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sid_guardian2026-02-16 12:15 am
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2026-02-16 12:15 am
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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 11, 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 11, from 22:22:
Summary: The SID is back in Dragon City, though Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi brought back diarrhoea and Zhao Yunlan has been brooding ever since. Zhao Yunlan is going over every clue he caught, and some he didn't at the time, about Shen Wei and the Envoy. He hasn't contacted Shen Wei since they came back from the mountains. When Da Qing comes to bring him out of his brooding, he asks him about the Envoy too, but Da Qing doesn't know much.
At a lab, a sonic experiment is carried out and vaporises a fish. The lab's boss has brought his stepdaughter and wants her to play the violin; one of the scientists tries to protect her, and is fired for his troubles. Later that evening, the lab's boss and the two remaining scientists are attacked by sonic waves. And the SID has a new case: what appears to be a triple suicide. Two people are missing: Zheng Yi, the stepdaughter, and Tan Xiao, the fired lab worker. And it turns out that one of the victims' last phone call was to Shen Wei.
Meanwhile, Zhu Hong and Guo Changcheng are sent to the Snake Tribe to ask about the origins of the Hallows, but Fourth Uncle isn't keen on the subject. He drugs Zhu Hong.
Quote:
Zhao Yunlan: "Do you think it's possible the Black-Cloaked Envoy actually stays in the human world, and even uses a human face?"
Da Qing: "Don't you think you're talking nonsense? Dixing has the Regent and the Dijun as administrators, but the Black-Cloaked Envoy as a major decision maker and commander of Dixingren is of pivotal importance. Why would he come up here? To see his lover?"
Zhao Yunlan: "But going by his appearance, he doesn't look like someone who has a lover."
Detail:
When Da Qing talks about Dixing powers that could make someone commit suicide, he says they don't know through what medium that power was activated - setting up a major element not just for this case (Zheng Yi vs. Zhao Yunlan's earplugs) but also for the eventual defeat of a major opponent (Zhu Jiu vs. blackout).
Questions:
What's your favourite bit in this half-episode? Or your favourite clip from Zhao Yunlan's Shen Wei/Envoy flashback sequence? The sonic lab: bad work environment or worst work environment? Do you think Chu Shuzhi has permission to read Guo Changcheng's diary? When Zhao Yunlan asks Da Qing if the Envoy might actually live in the human world, does he actually still have doubts? What is it he's finding so hard to wrap his mind around? How does this post-reveal sequence compare to the novel? What does he mean when he says the Envoy doesn't look like someone who has a lover? What's going through his head when Shen Wei answers the phone? How much does Fourth Uncle actually know about the Hallows, and where does he know it from?
(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!)
Here is our schedule for the next batch of episodes - please do sign up to host a post if you can!
no subject
Great post! Huge LOL at your choice of screencap. ;D
It's kind of hilarious how clueless Guo Changcheng is about the sex doll, even now. (I wonder if Lin Jing actually uses it? That seems pretty skeevy, given its previous use.)
Aww, everyone's out of sorts.
Sonic lab fish torture scene. /o\ (Why is Zheng Yi even there at night? And also, I wonder if Zheng Yi ever goes back to playing the violin, when she's older...) (Weirdly, she's wearing different clothes in the lab (a dress) versus when they're leaving the building (jeans).) (Also, given what we learn about her step-dad later, it's impressive that Zheng Yi has never previously used her power to protect herself. Ugh.)
Wang Zheng facing the enormous mountain of teaching Sang Zan to read and write. <3
LOL at Chu Shuzhi reading Changcheng's diary. Like, why is he? Was it just the closest book to hand, or does he actually care what Changcheng thinks
of him?Da Qing eating on the couch, eavesdropping on Zhu Hong and Lin Jing's gossip session, aww! ♥
At first I thought the odd memory out in ZYL's flashback montage was the Envoy saving Wu Tian'en, but I guess that ties in to Shen Wei saving Zhang Ruonan. (I love how smart he is, putting all these pieces together. <3)
Also love the way Wang Zheng announces new cases.
Dragging Changcheng out on a field trip when he has the runs seems mean. (I hope the Snakes give him some medicine.) What on earth did he see that made him pass out??
As you also noted, Da Qing talking about a medium for hypnosis. <3
I wonder how CSZ knows Tan Xiao was fired. Did they really process the paperwork immediately?
Zhu Hong seems to want to hide the emergence of the Hallows from Fourth Uncle (she cuts Changcheng off when he starts to tell). Maybe she doesn't want him to know things are getting dangerous?
