The Art of Dialogue and the kitchen knife scene

[china_shop]

I was watching a YouTube video about how to write snappy dialogue (banter) by heyjameshurst. The creator used examples from The Princess Bride, The Empire Strikes Back, His Girl Friday, and The West Wing to illustrate that good dialogue is like a tennis match, a playful competition, and in each volley the tension escalates to "a sudden, sharp reveal of truth."

Afterwards, I was thinking about it in terms of Guardian, and the first scene that came to mind was the kitchen knife scene. Wow, this is a stellar example of what the video talked about! It's dynamic because every line fires back in a way that is difficult for the other person to respond to. (Often they're reacting to the subtext -- or actually, what they perceive the other's subtext to be -- rather than the words, and sometimes slightly at cross-purposes, so lines that could be non-sequiturs feel seamless.) And the truth is forced out of them. It's so impressive!

ZYL: I woke up because I was hungry.
SW: *turns and drops the knife*
ZYL: *strides over and grabs his wrist* Don't you think of lying to me. What did you do in order to heal my eyes?
SW: *starts to leave*
ZYL: You used the Longevity Dial.
SW: *stops*
ZYL: *moves to his side* You shared your life force with mine. You used your power to neutralize the corrosion of my body. Am I right?
SW: My... My... My body's energy structure has suffered a severe blow. I need to exchange all my energy.
ZYL: It must hurt a lot.
SW: *ghastly smile* Fortunately... Fortunately, I'm used to getting injured.
ZYL: I do not deserve what you are doing for me.
SW: You're worth it.
ZYL: *explodes* Then, what do you want me to do? Be indebted to you? To bow to you? You are not immortal! Why should I so casually owe you a life?
SW: This life is what I'm returning to you.
ZYL: ??????
SW: You should rest soon.

There are so many truths here!! <3 <3 <3

Thinking about it also made me realise something about Shen Wei's initially trying to leave and his "Fortunately, I'm used to getting injured" line, which I will explain in six screencaps:













Newsflash, Shen Wei: Zhao Yunlan's tactics are no more reassuring or less infuriating when you try them.

Comments

[trobadora]

This is all such a cool observation!

ZYL: I woke up because I was hungry.

Huh, how weird, I never noticed this translation - what you're quoting is from the Viki subs, and I guess I'd never looked at this scene with those before! The original subs have it as "Woke up because you were hungry?", and Solo's subs as "Midnight munchies?" Because the Chinese (大半夜的饿醒了) skips any and all pronouns, in isolation it could be either, but from context I'm pretty sure he's commenting on SW in the kitchen, not talking about himself ...

(Not that it makes any difference for your agument!)

Newsflash, Shen Wei: Zhao Yunlan's tactics are no more reassuring or less infuriating when you try them.

I don't think it's a tactic for SW, though - ZYL is consciously deflecting, but I don't think SW thinks that's what he's doing; he's being earnest in a way ZYL isn't. Both think they're being reassuring, both are minimising the situation, and in both cases this is obviously not working because nothing about this is reassuring! But the vibe is still pretty different IMO.

[china_shop]

in isolation it could be either, but from context I'm pretty sure he's commenting on SW in the kitchen, not talking about himself ...

Yes, I noticed this, too.

I think Shen Wei's smile is intended to reassure, and he thinks it will work because that's what ZYL does. If he was talking to Chu Shuzhi or someone, he's present the same information differently, imo. But that's a great point that it's a very different (not performative) vibe.

Mostly though, I just love how many truths are exposed by this conversation: ZYL's "I'm not worth it" and SW's response to that; ZYL's insecurity about his place in their relationship; and SW's "this life is what I'm returning to you."

[trobadora]

I think Shen Wei's smile is intended to reassure, and he thinks it will work because that's what ZYL does.

I really don't think SW is thinking about it in the moment, or consciously mimicking ZYL's usual strategies - it's intended to reassure, yes, but he thinks it'll work because to him it's true, and IMO from his perspective, that's all he's doing: telling a reassuring truth. (Obviously he's wrong about that, LOL.) Agreed that he'd present this differently to CSZ, though! But then the situation wouldn't be as emotionally charged for him with CSZ.

Mostly though, I just love how many truths are exposed by this conversation

Yes! All of that! It's such a fantastic scene, every line hits hard. ♥ ♥ ♥

[china_shop]

Agreed that he's not consciously mimicking ZYL. But it doesn't have to be conscious to be a thing. Idk.

They're both massive hypocrites about it, anyway. *smishes them*

[trobadora]

Oh, right! I thought you were saying he was doing it consciously.

