china_shop: Close-up of Zhao Yunlan grinning (Default)
The Gauche in the Machine ([personal profile] china_shop) wrote in [community profile] sid_guardian2025-10-18 03:54 pm
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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 4, part 1

Zhao Yunlan sprawled on a couch, grinning at his phone. The background shows a purply sky with stars. Text reads "Slo-Mo Rewatch. Guardian - half an episode per week @ sid-guardian.dreamwidth.org."


Hi, and welcome back to the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch. 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 are the previous weeks' rewatch posts.

Episode 4, up to 22:30

Summary
Zhao Yunlan catches Shen Wei at a crime scene and takes him back to the SID for questioning. Zhu Hong and Chu Shuzhi both have a crack at it, but Shen Wei is unflappable. Zhao Yunlan lets him go. Lin Jing complains about the lack of evidence. Chu Shuzhi and Xiao-Guo catch Lin Yusen at the morgue, and the SID questions him. Lin Yusen takes Zhao Yunlan to see a crime scene, and on the way, Shen Wei joins them. During a minor attack, Shen Wei's arm is cut; he heals it in front of Zhao Yunlan. Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and the supposed victim of the attack go to a tea shop; Zhao Yunlan is unconvinced by the victim's story but assigns Xiao-Guo to walk her home. Her boyfriend is jealous. Zhu Hong sets herself up as bait in a sting. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei take a night-time stroll patrol the area and talk about names and intimate friendship. <3 <3 <3 Then everyone is decoyed/captured/drugged, all at once. Zhu Jiu dark-energy-glues Shen Wei's feet to the ground.



Quote
Zhao Yunlan: If my mum knew I had an intellectual like you as a friend, she'd be bursting with joy.
Shen Wei: What's precious between friends is intimacy. If she saw you now, she would definitely be happy.

Detail
I love the juxtaposition of: 1) Zhao Yunlan being inadvertently distracted by Lin Yusen, 2) Shen Wei's foot being stuck to the ground, and 3) Zhu Jiu's lurking, while elsewhere 4) Da Qing is drugged with poisonous gas, 5) Chu Shuzhi runs towards the screams only to find they're a recording, 6) Zhu Hong is kidnapped, 7) Lin Jing watches helplessly from his lab, and 8) Chu Shuzhi speeds back to the site of the sting to find Zhu Hong gone.

Questions
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 4? A favourite part of the interrogation scene, specifically? Are there any other SID members you would have liked to see interrogate Shen Wei? (*koff* all of them!! *koff*) Do you sympathise with Lin Yusen? How does Zhao Yunlan justify to himself allowing Shen Wei to join the investigation, after telling Lin Yusen, "A professional's job should be done by professionals"? If you can remember your first watch, did you find Zhang Danni suspicious at this stage? Does Zhao Yunlan know Zhu Hong and the others have set a trap for the serial killer? How could they have set their trap more effectively? Who do you think is the most competent member of the SID (excluding Zhao Yunlan), at this stage? How heart-clutchy is the "intimate friendship" conversation on a scale of 1 to 10,000? If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares?

(As usual, 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. We'd love to hear your thoughts!)

And here is our schedule, where you can sign up to host a post!
trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - bench)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-18 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I love everything about the interrogation scene!! Shen Wei is gorgeous and stubbornly refusing to give an inch of explanation for his presence, Zhu Hong is gorgeous and affronted, Chu Shuzhi is gorgeous and threateningly cleaning his doll, Zhao Yunlan is gorgeous and entertained and just can't take Shen Wei seriously as a villain. <3 <3 <3 The tension is delicious. Shen Wei is completely in control. It's fantastic.

YES! All of this! It's gorgeous and glorious and I love it so much.

I love the vibe of "here are the adults talking".

Haha, right???

and when ZYL claims friendship, SW one-ups him

YESSS, that is so great!!!!!!

so I guess under normal circumstances, Dixingren leave traces of dark energy around

Possibly only if they're actively using black energy - that seems more plausible to me, otherwise it would be much easier to find them?

I wonder why she's so determined on this particular case. Is it because she's got a taste for fieldwork now, or is it that all the victims are female, or something else?

My feeling was that it only starts after the interrogation scene, and she's that gung-ho because now she feels like she has something to prove.

Maybe it's better to have Professor Shen where he can keep an eye on him?

I definitely think that's part of it!

But what did he see with his own eyes?? Zhang Danni his fine.

Ha, I was wondering about that too!

Zhang Danni's bf runs at Shen Wei but away from ZYL - huh. I wonder if Zhu Jiu told them to target/test Shen Wei.

Oh, that's an interesting thought, that could definitely be!

SW pointing out the blood at the crime scene doesn't match the victim -- I really strongly feel the SID should have noticed that!

I'm pretty sure Zhao Yunlan at least did? I don't think Shen Wei is saying anything here that Zhao Yunlan doesn't already know.

CSZ a thousand times. I love him!!

