Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 8, part 1

[china_shop]

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 8, up to 22:19

Summary
The SID enthusiastically welcomes Guo Changcheng as an official employee, and Lin Jing gives him the fear baton. ♥ Zhao Yunlan arranges to buy some old books and then calls Shen Wei to offer them as a gift, while Zhu Hong and Da Qing gossip about his black-heartedness and obsession with Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing meet a student in the street to buy the books, then sit around and talk about recruiting Shen Wei to the SID. Zhao Yunlan is openly smitten. ♥ But presenting the gift to Shen Wei does not go as planned: Zhao Yunlan gives a fake provenance for the books, Shen Wei leaves, and Zhao Yunlan slinks off to recover his dignity in private drink tea and talk about new SID premises. A mysterious letter gives Wang Zheng flashbacks. Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi run into Ding Dun in the street juuuust before receiving an APB about him. The Envoy comes to the SID to request help tracking him down, but Da Qing is hesitant to proceed without their fearless leader. Chu Shuzhi sets to work anyway and takes Changcheng with him. Meanwhile, Zhu Jiu murders Ding Dun, whose body the others find and take back to the SID? (Or pass on to the Envoy?) On the university campus that night, Shen Wei confides in Ying Chun while wearing an ascot. Zhu Jiu shows up, and fisticuffs ensue (Ying Chun helps Shen Wei), but Zhu Jiu escapes. Ying Chun points out the dangers in Shen Wei's plan to go after a missing item, but Shen Wei is resolved.



Quote
Lin Jing: This is my newest invention. It can transform fear into electricity. The more fear, the more electricity. In other words, I made it especially as the perfect, most powerful weapon you could have.
Guo Changcheng: E...electricity? I'm also afraid of electricity.

Detail
When Zhao Yunlan calls Shen Wei about the old books, the original subs say, "What a coincidence! I have a lot of old books," and the VIKI subs say, "You are so lucky as I have some in my home!" while Solo's subs have "As it happens, regarding this, the two of us were brought together by fate." The last is closest to the Chinese subs: 巧了 咱俩在这个事上 太有缘了 ("What a coincidence! We're so destined to meet on this matter." according to Google Translate).

Poll #33955 Subtitles

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 9

View Respondents

Which subtitles are you using? (Tick all that apply.)

View Answers

original fansubs
3 (33.3%)

Solo's subs
8 (88.9%)

VIKI subs
2 (22.2%)

Chinese hard subs
3 (33.3%)

other
2 (22.2%)

Questions
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 8? Is everyone genuinely glad to have Guo Changcheng onboard? Does Shen Wei as the Envoy already have a red stamp, and if so, when/how did he get it? On a scale of 1 to 10, how smitten is Zhao Yunlan with Shen Wei? On a scale of 1 to 10, how sympathetic is Da Qing to this smittenness? Who sends the APB on Ding Dun? (Presumably not the Envoy!) How do you feel about ascots? How great is the fight with Zhu Jiu?

Did you see any parallels in these scenes with other parts of the drama? If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares, if at all?

(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!)

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Comments

[china_shop]

Is that how you read it? I read it the other way round, that the Envoy's visit is a flashback that happens before the run-in with Ding Dun, and that's where the APB came from

Ha, that has never once occurred to me! I assumed the Envoy had probably shown up with a photo (somehow? from somewhere?), Lin Jing (or Wang Zheng or Zhu Hong) sent it out, and then GCC and CSZ were recalled to the office where everyone was meeting with the Envoy. (Presumably they weren't too far away.) If the Envoy already had a photo, wouldn't he have shown it to them at the meeting, and then CSZ and GCC would have recognised Ding Dun in the street?

> why doesn't CSZ mention to the Envoy that they've already heard about him and even seen him?

Good point! I have no idea. Maybe he didn't want to speak out, especially to admit he let him go? (That doesn't sound quite right, tho. The fact that DD is definitely in Dragon City is important information!)

Additionally, if the scene of CSZ and GCC searching for Ding Dun follows immediately from the run-in with Ding Dun, where did GCC's stuff disappear to?

This is what I get stuck on, and why I think they're separate scenes.

And if the Envoy had a photo, why didn't he just show it to the others when they were there?

