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sid_guardian2023-09-30 01:29 pm
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2023-09-30 01:29 pm
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GUARDIAN REWATCH – Episode 37
Beginning of episode: The team enter the SID and find Lao Li.
Ending of episode: The Regent and Wu Xiaojun trick Shen Wei and knock him down (but not out).
Important scenes/developments:
- Everyone rushes over to Lao Li. Da Qing is distraught. Changcheng reads Lao Li's dying thoughts.
- Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi help reconcile Changcheng to his new power.
- The team search the SID for the Guardian Lantern and find it. Its wick is missing.
- Lin Jing's dying video message arrives, mentioning "the rest of the exits," and the team decides to split up:
- Shen Wei to Dixing to find the wick
- Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan (and Da Qing) to the Snake Village to protect them from the Crows (and find the gateway)
- Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi to say in Dragon City where Changcheng can use his power for good.
- Team handclasp!!
- Dragon City is littered with smoke and bodies. Changcheng uses his power but finds it heartbreaking; Chu Shuzhi is supportive. ♥!
- Shen Wei has trouble opening the portal and coughs blood.
- The three Yashou elders have a standoff at the Snake Village. The Crows are backed up by Dixingren, including illusionist Mi Lu.
- Ya Qing calls for elections; Mi Lu just wants to kill everyone.
- Mi Lu goes to "welcome" the approaching SID and turns the forest into an illusory labyrinth, trapping (and toying with) Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong and Da Qing.
- In Dragon City, Changcheng collapses, and Chu Shuzhi catches him.
- Zhu Hong uses her Snake power to kill Mi Lu(!!).
- In Mi Lu's absence, Ya Qing switches sides and says she just wants to be High Chief.
- The Yashou hold their election, and Zhao Yunlan shamelessly interferes in their weird electoral process.
- Flashbacks to YOHE science experiments and Ma Gui's crush on Fu You.
- Zhu Hong wins the election, but is reluctant to take office until Fourth Uncle gives her a pep talk and Zhao Yunlan nods.
- Chu Shuzhi, Changcheng and Ye Huo unite in Dragon City and decide to work together. Aww!
- In Dixing, Shen Wei runs into Wu Xiaojun, who asks for vengeance for his father; they go to the palace.
- In Ye Zun's stomach, Lin Jing finds Sha Ya's guitar and cries. :-(
- Shen Wei holds his blade to the Regent's throat, but gets talked out of killing him. Then Wu Xiaojun and the Regent turn on him, seemingly knocking him out. But he's still conscious.
Thoughts
- Lao Li is lying on the floor, covered in cuts. He gasps, "I knew you guys would definitely come back, so I chased those crows away for you." This raises so many questions!! Has Lao Li been at the SID the whole time, carrying out his regular duties, and the DoS officers never cleared him out? None of the SID team checked on him? And is the security shield still down? (I guess it doesn't matter so much now the Hallows aren't in the lab, but still. Couldn't Changcheng have mentioned it to Lin Jing during their bathroom confab and got him to re-up it?) Presumably the Crows came looking for the Hallows, but how on earth did Lao Li of all people manage to chase them away? Maybe they were already leaving and roughed him up on their way out?
Anyway, Shen Wei can't heal him, Da Qing is distraught, and Changcheng takes his hand and sees his past (making fish, appointed to the SID -- aww, old hair!Zhao Yunlan, not even bothering to stand up to welcome him!). Changcheng reports his dying wish -- wanting to make fish for Da Qing one more time -- like it's a tragedy, but I feel like if that's the greatest of Lao Li's regrets, he's doing okay.
Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei are both very moved by Lao Li's passing / Da Qing's grieving. And then the team is around the table, everyone grim at the loss (and sense of attrition, I guess). - Changcheng is shattered by his power. I love Shen Wei talking him through it, and Chu Shuzhi pointing out the good the power can do. He knows what will be meaningful to Changcheng, but also it's the two Dixingren in the room kinda taking him under their wing, helping reconcile him. ♥
And when Changcheng bravely steps up, Chu Shuzhi is so proud! ♥ - Da Qing wants revenge for Lao Li, Wang Zheng and Sang Zan, and Zhao Yunlan agrees and channels all their feelings into constructive action -- looking for the Lantern. (I will never not love the fact that Zhao Yunlan has had a pile of boxes just sitting in a corner for three years! HEE! Renovations are hard, all right?) Shen Wei uses dark energy to find the right box (scanning for the Hallow in particular, or just x-raying for shapes?) and digs it out from under an old fan and a carved wooden tiger. ♥ ♥ ♥
The Hallows are assembled (with Zhao Yunlan freely touching them)! But oh no, the Lantern's wick is missing, and they don't know what it's made of. Shen Wei thinks it's likely to be in Dixing and says he can only get one person through the gate. Zhao Yunlan isn't happy, but accepts it. - The clock wall says it's noon, and all their phones chime with a pre-recorded message from Lin Jing: Everyone, if you're receiving this email I scheduled in advance, I must already be dead. Please keep my epitaph simple. Just write "The Tomb of the Most Sought After Bachelor in the High-Tech World." That's enough. Lastly and finally, I realized that I was happiest when we were working and fighting together. So many memories that I'll never forget. I, Lin Jing, was always the SID's man in life, and I'll always be the SID's ghost in death. It's worth it. Well, I won't say any more. Please watch the following recording. *sniffles*
I guess he was determined from the start to film his own death. I wonder how he thought it would happen. Maybe he expected to be whistleblowing about the lab? (Best thing about this scene: Da Qing sharing his phone screen with Shen Wei. ♥!!) - Lin Jing's death recording contains Ye Zun saying to "close the rest of the exits." 再把几条多余的通道给我封锁了 (Is it explicitly plural? The original subs have "other unnecessary passage.") Da Qing remembers there's a gateway in the Yashou forbidden place, and Zhu Hong gets protective of the Yashou. "I can't let the Crow Tribe hurt everyone again." 我不能再让鸦族伤害大家了 I guess she's thinking of Jia-ge? ♥
And then a lovely moment when Zhao Yunlan says very seriously that he'll come too. "First of all, the Yashou are very closely related to us. Whether for the Lantern wick or the passage to Dixing, I need to talk to your uncle. Secondly, I can't allow you to have the same tragedy as them." Aww, he's being Kunlun! (I mean, himself. *g*) Finally able to fully express his caring to her. ♥ (It still feels a little self-conscious, but I think that's fair given her crush.) Anyway, Shen Wei is supremely unthreatened, which is awesome, but he does interrupt to summarise the plan.
Then:
GCC: What if the Dixingren return to harass us? I want to use my power to do something for everyone. I'll stay here to comfort and help those injured or dying ones.
那 那万一地星人再来骚扰怎么办我也想用我的异能为大家尽一份力我就留在这抚恤那些伤亡者吧
CSZ: Chief Zhao, I'll stay as well to protect him.
赵处 我也留下保护他
Which is... a) interesting in that Chu Shuzhi addresses Zhao Yunlan and not the Envoy, but more importantly, b) not a plan to stop people getting hurt!!! If they're expecting more invaders, shouldn't they (CSZ at least!) be trying to stop them, rather than listening to their victims' dying wishes? It's very "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" and seems like a recipe for carnage. /o\
Anyway: TEAM HAND CLASP THING!! ♥ ♥ ♥
ZYL: What we do next may decide who wins the final battle. When we meet here again, we can't be a single person short. 这次关门出勒也许就是最后决定胜负的行动我们再回到这儿的时候一个都不能少
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei exchange intense looks. ♥ *sniffles* ♥ (Oh, hey, does Shen Wei just lightly touch Zhao Yunlan's butt afterwards, as he passes to leave? 13:46 *watches sixteen times* :D)
Zhu Hong goes to get the Sacred Wood out of her desk drawer, LOL, and Changcheng gives her Ya Qing's feather token, and says, "I hope she's not entirely evil." *pets his optimistic little head* (Didn't they just see Ya Qing in Lin Jing's death video??) - Out in the streets, buildings are damaged, things are on fire, there are bodies everywhere. It's hard to see how Zhao Yunlan's broadcast is going to weigh against a literal invasion. And presumably it's all continuing on elsewhere. I wish I knew who if anyone was trying to put a stop to it. Anyway. ChuGuo come onto the scene and get to work. Changcheng finds using his power heartbreaking and draining, and Changcheng is super supportive though he hates watching Changcheng suffer, and it's very very adorable.
