Oh wow, what a wonderful post! I love all of it, and your screencaps are so gorgeous! *leaves an enormous heap of kudos*
My notes from a rewatch in 2019:
I'm increasingly convinced that Shen Wei, knowing ZYL was following him (and um, having overheard some students mention that there's been a few attacks in this part of town lately?), set up this whole mugging situation for the purposes of: a) getting the muggers off the street (which only works if he made ZYL call the local beat cops after they left the scene) b) making himself appear vulnerable to allay suspicion c) flirtrolling(™ Trobadora), by letting ZYL "rescue" him (see how pleased with himself ZYL is!?! :D :D :D) d) playing doctor and patient.
THE LINIMENT SCENE!!!!!1!!11!!!!!!!!!eleventy-one!! In particular, when they reach Shen Wei's place, Shen Wei tries to fold his suit jacket TWICE and fails both times, because he's so distracted trying to stop ZYL from leaving. <333
When the team see the CCTV footage, ZYL could totally have bluffed about running into Shen Wei if he didn't have a guilty conscience!
My notes this time around (apologies in advance for the excessive detail!):
Zhao Yunlan fights the muggers so easily, hee! Like the show is going: Who has time for an extended street fight? We have relationship development to do!! (But I can't help comparing it with the "rescue" setup in Dixing where Zhao Yunlan says the fake attackers were defeated too easily.) (Also, I wonder whether Shen Wei subtly dark-energy-reinforced Zhao Yunlan's kicks and punches, and that's why the muggers are still lying around half an hour later!) After the metal bar attack, I really love how Shen Wei wants to smite the muggers, but can't.
The first aid kit, which exists purely for Zhao Yunlan's benefit!! <3 <3 <3
Zhao Yunlan goes from fidgety and uncomfortable and "I should go" to "work for me" in 0.5 seconds. I wonder how much the job offer is a test, ie, "Is this why you've been hanging around and being so helpful and provocatively knowledgeable?" Zhao Yunlan thinks he's cracked the mystery of Shen Wei! But then Shen Wei turns him down flat, and Zhao Yunlan is back to square one? That's how I'm reading it. Zhao Yunlan is testing allll the time.
I looove the SID hanging out and talking about ghosts stories. I'd forgotten this scene! It's so casual and fun. I especially love CSZ saying it's boring. (What kind of stories does he like? Cosy fantasy? *g*)
Zhu Hong says, "Where's Chief Zhao? Who the hell knows which old pal he's hanging with now." Interesting that she's calling him Chief Zhao, rather than Lao Zhao. Also, that makes it sound like he's a delinquent chief who's never around, ha. And then Zhao Yunlan comes in in such a good mood: whistling, offering to buy everyone dinner. <3 <3 <3 Maybe overnight he concluded that if Shen Wei isn't angling for a job, then it must be something more personal?
Note for my own private obsession: Guo Changcheng is at the crime scene first, making notes; then Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arrive together.
Chu Shuzhi says, "Based on my experience, he died from freezing." 按我的经验 人是被冻死的 Which seems like weird phrasing. What experience?
Still adore Zhao Yunlan being so flustered in the CCTV-watching scene. Dork!
Shen Wei has three globes on or near his desk! Also LOTS OF BEAR PICS! Oh, and here's my folder of youchu pencil art that I just happen to have lying around, lol. It's very weird how Zhao Yunlan joins in the exposition about youchu, like, if he knows already, why is he calling Shen Wei?
When Zhao Yunlan receives the phone call during the video call, Shen Wei's little reaction makes me think he's used to being able to hear both sides of other people's phone calls, but he can't over the video link.
After the video call, Zhao Yunlan tells Changcheng and Da Qing to go and archive it? Does he mean the video conference itself??
Hospital: Zhao Yunlan shamelessly lying on the spare hospital bed; Chu Shuzhi sits down too.
So many frozen bodies -- I can't help wondering why the SID wasn't brought in sooner!
Lai Su's house is huge! (It looks even bigger because ZYL is down a couple of steps from the front door.) And lol, ZYL literally gives Lin Jing a kick in the ass. He's so mean. And hey, Da Qing can smell humans -- you'd think they'd use that more often.
The one time Guo Changcheng sighs and slacks off, he's helpful by accident. Hee!
I love that it's Chu Shuzhi, not ZYL, who notices the cowering Lai Su. /competence kink
Ha, Lin Jing's betrayed rant is too much even for Zhao Yunlan.
Wait, so what was Zhu Jiu doing? Did he activate Lai Su's power somehow? Is he Lai Su's alter ego and controlling the youchu, and ZYL is wrong? *retrospectively confused*
I always love the transition from the swinging desk gadget thing when Changcheng's writing his diary to Zhao Yunlan waving the brush around. Lovely visual symmetry.
Shen Wei is constantly coming up against Zhao Yunlan's insincerity and glibness: during the liniment scene, when Zhao Yunlan protests that his arm doesn't hurt, Shen Wei shakes his head; when Shen Wei, with tears in his eyes, says he never expected Zhao Yunlan to sympathise with Dixingren, Zhao Yunlan laughs and makes a joke. Oh, Zhao Yunlan! (Is there a third moment in this episode, too?) Anyway, it's so far from what Shen Wei wants/needs from him. Ouch!
