bit with the lollipop is borderline sexual harassment, and I think it risks alienating the viewer... Or does it let the viewer feel superior: "I'd be so much cooler than that"? Either way, I'm really glad it didn't put me off Zhao Yunlan, and that's probably thanks to Xiao Guo's reaction of sticking up for himself and not holding a grudge.)

15 things established in this scene

This scene introduces most of the SID team members and their identifying characteristics (as well as the status of the team qua team), establishes tone, and conveys some world-building information. For example:

1. The tone of the show is comic, uncanny/eerie/light horror (including "scary" things that are not actually scary), sci-fi, and ensembly. There's a playful anime reference.


2. Guo Changcheng is Vice-Minister Guo's nephew (ie, respectable), a scared rabbit, nervous, anxious, polite, claims to be "especially normal", flailing and fainting out of fear -- but he does initially refuse the lollipop, and push ZYL away, and to his credit, despite his fear, he doesn't run or quit on the spot.


3. Zhao Yunlan is cool (he rides a motorbike!), eccentric, boundary-crossing, handsy, calculating and schmoozy -- all things we see in his interactions with Shen Wei, later on. And his behaviour is inconsistent: if he wanted a gentle introduction for Xiao Guo, why didn't he accompany him into the heart of the SID, or tell the others about Xiao Guo's connections in advance? As the chief of the SID, he manages via scolding and threats.


4. The lollipops are a thing, and there's a just-quit-smoking pretext for them. Also, the one he offers Xiao Guo has the same spiral pattern as the one in YOHE.


5. The SID team are self-aware about being a group of outsiders and "special" types. They take pride in their difference and see it as a badge of honour.


6. Lao Li... exists, cooks fish, and doesn't have much to do with the core team.


7. Zhu Hong is cold-blooded, snacks at work, and can (at least halfway) transform into a snake. (Her tail is proportional to her human-shaped form; it's unclear whether she'd be a normal-sized snake if she transformed completely.)


8. Da Qing is a fully shape-shifting cat, who can speak in cat form, likes fish, and has been forbidden from scaring people as a cat except in the line of duty. In other words, his shape-shifting is part of ordinary SID operations.


9. Lin Jing is a scientist whose experiments sometimes explode in his face, who gets little respect, and who refers to himself as a "Pretty Man of Science".


10. Lao Chu is name-checked; he's implied to be Dixingren, and his absence suggests he's not integrated fully into the team.


11. Wang Zheng is either invisible or incorporeal, and she spends time upstairs and works for the SID (she's carrying files).


12. We see some of the layout of the SID -- front door, entryway, main room, two staircases, the hallway to the implied lab. (My first time watching, I don't think I realised Zhao Yunlan had his own office until after the Hanga Arc.) It's both pretty (the wood! the chandeliers!) and full of odd touches (that big wheel seat, etc).


13. The SID wants new offices (or ZYL wants new offices for the SID).


14. Dixingren exist, and there's a science-based shield to keep them out of the SID.


15. Everyone is very matter-of-fact about their differences, but it's all new to Xiao Guo, and so frightening that he faints. In other words, Yashou and Dixingren are generally unknown in Haixing.

That's a lot of information to introduce!

Does it count as hazing?

I've always thought of this as the "hazing Guo Changcheng" scene, but the more I considered, the less I think that's right. If you compare it to the scene in the Firefly pilot where Mal tells Simon that Kaylee's dead, and the crew laugh together while Simon loses his shit -- that's hazing. Here, the SID team aren't tricking Xiao Guo, and they're not mean: they're just openly, unapologetically being themselves, and Xiao Guo freaks out due to ignorance and implicit normalised bigotry. True, the team may be being rather more themselves than usual, but I feel like that can be read as self-assertion/defiance against a mainstream that marginalises them. They know Haixingren see them as monsters, and they're coolly matter-of-fact about who they are, taking pride in their identities. I think when they laugh together at Xiao Guo's fear, they're mostly just agreeing the fear is undeserved.

I also think it's probably deliberate that the scene is interrupted by Li Qian being (we later learn) justifiably scared on campus. The contrast shows us that some threats are legit terrifying and dangerous, but the SID is just unusual and interesting.

Questions

1. What do you think of this scene? Do you identify with Xiao Guo, or more with the team?


2. Is Zhao Yunlan expecting an intern, or does Xiao Guo come as a complete surprise? The latter would explain his "What?" at the beginning, and not prepping the team in advance, but "The newbie's here!" sounds like he knows, and how would the person who sent Xiao Guo (Zhang Shi) know there'd be anyone at the SID at 10pm?


3. What if Chu Shuzhi had been there? Would he have played along with scaring the newbie? Would he have sat back and watched, sardonically?


4. Zhao Yunlan just leaves his bike in the middle of the street. Is valet parking motorcycles one of Lao Li's duties? (Does he enjoy it?)


5. This scene is a long one, and I've barely scratched the surface. Is there anything else that particularly strikes you about this scene?

Comments

[trobadora]

I'll come back with a proper comment later, but OMG, this scene hits my embarrassment squick so badly. I can barely stand to watch it at all, and to this day I'm glad I didn't let it put me off the show because there's really nothing like it again afterwards. There are a few more Guo Changcheng moments that hit my embarrassment squick, but none as bad as this. So my first impression of Xiao-Guo was very very negative, as in "ugh get him off my screen" ...