- Shen Wei at the portal: low on power, high on blood-coughing. (I love how he never gets blood on his clothes. ;-)
He says to himself, "Winning or losing depends on this battle. This is for all the people and creatures in the world." 成败在此一役为了天下的苍生 and I wonder if this is the moment he decides he's not going to make it, or if he's just very aware he's going to have to be strategic now he's so weakened. - The Yashou tribes are in a standoff at the Snake village. The elders glare, scowl and pout at each other unhappily. Ya Qing is backed up by Crows and a contingent of Dixingren led by Mi Lu. (Did Ya Qing really want it to come to this?) Fourth Uncle actually surrenders. Ya Qing talks social Darwinism ("Survival of the fittest is the law of natural selection." 优胜劣汰 这是自然天则) and says it's election time. Ying Chun asks why she brought Dixingren with her, and says, "Ya Qing, you have committed crimes against the Yashou!" 鸦青 你是亚兽的罪人 Ya Qing dismisses the accusation and orders them under house arrest ("Don't hurt them."), but Mi Lu is all, can't we just kill them? (Which is exactly the kind of pressure Ya Qing needs to switch sides, but it takes a while -- she's pretty invested in her current course.) They tussle over who's in charge, and are interrupted by Crow sentries, cawing to warn of people approaching. Mi Lu goes to "give them a warm welcome." 我先去招待一下
- Mi Lu's clothing style feels at odds with her attitude. I wonder if it's all she could get her hands on. Anyway, she turns the forest into a confusing misty labyrinth for Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong, and Da Qing. (I'll just smoosh all these scenes together.) Zhao Yunlan realises it's a trap. Da Qing gets lost by himself and freaks out; he thinks the illusion-trees are his mind playing tricks on him (again). *pets* He punches a tree, thinking it's not real, then climbs it and looks out over the illusion.
Mi Lu's power is expressed through interpretative dance, hee! (I wonder if that's necessary, or she just likes it that way.) Da Qing can see her, and Zhao Yunlan finds her. Mi Lu is scornful, and he walks into an invisible tree, ow! (Way to get a concussion. /o\) Mi Lu gloats; Da Qing catches her and over-gloats, but she knocks him out (or does she actually kill him? I don't think so, because Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong both relax later, when Zhao Yunlan takes his pulse). Then Zhu Hong shows up and wow, kills her with red Snake energy. Wow. I'd totally forgotten that! So violent, very war. It feels a bit like Zhao Yunlan's casual use of his gun, really (as well as preparing us for Zhu Hong's powered fighting in the battle against Ye Zun). I suppose, in Zhu Hong's defence, they all saw Mi Lu in Lin Jing's video, so they know about her genocidal ambitions.
Anyway, Zhao Yunlan praises Zhu Hong in his I'm-a-lovable-jerk way, and Zhu Hong is smug. Da Qing is still out cold, but they act like he's goofing off and scatter dead leaves on his face, what? Weirdos! (Did he really just use up a life?) - In the Snake village, one of the Crows breaks ranks to object to Dixingren interference in intra-Yashou affairs. Some Dixingren rando has the audacity to suggest Ya Qing prove her loyalty (after all this!) by killing Ying Chun and Fourth Uncle. Ya Qing stalls by asking about the Sacred Wood and having the other elders searched.
YC: The seat of the chief of the Yashou has been vacant for so many years. The Sacred Wood had disappeared long ago. 亚兽族大族长的席位空悬了这么久大神木早就找不到了
YQ: Don't trick me like a kid. Fu You, the ancestor of Yashou, was a Snake. Being the key to open the forbidden place, it will only be kept by you, the Snake Elder. 你们少给我妆疯卖傻呀族共祖浮游是你们蛇族大神木作为开通禁地的钥匙平时自然留在蛇四手里
The Dixingren rando says maybe Zhu Hong has it and wants to catch her. Fourth Uncle exclaims. "Good point," says Ya Qing, and calmly knocks the Dixingren out. She continues, "But if I acquire the Sacred Wood that way, would it still belong to the Yashou?" 可这样得来的大神木还是我亚兽的东西吗
YQ: I've had enough of Ye Zun! 夜尊的气我受够了 *strikes down another Dixingren*
YC: *little bounce* Yay!
Ya Qing tells Fourth Uncle she just wants to be boss of the Yashou. Zhu Hong rushes in to intervene, and Ya Qing smacks her away but doesn't hurt her. (Progress!) She notices the feather pendant and calls it a "life-saving token". Fourth Uncle tells Ya Qing to respect the constitution (I'm paraphrasing), but she thinks she's the chosen one. Zhu Hong doesn't want to hand over the Sacred Wood, but Zhao Yunlan tells her to.
Ya Qing: Ancestors of the Yashou, if you recognize my efforts in reviving our tribe, please bring the Sacred Wood back to life and sprout!
亚兽的列祖列宗啊如果你们认可鸦青为振兴亚兽所做的努力就请让神木复苏吧
Ancestors: *are conspicuously silent and unforthcoming*
Ya Qing: How could it be? I've done everything I could to revive the Yashou, even drowned myself in darkness. Is it still not enough? 怎么会这样为了振兴亚兽我不惜堕入污泥难道我所做的努力还不够吗
Da Qing: No, your effort was in the wrong direction from the beginning. 不是不够 是根本就错了
Fourth Uncle says she didn't pass the test and to give back the stick. She argues the stick must be dead. Zhao Yunlan is a total busybody -- this is not his jurisdiction! He says Zhu Hong can make the stick sprout. (Cue flashback to YOHE science hour with Ma Gui, where Zhao Yunlan urges him to stop his gift-experiments and just declare himself to Fu You. (This always reminds me oftrickytricky's post, Shen Wei Deserves Nice Things.) Ma Gui: Now that the three tribes are in strife like growing fire... 最近三组纷争如火如茶 (I guess the Cats really don't get counted.) Ma Gui just wants to make Fu You smile.)
Present day: they are using completely the wrong shaped plate for soaking the stick in alcohol! *facepalms* Zhu Hong quotes Kunlun from the Ancient Mysteries, ha! Does she know that's Zhao Yunlan (or someone putting words in his mouth)? There's such a long delay before the stick reacts, I wonder how they're supposed to know it's reacting to Zhu Hong, and not a delayed reaction to Ya Qing. ;-p
(More flashback: Ma Gui turns the seed he's working on into an old gnarled piece of wood. (Hallows, Portals, Sacred Wood -- he gets around!) Zhao Yunlan tries giving him a literal push in his relationship conversation, but Ma Gui deflects to "thank you." Zhao Yunlan looks like he really wants to fix them, lol.)
Present day: the stick sprouts! Ya Qing is incensed! Everyone else is relieved. Zhu Hong is terrified. Zhao Yunlan could be alittlelot less obvious with his gloating. Ya Qing kneels with grudging grace.
ZYL: Looks like Elder Ya knows the saying, "People have to bow under the eaves." 看来鸦长老也知道人在屋檐下不得不低头这个道理啊 (Does anyone have a clear explanation of that saying? I could hazard a guess, but...)
Ya Qing concedes that co-operating with humans might be better for Yashou. Fourth Uncle tries to get a cheer going, but Zhu Hong is freaking out.
4U: In the past, your father left the tribe to remove the gap between humans and Yashou. The Sacred Wood in front of you now is a responsibility as well as an opportunity. Hong, ask yourself. Do you really want to refuse? 当年你父亲不惜出走也要改变亚兽和人类的隔阂现在你眼前的这根神木即是责任 也是机会阿红啊 你扪心自问你真的不愿意吗
Zhu Hong is apparently more comfortable with responsibility than ambition? She takes it on, anyway. (Zhao Yunlan's tiny head nod is such a Shen Wei mannerism. ♥!!) Everyone cheers. Ya Qing smiles ruefully (maybe aware she wouldn't have got such a whole-hearted reception?). I wonder what the other Crows think... - In the city (earlier) Changcheng takes a courier's last wish that always makes me think that guy needed to get a life! ("His will is to get this parcel delivered. Otherwise, he'll get complaints and his boss will deduct his pay." 他的愿望是想把这次快递送完不然会被投诉会扣工资 -- saddest last thought ever!) Changcheng collapses, and Chu Shuzhi catches him. as;dlfkasjd;flka
Later, after the Crow election, Ye Huo finds them. (Changcheng calls him Ye Huo-ge.) They're all very pleased to see each other (and I start to see the OT3 thing), but the news from other areas is Not Good. Chu Shuzhi says they'll all work together from now on, aww.
