trobadora (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
trobadora) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sid_guardian2025-09-28 11:09 pm
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2025-09-28 11:09 pm
Entry tags:
Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 2, part 2
Hi, welcome to this week's instalment of the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch! Watch half an episode a week, 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 2, from 22:11
Summary: Zhao Yunlan puts some puzzle pieces together and confronts Li Qian, accusing her of killing her grandma. She doesn't deny it. Gao Tianyu intercepts Zhao Yunlan's car, drags Li Qian out of it and attacks her. Li Qian's grandma's spirit comes out of the Sundial to protect her (and to scold her for admitting to what she didn't do). The Envoy takes Gao Tianyu away. Zhao Yunlan and Professor Shen have a moment at Li Yufen's grave. At the SID, Zhao Yunlan summons the Envoy, and they talk about the Sundial. Chu Shuzhi meets up with the Envoy and draws some parallels between him and Zhao Yunlan. Meanwhile Zhu Jiu plans his next move.
Quote:
Li Qian: When someone you cherish is dying in front of your eyes, what would be the main thought in your mind?"
Shen Wei: "I'm willing to exchange my life for his."
(Yes, I know this is iconic and maybe doesn't need quoting again, but it gets me every time!)
Detail:
One of my favourite details that I only noticed during the last rewatch: Shen Wei interfering with Gao Tianyu's attack on Li Qian from inside the car! There's a moment when it cuts to Shen Wei very conspicuously and intently narrowing his eyes - and then suddenly there's a brief blue shield effect flash, Gao Tianyu's hold on Li Qian breaks, and he's thrown back.
Questions:
What's your favourite moment in this half-episode? How much are you feeling for Li Qian? Do you think Zhao Yunlan had sufficient reason to accuse her of murder? Any thoughts about how this compares to the novel? Which of the many things Li Qian says on the rooftop resonates the most with Shen Wei? What does Zhao Yunlan think about the Envoy at this time?
(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!
no subject
Also, later during the meeting at the SID, the Envoy says this spirit appearance is unheard of! Even though it's apparently done something like this before.
no subject
I don't think it has to have happened; it could be a rumour. I can think of a number of possibilities. Perhaps someone researched the Dial and found ancient writings by Ma Gui or Fu You or someone. Or someone with a precognitive power a bit like Ding Dun's could have touched it and seen a vision of it doing this...
Zhu Jiu accosts Gao Tianyu, and we see a brief fight scene - telekinesis vs. teleportation and direct black energy usage. It's a tiny sequence, but a great show of black energy powers! Very fun, very well done. And it also shows off that Gao Tianyu, for all his bragging last episode, is under duress.
Ooh, yes to all of this. <3 <3 <3 (Srsly, I don't know why I like Gao Tianyu so much, but I really do!)
I'm never quite sure what Shen Wei is thinking during the little conversation with Li Qian in the car, where she's asking him if he really thinks there's no such thing as too late, and he says that after betrayal, maybe you can't go back to the way things were.
I think that's about Ye Zun, isn't it? He betrayed Ye Zun by failing in his promise to protect him, and Ye Zun betrayed him during the fight -- how can they ever go back to being loving brothers?
Zhao Yunlan's first encounter with a Dixingren attacking, up close and personal!
Good point! I meant to pay special attention, but I forgot. *goes back to watch again* Aw, he orders, "Let her go!" but he has nothing at all to back it up with. And again, Gao Tianyu could really hurt him there, but he just pushes him back. (I bet Zhu Jiu would have hurt him quite badly, just for the hell of it, if he was the one attacking.)
But then he's screaming and seems to be gathering power (?), and I'm not sure what he's trying to do.
I think he's just expressing frustration. His hands tense, but there's no power in them.
It's not her actual funeral, since Shen Wei then says that since the funeral the Dixingren hasn't appeared again ...
Oh, that's a good point. I wonder if it's a month anniversary or something. There must be something of a time skip, to allow for the real funeral and Li Qian handing over the Dial.
and I love all the mostly-unspoken Dixing-Haixing political tension in their entire conversation
Yesss! That's so good. :D
And before they part, Shen Wei can't stop himself from telling Zhao Yunlan to look after himself, hee!
