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sid_guardian2025-09-13 11:36 pm
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2025-09-13 11:36 pm
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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 1, part 2
Hi, welcome to our second instalment of the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch! Join us to watch half an episode a week (at your leisure) and then come and chat about it here in comments. Or you can just jump into the comments without rewatching, of course!
Here is last week's half-episode. On to the second half!
Episode 1, from 22:28
Summary: Guo Changcheng is having a day! After being dangled from a window and falling, now he fails at tailing Shen Wei and Li Qian, takes a lost grandma home, and promptly runs into a shadowy attacker! But action hero Chu Shuzhi comes to the rescue. Shen Wei studies Zhao Yunlan's file, and we get our first YOHE flashback. Zhao Yunlan, who has concluded the attacker mistook Lu Ruomei for Li Qian, tails Li Qian and has another intense encounter with Professor Shen. The Shadow Man attacks Li Qian at the university, but Shen Wei protects her - until he's thrown off the roof, just as the SID arrives. The team meets the Black-Cloaked Envoy for the first time.
Quote:
Zhao Yunlan: "Tell you the truth, I really don't know why, but from the moment I saw you, I've had this feeling like we've known each other a long time."
Shen Wei: "Who knows, maybe we really have met before."
Detail:
One of my favourite details in this half of the episode is the Envoy's very dramatic arrival on the rooftop - storm clouds and lightning and time stoppage and all. The best part about this is something a first-time viewer can't know - that this is clearly a choice on Shen Wei's part. He's looking to make an impression, hee! :D
Questions:
What's your favourite moment or line in this half of the episode? Anything you noticed that you'd completely forgotten about, or never noticed before? How literally do you take Shen Wei's "I've searched for you for 10,000 years"? What do you think Zhao Yunlan is thinking when Shen Wei just gives away that he knows about Dixingren? If you were on that rooftop when the Envoy took the Shadow Man away, would you speak up like Xiao-Guo? And if you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how this compares?
(These are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the rewatch to join in!)
And here is our schedule - please do sign up to host a post if you can!
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(The original subs as well as Solo's subs translate 呵呵 as "huh", but it's definitely onomatopoetic laughter, "haha".)
(We probably discussed this before, but I can't remember coming to any conclusions ...)
And Zhao Yunlan claiming a sense of familiarity - which sounds like a line, except next episode he'll be wondering when they might have met before, so there's some kernel of truth in there! :D
(I wrote a ficlet about it once, with my theory about where that feeling comes from.)
(I have a ficlet about Shen Wei in-between, too!)
(And I totally would have used a screencap from that if there were a good frame, but alas!)
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I noticed that, too. And yeah, there's no way SW wouldn't notice a tail, especially one as blundering as GCC (*hearts him*).
Xiao-Guo throws fruit at the Shadow Man, which splatters against his apparently very solid form!
Great point! He's such an interesting mix of corporeal and shadow.
Every time I forget about the box, and every time I remember that oh right, that must have been where the Sundial used to be kept.
I hadn't thought of that. I'm always too distracted by the Shadow Man coming out of the box. How did he get in there?
Dixing is still not named here; people talk (prominently!) about Dixingren, but for Dixing itself, both Zhao Yunlan (at the SID) and Da Qing (explaining things on the rooftop) just call it 那边 "over there".
So, outside of the prologue, is SW the first to name it? That's cool.
And of course it's our first YOHE flashback! AND THE LOLLIPOP IS RIGHT THERE. This always delights me so much! The drama is totally playing straight with us and not hiding that anachronistic detail at all, and yet I don't think most people caught on. *g*
They can get away with it because there's just so much information coming at us. :D
"I searched for you for 10,000 years. I hope you still remember we have an appointment." Such an iconic line!
I know this has been talked about on the comm before, that "appointment" can also mean "date". <333 (It's the same in Korean.)
When Zhu Hong feeds Lin Jing Da Qing's dried fish snacks, they seem to give him some sort of epiphany. The way he repeats "fish" ...
I know! I have no idea either.
Now that he's sure she's involved, he's not leaving the shadowing to Xiao-Guo. *g*
Do you think it's partly a protective detail at this point?
Li Qian's flashbacks in which she's coughing always go together for me with the cold Zhao Yunlan will get in a few episodes - Hallows side effects.
Oh, yes, great point!
Shen Wei saying only "it's me" and Zhao Yunlan totally recognising his voice on the phone!
*high fives* :D :D :D :D :D
and also Zhao Yunlan's "oh no WHY NOW" face when he realises what's happening.
Haha, right?
Which means the Envoy has made this kind of arrival before, and Zhao Yunlan recognises it from descriptions, since he hasn't personally met him yet. I guess it's his go-to when he really wants to make an impression!
Idk. I have a little chapter in Stranger than it should have been from Zhao Xinci's pov, where the Envoy has requested the SID file, and then ZXC calls ZYL: “Yunlan,” he said, cutting off his son’s greeting, “what idiotic thing did you do to get Hei Pao Shi’s attention? Whatever it was, you’ve succeeded. I hope I don’t have to tell you to be on your guard.” That seems plausible to me, and enough that ZYL would be able to connect the dots between this display of power and HPS?
Da Qing explaining the treaty with Dixing. And then Zhao Yunlan's relieved breath when the Envoy leaves!
