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sid_guardian2023-03-20 01:14 am
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2023-03-20 01:14 am
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GUARDIAN REWATCH - Episode 10
Beginning of episode: Zhu Hong wakes Zhao Yunlan: everyone has been drugged
Ending of episode: Hei Pao Shi and Zhao Yunlan empathise with Sang Zan
Important scenes/developments:
- Wang Zheng has drugged everyone!
- Zhao Yunlan asks Zhu Hong to keep an eye on Shen Wei
- Zhu Hong uses her hypnotism on Shen Wei to keep him from going out
- Guo Changcheng electrocutes Zhao Yunlan, to Chu Shuzhi's great amusement
- the Black-Cloaked Envoy sends a warning to Zhao Yunlan and saves him from a youchu
- Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy team up to look for Wang Zheng
- the Envoy warns Zhao Yunlan again about the Hallows; Zhao Yunlan compares him to Shen Wei
- Ge Lan/Sang Zan flashbacks and backstory
- Sang Zan tried to revive Ge Lan with the Mountain-River Awl, but only succeeded in disembodying her
- Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy empathise with Sang Zan's hatred of those who caused Ge Lan's death
Thoughts:
- Zhao Yunlan wakes up from being drugged groggy and headachey, but he catches on very quickly that it must have been Wang Zheng who did it. *appreciates*
Interestingly, Zhu Hong can't wake up anyone else, as she says later - Lin Jing, Da Qing and the students sleep through the entire thing. She explains that her own Snake metabolism isn't like human metabolism (or Cat metabolism, I guess, considering Da Qing) - but Zhao Yunlan is the odd man out. Main character syndrome? Or did he just drink less water than everyone else? *g*
Also, every time I watch this I forget again that Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng rock up some time later in the morning, not drugged and apparently having spent the night elsewhere. *g* - Regarding Wang Zheng, when they find everyone unconscious, her body is there, open-eyed and empty since she's actually in the caves. For some reason, this does not show as the sex doll, and I understand even less how any of this works, LOL.
And it gets worse, because later Xiao-Guo finds a piece of plastic in the mountains, and from Zhao Yunlan'ss explanation and the flashback it seems like it should be from the doll. So what's lying in the hotel? *baffled*
(Thank you, discord chat, for reassuring me I'm not the only one who goes ??? at the whole doll thing!) - When Zhao Yunlan suspects the new quake isn't just an aftershock, but caused by Dixingren, Shen Wei confirms this fits their usual MO. I assume he means Zhu Jiu - but the earthquake/aftershock isn't related to any Dixingren, it seems to be triggered by Sang Zan and Ge Lan finding each other again.
Though to be fair, the quakes in general seem to be associated with Sang Zan experiencing strong emotion in reaction to outsiders in the cave, which also explains why the region isn't known for them - there haven't been any before; Sang Zan has been all alone these hundred years until Zhu Jiu broke in the night he murdered that guard, and the first quake happened. - Last time, I must have watched with different subs, because I didn't remember Zhu Jiu's "I prefer to keep my pants on" at all. From the Chinese 我不会把她怎么样的, I think a much less icky "I won't do anything to her" would be more accurate?
- The dynamics between Zhu Hong and Shen Wei are so fascinating. She seems very confident here, probably buoyed by Zhao Yunlan putting her in charge of keeping an eye on Shen Wei - both because he's trusting her with this, and because it shows he's suspicious of Shen Wei.
And I do love how she uses his relationship with Zhao Yunlan, telling him it would bother Zhao Yunlan if he left ... Solo's subs have it as "he regards you as a special friend", but going by the Chinese 他可是破天荒地拿你当好朋友了, it's more like "unprecedentedly, he regards you as a good friend", so the emphasis is more on how unusual this is for Zhao Yunlan, not on the specialness of their relationship. - Regarding her hypnosis attempt, I love how Shen Wei plays along here, and we don't see the rest of the scene until next episode. :D
- Chu Shuzhi did his research! Not only that, some of it seems to be older research! He says he already had theories about Wang Zheng's origins, and read up on the Hanga tribe. Perhaps there was a low-key "figure out Wang Zheng's history" project going on that never had high priority and never went anywhere until now? But that explains how Chu Shuzhi has so much information to offer. Seems like there's a body of literature on the Hanga tribe, and the area has been a target of academic interest before, even without knowing what's inside the mountain. Presumably Zhu Jiu also drew on that in his own research into Wang Zheng.