(Ooh, is there any fic of Ye Huo finding out Changcheng has a power now?) - In the streets of Dixing, Shen Wei overhears someone spreading corrective propaganda, which is nice. Then Wu Xiaojun finds him. "Lord Black Robe, as a part of the eliminating team, I didn't fulfill the task of killing Ye Zun." 黑袍大人作为围剿小队的一员我没能够完成剿灭夜尊的任务 (Was the eliminating team the same as the siege squad, or something different?) Anyway, Wu Tian'en is dead (*sadface*), and Wu Xiaojun kneels, begging Shen Wei to get revenge. Shen Wei encourages him up and takes responsibility, aw. That's so him! (Actual line is: "It's all my fault. I didn't discover Ye Zun's plan in advance. You've done your best." 都是我不好我没有提早发现夜尊的计划你们都已经尽力了) Shen Wei says he's looking for something which might be in storage room in the palace. (Does he think the Regent took the Hallows?) But Ye Zun has taken the palace! Shen Wei accepts Wu Xiaojun's help, and it's unclear if he knows it's a trap.
- Lin Jing is in Ye Zun's stomach, ewwww. It smells bad. He uses his phone flashlight and sees Sha Ya's guitar, even finds the ring he made her. Flashbacks to their relations and voiceover: "No matter where you go, I'm sure we'll meet again. Do you believe we are fated?" 不管你要去哪里我都有信心和你再重逢你信不信咱俩有这个缘分 - yeah, that ring is definitely a parallel with Shen Wei's pendant! Lin Jing cries alone. This is so saaad. :-(
- In the palace, An Bai is working away. The Regent brings more scrolls. Shen Wei ambushes the Regent and holds his blade to the Regent's throat. An Bai freezes (without any apparently self-awareness) with Wu Xiaojun's hand on his throat.
Regent: Hei Pao daren, with my old bones, I really can't handle being chased by both sides.
我的黑袍大人 我这把老骨头实在经不起您几位争抢去的了
SW: Now Ye Zun has taken over, you're happy to be his accomplice? Why are you still here running affairs for him?
既然夜尊已经夺权你甘心为虎作伥为何还留在地君殿不辍政务
Regent: Hei Pao daren, what do you think Dijun Palace is? It's the centre of government for all of Dixing. Be it peace or wartime, if we abandon it, who will look after ordinary Dixing people? Dixing would surely be in chaos if that happened.
黑袍大人您当地君殿是个什么地方这是整个地星的首脑中枢啊无论战争还是和平我们要是逃走了谁来治理地星的民众地星非得 非得乱成一锅粥不可
This is the bit that always makes me doubt the Regent is completely useless, despite all evidence to the contrary. He could have run and let Dixing fall into chaos!
SW: *lowers his blade* These words of yours have saved your life. 你的这些话救了你一命
Regent: Well, you don't really have to save it. 倒也不是非救不可
Wu Xiaojun: *vaults the table and knocks Shen Wei out*
Regent: *looks a bit shaken*
Wu Xiaojun: Ye Zun... is my boss. 夜尊 老板
I think Ya Qing's changing sides was timed partly to prime us for this kind of reversal? People are changing sides, the chips are coming down, and we're definitely heading into the final stretch.
Regent: They have a saying: "If you play with fire, you get burned." 他们有句老话不作死 就不会死啊
In close-up, unseen by the others, Shen Wei opens his eyes.
Discussion starters:
- What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?
- When do you think Lin Jing set up his posthumous video message, and what prompted it?
- Do you have any theories about the wick -- where it is, what it's made from, how and when it was lost?
- Do you think Shen Wei was telling the truth when he said he could only get one person through the gate?
- The first time you watched, were you surprised when Ya Qing switched sides? Were you glad? What does her changing allegiances mean to you? Would she have killed Zhu Hong if Zhu Hong hadn't had the "life-saving token"?
- Is Zhao Yunlan's election tampering justified? And do you think Zhu Hong will make a good Yashou leader?
- Now Changcheng has a power, could he learn to wield raw dark energy, too?
- Is anyone fighting the invaders? Are there off-screen serumed soldiers? Does anyone have a plan, other than the SID's bid to assemble the Hallows and cut the invasion off at the source?
- How aware was Shen Wei of the trap he was walking into? What do you think he's planning at this point?
Let’s talk about episode 37!
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 37 fanworks and meta go here!
- any other episode reactions or related meta
- fanworks, picspams, squee, etc, relating to episode 37 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 37 fanworks and meta go here!
Focus on Shen Wei getting captured for the second time by
Mi Lu character post by
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This is one of the subplots of
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Anger Into Fuel (5256 words)[Mature]
Relationship: Ya Qing/Zhu Hong
Characters: Ya Qing, Zhu Hong, Snake Tribe's Fourth Uncle, Ying Chun, cameo by Zhao Yunlan, and by Shen Wei
Content Tags: Post-Finale, Canon Compliant, Yashou Politics, (Former) Enemies to Lovers, Angry Women, Fix-It (but that's not the focus)
Summary: Ya Qing glares at Zhu Hong. "The Sacred Wood chose you only because of the human you were following," she says snidely. "Now that he's gone - are you the High Chief or not?"
Re: Links to episode 37 fanworks and meta go here!
Re: Links to episode 37 fanworks and meta go here!
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Yay! I love ChuGuo so very very much, but I also like the twist of adding Ye Huo to the mix. The moment when Changcheng spots him and lights up is adorable.
(Ooh, is there any fic of Ye Huo finding out Changcheng has a power now?)
I haven't seen any--but if there truly isn't, there needs to be!!!
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The moment when Changcheng spots him and lights up is adorable.
Yes! Both of them are so glad to see him! :D
I haven't seen any--but if there truly isn't, there needs to be!!!
Right? I can imagine some wonderfully complicated feelings. *makes a note* :D
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Love Shen Wei using his powers like this ♥
I will never not love the fact that Zhao Yunlan has had a pile of boxes just sitting in a corner for three years! HEE! Renovations are hard, all right?
One of the most realistic parts of the show for sure XD
Best thing about this scene: Da Qing sharing his phone screen with Shen Wei. ♥!!
Yes! Da Qing & Shen Wei friendship ist the best ❤
Oh, hey, does Shen Wei just lightly touch Zhao Yunlan's butt afterwards, as he passes to leave? 13:46 *watches sixteen times* :D
Advancing frame-by-frame, it sadly doesn’t look like it, but in my heart he totally does.
Shen Wei at the portal: low on power, high on blood-coughing. (I love how he never gets blood on his clothes. ;-)
He looks very pretty coughing blood :)
Heh, I wonder if he has the same bloodstain-cleaning power Ye Zun uses next episode?
Da Qing is still out cold, but they act like he's goofing off and scatter dead leaves on his face, what? Weirdos! (Did he really just use up a life?)
I thought he was fine and not really unconscious, and somehow Zhao Yunlan knows this(how?). Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong’s reaction doesn’t really make sense otherwise.
Ma Gui turns the seed he's working on into an old gnarled piece of wood
I still find that the sacred wood bears a resemblance to a sandalwood hair stick. Maybe it’s because it looks lacquered and polished.
Zhao Yunlan's tiny head nod is such a Shen Wei mannerism. ♥!!
Yes great catch! ♥
"His will is to get this parcel delivered. Otherwise, he'll get complaints and his boss will deduct his pay." 他的愿望是想把这次快递送完不然会被投诉会扣工资 -- saddest last thought ever!
Holy crap. What has that delivery company been doing to their employees?!
What's your favourite scene in this episode?
Team handclasp❤❤❤
I love Shen Wei hesitating a little – he has clearly never done this before. He looks to Da Qing to imitate his move.