But in the opposite order: the Envoy leaves, and then DQ explains. Not the kind of conversation you'd have freely in front of HPS, I think. :-)
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Huh, it never even occurred to me that the Shadow Man was in the box! I just rechecked, and GCC opens the box, then it flies out of his hands, and then we see the Shadow Man standing there holding it. I always assumed he arrived some other way and pulled it towards him with black energy or something ...
So, outside of the prologue, is SW the first to name it? That's cool.
There's really only "Dixingren" all through the episode, including the prologue; Dixing hasn't been named as a place yet. I just checked, and the first instance of 地星 Dixing that isn't part of 地星人 Dixingren is in episode 2, when Lin Jing is talking about the Envoy.
I know this has been talked about on the comm before, that "appointment" can also mean "date". <333
Yes! :D
Do you think it's partly a protective detail at this point?
Possibly! I'm not sure how much Li Qian's safety is on his mind vs. capturing the Dixingren, but watching over her would work towards both.
Idk. I have a little chapter in Stranger than it should have been from Zhao Xinci's pov, where the Envoy has requested the SID file, and then ZXC calls ZYL
That's a great alternate explanation! But idk, to me on the rooftop ZYL's reaction doesn't have a component of "WTF is this?", so it looks to me like he's already aware that this particular phenomenon he's witnessing is something the Envoy can do. Which means SW must have done it before.
But in the opposite order
Oops, yeah, I was shifting things around in my comment and then lost track of the order of things. /o\
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Heee, yep, I'm pretty sure anyone would notice GCC tailing them (except when they're super distracted and don't actually care, like Li Qian), so Shen Wei can't possibly not know. :D
"Xiao-Guo throws fruit at the Shadow Man, which splatters against his apparently very solid form! I'd totally forgotten that! :D"
I love the fruit-throwing so much, it's SO BRAVE. And the visual effect is very cool indeed! (He's solid enough to attack people, so it makes sense.)
"Every time I forget about the box, and every time I remember that oh right, that must have been where the Sundial used to be kept. Precedent for the Hallows affecting their surroundings in some discernible way!"
What do you mean by affecting their surroundings? (That the box attracted the Shadow Man, or something more?)
"Dixing is still not named here; people talk (prominently!) about Dixingren, but for Dixing itself, both Zhao Yunlan (at the SID) and Da Qing (explaining things on the rooftop) just call it 那边 "over there"."
This is so cool and not something I would ever notice, so thanks for pointing it out! :D
"Shen Wei really didn't waste any time; he's already got Zhao Yunlan's file. While not wearing his glasses! First time for that kind of intimate moment without masks. ♥ ♥ ♥"
YES, AW, and stroking the picture. ♡♡♡ *MELTS*
"And of course it's our first YOHE flashback! AND THE LOLLIPOP IS RIGHT THERE. This always delights me so much! The drama is totally playing straight with us and not hiding that anachronistic detail at all, and yet I don't think most people caught on. *g*"
I love how it's not just right there - this flashback is ALL about the lollipop, merging the other scene into this one, and then there's also the extra footage. They maximized the anachronistic lollipop as much as they could. :D
"When Zhu Hong feeds Lin Jing Da Qing's dried fish snacks, they seem to give him some sort of epiphany. The way he repeats "fish" ... And it seems to be leading to the abandoned factory (?) the team investigates later - going by what Chu Shuzhi says there about "him" running off somewhere, I assume it's the Shadow Man's lair? But none of that is explained, and really haven't the foggiest what fish has to do with any of it. *g*"
This comment made me so curious and confused about that too - every time I watch this episode I wait for Lin Jing's epiphany to lead to something, and then I forget all about it, and I've never actually ended up noticing that it didn't! xD (It is the Shadow Man's lair, and he ran off because GCC was loud, this much I understood. But no idea how the fish got them there. :P)
"Li Qian's flashbacks in which she's coughing always go together for me with the cold Zhao Yunlan will get in a few episodes - Hallows side effects."
Ahhh, I did not put this together, fantastic point! I thought she was just exhausted, which she obviously is, but damn, the Dial making it worse is not something I considered.
"I wrote a ficlet about it once, with my theory about where that feeling comes from."
Thank you again for linking it! :D
"Adorable: Xiao-Guo stumbling and scaring himself so much he jumps on Chu Shuzhi, who he's clearly designated his protector, hee! :D"
And he's not wrong, hah. :D
"I could have chosen so many different screencaps, but ultimately had to go with that. So much love!"
I totally forgot to say that in my comment but this is a wonderful screencap indeed! ♡
"The Shadow Man doesn't look like much when he's standing still, but I really love the visual effects of him in motion, getting knocked down and dissolving into smoke for a moment!"
Yesss, he's both solid and not solid in ways that make sense and look really cool. :D
"Shen Wei saying only "it's me" and Zhao Yunlan totally recognising his voice on the phone!"
One of my top favorite moments!! ♡ Not only that Zhao Yunlan reconizes him, but that Shen Wei knows that he will. :D
"Like I said in the post above, I adore the super-dramatic Envoy arrival - and also Zhao Yunlan's "oh no WHY NOW" face when he realises what's happening. Which means the Envoy has made this kind of arrival before, and Zhao Yunlan recognises it from descriptions, since he hasn't personally met him yet. I guess it's his go-to when he really wants to make an impression!"
Another thing I forgot to say about the post - I love this observation! I never put it together that Zhao Yunlan knowing what the Envoy's arrival looks like means that Shen Wei has been putting on a show for a while. :D
"This time round, just coming out of the novel readalong, Zhao Yunlan telling the Envoy that next time he'll make him tea made me wish we got a tea scene! It's really good in the novel."