Also, I really love that Lao-Chu, field agent and action man, is the one who did this kind of research into anthropology and is presenting it now. He has hidden depths, and knows more about more areas than you'd think! :D - Zhao Yunlan still can't use his gun without flashing back to his mother's death, and can't bring himself to fire it. Even more interestingly, though, is what he says to the Envoy later:
HPS: The black energy gun you just wanted to use was passed on to you by your father, right?
ZYL: I just wanted to scare them with it, I didn't mean to shoot at all.
Why that disclaimer? It almost sounds like he expects the Envoy to disapprove. Of course, I can totally imagine Zhao Xinci warning his son that the Envoy doesn't like that gun, without ever mentioning that what the Envoy doesn't like is how Zhao Xinci, personally, uses the gun. *g* - Identities are getting a bit blurry in this mountain. There's the obvious bit where the Envoy warns Zhao Yunlan again about using the Hallows, and Zhao Yunlan days, "You sound exactly like a friend of mine" - picking up on the similarities between both Shen Wei's identities. And there's also this:
HPS: Chief Zhao, you shouldn't have ignored my warning.
ZYL: Well, with a Youchu standing in front of you, could you just ignore that?
Zhao Yunlan (quite reasonably) thinks the Envoy is talking about the warning message he just sent into the cave - but does Shen Wei mean that, or the "don't leave Dragon City" warning? Did he forget for a moment which identity he gave it in - or are things blurring so much that, since he's been giving out warnings in both identities, it no longer matters? - When the Envoy searches the caves with black energy, he makes a pretty dramatic gesture:
Since we've seen him stealth-search before, with just a bit of black energy gathering in his palm (see for example episode 4), that gesture has to be a deliberate performance. :D
(It may well be ingrained habit, distinguishing his body language from Professor Shen's that way ...) - I love that at the end, both Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy agree with Sang Zan's anger and hatred of those who caused Ge Lan's death - they don't know yet what exactly he did afterwards, but they understand he changed, and they both express that they'd feel the same.
The drama has such a theme of misguided vengeance, people blaming others wrongly and taking out their own pain on innocent people, but Sang Zan's hatred and desire for vengeance aren't directed at the wrong people, and our heroes validate his feelings even if not his actions. I really appreciate that!
And also, their entire cooperation in this episode shows Zhao Yunlan has warmed up to the Envoy (as opposed to Professor Shen) - and this scene definitely reinforces that as they both discover just how much their views align. ♥
Parallels and Foreshadowing
- Pillar parallels: look at the two pillars, and people being chained to them!
- Flashback parallels: a chained Sang Zan watching Ge Lan being killed, screaming NOOOO (不要！！！) just like Zhao Yunlan will in episode 39 ...
- Song parallels: the drama's end credit song, with its theme of lovers being separated, is used for the Ge Lan and Sang Zan flashbacks - and that alone already builds such a strong parallel between them and the drama's main ship!
- Ending parallels: Ge Lan and Sang Zan lose and find each other again like Shen Wei and Kunlun/Zhao Yunlan - and more than that, they both die and still find each other again afterwards, which has implications for the drama's ending ... :D
I love that Wang Zheng/Sang Zan are used to parallel both of Shen Wei's most important relationships. And that's not even everything; there's more to come next week ... :D
Discussion starters:
- What's your favourite bit in this episode? I'm trying to decide between Zhao Yunlan's "you sound exactly like a friend of mine", and Chu Shuzhi laughing at Zhao Yunlan getting electrocuted. Very differet vibes, both awesome. :D
- This time round, it really stuck out at me that we keep seeing Sang Zan inside the pillar, human face and all, but we never do with Ye Zun. Are they imprisoned in the same way? I always assumed Ye Zun was disembodied entirely, not even an energy body until he manages to break free, but rewatching this is making me wonder.
