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sid_guardian2023-02-06 10:51 am
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2023-02-06 10:51 am
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GUARDIAN REWATCH – Episode 4
Beginning of episode: Shen Wei is caught at a crime scene in the alleys of Dragon City.
Ending of episode: The Envoy and Chu Shuzhi's second meeting in the park.
Important scenes/developments:
- The interrogation scene.
- Shen Wei accompanies Zhao Yunlan and Lin Yusen to a crime scene, gets attacked, and heals the cut on his arm.
- Zhao Yunlan starts to form a theory about Shen Wei's power.
- Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's first night-time stroll, during which they talk about names and friendship.
- Shen Wei pricks his finger and laughs when Zhao Yunlan freaks out.
- The SID (minus Zhao Yunlan) run a sting, and Da Qing and Zhu Hong are kidnapped.
- Zhu Jiu works out Shen Wei is the Envoy.
- We see a flashback to Zhang Danni's life on the streets as a Dixingren in Haixing.
- Zhu Jiu incites Lin Yusen to blow up the culprits, and the Envoy is wounded? His robes are damaged, anyway.
- Zhao Yunlan is pissed at the Envoy arriving late and taking away Lin Yusen's body with the others.
- The Envoy meets Chu Shuzhi in the park, warns him to be on his guard, and foreshadows the danger of mixing dark and light energy.
Thoughts
I got carried away again. Feel free to comment without reading all this! (I also made 162 screencaps while I was watching; guess I'll post a picspam later. ;-)
- Chu Shuzhi can tell Lin Yusen is an ordinary person. /Dixing ability observation
- The interrogation scene -- is such a gift; everything about it is amazing. We've already had imashoe's in-depth scene discussion, but I have to note a few things:
- When Zhu Hong confronts Shen Wei about his nerves, Shen Wei takes a moment and drops the act, essentially agreeing that his behaviour doesn't fit his cover. The whole thing is performance. And then he moves the drinking glass aside so precisely to lean forward and tease her.
- After Shen Wei goes all attack-is-the-best-form-of-defence at Zhu Hong, Zhao Yunlan's laugh is genuine.
Is this the first time we've seen him laugh for real? - I love Lin Jing's reaction to Shen Wei reaching for Chu Shuzhi's doll, and Chu Shuzhi grabbing his wrist. :D And then Shen Wei coolly pulls himself free.
Also love the use of Zhao Yunlan's reflection in the glass here. Both of them obscured in different ways. - Shen Wei's tiny head bow to Chu Shuzhi as Chu Shuzhi leaves. Aww!
- The way Shen Wei looks when Zhao Yunlan says, "I am going to be straightforward and will ask you just one question." 我开门见山就问你一个问题 gets me every time.
- Depending on what subs you're using, the line before that might not make sense. It should be like the Viki translation: "We don't usually bring back ordinary criminals, witnesses, or suspects to our headquarters." 等闲的犯人 证人嫌疑人我们是不会带回单位的 (Which also explains why later in the show they take Zhang Danni to a tea shop.)
- I did wonder during my rewatch why they hadn't talked to Zhang Danni for corroboration of Shen Wei's statements, forgetting that in the next scene Lin Jing says, "It's a pity Zhang Danni is in shock from fear. She doesn't remember anything." 可惜那个张丹妮吓蒙了什么都不记得了 Given how good Zhao Yunlan is at reading people, I wonder if he suspected Zhang Danni from the start and just used the situation as a cover to interrogate Shen Wei? Da Qing is already tailing her when Guo Changcheng walks her home, later on, which I think suggests Zhao Yunlan knows something is up.
- The jacket Lin Jing is testing in the lab is Lin Yusen's. (I don't think I paid enough attention to notice that before.)
In this scene, Zhu Hong is pushing the case forward and starts to plan the sting later in the episode. This is a big contrast to her distracting Lin Jing with Da Qing's fish treats! I wonder if she's more engaged in the work of the SID after Zhao Yunlan called her in last episode to talk to Zhang Ruonan, especially since the victims this time are women too? She's basically been authorised to step outside of her "office manager" role, and she might think it will get Zhao Yunlan's attention? - Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi talk on the mezzanine.
It's so rare to see them confer like this, and I love it! (Later in the episode, in the car and during the final confrontation with Zhang Danni, they have a similar capably-working-well-together vibe.) I feel like Chu Shuzhi is more engaged this episode, too, maybe because the SID and Zhao Yunlan seem to have the Envoy's seal of approval.