*WANT!!* ♡
"Of course there's also the end credits. I think I've theoretically watched them more than the opening credits, but despite all the nice BTS stuff, I'm always distracted by singing along with the song. :D"
THESE SONGS, srsly. ♡♡♡
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Fair, LOL.
What do you mean by affecting their surroundings? (That the box attracted the Shadow Man, or something more?)
Somehow the Shadow Man knew the box was relevant to his interests, which I think is because the Sundial left something of its energies behind.
I love how it's not just right there - this flashback is ALL about the lollipop, merging the other scene into this one, and then there's also the extra footage. They maximized the anachronistic lollipop as much as they could. :D
YES! I love it. :D
(It is the Shadow Man's lair, and he ran off because GCC was loud, this much I understood. But no idea how the fish got them there. :P)
Do you mean the Shadow Man was there, and GCC's noise gave him the time to get away? Huh, I always just figured the place was empty when the SID arrived. (I mean, they're not exactly inconspicuous, even without GCC doing anything.) *ponders*
Thank you again for linking it! :D
♥ ♥ ♥
Yesss, he's both solid and not solid in ways that make sense and look really cool. :D
Yes! I love how he goes back and forth between different states.
THESE SONGS, srsly. ♡♡♡
RIGHT???
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The "I've searched for you for 10,000 years" line is honestly not great here, in the sense it's very confusing because it implies that being alive and awake and actively looking for those years, which is.... not how things play out in the drama, not at all. It sets up a *very* different idea as to what happened in the past then what actually plays out. A 10k (or slightly shy of that long) year dirt nap is not ideal, but very different than pining for looking for ZYL for that long (and much less romantic).
I hadn't noticed before that an instrumental version of the opening song plays when Li Qian is handing out the pamphlets/papers. I like it.
(I also like Zhao Yunlan's completely stretched out lounge on his motorcycle. Wonderfully indecent and also very, very catlike)
Interesting that the team sort of lowers their heads/bows when the Envoy comes, even though it's obviously not from practice since he hasn't been since ZYL took over as chief. But it's something they've been trained to do/a policy so ingrained that everyone but the newbie knows it.
(Here, again, is a slight issue with the timeline and change from the book to the drama - assuming Shen Wei is the only Black Robed Envoy there's ever been then he hasn't *had* the time to seriously build up a routine/system that's this ingrained- what were they doing before he awoke/unearthed? How were captured Dixingrens deal with? Or were they not an issue?)
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I think there are alternate versions around somewhere for people who wanted the Chinese names, if that helps?
I hadn't noticed before that an instrumental version of the opening song plays when Li Qian is handing out the pamphlets/papers. I like it.
Ooh, yes. I really like that one, too. :D
But it's something they've been trained to do/a policy so ingrained that everyone but the newbie knows it.
I think that's just a cultural norm when meeting someone obviously further up the chain, isn't it? (I do love Chu Shuzhi making Changcheng bow -- that vicarious gesture of respect. So good! :D)
what were they doing before he awoke/unearthed? How were captured Dixingrens deal with? Or were they not an issue?
Iirc, this is ZYL's SID's first serious case. Presumably with their previous minor cases, Chu Shuzhi delivered the culprits to the Envoy "off-screen", as it were. And before the Envoy returned, the police were dealing with them, with varying levels of success (see the flashback to Zhao Xinci meeting Zhang Shi).
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(kisskh.co's version is the best one I could find streaming and I while know there's wonderful folks offering various versions on mega, etc unfortunately I cannot DL it at this time)
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Oof, yeah! That is such a bad translation in multiple different ways. (It doesn't even have being a literal translation going for it, since it's not!)
It sets up a *very* different idea as to what happened in the past then what actually plays out.
Oh! Now that you say this, I wonder if it's possibly here as a red herring, adding more obfuscation to the backstory?
I hadn't noticed before that an instrumental version of the opening song plays when Li Qian is handing out the pamphlets/papers. I like it.
Yes! It's very nice, I like it too!
Interesting that the team sort of lowers their heads/bows when the Envoy comes, even though it's obviously not from practice since he hasn't been since ZYL took over as chief. But it's something they've been trained to do/a policy so ingrained that everyone but the newbie knows it.
It's just traditional/old-fashioned, isn't it? Goes with the Envoy wearing robes, too.
(Here, again, is a slight issue with the timeline and change from the book to the drama - assuming Shen Wei is the only Black Robed Envoy there's ever been then he hasn't *had* the time to seriously build up a routine/system that's this ingrained- what were they doing before he awoke/unearthed? How were captured Dixingrens deal with? Or were they not an issue?)
Shen Wei woke up in the present day over 20 years ago (which we know from Butler Wu's backstory), so there was plenty of time to build a routine and reputation. And before then, there wasn't an SID either (the Zhao Xinci and Zhang Shi flashbacks talk about it being planned), but there is diplomatic contact between Dixing and Haixing, since the Regent has permission from upstairs to do a search when they find Shen Wei. But I'm so curious about what Dixing-Haixing relations were like, and what they did about Dixing offenders in Haixing pre-SID! There's so much history I would love to know more about ...
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Lol aw, some things about that translation are adorable to me (and I still have it hardsubbed in some of my episodes), but I can relate and I am very glad to have the more accurate one.
"A 10k (or slightly shy of that long) year dirt nap is not ideal, but very different than pining for looking for ZYL for that long (and much less romantic)."