Haha, RIGHT????? :D

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facethestrange: (guardian: zhao yunlan animated cutie pie)

[personal profile] facethestrange 2025-10-20 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shen Wei is gorgeous and stubbornly refusing to give an inch of explanation for his presence, Zhu Hong is gorgeous and affronted, Chu Shuzhi is gorgeous and threateningly cleaning his doll, Zhao Yunlan is gorgeous and entertained and just can't take Shen Wei seriously as a villain. <3 <3 <3"

HEE, I adore this description. :D :D

"they're walking in step"

Yesssss! ♡♡♡ With each other and with their YOHE selves too. :D

"Shen Wei has dressed down in a "meeting ZYL halfway" gesture"

Oooh, AWW, I didn't think of it this way! ♡ By the end of the show he wears Zhao Yunlan's t-shirt (at least that's a headcanon I adopted the second I saw it :D), so that makes a lot of sense. ;D

"and when ZYL claims friendship, SW one-ups him with "Our relationship is not about status" and also "We are intimate friends." *hearts so much ahhhhhha sdf;lkadsjfakds*"

Ikrrrrr, the drama is SO CLEAR that Shen Wei doesn't avoid Zhao Yunlan at all = he has no reason to avoid him. :D ♡♡♡

"Lin Jing found no trace of dark energy on the jacket, so I guess under normal circumstances, Dixingren leave traces of dark energy around."

Oh, I thought using the power is what leaves the traces. Like, LJ can't tell if the person who wore it is Dixingren or not, he can only tell if they used dark energy while wearing it. (Which [personal profile] trobadora already said below, you can ignore me. :D)

"No one has told GCC about the case."

Oh, I didn't even catch it this time. xD Definitely another thing from the novel in this part of the episode! And it's something that keeps coming back, just like in the novel, and I'm only noticing it during this rewatch. :D

"SW: After seeing it with my own eyes, I know how despicable he is. Not catching him makes me extremely worried and troubled.
But what did he see with his own eyes?? Zhang Danni his fine."


Is it because of the blood splatter? Shen Wei trying to play up how much he's emotionally affected by that, as any regular person would be? :P

"And then they're immediately walking close and in step. <3 <3 <3 Ha, Shen Wei gives ZYL a character reference: "This Chief Zhao may look sloppy, but he is assured. I think that now, he has his own conclusions." <3 <3 <3"

Ahhh, I didn't even pay attention to them walking in this scene, this is SO GOOD. ♡♡♡ And yesss, I love it so much when Shen Wei just tells everyone how awesome his husband Zhao Yunlan is. :D

"Zhang Danni's bf runs at Shen Wei but away from ZYL - huh. I wonder if Zhu Jiu told them to target/test Shen Wei."

Ohhh, I had the same question, and this is a really good answer!

"Omg, the state of ZYL's jeans!! I love him!!"

HEE! ♡♡♡ Are these the same jeans as in the sprawled scene? I drew them, they look familiar. xD *checks* YES, I think so!! :D ♡__♡

"Ha, Zhang Danni wants an escort home, but ZYL really wants to stay with Shen Wei. Good thing GCC turns up when he does."

They could escort her together I guess, lol, so maybe he just doesn't think that she needs it at all. (Honestly, if GCC is enough, it means ZYL really thinks that she doesn't need it - how is GCC going to fight anyone off? xD And even Da Qing is not following her to protect her.)

"Zhang Danni is very dismissive of men given that none of the SID men expressed the slightest interest in her."

Lol! It does feel like a villain monologue - it doesn't have to be 100% true, it just needs to be dramatic. xD xD

"ZYL: Profession Shen, don't stand on ceremony with me.
SW: *eyeroll* (translation: expressing sympathy for your loss is not mere politeness, you dork!)"


Lol AW! ♡ I also love that Zhao Yunlan grins at the eyeroll, as if that's what he wanted to achieve. :D

"Da Qing would have been hilarious? :D :D :D"

Daaamn, I didn't even think of that, how would the amnesia thing go? Shen Wei goes for everyone's weak spots, would he do that to Da Qing?

"Better to keep Professor Shen where he can keep an eye on him and protect him, maybe?"

AWW! Zhao Yunlan trying to protect the most powerful man on the planet is A++ always. :D :D
trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - bench)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-20 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
With each other and with their YOHE selves too. :D

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Daaamn, I didn't even think of that, how would the amnesia thing go? Shen Wei goes for everyone's weak spots, would he do that to Da Qing?

Yeah, I really want to see how it would go between them!

AWW! Zhao Yunlan trying to protect the most powerful man on the planet is A++ always. :D :D

♥ ♥ ♥

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donutsweeper: (Default)

[personal profile] donutsweeper 2025-10-18 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing to do with this episode in particular, but I am so curious about the wall of clocks, it's such a neat look but does it have a purpose?

The interrogation is a bit odd, I'm not sure why they had Shen Wei mention the Yashou, him knowing about the Dixing was already unusual enough but to also know about the Yashou? And as many details as he did? That seemed like it should have been something that would have caused at least some questions on behalf of the SID.

Shen Wei healing himself was an interesting choice. Did he think ZYL wouldn't notice or that it looked like somehow he'd just gotten blood on his arm and was wiping it off? I do like that only a few minutes later they show us that, no, ZYL is not dumb and is remembering all the various times Shen Wei wasn't hurt when he should have been and wondering about it.

