![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
china_shop) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sid_guardian2026-02-23 11:47 am
Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 12, part 1
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 12, up to 22:18
Summary
Fourth Uncle drugs Zhu Hong; Guo Changcheng zaps himself unconscious. Wang Zheng is teaching Sang Zan to write (but hasn't shown him how to hold a pen). Zhao Yunlan confronts Shen Wei in his university office, ostensibly about the case but in fact seeking confirmation of Shen Wei's other identity. Tan Xiao breaks into the SID to steal the Hallows but is thwarted by Sang Zan's trap, followed by Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's arrival. Zhao Yunlan catches the Awl, has visions and falls unconscious (feat. some lovely manhandling by Shen Wei); Da Qing wakes him by being catlike. Lin Jing wants to run some tests on a human; Zhao Yunlan fakes a headache, so Shen Wei volunteers. Shen Wei lies on the evidence bed in his undershirt. Fourth Uncle talks to tied-up!Zhu Hong, only it's actually Guo Changcheng in a skirt and wig. Zhu Hong drugs her uncle. (So much drugging!) Zhu Jiu is angry at Tan Xiao's failure to retrieve the Hallows; he's holding Zheng Yi hostage, promising to cure her. Zhao Yunlan doodles Shen Wei and the Envoy in his notebook. Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi ambush and hypnotise Zhu Hong as she returns from the Snake Village. She fights Chu Shuzhi, and Lin Jing has to sedate her. Zhao Yunlan tells Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi that they can't trust Zhu Jiu.
Quote
Shen Wei: Are you even listening to me?
Zhao Yunlan: I only want to hear you tell the truth.
Detail
Presumably Zhao Yunlan is already wearing protective earplugs when he apprehends Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi on his own.
Questions
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 12? How is Zhao Yunlan hoping that the conversation in Shen Wei's office will go? Does Sang Zan have any other booby traps set up around the SID (and how many times has Guo Changcheng set them off)? Did Shen Wei put himself in a trance/stasis during Lin Jing's experiment? Any theories about what happened to Tan Xiao's sister? What's with all the drugging??
How many times has Guo Changcheng zapped himself unconscious before?
once
0 (0.0%)
a couple of times
1 (11.1%)
truly an alarming number of times
6 (66.7%)
Lin Jing is ~this close~ to confiscating the baton
2 (22.2%)
Chu Shuzhi bought a portable defibrillator to take to training practice
4 (44.4%)
other
0 (0.0%)
Does Shen Wei expect Zhao Yunlan to take him literally when he says, "To be honest, I'm just a normal person who happens to be unlucky"?
yes, he's determined to stuff the cat back into the bag
2 (22.2%)
he doesn't *expect*, exactly; but he hopes!
4 (44.4%)
no, he's implicitly asking Zhao Yunlan to play along
5 (55.6%)
other
1 (11.1%)
Why does Shen Wei volunteer to be a test subject?
he thinks he can fake a human field of consciousness
4 (44.4%)
he's no longer really hiding his identity; he just doesn't want to admit the truth in so many words
3 (33.3%)
other
2 (22.2%)
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!)
And here is our schedule -- if you can, please sign up to host a post!
no subject
Fourth Uncle says, "You can't protect [the Hallows]," and ultimately, he's not wrong. They do end up in Ye Zun's hands by the end. But it's still important to try. (Ahhh, Zhu Hong says, "I live and die with the SID," and I'm sure that's not the last time she says it. *hearts her*)
Guo Changcheng goes against Fourth Uncle's wishes to tell Zhu Hong he'll get her out of there. Kudos to him for respecting her choices, rather than bending to filial piety. (And then he zaps himself unconscious, lol.)
Sang Zan seems almost childlike sometimes. I wonder if having been empillared is like having a head injury. He used to be so politically sharp and full of rhetoric.
Wang Zheng says, "I've dreamed of this a thousand times." When, exactly??
Zhao Yunlan silently challenges Shen Wei to admit the truth. He's so serious and combative -- I think his feelings are genuinely hurt, and he feels a bit stupid about things like the mugging. Shen Wei makes one cup of tea, no saucer -- not even trying to meet ZYL halfway.