Hah, agreed - it's my favorite AU that all the searching actually happened (or at least that Shen Wei was awake all that time but unable to do anything, which I think could be canonically possible).
"(I also like Zhao Yunlan's completely stretched out lounge on his motorcycle. Wonderfully indecent and also very, very catlike)"
YESSSS. :D ♡__♡
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2. Such a good boy, though, taking an old granny home. Even if he finds a shadow dude.
3. Chu-ge to the rescue! Kicking ass and being terrifying.
4. Changcheng was actually pretty brave for being so scared. He tried to protect the old lady and threw fruit at the shadow man. Good job, my sweet boy!
5. I like that they committed to implying that Zhao Yunlan is still canonically bisexual by having him incapable of sitting in chairs properly.
6. I remember going "How the heck does he have a lollipop in ancient times?" during the flashback.
7. I really feel for Li Qian. I've been a caregiver for loved ones, and it really does take up your whole life.
8. Why *did* Shen Wei mention Dixingren? He tries to keep his identity hidden, but is he actually trying to manipulate Zhao Yunlan into investigating him (because any attention is better than losing him?)
9. "I feel like we've known each other for a long time already" You have, now kiss.
10. Changcheng tripped and flung himself onto Chu-ge and didn't get smacked, so that's a good start to their relationship.
11. Shen Wei being badass. Good times.
12. He totally only let himself get thrown because he knew backup had arrived.
13. Round 2 Chu Shuzhi vs. Shadow Dude.
14. Chu-ge grabbing Changcheng's neck and forcing him to bow for the Envoy. Perfection.
15. Oh no! Where is Professor Shen?? LMAO
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Haha, he's trying ~so haaard~. *pets*
Changcheng was actually pretty brave for being so scared. He tried to protect the old lady and threw fruit at the shadow man. Good job, my sweet boy!
Yes, I love that so much. Scared out of his wits, but still determined to protect the old lady. <3 <3 <3
I remember going "How the heck does he have a lollipop in ancient times?" during the flashback.
Oh, you noticed? Cool!
Why *did* Shen Wei mention Dixingren? He tries to keep his identity hidden, but is he actually trying to manipulate Zhao Yunlan into investigating him (because any attention is better than losing him?)
I think it's partly trying to capture his attention, and partly because Shen Wei has a vested interest in the opinions of the SID chief, and he wants to see how ZYL will react. And in fact, ZYL dodges the question, which is a bit disappointing.
"I feel like we've known each other for a long time already" You have, now kiss.
Hee! ZYL isn't quite there yet. ;D
He totally only let himself get thrown because he knew backup had arrived.
Yes, exactly! :D
Round 2 Chu Shuzhi vs. Shadow Dude.
Ha, great point! CSZ totally wins this round. :D
Chu-ge grabbing Changcheng's neck and forcing him to bow for the Envoy. Perfection.
I know! I love that so much! :D
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Yes! And he's running into something plot-relevant because of his kindness! I love it.
I remember going "How the heck does he have a lollipop in ancient times?" during the flashback.
Ooh, I love that you noticed it! Did you have any theories about what was up with "Kunlun", do you remember?
I really feel for Li Qian. I've been a caregiver for loved ones, and it really does take up your whole life.
Yeah, she's struggling so hard! Poor Li Qian.
Why *did* Shen Wei mention Dixingren? He tries to keep his identity hidden, but is he actually trying to manipulate Zhao Yunlan into investigating him (because any attention is better than losing him?)
Unlike the novel, in the drama he doesn't have any reason to stay away from Zhao Yunlan. So he wants to get closer to him, and he's making sure he's making an impression while at the same time feeling him out about his views on Dixingren. I assume there's a reason he's been avoiding the SID previously, and it's because it wasn't exactly a pleasant working relationship. And he's just discovered that Kunlun is the son of Zhao Xinci! So he really needs to know both where the SID stands, and where Zhao Yunlan in particular stands. (Turns out Zhao Yunlan has some distance to go before he becomes Kunlun!)
You have, now kiss.
Hee! :D
He totally only let himself get thrown because he knew backup had arrived.
Yes! I love that so much.
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Lol, true fact, but he's so diligent and earnest and trying so hard. :D :D
"Changcheng was actually pretty brave for being so scared. He tried to protect the old lady and threw fruit at the shadow man. Good job, my sweet boy!"
YESSS. ♡ He's by far one of the bravest characters to me, because of how scared he is. (Hah, Ned Stark would think so too - "Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?" / "That is the only time a man can be brave.")
"I like that they committed to implying that Zhao Yunlan is still canonically bisexual by having him incapable of sitting in chairs properly."
:D :D :D INDEED. They're SO committed to this, I'm impressed every time (while looking very respectfully) by how many different things he can drape himself over. :D
"I remember going "How the heck does he have a lollipop in ancient times?" during the flashback."
Oh yay, so cool! I did not question it at all as far as I remember. xD
"I really feel for Li Qian. I've been a caregiver for loved ones, and it really does take up your whole life."
Oooof, yeah. And Shen Wei is so kind to her, but it's a bit late for that (not Shen Wei's fault, obviously), and she doesn't seem to have any other support at all.
""I feel like we've known each other for a long time already" You have, now kiss."