And then Zhao Yunlan puts his hand on top to complete the sandwich. I remember a post where someone called this “the closest Zhao Yunlan will ever come to topping Shen Wei” XD
When do you think Lin Jing set up his posthumous video message, and what prompted it?
Lin Jing is the type of person who would set that up for the drama and no real reason, so it could be as soon as he started working for the SID.
If not then, after he became a double-agent would be the next likely prompt.
Do you think Shen Wei was telling the truth when he said he could only get one person through the gate?
The question is not only if he could bring more people, but also at what cost. He is very much struggling to get just himself through, attractively coughing blood even – what would it do to him to open the portal for others as well? Yes, I think he was (for once) honest and it’s not feasible.
The first time you watched, were you surprised when Ya Qing switched sides?
Ya Qing is clearly conflicted, has something like a moral code, Ying Chun has affections for her and high hopes for her integrity… I saw that one coming a mile away XD
For the story overall, it doesn’t really make a difference – does she contribute anything major after this point? If only if she had defected sooner…
However, it makes for a more hopeful ending thematically: The Crow Yashou can still be part of the wider Yashou community, they all have a future together.
Is Zhao Yunlan's election tampering justified? And do you think Zhu Hong will make a good Yashou leader?
It’s a pretty bad idea for Zhao Yunlan to involve himself in my opinion. They are leaving Zhu Hong open for accusations of election fraud (or whatever you would call that). She is also still his emplyee.
I have full confidence in Hong-jie!♥
How aware was Shen Wei of the trap he was walking into? What do you think he's planning at this point?
He must know a trap is at least a possibility. But I think at this point, it almost doesn’t matter to him – he has a plan for a confrontation with Ye Zun, to take him down at any cost.
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Yes!! I wonder how much, previously, he's avoided using them in everyday life so that he won't accidentally be caught and break his Professor Shen cover. Now the compartmentalisation is no longer necessary, he can do whatever comes most naturally at any given moment.
Advancing frame-by-frame, it sadly doesn’t look like it, but in my heart he totally does.
Aww, it's so close, though. Yes! He does it in spirit!
He looks very pretty coughing blood :)
Heh, I wonder if he has the same bloodstain-cleaning power Ye Zun uses next episode?
It is very artistic blood-coughing!
Hee! I think he's more controlled than Ye Zun, so better at not getting the stains in the first place, but maybe. Stain removal would be super useful... (Oh, now I'm imagining him folding Zhao Yunlan's clothes in ep 8, and debating with himself whether to remove the stains or whether doing so would be too suspicious. LOL!
I thought he was fine and not really unconscious, and somehow Zhao Yunlan knows this(how?). Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong’s reaction doesn’t really make sense otherwise.
Yeah, I don't quite get it. I suppose Da Qing is in whatever state of consciousness he needs to be to make the joke work?
I still find that the sacred wood bears a resemblance to a sandalwood hair stick. Maybe it’s because it looks lacquered and polished.
Heee! A pretty chunky hair stick, but it would be hilarious if people started using it like that (or had used it like that in the course of history). :D (My hair sticks are all long and thin, but I'm very much at beginner level with them.)
Holy crap. What has that delivery company been doing to their employees?!
Right?!? /o\
I love Shen Wei hesitating a little – he has clearly never done this before. He looks to Da Qing to imitate his move.
Oh, great catch! I didn't notice that. *hearts so much*
And then Zhao Yunlan puts his hand on top to complete the sandwich. I remember a post where someone called this “the closest Zhao Yunlan will ever come to topping Shen Wei” XD
LOL! I remember that. (Was it
Lin Jing is the type of person who would set that up for the drama and no real reason, so it could be as soon as he started working for the SID.
Heee! I love that idea. *noogies his dorky head*
The question is not only if he could bring more people, but also at what cost. He is very much struggling to get just himself through
Oh, that's an excellent point. He doesn't know what he'll find on the other side, and he might well not have enough strength to protect Zhao Yunlan if he takes him with. Yeah.
For the story overall, it doesn’t really make a difference – does she contribute anything major after this point? If only if she had defected sooner…
However, it makes for a more hopeful ending thematically: The Crow Yashou can still be part of the wider Yashou community, they all have a future together.
Yeah, it's part of the theme of redemption, isn't it? And I guess narratively they needed someone from Team Ye Zun to switch sides before the ending -- and she was by far the most obvious choice.
It’s a pretty bad idea for Zhao Yunlan to involve himself in my opinion. They are leaving Zhu Hong open for accusations of election fraud (or whatever you would call that). She is also still his emplyee.
Right? Especially when relations between some of the Yashou and humans are so tense. I think Ya Qing has real grounds for an objection. Good thing she's gracious about it -- which must be partly seeing everyone else's relieved reactions.
I have full confidence in Hong-jie!♥
♥!
But I think at this point, it almost doesn’t matter to him – he has a plan for a confrontation with Ye Zun, to take him down at any cost.
*nodnod* You're right -- it doesn't matter how it comes about. (Though, I wonder how crucial the ice spike energy release part was. Otoh, presumably Shen Wei trusts himself to improvise. :-)
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Oh no, what a dilemma! He could make it look like speed-handwashing? XD
A pretty chunky hair stick, but it would be hilarious if people started using it like that(or had used it like that in the course of history)
I actually like larger hair sticks and forks, they tend to stay in better – obviously not quite as large as the sacred wood XD
The wavey stem is very good! Probably a little top-heavy, but it would totally work shape-wise.
Great way to hide the Sacred Wood as part of a hairstyle :D
LOL! I remember that. (Was it dragoncityinteriordesign? I feel like it could have been.)
YES! You’re right! I tried to use tumblr’s internal search function before, fool that I am, but it yielded nothing of course. I tried again via google, and behold: Anatomy of a Hand-stack
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LOL! He totally could. It's not like Zhao Yunlan understands housework enough to question it.
The wavey stem is very good! Probably a little top-heavy, but it would totally work shape-wise.
Great way to hide the Sacred Wood as part of a hairstyle :D
Oh cool! Haha, imagine it handed down for many generations as an heirloom hair stick, and then one day someone comes along and goes, "Wait, I'm sure I saw that in an ancient scroll..."
I tried again via google, and behold: Anatomy of a Hand-stack
\o/!!! :D
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I love this thought! ♥ ♥ ♥
(But also, in this scene, Zhao Yunlan looks at Shen Wei first and essentially prompts him, doesn't he?)
Otoh, presumably Shen Wei trusts himself to improvise.
Yes, agreed! :D
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LOL, I wonder how Zhao Yunlan could possibly know Shen Wei has a "find missing object" power. (How much of a rats nest are the cupboards and wardrobe at the flat? Is there a pile of boxes there, too? *ggg)
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Agreed! And he and Da Qing know each other well; he presumably knows all of Da Qing's tells.
I love Shen Wei hesitating a little – he has clearly never done this before. He looks to Da Qing to imitate his move.
Yes, this! I love it so much!
And then Zhao Yunlan puts his hand on top to complete the sandwich. I remember a post where someone called this “the closest Zhao Yunlan will ever come to topping Shen Wei” XD
LOLOLOL! :D
Lin Jing is the type of person who would set that up for the drama and no real reason, so it could be as soon as he started working for the SID.
I totally buy that he set up that kind of message back then! But I think this version must be very recent, given how genuinely shaken and wobbly he is - he talks like someone who's genuinely expecting he might die soon.
The question is not only if he could bring more people, but also at what cost.
That's a good point! Even if he might theoretically be capable of it, that wouldn't be the best use of his resources at this point, since it would weaken him further and make him even less able to defend himself and others in Dixing ...
However, it makes for a more hopeful ending thematically: The Crow Yashou can still be part of the wider Yashou community, they all have a future together.
Yes! I love that.
He must know a trap is at least a possibility. But I think at this point, it almost doesn’t matter to him – he has a plan for a confrontation with Ye Zun, to take him down at any cost.
Yeah, that makes sense to me!
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Oh, good point. I wonder if he recorded it when Prof Ouyang started to be openly unhinged...
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I'm with you on all these questions, but especially on "how did Lao-Li manage to drive the crows off?!"