Bear (ha! punny!) with me.
Heee! <3 <3 <3 (I'm going to resist c&ping all your delightful comments purely to agree with them, so please take that as read. *g*)
Lookit how flustered Shen Wei looks after being scolded for not inviting Zhao Yunlan over sooner!
Ha, yes. Oh, nooo, etiquette fail! I think he didn't think they had that kind of relationship yet?
Zhao Yunlan... who WOULDN'T want to web cam with him? XD
LOL! And how weird for Shen Wei -- as someone who doesn't usually use computers, to have Zhu Hong frostily show up in his office, and then open the computer and THERE IS ZHAO YUNLAN! *g*
CHANGCHENG'S SHRUBBERY "CAMOUFLAGE"!!!! XD
:D :D :D And how Chu Shuzhi seems to take it as a personal affront! :D :D :D
What is your favorite thing about this episode?
Zhao Yunlan's complete failure to be cool, both during the liniment scene and while watching the CCTV footage. He's really off-balance!
I don't think about this episode very much -- I don't find the case as engaging as some of the others -- but I'm so glad I rewatched. Some lovely moments!
When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often? (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, SHEN WEI?)
HEE! I thought it was, "Now we live so close, you can come to me for info at any time, day or night. You won't even have to change out of your pyjamas." *g*
What are some random things you think Shen Wei has learned by paying attention to Zhao Yunlan at the start of their relationship (this time around)?
I think he's just very aware of how guarded and suspicious and insincere Zhao Yunlan is a lot of the time. It's such a contrast to Kunlun. :-( But also how much he cares.
What's with Zhao Yunlan draping himself all over everything??
The more relaxed he is, the less likely he is to have a gastric upset? *pets him*
Was Zhao Yunlan possibly thinking about Shen Wei when he had his "lightbulb moment" about the author and multiple personality disorders?
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Hmm. I don't think so? I don't think he knows what's up with Shen Wei -- but he doesn't yet have any reason to suspect a dual identity.
I'm not entirely sure I know exactly what prompted Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", aside from *gestures broadly*. What do you think?
Oh, great question! I always just accepted it. Hmm. When he arrived at the SID early in the ep, he was all, "Everyone, to celebrate the recent peace and quiet, I've decided to invite you all to a feast!" and then it turns out there is no peace and quiet. So I think maybe this is him being aware that cases are ongoing, maybe even escalating?
no subject
My notes from a rewatch in 2019:
I'm increasingly convinced that Shen Wei, knowing ZYL was following him (and um, having overheard some students mention that there's been a few attacks in this part of town lately?), set up this whole mugging situation for the purposes of:
a) getting the muggers off the street (which only works if he made ZYL call the local beat cops after they left the scene)
b) making himself appear vulnerable to allay suspicion
c) flirtrolling(™ Trobadora), by letting ZYL "rescue" him (see how pleased with himself ZYL is!?! :D :D :D)
d) playing doctor and patient.
THE LINIMENT SCENE!!!!!1!!11!!!!!!!!!eleventy-one!!
In particular, when they reach Shen Wei's place, Shen Wei tries to fold his suit jacket TWICE and fails both times, because he's so distracted trying to stop ZYL from leaving. <333
When the team see the CCTV footage, ZYL could totally have bluffed about running into Shen Wei if he didn't have a guilty conscience!
My notes this time around (apologies in advance for the excessive detail!):
- Zhao Yunlan fights the muggers so easily, hee! Like the show is going: Who has time for an extended street fight? We have relationship development to do!! (But I can't help comparing it with the "rescue" setup in Dixing where Zhao Yunlan says the fake attackers were defeated too easily.) (Also, I wonder whether Shen Wei subtly dark-energy-reinforced Zhao Yunlan's kicks and punches, and that's why the muggers are still lying around half an hour later!) After the metal bar attack, I really love how Shen Wei wants to smite the muggers, but can't.
- The first aid kit, which exists purely for Zhao Yunlan's benefit!! <3 <3 <3
- Zhao Yunlan goes from fidgety and uncomfortable and "I should go" to "work for me" in 0.5 seconds. I wonder how much the job offer is a test, ie, "Is this why you've been hanging around and being so helpful and provocatively knowledgeable?" Zhao Yunlan thinks he's cracked the mystery of Shen Wei! But then Shen Wei turns him down flat, and Zhao Yunlan is back to square one? That's how I'm reading it. Zhao Yunlan is testing allll the time.
- I looove the SID hanging out and talking about ghosts stories. I'd forgotten this scene! It's so casual and fun. I especially love CSZ saying it's boring. (What kind of stories does he like? Cosy fantasy? *g*)
- Note for my own private obsession: Guo Changcheng is at the crime scene first, making notes; then Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arrive together.
- Chu Shuzhi says, "Based on my experience, he died from freezing." 按我的经验 人是被冻死的 Which seems like weird phrasing. What experience?
- Still adore Zhao Yunlan being so flustered in the CCTV-watching scene. Dork!
