Cong Bo's place is weird. It doesn't have any windows in its facade -- does he live in a substation? (There are windows inside, presumably in the back wall.)
Interesting that Prof Ouyang is petitioning to have his research result "be circulated to the lower levels." He's not shy about it. He wants it declassified! (Or by circulated, does he mean administered?)
Last time Ye Zun saw Zhao Yunlan was when Zhao Yunlan got sucked into the wormhole, right? Does he even know he's back? Or is his ultimatum to Minister Gao just continuing his Torment the SID agenda?
Changcheng sees his uncle taken away, which means the SID must find out -- and which must really feed into Changcheng's sense of Crisis.
At least some of the bathroom scene with Changcheng and Lin Jing (and the flashback with Lin Jing and Zhao Yunlan) is shot in reflections, which adds to the sense of undercover/changing sides, I think.
Broadcast: Zhao Yunlan scolding humanity for giving Ye Zun a foothold really only works in a culture of self-criticism, I think. Anywhere else, and people would just feel aggrieved and resentful. ;-p
When Ye Huo meets Chu Shuzhi, Ye Huo is unmasked! How often does he go unmasked like that, I wonder? He's wearing it next ep.
Re: flashback: Wow, given the previous discussion about Lin Jing as Prof Ouyang's protege, setting Lin Jing up as a spy against Prof Ouyang is asking so much -- but Lin Jing doesn't even hesitate.
Zhao Yunlan: "This was my confession." Is that, like, the end of his public self-criticism (that is not at all a self-criticism)?
Awww, when Prof Ouyang is attacking Lin Jing, Changcheng tries to save him, draws Prof Ouyang's attack, and tells Lin Jing to run and warn the others! *hearts and hearts* (And Lin Jing does! A lot of the others would have stayed and tried to help Changcheng, but Lin Jing knows he's no use in a fight, lol.)
Poor Li Qian! Her first job, and her boss is being outstandingly terrible! She's appalled. (And aww, when she goes to help Changcheng, he reassures her. I love him!)
Lin Jing on the run in his lab coat, hee! But oh no, his phone has been disconnected. Are DoS staff not allowed phones anymore?? If so, surely there should have been a memo! (Maybe there was, and Lin Jing never bothered to read it.) (Or maybe this is a kneejerk response to Zhao Yunlan's broadcast? The DoS going, "Don't listen to traitors!")
Awwww, Li Qian sending her regards to Chief Zhao and Professor Shen. *hearts* I hope Changcheng remembered to pass that on.
I love Ya Qing bodily throwing Lin Jing around. And then, is he referring to YOHE when he says he knows his history about everyone working together? When/how did he hear that? Maybe from Zhu Hong...
Interesting that Ye Zun doesn't introduce Mi Lu to Ya Qing, just calls her out of hiding once Ya Qing has gone. And somehow Mi Lu catches up with Ya Qing, who left on the wing...
Changcheng has so many (justified) doubts about getting in Zhang Shi's car, but he's out of other options.
I love that Chu Shuzhi and Ye Huo's plan is to arrest the invaders, not kill them. ♥ ♥ ♥ Chu Shuzhi seems to think this really is Dixingren versus the SID (or versus Haixing), rather than an uprising of Dixing malcontents. (Maybe he's right by now, after the treaty burning?)
Flashback: ewww, the Regent calls Chu Shuzhi "little doll"? /o\
I wonder if the Envoy's reference to the long line of the puppet clan means that one of his YOHE soldiers was Chu Shuzhi's forebear...
Ooh! Chu Shuzhi & Nianzhi & Changcheng ≡ Shen Wei & Kunlun & Zhao Yunlan minus the timeloop!!!!
Flashback: Chu Shuzhi: (concedes to train Xiao Guo with) You must make sure you're not a hindrance. Changcheng: I would never hold the team back. me: *hearts and hearts*
After Chu Shuzhi rescues Changcheng from Zhao Xinci, Zhao Xinci gets a phone call. "I'm on my way." I wonder if that's about Guo Ying being detained, the chaos at the lab, or something else... Whatever it is, it's enough to stop him chasing the Hallows. (Oh, hey, I wonder if he really mistrusts/misunderstands which side Chu Shuzhi is on and thinks he might give the Hallows to the invading forces...)
Narratively, I think Zhao Xinci and Zhang Shi need to be at odds, because we need to see light and dark energy as a (metaphorically) volatile mix within a body, to foreshadow Shen Wei's contingency plan.
GCC: Chu-ge, that is what happened. And I don't know where Lin Jing-ge went. I also have no idea what will happen to me. CSZ: (remarkably cheerfully) Stupid boy. Cheer up. At least we have the Hallows. Let's go and find Chief Zhao now. I love that Chu Shuzhi is being the voice of pragmatic optimism, in the face of Changcheng's worry. <3 They're so good at looking after each other.
Chu Shuzhi knocks Nightmare Guy's backup down so easily! He should absolutely be on the front line in any battle.
I wonder if Zhao Yunlan shooting Nightmare Guy is his taking responsibility so Chu Shuzhi won't have to take a life? (We never actually see Chu Shuzhi kill anyone in present day, do we?) It's interesting that the Envoy doesn't do it, anyway.
Zhu Hong and Da Qing waking up, saying "Zhao Yunlan" and "dried fish" in exactly the same tone of voice. ♥♥♥!!!
Love how Zhao Yunlan deduces the Lantern must be at the SID, and Shen Wei immediately catches on.
Changcheng trying to manifest his powers is adorkable. Chu Shuzhi tries to be supportive, but he just can't. LOL!
Shen Wei changes into Envoy clothes, but by the time they enter the SID, he's in mufti again.
So the episode starts with the broadcast to humans, and ends with trying to get the truth to Dixingren. Nice.
I also feel like everyone is crossing lines this episode: Zhao Yunlan is directly defying the DoS's order not to talk to the public, Professor Ouyang is crossing so many ethical lines I lost count, Ye Zun actually enters the DoS, Zhao Xinci pulls his gun on Changcheng, etc.etc. And now we find the SID barrier seems to still be down, allowing the Crows into the SID.
no subject
Changcheng: I would never hold the team back.
me: *hearts and hearts*
CSZ: (remarkably cheerfully) Stupid boy. Cheer up. At least we have the Hallows. Let's go and find Chief Zhao now.
I love that Chu Shuzhi is being the voice of pragmatic optimism, in the face of Changcheng's worry. <3 They're so good at looking after each other.