We haven't seen him at the SID for a while, so perhaps he got sent away when the office was officially closed, but came back on his own to check up on things, and had the bad luck to be there at the wrong time? While the Crows came by to search for the Hallows, and vented their frustrations on him when they didn't find them? Idk.
Regarding the shield, yeah, not good that it appears to still be down! Can only Lin Jing raise it?! That seems like a huge security issue. And Zhao Yunlan knew from Ye Zun that the shield was down, so he should have raised it again if he was at all able ...
Or perhaps, the shield IS up, and the Crows caught Lao-Li arriving or leaving, and wouldn't let them inside despite them hurting him? I think that's the only version where he really does meaningfully hold them off that I can actually see. And then he might have stumbled back inside after the Crows left.
Anyway, Shen Wei can't heal him, Da Qing is distraught
So many lovely little moments in there! The way Shen Wei's brow furrows when he tries to help Lao-Li - you can see him strain! The way he just looks briefly at Zhao Yunlan, and from that alone both Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing immediately know he can't help. The way Zhu Hong just stares, wide-eyed. How upset Da Qing is, and how the only way he knows to express it is by talking about dried fish! And that Lao-Li returns that with his last wish being making dried fish for him one more time. ♥ ♥ ♥
GCC grabbing his hand - has he figured out his power this clearly already, or is this mostly instinct?
Changcheng takes his hand and sees his past (making fish, appointed to the SID -- aww, old hair!Zhao Yunlan, not even bothering to stand up to welcome him!)
I love that at this late point in the drama, we still get new info about the SID! Li Hongchun's given name, for one, and also that it was Zhao Yunlan who hired him.
The way Xiao-Guo reaches out for Lao-Li also made me wonder how much he had already figured out his power, after having accidentally used it once (on the Nightmare Master) - whether this was deliberate. I'm still not sure.
Changcheng is shattered by his power. I love Shen Wei talking him through it, and Chu Shuzhi pointing out the good the power can do. He knows what will be meaningful to Changcheng, but also it's the two Dixingren in the room kinda taking him under their wing, helping reconcile him. ♥
Yes! This is lovely! And shows something definitely not on Professor Ouyang's agenda - that Haixingren with powers will have a lot of common ground with Dixingren. *g*
It's really great that Lao-Chu knows exactly what to say to brace Xiao-Guo - telling him he can help people with this. Awwww!
Also, Shen Wei explains and defines Guo Changcheng's power (reviewing the lives and listening to the will of dying people) - he seems to be able to identify this just as easily as he might a black energy power. I wonder if he can learn white energy/serum powers as well - did he learn Xiao-Guo's power by watching him use it?
And about Xiao-Guo's power - he says earlier he saw Lao-Li's entire life, which is A LOT. No wonder it takes so much out of him when he uses it basically nonstop later!
(Also also, lots of hands on shoulders in this scene: both Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi with Guo Changcheng, and then Zhao Yunlan with Da Qing!)
I will never not love the fact that Zhao Yunlan has had a pile of boxes just sitting in a corner for three years!
Most relatable fact about the drama! Right? :D
(Also,
Shen Wei uses dark energy to find the right box (scanning for the Hallow in particular, or just x-raying for shapes?) and digs it out from under an old fan and a carved wooden tiger. ♥ ♥ ♥
I assumed he was searching for Hallows energy in particular, but maybe he's just using a "where in this mess is the thing I'm looking for" power. In which case, out of all the powers in Guardian, that's the one I want the most! *g*
I also wonder about Zhao Yunlan saying that when he first took office, everything was old and busted before he renovated. Neglect under the second chief?
Shen Wei thinks it's likely to be in Dixing and says he can only get one person through the gate.
I think it's not about getting them through the passage (despite his struggles later), but about getting through Ye Zun's people who control the passage. He on his own can easily break through, but he can't take others along.
I guess he was determined from the start to film his own death. I wonder how he thought it would happen. Maybe he expected to be whistleblowing about the lab?
I don't know, but that makes sense of him having two phones, too, if he had already planned to do some secret filming!
I love Lin Jing in this, his lip trembling and his eyes all wet. ♥
(Best thing about this scene: Da Qing sharing his phone screen with Shen Wei. ♥!!)
Yes, I love that! :D
Lin Jing's death recording contains Ye Zun saying to "close the rest of the exits." 再把几条多余的通道给我封锁了 (Is it explicitly plural? The original subs have "other unnecessary passage.")
几条多余的通道 is "some unnecessary/surplus passages" - yes, plural. But I think it's figurative here, not literally meaning multiple passages? Idk.
(Also, I love Da Qing remembering another bit of ancient past!)
"I can't let the Crow Tribe hurt everyone again." 我不能再让鸦族伤害大家了 I guess she's thinking of Jia-ge? ♥
It has to be Lao-Li most of all - that's very fresh for all of them right now.
Secondly, I can't allow you to have the same tragedy as them.
I honestly have no idea what he means here. (Solo has this as "I can't allow tragedy to happen twice to a young girl like you", which clarifies absolutely nothing for me ...)
Which is... a) interesting in that Chu Shuzhi addresses Zhao Yunlan and not the Envoy
I think that makes sense, since Shen Wei is going alone and the rest of the SID would otherwise have been expected to go with Zhao Yunlan. He's telling him he's not coming along.
b) not a plan to stop people getting hurt!!! If they're expecting more invaders, shouldn't they (CSZ at least!) be trying to stop them, rather than listening to their victims' dying wishes?
I know!!!! Not that one person could likely do much, but there's no plan to even try at this point. It feels like they've given up on trying, and I don't like it. :(
Anyway: TEAM HAND CLASP THING!! ♥ ♥ ♥
I always love that Shen Wei hesitates and looks at Da Qing first, before joining in at last!
When we meet here again, we can't be a single person short.
AHHHH this one gets me every time, considering what Shen Wei is planning!
Also, unrelatedly, this entire scene is just gold for Zhao Yunlan's expressions. Look at all the tension in his face!
"I hope she's not entirely evil." *pets his optimistic little head* (Didn't they just see Ya Qing in Lin Jing's death video??)
Yes! And even so, he still thinks she might not be totally evil, and he's right!
It's hard to see how Zhao Yunlan's broadcast is going to weigh against a literal invasion. And presumably it's all continuing on elsewhere. I wish I knew who if anyone was trying to put a stop to it.
Yeah, all of this. And I wish we knew more about what's happening in general!
Shen Wei at the portal: low on power, high on blood-coughing. (I love how he never gets blood on his clothes. ;-)
Hee! :D
It takes him a lot of effort to break through! And part of that is absolutely because he's weakened, but also, Ye Zun did say he blocked the passage, so presumably it takes more power than usual to crack it open as well.
"Winning or losing depends on this battle. This is for all the people and creatures in the world." 成败在此一役为了天下的苍生 and I wonder if this is the moment he decides he's not going to make it, or if he's just very aware he's going to have to be strategic now he's so weakened.
I think he doesn't so much decide he's not going to make it, as think it very very likely. He's going to try and see if he wins the lottery and finds the wick without getting caught by Ye Zun, but he's not counting on it, and he's ready for the alternative.
Did Ya Qing really want it to come to this?
I bet she'd have preferred to not have the Dixingren along, but it's not as if she could refuse at this point.
Mi Lu is all, can't we just kill them? (Which is exactly the kind of pressure Ya Qing needs to switch sides, but it takes a while -- she's pretty invested in her current course.)
Agreed that this is what she needs!
In the Snake village, one of the Crows breaks ranks to object to Dixingren interference in intra-Yashou affairs.
We never see this guy very clearly, but he has a hood, and feathers around his shoulders, like Ya Qing and unlike the other Crows present. I wonder if he's Ya Qing's second in command? At any rate, I love that he challenges Ya Qing and tells her this isn't right - that they're following her in order to revitalise the Yashou, and getting outsiders involved in intra-Yashou conflicts is not that.
Some Dixingren rando has the audacity to suggest Ya Qing prove her loyalty (after all this!) by killing Ying Chun and Fourth Uncle.
Yeah, and Fourth Uncle and Ying Chun are getting seriously nervous there! Even Ying Chun no longer has any idea how far Ya Qing will or won't go.