"Last night at 11:00, he even called me to discuss the new results from his research, claiming he achieved oscillation of sound waves out of water." -- That bears no relation to the in-water experiment we saw! Oh hey, I think ZZY was stealing Tan Xiao's research.
When Shen Wei says, "Are you even listening to me?" is he more concerned about the case, or by ZYL's refusal to play along with his compartmentalisation? I love that ZYL moves to sit at his side, to illustrate that this doesn't have to be a point of division between them. And then Shen Wei gives again the cover story he wants ZYL to accept, and ZYL just cannot. *pets him* (So interesting comparing this to ZYL-as-Kunlun, where he just knew and accepted Shen Wei as he was. Otoh, even then, he snatched the mask from Shen Wei's face...)
Quoting myself from the comments on
Sang Zan fights the sonic attack so hard. *hearts him*
Shen Wei catching ZYL like a rag doll is always a delight! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 As is Da Qing waking unconscious ZYL by miaowing. And hee, DQ's face where ZYL's flail knocks him over.
CSZ unilaterally decided to go after ZH and GCC. *hearts*
The hypothesising about Tan Xiao's powers conversation: ZYL is back to his jokes and clowning here ("buy one, get one free"). Being serious and intense at Shen Wei didn't work; time to use his usual manipulation and fronting M.O. instead.
Da Qing tells them off for flirting when they're really not flirting. (I wonder if the writers wanted that line, but knew it wouldn't pass the censors if it was when they were actually being flirty.) And Shen Wei doesn't call ZYL on his patently fake headache -- instead, demonstrating the complicity that he wants in return.
Changcheng (in Zhu Hong's clothes and a wig) cries at Fourth Uncle's protectiveness, even while he's presumably not at all on board with the isolationism. Aww! He always sees the good in people.
Zhu Jiu smacking Tan Xiao around in front of Zheng Yi must be so upsetting to the girl. Tan Xiao is being protective, but is 100% out of his depth. *pets* (I wonder what happened to his sister.)
ZYL doodling Shen Wei: "What really is your purpose for coming here?" He seems so stuck on the why of it -- I guess at this point he doesn't know that Dixing doesn't have much of an academic system. ;-p Or maybe it's actually "What is your real purpose for
flirting withhelping me/moving in across the hall?" but he can't even get as far as thinking that out loud? (Da Qing is watching him worriedly. *skritches*)"Near Zhu Hong's house" looks pretty agricultural to me, going by the satellite image on Lin Jing's computer.
The questions:
My favourite scene is ZYL in Shen Wei's office. I love that he's not playing any of his usual games; he's being completely upfront about his frustration and need to know. <3 And I love that Shen Wei is strong enough to withstand that, to hold firm to his principles and chosen course, and to keep trying to obliquely/implicitly bring ZYL around to join in on the act. <3
Did Shen Wei put himself in a trance/stasis during Lin Jing's experiment?
I think he must have.
In conclusion: drugging people is clearly not an issue for the censors.
no subject
Fourth Uncle says, "You can't protect [the Hallows]," and ultimately, he's not wrong. They do end up in Ye Zun's hands by the end. But it's still important to try.
Yeah, they might not succeed, but that's no reason to just give up!
Sang Zan seems almost childlike sometimes. I wonder if having been empillared is like having a head injury. He used to be so politically sharp and full of rhetoric.
I think it's all still there, he's just having trouble expressing himself, and also probably a bit disoriented from the complete change in his circumstances.
Wang Zheng says, "I've dreamed of this a thousand times." When, exactly??
LOL! True, she didn't remember him until very recently. *pets her*
I think his feelings are genuinely hurt, and he feels a bit stupid about things like the mugging. Shen Wei makes one cup of tea, no saucer -- not even trying to meet ZYL halfway.
Both good points!
"Last night at 11:00, he even called me to discuss the new results from his research, claiming he achieved oscillation of sound waves out of water." -- That bears no relation to the in-water experiment we saw!
Yeah, I have no idea how that's supposed to connect, unless it's something to do with the sound projectors they used (which weren't inside the aquarium).
Oh hey, I think ZZY was stealing Tan Xiao's research.
Yeah, agreed.
When Shen Wei says, "Are you even listening to me?" is he more concerned about the case, or by ZYL's refusal to play along with his compartmentalisation?