I clicked all the options including "other" - I usually watch with Solo's subs and then if I want to look at something closely, or the subs don't seem to match what I hear, I check the original subs, the Viki engsubs and the Viki csubs. Sometimes (if something seems wonky) I double-check the Viki csubs against the Chinese hardsubs. *g*

Hee! All this forensicking we do! :D

I assumed he had one, but have no idea how exactly he got it! Possibly via Chu Shuzhi?

Maybe it was sent to him on a talisman, which he carries in an inner pocket?

But in-universe, I really wonder what happened at the SID (or a predecessor organisation?) in the past, that this sort of declaration is built into their onboarding?!

Someone turned out to be Yashou and didn't know it?

(Lin Jing invented the shield, so it must be relatively new, surely. It wouldn't have anything to do with Zhao Xinci, would it?)

So CSZ already knew about the fear stick, too, not just ZYL and Lin Jing.

I wonder if ZYL asked CSZ whether the kid was up to handling such a powerful weapon. (Or warned him that they were planning to give the kid a powerful weapon. *g*)

She says she's heard he wants the books, he says yes, and then it's "see you later" already ...

I presume they message each other details.

but I found a delightful explanation online that is much more fitting

Haha, that's great! And it sounds much better/more appropriate than "fighting", which I think some of the subs have.

Either Da Qing has picked up on ZYL's thoughts before ZYL has said anything, or else ZYL is just re-introducing this idea to him multiple times because he's so smitten with it. *g*

I presume the latter, hee! <3 And in the street, DQ finally gets exasperated/practical and says ZYL will have to clear it with the Inspectorate, and ZYL says he already did. *g*

It's so hilarious to me that the girl with the books gives ZYL a sob story about her grandfather, and then he turns around and gives the same story to SW - but lays it on extra thick, much worse than the girl!

He's so ambivalent about whether he wants this to be a big, meaningful gift or a casual "here's some old books I had lying around" that he sort of veers all over the place. *noogies him so much*

but he also 100% doesn't let ZYL get away with this kind of thing, because what he wants is for ZYL to be sincere with him, but ZYL is still in his "allergic to sincerity" phase.

It feels so much like puppy training, lol. :D

but how did Zhu Jiu mean to get it back? It only lands in the bin by accident.

Ha, maybe he knows someone with a boomerang ("return to sender") kind of power, and ZJ got them to make the letter? LOL.

I assume Ding Dun runs into them to touch their stuff and get info from them

Oh, did you think that was deliberate? I've always assumed it was coincidence (Ding Dun lurking near the SID, and that being where the others are going)...

Thanks for the DD backstory clarification!

despite this clearly being an important case.

It's important to the Envoy, but it's not particularly important to the SID at this stage, as far as they know? It sounds like a non-violent power, no one's died. The Envoy is not their boss, and Dixing politics doesn't seem particularly relevant to everyday Haixing life...

Who knew! So that's why it can't detect Shen Wei, he's too overpowered, LOL.

*high fives again* :D

I'm not sure why Zhu Jiu kills Ding Dun. Couldn't he have been useful?

Maybe Ye Zun told him to, because Ding Dun was too closely aligned to the Regent and couldn't be trusted long term? /wild speculation

The fight is so good, yes!!!! And awww, Shen Wei!! :D

[trobadora]

I assumed the Envoy had probably shown up with a photo (somehow? from somewhere?), Lin Jing (or Wang Zheng or Zhu Hong) sent it out, and then GCC and CSZ were recalled to the office where everyone was meeting with the Envoy. (Presumably they weren't too far away.) If the Envoy already had a photo, wouldn't he have shown it to them at the meeting, and then CSZ and GCC would have recognised Ding Dun in the street?

I assumed it happened in this scene! That the Envoy visit is a flashback, but since we don't see the start of the scene, him showing them the photo happened before what we see. The bit we do see/hear starts with him saying "This is Ding Dun", which sounds to me as if he's just shown them the photo. (I checked the Chinese, and it's 此人 "this person" there too.)

And I thought CSZ did recognise him in the street, just a moment too late! And he pulls up his phone to make sure, comparing the photo to the person he just saw. (Not immediately recognising people from photos makes perfect sense to me.)

The fact that DD is definitely in Dragon City is important information!

Yeah, that's what I thought!

