Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 6, part 2

[trobadora]

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 6, from 22:44

Summary:

Zhao Yunlan returns to Zhou Weiwei and makes her admit the truth: she switched places with Mirror Girl, and that was who was engaged to Ji Xiaobai. Ji Xiaobai, having confirmed what he already knew, isn't interested in a replacement goldfish. Mirror Girl tells the Envoy about a phrase her father used to repeat.

Then Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing talk about Shen Wei being suspicious, break into his flat, find his file on the SID, and have to hide when Shen Wei arrives. Zhao Yunlan sends a smoke messenger to the Regent, and a banner with a spy camera to Shen Wei. Da Qing teases him about his interest in the Envoy. Shen Wei confronts the uni's chancellor about Li Qian withdrawing, and has a brief conversation with Zhao Yunlan. Zhu Jiu puts a new agent in play. Finally, at night, Shen Wei is mugged by two thugs.




Quote:

Da Qing: "In this world, two people can be very close, but have never seen each other. But maybe once they've met, they'll see each other every day. Destiny is unpredictable."

Zhao Yunlan: "Damn Fatty, I never knew that you were a poetic cat."

Detail:

Zhao Yunlan: 这个也很好看，衣服真漂亮。我想给我女朋友买一件，哪买的呀？
This [photo] is nice as well; pretty outfit. I want to buy one for my girlfriend. Where'd you buy it?

I remember from the early days that fandom had decided Zhao Yunlan was talking about the coat Mirror Girl was wearing in the photo, and had related it to the similar trenchcoat Shen Wei wears in later episodes. And that despite the fact that the English subs - all of them: the original ones and the ones that came later, Solo's and the Viki ones - say "shirt"! Of course the Chinese only says 衣服, clothes, and IIRC this concept originally came from the Chinese side of fandom.

Questions:

What's your favourite part in this half of the episode? Do you think Shen Wei is too harsh on Mirror Girl? Do you feel for Ji Xiaobai? for the human Zhou Weiwei? Why is Zhao Yunlan stepping up the investigation into Shen Wei? Do you think the spy camera is warranted? Why does Shen Wei respond to being mugged like that, when he could easily defeat the muggers? Any thoughts about how any of this relates to the novel?

(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 for the next batch of episodes - please do sign up to host a post if you can!

Comments

[trobadora]

A bunch of notes:

Zhao Yunlan has already figured out what's up with Zhou Weiwei, though he doesn't know the background yet. Is he going back to satisfy his own curiosity, or to give Ji Xiaobai the truth? I think it's a bit of both. And I really like how he corners Zhou Weiwei with the photos, and how she tries to give plausible answers but so clearly doesn't actually know.

Zhou Weiwei is so entitled - she seems convinced Mirror Girl's life and fiancé should have been hers. She accuses her of stealing "my body, my friends and my lover" - but Ji Xiaobai doesn't know her; he was never hers, and she can't seem to see that at all. Very ironic considering when we see her in flashback, she's complaining about other girls who steal people's boyfriends! She also keeps calling Mirror Girl a monster. :(

Zhou Weiwei talks to herself about school just before Mirror Girl speaks to her and offers the switch, but the phrase in Chinese is 读书, which means reading/studying/going to school - very vague. So maybe she's at uni? And she later explains that she originally gave Mirror Girl a year - seems like it's been longer by now, but maybe not that much longer? The timeline remains very unclear, and besides, there's no clue as to how long Mirror Girl may or may not have been watching Zhou Weiwei from the mirror before she spoke up.

I like that we get a very clear shot of her without a shadow when she pulls open the curtains in the flashback!

Zhao Yunlan tells them: "What you two do next is none of our business, but I hope you [pl.]won't regret your choices. After all, that person is not coming back." But clearly they're both already unhappy with how they ended up.

Ji Xiaobai takes off his ring! And physically pulls Zhou Weiwei off him: he's definitely not interested in a replacement Weiwei. "You're not her," he says and leaves - and Zhou Weiwei is left alone to stare at her mirror image, which now is just an ordinary reflection. (Great final shot!)

Shen Wei is pretty harsh on Mirror Girl, but as was mentioned in last week's discussion, he didn't see any of the mitigating circumstances, only her trying to blow everyone up, including the man she supposedly loved, and including Zhao Yunlan. No wonder he's not feeling too kindly towards her.

He compares her to her father, says she's "greedy for prosperity, encountering disaster because of love" - which makes me wonder if that last part about love also applies to her father? No idea how it might, though.

I love that moment when Shen Wei reins in his anger at her father's betrayal and softens his words, only tells Mirror Girl that he kept a secret he couldn't tell in time.