:D :D :D Unfortunately Zhao Yunlan doesn't yet
they definitely should kiss tho. But I love the idea from Trobadora's fic, which I just found elsewhere in the comments here, that maybe he does knows Shen Wei a bit, from some lowkey version of a Hallows vision. :D"Changcheng tripped and flung himself onto Chu-ge and didn't get smacked, so that's a good start to their relationship."
Lolol, everyone is so disappointed with him for making all the noise, but it's so true that Chu-ge doesn't mind being glomped like that! :D
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- My mind-in-the-gutter observation goes first, SORRY NOT SORRY. :D :D Shen Wei is not only recalling the YOHE events out of order, even more centered around the lollipop than they were (which I obviously knew), he also remembers them as even more obscene (which I only noticed now). ;D This episode includes all of this (it's literally just screencaps from the episode, but they could honestly count as nsfw content?? xD), and the episode 34 equivalent starts with this. (I don't have ep 34 in HQ yet, but this is the first frame.) Thanks for coming to my TED talk. ;D
- Also, Shen Wei longingly stroking Zhao Yunlan's photo. *MELTS* ♡♡♡
- Not just one but TWO of my absolute favorite 'Zhao Yunlan lounging' scenes ever in mere 20 minutes, hah, on the couch and on the motorbike, and he's so damn ADORABLE when he kicks Da Qing, lol, this lollipop smile. :D :D ♡_♡ GRATUITOUS CUTE (screencaps). :D
- And while I'm already picspammimg, I'm also obsessed with Shen Wei's crinkly eyes. ♡♡♡
- "(It is) worth it." *SOBS* And Shen Wei is just so soft and kind with Li Qian, aw. And he can relate to hiding important pendants, hah.
- Shen Wei says "it's me" on the phone, having absolutely no doubt that it's enough for Zhao Yunlan to know who it is, and obviously it is enough. :D
- Also Shen Wei hoping that Zhao Yunlan is at least not prejudiced against Dixingren, as different as he is in other aspects, AW.
- Zhu Hong and Lin Jing and fish shenanigans! :D
- Heipaoshi's arrival is always so cool to me, all the dramatic angles! And the time freeze, of course (still effortless at this point). :D
- Xiao Guo is SO BRAVE and trying SO HARD, my favorite smol bean. Throwing the orange at the Shadow Man is honestly an act of heroism in my book. ♡♡♡ I also adore how valiantly he tries to hide from Shen Wei, even if he loses him immediately. xD
- They call Xiao Guo out for failing btw but he kinda really didn't - he has something really important to report only because he helped Li Qian's grandma; he wouldn't have any of this information if he had successfully followed Shen Wei. :P (He also wouldn't have it if he had ignored her, obviously, so the kindness is really what earned him the extra points. ♡)
- Chu Shuzhi's moving puppet, and dramatically jumping in through the door for no particular reason other than to look cool (which looks very cool indeed, mission accomplished). :D :D
Questions! :D
"What's your favourite moment or line in this half of the episode?"
*gestures at the list* I don't think I can pick one. :D
"Anything you noticed that you'd completely forgotten about, or never noticed before?"
The extra lollipop footage from YOHE! ;D :D
"How literally do you take Shen Wei's "I've searched for you for 10,000 years"?"
I like to take it literally, but I don't think that's canon at all. :) The literal interpretation is my favorite AU I think, but I'm also fond of all the other mutually exclusive headcanons - that he wasn't awake at all, and that he was awake but unable to do anything, like Ye Zun.
"What do you think Zhao Yunlan is thinking when Shen Wei just gives away that he knows about Dixingren?"
I'm not sure what he's thinking (and I'm interested in other people's interpretations! :D), but this made me think of the Envoy showing up for the first time and explaining that it's because things are changing - idek how to word this, it's such a vague thought, but this conversation also sounds to me like 'I'm talking about it openly because things are changing'.
"If you were on that rooftop when the Envoy took the Shadow Man away, would you speak up like Xiao-Guo?"
I'm not sure what he wanted to speak up about - to protect the Shadow Man or just to ask questions? Either way, I don't think I would, but I would definitely share his utter confusion - no one told him anything until later! (Oh hey, here's the 'no one tells Xiao Guo anything' thing from the novel. ;D)
And if you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how this compares?"
I was already thinking that when I was watching - there's SO MUCH from the novel happening here but I don't really have any comparisons/observations this time? At least not off the top of my head - I'll see what I get when I read y'all's comments. :D
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Haha, snap! :D
This episode includes all of this (it's literally just screencaps from the episode, but they could honestly count as nsfw content?? xD), and the episode 34 equivalent starts with this. (I don't have ep 34 in HQ yet, but this is the first frame.) Thanks for coming to my TED talk. ;D
OMG, I've never noticed that. Ha! Is it just those three frames? (Aim better, ZYL!!) ;D :D :D
THE MOTORBIKE STAKEOUT!!! I included that in my first ever Dreamwidth post about the show. ZYL, champion sprawler. *deploys icon* :D :D :D
And he can relate to hiding important pendants, hah.
I knoooow. <3
Zhu Hong and Lin Jing and fish shenanigans! :D
Do you think that's literally just there to show Zhu Hong being a chaos gremlin, or there's more to it than that? I can't decide.
Xiao Guo is SO BRAVE and trying SO HARD, my favorite smol bean. Throwing the orange at the Shadow Man is honestly an act of heroism in my book. ♡♡♡ I also adore how valiantly he tries to hide from Shen Wei, even if he loses him immediately. xD
Yesssss! And great point about the fruits of his kindness!! :D :D :D
and dramatically jumping in through the door for no particular reason other than to look cool
LOL!! 100% agreed that he succeeded! :D
I'm not sure what he wanted to speak up about - to protect the Shadow Man or just to ask questions?