What's your favourite bit in this half-episode?
ZYL mulling in his office with his lollipop, putting the pieces together. <3 <3 <3
Or your favourite clip from Zhao Yunlan's Shen Wei/Envoy flashback sequence?
The Envoy asking after Li Qian. <3 <3 <3
Do you think Chu Shuzhi has permission to read Guo Changcheng's diary?
LOL, definitely not. I think he's starting to be curious about Changcheng's inner life, but I'm not sure what prompted that.
When Zhao Yunlan asks Da Qing if the Envoy might actually live in the human world, does he actually still have doubts? What is it he's finding so hard to wrap his mind around?
I think he's still not really used to thinking of the Envoy as a person. And Shen Wei is very much a person. How to reconcile the two?!? And the fact that Shen Wei has been flirting with him / befriending him / showing a personal interest must make that extra confusing.
What does he mean when he says the Envoy doesn't look like someone who has a lover?
I'm so curious about that! Like, is he talking about the Envoy (epically cool and unapproachable) or Shen Wei (buttoned up and/or seemingly available for flirting)? Does it actually say "appearance" there?
What's going through his head when Shen Wei answers the phone?
"Again? Can this seriously be another coincidence?" and also "Ahh, I've missed your voice!!"
How much does Fourth Uncle actually know about the Hallows, and where does he know it from?
He knows whatever the Flower Historians recorded and passed down from the ancient war. /headcanon
no subject
Hee! I really couldn't resist. :D
It's kind of hilarious how clueless Guo Changcheng is about the sex doll, even now.
Yeah, seriously!
(I very much hope Lin Jing only kept it because he still thinks the whole thing is hilarious. Otherwise, ick.)
Why is Zheng Yi even there at night?
Presumably because Zheng Zhongyuan likes to use her as a prop/show her off? I guess that's also why she's in the dress in front of the others, but then has changed back into jeans when they're on their own and leaving.
Also, given what we learn about her step-dad later, it's impressive that Zheng Yi has never previously used her power to protect herself. Ugh.
Seriously! I do wonder about that - what instilled that self-control in her? She doesn't speak at all, people think she's mute, presumably because she couldn't control her powers initially? But since Zheng Zhongyuan doesn't seem to know about her powers, does that mean she manifested powers as a very little child, and her mother instilled that self-control in her before she ever met Zheng Zhongyuan? Or was she already mute due to trauma when her powers manifested, and the two aren't actually as connected as they seem?
LOL at Chu Shuzhi reading Changcheng's diary. Like, why is he? Was it just the closest book to hand, or does he actually care what Changcheng thinks of him?
I really don't think he'd be reading it like this (when he had to delberately bring it along) if he wasn't interested. He does care, aw!
At first I thought the odd memory out in ZYL's flashback montage was the Envoy saving Wu Tian'en, but I guess that ties in to Shen Wei saving Zhang Ruonan.
Yes, it connects perfectly! :D
Dragging Changcheng out on a field trip when he has the runs seems mean.
Xiao-Guo and Lao-Chu can't be doing too badly, or neither of them would be going anywhere, LOL. Maybe they're already mostly better by this point?
What on earth did he see that made him pass out??
Either a Snake in snake form getting right into his face, or a half-transformed Snake getting right into his face. *g*
As you also noted, Da Qing talking about a medium for hypnosis. <3
Yes! It's built in so well, preparing us for what's to come. :D
I wonder how CSZ knows Tan Xiao was fired. Did they really process the paperwork immediately?
Looks like they did!
Zhu Hong seems to want to hide the emergence of the Hallows from Fourth Uncle (she cuts Changcheng off when he starts to tell). Maybe she doesn't want him to know things are getting dangerous?
Yeah, she definitely doesn't want to spread the info around. And Fourth Uncle does get more insistent about getting her away from the SID the more things keep happening; she presumably knows to expect that.
ZYL mulling in his office with his lollipop, putting the pieces together. <3 <3 <3
♥ ♥ ♥
I think he's still not really used to thinking of the Envoy as a person. And Shen Wei is very much a person.
LOL! Yeah, that has to be it. *pets him*
I'm so curious about that! Like, is he talking about the Envoy (epically cool and unapproachable) or Shen Wei (buttoned up and/or seemingly available for flirting)? Does it actually say "appearance" there?
Yep, 长相 is appearance/looks! I do think he means the Envoy's larger-than-life above-mere-mortals outward appearance.