Neither, IMO. He was just reacting to Zheng Zhongyuan's apparent suicide, and he's so insistent that it can't be suicide, it doesn't fit what he knows about Zheng Zhongyuan. It looks to me like it hit him pretty hard, and ZYL is just steamrollering right over that.
I love that ZYL moves to sit at his side, to illustrate that this doesn't have to be a point of division between them. And then Shen Wei gives again the cover story he wants ZYL to accept, and ZYL just cannot.
Yes, all of this is so good!
(So interesting comparing this to ZYL-as-Kunlun, where he just knew and accepted Shen Wei as he was. Otoh, even then, he snatched the mask from Shen Wei's face...)
LOL! Yeah, no version of ZYL is great with letting things remain hidden. *g*
(Does the jeep have one of those portable stick-it-on-the-roof sirens? It really should!!)
It really should!
Shen Wei catching ZYL like a rag doll is always a delight! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 As is Da Qing waking unconscious ZYL by miaowing. And hee, DQ's face where ZYL's flail knocks him over.
YES, all of this! :D
(I wonder if the writers wanted that line, but knew it wouldn't pass the censors if it was when they were actually being flirty.)
Oh, yeah, that would make a lot of sense!
And Shen Wei doesn't call ZYL on his patently fake headache -- instead, demonstrating the complicity that he wants in return.
Ooh, great point! He does call him out on it later, though, after he's already gone along with it.
Or maybe it's actually "What is your real purpose for flirting with helping me/moving in across the hall?" but he can't even get as far as thinking that out loud?
I like that interpretation! He can't name it even to himself, because then he'd have to acknowledge his worry that it might not be real, ouch. *pets him*
"Near Zhu Hong's house" looks pretty agricultural to me, going by the satellite image on Lin Jing's computer.
It says it's near Zhu Hong's 家, which means house, but also family. And it does seem to be where she emerges from the forest into cultivated land, so maybe it's the part of the city's territory closest to the Snake village.
My favourite scene is ZYL in Shen Wei's office. I love that he's not playing any of his usual games; he's being completely upfront about his frustration and need to know. <3 And I love that Shen Wei is strong enough to withstand that, to hold firm to his principles and chosen course, and to keep trying to obliquely/implicitly bring ZYL around to join in on the act. <3
It's such a great, tense scene! ♥ ♥ ♥
In conclusion: drugging people is clearly not an issue for the censors.
LOLOLOL!
no subject
*nodnod* I guess so. It must be pretty overwhelming. Good think he has Wang Zheng to show him the ropes.
> Oh hey, I think ZZY was stealing Tan Xiao's research.
Yeah, agreed.
>:-((( (Presumably SW has no inkling of this!! I wonder if he ever finds out.)
> When Shen Wei says, "Are you even listening to me?" is he more concerned about the case, or by ZYL's refusal to play along with his compartmentalisation?
Neither, IMO. He was just reacting to Zheng Zhongyuan's apparent suicide, and he's so insistent that it can't be suicide, it doesn't fit what he knows about Zheng Zhongyuan. It looks to me like it hit him pretty hard, and ZYL is just steamrollering right over that.
Yeah, I read that scene differently from you. *shrugs* Both readings work?
> (So interesting comparing this to ZYL-as-Kunlun, where he just knew and accepted Shen Wei as he was. Otoh, even then, he snatched the mask from Shen Wei's face...)
LOL! Yeah, no version of ZYL is great with letting things remain hidden. *g*
He's fine with SW having secrets and hiding his identity -- just from ~from him~!! ;-p
> Or maybe it's actually "What is your real purpose for flirting with helping me/moving in across the hall?" but he can't even get as far as thinking that out loud?
I like that interpretation! He can't name it even to himself, because then he'd have to acknowledge his worry that it might not be real, ouch. *pets him*
Yes, I think so. *pets him, too* (After all, he's 1000% sure he's not worthy of the attention. It was incredible enough that Professor Shen might be interested in him -- but the Envoy of Dixing???)
It says it's near Zhu Hong's 家, which means house, but also family. And it does seem to be where she emerges from the forest into cultivated land, so maybe it's the part of the city's territory closest to the Snake village.