- When Shen Wei warns Zhao Yunlan not to believe what Wang Zheng says, he says the place blocks his powers to some extent, so he can't tell what's true or not. On discord shadaras pointed out that that implies he usually can tell - he has a lie-detection power available! Do we ever see him use that?
- Shen Wei gives a partial explanation of the limits of his powers: "Chief Zhao should know that on the surface, I can't chase escaped Dixingren by myself. First, the the burden of gravity is too heavy; I can't stay for long. Second, I can only use half of my strength here."
I've always been particularly fascinated by the idea of gravity having an influence on black energy. What's your take on this? What's the effect of gravity?
And is Shen Wei telling the truth here? Are all the limits on his power externally imposed, or is he limiting himself too?
(Regarding the the question of whether the gravity on the surface being more of a burden makes sense: from some googling, I gather that gravity is actually highest at sea level, and decreases both at higher altitudes and underground. And since Dixing seems to be be deep underground, and the Hanga mountains don't look that tall, that would check out.) - Just prior to Shen Wei's explanation above, he clutches his chest, and it looks like he's faltering for a moment. But the chest-touching gesture is also reminiscent of his pendant. Is he actually physically affected, or is he just emotionally overcome?
- Zhao Yunlan knows Sang Zan changed, because not being able to protect the one he loved would do that. "If my love was killed by their hand, killed under a system I established myself, I would hate them more than even the patriarch."
And Shen Wei agrees: "Even if they were cut into a thousand pieces, it could not assuage such hatred."
Is this just both of them feeling strongly about a hypothetical, or is there more in this - is there foreshadowing in this? Does it hint at something terrible happening to Zhao Yunlan and/or Shen Wei? Is it related to what happened to Ye Zun? On discord,bladedweapons wondered if it might be referring to something that was supposed to happen in YOHE, that was afterwards changed (perhaps when their budget got cut). And in the 2019 rewatch, mekare suggested Zhao Yunlan talking about people changing after a loss might be referring to his father.
I've been trying to work it out but haven't quite been able to put it together. Anyone have thoughts? - This also came up on discord: The Hanga arc is the only place where Wang Zheng gets a larger role. What do you think she could have done if she'd been given more to do in the rest of the drama? Surveillance, waking through walls, being generally spooky? :D
Let's talk about episode 10!
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 10 fanworks and meta go here!
- any other episode reactions or related meta
- fanworks, picspams, squee, etc, relating to episode 10 generally or to specific scenes, characters, or events in this episode
Link to your own works and/or others'. Help us build as comprehensive a collection of links as possible!Re: Links to episode 10 fanworks and meta go here!
Guardian Episode by Episode: 10 by
Guardian rewatch eps. 10 & 11 by
Scene discussion:
ep 10/11, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan in the Hanga Caves and after by
Character discussion:
Sang Zan by
Wang Zheng by
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Same! I was very jarred by seeing that in the subtitles, I definitely don't remember that from previous viewings.
I never thought about this before - I know they came in later after the water was distributed, but that they weren't at the 'hotel' with everyone else when Zhu Hong was trying to wake people up? HMMMMMM.
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Yeah, me too. I just checked; neither the original subs nor the Viki subs had that version.
but that they weren't at the 'hotel' with everyone else when Zhu Hong was trying to wake people up? HMMMMMM.
Right? What were they doing - and perhaps more importantly, what did Zhao Yunlan think they were doing? *g*
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(sorry i'm yelling i feel very normally about them at all times)
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I keep noticing, and then forgetting, and then noticing again. *g*
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Wow, how did I miss that? Admittedly I'm not into this pairing, but still. WOW.
This is one of my favourite moments, for precisely all the reasons you outline. ♥
I learned something today!
