The Gauche in the Machine (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
china_shop) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sid_guardian2023-05-31 10:17 am
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2023-05-31 10:17 am
Entry tags:
GUARDIAN REWATCH – Episode 20
Beginning of episode: Zhu Jiu reveals his scar and his history with the Envoy.
Ending of episode: Confrontation with semi-embodied Ye Zun; Zhao Yunlan loses his sight.
Important scenes/developments:
- Zhu Jiu's backstory with the Envoy.
- Zhu Jiu is too badly hurt to provide info; Zhu Hong injects him with Snake rejuvenation serum.
- The remaining SID team figure out the location of the lab and rescue Chu Shuzhi, Xiao Guo and Ye Huo.
- Da Qing wears a suit to rescue Lin Jing and Cong Bo from the Department of Supervision.
- Minister Gao is angry re the blackout and Da Qing impersonating a Xingdu Bureau agent. Zhao Xinci talks him down.
- Zhao Xinci inspects Professor Ouyang's experiment and tells him to pick up the pace. Zhang Shi dissents.
- The SID has a reunion festival feast. Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei tease each other.
- In the DoS car, Shen Wei mentions Zhu Hong's crush; Zhao Yunlan has a vision and puts his hand on Shen Wei's knee.
- Zhu Jiu gets a psychic wake-up call from Zhu Jiu, is punched by Chu Shuzhi, and "tricks" Xiao Guo into uncuffing him.
- Shen Wei continues on to the DoS while Zhao Yunlan calls Zhu Hong to bring out the Hallows and runs back to the SID on foot (and runs and runs).
- Zhu Jiu escapes the SID and has a surprisingly touching death scene.
- The Regent and the Deacon watch Ye Zun's pillar and decide to hedge their bets.
- Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong meet up on the street. Ya Qing finds them and takes them to Ye Zun in the park.
- Ye Zun greets Zhao Yunlan formally and spouts villain ideology.
- Zhao Yunlan provokes Ye Zun into attacking and uses the Longevity Dial to defend himself.
- Shen Wei senses the Dial's activation and dashes to the rescue, leaving Vice Minister Guo confused.
- Ye Zun tells Zhao Yunlan he can't win. Zhao Yunlan says humans are stubborn.
- Shen Wei shows up and cuts off the energy stream with his blade, knocking Zhao Yunlan out. Shen Wei sends Ye Zun to his room.
- To Shen Wei and Zhu Hong's relief, Shen Wei manages to wake Zhao Yunlan. But Zhao Yunlan's dark energy corruption has taken hold, and Zhao Yunlan is blind.
Thoughts
Wow, so much happens in this episode, and I think it all takes place in the course of one evening? (Or maybe twenty-four hours with some unexplained jumps? There are a couple of vague references to "yesterday", but otoh, I don't think it makes any sense for there to be significant time skips. Wouldn't Chu Shuzhi et al be well and truly popsicled?) Anyway, the show is continuing the transition from the earlier seemingly episodic cases of the week.
I'm just going to focus on particular threads, and I'll put my incidental notes in a comment.
- Zhu Hong: After last episode's talk with Shen Wei about the biology of love, Zhu Hong gets a couple of follow-ups:
When she produces the rejuvenation serum for Zhu Jiu, Zhao Yunlan makes her feel self-conscious about her Snakiness, while Shen Wei thanks her for the help. She compliments Shen Wei in return, but when she looks to Zhao Yunlan for approval, he only has eyes for Shen Wei.
Similarly, in the final scene, she's distraught at the damage Zhao Yunlan has sustained, but he only reaches for Shen Wei; as far as the two men are concerned, she might as well not be there. She takes both of these hits on the chin, especially since she must have realised on the rooftop, when they captured Zhu Jiu, who Shen Wei is. (I wonder if Shen Wei agreed to or even arranged her presence to show her that, so she'd have a fuller picture of his and Zhao Yunlan's relationship?) - Zhu Jiu: We see Zhu Jiu's "beginning", where he's radicalised via institutional bullying and mind control (so much mind control!) and his surprisingly touching end.
- Re his origin story, there are echoes of the Rebel Chief's bullying of Ye Zun -- both looked down upon for being unpowered. Zhu Jiu's encounter with the Envoy cutting his cheek is still perplexing, though. What the hell?
- Ye Zun gives Zhu Jiu a psychic wake-up call, and Zhu Jiu regains consciousness bound to the experimentation bed in the SID lab.
- Changcheng finds Zhu Jiu awake and yells this news really loudly, hee!
Zhu Jiu: So I failed completely in the end.
me: LOL! Yeah, sorry. You lost, and Changcheng is on the winning team.
Guo Changcheng: *exhibits compassion*
Chu Shuzhi: *comes in and thumps Zhu Jiu*
I think Zhu Jiu finds the thumping and maniacal grinning more comforting than the offer of food and drink, tbh. It's kind of his love language.) - They don't even bother showing us Zhu Jiu talking his way out of the handcuffs, lol. It's such a trope. Then Changcheng gives Zhu Jiu a pep talk:
GCC: You are always talking about human beings. I'm curious - do you really hate human beings or admire them?
ZJ: Utter shit. What's good about you human beings?
(This kind of foreshadows the conversation between Zhao Yunlan and Ye Zun later in the episode?)
GCC: What's bad about us? There is hope as long as one is alive.
ZJ: What about if you are dying?
GCC: Then make good use of your time, and do the things that should be done.
(Viki subs)
Zhu Jiu promptly decides to make good use of his remaining time by knocking Changcheng out (but not killing him!) and stealing the Hallows. But when he gets back to the lab, the Hallows cases are empty. Vision-warning averted! - Chu Shuzhi, Da Qing and Lin Jing arrive to confront Zhu Jiu. None of them seem surprised or shocked (or worried about Changcheng, so I guess they found him first?). Da Qing asks who Zhu Jiu's boss is, and Zhu Jiu is re-energised by the reminder of Ye Zun. He throws Changcheng's baton, presumably powering it with contempt, rather than fear, and turning it into an awesome weapon! Chu Shuzhi tries to catch it with his strings, but the baton knocks the SID guys back while Zhu Jiu escapes out the window. (Chu Shuzhi doesn't follow -- why?)
- And then we get his death scene with the very creepy vial, and his telling Ye Zun to use his energy for freedom and revenge.
Ya Qing arrives to pick up the vial and say, "Rest in peace." Aww? /o\
- Minister Gao is pissed off! He's particularly (justifiedly) annoyed about Da Qing impersonating a Xingdu Bureau officer. He thinks Vice Minister Guo will side with the SID, too. If Zhao Xinci hadn't turned up to contextualise (and critique), I'd have had a lot of sympathy for Minister Gao at this point: the SID's communication is all "better to ask forgiveness than permission" but without the forgiveness part.
Anyway, Zhao Xinci does show up, and he calls Minister Gao muddled (our first inkling that he's not competent). Zhao Xinci knows all about Zhu Jiu -- from case reports? shouldn't Minister Gao know this too? -- and considers him a dangerous threat (no surprise). Zhao Xinci explicitly supports the SID and says he'll take responsibility. This mollifies Minister Gao somewhat. They retire to the comfy seats, where Zhao Xinci sits with his legs crossed, relaxed, while Minister Gao sits to his left, formally facing him with his hands on his knees.