I think it was a procedural question, like, "Do we just let this terrifying figure take away our prisoner to do god knows what with him? Is that ~right~??"
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Haha, right????
Shen Wei is not only recalling the YOHE events out of order, even more centered around the lollipop than they were (which I obviously knew), he also remembers them as even more obscene (which I only noticed now). ;D This episode includes all of this (it's literally just screencaps from the episode, but they could honestly count as nsfw content?? xD), and the episode 34 equivalent starts with this. (I don't have ep 34 in HQ yet, but this is the first frame.) Thanks for coming to my TED talk. ;D
OMG!!!! I always notice that the dialogue and visuals don't line up with what happens in YOHE (I figure it's SW remembering multiple things at once), but I didn't realise this has an extended version of the lollipop moment!
Rechecking it, oh, that's fascinating - the "extra" moments are clearly happening in episode 34 while we see the back/side of SW's head, and here it's full frontal. :p The angles are very different! How did I never notice that before?!
Also, Shen Wei longingly stroking Zhao Yunlan's photo. *MELTS* ♡♡♡
YES. :D
"(It is) worth it." *SOBS* And Shen Wei is just so soft and kind with Li Qian, aw. And he can relate to hiding important pendants, hah.
AHHHH, yes to all of that!
They call Xiao Guo out for failing btw but he kinda really didn't - he has something really important to report only because he helped Li Qian's grandma; he wouldn't have any of this information if he had successfully followed Shen Wei. :P (He also wouldn't have it if he had ignored her, obviously, so the kindness is really what earned him the extra points. ♡)
Well, CSZ was on the scene too, but yeah, his kindness led him right into important plot-relevant things! :D
(Was CSZ keeping watch at Li Qian's home specifically for the attacker to appear, or was there some other reason he was there? They never say.)
The extra lollipop footage from YOHE! ;D :D
100% new to me as well! Thank you so much for pointing that out!
but I'm also fond of all the other mutually exclusive headcanons
Yes, there are so many ways of playing with all of that! Excelllent AU fodder. :D
but this conversation also sounds to me like 'I'm talking about it openly because things are changing'
Oh, that's an interesting thought! I figure from SW's POV at this point (pre-knowing about the Sundial, after which he knows things are changing in a whole different way, too), the major thing that has changed is that he's found Kunlun. *g*
I'm not sure what he wanted to speak up about - to protect the Shadow Man or just to ask questions?
From his perspective, they arrested a criminal, and then some superpowered person came in and took him away, and no one tried to stop him. He doesn't know at this point that that is in fact the correct procedure, so it must seem very weird to him.
Oh hey, here's the 'no one tells Xiao Guo anything' thing from the novel. ;D
Hee! For the most part the drama doesn't go with that thread - in the novel he's kept ignorant of so many things for very long! - but you're right, it's definitely present here.
there's SO MUCH from the novel happening here but I don't really have any comparisons/observations this time?
Yeah, that was me too, tbh.
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OMGGGG that is some sexual lollipopping right there, fuck me.
"The literal interpretation is my favorite AU I think"
Yeah, I feel that the real options kind of cheapen it a little, he *should* have been pining for thousands of years to get that good level of obsession.
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Favourite line: Shen Wei telling Li Qian, "The real monsters only exist in people's hearts." I feel like this is the motto for the whole show. <3 <3 <3
Favourite moments: Zhao Yunlan kicking out at Da Qing on the couch; Shen Wei laughing when Zhao Yunlan asks about people with powers (such a genuine laugh <3); Shen Wei on the phone, "It's me," and ZYL knows immediately; CSZ making Changcheng bow to the Envoy; ZYL defending Changcheng from the Envoy.
A few reactions (more than I intended, oops):
1. More mistaken identities: confirming that Li Qian was the real target, not Luo Ruomei; Li Yufen mistaking Changcheng for Li Qian; and of course, ZYL not recognising the Envoy.
2. Ha, not only does SW evade CC's tail (and rescues LQ from it in the process), but he evades the SID's arrival at the showdown, too. He's definitely protecting LQ throughout the whole episode, and also being very strategic and deliberate about his interactions with the SID (after that first meeting). Fishing to find out what they know/ZYL's attitudes/whether Da Qing remembers.
3. I have so many questions about the box in Li Yufen's couch -- I think I'm going to have to do a poll.
4. ZYL staking out LQ!! I wonder if he sees himself in her at all, in any way. Does he feel pity? Or is he too much in Detective Mode...
5. SW talking to LQ on the bench, aww, I love how concerned he is for her. But he doesn't notice her necklace when she reaches for it -- he's too distracted by ZYL. How differently might things have gone if SW had IDed it then?
6. That whole verbal-jousting conversation, SW parrying and giving just as good as he gets. ♥ ♥ ♥ ZYL very clearly testing and trying to throw SW off-balance -- and finally he succeeds with the "sense of kinship" line, and SW suddenly gets very intense and sincere. No wonder ZYL is intrigued and confused by him! ♥ ♥ ♥
7. Aww, investigating the abandoned building, and Chu Shuzhi is already Changcheng's security blanket. *hearts* And we never find out what the "lead" is, do we, or what they're looking for? Maybe the Shadow Man has been bedding down there?