Could I ask, since I'm not always around to read here, that people send me a wee heads-up when they find errors? It should of course not stop you from discussing them here, but I'm very happy to fix stuff if I get told what I should fix, and re-upload new versions! :)
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I'm not into the ship either, but yeah, doesn't mean we can't recognise ship fodder when we see it. :D
This is one of my favourite moments, for precisely all the reasons you outline. ♥
Right? So good! :D
Could I ask, since I'm not always around to read here, that people send me a wee heads-up when they find errors?
Sure, of course! I'll send things your way when I come across them. Thank you for all your work on the subs! ♥ ♥ ♥
(Is there a way to check if I've got the most recent version of the subs? I downloaded them when you finished back then, but I don't know if I've got any fixes you may have made since then.)
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I'm only barely following along with the rewatch posts, but I had to drop in to say I've never noticed this before and am delighted by it. XD
Also yeah, the logistics of the whole sex doll thing... no idea what's going on there.
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Last time, I must have watched with different subs, because I didn't remember Zhu Jiu's "I prefer to keep my pants on" at all. From the Chinese 我不会把她怎么样的, I think a much less icky "I won't do anything to her" would be more accurate?
That is quite the liberty for the translation to take! Always interesting how the whole vibe of a scene can change with a different translation.
What's your favourite bit in this episode?
Zhao Yunlan warming up to the Envoy! The "You sound exactly like a friend of mine" bit and the two of them expressing the same attitude towards Sang Zan at the end of the episode are my favourite parts.
Zhao Yunlan knows Sang Zan changed, because not being able to protect the one he loved would do that. "If my love was killed by their hand, killed under a system I established myself, I would hate them more than even the patriarch."
And Shen Wei agrees: "Even if they were cut into a thousand pieces, it could not assuage such hatred."
From this scene alone, I would think that Shen Wei is talking about being unable to protect Ye Zun and the “killed under a system I established myself” part is only hypothetical to him.
But bladedweapons pointed out that there are other scenes where Shen Wei seems to hint at something befalling Zhao Yunlan specifically in the past. In this context, the theory that a corresponding storyline in YOHE got removed makes a lot of sense.
This also came up on discord: The Hanga arc is the only place where Wang Zheng gets a larger role. What do you think she could have done if she'd been given more to do in the rest of the drama? Surveillance, waking through walls, being generally spooky? :D
I love spooky ghost Wang Zheng! She should definitely get to scare people more.👻
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Both versions I've got (one with hardsubs, one without) have sound, yeah, so it seems to be a problem with a specific version. I sent you a PM. :)
Always interesting how the whole vibe of a scene can change with a different translation.
Right? And it's not always clear which version is more accurate because very few of us here are fluent enough in Chinese to catch implied meanings rather than literal ones. I'm very much still a beginner myself, so I can only compare literal meaning and the different existing versions of the subtitles and make my best guess. *g*
Zhao Yunlan warming up to the Envoy! The "You sound exactly like a friend of mine" bit and the two of them expressing the same attitude towards Sang Zan at the end of the episode are my favourite parts.
Yes! Honestly, I wish we'd got more team-ups between them before Zhao Yunlan found out the truth; this just really speaks to me. Zhao Yunlan isn't expecting to find himself this much on the same page as someone like the Envoy! :D
From this scene alone, I would think that Shen Wei is talking about being unable to protect Ye Zun and the “killed under a system I established myself” part is only hypothetical to him.
That would make sense, yes! He does have strong feelings about not being able to protect Ye Zun as a kid, and relating to Sang Zan on that point should definitely be enough, with the hypothetical as "that would make it even worse".
But bladedweapons pointed out that there are other scenes where Shen Wei seems to hint at something befalling Zhao Yunlan specifically in the past. In this context, the theory that a corresponding storyline in YOHE got removed makes a lot of sense.