I think you're right and Zhao Yunlan is testing Xiao-Guo. He also does look to me like he's enjoying scaring him, and I'm not sure what exactly he's thinking, but I never thought badly of him for it, maybe because at that point, in contrast to Xiao-Guo I would have liked almost anyone, LOL. But also, I think early show Zhao Yunlan is a lot more willing to be outrageous and inappropriate on purpose, and the purpose might have been to scare Xiao-Guo away. (More on this below.)

The tone of the show is comic, uncanny/eerie/light horror (including "scary" things that are not actually scary), sci-fi, and ensembly. There's a playful anime reference.

Do you feel like that's an accurate representation of the show's tone? I feel the humour is pretty different and exaggerated/overly slapstick, compared to the rest of the drama ...

Is Zhao Yunlan expecting an intern, or does Xiao Guo come as a complete surprise? The latter would explain his "What?" at the beginning, and not prepping the team in advance, but "The newbie's here!" sounds like he knows, and how would the person who sent Xiao Guo (Zhang Shi) know there'd be anyone at the SID at 10pm?

I think he was expecting an intern, but not in the middle of the night, and Xiao-Guo turning up at that point is due to Zhang Shi meddling. I'm not sure he knew who Xiao-Guo's uncle is - I think he may just end up looking it up after he shoves Xiao-Guo into the main office? Then perhaps initially he wanted to scare Xiao-Guo away because he didn't actually want to babysit an intern, and then he learned a) that this is Minister Guo's nephew, so, uh, not advisable, and b) Xiao-Guo may have some actual backbone hidden under the terror, so perhaps he won't be entirely useless?

Zhao Yunlan just leaves his bike in the middle of the street. Is valet parking motorcycles one of Lao Li's duties?

Haha, it might just be! There is that little ramp that's sometimes outside the door (for Zhao Yunlan to more comfortably ride his bike out the door, or something), and someone has to be in charge of that, anyway. *g*

[china_shop]

but OMG, this scene hits my embarrassment squick so badly.

Fair enough! Sorry to drag your attention to it. *g* (I'm more squicked by ZYL's behaviour than GCC's.)

Is it the cartooniness of Xiao Guo's reaction, or the fact that he's nervous? Do you think a different expression of fear would have worked better for you? (Feel free not to answer this if you don't want to dwell on it!)

So my first impression of Xiao-Guo was very very negative, as in "ugh get him off my screen" ...

Hm, he seems like a stereotypical character "type" at the beginning. I wonder if it's an anime thing. (Disclaimer: I know nothing about anime! Anyone who does, please feel free to weigh in!) *goes and rootles around on TVTropes* Maybe a Cowardly Lion, though the Guardian character page doesn't include that in his description (and that's not a specifically anime thing, by any means).

He also does look to me like he's enjoying scaring him, and I'm not sure what exactly he's thinking

I'm not sure how much that's just part of the performance? I see a flash of satisfaction when Xiao Guo pushes him away, and I think that's "maybe there's some hope for him", but maybe you're right and he's trying to psych him out.

Do you feel like that's an accurate representation of the show's tone? I feel the humour is pretty different and exaggerated/overly slapstick, compared to the rest of the drama ...

I think there are lots of different kinds of humour in the show, including moments of this kind -- many of Xiao Guo's scenes, especially at the beginning, and also Shen Wei falling (sitting) down drunk, some of the personality shift case, and other times the music gets that Warner Bros cartoon plinkety vibe. Obviously it's not the main tone of the show, and there are plenty of serious, earnest, angsty, dramatic and actiony moments, too, but I think it's one of the ingredients? But then, I'm not as put off by the slapstick as you are, and it doesn't automatically put this scene in a different category for me. :-)

I'm not sure he knew who Xiao-Guo's uncle is - I think he may just end up looking it up after he shoves Xiao-Guo into the main office?

I thought he might have figured it out from the notification letter?

There is that little ramp that's sometimes outside the door (for Zhao Yunlan to more comfortably ride his bike out the door, or something), and someone has to be in charge of that, anyway. *g*

Yes, exactly -- though I kind of feel it should be someone with a younger back. ;-p

[trobadora]

Is it the cartooniness of Xiao Guo's reaction, or the fact that he's nervous? Do you think a different expression of fear would have worked better for you?

It's really hard to put my finger on exactly what triggers my embarrassment squick. It's definitely not just the fact that he's afraid, or just the slapsticky/cartoonish expression. Something about the combination of his total haplessness and his fear, and the cartoonish expression magnifies it a lot ...

Hm, he seems like a stereotypical character "type" at the beginning. I wonder if it's an anime thing.

I don't know; I think to me it's a sitcom character type. (Not unsurprisingly, I can't stand sitcoms.) Whenever I encounter this kind of thing elsewhere, I stop watching immediately if it a) lasts too long or b) happens more than once. I could just about get through this scene, and the bits at the first crime scene, because the rest of the first episode appealed to me enough. And then it never happened again, so it's okay. *g*

I see a flash of satisfaction when Xiao Guo pushes him away, and I think that's "maybe there's some hope for him", but maybe you're right and he's trying to psych him out.