"Again? Can this seriously be another coincidence?" and also "Ahh, I've missed your voice!!"
AWWWW. :D
He knows whatever the Flower Historians recorded and passed down from the ancient war. /headcanon
Flower, not Snake?
no subject
Riiiight? /o\ /o\ /o\
Why is Zheng Yi even there at night?
Presumably because Zheng Zhongyuan likes to use her as a prop/show her off? I guess that's also why she's in the dress in front of the others, but then has changed back into jeans when they're on their own and leaving.
I guess so. It feels weird, because asking her to play to celebrate their success suggests that he already knew the experiment would be a success... but everyone's reactions during the experiment seemed more uncertain?
Seriously! I do wonder about that - what instilled that self-control in her? She doesn't speak at all, people think she's mute, presumably because she couldn't control her powers initially? But since Zheng Zhongyuan doesn't seem to know about her powers, does that mean she manifested powers as a very little child, and her mother instilled that self-control in her before she ever met Zheng Zhongyuan? Or was she already mute due to trauma when her powers manifested, and the two aren't actually as connected as they seem?
Do we know he didn't know? I wondered if he threatened her into staying mute, like, "I'm the only one who will care for you and protect you, so you have to stay quiet or you'll be completely alone and abandoned"? (Ugh, this whole this is so horrible.)
I really don't think he'd be reading it like this (when he had to delberately bring it along) if he wasn't interested. He does care, aw!
I can imagine him looking for gossip material or something, idk. But I like the idea that he cares -- even after GCC zapped him. *g*
Xiao-Guo and Lao-Chu can't be doing too badly, or neither of them would be going anywhere, LOL. Maybe they're already mostly better by this point?
I think they must be. Otherwise, surely GCC wouldn't be drinking.
Either a Snake in snake form getting right into his face, or a half-transformed Snake getting right into his face. *g*
*nodnod* That makes sense.
Yeah, she definitely doesn't want to spread the info around. And Fourth Uncle does get more insistent about getting her away from the SID the more things keep happening; she presumably knows to expect that.
An on-going tension between them. *pets them both*
Yep, 长相 is appearance/looks! I do think he means the Envoy's larger-than-life above-mere-mortals outward appearance.
Yeah, that probably makes the most sense.
> He knows whatever the Flower Historians recorded and passed down from the ancient war. /headcanon
Flower, not Snake?
I feel like plants are generally longer-lived than animals, so in my head, most of the Yashou historians are Flower Tribe. That's just me, though.
no subject
Yeah, true. Though I can see him being the type to prepare for success anyway, and then if it doesn't work, take it out on the girl. :(
Do we know he didn't know? I wondered if he threatened her into staying mute, like, "I'm the only one who will care for you and protect you, so you have to stay quiet or you'll be completely alone and abandoned"?
Idk, I guess that's theoretically possible, but everything we see of them just doesn't give me the impression that he knows, it doesn't feel right to me.
I feel like plants are generally longer-lived than animals, so in my head, most of the Yashou historians are Flower Tribe.
Oh, interesting headcanon!
no subject
/o\ /o\ /o\
ETA: I've just started ep 12, and it occurred to me that maybe he pursued his research because Zheng Yi's mother had a related power, and that's how they met. She might have been the one who told him Zheng Yi is mute? Otherwise it seems a huge coincidence that his research and her power are so similar, you know?
no subject
Though I was never sure how much of the research is actually Zheng Zhongyuan's, and how much is Tan Xiao's. There are two reasons in particular:
1) Zheng Zhongyuan being all "you didn't think you were important to this, did you? DID YOU?" at Tan Xiao makes me think he was in fact very important to their success, and
2) when Tan Xiao breaks into the SID to steal the Hallows, he has a sonic device of his own (creating the false impression that he's Dixingren and using a power), and it doesn't look to me like the lab would have created such a thing, since they were just having their first success with the tech. So Tan Xiao must have macgyvered it himself, which requires a lot of expertise.
no subject
New scenario: Zheng Yi's mother (or caregiver) sought ZZY out, hoping he can help with a "cure" for her power, but she doesn't tell ZZY that her daughter has inherited it. Rather than helping them, he's inspired to go down the path of using sonic waves as weapons... ?
no subject
Oh, another question: when exactly does Tan Xiao find out about Zheng Yi's power, do we know that? I don't remember, except that it looks like he already knows when we meet them. I was wondering if learning about her power could have inspired him, sonic research-wise.
no subject
Maybe? He must have already been working at the sonic lab when he met her, though. No idea how he'd have found out -- I guess she might have told him? (She can wander around saying "Tan Xiao, Tan Xiao" pitifully, so it's not like every word out of her mouth is dangerous.)