We're going to have to pay attention to these scenes, and other potential hints, during the rest of the rewatch! I always did think the YOHE sequence was originally meant to be longer, and it would be very cool if we could put together some clues about that from what remained in the script. :D
I love spooky ghost Wang Zheng! She should definitely get to scare people more.👻
Hee! Yeah, she was very good with scaring those agents, wasn't she? She should get to do more stuff like that. :D
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Right? And it's not always clear which version is more accurate because very few of us here are fluent enough in Chinese to catch implied meanings rather than literal ones. I'm very much still a beginner myself, so I can only compare literal meaning and the different existing versions of the subtitles and make my best guess. *g*
You’re doing infinitely better than me then, my level is mostly "guessing the meaning of Hanzi based on similar Japanese characters" XD
Really relying on the subtitles here.
I always appreciate when people have notes or comments on the translation - super interesting stuff.
Honestly, I wish we'd got more team-ups between them before Zhao Yunlan found out the truth
100% agreed, these two make a great team.
Zhao Yunlan slowly developing more respect for Heipaoshi is great to witness. Actually all of their interactions are superb <3
I always did think the YOHE sequence was originally meant to be longer, and it would be very cool if we could put together some clues about that from what remained in the script. :D
It is a little short, isn’t it? Zhao Yunlan only spent like an afternoon in the past XD
Let’s keep an eye out for clues during the rewatch👀
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It is a little short, isn’t it? Zhao Yunlan only spent like an afternoon in the past XD
It's really hard to tell how long he was there because there are some things that should have taken time (like Zhao Yunlan teaching Ma Gui to make alcohol!) but it's all edited like it takes place in maybe two days. *g*
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Episode 10
Earthquake aftershocks are normal! They're not a clue!!!
Also, what is Wang Zheng feeling so guilty about? Her privilege? Not avenging her father? (It would be so interesting if she'd actually come back to kill her Romeo but then couldn't bring herself to do it.)
Chu Shuzhi looked through resources! He totally did the bookwork! *loves* Also, he's so happy when GCC zaps ZYL. HEE!
The plan to send ZYL alone into the monster-infested cave seems... poorly thought out.
In the Gelan flashbacks, about ninety percent of my sympathy is with Gelan's poor bodyguard. He's all, "Princess, if you don't behave yourself, your father WILL LITERALLY KILL ME!" And she's all, "Don't worry about it! I'll clear it with Daddy later. He always listens to me." And he's all, "I am so fuuuucked..." D: D: D: (Do we see him again after that? I forgot to check.) ETA: We do!
A few additional notes from this time around
Also, every time I watch this I forget again that Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng rock up some time later in the morning, not drugged and apparently having spent the night elsewhere. *g*
Ahaha, that's amazing. I've never noticed that before. They arrived during? after? the drugged toast, so maybe they just skipped it, and... woke up early and went to scout around for trouble? (Obviously there are other possible interpretations, but it's a bit early in the show for me to be aboard that ship yet.)
For some reason, this does not show as the sex doll, and I understand even less how any of this works, LOL.
LOL! You and me both.
Sang Zan has been all alone these hundred years until Zhu Jiu broke in the night he murdered that guard, and the first quake happened.
Alone with a herd? gang? rabble? clan? of youchu. /o\
Perhaps there was a low-key "figure out Wang Zheng's history" project going on that never had high priority and never went anywhere until now?
Ooh, I like that. Or alternatively Chu Shuzhi independently investigated the backgrounds of the various SID members, in the quiet years after his arrival? They're all from foreign cultures he wouldn't have known anything about, and he must have been bored showing up to work every day with hardly any cases... :-)
Also, I really love that Lao-Chu, field agent and action man, is the one who did this kind of research into anthropology and is presenting it now. He has hidden depths, and knows more about more areas than you'd think! :D
Yesss! I really love that too. :D
Why that disclaimer? It almost sounds like he expects the Envoy to disapprove. Of course, I can totally imagine Zhao Xinci warning his son that the Envoy doesn't like that gun, without ever mentioning that what the Envoy doesn't like is how Zhao Xinci, personally, uses the gun. *g*
I like that interpretation! (I was wondering if Zhao Yunlan was trying to save face by saying he didn't mean to shoot anyway, but I think your version fits better with his tone.) And it's possible that the Envoy was just enquiring about the gun because !!!!!!!! Kunlun's gun !!!!!!!! and Zhao Xinci misinterpreted his reaction, too. *g*
Flashback parallels: a chained Sang Zan watching Ge Lan being killed, screaming NOOOO (不要！！！) just like Zhao Yunlan will in episode 39 ...