I don't see it as satisfaction, more as pleasant surprise - Xiao-Guo's just done something that made Zhao Yunlan sit up and notice, metaphorically speaking. But I never got the impression he was trying to elicit that reaction ...

I think there are lots of different kinds of humour in the show, including moments of this kind -- many of Xiao Guo's scenes, especially at the beginning, and also Shen Wei falling (sitting) down drunk, some of the personality shift case, and other times the music gets that Warner Bros cartoon plinkety vibe.

Huh, it's fascinating because to me the Xiao-Guo scenes in episode 1 really stand out and none of the rest of the show hits this button for me. Shen Wei fallling over drunk doesn't bother me; some of the personality shifts hit my embarrassment squick but in a completeley different way ... I really think Xiao-Guo's initial total haplessness is the crucial ingredient that makes it so bad for me.

I thought he might have figured it out from the notification letter?

Ha, now I'm imagining him, after shoving Xiao-Guo inside, going back to pick up the letter he threw away so dramatically, and just staring at it. :D

You know, my impression was that his, and the entire SID's, reaction to Xiao-Guo initially was "ugh, our bosses have foisted a totally useless intern on us, best to scare him away so our bosses won't try that again and let Zhao Yunlan choose his own personnel". But maybe Zhao Yunlan's initial thought could have been that the intern was a Ministry plant sent to report back on them, and he was testing him to get him to drop the hapless act, only to then realise it was real? *ponders*

[china_shop]

And then it never happened again, so it's okay. *g*

So GCC at the fight club, or tazing ZYL and CSZ in the Hanga mountains doesn't push the same buttons? That's so interesting. I wonder if you would have felt differently about this scene if we'd gotten a bit of GCC beforehand, maybe at home, so his non-terrified character was more established... /random speculation

I don't see it as satisfaction, more as pleasant surprise - Xiao-Guo's just done something that made Zhao Yunlan sit up and notice, metaphorically speaking. But I never got the impression he was trying to elicit that reaction ...

I didn't until I watched closely, but there's definitely something there. Maybe it's just surprise, but honestly, I kinda want to read that first part of the scene as a deliberate stress-test, because it makes Zhao Yunlan's behaviour a bit more palatable to me. ;-p

Ha, now I'm imagining him, after shoving Xiao-Guo inside, going back to pick up the letter he threw away so dramatically, and just staring at it. :D

Hee! He does read it for a moment before he throws it away, and we know he's sharp-eyed and good at noticing details...

You know, my impression was that his, and the entire SID's, reaction to Xiao-Guo initially was "ugh, our bosses have foisted a totally useless intern on us, best to scare him away so our bosses won't try that again and let Zhao Yunlan choose his own personnel".

Ha, I think there might maybe be some projection there? *g* I think once he's turned up, they're kind of stuck with him -- it's not going to look great to the ministry if they scare him off, and they don't know yet that he's not the type to tell (or make up) tales. Plus, it's not like the team really does anything particularly scary; the only one who does anything unusual is Zhu Hong letting her tail out. In fact, now I'm wondering how much of the scary/Halloween vibe is because the introductions are shot from GCC's pov. Everyone's slightly a caricature of themselves because that's how he sees them?

But maybe Zhao Yunlan's initial thought could have been that the intern was a Ministry plant sent to report back on them, and he was testing him to get him to drop the hapless act, only to then realise it was real? *ponders*

Idk, I feel like Zhao Yunlan is better at reading people than that? It's pretty obvious GCC is an open book -- and would any self-respecting Ministry plant choose to act quite that hapless? (I think ZYL's theory that GCC's uncle sent him, perhaps to toughen him up, solidifies pretty quickly, and he doesn't question it until it's proven wrong.)

Hm, this is making me wonder what Lin Jing's arrival at the SID was like. Was he sent at night, too? Did he get scared/unnerved to meet the Yashou? Did he know about them beforehand? Did Zhao Yunlan blow smoke in his face? Is his laughing at GCC partly because he, too, made a fool of himself? ;-p

[trobadora]

So GCC at the fight club, or tazing ZYL and CSZ in the Hanga mountains doesn't push the same buttons? That's so interesting. I wonder if you would have felt differently about this scene if we'd gotten a bit of GCC beforehand, maybe at home, so his non-terrified character was more established... /random speculation

Yeah, those don't push the same buttons at all! Neither of these moments bother me. Idk if it would have helped to know him better; I also feel that none of these other moments are as physically exaggerated as this one and the one at the first crime scene, with the OTT trembling and all ...

Maybe it's just surprise, but honestly, I kinda want to read that first part of the scene as a deliberate stress-test, because it makes Zhao Yunlan's behaviour a bit more palatable to me. ;-p

Haha, fair. Either way, there definitely is some kind of reaction there!

Ha, I think there might maybe be some projection there? *g* I think once he's turned up, they're kind of stuck with him -- it's not going to look great to the ministry if they scare him off, and they don't know yet that he's not the type to tell (or make up) tales.

Heh. Idk, I feel like it's not necessarily projection to interpret it as them not wanting an outsider pushed on them? And even if they're stuck with him, making him feel like he doesn't fit would still make sense to me. YMMV, obviously.