They seem so different on the surface, but they're so so very much the same underneath, right down to the hypocrisy, yeah. ♥ ♥ ♥

[china_shop]

I mean, I think there's a continuum from consciously manipulative to completely unthinkingly natural, and to me it probably reads a bit more towards the former end than it does for you. But yeah, it's nowhere near in the same league as ZYL's flipping through his rolodex of tactics, trying them one after another, as per the nose-wiping scene. :-)

[facethestrange]

"he thinks it'll work because to him it's true, and IMO from his perspective, that's all he's doing: telling a reassuring truth. (Obviously he's wrong about that, LOL.)"

That's a fantastic way to put it, and the fact that he genuinely thinks that THIS is reassuring is probably the saddest thing about this scene to me.

[trobadora]

100% agreed! SO sad.

[china_shop]

Surprising no one, I've been thinking about this more. I'm pretty sure I'm an outlier in the fandom because I don't find Shen Wei's reaction particularly sad or upsetting. (I keep framing it as upsetting because I know it is for a lot of people, and definitely for ZYL.) To me, the smile and the words are separate things which unfortunately overlap, and I think it's the overlap that bothers most people the most?

So for me, the smile is "I'm glad I could heal your eyes, I would have done anything to heal you, and I have zero regrets" -- just amped up to be more reassuring (lol). And the "fortunately I'm used to getting injured" is "I'm strong, I can handle it, I'll get through this." (Which is just practical, right? He's like someone who's just donated a kidney to save a relative... except he did it possibly unintentionally and by stealth.)

ZYL wants his eyes to have been healed at no cost to anyone, but that was never going to happen (has he MET the Hallows?), and I personally would much rather see Shen Wei suffering here than Da Qing or Xiao Guo or even some random innocent someone who couldn't handle it. (Sorry, everyone! Does this make me a terrible person?)

And oh, maybe part of the reason ZYL is so upset is that deep down he is accepting it. He doesn't ask, "Is there a way to undo it? Come on, we're reversing the damage and blinding me again." (Cf the reverse healing in Dr Feng's clinic.) He accepts Shen Wei's gift-sacrifice, and that's the part that hurts him the most?

[trobadora]

Surprising no one, I've been thinking about this more. I'm pretty sure I'm an outlier in the fandom because I don't find Shen Wei's reaction particularly sad or upsetting.

Hmmm, it doesn't make me sad or upset, but I still think it's sad and upsetting, if that makes any sense? Not because of either the smile or the words or the overlap, precisely, but because no matter how well he knows Zhao Yunlan, he still thinks any of this can be reassuring to him, and it's just not.

But you're making me wonder whether any of us are actually talking about the same thing that's sad/upsetting/not reassuring to either us or to Zhao Yunlan ... *g*

So for me, the smile is "I'm glad I could heal your eyes, I would have done anything to heal you, and I have zero regrets" -- just amped up to be more reassuring (lol). And the "fortunately I'm used to getting injured" is "I'm strong, I can handle it, I'll get through this." (Which is just practical, right? He's like someone who's just donated a kidney to save a relative... except he did it possibly unintentionally and by stealth.)

100% agreed on all of this, that's exactly how I interpret it too.

(Sorry, everyone! Does this make me a terrible person?)

LOL, no. Again I'm entirely with you - Shen Wei can handle it, and I like that about him! If the narrative didn't give him these chances to show he can handle stuff like this, he wouldn't be my favourite character the way he is. *g*

(Lots of people are into whump and/or h/c because they like seeing people broken down or broken open, but that's the opposite of what I like - I like whump when it's all about showing off someone's resilience and endurance under tough circumstances, you know? THAT is what I love.)

But just because I think SW is right, dosen't mean it's reassuring, because there's nothing reassuring about having been hurt/injured often enough that you're used to it, even if you CAN handle it perfectly fine. And that's sad in general because of what it says about the life he's lead, you know? And it's upsetting to Zhao Yunlan in particular because he (of course!) wants them to be good to and for each other, and here he is just another item in the long list of things that have hurt Shen Wei. Which is the absolute last thing he wants to be!

And oh, maybe part of the reason ZYL is so upset is that deep down he is accepting it. He doesn't ask, "Is there a way to undo it? Come on, we're reversing the damage and blinding me again." (Cf the reverse healing in Dr Feng's clinic.) He accepts Shen Wei's gift-sacrifice, and that's the part that hurts him the most?