That makes sense. What are the chances the cultivated land isn't nibbling its way into Snake territory? ;-p
no subject
I think he probably questions everything he knew about ZZY as he discovers more about the case, so it would make sense to me that he finds out about this, too.
He's fine with SW having secrets and hiding his identity -- just from ~from him~!! ;-p
LOL! Too true.
After all, he's 1000% sure he's not worthy of the attention. It was incredible enough that Professor Shen might be interested in him -- but the Envoy of Dixing???
Yeah, everything ZYL knows he has to offer, he can't imagine why the Envoy would want. So confusing!
What are the chances the cultivated land isn't nibbling its way into Snake territory? ;-p
Very very likely, yeah. :(
no subject
That must complicate his feelings so much. :-((
* "not from" (obviously). /o\
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
(Gonna need an icon of this, but for now I have a matching one, hah. :D)
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
LOL! He does hold the pen (a biro, right?) like a toddler. He should have more fine motor control than that, even if he used it on other tools!
(feat. some lovely manhandling by Shen Wei)
One of my favourite moments! Zhao Yunlan swooning into Shen Wei's arms, Shen Wei holding him with one hand while slamming Tan Xiao with black energy with the other ... DELIGHTFUL. :D
Shen Wei lies on the evidence bed in his undershirt.
BLACK UNDERSHIRT BLACK UNDERSHIRT BLACK UNDERSHIRT
(It's very important that it's black! Damn, he looks so gorgeous in it.)
(So much drugging!)
Seriously, so much!
Shen Wei: Are you even listening to me?
Zhao Yunlan: I only want to hear you tell the truth.
I really wanted to slap Zhao Yunlan in this moment! Usually he has every reason to be frustrated with Shen Wei's stonewalling, but right in this instant, Shen Wei is horrified by a colleague's probably-not-actually suicide. Spare a moment of compassion, maybe? He's so single-minded!
(More on this below, but that moment really stands out to me.)
Presumably Zhao Yunlan is already wearing protective earplugs when he apprehends Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi on his own.
Ooh, yes, good point!
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 12?
Can't decide between BLACK UNDERSHIRT and the Awl-catching/ZYL-catching. :D
How is Zhao Yunlan hoping that the conversation in Shen Wei's office will go?
I honestly have no idea. Like, what's the ideal outcome in his POV? *scratches head*
Did Shen Wei put himself in a trance/stasis during Lin Jing's experiment?
I'm so confused by the entire experiment, LOL. (More on that below, too.)
Does Shen Wei expect Zhao Yunlan to take him literally when he says, "To be honest, I'm just a normal person who happens to be unlucky"?
He's definitely asking Zhao Yunlan to let the truth be a shared unspoken secret between them. But Zhao Yunlan is never going to accept that.
Why does Shen Wei volunteer to be a test subject?
I clicked "other" because I have no clue, LOL.
On to my notes:
Zhu Hong's uncle is so concerned about the Hallows, but simultaneously has negative confidence in the SID, and utter confidence in the Yashou's ability to remain untouched by the war he himself claims is coming. And because of this, rather than helping the SID keep the Hallows from falling into the wrong hands, or at least not interfering with them, instead he's actively undermining them. It's really amazing! Zhu Hong is so right to call him out on this. Ugh, isolationists.
Xiao-Guo is so brave, trying to help Zhu Hong, and gets captured too for his trouble instead of sent back as a messenger. Though I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't knocked himself out, LOL.
I love that Wang Zheng is teasing Sang Zan about his old-fashioned traps, and then immediately they come in very handy! *g*
I already talked a bit about the stand-off in Shen Wei's office above, but seriously: Shen Wei insists Zheng Zhongyuan can't have committed suicide, Zhao Yunlan utterly ignores this very serious subject matter to let out a passive-aggressive barb about Shen Wei being a living fossil, and when Shen Wei is predictably (and justifiably) irritated, Zhao Yunlan insists on hearing the truth. Like Fourth Uncle with Zhu Hong, in that moment Zhao Yunlan just isn't listening at all. Time and a place, Zhao Yunlan!