In fact, now I'm wondering how much of the scary/Halloween vibe is because the introductions are shot from GCC's pov. Everyone's slightly a caricature of themselves because that's how he sees them?

Yeah, that sounds right to me!

Idk, I feel like Zhao Yunlan is better at reading people than that? It's pretty obvious GCC is an open book

Yes, after he's had a minute to observe him there really can't be any doubt about it any more!

(I think ZYL's theory that GCC's uncle sent him, perhaps to toughen him up, solidifies pretty quickly, and he doesn't question it until it's proven wrong.)

That's what he thinks once he knows he's GCC's nephew, yeah, agreed. But he may not actually know that before GCC arrives.

Hm, this is making me wonder what Lin Jing's arrival at the SID was like. Was he sent at night, too? Did he get scared/unnerved to meet the Yashou? Did he know about them beforehand? Did Zhao Yunlan blow smoke in his face? Is his laughing at GCC partly because he, too, made a fool of himself? ;-p

LOL! Idk if that works, it would depend on what order people were hired in. (Da Qing was already there; Wang Zheng was last; do we know anything for sure about the others? I can't recall.)

[miss_ingno]

Hm, this is making me wonder what Lin Jing's arrival at the SID was like. Was he sent at night, too? Did he get scared/unnerved to meet the Yashou? Did he know about them beforehand? Did Zhao Yunlan blow smoke in his face? Is his laughing at GCC partly because he, too, made a fool of himself? ;-p

Heh, I've been pondering about Lin Jing's arrival myself recently! I think Professor Ouyang would have prepped him for the existence of Dixingren at least (Yashou, I'm not as certain Ouyang is familiar with? Though he does confront them later in the series so maybe...) so Lin Jing is *somewhat* prepared, aside from not scaring as easily as Guo Changcheng. But I can see the others poking at him too (whichever of them are there already) to figure out how he reacts and where he'll fit, if nothing else. And considering his pranking-teasing relationship with Zhu Hong, those two must have had a fascinating start if nothing else!

[miss_ingno]

You know, my impression was that his, and the entire SID's, reaction to Xiao-Guo initially was "ugh, our bosses have foisted a totally useless intern on us, best to scare him away so our bosses won't try that again and let Zhao Yunlan choose his own personnel". But maybe Zhao Yunlan's initial thought could have been that the intern was a Ministry plant sent to report back on them, and he was testing him to get him to drop the hapless act, only to then realise it was real? *ponders*

Ohhh, I like this thought! It works regardless if Zhao Yunlan is aware of whom Xiao Guo is connected to, someone from high up forcing them to take this guy on, being very pushy about it... probably not even involving Zhao Yunlan in the process at all, since it's Zhang Shi doing it but secretly as to allow Zhao Yunlan to think Vice Minister Guo was behind it instead! So someone probably informed him very off-handedly "btw you have an intern starting tomorrow", that would leave Zhao Yunlan in a pissy mood.

And if it's expected to be a Ministry plant... it makes sense for the team to pull off all their major stunts, exaggerating their own otherness for show. It's a challenge, a dare at that point, almost. "We're different, so what?"

[trobadora]

Yay, glad this works for you! And you're totally right, regardless of what Zhao Yunlan knows, it could still make sense ...

It's a challenge, a dare at that point, almost. "We're different, so what?"

Yeah, and that's what makes their behaviour towards Xiao-Guo less nasty than it would otherwise have been, you know? They're showing something true about themselves, and it's on others to accept that.

[thevetia]

I hate to admit it, but this scene turned me against Zhao Yunlan at the start. He came across to me as someone who enjoyed bullying, and his subsequent treatment of Guo Changcheng in the episode — dangling him out the window — just reinforced that feeling.

I have since revised (and repented!) of that first impression, because Zhao Yunlan is actually caring and awesome and heroic, but the scene still upsets me. Since its right out of the novel, more or less, maybe that goes a little way to explain the tone.

[china_shop]

*nodnod* That makes a lot of sense to me! (I had a similar reaction to the Firefly hazing scene; if that had been the first episode I'd watched, I probably would have abandoned the series right there.)

He came across to me as someone who enjoyed bullying, and his subsequent treatment of Guo Changcheng in the episode — dangling him out the window — just reinforced that feeling.

Yeah, those certainly were some choices he made, there. *covers face* Poor Xiao Guo. It's funny how he didn't hold a grudge at all and quickly came to respect and admire Zhao Yunlan, isn't it? I think that helped me forgive the behaviour too, whereas if Xiao Guo had shown any resentment, I might well have taken his side. (ETA: That said, I was also helped by liking Zhao Yunlan. He's exactly my type, and quickly became my fav. So I was predisposed to forgive his weirdo inappropriate behaviour because, like you say, he really is caring and awesome and heroic underneath.)

Since its right out of the novel, more or less, maybe that goes a little way to explain the tone.

Ahhhh, I didn't know that. That explains so much. Thanks for letting me know!! <3

[nnozomi]

Fascinating post as usual! My usual scattered comments:
GCC: Some... Someone told me to report for work. 有人通知我 让我来报到上班
Now I'm curious about how this actually happened. Zhang Shi was behind this, right? Do we know how he actually contacted Xiao Guo (and why Xiao Guo took this as a legitimate job opportunity)? Did Guo Ying know about it at that point?