And the nice nod and mention of the "Wei" backstory! *sighs happily*

The sting operation falling apart the way it did was meh. It's a common trope (although one I don't particularly like) that for some reason the bad guys know everything and counter the good guys' plans for no real reason in particular. No matter what the team did, the writing needed it to go this way so it did.

I really thought Zhu Jiu was going to be the big bad throughout the drama due to the way he'd been introduced, I'm still not sure if random editing changed his role or not.
donutsweeper: (Default)

[personal profile] donutsweeper 2025-10-18 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
It's been awhile since I watched straight through - obviously Ye Zun had to become the top badguy, but I just remember thinking it odd how much they'd built up Zhu Jiu over so many episodes only to have his story seem to suddenly end. It just felt abrupt and unfinished to me at the time.
trobadora: (Shen Wei - energy)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-18 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
But what's weird about it is all the minute-hands are pointing to different numbers, too. Usually time zones only differ by the hour.

Right? I have a WIP that deals with it, but it's been stalled for ages. Maybe one day ...

Here, again, we see him being quite open about his knowledge, so we know that it's deliberate.

Yes! This! :D
trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - bench)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-18 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Nothing to do with this episode in particular, but I am so curious about the wall of clocks, it's such a neat look but does it have a purpose?

I always wonder about that too! It's definitely striking, but I don't even remember any fic that did anything with it.

I'm not sure why they had Shen Wei mention the Yashou, him knowing about the Dixing was already unusual enough but to also know about the Yashou? And as many details as he did? That seemed like it should have been something that would have caused at least some questions on behalf of the SID.

Causing questions is part of why he does it, I'm sure - he's not at all trying to fly under the radar; he's very deliberately drawing attention to himself. He wants Zhao Yunlan's attention, and IMO he also wants to test the SID and see how they handle him and his knowledge.

Shen Wei healing himself was an interesting choice. Did he think ZYL wouldn't notice or that it looked like somehow he'd just gotten blood on his arm and was wiping it off?

I figure he healed himself on reflex and only afterwards realised that hadn't been ideal since Zhao Yunlan could still see the blood. So he pretended it wasn't his and wiped it off. But of course Zhao Yunlan did catch on, yeah!

And the nice nod and mention of the "Wei" backstory! *sighs happily*

Yes! That's so good!

The sting operation falling apart the way it did was meh. It's a common trope (although one I don't particularly like) that for some reason the bad guys know everything and counter the good guys' plans for no real reason in particular.

Idk, I think it matters both that Zhao Yunlan isn't involved, and that they think they're dealing with a face-stealer, but in fact they're dealing with a duo of Dixingren, one of whom is a face-stealer and the other has a knock-out green mist power. So even if they'd been more competent at it (if Chu Shuzhi hadn't left Zhu Hong - they needed one more person on the case!) - the fake Zhang Danni's power could still have made everything fall apart.

I really thought Zhu Jiu was going to be the big bad throughout the drama due to the way he'd been introduced, I'm still not sure if random editing changed his role or not.

I think that's a pretty standard structure, with the initial villain suddenly defeated just as it turns out he's not the one ultimately behind everything ...
facethestrange: (guardian: weilan animated jacket)

[personal profile] facethestrange 2025-10-18 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei take a night-time stroll patrol the area and talk about names and intimate friendship. <3 <3 <3"

I read this and I went asdfghjfkdjkl;; it's just a thing they do wherever/whenever they are, isn't it. :D :D And now I need to post this. :D ♡___♡


(The link is not the source because OP deactivated their account, but it's on tumblr here.)

I'll be back whenever I finished rewatching. :D *goes back to editing another 6K words of Weilan smut*

Alsoooooo I just really need to say how much I absolutely LOVE that this rewatch is a thing even if I haven't participated much so far?? ♡♡♡ Like, it's the best thing to come back to every time. ♡♡♡

[And this is all off-topic, so feel free to ignore me. xD

Two more days and I'll be finished with most of what I was going to make in October (not all of it tho, lol), so I hope I can rejoin the sixty-billion comments club? :D :D And maybe even finally host something once I see that I comment consistently again. :D

I wrote 15K or so in the last two weeks (idek exactly, I don't keep wordcounts)?? Plus 3 drawings. Hypothetically speaking, would anyone be in any way interested in me rambling in private about whatever I'm making even if I don't have any questions? ♡ I probably won't because idek where to start, but somehow I ended up with nearly everything I've been making recently staying unrevealed for weeks and weeks, and I can't mention it anywhere in public, and it's getting lonelier by the day, lol. As much as events are awesome, I do like it better when at least half of everything I make is just for myself and instantly public and I can ramble about it anywhere. :D]

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trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - be happy)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-18 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
I will also come back when I've rewatched (INTERROGATION SCENE BY BELOVED!!!), but I just need to sprinkle hearts all over that gif right now. It's perfection! ♥ ♥ ♥

Two more days and I'll be finished with most of what I was going to make in October (not all of it tho, lol), so I hope I can rejoin the sixty-billion comments club? :D :D And maybe even finally host something once I see that I comment consistently again. :D

Good luck with your edits and creations! So glad you're enjoying the rewatch, and I'm definitely looking forward to you rejoining the sixty-billion-comments club. :D Fingers crossed for the hosting, too!