Mi Lu gloats; Da Qing catches her and over-gloats, but she knocks him out (or does she actually kill him? I don't think so, because Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong both relax later, when Zhao Yunlan takes his pulse).
Yeah, I don't think so either. (Also we can see him breathing while he's lying on the ground, but that may not actually be on purpose as far as filming goes. *g*)
Then Zhu Hong shows up and wow, kills her with red Snake energy. Wow. I'd totally forgotten that! So violent, very war. It feels a bit like Zhao Yunlan's casual use of his gun, really (as well as preparing us for Zhu Hong's powered fighting in the battle against Ye Zun). I suppose, in Zhu Hong's defence, they all saw Mi Lu in Lin Jing's video, so they know about her genocidal ambitions.
All good points! I actually couldn't tell in this scene if Mi Lu was dead or just unconscious, but I guess she doesn't turn up again ... And that is a parallel to Zhao Yunlan's gun violence, so it might have been intended.
Also, Zhu Hong has really levelled up in her use of offensive power! She wasn't shown as nearly so proficient before.
Da Qing is still out cold, but they act like he's goofing off and scatter dead leaves on his face, what? Weirdos! (Did he really just use up a life?)
I thought he wasn't actually unconscious any more at that point, just faking, and that Zhao Yunlan could tell. (You know, the kind of fake-out joke Zhao Yunlan is fond of as well?) Which explains their reaction, pretending to leave him behind in turn.
(I didn't think he used up a life, but there's nothing to prove it either way, except that if he did he woke up again very quickly!)
Good point," says Ya Qing, and calmly knocks the Dixingren out.
Add another count for hands-on-shoulders for this episode! *g*
(Really, I love how she does this.)
YC: *little bounce* Yay!
I always laugh at her little squee-and-bounce! :D
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It always strikes me how earnest she is in this moment, and how shaken when it doesn't work!
But my favourite bit is when she asks if after drowning herself in darkness for this, it still wasn't enough - and Da Qing just calmly tells her nope, it's not that it wasn't enough, it's that she was just wrong from the start. ♥
She can't accept it, says the sacred wood must be dead. Uses ZH as a taunt, and ZYL jumps in to say yep, ZH is totally the one who can make it sprout! An snatches it from YQ.
Zhao Yunlan is a total busybody -- this is not his jurisdiction! He says Zhu Hong can make the stick sprout.
Yeah, it's incredibly frustrating in several different ways - most of all his interference in a Yashou election, and his pushing Zhu Hong into this position whether she wants to or not. Even though I totally understand why he does it - there's a lot that hinges on the outcome of this, and they need the Yashou on their side given the situation with Ye Zun, so a sympathetic non-isolationist High Chief is important - it's still not good.
Also, I hate every single time Zhu Hong looks at Zhao Yunlan through this process, the way she takes her cue from him and lets him steer her - this is not what you want in a High Chief! I don't doubt she'll grow into the role, but ugh. (I put a lot of my feelings on this into one of my Ya Qing/Zhu Hong fics: Anger Into Fuel .)
they are using completely the wrong shaped plate for soaking the stick in alcohol! *facepalms*
LOL! Yeah, I notice that every time too!
Zhu Hong quotes Kunlun from the Ancient Mysteries, ha! Does she know that's Zhao Yunlan (or someone putting words in his mouth)?
I still SO SO SO much want fic about everyone at the SID finding out about the time travel!!!!!!!
More flashback: Ma Gui turns the seed he's working on into an old gnarled piece of wood.
I really don't understand the point of this. He tries to make a seed sprout, and it produces a few green leaves, but that's not what he wants. Then it does something with (light?) energy and turns into an old branch or something, and that's what he wants? And what makes Fu You smile? So weird!
Also, what kind of person or civilisation doesn't know alcohol exists?! *baffled*
(Btw, speaking of the Ma Gui flashbacks, given the lollipop Zhao Yunlan has, I wonder how many of them he had along in YOHE!)
Looks like Elder Ya knows the saying, "People have to bow under the eaves." 看来鸦长老也知道人在屋檐下不得不低头这个道理啊 (Does anyone have a clear explanation of that saying? I could hazard a guess, but...)
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Fourth Uncle tries to get a cheer going, but Zhu Hong is freaking out.
And appeals to Zhao Yunlan! /o\
Ya Qing smiles ruefully (maybe aware she wouldn't have got such a whole-hearted reception?).
I think part of her is just glad it's over, that she's finally broken with Ye Zun and didn't fight with the other tribes.
In the city (earlier) Changcheng takes a courier's last wish that always makes me think that guy needed to get a life! ("His will is to get this parcel delivered. Otherwise, he'll get complaints and his boss will deduct his pay." 他的愿望是想把这次快递送完不然会被投诉会扣工资 -- saddest last thought ever!)
I think he needed a job that let him have a life. /o\
In the streets of Dixing, Shen Wei overhears someone spreading corrective propaganda, which is nice.
Is it someone spreading the truth (someone, i.e. Ye Zun, is impersonating the Envoy)? Or is it a move against Shen Wei (someone, i.e. Shen Wei, is impersonating the "Envoy"/Ye Zun)? I figured it was the second, since the person spreading this told people to report the impostor on sight, and the government/anyone they might report to can be assumed to be under Ye Zun's control. I figured it was Ye Zun wanting to hear if Shen Wei made an appearance.
"Lord Black Robe, as a part of the eliminating team, I didn't fulfill the task of killing Ye Zun." 黑袍大人作为围剿小队的一员我没能够完成剿灭夜尊的任务 (Was the eliminating team the same as the siege squad, or something different?)
It's the same term in Chinese, so yep, the same, just translated very differently.
Also, I always wince at the way Wu Xiaojun comes shouting at Shen Wei, given the circumstances ...
Shen Wei says he's looking for something which might be in storage room in the palace. (Does he think the Regent took the Hallows?)
I figured he thought that was where potentially-powerful artifacts were most likely to end up, and if the Wick was left behind when the Lantern vanished, that would presumably have been where it was put ...
Shen Wei accepts Wu Xiaojun's help, and it's unclear if he knows it's a trap.
Shen Wei has these furrows between his brows from the moment Wu Xiaojun appears - I think he's suspicious from the start, even if he's not 100% certain. And when Wu Xiaojun says he's willing to help with going to the palace, Shen Wei's expression also seems to me to be saying he knows something shifty is going on. I wonder if he can feel Ye Zun's mind-control power in Wu Xiaojun ....
Flashbacks to their relations and voiceover: "No matter where you go, I'm sure we'll meet again. Do you believe we are fated?" 不管你要去哪里我都有信心和你再重逢你信不信咱俩有这个缘分 - yeah, that ring is definitely a parallel with Shen Wei's pendant!
Yeah, a really clear parallel, once you think of it! *sniffles*
This is the bit that always makes me doubt the Regent is completely useless, despite all evidence to the contrary. He could have run and let Dixing fall into chaos!
Yeah, and at this point I don't think he really thought he had much to gain from appeasing Ye Zun. This is clearly not a situation he wants to be in either.
I think Ya Qing's changing sides was timed partly to prime us for this kind of reversal? People are changing sides, the chips are coming down, and we're definitely heading into the final stretch.
Oh, that's a very cool thought! That would make sense, yes.
What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?
A favourite scene is too hard to choose! But my favourite line is Da Qing's "it's not that it wasn't enough, it was just wrong from the start", and my favourite moment is the one at the very end when Shen Wei opens his eyes. ♥
When do you think Lin Jing set up his posthumous video message, and what prompted it?
Not that long ago, I think - the way he is in that video, all sad and wobbly, says to me that things have already escalated a lot by this point. None of this is fun spy shenanigans for him any more.
Do you have any theories about the wick -- where it is, what it's made from, how and when it was lost?
Too many! One day I'm going to sort out my thoughts and write a fic about that ...
Do you think Shen Wei was telling the truth when he said he could only get one person through the gate?
Yeah, I think he knew he was weakened, and while he could open the passage, he didn't have the strength/power to get more than just himself through Ye Zun's people on the other end.
The first time you watched, were you surprised when Ya Qing switched sides? Were you glad? What does her changing allegiances mean to you?