8. SW's phone call. I've noted the "It's me" before, but never thought about how unspecific "The Dixingren is at Dragon City University." is, lol. It kind of implies there's only one Dixingren in all of Haixing.
9. Awww, Chu Shuzhi is Li Qian's heroic rescuer! I want fic about them now.
10. ZYL so bratty and insolent, on the roof, I love him. And he turns on a dime and gets all politically strategic when GCC gets the Envoy's attention. In fact, I don't know if I've noticed before (I may have) that ZYL and the Envoy turn away from each other, and it's Changcheng who gets both their attention, forcing them to interact further and be more collegial. <3
11. Envoy: The weather is changing.
ZYL: Looks at the sky.
me: LOL.
12. SPOILERY!! There are a bunch of elements that parallel YOHE in this episode, and I only put them together because of the Envoy's arrival. 1. We have Changcheng falling and hurting his knee, cf ZYL falling from the wormhole and hurting his knee. 2. We have the Envoy soaring down from the sky, cf ZYL arriving in YOHE, and also ZYL leaving YOHE. (In fact, I wonder if this was a deliberate homage on Shen Wei's part to Kunlun being sucked into the wormhole. Like, it's almost as if the Envoy is arriving out of one?) 3. The Envoy stops time, which is a bit like YZ knocking everyone out in the last battle. And 4. the thunder and lightning of the Envoy's arrival is a bit like ZYL arriving and shooting people in the first battle (that must have sounded like thunder, a bit, right?). I love how all these elements are now on the table, ready to be reused in 33 episodes' time. <3
How literally do you take Shen Wei's "I've searched for you for 10,000 years"?
I think it works in that what it's really saying is they've been parted for 10k years. I don't feel like it has to be continuous searching -- but maybe I'm projecting some fuzzy translation thoughts that aren't there, idk. :-) It doesn't trouble me, anyway.
If you were on that rooftop when the Envoy took the Shadow Man away, would you speak up like Xiao-Guo?
I don't think I'm that brave. I'd probably ask someone after the Envoy had left. ;-p
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YES, that is defintiely a favourite of mine too! The lines of his body, OMG!
Favourite line: Shen Wei telling Li Qian, "The real monsters only exist in people's hearts." I feel like this is the motto for the whole show. <3 <3 <3
100% agreed, it's definitely the drama's thesis statement right here. I love it so much.
Zhao Yunlan kicking out at Da Qing on the couch
Aw! Yeah, I noticed that oen too. These two are just great together. :D
More mistaken identities: confirming that Li Qian was the real target, not Luo Ruomei; Li Yufen mistaking Changcheng for Li Qian; and of course, ZYL not recognising the Envoy.
Ooh, yes, thanks for pointing all of that out! They really work that motif into things wherever they can. :D
He's definitely protecting LQ throughout the whole episode, and also being very strategic and deliberate about his interactions with the SID (after that first meeting). Fishing to find out what they know/ZYL's attitudes/whether Da Qing remembers.
Yes, great points all! I love how he's feeling things out.
I have so many questions about the box in Li Yufen's couch -- I think I'm going to have to do a poll.
Looking forward to it!
I wonder if he sees himself in her at all, in any way. Does he feel pity? Or is he too much in Detective Mode...
I think at this point he's very much in Detective Mode. He's not that great about letting himself feel empathy early on, in general.
But he doesn't notice her necklace when she reaches for it -- he's too distracted by ZYL. How differently might things have gone if SW had IDed it then?
Oh! Tbh I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference. Could he have talked her into giving it up? I think that's the only way they don't end up in the same place with SW protecting her from the Shadow Man's attack.
Or what canon divergence were you envisioning?
That whole verbal-jousting conversation, SW parrying and giving just as good as he gets. ♥ ♥ ♥ ZYL very clearly testing and trying to throw SW off-balance -- and finally he succeeds with the "sense of kinship" line, and SW suddenly gets very intense and sincere. No wonder ZYL is intrigued and confused by him! ♥ ♥ ♥
Yes! They're both feeling each other out, from very different anlges! And I do think that SW holding his own in that verbal jousting is part of what attracts ZYL to him. *g*
And we never find out what the "lead" is, do we, or what they're looking for? Maybe the Shadow Man has been bedding down there?
Yeah, I thought it was the Shadow Man's lair, but I have zero idea about the lead that got them there.
"The Dixingren is at Dragon City University." is, lol. It kind of implies there's only one Dixingren in all of Haixing.
I don't think that's implied? It's just short for "the Dixingren you're looking for (who killed Lu Ruomei)".
I don't know if I've noticed before (I may have) that ZYL and the Envoy turn away from each other, and it's Changcheng who gets both their attention, forcing them to interact further and be more collegial. <3
Ih, yes, that's a great point!
me: LOL.
Right? :D
There are a bunch of elements that parallel YOHE in this episode
Ooh, that is fascinating! I don't actually think it's deliberate on SW's part, but IMO the repeated motifs in general make things feel more coherent and like they just "fit", if that makes any sense? Great stuff.
I love how all these elements are now on the table, ready to be reused in 33 episodes' time. <3
Yes, this, exactly!
I think it works in that what it's really saying is they've been parted for 10k years.
Yeah, that's how I'm taking it too.
I don't think I'm that brave. I'd probably ask someone after the Envoy had left. ;-p
Same here!