(Maybe a parallel to Zhao Xinci, not handling the death of his wife well, and not dealing well with the surviving child? Worse, of course, with the physical abuse and all, but still.)
Oh no! I'm a bit DNW about the child abuse part being a parallel to ZYL (but it's not implausible!!). I feel like ZXC is within the conventional parameters of strict, disciplinarian parents, and ZZY goes well beyond that. Idk.
no subject
Yeah, agreed.
No idea how he'd have found out -- I guess she might have told him? (She can wander around saying "Tan Xiao, Tan Xiao" pitifully, so it's not like every word out of her mouth is dangerous.)
True! That would work. Or I was thinking maybe she decided to trust him enough she wanted to let him know she's not actually mute, and then she accidentally used her power. Because she probably didn't have great control - she didn't speak, so she didn't get practice in not using it.
I feel like ZXC is within the conventional parameters of strict, disciplinarian parents, and ZZY goes well beyond that.
Oh yes, absolutely! It would be a sort of dark mirror.
no subject
Oooh, that would be a great scenario, especially when he then loved her anyway! <3 <3 <3
no subject
no subject
I'm very indignant on Xiao-Guo's behalf that Zhao Yunlan docked his pay for the sex doll. Zhao Yunlan is at least half responsible for that fuck-up! And Xiao-Guo still doesn't even know what he did wrong! (A bit too naïve, isn't he?)
The fish-vaporising experiment at the sonic lab is pretty fucked up. Why do they need to kill a fish?
Tan Xiao isn't the brightest bulb. He means well and is trying to help Zheng Yi, but there really wasn't any point to his attempt there; it was never going to actually help her.
The lab guys are so nasty; looks like Zheng Zhongyuan hired people after his own mind. Ugh. (Tan Xiao has bruises on his face after they throw him out; looks like they roughed him up too!)
It's so interesting to me that everyone is under the impression that Zheng Yi can't speak, and she apparently kept her powers under control all this time, never lashing out even though she had ample reason. Poor kid.
(I can't take her seriously as a 15-year-old; she's so clearly younger. Even the actress was younger. But I guess that was the point, and she's another one of those Dixingren who doesn't age normally, like Zu Ma.)
What happens when the three of them are killed is still a bit confusing to me. Does Zheng Yi activate the sonic apparatus? She definitely uses her voice to control them and make them kill themselves, but is all of the effect from her voice, or is part of it the device? It seems to be activated by a simple push of a button, so I guess she could easily do that as well.
(The visuals keep showing close-ups of the device, but idk how much of that is a misdirect.)
Very neat how the upcoming wedding is introduced here through the invitation, reminding the viewers of those characters! Making Wang Zheng use the invitation to teach Sang Zan works really well. *g*
Lin Jing "explaining" the Sundial and the Awl in scientific terms is mostly bullshit, right? Nothing about the Sundial has anything to do with pheromones, LOL. Also, boo to Lin Jing for insulting the entire Snake Tribe's intelligence for the sake of a dig at Zhu Hong!
Poor Xiao-Guo is cursing himself for his uselessness and talking out loud to himself about the SID, LOL! And calls Lao-Chu a "giant popsicle, leading to this hilarious exchange:
GCC: Who are you?
CSZ: The giant popsicle.
Zhao Yunlan is going over every single clue about Shen Wei and the Envoy, both the ones he caught at the time and some he didn't. (I don't think he realised the Envoy asking about Li Qian was a clue; that only becomes clear in hindsight.) Great use of flashbacks, hee! And he does put together Shen Wei telling him not to leave the city with the Envoy later telling him he shouldn't have ignored his warning! ♥
He really can't wrap his head around it even though he knows it has to be true, and all the clues line up. Two days later he's still brooding and asking Da Qing leading questions. And hasn't tried to talk to Shen Wei himself yet. (He doesn't actually answer Da Qing's question, but it's pretty clear anyway.)
Zhao Yunlan immediately suspects Tan Xiao and thinks he kidnapped Zheng Yi.
That Zheng Zhongyuan's last phone call was to Shen Wei is such bad luck, LOL. It's a total coincidence of the kind Zhao Yunlan used to insist doesn't happen - it has nothing to do with the case or Shen Wei's identity. (Also, since it was late at night, I assume this was his home landline, not his office phone?)