Which bit is that?
Which makes me wonder how much Zhu Jiu knows about Haixing when he comes to the surface, and where he gets his intel from
I presume the answers are 1) very little, and 2) Ye Zun (or maybe some of Ye Zun's recruits in Dixing). He doesn't know about Shen Wei's non-Envoy activities, either.
no subject
Or Hallows-visions! Yeah, now that you say it, all of that is very plausible, and I love the idea. :D
Ooh, yes to all of this. <3 <3 <3 (Srsly, I don't know why I like Gao Tianyu so much, but I really do!)
I wish he didn't end up just eaten by Ye Zun offscreen! At least the Shadow Man gets a heroic death.
I think that's about Ye Zun, isn't it? He betrayed Ye Zun by failing in his promise to protect him, and Ye Zun betrayed him during the fight -- how can they ever go back to being loving brothers?
Yes, all of that makes a lot of sense! I don't know why I always think there's something else I'm missing.
Aw, he orders, "Let her go!" but he has nothing at all to back it up with.
Yes! And that's a good point about Gao Tianyu not really hurting him. (Has anyone ever written Gao Tianyu's POV, do you know?)
I wonder if it's a month anniversary or something. There must be something of a time skip, to allow for the real funeral and Li Qian handing over the Dial.
Yeah, that would make sense. There definitely has to be a time skip. (I like paying attention to time skips because they're so useful for fic!)
Which bit is that?
38:52, Solo's subs say, "Please look after yourself" - just before the farewell. But now that I'm looking more closely, I'm not sure how correct that translation is. The Chinese is 望好自为之, and the original subs and Viki both have, "I wish you all the best". 望 is just "I hope", but 好自为之 apparently can both mean "do your best" and "better behave yourself" ... I guess he's saying something like "I hope you won't get yourself in trouble"?
I presume the answers are 1) very little, and 2) Ye Zun (or maybe some of Ye Zun's recruits in Dixing). He doesn't know about Shen Wei's non-Envoy activities, either.
Yeah, but SW's secret identity is more hidden than the existence of the SID, which is part of official Dixing-Haixing interactions. So if Ye Zun also doesn't know about it, I guess that means at this point, he doesn't yet have a spy in the Palace who is privy to that kind of thing.
no subject
As part of the prison break, do you mean? That's relatively easy to handwave, at least.
> I don't know why I always think there's something else I'm missing.
Because it feels like it should be about Kunlun?
> (Has anyone ever written Gao Tianyu's POV, do you know?)
I've never seen it, but I don't check AO3 often.
> I guess he's saying something like "I hope you won't get yourself in trouble"?
LOL! "Stay out of trouble." That's such an authority figure thing to say. :D (Thanks for checking the translations. <3)
> So if Ye Zun also doesn't know about it, I guess that means at this point, he doesn't yet have a spy in the Palace who is privy to that kind of thing.
That's true. Or maybe YZ doesn't want ZJ to know, because YZ is saving SW's downfall for himself...
no subject
I meant Ye Zun having absorbed his power (which is how we know his name, because Wu Xiaojun comments on it in episode 29.
Because it feels like it should be about Kunlun?
Yeah, maybe. Idk.
Or maybe YZ doesn't want ZJ to know, because YZ is saving SW's downfall for himself...
That would go for SW's secrets, but surely not the existence of the SID?
no subject
Oh. Stink. I don't think I've ever noticed that before.
> That would go for SW's secrets, but surely not the existence of the SID?
True, true.
no subject
... Shen Wei is really lucky Zhao Yunlan didn't look towards the car before he could return from his Black Robed Envoy duties, isn't he?
I would not thought it was possible to lounge suggestively against a tree, in a graveyard no less, but somehow Zhao Yunlan managed it.
I love the interplay between Da Qing and Zhu Hong, it really shows the teamwork and comfort between the SID folks.
And we get the introduction to the incense burner and the implication that while most of the team know about it, they haven't really experienced it before.
Chu Shuzhi!! Love his scene with the black robed envoy, so many different levels to it.
no subject
Oh, interesting that that isn't just a subtitle translation thing. Thanks!