The line from the father is indeed very cryptic - Solo's subs even have a note about now no one has any idea what it means, not even Chinese Fans. *g* The most baffling part is that it clearly talks about the south, whereas the Awl will be found in the Hanga mountains in the northwest ...

(And interestingly, this entire scene still takes place in Haixing, though I do assume he takes her to Dixing afterwards ...)

It's hilarious to me that not only does Xiao-Guo fail to understand why Ji Xiaobai and Zhou Weiwei "broke up", Zhao Yunlan also refuses to explain it to him. Meanwhile Zhu Hong understands it perfectly and is angry at Ji Xiaobai for failing his (Dixingren) Weiwei!

The entire conversation between Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing about Shen Wei is a delight. The physicality between them! Da Qing just flopping down on top of Zhao Yunlan, and Zhao Yunlan pushing him away - but not immediately!

Zhao Yunlan claims that "The person who can drug me hasn't been born yet." Wang Zheng, of course, was born over a hundred years ago, and Cheng Xinyan is about his own age. *g*

And the insight into Zhao Yunlan's character development! When Da Qing asks about arresting Shen Wei if he's Dixingren, Zhao Yunlan protests that he hasn't done anything bad - when formerly he used to say he'd arrest every Dixingren on sight. I love that arc.

And then Zhao Yunlan decides to seriously step up his investigation into Shen Wei - searching his flat, asking the Regent, and installing a spy camera in his office! Last week we talked about Zhao Yunlan being much more earnest in his flirting post-Wu Tian'en, and I guess this is part of the same development: Zhao Yunlan wants to move forward with Shen Wei, and feels he needs to know the truth to do that. And goes to extreme lengths, because you can't tell me the spy camera business is SID-normal at all, that's all Zhao Yunlan being pretty unhinged about Shen Wei. He just needs to KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. *g*

(Mentioning Shen Wei to the Regent is a risk - I wonder if he's only now willing to take it, now that the Envoy has agreed that only Dixingren who misuse their powers need to be deported? Or perhaps he suspects that Shen Wei, who was so clearly not afraid to speak for Dixingren in front of the SID, is himself working for Dixing in some way?)

(And I do think the spycam goes too far - it's a huge invasion of privacy not only for Shen Wei but also everyone else who comes to his office. So I'm definitely glad that that move will get Zhao Yunlan in trouble later!)

Da Qing's line about destiny is from the JJWXC version of the novel, where Shen Wei says: "It's a big city after all, two people may never meet one another even if they live close by. But some day, perhaps they will start seeing each other all the time. I guess that is fate." Here, Da Qing ascribes the quote to his ex-owner, whom he can't remember. Of course if Zhao Yunlan did say that back in YOHE, he was quoting Da Qing - another little time loop, where that line doesn't actually have a real origin! ♥

My favourite scene from this episode is Shen Wei catching Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing in his flat. He arrives with dramatic footsteps, dramatic music and a (terrible) dramatic suit! He pauses with his key in his hand when he notices something wrong! He has that absolutely delightful little smirk when he realises just who it is! ♥ ♥ ♥

(We never see how Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing got off that balcony - my headcanon is that Shen Wei pretends he hasn't noticed anything, then goes into the bathroom and turns on the shower, so they'll have an opportunity to sneak out.)

Poor Chu Shuzhi, having to deliver that banner - and poor Shen Wei, having to be polite about it! But I like it a lot that Zhao Yunlan picked up on Chu Shuzhi's unusual reaction to Shen Wei, and that's why he's sending him. I also like the way Zhao Yunlan can't seem to look away from the screen! Right until he mentions the Envoy. And then Da Qing teases him about his interest in the Envoy, and Zhao Yunlan makes to kick him off the desk! Hee! - After which Zhao Yunlan is promptly back to staring at the screen, and Shen Wei. :D

When Zhao Yunlan talks about "the enemy" not knowing which cards he has, and forcing "the enemy" to make a move, I'm really not sure what he's talking about. Is Shen Wei the enemy here? I'm not sure that's a great way to conceptualise a romantic relationship, LOL.

The scene at the university is a bit strange, isn't it? Zhao Yunlan pops up, walks down a hallway with Shen Wei, and then Shen Wei goes to teach a class. Zhao Yunlan never says why he's there, and Shen Wei never asks. I think it was during the last rewatch that someone theorised that this isn't actually when Zhao Yunlan arrives - that he'd previously visited Shen Wei in his office (maybe to update him on the mirror case, since he already consulted him about that?), and then when Shen Wei got the news about Li Qian, Shen Wei went to see the Chancellor, and Zhao Yunlan instead of leaving followed behind. That would make a bit more sense to me!