Omg, how have I not noticed that before? Awesome!! *hearts this show forever*
Favourite bit is Zhu Hong's everything. She really wants to be Zhao Yunlan's right-hand person, is infuriated when he tries to sideline her, and takes the new mission of keeping an eye on Shen Wei very seriously. <333
This time round, it really stuck out at me that we keep seeing Sang Zan inside the pillar, human face and all, but we never do with Ye Zun. Are they imprisoned in the same way? I always assumed Ye Zun was disembodied entirely, not even an energy body until he manages to break free, but rewatching this is making me wonder.
Maybe it's the difference between 100 years and 10,000? Or the difference between just the Awl and all the Hallows together?
When Shen Wei warns Zhao Yunlan not to believe what Wang Zheng says, he says the place blocks his powers to some extent, so he can't tell what's true or not. On discord
Ooooooooh! Maybe that's another reason he finds Zhao Yunlan's insincerity so jarring?!?
And in the 2019 rewatch,
That makes a lot of sense to me, especially the way he phrases it: "I just know people like this. Such an ambitious, resourceful man." (Original subs; the translation's very different in the Viki subs, so...)
Thanks for another really great post! <3
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It doesn't quite look like any of the above to me. Maybe it's just ("just") that her personal relationship literally led to the destruction of her entire tribe - that's quite enough to feel guilty for, even if it's not actually her fault that it ended that way ...
At 4:25 when Sang Zan says, "You released our clansmen who committed mischief! You dare to come here again?!" is he mistaking Wang Zheng for Zhu Jiu, or speaking directly to Zhu Jiu who's out of sight and immediately forgotten when Wang Zheng turns around?
I assumed that at first he only noticed someone approaching, and immediately thought it was Zhu Jiu again.
ZYL: Doing these tricks while sneaking behind the scenes, what the hell do they want to do?" 好端端地玩这种鬼把戏可又鬼鬼祟祟地躲在背后到底是想干什么 But... he knows Dixingren were coming after Li Qian's Sundial, right? So he knows the Hallows are bait. And he know the Awl is in the vicinity. I don't understand why he hasn't figured this out yet. ;-p
Maybe what he hasn't figured out is what the hell the earthquake has to do with anything?
The letter has power to repel youchu. This seems like a good precedent for, eg, using Shen Wei's letter as a token to get through the gate later in the show.
Oooh, great observation!
The Envoy says, "This is loud noise caused by ghosts stuck in the forbidden place of the cave." 这是幽畜常年在禁地躁动 引起的山窟巨响 Ohh, is this the forbidden place where the Envoy corralled the youchu? No wonder they're grumpy!
Wait, WHAT? I completely missed this!
So Shen Wei ... for some reason ... imprisoned the escaped Youchu inside a mountain? in Haixing? where the Mountain-River Awl happens to be? and somehow didn't notice this?
WHAT.
Envoy to Wang Zheng: I have investigated your file. You were dead a hundred years and seven months ago, which is the same year as the demise of the Hanga Tribe." 我调查过你的档案你早在一百年零七个月之前就已经死了正好和瀚噶族的灭亡是同一年 How did Wang Zheng's file have her exact date of death??
I would like to know that too! It makes so much more sense for the novel, where she's a literal ghost and he's talking about underworld bureaucracy. *g*
Wang Zheng giving Sang Zan a bouquet instead of a single flower reminds me of Shen Wei talking to Lin Yusen about his name (forest of jade). This seems thematic -- better together.
Oooh, yes, great parallel/repeated theme!
All the tribespeople are cheering for Sang Zan, seemingly sincerely. Does that mean the enslaved people killed all the previous enslavers, or that the previous enslavers have been convinced by the uprising?
Either they killed everyone who didn't agree, or they have them locked up somewhere. Killed, probably.