Minister Gao: I do personally appreciate Yunlan. He has boundless imagination and loves to employ surprising ideas. This is totally unlike you, Zhao-xiong.
ZXC: Yes, he's not like me. He is too obstinate.
me: LOL
Minister Gao: Yes, that's it! I still do trust him. Moreover, there is a well-behaved Professor Shen assisting him now. There should be no trouble.
me: More LOL
ZXC: *nods and doesn't comment on Shen Wei's involvement*
ZXC: Anyway, follow Zhu Jiu's case closely.
Minister Gao: How about we do this? I'll ask him to debrief me here tonight with Professor Shen. I'll warn him again.
ZXC: I think that's feasible. - The Reunion Feast: AWWWWW!
I love this, and it deserves its own scene discussion post, especially the adorable teasing between Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan, in which they make each other speak to the team and which Shen Wei wins with a sweet gotcha smile. asldkfjas;dlkjfasd;fk The fact that he's prepared to be this playful in front of the team says a lot, I think. They're so comfortable with each other by this point.
Then they talk in undertones while the others dig in to the food. Their conversation goes:
ZYL: You told me that my dream might be a premonition. But now, it seems it was just an ordinary nightmare.
me: I mean, you saw the lab...
SW: We changed the future by accident this time. What about the next time? If people want to enter a wormhole and can make it happen, they'll have to pay a heavy price.
a) How worried is Shen Wei about the mutability of the timeline?
b) What does that wormhole bit refer to?? Why is he talking wormholes with Zhao Yunlan??
Wang Zheng interrupts with, "Haixing Administration called just now asking Chief Zhao and Professor Shen to do a debriefing. The car picking you up is already at the door." Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei exchange serious looks. Why so grave? Are they already assuming the DoS is a threat? Is it just the timing and lack of warning? Surely Zhao Yunlan must have expected some fallout from his plan and prepared a good excuse. - The car ride: alksjfaskldfa
As Zhao Yunlan is about to get into the car, Ye Zun DMs him on Psychic WeChat. Zhao Yunlan doesn't tell anyone, including Shen Wei... which seems like a mistake. *facepalm* I think he's infected or something, because he acts weird and jumpy, reacting to events at the pillar (I think?), but he tells Shen Wei it's nothing. (Shen Wei doesn't believe him.)
They talk about Zhu Hong (see discussion questions below), and then Zhao Yunlan has a vision of Zhu Jiu free at the SID, Xiao Guo unconscious, and Zhu Jiu going after the Hallows. He wakes with a start; Shen Wei puts a concerned hand on his shoulder and leaves it there for the rest of the scene. Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei discuss the situation quietly and obliquely so the DoS driver won't hear about Zhao Yunlan's (from the DoS's POV) questionable fitness for his post, AKA "auditory hallucinations" (Shen Wei doesn't know about the visual ones, or the DMs from Ye Zun, I don't think?). They decide Zhao Yunlan will go back to the SID while Shen Wei reports to Minister Gao. It's very serious and on-the-same-page, and I love it. Zhao Yunlan pats Shen Wei's knee and then just leaves his hand there. ♥ ♥ ♥ Zhao Yunlan gets out; Shen Wei looks worriedly after him. Zhao Yunlan fails to hail a taxi and starts running instead.
I question the division of labour, given the threats are Zhu Jiu versus Minister Gao, but okay. Shen Wei isn't out yet at the SID, and he doesn't know Zhu Jiu might get free. - Zhao Yunlan's dark energy corruption: up to this point we've had: casually touching the Longevity Dial, including taking it to the mountains and napping on it; losing consciousness from touching the Awl three times (when Tan Xiao was trying to steal it; picking it up after Zhu Jiu escaped during the Envoy Reveal case; just before the nosebleed scene); being attempted-controlled by Zhu Jiu (presuming the earplugs don't block the energy attacks, just Zheng Yi's sonic hypnosis priming); going to Dixing, including travelling through the gate, exposure to Wu Tian'en's power (ZYL says he feels sick from dark energy exposure), and being stabbed by Ding Dun's ?dark energy? poison thingy. Plus the visit to Ye Zun's pillar. And in this episode, in the street, he visibly takes another hit from the Dial. This has been building for a while. He's even started to get visions when not touching the Hallows. What does that mean? And is the reason he has to keep stopping for breath and eventually falls to one knee while running through the city because he's weakened, or is it just a really long way?
- Lead-in to confrontation with Ye Zun: Zhu Hong finds Zhao Yunlan via taxi and gives him the Hallows in a bag. Zhao Yunlan takes out the Dial. Ya Qing comes around the corner.
ZYL: As I said, this thing is toxic. As soon as I touch it, I get illusions.
ZH: It's not an illusion. It's reality.
YQ: Lord Guardian, someone wants to see you.
It's unclear to me if this is a threat, ie, how much Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong go willingly, out of curiosity, versus how much they're being coerced. Thoughts? (Poor Zhu Hong -- this whole chain of events is so traumatic, from being hustled out of the SID without knowing where she's supposed to go, confronted with scary Ya Qing, and then witnessing Zhao Yunlan's duel with Ye Zun without being able to help. She keeps trying, but the Dial's energy field keeps pushing her back. And then Zhao Yunlan is hurt, and she's distraught, but there's nothing she personally can do!) - Confrontation with Ye Zun: Zhao Yunlan meets glowy, energy-projection Ye Zun in the park. Interesting that Ye Zun offers a formal greeting and is super polite: is he still hoping to suborn Zhao Yunlan? Naturally, Zhao Yunlan just waves and asks him to stop with the Hei Pao Shi cosplay.
Ye Zun philosophises about humanity's failings, and then turns it into snark about Haixingren oppressing Dixingren. Zhao Yunlan rejects Ye Zun's ends and attacks his means (all that killing). Ye Zun says killing humans doesn't count. Zhao Yunlan: What about Zhu Jiu? (Presumably Ya Qing gossiped on the way over?) Ye Zun thinks consensual cannibalism is fine. Zhu Hong talks back, and Ya Qing attacks with the crow dart. Zhao Yunlan swings Zhu Hong out of the way and uses that move as a cover to get the Hallows. Then he challenges/provokes Ye Zun into attacking and defends himself with the Dial, deliberately activating it to call to Shen Wei. Meanwhile, Shen Wei arrives at the DoS, senses the Dial has activated, swears, and zooms to the rescue, leaving Vice Minister Guo confused.
The Dial works as a shield. Zhao Yunlan hero monologues and also explains tech stuff. (Love that he knows the principle behind the SID's security system!) Ye Zun tries to bargain for the Dial, and Zhao Yunlan uses it as a weapon against Ye Zun and Ya Qing, but he's gradually overcome with dark energy and falls to one knee.
Ye Zun: You can't win.
Zhao Yunlan: I don't need to.
Shen Wei leaps in with his blade and severs the energy stream, knocking Zhao Yunlan out. Zhu Hong frantically tries to wake him. He has blood on his lips and wisps of dark energy around his neck.
SW: Zhao Yunlan!
YZ: After all these years, you're still the same.
me: That makes so much more sense in the context of ep 35. This show was made for rewatching. :D
Shen Wei sends Ye Zun to his room. Ya Qing flies off. Shen Wei pries the dial from Zhao Yunlan's hand and tries to heal him. (Zhu Hong sees him use his powers. I mean, she already knew, but she definitely notices...)
ZH: Lao Zhao!