Zhao Yunlan picks up on Chu Shuzhi's ear-wiggling and understands what it signifies (that he's tailing Lin Yusen via puppet), and Chu Shuzhi says, "Casting a long line to catch a big fish -- you taught me that." 放长线 钓大鱼你教的 I have Questions!! Is that something we've seen demonstrated in the show? - Guo Changcheng is more of a background figure in this episode. I wonder if everyone's doubting he can cut it and unsure what to do with him, after he fainted at the murder scene last time. And then Lin Yusen has shown up, just as baby-faced, and wants in on the action, too!
I love his sketch! I love Zhao Yunlan's reaction to it! Hee! (I had to adjust it a bit to make it clearer.) - The way Zhao Yunlan stops dead in the street when he sees Shen Wei waiting for him on the bench. (Omg, Shen Wei is literally waiting for him on a bench! Did they plan this with the later bench scene in mind??)
Standing on the footpath, Shen Wei looks about six inches taller than Zhao Yunlan. Zhao Yunlan actually has to look up to talk to him!
Zhao Yunlan says, outright, "I believe that you are innocent." 我也相信你是清白的 (!!!! This is such an admission, especially when he knows there's something going on with Shen Wei! ♥) and also "Although you are a scholar, when you are determined, there's no way to refuse you." 虽说你是个文人吧可这强硬起来还真是没办法让人拒绝 (I feel like Lin Yusen should be spluttering indignantly in the background here, hee!) - By the time they reach the park, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are already perfectly in step.
aslkfdjasd;lkfjasdf;a - Zhao Yunlan leaves Shen Wei to mind Zhang Danni and chases Jia Hui, and then and there, Shen Wei determines to never let himself get stuck in such a situation again. ;-p And then Zhao Yunlan comes back and reacts to the cut on Shen Wei's arm -- a parallel to Shen Wei seeing the scrape on Zhao Yunlan's arm in episode 2?
- Zhang Danni in the tea room. No one is moved by her tears. Zhao Yunlan tests her strength. (I don't think that would hold up in court, assuming Haixing has courts.) After she leaves, Shen Wei makes an observation about the blood at last night's scene. (Zhao Yunlan must have already factored that in, surely?) Which triggers some flashbacks about Shen Wei himself. I think Zhao Yunlan concludes Shen Wei is invulnerable?
This is not Zhao Yunlan's usual smirk!
Shen Wei really is walking a tightrope of holding Zhao Yunlan's attention without giving the game away. In that last shot of Zhao Yunlan, I feel like he's wondering what he'll do if/when his suspicions about Shen Wei are confirmed. - Being walked home by Changcheng, Zhang Danni drops the act entirely. Does she think the SID don't talk to each other? Also, she leads them right to her
lairplace. - At Zhang Danni and Jia Hui's lair,[1] there are three drinking glasses on the tray, and Zhang Danni says, "We have to execute the task Zhu Jiu set up." 我们该去执行烛九布置的任务 I guess Zhu Jiu makes house calls now.
[1] Actually, they have two lairs -- the one where Jia Hui ties up Zhu Hong, and the one where the SID find real!Zhang Danni's body. - The sting scene (miss_ingno's scene discussion here). This time through, I'm sure Lin Jing is laughing at Zhu Hong acting out of character. *g*
- At the same time (which makes me pretty sure Zhao Yunlan doesn't know about the sting), Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are taking their first nighttime walk in modern times. (See sakana17's scene discussion post.)
ZYL: If my mom knew I had an intellectual like you as a friend, she'd be bursting with joy. 我妈要是知道我交了你这么一个只知分子朋友那得了开花啊
SW: What's precious between friends is intimacy. If she saw you now, she would definitely be happy. 两个朋友之间 贵在知心他要是看见你现在这样也一定会很开心的
ZYL: Perhaps. One day when I go up there myself, I'll surely ask her.
也许吧等哪天我也上去了我一定问问她
So, while flattering Shen Wei about his intellectualism, Zhao Yunlan claims friendship first (possibly in reaction to Shen Wei mentioning "someone very important" who gave him his name?). Shen Wei immediately one-ups him by claiming very intimate friendship (discussion of the particular term he uses here), while at the same time implying status is irrelevant, ie, putting them on an even footing. (And using a term about knowing each other's hearts, which given how many secrets he's keeping...!!) Faced with this, Zhao Yunlan deflects/changes the subject by indicating that his mother has passed away, and laughs. - Zhao Yunlan chases Lin Yusen, and when he catches him and sees all the traps, sits on a convenient rock. (There was a description of him years back as someone who "never stands when he can sit, never sits when he can lie down". Does anyone have a link to that, by any chance?)
Zhu Jiu taunts Shen Wei, and Shen Wei goes all plain-clothes Envoy.