... Shen Wei is really lucky Zhao Yunlan didn't look towards the car before he could return from his Black Robed Envoy duties, isn't he?
I think the Envoy was deliberately being imposing and holding ZYL's attention. Heh. (Or maybe he left a hologram of himself in place?)
I love the interplay between Da Qing and Zhu Hong, it really shows the teamwork and comfort between the SID folks.
Yesss, that's so fun. :D
Chu Shuzhi!! Love his scene with the black robed envoy, so many different levels to it.
Yes, I love it too! He's so all-in on his loyalty. :D
no subject
That would be such a useful power! :D
no subject
no subject
Well, strictly speaking he says "ta" - there's no distinction between he/she/it in spoken Mandarin after all - but the Chinese subtitles render it as 他 for a reason, yes! He's speaking to Li Qian, who's talking about her grandma, so they could have got away with 她, but they didn't.
Shen Wei is really lucky Zhao Yunlan didn't look towards the car before he could return from his Black Robed Envoy duties, isn't he?
Hee! And the camera doesn't either! :D
And we get the introduction to the incense burner and the implication that while most of the team know about it, they haven't really experienced it before.
Yes, good point! Also, it's really pretty. Almost makes me wish I could still tolerate incense.
no subject
no subject
My thoughts:
1. I have a whole bunch of thoughts about the meeting with LQ on the roof, starting with: ZYL and SW arrive together to meet her. Did ZYL stop by SW's office on the way? Did SW intercept ZYL? I really want to know! Anyway, ZYL is super condescending with his "Oh, you kids don't understand death" stuff -- I love Li Qian's defiance.
2. When LQ says, "Do you know what it's like to depend on each other to live? She promised to take care of me forever." Shen Wei must be thinking about Ye Zun, and his own failure to protect him, right? I think the idea that it might *all* be about ZYL is a red herring. (And hey, LQ not being home during her grandmother's stroke is like SW being thrown off a cliff and not being around to witness YZ's abduction!) And again, "Something that I paid dearly for is just a a stranger that looks like her." must be just as much (if not more) about YZ as ZYL. (Though I don't know how SW paid dearly. By letting himself fall into the energy seal?)
3. When Gao Tianyu stops the car, Shen Wei protects LQ, but not ZYL. (I guess he can't manage both.) I like that a lot. ;-p Gao Tianyu's frustrated shout always reads to me as him giving up because Li Yufen's plea got through to him. Is that just me?
4. New thing I noticed in that scene: the moment when Zhao Yunlan watches Li Qian cry, and you can tell he's feeling sorry for accusing her, but he just lets her cry. He was doing his job, and sometimes that means trampling all over people's feelings. No use apologising about it afterwards.
5. I love that the whole SID attends the funeral. But ah, in the flashback, I notice every time that the grandmother sees LQ's suicide attempt and does nothing to stop her!! I know the grandmother doesn't have all her wits, but that's still really distressing!! /o\
6. At the SID, discussing the Hallow: I love ZH and DQ playfully threatening each other. So interesting that it isn't CSZ who suggests bringing in the Envoy, especially since he knows the Envoy's been looking for the Hallows -- he says so later on.
7. Time stops, smoke comes in the windows. I wonder who else is heralded with smoke like that -- someone must be, because [redacted for later episode discussion] Anyway, ZYL has totally stopped rolling his eyes at the theatrics like he did on the roof in ep 1.
He already thinks it's kinda hot.<38. Zhao Yunlan's mischief gremlin energy is so good. I love the wave and the sparkle in his eyes. :D :D :D
9. And then, ZYL taking offence at the Envoy asking about LQ, because he doesn't know that it's actually SW asking about LQ. Aww!
10. ZYL: You keep on hesitating. Don't tell me that there's something else to this Holy Tool?
SW: (thinks) Well, it sucked you into a wormhole that one time... (out loud) *prevaricates*
And then SW says the Hallows were scattered 10k years ago??
11. I love ZYL paraphrasing SW to the Envoy, hee! ("For so many years, it has always been peaceful. But suddenly these things crop up. Can it really be a coincidence?")