I wrote 15K or so in the last two weeks (idek exactly, I don't keep wordcounts)?? Plus 3 drawings.

You are amazing!

I'd totally be here for some private rambling - what did you have in mind? I'm not great at real-time chat, but email or PMs would work great for me. I feel you on the long unrevealed periods, too. One of my exchanges is currently delayed by three weeks. (And I have trouble considering anything finished that's not gone live yet, so I'll keep fiddling with it right until reveals ...)

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trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - bench)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-18 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Then everyone is decoyed/captured/drugged, all at once.

Hee! I do love that while everything is happening with the team, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are still in their own world of intimate friendship in the park, presumably having no idea any of this is going on. ♥ ♥ ♥

(And Zhu Jiu is there too, of course - does he know what's going on elsewhere? Is he making sure Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan won't interfere? We know he gave not!Zhang Danni and Jia Hui a task to execute, after all ...)

Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 4?

INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE !!!!

A favourite part of the interrogation scene, specifically?

Maaybe the little smirk when Chu Shuzhi grabs his arm to stop him from touching the puppet! But really, EVERYTHING. One of my favourite scenes in the whole drama. ♥ ♥ ♥

Are there any other SID members you would have liked to see interrogate Shen Wei? (*koff* all of them!! *koff*)

Yep. All of them! But actually, especially Da Qing (because it would be so interesting to see how Shen Wei handles him and his missing memories!) and Wang Zheng (because I honestly have no idea how that would go).

Do you sympathise with Lin Yusen?

I don't feel like I have a good grasp on his character, but I don't particularly like him. (The part that intrigues me the most isn't until next episode, so I'll mention it then.)

How does Zhao Yunlan justify to himself allowing Shen Wei to join the investigation, after telling Lin Yusen, "A professional's job should be done by professionals"?

He tells himself he's keeping an eye on the very suspicious professor, because something is clearly up with him. Also, Shen Wei obviously knows about all of this stuff, Dixingren and Yashou and Hallows and all; Zhao Yunlan does believe he's innocent (of this particular crime), but he's also clearly not an outsider in the way Lin Yusen is.

Does Zhao Yunlan know Zhu Hong and the others have set a trap for the serial killer? How could they have set their trap more effectively?

I don't think he has a clue. And one thing I particularly noticed this time is that Zhu Hong has an earbud, but apparently Chu Shuzhi and Da Qing don't! But mostly I think they were going to fail regardless because no one could have predicted not!Zhang Danni's green mist power. She could have handled not just Da Qing, but Zhu Hong and Chu Shuzhi too, if necessary.

Who do you think is the most competent member of the SID (excluding Zhao Yunlan), at this stage?

LOL, not even a competition - Chu Shuzhi. Though I think Da Qing is perfectly competent too when he's sufficiently motivated to not fall asleep.

(Speaking of - this is the second time Da Qing passes out while on watch, but this time it's not his fault! Aw. Repeated motifs and all.)

How heart-clutchy is the "intimate friendship" conversation on a scale of 1 to 10,000?

知心 知心 知心 !!!!

That whole conversation, seriously! Zhao Yunlan calls them friends but isn't serious about it, jokes about Shen Wei being impressive as an intellectual - and Shen Wei isn't having that; he immediately turns it serious and refuses both the joking and the status issue, because what matters is 知心!!!! AHHHHHH.

Okay, on to my notes:s

We start with a repetition of the moment at the end of the previous ep, but unlike that verision, this one doesn't show Zhao Yunlan dropping his hand with the torch.

Chu Shuzhi has Lin Yusen by the throat and calls him an ordinary person - apparently he can tell. (It's not very consistent when they can tell and when they can't. Possibly there's some explanation that can make it all fit together, but if so I haven't found it yet. *g*)

(If Dixingren were easily recognised all the time, wouldn't the SID have an easier time? And also, wouldn't the Inspectorate insist on screenings of some kind later in the drama, after things get out of hand? There have to be complicating factors involved.)

Zhao Yunlan calls, and Zhu Hong then days they caught a suspect - Shen Wei. I'm so curious how Zhao Yunlan worded it!

INTERROGATION ROOM SCENE MY BELOVED.

Shen Wei starts out trying to focus Zhu Hong on reasonable arguments about crime scene evidence, but she's having none of it - she goes straight for Shen Wei himself being suspicious, never mind other evidence. And he apparently decides, fine, then the gloves come off. And goes into full troll mode. His little smirk! :D

I love how intently Zhao Yunlan is watching, not just suspicious but drawn. And how he laughs when Shen Wei scores against Zhu Hong - he's into this version of Shen Wei, too. Shen Wei isn't even trying to appear unsuspicious; he's in fact showing exactly how much he's not the innocent, uninvolved professor, and Zhao Yunlan is absolutely here for that and the person he shows himself as.

How quickly Shen Wei gets under Zhu Hong's skin, and she storms out! Awww.

And then Chu Shuzhi tries to be creepy at Shen Wei, and Shen Wei turns full troll mode against him, too. Hee! (There's a moment when Shen Wei's smirk is very close to Ye Zun's - their expressions are usually so different, it really stands out. Shen Wei doesn't do full troll mode very often, alas!)