And then Shen Wei's deliberate finger prick! I love this so much. I love that a) Zhao Yunlan immediately becomes very serious, physically agitated, can't stand someone getting hurt on his watch; and b) Shen Wei breaks bambi-eyed character to laugh in surprise; this feels like a very genuine laugh to me. (Maybe he's thinking of all their ancient sword wounds?) - First sighting of the fruit shop couple, Bai Suxia and Wang Xiangyang, who'll become significant later on. And the great talk with Lin Yusen where Zhao Yunlan, who's already saddled with one hapless newbie, can't help promising another one a chance. "I'm not personally averse to your zeal and rashness." 我个人呢 并不是很反感你这样满腔热血的愣头青 LOL!
- I love the visual effect of Zhu Hong's druggedness and adore her self-rescuing. And Guo Changcheng being super brave defending her.
- Zhu Jiu has worked out that Shen Wei is the Envoy. He says, "You are restraining yourself. You're afraid your identity will endanger the people of Special Investigations." 你在克制你怕自己的身份会给特调处的人带来危险, giving us one reason why Shen Wei is hiding his identity, and threatens to tell Zhao Yunlan. Shen Wei says to leave Zhao Yunlan out of it, or else! Shen Wei lets off a dark energy bolt. Zhu Jiu says, "I know you keep track of the SID. That's why I left them a small surprise." 我知道你很关注特调处所以 我也顺手给他们溜了一个小惊喜 So according to Zhu Jiu, what happens next is directly due to Shen Wei's association with the SID. No wonder Shen Wei is stubborn about officially staying apart from them.
- The car scene: Guo Changcheng is freaking out about killing/hurting Jia Hui. Tensions are running high.
I love how Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan conspire to give Changcheng a fright; those two are working so well together! But Zhao Yunlan doesn't recriminate anyone for running the sting, so... was he in on it or not?
Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan working together at the crime scene. - I don't understand Zhao Yunlan's bluff. Zhang Danni offers to trade unconscious Da Qing for Jia Hui. Zhao Yunlan says he needs Da Qing, but does she need Jia Hui that much? She equivocates. He turns to leave -- but she's already offered a trade! So why not take it? Is he just stalling until Chu Shuzhi is back in action? Anyway, then we get a flashback to life on the streets. And then Zhao Yunlan tries the "he's right behind you" trick, but it doesn't work.
- Lin Yusen runs in, explosion, everyone dies.
Zhao Yunlan's worst nightmare.
At first Zhao Yunlan's too busy staring horrified at the bodies to register the Envoy's presence, whereas Chu Shuzhi immediately does and faces him.
And then that wonderfully tense exchange where the Envoy, having arrived late, says he has to take all the bodies away, and Zhao Yunlan is so pissed he calls him by his full title, Daren and all. (He calls him Hei-laoge at the start of the scene, with the "might as well not have come at all" line, and then turns away to try to rein in his emotions.)
This must really suck for Shen Wei, too. He knew Lin Yusen. He knows that Zhu Jiu is using him to get back at Shen Wei himself. And he has to lie about why he's taking the body away, and bear Zhao Yunlan's anger. It's all so fraught! He silently arranges an assignation with Chu Shuzhi. - Zhu Jiu is frustrated... because the SID weren't caught in the blast? (Wow, thinking about it, he orchestrated this whole thing, which means he set Zhang Danni and Jia Hui up.)
- The Envoy and Chu Shuzhi meet in the park. Shen Wei asks if Chu Shuzhi also thinks he was unreasonable and demonstrates rather than states the damage he took. (I wonder how badly he was hurt.) He already knows who's doing this, but he doesn't tell. He does say that "human energy and dark energy are naturally mutually exclusive" 人类的能量和黑能量之间是天然互斥的 and tells Chu Shuzhi not to tell anyone, but to be on guard. I love that he respects Chu Shuzhi enough to explain all this!
CSZ: What about you? You won't give any explanations and will just continue walking alone? 那您自己呢不做任何解释继续一人独行吗
Flashback to the night-time stroll this episode (audio only):
ZYL: Then does the "wei" in your name also have a deeper meaning? 那你这巍字是不是也别有深意义啊
Flashback to Ye Olde Haixing Era:
Kunlun: In this world, the mountains connect to the seas, with lofty peaks, stretching on endlessly. Just like how in life, you must shoulder burdens and continue moving forward, never resting. Why don't we call you "Shen Wei" (sinking with loftiness)? 这个世间啊山海相连巍巍高山 延绵不绝就像是人生啊 负重前行永无停歇之日要不然你就叫做沈巍
Chu Shuzhi bows to the Envoy’s back and leaves.