Huh, yeah, that's a good thought - I don't think it's the only think but that has to be part of it, that he's been given this gift-sacrifice (great term) and he can't/won't turn it down, and there's no way to pay it back (not that SW would want that), and what does that make him? What does that mean for them? That has to be part of why he's lashing out at SW and (rhetorically) asking what he's expecting in return.

[china_shop]

But just because I think SW is right, dosen't mean it's reassuring, because there's nothing reassuring about having been hurt/injured often enough that you're used to it, even if you CAN handle it perfectly fine.

Idk, I do find that reassuring. Getting hurt in the line of duty is something that happens. SW has healing powers. (We see that with the Shadow Man.) I don't think "avoidance of necessary suffering" is a priority for either of them, and that's okay? He has plenty of good things in his life too -- all the flavours, just like Kunlun promised him!

and there's no way to pay it back (not that SW would want that), and what does that make him? What does that mean for them? That has to be part of why he's lashing out at SW and (rhetorically) asking what he's expecting in return.

Yes! He's like "I don't understand what our relationship is to you, and YOU WON'T TELL ME!"

OT, but I'm always very aware during "This life is what I'm returning to you" of the differential between the personal costs of "shot some bad guys from a safe distant position" and "actual energy exchange that is burning through his energy structure" -- so I have to read the "life" as about more than just the narrow definition of helping SW survive that first YOHE battle. I think the "life" ZYL gave SW was hope-at-a-time-of-extreme-hopelessness and connection and love and fighting-at-his-side. And SW in return is giving ZYL self-care and his sight back and connection and love and fighting-at-his-side.

ETA: that he's been given this gift-sacrifice (great term) and he can't/won't turn it down, and there's no way to pay it back (not that SW would want that), and what does that make him?

And also: his literal title is Guardian. He is supposed to be the one protecting people!!

[facethestrange]

"But just because I think SW is right, dosen't mean it's reassuring, because there's nothing reassuring about having been hurt/injured often enough that you're used to it, even if you CAN handle it perfectly fine. And that's sad in general because of what it says about the life he's lead, you know? And it's upsetting to Zhao Yunlan in particular because he (of course!) wants them to be good to and for each other, and here he is just another item in the long list of things that have hurt Shen Wei. Which is the absolute last thing he wants to be!"

Omg, yes, THIS, all of this, 100%. ♡♡♡

ETA: This is a really thinky post, so I guess just add things as I think of them, lol.

"But you're making me wonder whether any of us are actually talking about the same thing that's sad/upsetting/not reassuring to either us or to Zhao Yunlan ... *g*"

Yeah, I don't think so. :D But also in my experience no one ever does. Like, even when people's opinions seem to completely overlap, if you dig deep enough you'll find all kinds of differences, especially in why they hold the opinion, but also in which parts of it are the important ones, and probably in a million other ways. I think that's really cool. :D

[facethestrange]

"So for me, the smile is "I'm glad I could heal your eyes, I would have done anything to heal you, and I have zero regrets" -- just amped up to be more reassuring (lol). And the "fortunately I'm used to getting injured" is "I'm strong, I can handle it, I'll get through this." (Which is just practical, right? He's like someone who's just donated a kidney to save a relative... except he did it possibly unintentionally and by stealth.)"

ITA, and to me it's all factually right, but emotionally not right, lol. Like, 'that's the right thing to do in this situation' vs. 'it's not fair to be in this situation to begin with' (which happens to these characters a lot and I've talked about it before re: the Lantern, lol). And I feel like feeling that it's unfair can coexist with the fact that the situation exists and something has to be done about it, and doing something else about it would be even worse.

"And oh, maybe part of the reason ZYL is so upset is that deep down he is accepting it. He doesn't ask, "Is there a way to undo it? Come on, we're reversing the damage and blinding me again." (Cf the reverse healing in Dr Feng's clinic.) He accepts Shen Wei's gift-sacrifice, and that's the part that hurts him the most?"

Oh wow, that's a fantastic point! *even more OUCH (for me, lol)*

ETA: "ZYL wants his eyes to have been healed at no cost to anyone, but that was never going to happen (has he MET the Hallows?), and I personally would much rather see Shen Wei suffering here than Da Qing or Xiao Guo or even some random innocent someone who couldn't handle it."

Isn't the suffering a result of the difference between the energies though? What would have happened if a Haixingren shared their energy? Like, would ZYL's eyes still get healed at all (since he was originally harmed by dark energy, does he need it to reverse it)? And if so, would the healer be harmed at all, and how? (I still do think the Dial takes a part of your lifespan in exchange, but also it may only be when you're actually bringing someone back from the dead.)