I can't help feeling Ge Lan might fit in better, in the new regime, if she wore less bling.
LOL! You're not wrong.
They arrived during? after? the drugged toast, so maybe they just skipped it, and... woke up early and went to scout around for trouble? (Obviously there are other possible interpretations, but it's a bit early in the show for me to be aboard that ship yet.)
Yeah, not being drugged makes sense, but when Zhu Hong told Zhao Yunlan everyone was unconscious, and she couldn't wake anyone, shouldn't she have mentioned if some people were missing? It looks to me like CSZ and GCC weren't expected to be there.
(Maybe the hotel didn't have enough space, and they slept elsewhere in the village?)
Or alternatively Chu Shuzhi independently investigated the backgrounds of the various SID members, in the quiet years after his arrival? They're all from foreign cultures he wouldn't have known anything about, and he must have been bored showing up to work every day with hardly any cases... :-
That would work too!
And it's possible that the Envoy was just enquiring about the gun because !!!!!!!! Kunlun's gun !!!!!!!! and Zhao Xinci misinterpreted his reaction, too. *g*
Hee! Yes! :D
Favourite bit is Zhu Hong's everything. She really wants to be Zhao Yunlan's right-hand person, is infuriated when he tries to sideline her, and takes the new mission of keeping an eye on Shen Wei very seriously. <333
Right???? She's really into this! Give her more to do, Zhao Yunlan!
Ooooooooh! Maybe that's another reason he finds Zhao Yunlan's insincerity so jarring?!?
Haha, yeah. (Maybe his power fires every time, and it itches? *g*)
That makes a lot of sense to me, especially the way he phrases it: "I just know people like this. Such an ambitious, resourceful man." (Original subs; the translation's very different in the Viki subs, so...)
Oh, yeah, good point! I checked the original, and I'm not sure where "ambitious" came from, though - that word seems to mean "courageous and upright", or maybe "brave and unyielding".
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True, good point.
Maybe what he hasn't figured out is what the hell the earthquake has to do with anything?
Oh, maybe. That works!
So Shen Wei ... for some reason ... imprisoned the escaped Youchu inside a mountain? in Haixing? where the Mountain-River Awl happens to be? and somehow didn't notice this?
WHAT.
It seems to be a very deep and complex cave system. He can't find his way through it -- they have to navigate via the Sundial. So maybe? Maybe corralling them into the caves and blocking it up was the best he could do. I mean, there's a LOT of Youchu.
but when Zhu Hong told Zhao Yunlan everyone was unconscious, and she couldn't wake anyone, shouldn't she have mentioned if some people were missing? It looks to me like CSZ and GCC weren't expected to be there.
I'd suspect it was just the economy of TV dialogue, except that when CSZ and GCC do stumble onto the scene, GCC starts to explain and ZYL cuts him off. Hee!
that word seems to mean "courageous and upright", or maybe "brave and unyielding".
Haha, I can see ZYL thinking of ZXC as "brave and unyielding", but I'm not sure about "upright". Well, maybe in the inflexible pejorative sense... ;-)
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Yeah, good point - if there were too many for him to keep under control entirely, taking them into the middle of Dragon City to drive them through the passage to Dixing would have been out of the question. Never mind that the middle of the city in Dixing wouldn't have appreciated it either!
(I never really thought about the logistics of this ...)
It's still a massive coincidence that the youchu ended up in the same place that just happened to have the Awl, though!
Haha, I can see ZYL thinking of ZXC as "brave and unyielding", but I'm not sure about "upright". Well, maybe in the inflexible pejorative sense... ;-)
Hee! Yeah, agreed. I don't know nearly enough Chinese to have even the slightest clue about the word's connotations, alas.
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Unless it's not a coincidence... perhaps whoever brought the Hallows to Haixing (or the Hallows themselves) opened up a temporary gateway and the youchu came through too, or the youchu are attracted to Hallows energy, or... :-)
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(I know, I know, I'm overthinking this, but that's why we're here, right? *g*)