SW: (thinks to himself) Once a promise is made, even mountains can't get in our way. I promised you, that for the sake of the people, for the sake of Haixing's peace, even if I have to forever shoulder burdens while going the opposite way, I will bravely advance forward.一约既定 万山无阻我答应过你的为了天下苍生为了海星和平即便永世负重逆行吾往矣
I once made a post asking about the promise he references here. I really felt like I was missing something. Now I think, based on what Kunlun told him about shouldering burdens and moving forward, that Shen Wei's name is the promise. He took it on as an oath and carries it with him. OMG!
When he says "even if I have to forever shoulder burdens while going the opposite way, I will bravely advance forward" -- by "going the opposite way" does he mean working counter to Kunlun/Zhao Yunlan, ie, moving away from him? *cries*
Discussion starters:
- What's your favourite part of the interrogation scene? Anything that you particularly noticed this time through?
- What's your favourite other moment in this episode?
- What do you make of Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi suddenly working so well together?
- Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's relationship jumps in this episode from cursory interrogation to "I think you're innocent, and you can tag along" to "intimate night-time chat-strolls." What is Zhao Yunlan thinking? Is he still suspicious?
- Would the case have proceeded differently if Zhang Danni had tried to give evidence against Shen Wei?
- How do you think Shen Wei feels about being brought back to the SID for questioning? It clearly isn't part of his plan.
- How did Zhu Jiu convince Zhang Danni and Jia Hui to play along? Do you think they're true believers or did he promise them something?
- Zhu Jiu glues Shen Wei's feet to the ground twice -- at the initial crime scene and again in the park. Does he do it again after this episode? If not, why? (Actually, I think it's likely Shen Wei found a way to negate it.)
- Does Zhao Yunlan actually take Shen Wei to the hospital for a tetanus shot?
- When Zhao Yunlan tells Guo Changcheng not to look at the real Zhang Danni's body, is he protecting him, or is it just that he doesn't want to deal with him fainting again? (It seems much kinder than last episode's "don't make me skin you alive" exasperation, to me.)
- Zhang Danni recognises Chu Shuzhi the same way the hospital attacker did in episode 2. Did she already know, or did Zhu Jiu tell her?
Let's talk about episode 4!
Come and talk about this episode -- anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!
Links to episode 4 fanworks and meta go here!
Link to your own works and/or others'. Help us build as comprehensive a collection of links as possible!
Re: Links to episode 4 fanworks and meta go here!
My fic (I really love the tension at the end of episode 4, can you tell?)
Everyone's compass points to home (2072 words) post-case, the team make each other feel better.
you are north on my compass (2629 words) remix of the above; post-case, Zhao Yunlan is bitter and angry; Shen Wei shows up at the SID to check on him.
When your promise is a temple, and the roof caves in (26415 words), post ep 4 AU where the Envoy is more badly wounded, and Chu Shuzhi is tasked with keeping him safe (platonic h/c)
Won't Be Falling (7,397 words) pre-slash, post ep 4, Zhao Yunlan is pissed at the Envoy and investigates a case on his own, but runs into Professor Shen doing likewise.
continue walking alone (2,033 words) Chu Shuzhi puts Professor Shen under surveillance.
Natural Selection (3,724 words) still furious at the outcome of the case, Zhao Yunlan shows up at the university looking for answers.
ETA: Midnight Train(wreck) to Recovery - Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan vent their frustration with the outcome of the face-stealer case by hooking up. (5,681 words, E-rated)
A couple by other people
Worst Case Scenario by
Episode 4: A King's Gratitude by
a lullaby for suffering by
Re: Links to episode 4 fanworks and meta go here!
(And oops, did I really never link Worst Case Scenario here?!
Worst Case Scenario (21599 words)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships/Characters: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei & Special Investigation Division | SID Ensemble (Guardian), Shen Wei & Ye Zun
Content Tags: Temporary Character Death, Time Loop, (not just the canonical one), time loop aftermath, double identity, Secret(s) Revealed, Dixing-Haixing Politics, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Episode Related, Episode 4, Fix-It
Summary:
Shen Wei curved Zhao Yunlan's cold hand around the Sundial beneath his own. The Hallow lit up immediately, a golden glow that came with an oppressive hum, a heavy, black energy-laced thrumming against Shen Wei's senses.
Take whatever you need, he thought. Whatever I have, just give him back.
The Hallow's power pulsed through him, through Zhao Yunlan's body, and then it fizzled out. Shen Wei opened his eyes. Zhao Yunlan was not moving. Was not breathing. Was still - dead.
Re: Links to episode 4 fanworks and meta go here!