GCC: No-No, I... I'm not special. I'm especially normal! 没有 没有 我一点也不特别 我特别一般
I love Xiao Guo's declaration of ordinariness, mostly it's played as a joke but it does come off in a way as part of the theme we were talking about, of unpowered characters holding their own.

Lin Jing's "Pretty Man of Science" is literally something like "the Nation's Husband of the STEM Industry," which sounds even more absurd; I'd translate it something like "the National Sweetheart of STEM" just for fun ;)

I feel like the important points, not all of which emerge on first viewing, include a) as you say, everyone at the SID is 有点特别, a little special; b) ditto, there's a shield against Dixingren which is a work in progress; c) the SID is a family (with all the problems that may suggest as well). (I did find the first scene over the top/embarrassing on first viewing, incidentally, but it seemed like an exaggerated introduction before the main story got going, so it didn't bother me too much.)

[china_shop]

Now I'm curious about how this actually happened. Zhang Shi was behind this, right? Do we know how he actually contacted Xiao Guo (and why Xiao Guo took this as a legitimate job opportunity)? Did Guo Ying know about it at that point?

Guo Ying doesn't find out until ep 14, when ZYL and SW go to see Minister Gao. From the dinner scene:

Chief Zhao, I feel so guilty as an uncle, I didn't pay much attention on Changcheng's job.
赵处长说来惭愧啊 我这个当舅舅的对自己外甥的事业 没能时刻地关心
If not because he mentioned it in passing this morning, I would have thought he encountered some great luck to be transferred to Special Investigations by you.
要不是今天早上 他顺口说了一句我还以为这小子行大运了 被您调到特调处了
Brother Guo, Changcheng was not transferred by you?
郭老哥小郭他不是您亲自下调令调进来的吗
[Viki subs]

My guess is that Guo Changcheng applied for an internship at the Department of Supervision, and Zhang Shi got wind of it and arranged/changed his assignment to send him to the SID. (How Zhang Shi knew that Guo Changcheng was pure of spirit, etc, I really don't know!) So Guo Ying assumed he was doing random office work?

I love Xiao Guo's declaration of ordinariness, mostly it's played as a joke but it does come off in a way as part of the theme we were talking about, of unpowered characters holding their own.

Yes, absolutely! He doesn't even have mad STEM skills to bolster his self-esteem like someone else we know -- just sheer determination.

I'd translate it something like "the National Sweetheart of STEM" just for fun ;)

Ha! That works.

I did find the first scene over the top/embarrassing on first viewing, incidentally, but it seemed like an exaggerated introduction before the main story got going, so it didn't bother me too much.

Oh, you're right -- that helps, too. It's a bit like the prologue giving us an infodump that is slightly removed from the rest of the show. (Was it Changcheng's cartoony behaviour that embarrassed you?)

[nnozomi]

My guess is that Guo Changcheng applied for an internship at the Department of Supervision, and Zhang Shi got wind of it and arranged/changed his assignment to send him to the SID. (How Zhang Shi knew that Guo Changcheng was pure of spirit, etc, I really don't know!) So Guo Ying assumed he was doing random office work?
Huh--I read that as Guo Ying knowing Changcheng was at the SID, but thinking Zhao Yunlan had brought him there for some reason (while Zhao Yunlan thought it was Guo Ying who had). The Zhang Shi part makes perfect sense to me!

(Was it Changcheng's cartoony behaviour that embarrassed you?)
Oh, everybody--Changcheng, Zhao Yunlan being so OTT, the others playing it the same way. But I knew there was good stuff coming up so I didn't worry about it :)

[china_shop]

Huh--I read that as Guo Ying knowing Changcheng was at the SID, but thinking Zhao Yunlan had brought him there for some reason (while Zhao Yunlan thought it was Guo Ying who had).

I thought the whole point of the dinner was Guo Ying had just found out Changcheng was working at the SID, and he wanted him to be transferred away to somewhere safer? ...Oh, maybe I think that because the original subs say, "I wouldn't know he is your subordinate if he didn't tell me this morning." Now I'm confused, though. Are the Viki subs more accurate?

♥

[awanderingcoyote]

What a lovely write-up of this scene!!

I always thought this was an interesting and somewhat fun way to introduce the characters to the audience, as we're all now 'Guo Changcheng', as it were in this episode. XD XD

I do have to say and agree that this scene definitely had some secondhand embarrassment, but it wasn't as bad as other shows, and/or other scenes within Guardian that I found embarrassing (mostly the book gifting scene, ahh I'm cringing just thinking about it, so much cringing XDXD), but I can definitely see the amount of second-hand embarrassment in this scene LOL.

What do you think of this scene? Do you identify with Xiao Guo, or more with the team? - I think I identified with Xiao Guo here, with the whole: What's going on?! I don't understand?! And then afterward it definitely became more understandable. I know I came into the show with no knowledge of the characters, or what it was all about, just that the ending was sad. SAD XD And lots of people made very pretty music videos concerning the show.