12. CSZ & SW!!!!! \o/ \o/ \o/ First confirmation that things are Not Good in Dixing. /o\
13. Oh Shen Wei! The "friendship between gentlemen" line would be more effective and convincing if you actually looked at him while you said it.
14. ZYL accidentally activates the Dial. Time for someone to set up a "It's been __ days since the last Hallow incident" sign. :D
no subject
Ooh, yes, that's great! I'd forgotten that.
> What's your favourite moment in this half-episode?
ZYL learning against a tree with a lollipop in his mouth at a funeral. :D
> How much are you feeling for Li Qian?
So much! I love that she kind of externalises some of the conflict/issues between SW and YZ before we have the slightest clue about that subplot, too.
> Do you think Zhao Yunlan had sufficient reason to accuse her of murder?
I think it was a bit of a stretch, but he always relies heavily on intuition -- it's not surprising if he's not always right.
> What does Zhao Yunlan think about the Envoy at this time?
Ooh, good question! I think ZYL is mostly just viewing him as a (foreign) authority figure, and that's still pushing some of ZYL's rebellious buttons. But the Envoy is making an effort to be placatory, and that's helping ease their way. :D
no subject
Yes! These kinds of thematic mirrors, foreshadowing and all are really really good, and I adore everything they did with Li Qian, especially since so much of it is drama-only.
I think it was a bit of a stretch, but he always relies heavily on intuition -- it's not surprising if he's not always right.
Yes! I really like that right up front, ZYL isn't immune from the "things aren't as they seem" theme. And also that he has character development to go through, so at the beginning he's quicker to jump to uncharitable assumptions.
I think ZYL is mostly just viewing him as a (foreign) authority figure, and that's still pushing some of ZYL's rebellious buttons. But the Envoy is making an effort to be placatory, and that's helping ease their way. :D
Yeah, agreed. And I'm pretty sure that whatever ZYL heard from his father or the Inspectorate about the Envoy, he's finding him very different! He probably attributes it all to ZXC being ZXC, and that for sure is a big part, but it's not all. *g*
no subject
Yes! +1 for both of those things. :D
no subject
Ooh, I thought he'd brought him along on purpose, but I love the idea that SW again just went and intercepted ZYL, stopping him from confronting Li Qian on his own! ♥
Anyway, ZYL is super condescending with his "Oh, you kids don't understand death" stuff -- I love Li Qian's defiance.
Yes, very true! He thinks he has her number, and it's making him condescending.
Shen Wei must be thinking about Ye Zun, and his own failure to protect him, right? I think the idea that it might *all* be about ZYL is a red herring.
Oh, yes, completely agreed, that's VERY about Ye Zun.
And hey, LQ not being home during her grandmother's stroke is like SW being thrown off a cliff and not being around to witness YZ's abduction!
I love you pointing out all these excellent parallels! I think these recurring elements are part of what makes the drama feel like a cohesive whole - really really well executed.
When Gao Tianyu stops the car, Shen Wei protects LQ, but not ZYL.
Yes, I like that too! I mean, he would protect ZYL if he had to (of course), but his priority here is to protect Li Qian, and I love that a lot.
Gao Tianyu's frustrated shout always reads to me as him giving up because Li Yufen's plea got through to him. Is that just me?
I'm never quite sure. It looks to me like he's giving up before the shout, when the black energy dissipates in his hand, and then comes the shout, and it always feels to me a bit like he's gathering up for something. And it's a bit visually similar to Ye Zun shouting, arms spread out and all, after ZYL uses the Awl on him and SW starts to release his energies - so I guess I always think, is he going to explode next, too?
and you can tell he's feeling sorry for accusing her, but he just lets her cry. He was doing his job, and sometimes that means trampling all over people's feelings.
Yeah, and he's feeling for her, but he thinks she's a murderer, so that informs how he reacts, and how much empathy he allows himself.
But ah, in the flashback, I notice every time that the grandmother sees LQ's suicide attempt and does nothing to stop her!! I know the grandmother doesn't have all her wits, but that's still really distressing!! /o\
It is, but I always figured she just isn't together enough to do more than feel devastated in the moment.