Chu Shuzhi is sharp - he recognises the similarity between Professor Shen and the Envoy. But he can't conceive of them actually being the same person! Shen Wei's reaction to the comparison is so fascinating. He huffs a laugh, looks down, turns to Zhao Yunlan behind the mirror, and then says the person Chu Shuzhi is talking about must be a great hero.

When he's turning to Zhao Yunlan, I always feel like he wants to say, approximately, LOL, are you hearing this? And him calling himself a hero is either self-mocking, or as [personal profile] marycrawford once suggested, he's redirecting the compliment from himself to Zhao Yunlan, as if that was who Chu Shuzhi had been talking about. (I really like that interpretation.)

I think Shen Wei looking so directly at Zhao Yunlan (can he see through the mirror?) is also prompting him to deal with this directly, rather than throwing his team at Shen Wei. That look, at least in part, conveys that this is between them. (Creepy if it were anyone else! But it's Weilan, so. *g*) And Zhao Yunlan does come out and asks Shen Wei directly if he's involved.

(There's a bit in there where the Viki subs are the only ones that translate it right: "We don't usually bring back ordinary criminals, witnesses, or suspects to our headquarters.")

Shen Wei answers immediately and earnestly that the cases all have nothing to do with him. (All true!) And they stare at each other for a very long moment as everyone else watches, before Zhao Yunlan laughs, figuratively throws up his hands, and lets Shen Wei go. (Considering the possibility of coincidences after all! I guess Wang Yike's case taught him something? *g*)

Da Qing, like Zhao Yunlan, recognises that Shen Wei is suspicious, but also doesn't think he's involved.

Zhu Hong grabs Lin Jing's ear! Aw. And he's checked Lin Yusen's jacket for traces of black energy. (Again, as I said above, if Dixingren were so easily recognised, several things should be different - but the black energy traces could absolutely be a thing if someone's recently used black energy, as opposed to just existed somewhere.)

I think Zhu Hong being so proactive and insistent on doing something is because Shen Wei got under her skin and she wants to prove herself. *pets her*

Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan talking about the case is the first time we see them have a proper conversation. Chu Shuzhi says the marks on the victims' bodies suggest the criminals' powers aren't very strong. Presumably because otherwise they could subdue people with black energy? (But not!Zhang Danni totally could when the victim is Dixingren or Yashou - her powers just don't work against Haixingren, right? So here's the reason they underestimate their opponent later, with the sting gone wrong.)

Chu Shuzhi says he learned "casting a long line to catch the big fish" from Zhao Yunlan. A callback to the conversation he had with the Envoy at the end of episode 2, where he said the Envoy and Zhao Yunlan both like to fish.

Shen Wei claims he's seen with his own eyes how vile the criminal is. And Zhao Yunlan doesn't even question that, even though we have no idea when/how he might have seen anything. (Definitely not in that alley.) After having stumbled into the case in that alley, did he follow up and do some research? Or did they at some point confront him with the photos Lin Jing had?

Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan walking side by side in synch, clearly a team that Lin Yusen isn't part of. Even this early on! ♥ ♥ ♥

If it was so easy to tell who's Dixingren, Shen Wei should be able to tell about Zhang Danni when Zhao Yunlan throws her at him, if he didn't already realise in the alley. And he's suspicious of her - but does it seem to anyone that he realises she's Dixingren? Surely he'd act as the Envoy if he knew and suspected her of being involved in the face-stealing?

When Jia Hui draws blood, Shen Wei apparently heals himself instinctively, without thinking about it, then wipes the blood away as if it's someone else's once Zhao Yunlan notices. And Zhao Yunlan does seem genuinely glad that Shen Wei isn't injured, though he doesn't miss that this is another cause for suspicion. *g*

Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei taking turns lecturing Lin Yusen! So hilarious because theoretically Shen Wei is just as much an outsider to the investigation, but Zhao Yunlan never treats him as one. ♥

I love the conversation at the café where Shen Wei points out that the evidence makes Zhang Danni suspicious, and Zhao Yunlan then promptly thinks about all the evidence that makes Shen Wei suspicious. Flashbacks! :D (I think at this point he's wondering if Shen Wei has some kind of invulnerability power.) And I also love that Zhao Yunlan makes a point of letting Shen Wei know he has suspicions; he doesn't hide that any more than Shen Wei hides his suspiciousness. ♥ ♥ ♥

I do love that Zhao Yunlan has already sent Da Qing to keep an eye on not!Zhang Danni.

The dynamics between not!Zhang Danni and Jia Hui are so ouch. And we learn Zhu Jiu's name from her talking about a task Zhu Jiu gave them. (What's that task? I don't remember.)

You pointed out during the last rewatch that there are three used glasses on the table, and now I notice it every time. *g* Did Zhu Jiu visit them? But Jia Hui pours himself water with a fourth glass, so who knows how long these three have been sitting on the table. Could be from before it even was their lair.

Lin Jing thinks Zhu Hong playing honeytrap is hilarious - it's so very not her. And Da Qing thinks the same, though he doesn't laugh at her as openly. *g* I wonder how Zhu Hong talked everyone into not just doing this, but keeping Zhao Yunlan out of it? Because I have no doubt this is her brainchild. She's very keen.