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Asdfghfdjskjkl yes *stares at it some more for good measure* ♡♡♡ Whatever his stomach and hip are doing is a work of art, and that's not even counting the lollipop. :D This is where like 70% of students of all genders get an instant crush on the hot detective who follows Professor Shen around, and from there it's a straight line to outside POV Weilan shipping. ;D
"Favourite line: Shen Wei telling Li Qian, "The real monsters only exist in people's hearts." I feel like this is the motto for the whole show. <3 <3 <3"
I love how this actually stays true for the entire show, never wavering.
"Zhao Yunlan kicking out at Da Qing on the couch; Shen Wei laughing when Zhao Yunlan asks about people with powers (such a genuine laugh <3); Shen Wei on the phone, "It's me," and ZYL knows immediately"
100% my top favorite moments toooo, to the point that I ended up screencapping the first two. :D :D ♡♡♡ And SW's assumption that ZYL is going to know immediately is just as wonderful to me as the fact that he does, hee. ♡
"More mistaken identities: confirming that Li Qian was the real target, not Luo Ruomei; Li Yufen mistaking Changcheng for Li Qian; and of course, ZYL not recognising the Envoy."
OH true, this is so neat, thanks for pointing it out!
"ZYL staking out LQ!! I wonder if he sees himself in her at all, in any way. Does he feel pity? Or is he too much in Detective Mode..."
At this point he likely doesn't, but now I'm so curious about the ways in which he could see himself in her? (I'm not questioning at all, I just love character parallels. :D)
"SW talking to LQ on the bench, aww, I love how concerned he is for her. But he doesn't notice her necklace when she reaches for it -- he's too distracted by ZYL. How differently might things have gone if SW had IDed it then?"
Oooh, at least it would be easier to protect her! (But he did a fantastic job anyway. :D)
"Aww, investigating the abandoned building, and Chu Shuzhi is already Changcheng's security blanket. *hearts*"
LOL aw, what a fantastic and very accurate way of describing that. :D
"ZYL so bratty and insolent, on the roof, I love him."
Saaaame. ♡ He wants attention and he's gonna whine when he's not getting it. :D
"In fact, I don't know if I've noticed before (I may have) that ZYL and the Envoy turn away from each other, and it's Changcheng who gets both their attention, forcing them to interact further and be more collegial. <3"
Ooooh, paralleling their first meeting!! :D (I've definitely never noticed that!)
"Envoy: The weather is changing.
ZYL: Looks at the sky.
me: LOL."
Hee! My subs say "Change is in the air", but tbf he did just change the weather. ;D
"There are a bunch of elements that parallel YOHE in this episode, and I only put them together because of the Envoy's arrival."
Ahh, fantastic list! And I can especially see the reasoning for SW creating a 'wormhole' just because he has feelings about them, when he clearly doesn't need one to arrive. :D
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It seems to be working, too – everyone is respectful and/or scared of him.
How literally do you take Shen Wei's "I've searched for you for 10,000 years"?
We know he didn’t do any searching for most of that time, so I guess he means a mix of “I last saw you 10 000 years ago” and “I missed you”.
What do you think Zhao Yunlan is thinking when Shen Wei just gives away that he knows about Dixingren?
Hmm. I wonder if he immediately suspects that Shen Wei is Dixingren. Probably yes, Shen Wei is overtly advocating for Dixingren after all.
If you were on that rooftop when the Envoy took the Shadow Man away, would you speak up like Xiao-Guo?
Nope. I’d be world champion of keeping my mouth shut in front of the potentially dangerous stranger. Especially if the chief isn’t saying anything either.
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Yes! That's exactly how I hear it -- beautifully put!
Probably yes, Shen Wei is overtly advocating for Dixingren after all.
Or he could be a human with a loved one he's trying to protect/advocate for? But there's two parts, aren't there? One, that Shen Wei knows about Dixingren (and the SID), and two, that he's prepared to be open about that fact. I wonder if the latter actually makes him less suspicious, at least to start with... or if it makes him seem like a brazen serial killer taunting the police. /o\
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YES! I love how you put that. ♥ ♥ ♥
Hmm. I wonder if he immediately suspects that Shen Wei is Dixingren.
I think that has to be swirling around in his mind, yeah. How serious a suspicion it is at this point, I'm not sure, but it's definitely occurred to him.
Nope. I’d be world champion of keeping my mouth shut in front of the potentially dangerous stranger. Especially if the chief isn’t saying anything either.
Haha, yeah. Also, I'd assume the chief knew what he was doing (even if the chief was a lollipop-wielding weirdo like Zhao Yunlan :p).
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It seems to be working, too – everyone is respectful and/or scared of him."
Saaaaaaame. ♡ He wants to make an impression and he does! :D
"a mix of “I last saw you 10 000 years ago” and “I missed you”"
This is my favorite way of expressing this now, AW! ♡ *melts*
"Hmm. I wonder if he immediately suspects that Shen Wei is Dixingren. Probably yes, Shen Wei is overtly advocating for Dixingren after all."
Yeah, he kinda has to suspect that on some level. This makes me wonder if Zhao Yunlan actually thinks Dixingren are monsters, or if he's just mundanely prejudiced? He knows too much about them to think they're monsters, doesn't he?
"Nope. I’d be world champion of keeping my mouth shut in front of the potentially dangerous stranger. Especially if the chief isn’t saying anything either."
This made me realize that GCC is even braver than I originally thought - the chief not saying anything could obviously mean that he knows what's going on and is okay with that (which is the case), but it could also mean that the chief is afraid of the stranger too - GCC has no way of knowing that it's not the case!
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