So interesting that it isn't CSZ who suggests bringing in the Envoy, especially since he knows the Envoy's been looking for the Hallows -- he says so later on.
Ooh, good point! And later-episode CSZ would have brought it up, surely? But at this point I think he doesn't feel like he can or should.
I wonder who else is heralded with smoke like that -- someone must be, because [redacted for later episode discussion]
AAARGH, no, don't do that to me, what do you mean??? Drawing a blank here ... *flails*
Anyway, ZYL has totally stopped rolling his eyes at the theatrics like he did on the roof in ep 1. He already thinks it's kinda hot. <3
Hee! :D
SW: (thinks) Well, it sucked you into a wormhole that one time... (out loud) *prevaricates*
There's SO much more to the Hallows, none of which SW wants to bring up in the moment. I don't think he wants to explain about bringing light/energy back to Dixing, in particular, so IMO it's not all about ZYL.
And then SW says the Hallows were scattered 10k years ago??
Yeah, I notice that every time! But maybe it's just SW simplifying because he doesn't want to go into the history right now?
I love ZYL paraphrasing SW to the Envoy, hee!
Such a good point, yes! :D
Time for someone to set up a "It's been __ days since the last Hallow incident" sign. :D
:D :D :D
no subject
He's done it before! :-)
> I think these recurring elements are part of what makes the drama feel like a cohesive whole - really really well executed.
So much, yes. I was thinking the other day that there's a parallel to YOHE!YZ stealing the Hallows, and the chief not being able to activate them, but now I can't remember what it was. ;-p
> I mean, he would protect ZYL if he had to (of course), but his priority here is to protect Li Qian
Yes, she's GTY's target, after all.
> It looks to me like he's giving up before the shout, when the black energy dissipates in his hand, and then comes the shout, and it always feels to me a bit like he's gathering up for something.
Oh, see, I think he's stopped in his tracks by the touching scene between grandmother and granddaughter, and his energy dissipates, and then it hits home that now he can't achieve his goal, so all his frustration boils up. But I don't see it as anything more than venting.
> Yeah, and he's feeling for her, but he thinks she's a murderer, so that informs how he reacts, and how much empathy he allows himself.
I meant after the scene at the car, once he knows she's innocent.
> And later-episode CSZ would have brought it up, surely? But at this point I think he doesn't feel like he can or should.
I like
> AAARGH, no, don't do that to me, what do you mean??? Drawing a blank here ... *flails*
LOL, sorry. I just thought SW wouldn't have reacted so alertly (summoning his dao) to the smoke messenger in his office, if there wasn't a chance it was something else. He must be used to the messengers, right?
> There's SO much more to the Hallows, none of which SW wants to bring up in the moment. I don't think he wants to explain about bringing light/energy back to Dixing, in particular, so IMO it's not all about ZYL.
It isn't, of course, but I think in that moment, to have ZYL himself asking, that the Kunlun parts might be top of mind.
> But maybe it's just SW simplifying because he doesn't want to go into the history right now?
Yeah, I think that must be it. :D
no subject
Indeed! :D
I was thinking the other day that there's a parallel to YOHE!YZ stealing the Hallows, and the chief not being able to activate them, but now I can't remember what it was. ;-p
Oh, I hope you remember!
(The only parallel to YZ stealing the Hallows in YOHE that I can think of is Zheng Yi stealing them? Like YZ back then, she didn't do it for herself, but unlike YZ, she doesn't become the new big bad. *g*)
I meant after the scene at the car, once he knows she's innocent.
Oh, right. I thought you meant earlier.
I like
Yes, me too! That has to be what he's thinking.
I just thought SW wouldn't have reacted so alertly (summoning his dao) to the smoke messenger in his office, if there wasn't a chance it was something else. He must be used to the messengers, right?
That's an excellent point! I never thought about it like that before, but you're totally right - the smoke effect can't be only a sign of a messenger, or the dao wouldn't make any sense. *ponders* Hm, messengers can deliver objects - or at least written messages; see the one being delivered at ZYL's place. Maybe SW is worried that something weaponised might be delivered.
but I think in that moment, to have ZYL himself asking, that the Kunlun parts might be top of mind.