I don't remember; the first time through is a complete blur for me. But I absolutely love her in part because of her change in sides, because redemption and the ability to change for the better, and letting people realise when they're going down a destructive path, letting them stopping, is something really important to me.
Would she have killed Zhu Hong if Zhu Hong hadn't had the "life-saving token"?
That never occurred to me! Huh. But no, I don't think she would have, not now that she's broken with Ye Zun.
Is Zhao Yunlan's election tampering justified? And do you think Zhu Hong will make a good Yashou leader?
Like I said above, it's understandable under the circumstances, if frustrating. And I do think Zhu Hong will grow into this - I think this is just the challenge she needs.
Now Changcheng has a power, could he learn to wield raw dark energy, too?
I think it would be white energy, for a Haixingren, but I assume so!
Is anyone fighting the invaders? Are there off-screen serumed soldiers? Does anyone have a plan, other than the SID's bid to assemble the Hallows and cut the invasion off at the source?
I KNOW!!!!!!! (I'm going to say more about this in the episode 38 post, because seriously!!!!!)
How aware was Shen Wei of the trap he was walking into? What do you think he's planning at this point?
I think he was pretty aware, or at least thought the chances it was a trap were very high. And he clearly notices before he's actually attacked - there's a moment while he's talking to the Regent when his eyes go sideways. But instead of acting on that and defending himself, he takes his dao away from the Regent's neck and lets Wu Xiaojun knock him over, and pretends to be knocked out.
I think his plan for Ye Zun is definitely in play now. I don't know if he also thinks there's still a chance they might fail to properly pay attention to him while he's supposedly unconscious, if Ye Zun himself doesn't appear quickly - in that case, he might think he could get away, perhaps look for the wick, and send it to Zhao Yunlan before Ye Zun catches up with him. But I think from this point he's not thinking about getting out of this alive any more.
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I suppose they had to get it into Zhu Hong's hands somehow, and no one else would have the chutzpah to just snatch it from Ya Qing?
Yeah, it's incredibly frustrating in several different ways - most of all his interference in a Yashou election, and his pushing Zhu Hong into this position whether she wants to or not. Even though I totally understand why he does it - there's a lot that hinges on the outcome of this, and they need the Yashou on their side given the situation with Ye Zun, so a sympathetic non-isolationist High Chief is important - it's still not good.
Agreed! Even if it's the best for the Yashou as well, that should be a decision they make through their own processes -- not via some busybody Haixingren, whatever his title. /o\
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Thank you so much! <3
I think part of her is just glad it's over, that she's finally broken with Ye Zun and didn't fight with the other tribes.
That must be part of it, especially given the hints of dissension in her own ranks. And maybe she thinks Zhu Hong is young enough that she can be influenced to be a bit more ambitious? (Imagine if the Sacred Wood had chosen Fourth Uncle! /o\)
I think he needed a job that let him have a life. /o\
Yes, good point! A less horrific workplace. /o\
Is it someone spreading the truth (someone, i.e. Ye Zun, is impersonating the Envoy)? Or is it a move against Shen Wei (someone, i.e. Shen Wei, is impersonating the "Envoy"/Ye Zun)? I figured it was the second, since the person spreading this told people to report the impostor on sight, and the government/anyone they might report to can be assumed to be under Ye Zun's control. I figured it was Ye Zun wanting to hear if Shen Wei made an appearance.
Ohhhh, okay. That makes sense! I'd assumed that the two from the end of last episode had returned with the news that the treaty-burning Envoy was a fraud. But it makes much more sense at this stage for this to be part of Ye Zun's scheming.
It's the same term in Chinese, so yep, the same, just translated very differently.
Good to know, thanks. And that's interesting -- the Shadow Man (previously of Team Zhu Jiu) hid and escaped without being suborned, but Wu Xiaojun (previously neutral? and son of Wu Tian'en, who was definitely Team Envoy) was turned.
I think he's suspicious from the start, even if he's not 100% certain. And when Wu Xiaojun says he's willing to help with going to the palace, Shen Wei's expression also seems to me to be saying he knows something shifty is going on.
Yeah, agreed.
But my favourite line is Da Qing's "it's not that it wasn't enough, it was just wrong from the start", and my favourite moment is the one at the very end when Shen Wei opens his eyes. ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
the way he is in that video, all sad and wobbly, says to me that things have already escalated a lot by this point. None of this is fun spy shenanigans for him any more.
So true! *sniffles*
One day I'm going to sort out my thoughts and write a fic about that ...
Ooh! *pompoms*
But I absolutely love her in part because of her change in sides, because redemption and the ability to change for the better, and letting people realise when they're going down a destructive path, letting them stopping, is something really important to me.
*nodnod* It's Cong Bo to the power of ten, isn't it? And what's more, she flipped herself, rather than having Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan come in and pressure her. ;-p
That never occurred to me! Huh. But no, I don't think she would have, not now that she's broken with Ye Zun.
If nothing else, it would have cast rather a pall over her election to High Chief, if she'd managed to acquire the position somehow. /o\ I don't think Fourth Uncle or Ying Chun would have easily forgiven her murdering Zhu Hong, especially on such slight provocation.
I think it would be white energy, for a Haixingren, but I assume so!
I completely forget to make this distinction all the time. ;-p
(I'm going to say more about this in the episode 38 post, because seriously!!!!!)
\o/!
I think his plan for Ye Zun is definitely in play now. I don't know if he also thinks there's still a chance they might fail to properly pay attention to him while he's supposedly unconscious, if Ye Zun himself doesn't appear quickly - in that case, he might think he could get away, perhaps look for the wick, and send it to Zhao Yunlan before Ye Zun catches up with him. But I think from this point he's not thinking about getting out of this alive any more.
*nodnod* *more sniffles* (And is willing to be tortured first (again), too, if that's what it takes.)
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That is definitely a relevant point! There isn't anyone else around who would have just taken it, and she definitely wouldn't have handed it over on her own.
Even if it's the best for the Yashou as well, that should be a decision they make through their own processes -- not via some busybody Haixingren, whatever his title. /o\
Yeah, 100% this! I love Zhao Yunlan, but I'm not fond of him meddling in things like this, even when he has good reason. It always comes across as patronising, and undermines the respect other people/species deserve.
And maybe she thinks Zhu Hong is young enough that she can be influenced to be a bit more ambitious? (Imagine if the Sacred Wood had chosen Fourth Uncle! /o\)
Ha! I'm not sure if she thinks in that direction at that moment, but now that Ya Qing has turned away from Ye Zun, Zhu Hong as a SID member is definitely preferable for her over someone like Fourth Uncle. She knows she can rely on Zhu Hong to see this fight through.
I'd assumed that the two from the end of last episode had returned with the news that the treaty-burning Envoy was a fraud. But it makes much more sense at this stage for this to be part of Ye Zun's scheming.
Yeah, I think it's essentially a bit of dramatic irony where the thing Shen Wei wanted to happen (and that Ye Zun presumably stopped happening, making these two Dixingren disappear - that was my theory, anyway) does happen, but in a way that is turned against Shen Wei.
And that's interesting -- the Shadow Man (previously of Team Zhu Jiu) hid and escaped without being suborned, but Wu Xiaojun (previously neutral? and son of Wu Tian'en, who was definitely Team Envoy) was turned.
I think Wu Xiaojun wasn't turned during that siege (which the Regent orders in episode 27), since we see him with his father and acting against Ye Zun in episode 29. My theory is that Wu Xiaojun got out of prison the same way the Shadow Man did, but then reunited with his father, and only ended up under Ye Zun's control after Ye Zun killed Wu Tian'en (also in episode 29).
Ooh! *pompoms*
♥ ♥ ♥
It's Cong Bo to the power of ten, isn't it? And what's more, she flipped herself, rather than having Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan come in and pressure her. ;-p
Ooh, yes, that's true! A parallel! :D
*nodnod* *more sniffles* (And is willing to be tortured first (again), too, if that's what it takes.)
Yep. He's very unimpressed by it all, too, until Zhao Yunlan is also captured.
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She's just threatened to kill most of them.
Otoh... oh, Da Qing could have done it. That would have been much better!! Except Da Qing doesn't know about Ma Gui's experiment, and also isn't as strategic as ZYL. Hmph.
but I'm not fond of him meddling in things like this, even when he has good reason. It always comes across as patronising, and undermines the respect other people/species deserve.