However deep the Lake (11k, Zhu Jiu takes advantage of that brief moment of explosion confusion, kidnapping, HC, HPS & ZYL dynamics)
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It's really a great moment, and I absolutely love the HPS comparison, where Chu Shuzhi very correctly picks up on something but doesn't recognise it for what it means, because how could he? Some Haixingren professor can't possibly be the Black-Cloaked Envoy! *g*
Excellent point about Shen Wei seeing a different side of Chu Shuzhi here; I wonder if he thinks of it as a parallel to his own embodiment-of-judgment persona ...
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Oooh, yeah! I love the idea of paralleling CSZ's intimidating SID-enforcer persona with HPS's role as Dixing's own enforcer... Beneath those roles, they're both a lot quieter and more emotional/sentimental than they're allowing themselves to show for the sake of their job/duty.
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Hee! *hearts*
I like the way Chu Shuzhi is attempting to intimidate Shen Wei
I love that he's doing it by cleaning his doll! I did a poll about that once, and discussion concluded that Chu Shuzhi could do pretty much anything in a threatening/intimidating way. *g*
And you're right, such a different face than the one he shows the Envoy. How interesting for Shen Wei to see it like this...
...and to see the SID as a whole this way, actually, given that they're usually directing this vibe at Shen Wei's compatriots. I love that he refuses to pretend to be cowed and instead goes on the deliberately provocative offensive. It's not unlike Zhao Yunlan showing up in Shen Wei's office and eating his cake. :-)
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Yes! That definitely seems true!
It's not unlike Zhao Yunlan showing up in Shen Wei's office and eating his cake. :-)
Oh, yes, I love that comparison! Being so thoroughly and immovably themselves in the face of potential intimidation in order to turn that intimidation back upon those around them. <3 Such a fun character trait!
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(Sorry, I digressed your comment away from Chu Shuzhi & Shen Wei. Though saying that, I think there's an element of the same thing there: isn't Chu Shuzhi cleaning his doll kind of like the way Shen Wei kept working when Zhao Yunlan visited his office in ep 3? I will outclass you by ignoring you? *g*)
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I'm not sure "outclass" is the word I'd use there? I'm not sure what I would use to quickly get across "I'm so comfortable and in control here that I don't need to pay attention to you (because obviously you will be no danger to me)", which is I think more the vibe I get off that?
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Ah, yes, that's a better description. I can't think of a succinct way of saying that either.
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Hee! They're both total trolls. :D
(I don't think they ever team up to troll someone? Missed opportunity!)
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Given how good Zhao Yunlan is at reading people, I wonder if he suspected Zhang Danni from the start and just used the situation as a cover to interrogate Shen Wei?
I think he did suspect something was up with Zhang Danni right from the start, but that doesn't mean Shen Wei being at that scene wasn't highly suspicious as well. So I think it wasn't just a cover.
Chu Shuzhi says, "Casting a long line to catch a big fish -- you taught me that." 放长线 钓大鱼你教的 I have Questions!! Is that something we've seen demonstrated in the show?
I took it to refer to something that happened before episode 1, but I would love to know more!
Zhao Yunlan says, outright, "I believe that you are innocent." 我也相信你是清白的 (!!!! This is such an admission, especially when he knows there's something going on with Shen Wei! ♥)
Yeah, I had forgotten that! How much does mean it? Is he just saying it to draw Shen Wei in and figure out more about him? I think he means it in relation to this specific case, but not in a larger sense.
and also "Although you are a scholar, when you are determined, there's no way to refuse you." 虽说你是个文人吧可这强硬起来还真是没办法让人拒绝 (I feel like Lin Yusen should be spluttering indignantly in the background here, hee!)
Seriously! Lin Yusen wants to join and gets the "nope, go home, you're a civilian" spiel; Shen Wei wants to join and is immediately accepted. I really would love to know what's going on in Lin Yusen's head at this moment! (Other than screaming in frustration, LOL.)
a parallel to Shen Wei seeing the scrape on Zhao Yunlan's arm in episode 2?
Oh, good catch!
I think Zhao Yunlan concludes Shen Wei is invulnerable?
I'm not sure it's a definite conclusion, but he's absolutely thinking in that direction!
I guess Zhu Jiu makes house calls now.
Hee! Great catch with the three glasses! I noticed them too, this time, but hadn't thought about the possible meaning with Zhu Jiu. (I'm still not sure this isn't meant to be real!Zhang Danni's place, so they could have been left over from when she was alive. But the Zhu Jiu explanation works better!)
There was a description of him years back as someone who "never stands when he can sit, never sits when he can lie down". Does anyone have a link to that, by any chance?
It's from an actor interview – here, at 2:21, the question calls him, "Zhao Will-not-stand-if-can-sit Will-not-sit-if-can-lie-down Yunlan". :D
So according to Zhu Jiu, what happens next is directly due to Shen Wei's association with the SID. No wonder Shen Wei is stubborn about officially staying apart from them.