I remember previously thinking that Shen Wei's "Chief Zhao, it seems you still haven't stopped suspecting me" was a bit weird because obviously none of this is about Zhao Yunlan being suspicious of Shen Wei. But this time round, it finally hit me that from Shen Wei's POV, this is exactly how it looks like: Zhao Yunlan is apparently more interested in investigating Shen Wei than a case with multiple dead people, prioritising the truth he is after over any feelings Shen Wei may have over the sudden mysterious probably-not-a-suicide death of a long-term acquaintance - yeah, that does look a lot like their very early interactions. Like he's treating Shen Wei as a suspicious person he's trying to expose, not as a friend. Ouch.
Also, he's treating him entirely as Professor Shen, not at all as the Envoy; not even throwing "Hei-laoge" at him ...
And yet Zhao Yunlan also tries so hard - at that remark about suspecting him, Zhao Yunlan actually reins himself in and opens up a bit, admits it's not suspicion, it's that he doesn't understand. And he gets a new chair so he can sit beside Shen Wei instead of opposite him! But at that point, Shen Wei isn't even looking at him - during this entire move, Shen Wei stares off in the opposite direction. So much miscommunication here!
But when something's wrong at the SID, they're immediately in it together again, rushing off together.
(In theory, Shen Wei not admitting the truth should be slowing them down, since otherwise he could portal them, but since they seem to be arriving moments after what Zhao Yunlan overhears on the phone anyway, I'm going to handwave that away.)
Wang Zheng gets knocked out at the SID before the door opens and Tan Xiao comes inside - so apparently his device works through doors! Huh.
Zhao Yunlan catching the Awl and getting his first dose of visions, including bits from next episode! It's so fun to look at them when you already know what'll happen.
Da Qing waking Zhao Yunlan up by meowing is so great, human kitty Da Qing is always a delight. :D
Lin Jing complains that his black energy detector is broken, but really it just isn't as reliable as he might wish. Because a) he's not getting any readings from Tan Xiao because Tan Xiao isn't using black energy, but also b) Shen Wei did very much use black energy, and the detector didn't pick up on that either. (I think that's a general thing with the Envoy, or Shen Wei would have been exposed earlier. He must have a black-energy-hiding power.)
Then Lin Jing wants to test the frequency of human consciousness, to prevent the hypnotic Dixing power from sneaking in, saying he needs an ordinary human. Shen Wei volunteering obviously undermines that, and I'm not sure why. One reason might be that the hypnotic power works on Dixingren too, so Lin Jing actually doesn't need an ordinary human (though presumably he does need a person with a physical brain, not an energy being). But then there's the thing with Shen Wei's field of consciousness not fluctuating, which I don't see how that could fit in.
(Lin Jing comparing the lack of fluctuation to being dead is also very weird. Pretty sure dead people have no field of consciousness at all, to fluctuate or not!)
I think we previously theorised that Shen Wei at this point thinks Tan Xiao is the mastermind and is using Zheng Yi, so removing him would solve the problem, but still. And also, Lin Jing comes up with the earbuds anyway! Did he measure some actual human's field of conscious to do it, or did Shen Wei's readings somehow help him despite their weirdness? I don't even know; I'm very confused by all of this.
Anyway, I love the black undershirt, and Shen Wei's arms, and the string from his pendant hanging out of his trouser pocket. And Zhao Yunlan leaning in closely, and then rapidly twitching away when Shen Wei opens his eyes. That half-embarrassed laugh of his, aw! (Oh look, it's the grin from
I also love that Shen Wei calls Zhao Yunlan out on the fake headache, hee!
PENDANT MOMENT PENDANT MOMENT!!!! Shen Wei wondering if he should tell the truth, or if that might put Zhao Yunlan in more danger. Given that Zhu Jiu has already targeted the SID because of him, and the trap in the Hanga mountains - he definitely has reason to be concerned.
Meanwhile, Fourth Uncle is speechifying at "Zhu Hong" and insisting it's all for her own good. "We don't need to involve ourselves in their conflicts," he says, as if those conflicts would leave the Yashou alone. Just like the Ancient War did, right? (This is one of the places where I really wonder what the Snake Tribe's history says about Fu You and the Ancient War, given that we know there's at least one version that claims the Yashou did remain neutral. So maybe he really doesn't know better ...)