ZYL: Shen Wei.
SW: It's me. *handclasp*
me: a;lsdkfja;sdkfja;sdlkfjas;dlkfjasd;lfkjadsf (Poor Zhu Hong!) a;lsdkfjas;dlkfjas;ldkfjasfd
Brief exposition about what happened with Ye Zun, then:
ZYL: It's weird, but I find Ye Zun familiar somehow.
SW: Okay, don't speak too much. I'll help you go back first.
Is that "first" a cultural/translation thing (Viki subs), as in "I'll leave first", or does he actually mean he'll explain later when they're alone, but then that intention is derailed by Zhao Yunlan's blindness?
Because yeah, Zhao Yunlan is literally all, "Who turned out the lights?" and rubbing his eyes.
Discussion starters:
- What's your favourite scene or development in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?
- Any theories about Zhu Jiu's backstory, particularly Shen Wei cutting his cheek? What is going on there? Is it a real memory or warped by Ye Zun's mind control? And is Zhu Jiu spitting out an accusation or just remembering, given we don't see Shen Wei's reaction? Why do we never get more context? Argh! (And what does Zhao Yunlan make of this interaction between Zhu Jiu and Shen Wei? Does he ever ask about it?)
- Why do you think Shen Wei raises Zhu Hong's feelings with Zhao Yunlan in the car? Does he do it for Zhu Hong's benefit, because he's sure of Zhao Yunlan and he wants Zhao Yunlan to let her down easy -- or is there something else going on? (Maybe he's thinking of university training in how to handle besotted students? Step one: don't other them for being Yashou!)
- And what do you make of Zhao Yunlan's reply, that he was born lacking in love?
- What's up with pillar!Ye Zun's psychic connection with Zhao Yunlan? Or can he talk to anyone like that, and Zhao Yunlan's and Zhu Jiu's messages are the only ones we see?
- Does Ye Zun know Zhao Yunlan is Kunlun? What would have happened if he'd told him about the time travel? Why doesn't he?
Let’s talk about episode 20!
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 20 fanworks and meta go here!
- any other episode reactions or related meta
- fanworks, picspams, squee, etc, relating to episode 20 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 20 fanworks and meta go here!
Zhu Jiu Wakes Up in the SID by
Zhao Yunlan confronting Ye Zun in the park by
Also, ahh, someone wrote a lovely ChuGuo first kiss set after the Absolute Zero Lab, with Changcheng apologising for almost getting them killed, but I can't find it.
ETA: found it! see it happen by
Re: Links to episode 20 fanworks and meta go here!
Re: Links to episode 20 fanworks and meta go here!
Re: Links to episode 20 fanworks and meta go here!
One is an amnesia AU in which Zhao Yunlan loses his memory instead of his sight - it takes off straight from the scene in the park, and goes through alternate versions of some of the events in episode 21 as well:
Etched Into Bone, Into Heart (20784 words) [Teen And Up]
Relationship: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan, Da Qing, SID Team, appearances by Wang Xiangyang and Dr Cheng
Additional Tags:Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Episode 20 AU, Amnesia, Identity Porn, Romance, First Kisses, Fix-It
The other is set during episode 20 after rescuing Lao-Chu et al., with an alternate version of the car scene, and it also refers back to the Jiajia scene in episode 17 (where Shen Wei almost resigns from the uni):
hold, together (2902 words) [Teen And Up]
Relationship: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan, cameos by Da Qing and Jiajia
Additional Tags: Episode Related, episode 20, Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Early/Developing Relationship, Secrets, Secret reveals, Zhao Yunlan's Self-Worth Issues, Shen Wei's Many Roles, people who don't talk about feelings talk about feelings
Re: Links to episode 20 fanworks and meta go here!
no subject
When Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei arrive, Zhao Yunlan immediately goes to check on Chu Shuzhi and help him up, while Shen Wei goes to the others and helps Ye Huo. And then the fakeout re Changcheng being dead, lol.
ZYL: Go in peace. We will hold a grand memorial service for you.
SW: Utter nonsense. (Original subs translator: I have no idea how to express his petting tone! I'm dying!) <3 <3 <3
(The show doesn't even bother with another Changcheng-might-be-dead fakeout after Zhu Jiu leaves him unconscious in the bathroom later; I guess one per episode is plenty. *g*)
Also, omg, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan just leave! Ye Huo staggers out on his own. Chu Shuzhi has to bend down to help fainted-from-hunger Changcheng with no help at all.
no subject
They had the info, but they didn't know the info! Their plan wasa to capture Zhu Jiu and get the info from him - and apparently they got so busy with that, they forgot to investigate anything else. (Oops? I mean, I do love the deductions from the video, but OMG people, you could have been doing this right when you got the video!)
Also, the Zhu Jiu trap's power cut incidentally buys them a bit more time before freezing, which is nifty.
Yeah, and somehow Lao-Chu realises there's been a power cut, even though when he wakes up the power is clearly back on: the circular rotating thing is rotating and causing light effects, and the door panel is on. Only the vent blowing in icy air isn't. (Am I missing something here?)
(The show doesn't even bother with another Changcheng-might-be-dead fakeout after Zhu Jiu leaves him unconscious in the bathroom later; I guess one per episode is plenty. *g*)
LOL!
I never know what to make of Zhao Yunlan's weird tasteless joke about Xiao-Guo being dead. What the hell.
Also, omg, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan just leave! Ye Huo staggers out on his own. Chu Shuzhi has to bend down to help fainted-from-hunger Changcheng with no help at all.
Yeah, seriously, WTF! I noticed that too.
How were Lin Jing and Cong Bo apprehended? I presume they're at the DoS, rather than a police station.
They seem to be at the Ministry, yeah, but I never thought they were apprehended - I always thought they went and confessed, explaining the reasoning. (And Shen Wei says, 现在就剩下写认罪声明的那几个了。"Now all that's left is is those who are writing the confession statement.")
So we learn that a) Zhang Shi can forcibly take over Zhao Xinci's body for short periods of time, b) whatever the research project is, Zhang Shi is less enthusiastic about it than Zhao Xinci, and c) wresting his body back from Zhang Shi's control seems to be giving Zhao Xinci a heart condition.
I'm not sure it's giving him a heart condition (he already has surgery scheduled for the next day or so, after all, so regardless of where it came from, his health can't be the best), but it's certainly exacerbating it, yeah.
Chu Shuzhi, incredibly, despite having just witnessed multiple instances of Changcheng causing disasters, leaves it to him to take Zhu Jiu to the interrogation room. So that happens. (Maybe Chu Shuzhi's brain is still half frozen?)
Seriously! This is beyond stupid and I can't understand it at all.
Chu Shuzhi tells Zhu Jiu, "Under the shield of Special Investigations, you can't last long." Does that mean the security shield is actually suppressing Dixing powers? Chu Shuzhi uses his strings just a minute later with qualified success. And if it does have suppressive qualities, it doesn't work on the Envoy!
Yeah, I was wondering about that as well. But inside the SID's shield or out, Zhu Jiu doesn't seem to think he'll get better ...
no subject
I know. I just feel like it breaks a narrative rule. They should at least have had a shift in perspective that helped them interpret the info they had differently. Instead, they got lucky (or were unlucky the first time).
OMG people, you could have been doing this right when you got the video!