Idk, I feel like what's top of his mind is the difference between ZYL and Kunlun, which is part of what's keeping him from confiding the whole truth.
no subject
Ooh, but she is obsessed with finding her big brother (or big-brother-figure)!
> Maybe SW is worried that something weaponised might be delivered.
Oh, maybe! That someone nefarious had got them hands on some incense?
> Idk, I feel like what's top of his mind is the difference between ZYL and Kunlun, which is part of what's keeping him from confiding the whole truth.
Part of the difference between them is ZYL not knowing this about the Hallows, though? When he arrives in YOHE, he's all, "I need to find them to open a wormhole." Idk.
no subject
That someone nefarious had got them hands on some incense?
Yes, exactly!
Part of the difference between them is ZYL not knowing this about the Hallows, though? When he arrives in YOHE, he's all, "I need to find them to open a wormhole."
Yeah, so SW could tell him, because Kunlun will know - but he's not enough like Kunlun yet, his views on Dixing(ren) still need to evolve, and so he can't be trusted with that kind of info yet. It's a whole tangle.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
This half of the episode apparently has fewer of my favorite scenes, but soooooo many of them were packed into the first half that I guess it's statistically unlikely that it would keep happening. ;D
STILL, it's not like there isn't enough of them, and a lot of random out-of-order notes too. :D
- The Envoy arriving with all the cold around him and on the windows, like in the novel! :D (How does the incense notify him, btw? :P Since it's not supernatural in the drama?)
- "You're very lucky that you don't have this." *SOBS* OH, HE WILL.
- Btw, "it's an old object that can manifest spirits" - what exactly did the Dial do to make Li Yufen say that?
- And "she'd never call my name" is really heartbreaking considering Li Qian's name is basically all her grandma says to Xiao Guo? OUCH.
- I always have a lot of feelings about Li Qian being told that she's basically better off living her own life, it's so pragmatic and heartbreaking and true. And I love how this entire story was changed from the novel version, and that drama Li Qian doesn't disappear from the narrative and does make a life for herself later. :)
- The entire SID has adopted Li Qian and went with her to the funeral. ♡♡♡ (And it's not fair to Xiao Guo to be called out for crying - his grandmother also died, just not right now. But obviously it's not like CSZ can know that.)
- IS Xiao Guo actually telling Shen Wei things? :D Like, obviously this is not why Shen Wei knows things, so it's probably just what Zhao Yunlan assumes and nothing to do with the truth, but damn, I would love if they had a background friendship. :D
- Shen Wei's adorable face when he gets out of the car! :D
- Btw, what is happening with Shen Wei's hands at 29:33? I even watched frame by frame but I still can't figure out why the close-up is there? :P Is it related to him using his powers a moment later? (As you mentioned in the post, hah! :D)
- Gratuituous low-quality screencaps of Shen Wei watching Zhao Yunlan eat a lollipop :D
- Da Qing and Zhu Hong bickering adorably! :D And Zhao Yunlan's pose on the couch is perfection asdghfdjskfhjkl;; what the hell. :D I end up staring at it every single time. :D
- "Normal people have to be cautious about even looking at it" - Zhao Yunlan, you ARE normal people. :P
- "We'll meet again." "We will." :D AW!!
- I don't think I've ever noticed that every time Zhao Yunlan talks to Li Qian, there's someone else with him (to make her feel more at ease, I'm assuming) - first Zhu Hong, then Shen Wei.
- I managed to completely forget what is up with Lin Jing's 'allergies'?? Is it like the 'fish!' realization, where it was going to go somewhere and then it didn't, or am I actually forgetting something? xD
Questions! :D
"What's your favourite moment in this half-episode?"
The scene with Zhao Yunlan lounging on the couch, and Da Qing and Zhu Hong being ridiculous. :D But also "You're very lucky that you don't have this", what a gut-punching foreshadowing!
"How much are you feeling for Li Qian?"
Things are so fucked up in her life, ahh. :( I'm so proud of her for how her story continues later. (And again, I'm so glad that the drama included that!)