Xiao-Guo is so afraid of the forest and the snakes, aw!
I had forgotten Fourth Uncle hints at Xiao-Guo and Zhu Hong possibly being an item, and Zhu Hong is all LOLNO.
I still have no idea what Fourth Uncle means when he says, "I remember back then, all our clan went into mutation. Only you, little girl, were still molting and and couldn't mutate fully."
When Fourth Uncle drugs her, Solo's subs have Zhu Hong say, "It's Xiong Huang spirits." The original subs had it as "It's the wine of Xiong Huang," and Viki as "This is Xionghuang wine." Not one of them actually translates or explains this - I looked it up during the last rewatch; it's realgar wine, and realgar is a traditional snake repellent.
no subject
Yeah, ZYL's management skills are still a work in progress. He's probably hoping that punishing Xiao-Guo will make him reflect and figure out his mistake. /over-optimism
The fish-vaporising experiment at the sonic lab is pretty fucked up. Why do they need to kill a fish?
I know!!
Tan Xiao isn't the brightest bulb. He means well and is trying to help Zheng Yi, but there really wasn't any point to his attempt there; it was never going to actually help her.
I don't think he was thinking in that moment. His protective instincts took over, maybe against his better judgement? If he hasn't seen the two together very much, I can see why he'd have a strong reaction.
It's so interesting to me that everyone is under the impression that Zheng Yi can't speak, and she apparently kept her powers under control all this time, never lashing out even though she had ample reason. Poor kid.
I knooow!!!
(The visuals keep showing close-ups of the device, but idk how much of that is a misdirect.)
FWIW, I've always thought that was a misdirect. (The first misdirect in the case. The second being that Tan Xiao is Dixingren.)
GCC: Who are you?
CSZ: The giant popsicle.
Hee! Yes, I love that. CSZ's dry delivery is perfect. <3
Zhao Yunlan immediately suspects Tan Xiao and thinks he kidnapped Zheng Yi.
I wonder if it reminds him of his mother. (Have we had any other civilian kidnappings like this?)
That Zheng Zhongyuan's last phone call was to Shen Wei is such bad luck, LOL. It's a total coincidence of the kind Zhao Yunlan used to insist doesn't happen - it has nothing to do with the case or Shen Wei's identity. (Also, since it was late at night, I assume this was his home landline, not his office phone?)
Haha, I know. So many coincidences. (I assumed it was his office and he was working late. Idk.)
I still have no idea what Fourth Uncle means when he says, "I remember back then, all our clan went into mutation. Only you, little girl, were still molting and and couldn't mutate fully."
Yeah, that's very weird. Does it suggest they only recently started living in human form? And how old is he??
When Fourth Uncle drugs her, Solo's subs have Zhu Hong say, "It's Xiong Huang spirits." The original subs had it as "It's the wine of Xiong Huang," and Viki as "This is Xionghuang wine." Not one of them actually translates or explains this - I looked it up during the last rewatch; it's realgar wine, and realgar is a traditional snake repellent.
Oh, cool! Thanks for looking that up!!
no subject
LOL! My thought was that he'd already docked the pay by the time he realised Xiao-Guo really hadn't understood anything, and then he didn't want to deal with that conversation AT ALL, hoping someone else would clue Xiao-Guo in. *g*
If he hasn't seen the two together very much, I can see why he'd have a strong reaction.
Yeah, I guess that makes sense.
FWIW, I've always thought that was a misdirect. (The first misdirect in the case. The second being that Tan Xiao is Dixingren.)
Yeah, excellent point!
I wonder if it reminds him of his mother. (Have we had any other civilian kidnappings like this?)
Oooh! I hadn't drawn that parallel at all, but you're completely right. For civilian kidnappings, we do have the Li/Huang couple, but that's it as far as I can remember.
I assumed it was his office and he was working late. Idk.
But Zheng Zhongyuan called him; do you think Shen Wei works late at his office so regularly that people expect to reach him there?
Yeah, that's very weird. Does it suggest they only recently started living in human form? And how old is he??
Or the other way round, that they only recently started shifting into snake form, since that's what Zhu Hong is struggling with! Which makes no sense to me either.
no subject
Haha, quite plausible. Normally, he'd tell someone else to explain it, but it's a bit sensitive to force employees into conversations about sex. (Btw, I have at least 2 fics that reference the idea that Guo Changcheng accidentally ended up on the sex toy company's mailing list and started receiving advertising brochures. :D)
Oooh! I hadn't drawn that parallel at all, but you're completely right. For civilian kidnappings, we do have the Li/Huang couple, but that's it as far as I can remember.