Exactly!
the circular rotating thing is rotating and causing light effects, and the door panel is on. Only the vent blowing in icy air isn't. (Am I missing something here?)
No, I think that's right. Maybe the power cut re-set all the cold stuff? I think when they identify the power cut, at the end of that scene Chu Shuzhi starts to get up -- maybe to go open the shut-off button box? That could explain why he's not sitting with the others when the rescue team arrives?
I never know what to make of Zhao Yunlan's weird tasteless joke about Xiao-Guo being dead. What the hell.
His sense of humour is always a bit weird, but in this case, I think it's how he's expressing relief. (It's like the "I can't see" after the Dial exchange: make a joke of the worst case outcome only after it hasn't eventuated.)
They seem to be at the Ministry, yeah, but I never thought they were apprehended - I always thought they went and confessed, explaining the reasoning. (And Shen Wei says, 现在就剩下写认罪声明的那几个了。"Now all that's left is is those who are writing the confession statement.")
I don't think the confession statement is conclusive; that could be the criminal equivalent of a self-criticism. But yeah, they're not denying it. I guess Zhao Yunlan promised to get them off the hook, and Cong Bo has enough faith in the SID that he went along with it...?
he already has surgery scheduled for the next day or so
Oh, was that scheduled? I thought they were rushing him in through the Emergency Dept, past Wang Xiangyang. *is too lazy to check, sorry*
But inside the SID's shield or out, Zhu Jiu doesn't seem to think he'll get better ...
That dark energy gun bullet is really festering. (Zhu Hong got off very lightly with her graze!)
no subject
I think it works; it certainly didn't stand out to me the first time I watched. But yeah, it's unfortunate.
Maybe the power cut re-set all the cold stuff? I think when they identify the power cut, at the end of that scene Chu Shuzhi starts to get up -- maybe to go open the shut-off button box? That could explain why he's not sitting with the others when the rescue team arrives?
Oh yeah, that would work!
His sense of humour is always a bit weird, but in this case, I think it's how he's expressing relief. (It's like the "I can't see" after the Dial exchange: make a joke of the worst case outcome only after it hasn't eventuated.)
That makes sense! I wish he didn't, and I think with the Sundial it's especially unfortunate what he's doing to Shen Wei (making other people worry about you is not great!), but I don't think he realises how much it affects Shen Wei ...
I guess Zhao Yunlan promised to get them off the hook, and Cong Bo has enough faith in the SID that he went along with it...?
That's how I interpreted it!
Oh, was that scheduled? I thought they were rushing him in through the Emergency Dept, past Wang Xiangyang. *is too lazy to check, sorry*
I may be misremembering! I'll need to check it at some point.
(Also, I still have stuff I need to check out for my promised timeline comment; it may take me some time to actually get to that ...)
no subject
Yeah, they disguise it pretty well. And after all, catching Zhu Jiu is an end in itself -- it's not wasted effort or anything.
I wish he didn't, and I think with the Sundial it's especially unfortunate what he's doing to Shen Wei (making other people worry about you is not great!), but I don't think he realises how much it affects Shen Wei ...
I think he probably thinks the "just kidding!" relief outweighs -- and is sweeter because of -- the moment of worry. *noogies him* (It's the same principle as surprise parties: pretend you forgot the person's birthday, and then spring a party on them, and it's supposed to make up for a day or more of feeling forgotten. ;-p)
Re Zhao Xinci, the nurse calls to the doctor, "Urgent surgery! Blood transfusion needed!" and Wang Xiangyang says, "Why is he getting the transfusion, rather than my wife?!?!" (Punctuation taken from the original subs, hee!)
(Also, I still have stuff I need to check out for my promised timeline comment; it may take me some time to actually get to that ...)
Absolutely no rush!!
no subject
Yeah, and I hate that too! Argh!
Thanks for looking up the Zhao Xinci thing!
no subject
LOL, me too.
Zhao Yunlan's humour doesn't bother me as much because it's only for a moment, and I really do see it as a way of him exorcising his own prior worries, turning them into a joke. And in the case of the Dial thing, the rest of the SID (except for Lao Chu) laugh along... But I get that it's not at all considerate of Shen Wei's feelings. (ETA: Zhao Yunlan's not wholly lying when he tells Ding Dun, Zhu Hong, and anyone else who'll listen that he's an asshole.)
no subject
I don't think people laughing along necessarily means they find this sort of thing funny, though, just that they're hugely relieved and laughing along with his laughter, because it's good to see him be all healed and happy EVEN IF the joke was otherwise unfunny.
no subject
# I Have An Icon For This
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
As Zhao Yunlan is about to get into the car, Ye Zun DMs him on Psychic WeChat.
and
Ye Zun thinks consensual cannibalism is fine
XD
Any theories about Zhu Jiu's backstory, particularly Shen Wei cutting his cheek? What is going on there? Is it a real memory or warped by Ye Zun's mind control?
I'm positive it didn't happen like this; it doesn't make sense for Shen Wei's character. It could be a warped version of real events, though (after all, the best lies are found close to the truth).
Maybe Zhu Jiu really had a confrontation with Heipaoshi, maybe he did attack him and maybe he did get injured in the process.
Then all that is left is Shen Wei inflicting the scar on purpose in the aftermath (as opposed to self defense/heat of the moment) - that is the only part I believe must be made up by Ye Zun.
Why do you think Shen Wei raises Zhu Hong's feelings with Zhao Yunlan in the car?
I think he simply wants them to be on the same page moving forward. He wants to know how they will handle the matter as a couple. Do they ignore it? Have Zhao Yunlan let her down easy? Not-so-easy? Does Shen Wei stay out of it, or get involved?
And what do you make of Zhao Yunlan's reply, that he was born lacking in love?
That's the kind of thing people say when they're scared of emotional commitment. He probably told this to himself and others so many times he almost believes it.
Does Ye Zun know Zhao Yunlan is Kunlun?
That's a good question! In order for Ye Zun to know he would have to regognize Zhao Yunlan as Kunlun on sight, right? Even Shen Wei did not regognize him initially (the scene in YOHE where Zhao Yunlan lifts his bangs), so it's save to say the hair and clothes make a big difference in-universe. And it's not like Ye Zun ever got such a close look at Kunlun... unless there is something I've completely overlooked, my money is on he doesn't know.
no subject
*beams*
Maybe Zhu Jiu really had a confrontation with Heipaoshi, maybe he did attack him and maybe he did get injured in the process.
Then all that is left is Shen Wei inflicting the scar on purpose in the aftermath (as opposed to self defense/heat of the moment) - that is the only part I believe must be made up by Ye Zun.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Then Shen Wei would recognise Zhu Jiu by the scar, but not understand what it meant to him.
I think he simply wants them to be on the same page moving forward. He wants to know how they will handle the matter as a couple. Do they ignore it? Have Zhao Yunlan let her down easy? Not-so-easy? Does Shen Wei stay out of it, or get involved?
I like that reading! Sadly Zhao Yunlan isn't quite ready for such a mature approach. ;-p
That's the kind of thing people say when they're scared of emotional commitment. He probably told this to himself and others so many times he almost believes it.
Yeah, it's a lot like what he told Ding Dun about being too much of an asshole for relationships, isn't it? (I think there is some cultural context to the "born without love" phrase, fwiw, but I couldn't dig up the relevant link. Hopefully someone else will.)