[trobadora]

to me it's all factually right, but emotionally not right, lol. Like, 'that's the right thing to do in this situation' vs. 'it's not fair to be in this situation to begin with'

Ha, yes, this! You put that so succinctly. :D

My headcanon is that the energy exchange only works to cure ZYL is because SW has black energy, yeah; if it were a mundane injury, that wouldn't matter, but it's due to black energy corruption. And they're swapping corruption, aren't they? Instead of ZYL having black energy corruption, now SW has white energy corruption - there's an equivalence there, which to me fits with what the Sundial does.

[facethestrange]

"Mostly though, I just love how many truths are exposed by this conversation: ZYL's "I'm not worth it" and SW's response to that; ZYL's insecurity about his place in their relationship; and SW's "this life is what I'm returning to you."

Ikr?? ♡ It's like 'oh, that's a really big emotional reveal'... wait, there's more. SO MUCH MORE. xD

ETA: "I think Shen Wei's smile is intended to reassure, and he thinks it will work because that's what ZYL does."

And now I'm thinking about this again, and idek how to even word what I'm thinking, but like... I can totally see how he can be thinking that without it being performative - it's like he's trying to speak Zhao Yunlan's language. If ZYL thinks this is reassuring, then it must be reassuring for ZYL to see someone else do it? Ahhh, idek, I have more thoughts than I have words, but this is fascinating!

[china_shop]

And now I'm thinking about this again, and idek how to even word what I'm thinking, but like... I can totally see how he can be thinking that without it being performative - it's like he's trying to speak Zhao Yunlan's language. If ZYL thinks this is reassuring, then it must be reassuring for ZYL to see someone else do it? Ahhh, idek, I have more thoughts than I have words, but this is fascinating!

Ahhhh, this is exactly what I meant, yes! Thank you so much for putting it into words. <3 <3 <3

[facethestrange]

Oooh, yay! ♡ I found it hard to word it, but I can totally grasp it and feel it! Like 'you showed me how you want/like to be reassured'. OUCH.

[china_shop]

"I will convey this in your language so it gets through very clearly." LOLsob.

[facethestrange]

Yeah, I also can't see the first line as anything other than a question/comment on what Shen Wei's is doing. :)

I see the vibe of all three scenes as different, which makes it even cooler to me to put them together because of how they start differently/for different reasons, and then kinda end up in exactly the same place.

[china_shop]

Ha, so true. I feel like the first scene, with ZYL waving Shen Wei off, is more parallel to the start of the kitchen knife scene where Shen Wei tries to leave without a word. Like, "feeling shitty, do not want to deal rn."

[facethestrange]

Yeah, and I feel like it has a lot of the original reaction to the pain still in it, it's not just deflecting, it's also what ZYL would be thinking to himself even if SW wasn't there.

[china_shop]

it's not just deflecting, it's also what ZYL would be thinking to himself even if SW wasn't there.

I'm not sure about that? This is the first time they've seen each other since the failed (humiliating) book con earlier in the day, and my headcanon is that ZYL's gastritis is linked to his having fucked up and SW walking away like that. So to have SW of all people find him in another humiliating position (literally curled up in a gutter) is like heaping coals on his loss of face.

And in the kitchen scene, it's not loss of face, but SW is already weakened and feeling shitting, and he knows ZYL is going to have a lot of ~feelings~ about this, and it's a similar "this is too much ON TOP OF what I'm dealing with, I need to check out" vibe (to me).

[facethestrange]

I think we're talking about different aspects of the scenes because I totally agree with you on all of this. :D (And I especially like "ZYL's gastritis is linked to his having fucked up and SW walking away like that" because I've never thought of that, but it's canon in the novel and now I can totally see that it's probably meant to be canon in the drama too!)

What I meant is that Zhao Yunlan minimizes his own pain to himself all the time, and here he's mostly saying out loud what he's already thinking anyway, while in the second scene he's more aware that this is probably not good but he downplays it for Shen Wei. (Not that he would worry about himself or anything like that ever, lol, but I feel like he at least has the awareness that this may be worse than he thought. While the stomach pain is genuinely no big deal in his mind, no matter how awful it feels.)

ETA: I'm comparing the ZYL scenes only, ITA about the comparison between the first one and the third one! :)

[trobadora]

Yes! That's also very true!

[trobadora]

That's an excellent point! Three different contexts. and yet they all end up going there. I love how the drama draws a line between all of them that way, so cool!