That might not have pinged him quite the same because they spent the first part of the case not even having a suspect. Those started off more like locked-room disappearances.
But Zheng Zhongyuan called him; do you think Shen Wei works late at his office so regularly that people expect to reach him there?
Zhao Yunlan finds him there reasonably often. And the alternative is that he's at home, waiting by the phone, when they try the number from the lab. (It's entirely possibly ZZY tried both numbers.)
Or the other way round, that they only recently started shifting into snake form, since that's what Zhu Hong is struggling with! Which makes no sense to me either.
It makes no sense, but it would explain why we never see Yashou in their animal/plant forms in YOHE...
no subject
LOLOLOL! :D
That might not have pinged him quite the same because they spent the first part of the case not even having a suspect. Those started off more like locked-room disappearances.
Yeah, agreed. The only kidnapping we have that they knew was a kidnapping right from the start is Zhao Xinci et al., and those were not civilians.
And the alternative is that he's at home, waiting by the phone, when they try the number from the lab. (It's entirely possibly ZZY tried both numbers.)
He wouldn't have to be waiting, he could just happen to be home. But yeah, good point, ZZY would have tried both numbers.
It makes no sense, but it would explain why we never see Yashou in their animal/plant forms in YOHE...
DNW DNW DNW! *grumbles*
no subject
And they still knocked ZYL around emotionally!
DNW DNW DNW! *grumbles*
Maybe the Yashou had a weird dark ages or virus or something in between where they all forgot their heritage briefly. Ten thousand years is a really long time!
no subject
"When Da Qing talks about Dixing powers that could make someone commit suicide, he says they don't know through what medium that power was activated - setting up a major element not just for this case (Zheng Yi vs. Zhao Yunlan's earplugs) but also for the eventual defeat of a major opponent (Zhu Jiu vs. blackout)."
Ohhh, true, that's so neat!!
Glorious screencap choice (and yet another bathroom scene!) xD :D
- I always adore Xiao Guo's diary entries! ♡♡♡ And his soft smile, aww, people are being weird but he likes them all so much. :D I forgot that he doesn't actually know that it was a sex doll - in the novel he at least knows that. xD Also *pokes Zhao Yunlan* Xiao Guo is really not the only one to blame here. :P
- Ugh, the people celebrating that they exploded a fish! A very good way to instantly make them unsympathetic ngl. (And then the bruise on Tan Xiao's face, which means that they beat him up after they threw him out just because they could, ouch.)
- I love Zhu Hong's gigantic necklace, 100% something I would wear too. :D
- Chu-ge, stop reading AND destroying other people's diaries! :P (But this scene is so funny and cute tho. xD :D) I'm wondering why it's only the two of them who got stomach issues after the trip - did they spend a lot of time together away from the others, or do they just like the same foods? xD Well, or they just have the same stomach sensitivities that the others don't have, but that's a slightly less interesting option. :P
- Zhao Yunlan being all thinky (I love the montage!) and Da Qing being a cute cat and sneaking up on him. :D :D
- "To see his lover?" :D :D :D And "Oh, right
speaking of lovers- have you contacted Professor Shen?" :D Sometimes I legit can't believe the random things that got past the censorship, and this scene is definitely one of them. :D- Oooh, Zhao Yunlan is already wearing his near-kiss outfit. :D :D (I first noticed all the holes and stains on his shirt when I was watching that scene very closely, lmao, and here's this shirt already. xD)
- I adore the snakes in the trees. :D :D
- Poor Shen Wei with the phone call, caught up in this bullshit completely accidentally.
"What's your favourite bit in this half-episode?"
Da Qing sneaking up and then masterfully skirting all the censorship. :D :D
"Or your favourite clip from Zhao Yunlan's Shen Wei/Envoy flashback sequence?"
Always nice to see him embrace Shen Wei and ask if he's okay. ♡♡♡ He was so handsy so early on, hah. :D And I like how he figured out both the obvious things and the less obvious/smaller things (like the Envoy asking about Li Qian).
"The sonic lab: bad work environment or worst work environment?"
Lol damn, getting beaten up on top of getting unfairly fired, it doesn't get much worse than that.