Right? I didn't really pick up on that until I wrote Worst Case Scenario and had to dig into the details of where Shen Wei's head was at, in this episode. When he later worries about bringing danger to the SID if they know about him, he's already had proof that association with him as the Envoy can make them a target! (And Zhu Jiu knows who Professor Shen is; that can't be taken back. But other potentially dangerous people don't. So it must feel safer to keep his association with the SID strictly to his Professor Shen identity.)
But Zhao Yunlan doesn't recriminate anyone for running the sting, so... was he in on it or not?
I really don't think he even knew about it. I think he's too tense here to really go into it.
Zhao Yunlan says he needs Da Qing, but does she need Jia Hui that much? She equivocates. He turns to leave -- but she's already offered a trade! So why not take it? Is he just stalling until Chu Shuzhi is back in action?
I think he's already confident she definitely wants Jia Hui back, so he's trying to get more out of her, and stalling for Chu Shuzhi. If Chu Shuzhi hadn't recovered in time, he could still have accepted the trade.
Now I think, based on what Kunlun told him about shouldering burdens and moving forward, that Shen Wei's name is the promise. He took it on as an oath and carries it with him. OMG!
♥ ♥ ♥
When he says "even if I have to forever shoulder burdens while going the opposite way, I will bravely advance forward" -- by "going the opposite way" does he mean working counter to Kunlun/Zhao Yunlan, ie, moving away from him? *cries*
Ouch! (I took it more in the sense of – idk, Sisyphus, except not so depressing? "Even if I keep getting pushed backwards, I'll keep moving forward anyway.")
What's your favourite part of the interrogation scene? Anything that you particularly noticed this time through?
I have rewatched it too often! ALL the parts are my favourite. But probably the little smirk when Chu Shuzhi stops him from touching the puppet.
What's your favourite other moment in this episode?
The walk in the park with the 知心 conversation. ♥ ♥ ♥
What do you make of Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi suddenly working so well together?
Part of it isn't sudden, I expect - because CSZ is the only field agent they have, ZYL and CSZ must have worked together on cases before, and they seem to have a good working relationship. The unfortunate part is that it was only ever that, and not a friendship or anything that might make ZYL change his attitude towards Dixingren in general, or to start caring about Dixing. But even after less than four full episodes of knowing Shen Wei, that is already changing ...
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's relationship jumps in this episode from cursory interrogation to "I think you're innocent, and you can tag along" to "intimate night-time chat-strolls." What is Zhao Yunlan thinking? Is he still suspicious?
Incredibly suspicious! But not suspicious of Shen Wei being the murderer they're looking for, which makes a huge difference.
Would the case have proceeded differently if Zhang Danni had tried to give evidence against Shen Wei?
Oh, interesting canon divergence idea! I think the physical evidence at the scene was very much not in her favour, though, so probably not much would have changed.
How do you think Shen Wei feels about being brought back to the SID for questioning? It clearly isn't part of his plan.
Very weird, probably, but he's not the type to dwell on things, and he knows he's not in any danger from them. There's the evidence at the scene that (as he points out) clearly indicates someone else was involved, and there's the fact that if they really gave him too much trouble he could always resort to revealing himself as the Envoy (little though he wants to). So he's not worried, and he's already decided that the way to Zhao Yunlan's heart is by drawing attention (which also means suspicion) towards himself and his non-"ordinary Haixingren" qualities. So he's taking this as an opportunity. :D
How did Zhu Jiu convince Zhang Danni and Jia Hui to play along? Do you think they're true believers or did he promise them something?
I think fake Zhang Danni is too self-absorbed to be a believer, and Jia Hui is too focused on her. But I would really like to know what Zhu Jiu promised them, to make them work for him! (Maybe a more luxurious lair? :p)
Zhu Jiu glues Shen Wei's feet to the ground twice -- at the initial crime scene and again in the park. Does he do it again after this episode? If not, why? (Actually, I think it's likely Shen Wei found a way to negate it.)
I don't remember other instances, but yeah, it's likely that Shen Wei figured out how to not just counter, but prevent it.
Does Zhao Yunlan actually take Shen Wei to the hospital for a tetanus shot?
My headcanon is yes! :D
When Zhao Yunlan tells Guo Changcheng not to look at the real Zhang Danni's body, is he protecting him, or is it just that he doesn't want to deal with him fainting again? (It seems much kinder than last episode's "don't make me skin you alive" exasperation, to me.)
I think probably more the fainting bit!
Zhang Danni recognises Chu Shuzhi the same way the hospital attacker did in episode 2. Did she already know, or did Zhu Jiu tell her?