Anyway, Shen Wei blames himself for not noticing Li Qian's problems (and presumably the Sundial) sooner, and Zhao Yunlan tells him he can't take the whole world on his shoulders. It won't be the last time he has to say that! ♥

And then we get the first part of the mugging scene! The two muggers are so baffled by Shen Wei's stoicism, and then get angry about it, ouch. And Shen Wei could so easily handle them - he wouldn't even have to physically fight them; he could just freeze them and walk away. But he doesn't; he plays along. I'm never 100% sure why - because he doesn't want to use his powers on Haixingren? That didn't stop him from freezing the Li/Huang goons, but then that was during Envoy business ...

[china_shop]

Excellent choice of screencap, btw!!1 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Zhao Yunlan tells them: "What you two do next is none of our business, but I hope you [pl.]won't regret your choices. After all, that person is not coming back."

Ohh, so interesting that that's plural. Thanks! Huh.

and Zhou Weiwei is left alone to stare at her mirror image, which now is just an ordinary reflection.

Oh, that's what that shot means. How have I never figured that out before?? *facepalms forever*

Shen Wei is pretty harsh on Mirror Girl, but as was mentioned in last week's discussion, he didn't see any of the mitigating circumstances, only her trying to blow everyone up, including the man she supposedly loved, and including Zhao Yunlan. No wonder he's not feeling too kindly towards her.

Yes, and he's associating her with her father, too, who committed all those crimes. I love that he softens when he sees her reaction to the mention of her dad. <3

says she's "greedy for prosperity, encountering disaster because of love" - which makes me wonder if that last part about love also applies to her father? No idea how it might, though.

I always feel like he's half talking about himself. :-/

I love that moment when Shen Wei reins in his anger at her father's betrayal and softens his words, only tells Mirror Girl that he kept a secret he couldn't tell in time.

Yessss, that's so good. <3 <3 <3

Ha, I hadn't even registered that bit about the father's line referring to the south. Could he have been located somewhere north of the northwest mountains when he said it??

(And interestingly, this entire scene still takes place in Haixing, though I do assume he takes her to Dixing afterwards ...)

Doesn't want to be interrupted by more traitor guards?

Da Qing just flopping down on top of Zhao Yunlan, and Zhao Yunlan pushing him away - but not immediately!

Yes! And the timing of that -- ZYL pushes DQ away at the same time as he rejects the idea of arresting Shen Wei. It's like a physical manifestation of the feeling. :D

Last week we talked about Zhao Yunlan being much more earnest in his flirting post-Wu Tian'en, and I guess this is part of the same development: Zhao Yunlan wants to move forward with Shen Wei, and feels he needs to know the truth to do that.

Yes! And SW helped with this case even when he wasn't involved, too, so maybe it feels safe to find out now -- ZYL is 99% sure he won't find out anything bad. Until he finds the SID file -- that must be sso confusing.

Or perhaps he suspects that Shen Wei, who was so clearly not afraid to speak for Dixingren in front of the SID, is himself working for Dixing in some way?

That must be one of the possibilities that occurs to him. Who else could have that file??

Da Qing's line about destiny is from the JJWXC version of the novel, where Shen Wei says: "It's a big city after all, two people may never meet one another even if they live close by. But some day, perhaps they will start seeing each other all the time. I guess that is fate."

Oh, cool. Thank you! :D

I also like the way Zhao Yunlan can't seem to look away from the screen! Right until he mentions the Envoy. And then Da Qing teases him about his interest in the Envoy, and Zhao Yunlan makes to kick him off the desk! Hee! - After which Zhao Yunlan is promptly back to staring at the screen, and Shen Wei. :D

Oh, ha, I hadn't consciously noticed that, so I went back to rewatch. Wow, that's some STARING! :D :D :D

When Zhao Yunlan talks about "the enemy" not knowing which cards he has, and forcing "the enemy" to make a move, I'm really not sure what he's talking about. Is Shen Wei the enemy here? I'm not sure that's a great way to conceptualise a romantic relationship, LOL.

Ha, I'm not sure he's thinking in terms of romance at that point.

because he doesn't want to use his powers on Haixingren? That didn't stop him from freezing the Li/Huang goons, but then that was during Envoy business ...

Yeah, I think the difference between Envoy business and personal business is everything, in SW's mind. Which is fair -- he shouldn't set rules for others than he can't keep himself, right?

[trobadora]

Ohh, so interesting that that's plural. Thanks! Huh.