Even Shen Wei did not regognize him initially (the scene in YOHE where Zhao Yunlan lifts his bangs), so it's save to say the hair and clothes make a big difference in-universe. And it's not like Ye Zun ever got such a close look at Kunlun... unless there is something I've completely overlooked, my money is on he doesn't know.
*nodnod* That makes sense. So in that case, his pursuit of Zhao Yunlan is probably because Shen Wei told Zhu Jiu not to touch him, right? And Zhu Jiu reported back that Zhao Yunlan was important to Shen Wei? *facepalms at the unintended but predictable consequence of Shen Wei's warning*
no subject
Here is one of the threads I have saved, and here is the second. I vaguely remember a third, but can't find it right now.
So in that case, his pursuit of Zhao Yunlan is probably because Shen Wei told Zhu Jiu not to touch him, right?
Yeah, and also because he's the Envoy's ally, which Zhu Jiu would know even without Shen Wei having warned him off, but if Zhu Jiu passed the info on, the warning definitely drew Ye Zun's attention!
no subject
and also because he's the Envoy's ally, which Zhu Jiu would know even without Shen Wei having warned him off
Shen Wei really could have downplayed that more, if he'd been determined to. He has a lot of faith in his authority in the first few episodes -- I guess before he realised how restive things were getting in Dixing.
no subject
no subject
Yeah, entirely agreed - that bit just doesn't make any sense.
I think he simply wants them to be on the same page moving forward. He wants to know how they will handle the matter as a couple. Do they ignore it? Have Zhao Yunlan let her down easy? Not-so-easy? Does Shen Wei stay out of it, or get involved?
I love this! Aw. But Zhao Yunlan is so not ready for that conversation. *g*
That's the kind of thing people say when they're scared of emotional commitment. He probably told this to himself and others so many times he almost believes it.
Good point, yeah. I always felt like it would be too shitty to say to your actual boyfriend, so they're presumably not together yet at this point, but even so! But it's Zhao Yunlan's own self-image, after all ...
In order for Ye Zun to know he would have to regognize Zhao Yunlan as Kunlun on sight, right? Even Shen Wei did not regognize him initially (the scene in YOHE where Zhao Yunlan lifts his bangs), so it's save to say the hair and clothes make a big difference in-universe. And it's not like Ye Zun ever got such a close look at Kunlun...
Yeah, that's exactly how I see it too.
no subject
For that matter, the showdown in this ep between Zhao Yunlan and Ye Zun foreshadows the torture in eps 39/40, with Shen Wei throwing himself between them, and Zhu Hong (representing the SID) doing her best to help but not able to prevent disaster. THIS SHOW!!
(What else in the episode echoes or foreshadows the ending?)
no subject
This is not really related to your question but seeing these two images compared to each other reminds me that I'm fascinated by the idea of an AU where Zhu Jiu's hero-worship of HPS didn't turn toxic and where instead Zhu Jiu is another agent reporting to HPS (the Dixing security force equivalent of CSZ in the SID...?)
no subject
no subject
I mean, I question whether we can entirely blame Ye Zun for Zhu Jiu's bigotry and sociopathic behaviour, but it would be so cool to see what he could become under better circumstances, if perhaps other tendencies had been nourished and someone had guided him away from that kind of thinking ...
no subject
THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
no subject
no subject
Yeah, I don't trust this flashback at all. As
Most of the scene is entirely plausible and I'd say it probably did happen that way, but the end just makes no sense. I think Ye Zun must have rewritten his memory somehow. And that also fits with what we see of Zhu Jiu and Ye Zun!
In the flashback in episode 17, we see young Zhu Jiu who wants to be like the famous Dixing heroes. He gets bullied by his superior, wanders into the field of pillars to sulk, and ends up talking to Ye Zun. When he mentions wanting to be like the Black-Cloaked Envoy, Ye Zun tells him the Envoy is a traitor who is responsible for Dixingren being forced to live underground - we see black energy come from the pillar and enter Zhu Jiu's head; Zhu Jiu blinks, and echoes Ye Zun's words - I think it's pretty clear there's a mind power involved here.
In the flashback here in episode 20, Zhu Jiu gets bullied again, and his superior asks him about his recent weird behaviour, which is clearly the consequence of the previous flashback. Zhu Jiu goes back to the pillar, and we see Ye Zun's black energy enter him again. Then Zhu Jiu murders his superior, and the confrontation with the Envoy happens.
Flashback!Envoy: "It seems the prisoner in the Sky Pillar ensnared you. Before he can cause more trouble, I will nip the evil in the bud."
Even if he thought he could cut out the mental effects of whatever Ye Zun did (??), why would he just walk away after, letting Zhu Jiu go right back to Ye Zun? And Zhu Jiu did commit murder on the open street; just letting him walk makes no sense even if he wasn't fully responsible.
I think Zhu Jiu is just remembering, expecting his scar to speak for itself, and Shen Wei remembers events differently and therefore finds this no explanation at all. Similar to how Ye Zun seems to take Shen Wei's bafflement about his hatred as an insult, because Shen Wei abandoned him but doesn't even think Ye Zun has the right to hate him for it?!
If Zhao Yunlan asks, I expect Shen Wei can only say he doesn't know either.
Yeah, and I wonder how much people without powers are commonly looked down on in Dixing. Shen Wei implied in an earlier episode that many of the common people don't have powers - so the discrimination is probably worse in areas where people with powers are more common. The palace would fit.
And regarding the origin story echoes - there are more parallels between Zhu Jiu and Ye Zun. Being bullied; ending up hating the Black-Cloaked Envoy; Shen Wei asking him why he hates him so much! Ye Zun and Zhu Jiu both are asked that question, and IMO it would fit very well if both of them had a reason that wasn't actually real. If Ye Zun, in his desire to make Zhu Jiu's perspective on Shen Wei the same as his, ended up doing to Zhu Jiu what the Rebel leader back in YOHE did to him: convinced him of a false version of events that put the blame on Shen Wei for things Shen Wei never did.
(I always wonder where they're coming from, what happened in between them presumably depositing Zhu Jiu in the lab and this. Zhao Yunlan asks Zhu Hong how Zhu Jiu is, so possibly he and Shen Wei have been elsewhere ...? *confused*)
(I wonder if Shen Wei agreed to or even arranged her presence to show her that, so she'd have a fuller picture of his and Zhao Yunlan's relationship?)
Oooh, I love that take on it! I don't think he and Zhao Yunlan can have talked about it, though - the conversation in the car sounds very much like it's the first time they're talking about Zhu Hong.
(Also, as
And a bit later, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan look at each other; Zhao Yunlan nods at Shen Wei, and Shen Wei heals/restores Ye Huo and Guo Changcheng behind Chu Shuzhi's back. :D
Ha, yeah, it was one thing with the blackout, but impersonating an official to get Lin Jing and Cong Bo away from the Ministry is quite another! Honestly, Minister Gao has every reason to be pissed off and rain consequences down on the SID. I don't quite understand Zhao Yunlan's reasoning in asking Da Qing to do that ...
Zhao Xinci also says Zhu Jiu has been lurking in Dragon City for many years - this tallies with what we talked about regarding his history with the fight ring, but how does Zhao Xinci know this? Has the SID filed reports about the fight ring case that includes this discovery?