Is Zhao Yunlan expecting an intern, or does Xiao Guo come as a complete surprise? The latter would explain his "What?" at the beginning, and not prepping the team in advance, but "The newbie's here!" sounds like he knows, and how would the person who sent Xiao Guo (Zhang Shi) know there'd be anyone at the SID at 10pm? - I think Zhao Yunlan knew an intern was coming, though I always read it while watching the scene as 'not this particular day', just that one was going to be assigned to the team. So, when Xiao Guo showed up there was that moment of confusion until ZYL realizes what's going on.

What if Chu Shuzhi had been there? Would he have played along with scaring the newbie? Would he have sat back and watched, sardonically? - Oh what a great question. My brain immediately thought he'd just watch sardonically and possibly through in some sarcastic remarks at the end, if he had been there XD

Zhao Yunlan just leaves his bike in the middle of the street. Is valet parking motorcycles one of Lao Li's duties? (Does he enjoy it?) - Poor Lao Li I feel like he had a lot of odds-n-ends to do at the SID. I honestly didn't even realize he left the bike in the middle of the street until you pointed it out XD LOL


What is Zhao Yunlan thinking? - I agree with what you say, that he's observing how Guo Changcheng reacts to everything. In the scene, he has a very 'hands-off' or 'laid back' attitude and body language, as he just watches Guo Changcheng meeting the team. It makes me think of when Zhao Yunlan is observing Shen Wei, when they're interrogating him in episode four (or is it five?), and it gives me the same sort of vibe.

This was such a fun write-up to read!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us :D

[china_shop]

Yay, thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed it! :D

I always thought this was an interesting and somewhat fun way to introduce the characters to the audience, as we're all now 'Guo Changcheng', as it were in this episode. XD XD

Ha, yes! We're all seeing this world for the first time, wide-eyed and a little confused (although not as terrified). *g*

other scenes within Guardian that I found embarrassing (mostly the book gifting scene, ahh I'm cringing just thinking about it, so much cringing XDXD)

Hee! It's not that I don't have an embarrassment squick, I definitely do, but I looove the failed book con. ZYL is such a trainwreck. <333

I know I came into the show with no knowledge of the characters, or what it was all about, just that the ending was sad. SAD XD And lots of people made very pretty music videos concerning the show.

Oh, interesting! Was it the vids that drew you to the show, or something else? Did you just try it out of idle curiosity?

I think Zhao Yunlan knew an intern was coming, though I always read it while watching the scene as 'not this particular day', just that one was going to be assigned to the team.

Ha, I just thought -- maybe Zhang Shi was trolling Zhao Yunlan by having the intern show up so late at night? Or maybe he was testing Xiao Guo's mettle, too?

My brain immediately thought he'd just watch sardonically and possibly through in some sarcastic remarks at the end, if he had been there XD

That sounds right to me, too. I don't think he'd use his powers inside the SID, just to show off. (Also, it might have been a lot harder to palm Xiao Guo's training off on Chu Shuzhi if he'd witnessed Xiao Guo's fainting from terror, hee!)

Poor Lao Li I feel like he had a lot of odds-n-ends to do at the SID.

True, but he seems pretty content with his role, I think. :D

It makes me think of when Zhao Yunlan is observing Shen Wei, when they're interrogating him in episode four (or is it five?), and it gives me the same sort of vibe.

Ohhh, that's such a great comparison! Thank you. Yeah, he's very happy to stand back and observe, to get the measure of someone, isn't he? And he knows that meeting the SID team is a test in itself. Cool!

Thanks so much for reading and commenting! <3 <3 <3

[awanderingcoyote]

Hee! It's not that I don't have an embarrassment squick, I definitely do, but I looove the failed book con. ZYL is such a trainwreck. <333 - He is such a fabulous trainwreck yes XD XD XD

Ohhh, that's such a great comparison! Thank you. Yeah, he's very happy to stand back and observe, to get the measure of someone, isn't he? And he knows that meeting the SID team is a test in itself. Cool! - Yes! That's exactly how I read it, the same measured stepping back and just watching expression/body language on ZYL during GCC's first meeting of the SID XD

Oh, interesting! Was it the vids that drew you to the show, or something else? Did you just try it out of idle curiosity? - It was the vids! I found The Untamed through vids and after watching The Untamed youtube was all: HERE YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS!! But by then I had become wise to the sad endings and so when I looked at ending spoilers I was all: Noooooooooooooooo. No! No thank you! But then youtube kept throwing videos at me and eventually I was all: Well let's give it a try. Now it's taken over my life XD LOLOLOL

True, but he seems pretty content with his role, I think. :D - He's like the SID grandfather XD (And yes I agree he seems pretty content!)

That sounds right to me, too. I don't think he'd use his powers inside the SID, just to show off. (Also, it might have been a lot harder to palm Xiao Guo's training off on Chu Shuzhi if he'd witnessed Xiao Guo's fainting from terror, hee!) - This made me laugh out loud at the imagery of it XD CSZ just all: Mm mm nope you train him. Good day sir. XD

[china_shop]

That's exactly how I read it, the same measured stepping back and just watching expression/body language on ZYL during GCC's first meeting of the SID XD

Now I'm sad they didn't show us that! But I guess it would have broken the overwhelm of "one 'scary' thing after another" that sent Xiao Guo into system failure. ;-)

But then youtube kept throwing videos at me and eventually I was all: Well let's give it a try. Now it's taken over my life XD LOLOLOL

Hee! And aww, I'm so happy it did! ♥ (Did you find the ending as sad as you expected? I personally find it sad-but-triumphant-and-satisfying, and the final scene was so hopeful, despite my tears... but I know it doesn't work that way for everyone.)