"Do you think Zhao Yunlan had sufficient reason to accuse her of murder?"
Well, he just asked a pointed question and Li Qian went ahead and admitted to it immediately. An 'official' accusation without more proof would be a bit much, but this was totally fine imo. (And btw what gets me is that he calls her a good child while he's sure that she killed her grandmother. I'm pretty sure he at least partially means it too.)
"Any thoughts about how this compares to the novel?"
Changing Li Qian's story and not ending it here is an A+++ choice. ♡ And the Envoy's dramatic entrance is very novel-like this time, while still fitting well with the 'stopping time to make an impression' thing and not implying that he's naturally surrounded by cold. :D (Oh hey, I literally just realized that the 'dramatic Envoy on the roof' thing was also a nod to the novel - the roof of Li Qian's house is where Zhao Yunlan found him killing youchu, iirc.)
"Which of the many things Li Qian says on the rooftop resonates the most with Shen Wei?"
Probably the Ye Zun parallels - no parents, and Shen Wei was the one who promised to take care of him forever, and he wasn't there when Ye Zun was taken. *sob*
"What does Zhao Yunlan think about the Envoy at this time?"
Strictly canonically? Other than being completely not impressed with his 'authority', I don't actually know. xD
no subject
Yay for keeping up with the rewatch! And the comments will still be here when you have time for them. ♥
The Envoy arriving with all the cold around him and on the windows, like in the novel! :D
Ooh, yes, excellent point!
How does the incense notify him, btw? :P Since it's not supernatural in the drama?
I figure it's black energy technology, and burning the incense sets free some pre-programmed black energy that's trapped in the cone. (I love speculating about this stuff, hee!)
"You're very lucky that you don't have this." *SOBS* OH, HE WILL.
VERY good foreshadowing!!!!!!!
Btw, "it's an old object that can manifest spirits" - what exactly did the Dial do to make Li Yufen say that?
I was wondering about that too! I want ALLLL of the backstory for this!
And "she'd never call my name" is really heartbreaking considering Li Qian's name is basically all her grandma says to Xiao Guo? OUCH.
Yeah, Li Qian also says she didn't recognise her - it must be even harder if her grandma is calling other people by her name, but not her! SO MUCH OUCH.
I love how this entire story was changed from the novel version, and that drama Li Qian doesn't disappear from the narrative and does make a life for herself later. :)
Yes, 10,000% agreed on that, especially that her story continues and we see her recover and grow beyond this!
IS Xiao Guo actually telling Shen Wei things? :D Like, obviously this is not why Shen Wei knows things, so it's probably just what Zhao Yunlan assumes and nothing to do with the truth, but damn, I would love if they had a background friendship. :D
Yeah, I figured it was just ZYL not realising SW had once again shown he knew more than he should, but it would be lovely if SW and GCC talked during the timeskip!
Btw, what is happening with Shen Wei's hands at 29:33? I even watched frame by frame but I still can't figure out why the close-up is there? :P
It shows him struggling with the car door. He's trying to open it and go outside, but it's locked - Gao Tianyu sent black energy towards it just a moment earlier. (And so he just interferes from inside the car instead of from outside. *g*)
Gratuituous low-quality screencaps of Shen Wei watching Zhao Yunlan eat a lollipop :D
:D :D :D
And Zhao Yunlan's pose on the couch is perfection asdghfdjskfhjkl;; what the hell. :D
RIGHT???? That is sure a position! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ZHAO YUNLAN. :D :D :D
Zhao Yunlan, you ARE normal people. :P
Haha, you tell him!
I don't think I've ever noticed that every time Zhao Yunlan talks to Li Qian, there's someone else with him (to make her feel more at ease, I'm assuming) - first Zhu Hong, then Shen Wei.
Ooh, yes, that's an excellent point.
I managed to completely forget what is up with Lin Jing's 'allergies'?? Is it like the 'fish!' realization, where it was going to go somewhere and then it didn't, or am I actually forgetting something? xD
He's sneezing because someone's talking about him behind his back, that's all.
And btw what gets me is that he calls her a good child while he's sure that she killed her grandmother. I'm pretty sure he at least partially means it too.