YES all of this! Honestly, this is my favourite bit in this episode (even though there are so many excellent moments!) And it's one of my favourite troll!Shen Wei moments - and it's not just between Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan; it's all part of a larger circle of teasing:
- Zhao Yunlan teases Lin Jing and Da Qing: "Your leader hasn't spoken yet, and you just eat?"
- Shen Wei mildly teases Zhao Yunlan about his "I'm the boss" posturing, putting him on the spot to actually speak.
- Then they have their private conversation, and Da Qing retaliates on Zhao Yunlan by teasing them about whispering between them.
- Zhao Yunlan takes the opportunity to get back at Shen Wei, putting him on the spot to speak in turn.
- But Shen Wei neatly lobs it back at him, saying Zhao Yunlan will buy buy more food if needed, smoothly winning this round. :D
DELIGHTFUL. Seriously, I love it all. Zhao Yunlan's exasperation! Da Qing's pleased cat face! And Shen Wei's smug little smile! :DI don't think he appreciates AT ALL that they were just given proof the timeline can be changed!
VERY good question, I have no idea. it seems to be a pretty literal translation as far as I can tell: 只要人们想踏入虫洞，虫洞实现了，都要付出惨痛的价格。And I'm entirely baffled by it. Not a clue what Shen Wei means! If anyone has any thoughts on this whatsoever, I would really appreciate them.
LOL @ Psychic WeChat!
Yeah, I think it means Ye Zun has his hooks in Zhao Yunlan's mind to some degree, from his initial visit to the pillar. There's a fascinating parallel here, too, between Ye Zun calling Zhao Yunlan's name, and in the next scene calling Zhu Jiu's name in the same way, waking him up!
AKA "auditory hallucinations" (Shen Wei doesn't know about the visual ones, or the DMs from Ye Zun, I don't think?)
Shen Wei clearly does notice something is up with Zhao Yunlan, but he can't know what, yeah - I think if he'd realised it was Ye Zun, there's not a chance in hell he'd have let Zhao Yunlan go off alone.
Zhao Yunlan pats Shen Wei's knee and then just leaves his hand there. ♥ ♥ ♥
Why do you think Shen Wei raises Zhu Hong's feelings with Zhao Yunlan in the car? Does he do it for Zhu Hong's benefit, because he's sure of Zhao Yunlan and he wants Zhao Yunlan to let her down easy -- or is there something else going on? (Maybe he's thinking of university training in how to handle besotted students? Step one: don't other them for being Yashou!)
I think he brings up Zhu Hong's feelings because the previous day, Zhu Hong brought them up to him - I think he's saying "you can't keep ignoring this; what are you going to do?" And Zhao Yunlan's response is "IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE". *g*
I've always found it a very weird and uncomfortable thing to say to your quasi-boyfriend, even if they're not together yet! But he's probably thinking in terms of conventional ideas of love, not this weird and intense thing they have going between them that seems like a separate thing entirely. Still, Shen Wei looks at him, and seems to think something, but then says nothing. I wonder what he might have said.
I think Zhu Jiu finds the thumping and maniacal grinning more comforting than the offer of food and drink, tbh. It's kind of his love language.)
LOL! Yeah, he definitely has no idea what to do with someone like Xiao-Guo.
And he has no idea Ye Zun is so directly involved, yeah. I don't quite understand Shen Wei's reasoning regardless, in letting Zhao Yunlan go alone. If it's so urgent and important Zhao Yunlan needs to miss an appointment with the Ministry while the Minister is already seriously pissed off at the SID, surely it's not exactly harmless?
There's a lovely bit there where they wave at each other through the car window! :D
(more to come!)
no subject
(This kind of foreshadows the conversation between Zhao Yunlan and Ye Zun later in the episode?)
Ooh, yes, great catch!
Huh, that's a good point about none of them seeming surprised, but I don't think they found Xiao-Guo firsts - when Zhu Jiu uses the baton, Lao-Chu has an "oh no, Changcheng" moment ...
I thought he'd just charged the baton with black energy, but that works!
We wondered about this on discord too, and decided he must have teleported the moment he was outside the shield, so they couldn't see where he went, and there was no way to follow.
Also, regarding the bottle, there's a black energy effect when Ya Qing holds it. The cut to Dixing shows Ye Zun breaking free of the pillar for the first time, so the power is definitely going to him, but is Ya Qing doing something to send the energy to Ye Zun, or does it just happen on its own?
I love your summary here! OMG, so many effects on poor Zhao Yunlan.
He does seem to be running for a while, and I don't think he's that physically fit - he's not out of shape or anything, but I always thought all his exercise equipment is more aspirational than actually used. *g* But the black energy corruption may well make it worse here.
I thought it was definitely a threat. From Ye Zun's POV, he's just broken free of the pillar, but he must know he's not entirely free yet - it will take all that effort with the Merit Brush later to achieve that. So he knows he's on borrowed time in Haixing, and if he wants to talk to Zhao Yunlan (which he clearly does; he seems to think he can subvert him, and since he seems to already have partial hooks in him, not entirely without reason), it needs to be now. They can't afford to take no for an answer, or let Zhao Yunlan try to negotiate conditions for a meeting.
Yeah, that's my reading - that's why he's talking to Zhao Yunlan; he's trying to get him on his side (via getting into his head, presumably).
I love that Ye Zun is playing at old-fashioned formality, and Zhao Yunlan is all irreverent in return. Also, is this the first instance of "just take off your mask", and it's directed at Ye Zun?! OMG.
LOL! Yeah, I think Ya Qing was impressed by Zhu Jiu's self-sacrifice, and presumably told them to honour him in some way.
Huh, that's not how I read it. I mean, he presumably had an idea that activating the Sundial might alert Shen Wei, but I thought his primary purpose in activating it was to defend himself. It doesn't read to me as him deliberately provoking Ye Zun; he's not being more provocative than he's already been in challenging Ye Zun. It's Ye Zun who apparently realises he's not getting through to Zhao Yunlan, and so escalates things, sending black energy at Zhao Yunlan. Which Zhao Yunlan then blocks with the glowing Sundial.
Yeah, it's fascinating what he can tell at a distance, and what he can't! He didn't know Zhao Yunlan was in danger; he didn't sense the Sundial briefly reacting on the street earlier, but this big use against Ye Zun, he's immediately aware of.
I don't think he knows - I agree with
I love how visibly greedy for the Sundial Ye Zun is, outstretched hands and all!
Zhao Yunlan: *eyes flickering to the side* 可有人会赢，而且我已经等到他了。
The original subs had the last bit as "and I know he is coming"; Solo has it as "I've managed to hold on long enough for him to come", and Viki as "and he's now here". It's hard to render it in English - it's literally something like, "I've already waited until he's arrived", which doesn't work at all. *g*
ZYL: Shen Wei.
SW: It's me. *handclasp*
me: a;lsdkfja;sdkfja;sdlkfjas;dlkfjasd;lfkjadsf (Poor Zhu Hong!) a;lsdkfjas;dlkfjas;ldkfjasfd
RIGHT?????
Actually, despite the drastic consequences for Zhao Yunlan, this scene may have given Zhao Yunlan an inflated opinion of Shen Wei's powers vis-à-vis Ye Zun - I don't think it's clear at all who would win in an all-out battle, and I don't think Zhao Yunlan understands that at this point. They're both ridiculously overpowered!