- Shen Wei has three globes on or near his desk! Also LOTS OF BEAR PICS! Oh, and here's my folder of youchu pencil art that I just happen to have lying around, lol. It's very weird how Zhao Yunlan joins in the exposition about youchu, like, if he knows already, why is he calling Shen Wei?
- Hospital: Zhao Yunlan shamelessly lying on the spare hospital bed; Chu Shuzhi sits down too.
- So many frozen bodies -- I can't help wondering why the SID wasn't brought in sooner!
- Lai Su's house is huge! (It looks even bigger because ZYL is down a couple of steps from the front door.) And lol, ZYL literally gives Lin Jing a kick in the ass. He's so mean. And hey, Da Qing can smell humans -- you'd think they'd use that more often.
- The one time Guo Changcheng sighs and slacks off, he's helpful by accident. Hee!
- I love that it's Chu Shuzhi, not ZYL, who notices the cowering Lai Su. /competence kink
- Ha, Lin Jing's betrayed rant is too much even for Zhao Yunlan.
- Wait, so what was Zhu Jiu doing? Did he activate Lai Su's power somehow? Is he Lai Su's alter ego and controlling the youchu, and ZYL is wrong? *retrospectively confused*
- I always love the transition from the swinging desk gadget thing when Changcheng's writing his diary to Zhao Yunlan waving the brush around. Lovely visual symmetry.
- Shen Wei is constantly coming up against Zhao Yunlan's insincerity and glibness: during the liniment scene, when Zhao Yunlan protests that his arm doesn't hurt, Shen Wei shakes his head; when Shen Wei, with tears in his eyes, says he never expected Zhao Yunlan to sympathise with Dixingren, Zhao Yunlan laughs and makes a joke. Oh, Zhao Yunlan! (Is there a third moment in this episode, too?) Anyway, it's so far from what Shen Wei wants/needs from him. Ouch!
Bear (ha! punny!) with me.Zhu Hong says, "Where's Chief Zhao? Who the hell knows which old pal he's hanging with now." Interesting that she's calling him Chief Zhao, rather than Lao Zhao. Also, that makes it sound like he's a delinquent chief who's never around, ha. And then Zhao Yunlan comes in in such a good mood: whistling, offering to buy everyone dinner. <3 <3 <3 Maybe overnight he concluded that if Shen Wei isn't angling for a job, then it must be something more personal?
When Zhao Yunlan receives the phone call during the video call, Shen Wei's little reaction makes me think he's used to being able to hear both sides of other people's phone calls, but he can't over the video link.
After the video call, Zhao Yunlan tells Changcheng and Da Qing to go and archive it? Does he mean the video conference itself??
Heee! <3 <3 <3 (I'm going to resist c&ping all your delightful comments purely to agree with them, so please take that as read. *g*)
Lookit how flustered Shen Wei looks after being scolded for not inviting Zhao Yunlan over sooner!
Ha, yes. Oh, nooo, etiquette fail! I think he didn't think they had that kind of relationship yet?
Zhao Yunlan... who WOULDN'T want to web cam with him? XD
LOL! And how weird for Shen Wei -- as someone who doesn't usually use computers, to have Zhu Hong frostily show up in his office, and then open the computer and THERE IS ZHAO YUNLAN! *g*
CHANGCHENG'S SHRUBBERY "CAMOUFLAGE"!!!! XD
:D :D :D And how Chu Shuzhi seems to take it as a personal affront! :D :D :D
What is your favorite thing about this episode?
Zhao Yunlan's complete failure to be cool, both during the liniment scene and while watching the CCTV footage. He's really off-balance!
I don't think about this episode very much -- I don't find the case as engaging as some of the others -- but I'm so glad I rewatched. Some lovely moments!
When Shen Wei is trying to make excuses for why he can't work with the SID, he begins to say "Moreover, now that I live across from you..." Was he about to say that they would get sick of each other if they were together so often? (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, SHEN WEI?)
HEE! I thought it was, "Now we live so close, you can come to me for info at any time, day or night. You won't even have to change out of your pyjamas." *g*
What are some random things you think Shen Wei has learned by paying attention to Zhao Yunlan at the start of their relationship (this time around)?
I think he's just very aware of how guarded and suspicious and insincere Zhao Yunlan is a lot of the time. It's such a contrast to Kunlun. :-( But also how much he cares.
What's with Zhao Yunlan draping himself all over everything??
The more relaxed he is, the less likely he is to have a gastric upset? *pets him*
Was Zhao Yunlan possibly thinking about Shen Wei when he had his "lightbulb moment" about the author and multiple personality disorders?
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Hmm. I don't think so? I don't think he knows what's up with Shen Wei -- but he doesn't yet have any reason to suspect a dual identity.
I'm not entirely sure I know exactly what prompted Zhao Yunlan's "I keep feeling we're facing stormy weather", aside from *gestures broadly*. What do you think?
Oh, great question! I always just accepted it. Hmm. When he arrived at the SID early in the ep, he was all, "Everyone, to celebrate the recent peace and quiet, I've decided to invite you all to a feast!" and then it turns out there is no peace and quiet. So I think maybe this is him being aware that cases are ongoing, maybe even escalating?