Meanwhile Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are taking a stroll in the park. Asking Shen Wei about his name, awww! We all know EXACTLY which scene is going through Shen Wei's head - so much so that I always forget there isn't in fact a flashback here. *g*

When Shen Wei frees himself from Zhu Jiu's black energy trap, he starts searching with black energy - presumably not for Zhu Jiu, but for Zhao Yunlan, because he stops searching and rushes off the moment he finds him (hears Zhao Yunlan's voice). Priorities! *g*

Such a good episode, so much great stuff. :D :D :D

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facethestrange: (guardian: zhao yunlan animated cutie pie)

[personal profile] facethestrange 2025-10-23 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do love that while everything is happening with the team, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are still in their own world of intimate friendship in the park, presumably having no idea any of this is going on. ♥ ♥ ♥"

Asdfghjfdksl;; ♡♡♡ This is a beautiful way to say that, I love it. :D

"And Zhu Jiu is there too, of course - does he know what's going on elsewhere? Is he making sure Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan won't interfere? We know he gave not!Zhang Danni and Jia Hui a task to execute, after all ..."

Oooh, I didn't even think of that at all. It is indeed very convenient for Zhu Jiu that everyone could get picked off so easily, and Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan didn't even know about it, so they couldn't stop it.

"But actually, especially Da Qing (because it would be so interesting to see how Shen Wei handles him and his missing memories!) and Wang Zheng (because I honestly have no idea how that would go)."

Yessss, both! :D I'm so curious about Da Qing because he can take being needled, but at the same time I'm not sure if Shen Wei would want to do that to him.

"Also, Shen Wei obviously knows about all of this stuff, Dixingren and Yashou and Hallows and all; Zhao Yunlan does believe he's innocent (of this particular crime), but he's also clearly not an outsider in the way Lin Yusen is."

OH, that's a fantastic point! I only thought of Shen Wei acting a lot more professional than Lin Yusen, but it's also true that SW sort of is a professional simply because of how much he knows.

"That whole conversation, seriously! Zhao Yunlan calls them friends but isn't serious about it, jokes about Shen Wei being impressive as an intellectual - and Shen Wei isn't having that; he immediately turns it serious and refuses both the joking and the status issue, because what matters is 知心!!!! AHHHHHH."

Yesssss. ♡♡♡♡♡ *just goes AHHHHH too* It's wonderful!! ♡

"Chu Shuzhi has Lin Yusen by the throat and calls him an ordinary person - apparently he can tell. (It's not very consistent when they can tell and when they can't. Possibly there's some explanation that can make it all fit together, but if so I haven't found it yet. *g*)"

Now I started wondering - if Chu Shuzhi could tell for sure, would they need to test Lin Yusen's jacket to find out if he's an ordinary person? Is CSZ just guessing? Is it maybe just because Lin Yusen is not even trying to fight back?

"I love how intently Zhao Yunlan is watching, not just suspicious but drawn. And how he laughs when Shen Wei scores against Zhu Hong - he's into this version of Shen Wei, too. Shen Wei isn't even trying to appear unsuspicious; he's in fact showing exactly how much he's not the innocent, uninvolved professor, and Zhao Yunlan is absolutely here for that and the person he shows himself as."

My favorite part, and I love how you described it! :D

"or as [personal profile] marycrawford once suggested, he's redirecting the compliment from himself to Zhao Yunlan, as if that was who Chu Shuzhi had been talking about. (I really like that interpretation.)"

This is how I've always seen it too, like, 'let's all pretend that CSZ was talking about Zhao Yunlan'. *nodnod* I don't think I took it from any other discussion because I don't think I've ever read one about this scene, but I can't be 100% sure at this point. :D

"(can he see through the mirror?)"

Oh lol, I've never thought about it, but now I'm thinking he probably can because why not! It would be one of the least complicated powers. xD

"There's a bit in there where the Viki subs are the only ones that translate it right: "We don't usually bring back ordinary criminals, witnesses, or suspects to our headquarters."

Oh, thank you, this does make the most sense!

"I think Zhu Hong being so proactive and insistent on doing something is because Shen Wei got under her skin and she wants to prove herself. *pets her*"

As I said elsewhere, I love this theory, and I can't see it any other way now - it was inevitable that she would end up doing something like that!

"Shen Wei claims he's seen with his own eyes how vile the criminal is. And Zhao Yunlan doesn't even question that, even though we have no idea when/how he might have seen anything. (Definitely not in that alley.) After having stumbled into the case in that alley, did he follow up and do some research? Or did they at some point confront him with the photos Lin Jing had?"

Ohh, I didn't even consider he could have seen it with his own eyes because Zhao Yunlan showed him! I think I'll just adopt this explanation right away - showing photos to 'an outsider' is less unlikely than bringing him along, and ZYL does that too. :P

"Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan walking side by side in synch, clearly a team that Lin Yusen isn't part of. Even this early on! ♥ ♥ ♥"

♡♡♡!! I always only paid attention to their second walk together, not the first one, but after this rewatch I can't unsee it anymore. :D

"And he's suspicious of her - but does it seem to anyone that he realises she's Dixingren? Surely he'd act as the Envoy if he knew and suspected her of being involved in the face-stealing?"