Every time I watch "Zhu Hong" being revealed as Xiao-Guo, I wonder where the wig came from. Hee!
Good on Zhu Hong for force-feeding her uncle the same snake-repellent wine he gave her! And I love that the Snake guards just conspicuously stare at the sky and pretend not to see her. (Presumably she leaves Xiao-Guo behind because they might let her leave, but not him?)
And then Zhu Jiu is knocking Tan Xiao around while holding Zheng Yi hostage. (We see in a later episode that he can protect himself against her power, but I wonder if she even tried, or if she's so used to suppressing it, she doesn't ...) Anyway, it's a great fake-out, never letting on that Zheng Yi is the one with the power - same later when Zhu Hong gets hypnotised and the focus is on Tan Xiao.
Tan Xiao asks Zhu Jiu if he can really cure Zheng Yi, and I wonder what exactly he thinks she needs curing of. Is her power such a curse to her? Does he not think she can learn to fully control it? I'm honestly not sure.
What I am sure of: when Zhu Jiu tells them that if Tan Xiao gets him the Awl, "you can truly be together forever" and Tan Xiao thinks he means romantically, Zhu Jiu actually meant they'd be united in death, because Zhu Jiu is like that.
(Btw, so weird that Zhu Jiu specifically talks about Tan Xiao getting him the Awl, not the Sundial too!)
I love Zhao Yunlan scribbling Professor Shen and the Envoy in his notebook. I'm not entirely sure what he means when he's wondering why he came "here". Is he wondering why the Envoy came to live in Haixing under a secret identity? Or why the Envoy came to the SID under that secret identity? Or something else entirely?
When Lin Jing manages to trace Tan Xiao's energy, I assume he's tracing sonic disruptions? It doesn't say explicitly, but that makes the most sense to me. - And then time goes wonky again, and Zhao Yunlan et al. catch up with Zhu Hong and Tan Xiao practically immediately, even though they seem to be on the outskirts of the city. ..
When Zhao Yunlan intercepts Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi and tells them Zhu Jiu doesn't keep his promises, he means about backing them up, but given that Zhu Jiu promised to cure Zheng Yi, that must be on Tan Xiao's mind. But when they let themselves be taken by the SID without resistance, that's clearly deliberate, getting Zheng Yi in position to hypnotise someone.
no subject
Maybe he needs some PT after 100 years trapped in a rock? ;-p
One of my favourite moments! Zhao Yunlan swooning into Shen Wei's arms, Shen Wei holding him with one hand while slamming Tan Xiao with black energy with the other ... DELIGHTFUL. :D
It's so good!!! :D :D :D
I really wanted to slap Zhao Yunlan in this moment! Usually he has every reason to be frustrated with Shen Wei's stonewalling, but right in this instant, Shen Wei is horrified by a colleague's probably-not-actually suicide. Spare a moment of compassion, maybe? He's so single-minded!
Huh, I've never read Shen Wei as horrified. To me, Shen Wei reads as serious about the case and very sure that it's not a suicide, but an equal amount of his tension seems to me to be about his secret being on the line. Which now you mention it, is weird -- he probably should read as more upset about ZZY to me. And yet...
FWIW, I think ZYL wants to get the identity stuff out of the way so they can get on with the case together. So from his POV, SW stonewalling is <em>SW</em> holding up the case.
Can't decide between BLACK UNDERSHIRT and the Awl-catching/ZYL-catching. :D
An entirely understandable dilemma! :D
> How is Zhao Yunlan hoping that the conversation in Shen Wei's office will go?
I honestly have no idea. Like, what's the ideal outcome in his POV? *scratches head*
I think he wants SW to admit the truth, letting ZYL into the inner circle, and for them to join forces to solve the case. I think being kept on the outside like this makes him feel a bit like Lin Yusen being told he's not up to snuff and should leave the serious work to the professionals. Very hard on his pride (professional and personal), as well as his "desperate to be close to SW" feelings.
> Why does Shen Wei volunteer to be a test subject?
I clicked "other" because I have no clue, LOL.
I have some meta about this (along with SW's feelings about his secrets generally) in one of my fics: "And yesterday when Zhao Yunlan shamelessly feigned a headache at the SID to try to expose Shen Wei’s truth, Shen Wei hadn’t called him on it, had shown by example what he needed in return—acceptance, collusion. I’m not trying to make a fool of you."