"Do you think Chu Shuzhi has permission to read Guo Changcheng's diary?"
I don't see GCC giving anyone at the SID permission to read his diary (and CSZ probably least of all at this point), so unfortunately nope.
"When Zhao Yunlan asks Da Qing if the Envoy might actually live in the human world, does he actually still have doubts?"
He seems to still have doubts even later, when he draws his adorable pictures. :D
"What is it he's finding so hard to wrap his mind around?"
I feel like 'these two people who are so different from each other are actually the same person' is pretty hard to wrap your mind around in the first place, and then there's the additional 'and they're both attractive af' factor. xD
"How does this post-reveal sequence compare to the novel?"
Since they didn't end up including the hospital scene that was filmed, the two versions kinda have very little in common in the end. The way the drama added the Youchu blood smell is really satisfying to me (Zhao Yunlan basically having proof vs. just guessing and hoping he's right), but ngl I would love to see 'getting his shirt slashed open by a blade in the dark' as one of the reasons why Zhao Yunlan figured it out. xD
"What does he mean when he says the Envoy doesn't look like someone who has a lover?"
Everyone other than Zhao Yunlan is terrified of him, and Zhao Yunlan
thinks that hewould know if he's the Envoy's lover. :D"What's going through his head when Shen Wei answers the phone?"
"Oh hell no, not again?!" :P (Srsly ahh, poor Shen Wei!)
"How much does Fourth Uncle actually know about the Hallows, and where does he know it from?"
Now I want to know that too. :D Some history/legends about Fu You, probably? (How old is he anyway?)
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Woohoo! :D
Glorious screencap choice (and yet another bathroom scene!) xD :D
Hee! Yes! So many bathroom scenes. :D
(I will never be able to un-see that connection, LOL.)
Also *pokes Zhao Yunlan* Xiao Guo is really not the only one to blame here. :P
RIGHT???? *high fives*
And then the bruise on Tan Xiao's face, which means that they beat him up after they threw him out just because they could, ouch.
Yeah, they're really awful! Ugh.
I'm wondering why it's only the two of them who got stomach issues after the trip - did they spend a lot of time together away from the others, or do they just like the same foods? xD Well, or they just have the same stomach sensitivities that the others don't have, but that's a slightly less interesting option. :P
I thought it was one of those cases of "the two most unlikely people suddenly have something in common", turned into a joke. *g* But maybe they do have the same tastes, too!
"To see his lover?" :D :D :D And "Oh, right speaking of lovers - have you contacted Professor Shen?" :D
AHHHH I love how you put this! It's so spot on! :D
Poor Shen Wei with the phone call, caught up in this bullshit completely accidentally.
I keep thinking about early-episode Zhao Yunlan confidently proclaiming there's no such thing as coincidences, LOL! You knew nothing, Zhao Yunlan. *g*
Da Qing sneaking up and then masterfully skirting all the censorship. :D :D
:D :D :D
And I like how he figured out both the obvious things and the less obvious/smaller things (like the Envoy asking about Li Qian).
Yes, that's really great!
I feel like 'these two people who are so different from each other are actually the same person' is pretty hard to wrap your mind around in the first place, and then there's the additional 'and they're both attractive af' factor. xD
Hee! You'd think the attraction would make it easier - surely it'd be even weirder if his crush had a double identity and he wasn't into the other version at all? *g*
(But very good point about Professor Shen and the Envoy being so different from each other in a lot of ways! I'm too used to seeing the same person in both, I sometimes forget it, LOL.)
The way the drama added the Youchu blood smell is really satisfying to me
YES! It was perfect! Especially with how neatly it let them tie in the flashbacks, too!
but ngl I would love to see 'getting his shirt slashed open by a blade in the dark' as one of the reasons why Zhao Yunlan figured it out. xD
I definitely wouldn't object to that! :D
Everyone other than Zhao Yunlan is terrified of him, and Zhao Yunlan thinks that he would know if he's the Envoy's lover. :D
LOLOLOLOLOL! ♥
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In his defence, in ep 3 he is talking specifically about coincidences in a case -- which is a reasonable approach to take when you're investigating, right? (Even if not a reasonable thing to say to a suspect/witness/person of interest. /o\)
(But very good point about Professor Shen and the Envoy being so different from each other in a lot of ways! I'm too used to seeing the same person in both, I sometimes forget it, LOL.)
Me too! Sometimes I wish I could watch it again for the first time. *g*
> The way the drama added the Youchu blood smell is really satisfying to me
YES! It was perfect! Especially with how neatly it let them tie in the flashbacks, too!