I think it's very possible Chu Shuzhi is famous enough among Dixingren in Haixing (as the Dixingren working for the SID) that she already knew.
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True, the game of "what is up with Professor Shen??" is ongoing. :-)
I took it to refer to something that happened before episode 1, but I would love to know more!
Maybe it just means the way Zhao Yunlan puts people under surveillance before confronting them, as a way of catching them out? He did it with Li Qian (and to a lesser extent Shen Wei), and he does it with Zhang Danni here. And that's essentially what Chu Shuzhi is doing, right? (Not that I think Li Qian is a big fish, but there was a point at which she might have been.)
Yeah, I had forgotten that! How much does mean it? Is he just saying it to draw Shen Wei in and figure out more about him? I think he means it in relation to this specific case, but not in a larger sense.
Yeah, about the case definitely. And maybe he's decided that Shen Wei is basically good, whatever else is going on? He certainly treats him more like a friend after that -- discussing Zhang Danni's guilt and going for night-time walks and everything.
Seriously! Lin Yusen wants to join and gets the "nope, go home, you're a civilian" spiel; Shen Wei wants to join and is immediately accepted.
It's the best! :D
It's from an actor interview – here, at 2:21, the question calls him, "Zhao Will-not-stand-if-can-sit Will-not-sit-if-can-lie-down Yunlan". :D
Ahh, thanks for finding that (and for being so discreet in your description *appreciates*)! I remember someone saying that that's how Chinese fandom describes Zhao Yunlan, too, so maybe they got it from there.
I really don't think he even knew about it. I think he's too tense here to really go into it.
I kind of wish he'd yelled at them just a little, just to clarify, but I guess they've already been through enough.
I think he's already confident she definitely wants Jia Hui back, so he's trying to get more out of her
Hm, that would make sense, but what kind of more?
I took it more in the sense of – idk, Sisyphus, except not so depressing? "Even if I keep getting pushed backwards, I'll keep moving forward anyway."
HEE! "Sisyphus but not so depressing" is such a great description. Poor Shen Wei. (Do you know if there's anything in the subs to support one interpretation or another?)
But probably the little smirk when Chu Shuzhi stops him from touching the puppet.
:D :D :D :D :D
Part of it isn't sudden, I expect - because CSZ is the only field agent they have, ZYL and CSZ must have worked together on cases before, and they seem to have a good working relationship.
Except that there weren't many serious cases before, were there? Idk, I feel like everyone's more engaged this episode (maybe by the severity and ongoing nature of the case?), and that's making them all pull together a bit more. Chu Shuzhi isn't skulking around on the outskirts of things and complaining to Zhu Hong and the others; he's being proactive and conferring directly with Zhao Yunlan. (I like it a lot; if my view of SW/ZYL weren't monogamous and inviolable, I would definitely be reading into it... ;-p)
But even after less than four full episodes of knowing Shen Wei, that is already changing ...
Yes, plus the conclusion of the Wang Yike case made such a difference, I think. He really felt Wang Yike's distress.
Very weird, probably, but he's not the type to dwell on things, and he knows he's not in any danger from them. There's the evidence at the scene that (as he points out) clearly indicates someone else was involved, and there's the fact that if they really gave him too much trouble he could always resort to revealing himself as the Envoy (little though he wants to). So he's not worried, and he's already decided that the way to Zhao Yunlan's heart is by drawing attention (which also means suspicion) towards himself and his non-"ordinary Haixingren" qualities. So he's taking this as an opportunity. :D
Agreed. I wonder if he would have done something differently if the crime scene/interrogation had come after Zhu Jiu tried to blow up the SID team with a human bomb. Like, if Shen Wei would have tried harder to keep his distance. (*waits for the next episode, with this in mind*)
But I would really like to know what Zhu Jiu promised them, to make them work for him! (Maybe a more luxurious lair? :p)
Hee! And that's why he had to come to them, rather than having them over. If they saw his place, they'd never believe him! *g*
My headcanon is yes! :D
Haha, I can totally imagine Shen Wei saying he can take himself, and Zhao Yunlan insisting on going along to make sure he actually does it and doesn't just go home. *g*
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Could be, yeah!
I remember someone saying that that's how Chinese fandom describes Zhao Yunlan, too, so maybe they got it from there.
Or the other way round - IIRC the questions were viewer-submitted. But the interview definitely made that description widely known.
I kind of wish he'd yelled at them just a little, just to clarify
Haha, right? So inconsiderate of him to not do that for us! *g*
Hm, that would make sense, but what kind of more?
Literally anything that might give him more of a handle on her. I mean, if he has to go through with the exchange, that means the two of them are still out there, potentially killing more people, and the SID still needs to catch them ...