This made me laugh out loud at the imagery of it XD CSZ just all: Mm mm nope you train him. Good day sir. XD

LOL!!! :D :D :D I think he was going to try that anyway, after the fact. He complained to Lin Jing, Zhu Hong and Wang Zheng, and then he might have gone to Zhao Yunlan to try to get out of it, but he found Guo Changcheng in the library crying over reports of the great Black-Cloaked Envoy, and that softened his heart a little. *g* (We didn't see those scenes in order, but I'm guessing that's where the library scene fits.) :D

[trobadora]

In the scene, he has a very 'hands-off' or 'laid back' attitude and body language, as he just watches Guo Changcheng meeting the team. It makes me think of when Zhao Yunlan is observing Shen Wei, when they're interrogating him in episode four (or is it five?), and it gives me the same sort of vibe.

Oooh, this is a great observation, and it makes a lot of sense! :D

[awanderingcoyote]

Thank you :D

[sakana17]

I can't exactly recall how I reacted the first time I watched this scene. I have an embarrassment squick, but (at least now) I feel the OTT-ness of this scene sort of pushes past any embarrassment. One thing I remember for sure is that for me this wasn't a great introduction to Guo Changcheng and it took me a long time to get past that (and a rewatch or two to fully appreciate him).

I think Zhao Yunlan's behavior is a test. I felt that he pushes Guo Changcheng into the deep end to sink or swim. And given the composition of the SID team and the cases the SID investigates, I can see why. Someone who can't get used to Dixingren or Yashou or energy beings and who can't stand up for himself when provoked to the extreme will be more hindrance than help. When Zhao Yunlan first sees Guo Changcheng outside the SID, it's not the best first impression (Guo Changcheng holding up the paper nervously) so maybe Zhao Yunlan decides on the spur of the moment to give Guo Changcheng the extra special :) introduction.

[china_shop]

One thing I remember for sure is that for me this wasn't a great introduction to Guo Changcheng and it took me a long time to get past that (and a rewatch or two to fully appreciate him).

You're definitely not alone in that regard. :-)

I think Zhao Yunlan's behavior is a test. I felt that he pushes Guo Changcheng into the deep end to sink or swim. And given the composition of the SID team and the cases the SID investigates, I can see why.

Yes, on closer viewing, I think so too. For first-time viewers, I'm not sure that's very obvious, but it does foreshadow some of the strategies he uses when figuring Shen Wei out, too, so maybe that's enough. :-)

Someone who can't get used to Dixingren or Yashou or energy beings and who can't stand up for himself when provoked to the extreme will be more hindrance than help.

Really good point, yeah. (And I imagine Guo Changcheng is very aware of his shortcomings in that regard, and that's one of the reasons he's so scared in the last part of the scene, on the couch, maybe?)

[miss_ingno]

Decided might as well make my round through these discussions since the episode is now fresh in my mind :D

I also think it's probably deliberate that the scene is interrupted by Li Qian being (we later learn) justifiably scared on campus. The contrast shows us that some threats are legit terrifying and dangerous, but the SID is just unusual and interesting.

That's a great point! I didn't think of it, but the cinematic story-telling is really on point :D

1. What do you think of this scene? Do you identify with Xiao Guo, or more with the team?

I identify with Xiao Guo to a certain extent - it's nervewrecking to be the new employee meeting the team. And I struggle with some forms of social anxiety, though nowhere close to Guo Changcheng's level who is near incapacitated by his fear. I think the team comes off looking pretty cool, for all that Xiao Guo thinks it's scary! (also I think it's funny that after seeing Zhu Hong, Da Qing, and Lin Jing, it's sweet and gentle Wang Zheng floating past that makes him faint lol)

2. Is Zhao Yunlan expecting an intern, or does Xiao Guo come as a complete surprise? The latter would explain his "What?" at the beginning, and not prepping the team in advance, but "The newbie's here!" sounds like he knows, and how would the person who sent Xiao Guo (Zhang Shi) know there'd be anyone at the SID at 10pm?

I think he knows they're getting someone - he does know it's Vice Minister Guo's nephew. However, Xiao Guo is not facing the letter the right way and stuttering, so I think his "what" was more a (annoyed, confused) request for clarification. (Also, imo Zhao Yunlan looks exasperated/annoyed as he stalks towards GCC before switching on the charm inside. GCC is clearly afraid of him when his arm is grabbed! It's all shot very much like ZYL is a gangster/mob enforcer dragging Xiao Guo off to face dire consequences for daring to disturb them...)

For the expression on ZYL's face, I read it as him being *so* done with the shit the ministry pulls and puts him through but he has to play nice because he's networking for those offices, and clearly Vice Minister Guo thinks that means he can force him into taking his nephew in. Plus GCC does *not* make a great first impression, hiding behind a piece of paper and being scared. It makes sense then that he would test him to see what he's got to work with or if he's entirely useless...