It doesn't look to me like he knows she's Dixingren either. (And if Shen Wei of all people can't tell, I'm pretty sure no one can? But I can see how it looks like CSZ can. *scratches head*)

"You pointed out during the last rewatch that there are three used glasses on the table, and now I notice it every time. *g*"

Lol, and now I'm going to notice it every time too! xD

"I wonder how Zhu Hong talked everyone into not just doing this, but keeping Zhao Yunlan out of it?"

Now I'm wondering how Da Qing didn't end up telling Zhao Yunlan? (I can see the others not caring all that much.) Did she tell him that ZYL already knows, or something?

"We all know EXACTLY which scene is going through Shen Wei's head - so much so that I always forget there isn't in fact a flashback here. *g*"

Hee! ♡♡♡ Now that you said it, yeah, I think I subconsciously kept expecting a flashback too. xD

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facethestrange: (guardian: weilan animated jacket)

[personal profile] facethestrange 2025-10-20 10:39 am (UTC)(link)
- The entire walk scene! ♡♡♡ I've already posted about it in my other comment, but it still gets first mention. :D Btw Shen Wei really, really doesn't want to picture Zhao Yunlan dying. D:

- Btw Shen Wei makes a speech about Lin Yusen's name and Zhao Yunlan literally quotes a part of it at him with a poke, lolol, why do they always act like someone's two dads. :D :D (Previous example: Li Qian at the hospital. :P)

- Also Shen Wei always defending Zhao Yunlan to people who may not have the best opinion of him. :D

- Shen Wei healing his arm! This is the first time I've given it more thought, and I don't think it was instinctive (he's spent so many years hiding his powers from literally everyone that he wouldn't just absentmindedly to it while someone is looking), so I think he does it intentionally because he doesn't want Zhao Yunlan to worry. He figures it's easy to pretend that it's not his blood. (And it is, but Zhao Yunlan is suspicious anyway because of everything else. :P) Or maybe it is instinctive because he is around Zhao Yunlan - he must have healed himself around him so many times in YOHE. I think the former is much more likely, but both possibilities are giving me feels, so I'm good with either. :D

- Shen Wei on the bench! Did he just wait there patiently because he know that Zhao Yunlan would be coming? (Also it's THE bench, isn't it? :D)

- Xiao Guo being flirted with, oh no poor baby. xD xD

- Da Qing in the scene where Zhu Hong pulls Lin Jing's ear - playing with the equipment, and then going 'ooooh, entertaining'! ;D After Xiao Guo's flinching at Zhao Yunlan's sneezes, I've been paying more attention to what people do in the background, and sometimes it's gold! :D

- Zhao Yunlan sitting on the couch in the dark! Silently cheering on Shen Wei being snarky! xD So dramatic, SO PRETTY. :D I want to lick his beard in the close-ups. ♡___♡

- Also the way the chair dramatically slides away when he stands up! :D

- Zhu Hong feels so validated that Shen Wei is the suspect when she gets the phone call about it. xD (So validated that she's eager to interrogate him first?)

- I'm never sure what Chu Shuzhi is trying to say when he talks about tainted lives, and especially why he says it to Shen Wei at this point? Like, I'm assuming he's talking about himself (?), but what does Shen Wei have to do with it?

- CSZ is controlling the puppet with his ears? And Zhao Yunlan immediately knows what he's doing, it's all so out there and cool?? :D

- Btw I see now that in the previous episode Shen Wei couldn't break out of the dark energy trap because he had to actually throw a ball of energy at his foot! Can't be discreet about that. xD

"Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 4?"

Definitely Weilan walking together! ♡♡♡

"A favourite part of the interrogation scene, specifically?"

Zhao Yunlan's beard amusement when Shen Wei is snarky. :D And especially the fact that he believes Shen Wei immediately. ♡

"Are there any other SID members you would have liked to see interrogate Shen Wei? (*koff* all of them!! *koff*)"

Definitely all of them. :D :D But Wang Zheng and GCC are my favs so I always want to see them do things, even if I have no idea how it would go in this case. xD Okay, I actually have a pretty clear idea - they would either cry, or Shen Wei would take pity on them before they do. :P

"Do you sympathise with Lin Yusen?"

Quite a lot! He's SO EAGER, it's as precious as it is really damn dangerous. xD

"How does Zhao Yunlan justify to himself allowing Shen Wei to join the investigation, after telling Lin Yusen, "A professional's job should be done by professionals"?"

He says it after Shen Wei stayed put and protected Zhang Danni, when he could have run after the attacker too. (Why did the attacker run off immediately after hitting Shen Wei btw? Because he heard Zhao Yunlan coming?) So I guess Shen Wei has proven that he doesn't act on a whim. Even if Shen Wei chasing the attacker could have actually helped, lol, but Zhao Yunlan obviously doesn't know that.

"If you can remember your first watch, did you find Zhang Danni suspicious at this stage?"

I don't think I gave her much thought during my first watch.

"Does Zhao Yunlan know Zhu Hong and the others have set a trap for the serial killer? How could they have set their trap more effectively?"