Hee! All this forensicking we do! :D

It's fun, and sometimes you learn stuff! :D

Maybe it was sent to him on a talisman, which he carries in an inner pocket?

Oh yeah, that would make sense too!

Someone turned out to be Yashou and didn't know it?

That's not the same, though - they'd always have been Yashou, not been human and then ending up carrying other energy.

Lin Jing invented the shield, so it must be relatively new, surely. It wouldn't have anything to do with Zhao Xinci, would it?

I mean. Maybe like this:

1. Lin Jing invents the shield, sends report to the Inspectorate. "But don't worry, our Yashou members can still get in via this stamp!"
2. Zhao Xinci: *reads report* I need that stamp, otherwise if If I ever have to go in there I will be exposed. How do I explain humans needing to be stamped, too? Uh ... *sends memo* "Make sure all SID members receive a stamp; there is historical precedent of humans sometimes ending up carrying other energies."
3. Wang Zheng: "Sounds cool! *incorporates it into stamping procedure*

Yes? No? Maybe? *g*

I wonder if ZYL asked CSZ whether the kid was up to handling such a powerful weapon.

Yeah, since CSZ is GCC's trainer and mentor, that would be a reasonable thing to do. *g*

I presume they message each other details.

But then the phone call was entirely redundant.

I presume the latter, hee! <3

:D :D :D

He's so ambivalent about whether he wants this to be a big, meaningful gift or a casual "here's some old books I had lying around" that he sort of veers all over the place. *noogies him so much*

Yes, this! Awww. :D

Ha, maybe he knows someone with a boomerang ("return to sender") kind of power, and ZJ got them to make the letter? LOL.

Oh, I love that! Headcanon accepted! *g*

Oh, did you think that was deliberate? I've always assumed it was coincidence

Yeah, he makes sure to get his bare hand into Xiao-Guo's bag and all, when he's otherwise walking aruond wearing gloves. So I 100% thought it was deliberate.

It's important to the Envoy, but it's not particularly important to the SID at this stage, as far as they know?

Good relations with the Envoy should be important, and hesitating this visibly over something the Envoy asks for doesn't seem like it would be great for their relationship with him if he were anyone other than Shen Wei.

Maybe Ye Zun told him to, because Ding Dun was too closely aligned to the Regent and couldn't be trusted long term? /wild speculation

Oh yeah, especially since we later learn the Regent was involved in Ding Dun's escape. (I still can't make much sense of Ding Dun's story. One day I'll develop a coherent theory!)

[china_shop]

I'm so confused about the order of events now, but your argument is persuasive (except for GCC's bags and the not-really-looking-ness of that scene ;-p).

Not immediately recognising people from photos makes perfect sense to me.

Oh, me too! But it rarely happens on TV, you know? Similarly, on TV no one has face blindness or aphantasia, unless it's a specific character trait/note.

1. Lin Jing invents the shield, sends report to the Inspectorate. "But don't worry, our Yashou members can still get in via this stamp!"
2. Zhao Xinci: *reads report* I need that stamp, otherwise if If I ever have to go in there I will be exposed. How do I explain humans needing to be stamped, too? Uh ... *sends memo* "Make sure all SID members receive a stamp; there is historical precedent of humans sometimes ending up carrying other energies."
3. Wang Zheng: "Sounds cool! *incorporates it into stamping procedure*

Yes? No? Maybe? *g*

Yes, maybe? (Though it would have to be the Xingdu Bureau rather than/instead of the Inspectorate.) I feel like ZYL would want to know about that historical precedent, though, you know? Anything his dad suggests/requests would stir him up a bit, I'd have thought, because he'd take it as criticism.

But then the phone call was entirely redundant.

I feel like this is another TV thing. Rather than giving addresses, they're always, "I'll text you the address." Presumably it makes the location easier to refer to later, too. Maybe she drops him a pin or whatever the kids do these days. *g*

Oh, I love that! Headcanon accepted! *g*

\o/!

Yeah, he makes sure to get his bare hand into Xiao-Guo's bag and all, when he's otherwise walking aruond wearing gloves.

Oh, great point. Okay, so either he doesn't know they're looking for him, or he's very risk-taking. Or both.