And we never do get to find out who'd win, because here Ye Zun is still weakened, and later Shen Wei will be. (I don't think either of them know who would win either, which is why Shen Wei will develop his white energy bomb contingency plan ... )
Is that "first" a cultural/translation thing (Viki subs), as in "I'll leave first", or does he actually mean he'll explain later when they're alone, but then that intention is derailed by Zhao Yunlan's blindness?
I think it's a translation thing; he's deflecting and not actually planning to explain.
no subject
Oh, good point! So strange that we never get the true story, though.
I think it's pretty clear there's a mind power involved here.
Yeah, absolutely. So much mind control! /o\
Similar to how Ye Zun seems to take Shen Wei's bafflement about his hatred as an insult, because Shen Wei abandoned him but doesn't even think Ye Zun has the right to hate him for it?!
Or just because Shen Wei seems to have forgotten the betrayal. If he thought it was significant, he wouldn't have to ask -- so clearly Ye Zun was insignificant in his eyes. /Ye Zun pov ??
there are more parallels between Zhu Jiu and Ye Zun
Oh, excellent summary! :-)
Zhu Hong addresses Shen Wei ("Professor Shen, you ...") - I think this is a pretty good hint that she's just (on the rooftop) realised that he's the Envoy.
That's what I thought, too.
Zhao Yunlan asks Zhu Hong how Zhu Jiu is, so possibly he and Shen Wei have been elsewhere ...? *confused*
Rest stop? Sending Da Qing to bail out Lin Jing and Cong Bo? Or more likely, just calling Lin Jing and Cong Bo to tell them the mission succeeded?
When Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan arrive at the lab, it seems SW kicks the door open! Hee!
*watches repeatedly* I don't read it like that (his feet are low down, and his hand is up -- I think the sound is the door lock mechanism), but that would be great. *g*
(Oh, I just noticed Chu Shuzhi's back wearing his coat, so the temperature must have increased a lot!)
And a bit later, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan look at each other; Zhao Yunlan nods at Shen Wei, and Shen Wei heals/restores Ye Huo and Guo Changcheng behind Chu Shuzhi's back. :D
Ha, awesome! It's a good thing dark energy doesn't really make that whooshing sound, or Chu Shuzhi would definitely have noticed. *g*
I don't quite understand Zhao Yunlan's reasoning in asking Da Qing to do that ...
I presume the deal with Cong Bo was "we won't let you get in trouble"? So taking him out of the equation at that point keeps him on side for next time they need him, and it only adds to the pile of transgressions by the SID -- what's one more?
Why he's apparently also okay with Da Qing's impersonation, I have no clue, though.
Has he heard about that part? Maybe he just doesn't want Minister Gao to go sour on the SID and put Dragon City in danger by putting them on a tighter rein.
Regarding the Reunion Festival feast at the Sid, dragoncityinteriordesign has a post about the menu!
Ah, awesome! Thanks! :D
Honestly, this is my favourite bit in this episode
It's so good! I LOVE IT!! :D :D :D
I don't think he appreciates AT ALL that they were just given proof the timeline can be changed!
Hm. Maybe it's different for visions vs a past you've lived through, though?
Yeah, I think it means Ye Zun has his hooks in Zhao Yunlan's mind to some degree, from his initial visit to the pillar.
I do feel like this is probably something Zhao Yunlan should tell
someoneShen Wei?!!? Maybe he doesn't want another lecture about how he can't go to Dixing again.I think he brings up Zhu Hong's feelings because the previous day, Zhu Hong brought them up to him - I think he's saying "you can't keep ignoring this; what are you going to do?" And Zhao Yunlan's response is "IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE". *g*
Hee! I really love how Shen Wei is being quietly respectful and concerned for Zhu Hong's feelings throughout the first half of the episode. Thanking her for the serum and just very aware of her. He has no need to be jealous or concerned on his own behalf, but he wants her to be okay.
Still, Shen Wei looks at him, and seems to think something, but then says nothing. I wonder what he might have said.
Some variation on "you're worth it", maybe?
In Dixing, Wu Tian'en is watching the pillar for SW, and tells the pillar not to get up to anything. Did Shen Wei not warn him how dangerous Ye Zun is? Why is he drawing attention to himself like this?!
I don't think Team Hei Pao Shi realise that Ye Zun is so close to escaping his pillar.
When Zhao Yunlan calls Zhu Hong and tells her to move the Hallows, they get cut off. Does his phone just suddenly run out of battery, or is there more going on?
I think it's a little fake-out by the show, trying to make us think Zhu Hong was interrupted by Zhu Jiu. Not sure of the in-universe reasoning, though.
when Zhu Jiu uses the baton, Lao-Chu has an "oh no, Changcheng" moment ...
True -- maybe when they found Xiao Guo, he was too groggy to admit he'd lost his baton. Or maybe they came to the lab en masse in a "what's taking so long? probably trouble" kind of way.
We wondered about this on discord too, and decided he must have teleported the moment he was outside the shield, so they couldn't see where he went, and there was no way to follow.
I thought he was still pretty weak. We see him staggering along the road clutching his chest, rather than teleporting to his death alley.
When Zhu Jiu sacrifices the last of himself for the final summoning of Ye Zun. his entire body dissolves! This is not what happened previously when we saw him collect energy (such as in episode 12 in our first look at what he was doing at the fight club) ... I wonder about the difference.
The difference between Dixingren and Haixingren? Or between involuntary and voluntary harvesting? Or just the fact that the fight club snacks were healthy and strong, and Zhu Jiu is weakening rapidly?
and I don't think he's that physically fit - he's not out of shape or anything, but I always thought all his exercise equipment is more aspirational than actually used. *g*
Hee! Yes, agreed. I think the show is probably making some point about his dark energy corruption, though.
I thought it was definitely a threat. From Ye Zun's POV, he's just broken free of the pillar, but he must know he's not entirely free yet - it will take all that effort with the Merit Brush later to achieve that. So he knows he's on borrowed time in Haixing
True, but I think Zhao Yunlan is bold enough and definitely curious enough that he would have gone willingly. So I think Ya Qing's message probably hovers somewhere between an invitation and a kidnapping, and could fall either way depending on Zhao Yunlan's reaction?
Also, is this the first instance of "just take off your mask", and it's directed at Ye Zun?! OMG.
Ahahaha, oh no! I hadn't thought of that. *hides*
Ye Zun getting fake-philosophical about human desire and the need to let go of it - he's making a mockery of Buddhist thought, right? /o\
I think so?
I mean, he presumably had an idea that activating the Sundial might alert Shen Wei, but I thought his primary purpose in activating it was to defend himself. It doesn't read to me as him deliberately provoking Ye Zun; he's not being more provocative than he's already been in challenging Ye Zun.
I think Zhao Yunlan is ready and refusing to back down, aware that defending himself will have the bonus effect of alerting Shen Wei. So he's quite ready to do that, rather than trying to de-escalate. If that makes sense? His usual way of dealing with antagonists is to laugh and pretend to understand them, but here he's shouting at Ye Zun and telling him he's wrong.
I love how visibly greedy for the Sundial Ye Zun is, outstretched hands and all!
Yes! (Which, I mean, it didn't do him much good last time he had it. ;-p)
But it didn't do anything to Zhu Hong the first time Zhao Yunlan used it to deflect Ye Zun's power, when she's clinging to his arm - I guess she was within the radius of the shield at that point?
Yeah, that's my reading, too.