It sounds like he doesn't because it's Zhu Hong's personal plan, but then it sounds like he does, because Da Qing tells Xiao Guo that he's shadowing Zhang Danni because Zhao Yunlan is suspicious of her, and then DQ is part of Zhu Hong's plan too. But I guess these are two different plans, and DQ is part of both? :D (And re: the other question, I have no idea - I think they're better at complicated plots than I am. :D)

"Who do you think is the most competent member of the SID (excluding Zhao Yunlan), at this stage?"

Definitely Chu Shuzhi, lol.

"How heart-clutchy is the "intimate friendship" conversation on a scale of 1 to 10,000?"

10,000! :D ♡♡♡

"If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares?"

I love how the name conversation happened, and how smoothly it followed from Shen Wei talking about someone else's name - in the novel it doesn't have that scene leading up to it, and I think it's very neat when it does. :D Then again, in the novel they're cuddling on the couch when they talk about it, so the novel gets lots of points too. xD (Was there anything else from the novel in this part of the episode?)
trobadora: (Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan - be happy)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-20 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Btw Shen Wei really, really doesn't want to picture Zhao Yunlan dying. D:

Oof, yeah, great point!

Previous example: Li Qian at the hospital. :P

Great catch, another repeated pattern! Same as with Shen Wei defending Zhao Yunlan. I love this stuff. :D

I don't think it was instinctive (he's spent so many years hiding his powers from literally everyone that he wouldn't just absentmindedly to it while someone is looking), so I think he does it intentionally because he doesn't want Zhao Yunlan to worry.

Oh, that's an interesting interpretation! I hadn't thought of it that way, and not wanting Zhao Yunlan to worry does make sense to me!

I don't know about the healing - agreed that he must have healed himself around Kunlun in YOHE (unless he only learned that power later, but I prefer to think he already had it). And as Professor Shen he might simply not have got injured in front of other people in ways that would have given him away, so he might never have had reason to learn to suppress his battle instincts to self-heal as fast as possible. (I don't think I ever got visibly injured at work myself - twisted my ankle once, but you bet if I could have healed that the second after, I would have, and no one would ever have known. *g*)

Also it's THE bench, isn't it? :D

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

After Xiao Guo's flinching at Zhao Yunlan's sneezes, I've been paying more attention to what people do in the background, and sometimes it's gold! :D

It really is. Great catch! :D

I'm never sure what Chu Shuzhi is trying to say when he talks about tainted lives, and especially why he says it to Shen Wei at this point? Like, I'm assuming he's talking about himself (?), but what does Shen Wei have to do with it?

I have no clear idea either, but I think he's just being deliberately threatening and creepy.

CSZ is controlling the puppet with his ears? And Zhao Yunlan immediately knows what he's doing, it's all so out there and cool?? :D

I thought he was listening to input from his puppet, but how exactcly it works I don't know either.

Btw I see now that in the previous episode Shen Wei couldn't break out of the dark energy trap because he had to actually throw a ball of energy at his foot! Can't be discreet about that. xD

Yes, exactly! He had to use black energy against black energy in a brute-force kind of way. (I think he probably could have unwound it in a more subtle way if he'd had time to spare? But obviously not an option there.)

And especially the fact that he believes Shen Wei immediately. ♡

♥ ♥ ♥

Okay, I actually have a pretty clear idea - they would either cry, or Shen Wei would take pity on them before they do. :P

Xiao-Guo would definitely cry, but Wang Zheng I'm not so sure, she's less outwardly weepy. She'd look very sad, though!

Quite a lot! He's SO EAGER, it's as precious as it is really damn dangerous. xD

Aw! I really feel I don't have a good grasp on his character. Like, what does he think is going on - what's his perspective on everything? If you have thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

Why did the attacker run off immediately after hitting Shen Wei btw? Because he heard Zhao Yunlan coming?

[personal profile] china_shop suggested elsewhere in the comments that Zhu Jiu sent him to test Shen Wei, and that makes sense to me - trying t see how he reacts, and maybe trying to force him to expose himself?

It sounds like he doesn't because it's Zhu Hong's personal plan, but then it sounds like he does, because Da Qing tells Xiao Guo that he's shadowing Zhang Danni because Zhao Yunlan is suspicious of her, and then DQ is part of Zhu Hong's plan too. But I guess these are two different plans, and DQ is part of both? :D

Yeah, I think as far as ZYL is concerned, Da Qing shadowing Zhang Danni and keeping an eye on her is the only plan, and the sting is all Zhu Hong's. She just drafts him into that as well, so he's part of both, as you say.

I love how the name conversation happened, and how smoothly it followed from Shen Wei talking about someone else's name

Damn, yes, that's so well executed! Much much kudos to the screenwriters.

Was there anything else from the novel in this part of the episode?

Not that I remember, but that doesn't necessarily mean much. I've only read the novel once, after all. *g*

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veetvoojagig: (Default)

[personal profile] veetvoojagig 2025-10-24 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh noooooo I'm so far behind! I might watch the episodes I've lost without commenting and be ready for the next one <3
trobadora: (Guardian - SID team)

[personal profile] trobadora 2025-10-24 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Come jump in anywhere at any time! ♥

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facethestrange: (guardian: weilan animated jacket)

[personal profile] facethestrange 2025-10-24 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
*tackleglomps you gently* Hiiiii! :D ♡ (I'm also super behind on parts of the rewatch posts, lol. *HIGH FIVE*)

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