HEE! "Sisyphus but not so depressing" is such a great description. Poor Shen Wei. (Do you know if there's anything in the subs to support one interpretation or another?)
The dictionary says 逆行 means "to go the wrong way / to go against one-way traffic regulation". *g*
Except that there weren't many serious cases before, were there?
Yeah, but even in not-that-high-stakes cases, there still needs to be investigation. So I assume they've worked together on that before, rather than ZYL just sending CSZ out there to do stuff. I mean, I agree that everyone's more engaged, and CSZ is more involved with everything, but I do think it's CSZ working with ZYL isn't going from 0 to 100 ...
Yes, plus the conclusion of the Wang Yike case made such a difference, I think. He really felt Wang Yike's distress.
Yeah, true! That definitely plays into it.
Agreed. I wonder if he would have done something differently if the crime scene/interrogation had come after Zhu Jiu tried to blow up the SID team with a human bomb. Like, if Shen Wei would have tried harder to keep his distance. (*waits for the next episode, with this in mind*)
Oooh, that's an excellent question! I'll try to keep it in mind as well. :D
Hee! And that's why he had to come to them, rather than having them over. If they saw his place, they'd never believe him! *g*
LOLOLOL! :D
Haha, I can totally imagine Shen Wei saying he can take himself, and Zhao Yunlan insisting on going along to make sure he actually does it and doesn't just go home. *g*
That is absolutely how I imagine it going. :D
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Oh, good point. He's at a disadvantage, so he's fishing for more intel. Yeah.
The dictionary says 逆行 means "to go the wrong way / to go against one-way traffic regulation". *g*
So "even if I have to forever shoulder burdens while going against the tide, I will bravely advance forward"? That reads to me like the tide/opposition could be Zhao Yunlan's principles/disapproval?
So I assume they've worked together on that before, rather than ZYL just sending CSZ out there to do stuff.
Idk, I think mostly it's been Zhao Yunlan saying, "Go do this. And try not to scare anyone!" (Oh no, now I want to rewatch the first three eps specifically for their interactions so far. /o\)
Actually, I kind of like the idea that up until now, Zhao Yunlan has mostly conferred about cases with Da Qing (who hasn't been super interested, really, but that hasn't really mattered), but now things are getting serious, he's trying out Chu Shuzhi as a partner in solving cases -- just like Chu Shuzhi is Shen Wei's ally at the SID and confidant at this stage. And then Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei quickly turn to each other, and Chu Shuzhi is ditched by both of them. *g*
Oooh, that's an excellent question! I'll try to keep it in mind as well. :D
I skimmed the episode quickly, and their only interaction (except for the Envoy showing up) is a phone call, so I think Shen Wei has decided to withdraw a bit and regroup. Otoh, he also moves into his new apartment, so...
That is absolutely how I imagine it going. :D
:D :D :D
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It doesn't really read like anything specific to me, just all kinds of things that might get in the way/set him back. *shrugs*
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"Although you are a scholar, when you are determined, there's no way to refuse you." 虽说你是个文人吧可这强硬起来还真是没办法让人拒绝 (I feel like Lin Yusen should be spluttering indignantly in the background here, hee!)
--which I feel kind of illustrates my point lol, how strong the impression made by Shen Wei is compared to Lin Yusen.
(Canon-divergence fic about Zhang Danni and company could be really interesting, if it managed to diverge before they actually killed anyone! As yet another variation on masks, selfhood, etc.)
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This may be just happenstance, but it does seem to serve the purpose of bringing the SID characters, as well as Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's changing relationship, to the forefront.
As well as raising the stakes without really making us feel them yet, foreshadowing while saving the real heartbreak for later on? But you're right, I think. For me, Lin Yusen's story is allll about Zhao Yunlan -- how he tries (but not hard enough) to assert his authority in sending Lin Yusen home, how he reluctantly steps into the mentor-y role, how gutted he is by Lin Yusen's death, and how much he resents the Envoy for taking away his body. I think Lin Yusen's death feels like his second big failure, coming on the heels of Zhang Ruonan, and he blames himself more than the culprits. You know?
(Canon-divergence fic about Zhang Danni and company could be really interesting, if it managed to diverge before they actually killed anyone! As yet another variation on masks, selfhood, etc.)
Oh, yes! Good point. I wonder how Jia Hui discovered his power, and what he first did with it... That would be fascinating to read about.
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Oh, that's a fascinating observation! It really is true, and I wonder if it's on purpose to put the focus more on the SID, or if it's because they're less sympathetic than other Dixingren of the week, or some other reason ...
And agreed, that would be very interesting for fic! Jia Hui in particular, because what do you even do when your power manifests and it turns out to be this?