Yeah, he can see that she's in a terrible situation and at the end of her rope.
Oh hey, I literally just realized that the 'dramatic Envoy on the roof' thing was also a nod to the novel - the roof of Li Qian's house is where Zhao Yunlan found him killing youchu, iirc.
Oh! You're totally right, that hadn't occurred to me, but the parallel is absolutely there!
no subject
I wonder what he'd have done if he had been able to get out...
no subject
no subject
Oof, yes! I hadn't thought of that. /o\
> I always have a lot of feelings about Li Qian being told that she's basically better off living her own life, it's so pragmatic and heartbreaking and true.
What are you thinking of, here? *is unhelpfully vague about all the advice LQ gets*
> And it's not fair to Xiao Guo to be called out for crying - his grandmother also died, just not right now. But obviously it's not like CSZ can know that.
Yes, exactly! On both counts. :D
> Gratuituous low-quality screencaps of Shen Wei watching Zhao Yunlan eat a lollipop :D
Niiiice! :D
> "Normal people have to be cautious about even looking at it" - Zhao Yunlan, you ARE normal people. :P
LOL! He thinks being Lord of the Guardians makes him special. :D
> I don't think I've ever noticed that every time Zhao Yunlan talks to Li Qian, there's someone else with him (to make her feel more at ease, I'm assuming) - first Zhu Hong, then Shen Wei.
Oh, great point. Yeah. That suggests he brought SW to the rooftop deliberately.
> I managed to completely forget what is up with Lin Jing's 'allergies'?? Is it like the 'fish!' realization, where it was going to go somewhere and then it didn't, or am I actually forgetting something? xD
I believe it's a manga convention, when people are being gossiped about.
no subject
2. I love how even the minion whose name I don't know and don't know even exists was destracted by ghost grandma and gave time for Shen Wei to swap identies...
3. Hei Lao Ge, so informal, my dear Guardian.
4. Shen Wei:
5. I love the music that goes with the whole contemplating the pills scene.
6. Aw Changcheng my sweet boy. And trying to get comfort from Chu-ge who has not softened up enough yet :(
7. Shen Wei, you slut. Who are you wearing a double breasted suit for? Other men?
8. I love Zhao Yunlan and his chair incompatibility. You go, you raging bisexual. *solidarity fist*
9. I wish I had incense to summon my boyfriend. Alas.
10. Shen Wei:
11. I love how everyone in this series sneezes when they're being gossiped about.
12. I don't know what to say about the meeting between Chu-ge and the Envoy, just that I love it. Chu-ge is so intense.
I, like, wound up with a job or something, so I've been super busy all weekend and only just got around to remembering about the watchalong, LOL. :D
no subject
Yeah, I'm pretty sure most people would. *hugs*
I love how even the minion whose name I don't know and don't know even exists was destracted by ghost grandma and gave time for Shen Wei to swap identies...
Hee! Yeah, Gao Tianyu (that's his name, though we only learn it from a random mention in a later episode) looks like Grandma Li gets under his skin. Not what he expected to be dealing with! Nothing goes as planned for the guy ...
I love Zhao Yunlan and his chair incompatibility.
Haha, that's a great way to put it!
I, like, wound up with a job or something, so I've been super busy all weekend and only just got around to remembering about the watchalong, LOL. :D
Yay job! But not so much yay for being so busy. Still, the rewatch isn't going anywhwere, comment at your leisure whenever you find the time. ♥
no subject
*hugs*
> 3. Hei Lao Ge, so informal, my dear Guardian.
Ha, yes. I love how ZYL just skips over regular politeness and goes straight into overly familiar. :D
> 6. Aw Changcheng my sweet boy. And trying to get comfort from Chu-ge who has not softened up enough yet :(
True! Though clearly Chu Shuzhi feels responsible for Changcheng already. He's the one telling him off, not someone else.
> 12. I don't know what to say about the meeting between Chu-ge and the Envoy, just that I love it. Chu-ge is so intense.
Yes, agreed. It's so good!! :D
Congratulations on the job! I hope the transition goes smoothly. Good luck with it all! <3