Good relations with the Envoy should be important

Yes, but that's well above their pay-grade, as is taking on cases that aren't sanctioned by the Inspectorate or the police. With the possible exception of Da Qing. I think it makes perfect sense for them to hesitate, without having official authorisation. They're not an arm of Dixing law enforcement, after all!

hesitating this visibly over something the Envoy asks for doesn't seem like it would be great for their relationship with him if he were anyone other than Shen Wei.

Yes, but coming directly to the SID team rather than going through official channels is potentially not great for their relationship either (if it were a regular government agency). You know?

I still can't make much sense of Ding Dun's story. One day I'll develop a coherent theory!

I think the Regent either arranged for his resurrection (using someone else's power) or did it himself.

[trobadora]

I'm so confused about the order of events now, but your argument is persuasive (except for GCC's bags and the not-really-looking-ness of that scene ;-p).

You and me both! I wasn't even trying to convince you (because I do see the issues), just explaining how I always interpreted it. :D

(Though it would have to be the Xingdu Bureau rather than/instead of the Inspectorate.)

Well, the SID reports to the Inspectorate, but the Xingdu Bureau oversees the Inspectorate, and I figure Zhao Xinci is paying special attention to the SID, at least early on during Zhao Yunlan's tenure. (He might not be looking as closely after years of nothing major happening.)

I feel like ZYL would want to know about that historical precedent, though, you know? Anything his dad suggests/requests would stir him up a bit, I'd have thought, because he'd take it as criticism.

Oh yeah. I mean, there's no reason to think he didn't ask, and then read up on whatever case that might have been.

I feel like this is another TV thing.

I guess that would work. *grumbles*

With the possible exception of Da Qing. I think it makes perfect sense for them to hesitate, without having official authorisation.

You're not wrong, but Da Qing is the one I most wish had reacted differently. *g*

I think the Regent either arranged for his resurrection (using someone else's power) or did it himself.

Oh, good theory! Yes, I could see that. It's just fascinating to me that if resurrection is a Dixing power someone has, that it gets used exactly this once, in the background, for a character whose story is muddled at best ...

Though now that I'm saying that, I wonder if that's due to censorship because actual resurrection hit the censors' "supernatural" DNW in a way other mutant powers don't ...

[china_shop]

and I figure Zhao Xinci is paying special attention to the SID, at least early on during Zhao Yunlan's tenure. (He might not be looking as closely after years of nothing major happening.)

True! (And true, though the Envoy requesting a SID file must have sent up a plethora of red flags!!)

but Da Qing is the one I most wish had reacted differently. *g*

DQ really doesn't like taking on responsibility when he doesn't have to. *skritches him* He does get better as time goes on, I think?

Though now that I'm saying that, I wonder if that's due to censorship because actual resurrection hit the censors' "supernatural" DNW in a way other mutant powers don't ...

That's possible! But then, they could have just avoided the whole murder/resurrection plot to start with? I guess they wanted SW to show up at the SID looking for ZYL on urgent business.

[trobadora]

He does get better as time goes on, I think?

I think so too, but I'll be paying special attention this rewatch!

But then, they could have just avoided the whole murder/resurrection plot to start with?

Yeah, but the censors' requirements/criteria changed (and keep changing, of course) - I think when Guardian started filming, it wasn't nearly as clear-cut or as strict. I don't remember for certain, but I think the crackdown on modern-day supernatural stuff didn't even happen until shortly before Guardian aired.

[china_shop]

I remember Da Qing speaking up when Zhao Xinci visits, to explain where ZYL is, and again at the end of the case to ask if ZXC really shot Bao Laosan on purpose. Even that much is a step up from this. <3

Yeah, but the censors' requirements/criteria changed (and keep changing, of course) - I think when Guardian started filming, it wasn't nearly as clear-cut or as strict.

Oh, that makes sense. I didn't know that. (Ughhh.)

[trobadora]

I remember Da Qing speaking up when Zhao Xinci visits, to explain where ZYL is, and again at the end of the case to ask if ZXC really shot Bao Laosan on purpose. Even that much is a step up from this. <3

That's true! I guess I see more of a throughline between the early episode where he pushed ZYL to contact the Envoy and this, so his reaction in the Ding Dun case stood out more to me. But that was between him and ZYL, which probably makes it a different thing to him!

[china_shop]

Yes, when ZYL is in charge, DQ can suggest all kinds of out-there things without taking any responsibility. ;D