Yeah, right? I remembered this scene as "I hope you, Ji Xiaobai, won't now make a choice you'll come to regret", but now that I've paid attention to the Chinese, it sounds to me like it's actually "I hope you, Ji Xiaobai and Zhou Weiwei, won't come to regret the choices you've already made" ...

Oh, that's what that shot means.

Yes! It's so striking, I almost picked it for the post, but then I couldn't resist Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing. *g*

I always feel like he's half talking about himself. :-/

Yeah, that's true, it doesn't have to literally apply to her father.

Could he have been located somewhere north of the northwest mountains when he said it??

I have no idea! It's so random!

Doesn't want to be interrupted by more traitor guards?

Ooh, yes, excellent point!

And the timing of that -- ZYL pushes DQ away at the same time as he rejects the idea of arresting Shen Wei. It's like a physical manifestation of the feeling. :D

YES! It's such a great scene. :D :D :D

And SW helped with this case even when he wasn't involved, too, so maybe it feels safe to find out now -- ZYL is 99% sure he won't find out anything bad. Until he finds the SID file -- that must be sso confusing.

Ooh, yes, that's true about the mirror case! And then the file ... He did know Shen Wei had deliberately drawn the SID's attention by exposing his knowledge, and I don't think he had a good theory as to why, but the file makes it all the more clear there's something calculated going on, and that Shen Wei has sources an outsider shouldn't have, and now Zhao Yunlan has to actually deal with that ...

Wow, that's some STARING! :D :D :D

RIGHT???? :D :D :D

Ha, I'm not sure he's thinking in terms of romance at that point.

It doesn't seem to me as if he's decided Shen Wei is a villain either, though. So I really don't know what he means by those words.

Yeah, I think the difference between Envoy business and personal business is everything, in SW's mind. Which is fair -- he shouldn't set rules for others than he can't keep himself, right?

Yesh, excellent point! He's trying very hard not to abuse his powers for personal reasons. ♥

[china_shop]

Yeah, right? I remembered this scene as "I hope you, Ji Xiaobai, won't now make a choice you'll come to regret", but now that I've paid attention to the Chinese, it sounds to me like it's actually "I hope you, Ji Xiaobai and Zhou Weiwei, won't come to regret the choices you've already made" ...

Oh, I like that! It means ZYL's sympathies are more with mirror Weiwei than the others. <333

And then the file ... He did know Shen Wei had deliberately drawn the SID's attention by exposing his knowledge, and I don't think he had a good theory as to why, but the file makes it all the more clear there's something calculated going on, and that Shen Wei has sources an outsider shouldn't have, and now Zhao Yunlan has to actually deal with that ...

Yeah, I think once he's found the file, there are two possibilities: either Shen Wei is a Dixing official (or someone with high-up government connections in Haixing, but then wouldn't he just say), hence the message to the Regent; or Shen Wei is playing some unfathomable game with him, possibly with ill-intent (and ZYL has to question his own instincts), hence the bannercam. Does "enemy" have to mean outright enemy, or can it just mean opponent?

[trobadora]

Oh, I like that! It means ZYL's sympathies are more with mirror Weiwei than the others. <333

Yes! I think he's really starting to sympathise with Dixingren more and more. ♥ ♥ ♥

And then the file ... He did know Shen Wei had deliberately drawn the SID's attention by exposing his knowledge, and I don't think he had a good theory as to why, but the file makes it all the more clear there's something calculated going on, and that Shen Wei has sources an outsider shouldn't have, and now Zhao Yunlan has to actually deal with that ...

either Shen Wei is a Dixing official (or someone with high-up government connections in Haixing, but then wouldn't he just say), hence the message to the Regent; or Shen Wei is playing some unfathomable game with him, possibly with ill-intent (and ZYL has to question his own instincts), hence the bannercam

Oh, yes, that's a good point, these two strategies are aimed at different things! So let me reinterpret that since I don't think he's seriously considering Shen Wei being a villain: he's messaging the Regent for a potential offical Dixing alibi, and he's bugging his office for a mundane Haixing alibi!

Does "enemy" have to mean outright enemy, or can it just mean opponent?

Idk, it's definitely "enemy" in Chinese too, but you can use that more metaphorically.

[china_shop]

So let me reinterpret that since I don't think he's seriously considering Shen Wei being a villain: he's messaging the Regent for a potential offical Dixing alibi, and he's bugging his office for a mundane Haixing alibi!

Oh yes, I like that. Sold! :-)

Idk, it's definitely "enemy" in Chinese too, but you can use that more metaphorically.

True! He could be quoting/paraphrasing Sun Tzu or some other strategist.

[trobadora]

Oh yes, I like that. Sold! :-)

:D :D :D