Zhu Hong's uncle is so concerned about the Hallows, but simultaneously has negative confidence in the SID, and utter confidence in the Yashou's ability to remain untouched by the war he himself claims is coming. And because of this, rather than helping the SID keep the Hallows from falling into the wrong hands, or at least not interfering with them, instead he's actively undermining them. It's really amazing! Zhu Hong is so right to call him out on this. Ugh, isolationists.
Right? He's unthinkingly helping the bad guys. I guess that illustrates one of the risks of being overprotective? ;-p
I love that Wang Zheng is teasing Sang Zan about his old-fashioned traps, and then immediately they come in very handy! *g*
Ha, so true.
I already talked a bit about the stand-off in Shen Wei's office above, but seriously: Shen Wei insists Zheng Zhongyuan can't have committed suicide, Zhao Yunlan utterly ignores this very serious subject matter to let out a passive-aggressive barb about Shen Wei being a living fossil, and when Shen Wei is predictably (and justifiably) irritated, Zhao Yunlan insists on hearing the truth. Like Fourth Uncle with Zhu Hong, in that moment Zhao Yunlan just isn't listening at all. Time and a place, Zhao Yunlan!
I think the point is that the secret is driving ZYL crazy to the point where he can't do anything else until it's settled. Like, he needs it settled so he can work on the case. It's tearing him apart to know that SW is shutting him out, seemingly unnecessarily -- especially after all the ways SW has let him in/moved closer/stalked him/invaded ZYL's space. And ZYL has a point: he can operate much more effectively if they collaborate and share information. (Like, for example, if ZYL had known the truth, he wouldn't have contacted the Dixing archives.)
Also, I presume CSZ is also out there working the case, trying to track down Tan Xiao. It's not like ZYL is the only SID member.
I remember previously thinking that Shen Wei's "Chief Zhao, it seems you still haven't stopped suspecting me" was a bit weird because obviously none of this is about Zhao Yunlan being suspicious of Shen Wei. But this time round, it finally hit me that from Shen Wei's POV, this is exactly how it looks like: Zhao Yunlan is apparently more interested in investigating Shen Wei than a case with multiple dead people, prioritising the truth he is after over any feelings Shen Wei may have over the sudden mysterious probably-not-a-suicide death of a long-term acquaintance - yeah, that does look a lot like their very early interactions. Like he's treating Shen Wei as a suspicious person he's trying to expose, not as a friend. Ouch.
Oh, I didn't read it that way at all. I thought that was a deliberate callback by Shen Wei, trying to return to their previous dynamic where ZYL is sure something's up but doesn't push this hard -- it's more like an enjoyable game of cat-and-mouse. After all, SW did deliberately get ZYL's attention in the most suspicious of ways; he wants to intrigue him. But now it's tipped too far, and he's trying to right the balance?
Also, he's treating him entirely as Professor Shen, not at all as the Envoy; not even throwing "Hei-laoge" at him ...
I don't think he can treat Professor Shen as the Envoy until after SW has confirmed it. Because he wants SW to choose to tell him. I think that's why he's not saying it outright.
And yet Zhao Yunlan also tries so hard - at that remark about suspecting him, Zhao Yunlan actually reins himself in and opens up a bit, admits it's not suspicion, it's that he doesn't understand. And he gets a new chair so he can sit beside Shen Wei instead of opposite him! But at that point, Shen Wei isn't even looking at him - during this entire move, Shen Wei stares off in the opposite direction. So much miscommunication here!
I don't know if it's even miscommunication so much as different, conflicting goals/boundaries? ZYL can't be friends/partners/more with someone who's shutting him out/lying to him, and SW can't let ZYL into the secret for fear of what would happen (in multiple ways, cf the fic I linked above).
But when something's wrong at the SID, they're immediately in it together again, rushing off together.
Ha, yes. See, SW is totally not hiding his identity. It makes zero sense for Professor Shen to charge into danger! But he will not confirm anything in words.
Zhao Yunlan catching the Awl and getting his first dose of visions, including bits from next episode! It's so fun to look at them when you already know what'll happen.