Yeah, the 10pm (midnight? 2am?) is a weird novel artefact I'm not sure how to make sense of, considering they don't have a case right now...

3. What if Chu Shuzhi had been there? Would he have played along with scaring the newbie? Would he have sat back and watched, sardonically?

Hmm, I can't see him playing along with the group at this point - like you astutely pointed out, the scene deliberately sets up that Chu Shuzhi isn't /quite/ part of the team. However, if I had to integrate him, I'd have Guo Changcheng run away from one of the others backwards and walk straight into Chu Shuzhi's chest lol (and then have CSZ growl something like "don't touch me" and cross his arms, glaring while GCC hurrily stumbles away from him.)

4. Zhao Yunlan just leaves his bike in the middle of the street. Is valet parking motorcycles one of Lao Li's duties? (Does he enjoy it?)

Heh. I think Lao Li likes helping wherever he can, and you can't stay busy all day just cooking fish for Da Qing (although...). Being custodian (I think that's the word?) of the SID building and keeping it clean (especially the lab!) must be a full-time job though.

5. This scene is a long one, and I've barely scratched the surface. Is there anything else that particularly strikes you about this scene?

The iguana xD I never really payed attention to it until that one fic! Interesting too that we're shown the iguana cage immediately after the snake reveal, almost as if drawing parallels? I know it's to direct our attention to the stairs for Da Qing to come sliding down, but I wonder if there's more to it. (Is the iguana an ancient Yashou that just can't be bothered to transform into human anymore? Is it stuck in iguana form? Or is it Zhu Hong's pet? Wang Zheng's?)

Also the Saiyan bit makes me lol every time. I have watched Dragon Ball Z way too often for how boring the endless power-up screaming episodes are xD It's one of those nostalgic animes I watched as a kid. (I think the reference is mostly for Lin Jing's hair, though the power walk might also inspire fear in GCC xD)

Oh, forgot to add!

Zhao Yunlan is such a hypocrite, lol. He absolutely pushes Xiao Guo about and enables the "hazing"/testing of mettle by pushing him in and provocatively calling for them to "introduce" themselves. He absolutely knows what his team will do and encourages it, the gremlin. And afterwards he sits there, giving them a moment to laugh, before turning it around on them and scolding them, letting them know the stakes. I can't quite decide if I should consider it Zhao Yunlan pranking both Guo Changcheng *and* his team in one fell swoop or something else...

[trobadora]

It's all shot very much like ZYL is a gangster/mob enforcer dragging Xiao Guo off to face dire consequences for daring to disturb them...

Haha, too true! I love it. :D

Zhao Yunlan is such a hypocrite, lol. He absolutely pushes Xiao Guo about and enables the "hazing"/testing of mettle by pushing him in and provocatively calling for them to "introduce" themselves. He absolutely knows what his team will do and encourages it, the gremlin. And afterwards he sits there, giving them a moment to laugh, before turning it around on them and scolding them, letting them know the stakes.

LOL, +1,000,000 on the hypocrisy! It's part of what makes it so funny, I think.

[china_shop]

I identify with Xiao Guo to a certain extent - it's nervewrecking to be the new employee meeting the team.

Right? Especially in your first job. Everyone looks competent and capable, and you know nothing.

also I think it's funny that after seeing Zhu Hong, Da Qing, and Lin Jing, it's sweet and gentle Wang Zheng floating past that makes him faint lol

Hee! Agreed. I love that. :D

It's all shot very much like ZYL is a gangster/mob enforcer dragging Xiao Guo off to face dire consequences for daring to disturb them...

It really is!

I think he knows they're getting someone - he does know it's Vice Minister Guo's nephew.

But he doesn't mention that till the end of the scene. Maybe he called someone in the interim to find out what the hell is going on? He does switch pretty dramatically from weirdo-with-lollipop to schmoozer. *g*

However, if I had to integrate him, I'd have Guo Changcheng run away from one of the others backwards and walk straight into Chu Shuzhi's chest lol (and then have CSZ growl something like "don't touch me" and cross his arms, glaring while GCC hurrily stumbles away from him.)

Ooh, I love that. That would totally have worked!

The iguana is such a great mystery! If you're interested, I did a poll about it once. (No obligation to click through, of course!)

Also the Saiyan bit makes me lol every time.

Oh, that's cool! The reference is lost on me, but I'm glad it works for people who know it. :-D

Zhao Yunlan is such a hypocrite, lol. He absolutely pushes Xiao Guo about and enables the "hazing"/testing of mettle by pushing him in and provocatively calling for them to "introduce" themselves. He absolutely knows what his team will do and encourages it, the gremlin. And afterwards he sits there, giving them a moment to laugh, before turning it around on them and scolding them, letting them know the stakes. I can't quite decide if I should consider it Zhao Yunlan pranking both Guo Changcheng *and* his team in one fell swoop or something else...

Ha, right?! That's why I wondered if he found out about Guo Changcheng's connections in the middle and changed his tune (and then hypocritically blamed his team for not knowing either). Gremlin is totally right! *noogies him*