Yes!! Great point! :D :D :D
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I disagree - you have to keep in mind that something that looks suspicious may simply be coincidence. Luckily Zhao Yunlan is very good at adjusting his conclusions on the fly!
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Saaaame! *high five* xD :D :D I'm so tickled we found it. :D Having everyone be in bathrooms alllll the time is such a funny response to having to remove three Weilan bathroom makeouts. xD xD
"I thought it was one of those cases of "the two most unlikely people suddenly have something in common", turned into a joke. *g* But maybe they do have the same tastes, too!"
Hee, it definitely is! :D But the strictly in-world reasons range from more fun to more boring. :D (This seems to have zero novel equivalent btw?
Other than bathrooms in general, lmao.And it's kinda similar in tone to the sex doll that is from the novel, so apparently sometimes the drama writers go as cracky as Priest all on their own. :D :D)"AHHHH I love how you put this! It's so spot on! :D"
*BEAMS* :D :D
"I keep thinking about early-episode Zhao Yunlan confidently proclaiming there's no such thing as coincidences, LOL! You knew nothing, Zhao Yunlan. *g*"
*SNORT!* ♡ Yep, I was thinking of that too!
"Hee! You'd think the attraction would make it easier - surely it'd be even weirder if his crush had a double identity and he wasn't into the other version at all? *g*"
Lololol, you're completely right, I didn't think of the potential flipside of this. xD Fortunately they're both hot af, just in confusingly different ways. :D :D
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It's AMAZING and I love it. ♥ ♥ ♥
This seems to have zero novel equivalent btw?
Yeah, I can't think of anything either! But it fits in really well, you're totally right. *g*
Fortunately they're both hot af, just in confusingly different ways. :D :D
Indeed! :D :D :D
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Yayayay!! *cheers you on* :D
- Chu-ge, stop reading AND destroying other people's diaries! :P
LOL, I think he gives zero fucks. At least partly because of feeling crappy, but also because he hasn't completely let go of that being his work persona yet. (And maybe he only meant to read it, but then he saw what it said about him and decided it was only fit to be toilet paper?) (No excuse, I know. But still.)
I'm wondering why it's only the two of them who got stomach issues after the trip - did they spend a lot of time together away from the others, or do they just like the same foods? xD Well, or they just have the same stomach sensitivities that the others don't have, but that's a slightly less interesting option. :P
I've always assumed it was the less interesting option, heh. But maybe when they were patrolling the village, someone gave them a "treat" that didn't agree with them, in a delayed consequences kind of way?
- "To see his lover?" :D :D :D And "Oh, right
speaking of lovers- have you contacted Professor Shen?" :D Sometimes I legit can't believe the random things that got past the censorship, and this scene is definitely one of them. :DYesssssssssss! The perfect juxtaposition!! :D :D :D :D :D
- Oooh, Zhao Yunlan is already wearing his near-kiss outfit. :D :D (I first noticed all the holes and stains on his shirt when I was watching that scene very closely, lmao, and here's this shirt already. xD)
I thought the random dots on his shirt were part of the design, fwiw. Do you think they're ink spatters or something?
- Poor Shen Wei with the phone call, caught up in this bullshit completely accidentally.
Ha, yes. *pets him* (Otoh, it means that ZYL finally called him. \o?)
Da Qing sneaking up and then masterfully skirting all the censorship. :D :D
Hee! :DDD
I feel like 'these two people who are so different from each other are actually the same person' is pretty hard to wrap your mind around in the first place
Yes, that's such a great point. :D
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Hee yep, I see it the same way! :D I adore this scene honestly, and if I told him to stop he would just look at me and go 'no', and that's okay. xD
"But maybe when they were patrolling the village, someone gave them a "treat" that didn't agree with them, in a delayed consequences kind of way?"
Awwww, I like that! :D Btw Shen Wei must have been taking care of Zhao Yunlan really well if the Hanga food AND the alcohol didn't give him a gastritis flare-up (that we know of, at least). :D
"I thought the random dots on his shirt were part of the design, fwiw. Do you think they're ink spatters or something?"
I think they probably are part of the design, yeah, but there are definitely holes/rips in his collar too, so together they make it look like this shirt has seen better days. xD
[gif source]
"Otoh, it means that ZYL finally called him. \o?"
Hee omg yes, that IS a silver lining! xD
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Ooh, excellent point, yes! :D