Ye Zun's "Why do you struggle so hard for these ignorant humans? Why suffer such hardship?" is foreshadowing the scene later when he impersonates Shen Wei, isn't it? Same sentiment.
Yeah, his attitude is very "take the easy way out; everyone for themselves." (You'd think Ya Qing would be taking notice.)
The original subs had the last bit as "and I know he is coming"; Solo has it as "I've managed to hold on long enough for him to come", and Viki as "and he's now here". It's hard to render it in English - it's literally something like, "I've already waited until he's arrived", which doesn't work at all. *g*
Ooh, thanks for that! (The Korean fansubs have 난 걔가 올거란 걸 알아, which Papago translates as "I know he's coming." There's some grammar in there I can't parse, though.)
The coming goes without saying; of course Shen Wei would come - the only thing Zhao Yunlan finds worth mentioning is Shen Wei being able to defeat Ye Zun.
Unless it's something like "I knew you could feel it [and would come] when I activated the Hallow"? Because I do think the Dial activation was a deliberate Bat Signal, and this might be an explicit reference to that?
Actually, despite the drastic consequences for Zhao Yunlan, this scene may have given Zhao Yunlan an inflated opinion of Shen Wei's powers vis-à-vis Ye Zun - I don't think it's clear at all who would win in an all-out battle, and I don't think Zhao Yunlan understands that at this point. They're both ridiculously overpowered!
That's a really good point. Everyone treats Shen Wei as The Most Powerful, and he does so many amazing things -- saving lives, etc; opening portals; all of it -- so it must be very hard to get a handle on the idea that his powers have limits.
no subject
Yeah, agreed! I wish we could have found out at some point.
If he thought it was significant, he wouldn't have to ask -- so clearly Ye Zun was insignificant in his eyes. /Ye Zun pov ??
Yeah, that sounds right!
Rest stop? Sending Da Qing to bail out Lin Jing and Cong Bo? Or more likely, just calling Lin Jing and Cong Bo to tell them the mission succeeded?
Yeah, telling Lin Jing and Cong Bo makes sense! Maybe talking to them about confessing. (I don't think Da Qing can leave until much later, since he seems to bail them out around the same time Lao-Chu et al. get rescued, and more happens in between.)
*watches repeatedly* I don't read it like that (his feet are low down, and his hand is up -- I think the sound is the door lock mechanism), but that would be great. *g*
I guess you're right. *sighs sadly*
I presume the deal with Cong Bo was "we won't let you get in trouble"? So taking him out of the equation at that point keeps him on side for next time they need him, and it only adds to the pile of transgressions by the SID -- what's one more?
Yeah, true, that was probably part of how they convinced Cong Bo to go along with it. And the SID does keep its promises ...
Maybe it's different for visions vs a past you've lived through, though?
I think that's entirely possible, but Shen Wei can't know either way, so just the possibility that timelines can be changed is worrying.
I do feel like this is probably something Zhao Yunlan should tell someone Shen Wei?!!?
100% agreed! TELL HIM!
(They both keep secrets sometimes when they really, really don't have to. So alike, these two!)
I really love how Shen Wei is being quietly respectful and concerned for Zhu Hong's feelings throughout the first half of the episode. Thanking her for the serum and just very aware of her. He has no need to be jealous or concerned on his own behalf, but he wants her to be okay.
Yes, it's great! I love it so much. Both that she's treated with respect, and that there's just no hint of jealousy or love triangle nonsense whatsoever. ♥
Some variation on "you're worth it", maybe?
That works!
(In hold, together I have him saying "you're wrong", but I'm not wedded to that version.)
I thought he was still pretty weak. We see him staggering along the road clutching his chest, rather than teleporting to his death alley.
Maybe he had just enough strength for one short burst?
The difference between Dixingren and Haixingren? Or between involuntary and voluntary harvesting? Or just the fact that the fight club snacks were healthy and strong, and Zhu Jiu is weakening rapidly?
Yeah, any of these might work! Fascinating to think about.
True, but I think Zhao Yunlan is bold enough and definitely curious enough that he would have gone willingly. So I think Ya Qing's message probably hovers somewhere between an invitation and a kidnapping, and could fall either way depending on Zhao Yunlan's reaction?
Yeah, that sounds about right to me. It's an invitation so long as he comes, and becomes a kidnapping as soon as he refuses. *g*
aware that defending himself will have the bonus effect of alerting Shen Wei
I don't think he can know that, though? He clearly expects Shen Wei to come, but he can't be sure the Sundial's activation in particular will alert him; it might instead be Zhao Yunlan being in danger. Like, from Zhao Yunlan's POV, Shen Wei also appeared right in the instant he was in danger when Ding Dun attacked him in Dixing, and no Hallows were involved there ...
Either way, he's definitely counting on Shen Wei appearing soon!
(You'd think Ya Qing would be taking notice.)
I wonder if she does, and it just takes her time to realise just how terribly wrong all this is going and how bad an ally Ye Zun is.
Because I do think the Dial activation was a deliberate Bat Signal, and this might be an explicit reference to that?
It doesn't read like that to me here, and I don't really read the Sundial use as a deliberate signal either. If you hadn't mentioned it, that wouldn't have occurred to me.
That's a really good point. Everyone treats Shen Wei as The Most Powerful, and he does so many amazing things -- saving lives, etc; opening portals; all of it -- so it must be very hard to get a handle on the idea that his powers have limits.
Yeah. And I think that has to be part of why he's reacting so very strongly when he sees Shen Wei looking so awful and sick that night in the kitchen?
no subject
The time compression in this episode is so weird, though. And Da Qing would have to go to the flat, dig out his good suit, find a tie, remember how to tie the tie, and get himself to the DoS... *g*
I guess you're right. *sighs sadly*
Hee! Sorry! <3
but Shen Wei can't know either way, so just the possibility that timelines can be changed is worrying.
But also a relief in this instance! And I mean, I don't think Shen Wei needs to borrow trouble -- he has enough immediate things to worry about. *g*
Both that she's treated with respect, and that there's just no hint of jealousy or love triangle nonsense whatsoever. ♥
Yesss! It wonderful.
(In hold, together I have him saying "you're wrong", but I'm not wedded to that version.)
Oh, yes, that's right. That was so good! <3
I don't think he can know that, though? He clearly expects Shen Wei to come, but he can't be sure the Sundial's activation in particular will alert him; it might instead be Zhao Yunlan being in danger. Like, from Zhao Yunlan's POV, Shen Wei also appeared right in the instant he was in danger when Ding Dun attacked him in Dixing, and no Hallows were involved there ...
I didn't think Zhao Yunlan was conscious by the time Shen Wei showed up during the Ding Dun attack? I was thinking more of Zhao Yunlan starting to take the case off in ep 15, and then Zhao Yunlan says something about how the Envoy always knows. I think at this point, he's aiming to make as big a disturbance in the Force as possible. Anyway, we may have to agree to disagree. :-)
And I think that has to be part of why he's reacting so very strongly when he sees Shen Wei looking so awful and sick that night in the kitchen?
Yes, agreed. He didn't know Shen Wei could be weakened -- that's a lot of why it's so shocking!
no subject
He seems to be struggling to keep his his eyes open the last time we see his face before Shen Wei appears, and passed out the next time we see his face, so I guess it could go either way. I kind of like the idea that he passes out the moment he sees Shen Wei appear, because he doens't have to fight any more.
no subject