Agreed. It would read very differently if Haixingren weren't already so dominant and invasive.
I'm not sure if she thinks in that direction at that moment, but now that Ya Qing has turned away from Ye Zun, Zhu Hong as a SID member is definitely preferable for her over someone like Fourth Uncle. She knows she can rely on Zhu Hong to see this fight through.
Ye-es, though I feel like Ya Qing has good reason to be wary of the SID, even after changing sides. But Zhu Hong is someone prepared to build alliances and move forward with her life, and that must be a hopeful, optimistic sign.
I think it's essentially a bit of dramatic irony where the thing Shen Wei wanted to happen (and that Ye Zun presumably stopped happening, making these two Dixingren disappear - that was my theory, anyway) does happen, but in a way that is turned against Shen Wei.
:-((((((
And oh, yeah, that makes sense about Wu Xiaojun. Thanks. Though "only ended up under Ye Zun's control after Ye Zun killed Wu Tian'en" is pretty distressing -- I wonder if Ye Zun played on Wu Xiaojun's earlier abandonment issues, since the two of them have that in common.
He's very unimpressed by it all, too, until Zhao Yunlan is also captured.
Okay, I've just headcannoned for myself a "dial down pain receptors" power for Shen Wei. ;-p
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True on all accounts! Hmph indeed.
Ye-es, though I feel like Ya Qing has good reason to be wary of the SID, even after changing sides.
But she must also know they're the ones best placed to resist Ye Zun, and she kind of needs that now she's turned against him.
I wonder if Ye Zun played on Wu Xiaojun's earlier abandonment issues, since the two of them have that in common.
Yeah, that would make sense!
Okay, I've just headcannoned for myself a "dial down pain receptors" power for Shen Wei. ;-p
I'm all on board with that! *g*
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Oh, true. Good point!
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Or he's been in the back room faithfully frying fish the whole time. /o\
Regarding the shield, yeah, not good that it appears to still be down! Can only Lin Jing raise it?! That seems like a huge security issue. And Zhao Yunlan knew from Ye Zun that the shield was down, so he should have raised it again if he was at all able ...
And as soon as he realised it was down, he assumed that meant Lin Jing had been compromised/endangered, which suggests Lin Jing is the only/main one who can manage it, I think?
Or perhaps, the shield IS up, and the Crows caught Lao-Li arriving or leaving, and wouldn't let them inside despite them hurting him? I think that's the only version where he really does meaningfully hold them off that I can actually see. And then he might have stumbled back inside after the Crows left.
*nodnod* That works, too!
GCC grabbing his hand - has he figured out his power this clearly already, or is this mostly instinct?
I thought it was mostly "reach out to comfort the dying person." But I could easily be convinced otherwise!
And shows something definitely not on Professor Ouyang's agenda - that Haixingren with powers will have a lot of common ground with Dixingren. *g*
Ahaha, true -- though presumably that only makes a difference if they know any Dixingren.
I wonder if he can learn white energy/serum powers as well
Presumably they work along the same principles. That's the whole point, right?
Also,
Ahaha, oh nooo! /o\ That would be the ultimate tragedy, imo. /o\
I also wonder about Zhao Yunlan saying that when he first took office, everything was old and busted before he renovated. Neglect under the second chief?
Does it actually say busted? The Viki subs have "It took me a long time to pack all the old things and then do the renovation." 我花了好长时间才把这些老物件规整起来 然后又装修了一下 I always assumed he was just modernising and making things more to his taste, eg, installing his motorbike plinth.
I think it's not about getting them through the passage (despite his struggles later), but about getting through Ye Zun's people who control the passage. He on his own can easily break through, but he can't take others along.
That makes sense!
几条多余的通道 is "some unnecessary/surplus passages" - yes, plural. But I think it's figurative here, not literally meaning multiple passages? Idk.
Ah, thank you! Figurative would work.
It has to be Lao-Li most of all - that's very fresh for all of them right now.
Oh, good point! I don't know how I missed that. *facepalm*
> > Secondly, I can't allow you to have the same tragedy as them.
> I honestly have no idea what he means here. (Solo has this as "I can't allow tragedy to happen twice to a young girl like you", which clarifies absolutely nothing for me ...)
I thought he meant "I can't allow you to have the same tragic end as [Lin Jing and Lao Li]." Especially since Ya Qing was present at Lin Jing's murder, and Lao Li was killed by Crows -- the Crows are a real threat to the SID!
Not that one person could likely do much, but there's no plan to even try at this point. It feels like they've given up on trying, and I don't like it. :(
Right??? :-(((
Also, unrelatedly, this entire scene is just gold for Zhao Yunlan's expressions. Look at all the tension in his face!
*sniffles on his behalf*
We never see this guy very clearly, but he has a hood, and feathers around his shoulders, like Ya Qing and unlike the other Crows present. I wonder if he's Ya Qing's second in command?
Ooh, good catch!
Also, Zhu Hong has really levelled up in her use of offensive power! She wasn't shown as nearly so proficient before.
Yes! I wonder how much resolving the situation with Zhao Yunlan has allowed her to stop holding back. Maybe she's not (consciously or unconsciously) trying to be like a human woman so much, anymore?
I thought he wasn't actually unconscious any more at that point, just faking, and that Zhao Yunlan could tell. (You know, the kind of fake-out joke Zhao Yunlan is fond of as well?) Which explains their reaction, pretending to leave him behind in turn.
Ohhhhhhhhh, that would make so much sense! And also, that means we have a demonstration of the "appropriate" response to a fake-out joke, which is to play along and double-down on it in a way that's kind of mean. ;-p
(I didn't think he used up a life, but there's nothing to prove it either way, except that if he did he woke up again very quickly!)
I only wondered because he says, "Have you heard about cats having nine lives?" 我跟你们说 你们有没有听过 你们不知道猫有九条命吗 when he catches up with them.
> > Good point," says Ya Qing, and calmly knocks the Dixingren out.
> (Really, I love how she does this.)
It's very stylish!
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Main, yeah, true. Not necessarily only, but the default assumption.
Presumably they work along the same principles. That's the whole point, right?
Yeah, they should definitely work on the same principles! I guess with Shen Wei's learning power it depends on how exactly it works, and whether his power needs to "interact" with the original person's power in some way during the learning process. *ponders*
Ahaha, oh nooo! /o\ That would be the ultimate tragedy, imo. /o\
Yeah, I'm not going to seriously consider that because it would be too awful for words. I just wish they'd at least checked all those boxes!
Does it actually say busted? The Viki subs have "It took me a long time to pack all the old things and then do the renovation." 我花了好长时间才把这些老物件规整起来 然后又装修了一下 I always assumed he was just modernising and making things more to his taste, eg, installing his motorbike plinth.
No, you're right - I was going off the subtitles; I should have checked the Chinese. So presumably he just stuffed everything into boxes and only kept the stuff that fit his own aesthetic. *g*
I thought he meant "I can't allow you to have the same tragic end as [Lin Jing and Lao Li]." Especially since Ya Qing was present at Lin Jing's murder, and Lao Li was killed by Crows -- the Crows are a real threat to the SID!
Oh! Yes, that makes a lot of sense, thank you!
I wonder how much resolving the situation with Zhao Yunlan has allowed her to stop holding back. Maybe she's not (consciously or unconsciously) trying to be like a human woman so much, anymore?
I like that interpretation a lot!
And also, that means we have a demonstration of the "appropriate" response to a fake-out joke, which is to play along and double-down on it in a way that's kind of mean. ;-p
Hee! :D
I only wondered because he says, "Have you heard about cats having nine lives?" 我跟你们说 你们有没有听过 你们不知道猫有九条命吗 when he catches up with them.
His next line is about being 10,000 years old, though. IMO it could go either way.
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If there was a backup, it would make sense to me if it was Wang Zheng, since she was always on site...
His next line is about being 10,000 years old, though. IMO it could go either way.
No, I'm convinced by the fakeout now. (I also love the parallel with YOHE of DQ being out cold, and ZYL|KL checking his pulse. ♥)
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Oof. Yeah, that would make a lot of sense! /o\