Yes!! Zhu Hong on the SID floor!!!
Da Qing waking Zhao Yunlan up by meowing is so great, human kitty Da Qing is always a delight. :D
:D :D :D :D :D
(I think that's a general thing with the Envoy, or Shen Wei would have been exposed earlier. He must have a black-energy-hiding power.)
Yes, or he has a talisman or a red stamp to get him through the security barrier, and it works on the detector too (and LJ doesn't realise)? (Idk if the detector works on CSZ; there's a bit at the fight club where GCC is waving it around and it doesn't go off when he points it at CSZ, but that might not be deliberate on the part of the show.)
Then Lin Jing wants to test the frequency of human consciousness, to prevent the hypnotic Dixing power from sneaking in, saying he needs an ordinary human. Shen Wei volunteering obviously undermines that, and I'm not sure why.
I think SW is acting purely to show ZYL what he wants from him: undemanding collusion. I guess he expects Lin Jing to get more useful data afterwards?
And also, Lin Jing comes up with the earbuds anyway! Did he measure some actual human's field of conscious to do it, or did Shen Wei's readings somehow help him despite their weirdness? I don't even know; I'm very confused by all of this.
I assumed that Lin Jing then took readings from ZYL or even from himself to get the data he needed, since SW's data wasn't useful.
the string from his pendant hanging out of his trouser pocket.
Ooh, I missed that. NICE!
And Zhao Yunlan leaning in closely, and then rapidly twitching away when Shen Wei opens his eyes. That half-embarrassed laugh of his, aw!
The contrast between ZYL's manner at the SID and how he was in Shen Wei's office, though, you know? It really highlights how the jokiness here is such a front. (I think he's embarrassed now that he showed his need/desperation and SW rejected him.)
(Oh look, it's the grin from
Ha! It is! I totally forgotten it was from this scene. :D
I also love that Shen Wei calls Zhao Yunlan out on the fake headache, hee!
But only very gently/implicitly. He doesn't say, "You don't really have a headache, do you? You were lying!" Because that's not what he wants from ZYL in return.
PENDANT MOMENT PENDANT MOMENT!!!! Shen Wei wondering if he should tell the truth, or if that might put Zhao Yunlan in more danger. Given that Zhu Jiu has already targeted the SID because of him, and the trap in the Hanga mountains - he definitely has reason to be concerned.
Yes, though you could argue the opposite: Zhu Jiu is already targeting the SID, and ignorance is not making ZYL any safer!
(This is one of the places where I really wonder what the Snake Tribe's history says about Fu You and the Ancient War, given that we know there's at least one version that claims the Yashou did remain neutral. So maybe he really doesn't know better ...)
Ooh, that's such a great question. And now I'm wondering if ZYL told the SID anything about his adventures in YOHE, and ZH got a chance to update her understanding of Fu You then, before the Hallows video call...
Every time I watch "Zhu Hong" being revealed as Xiao-Guo, I wonder where the wig came from. Hee!
LOL!
(Presumably she leaves Xiao-Guo behind because they might let her leave, but not him?)
Oh, that makes sense. I've wondered about that before.
Tan Xiao asks Zhu Jiu if he can really cure Zheng Yi, and I wonder what exactly he thinks she needs curing of. Is her power such a curse to her? Does he not think she can learn to fully control it? I'm honestly not sure.
Does he maybe think she's mute except for her power? I presumed it was that. I don't think we see her talking until she starts crying to Tan Xiao when he's gone.
What I am sure of: when Zhu Jiu tells them that if Tan Xiao gets him the Awl, "you can truly be together forever" and Tan Xiao thinks he means romantically, Zhu Jiu actually meant they'd be united in death, because Zhu Jiu is like that.
/o\ /o\ /o\ (That had never occurred to me, but I'm sure you're right. /o\)
I love Zhao Yunlan scribbling Professor Shen and the Envoy in his notebook. I'm not entirely sure what he means when he's wondering why he came "here". Is he wondering why the Envoy came to live in Haixing under a secret identity? Or why the Envoy came to the SID under that secret identity? Or something else entirely?
I think it's Haixing and, specifically, into ZYL's orbit, fwiw. Shouldn't the Envoy be in Dixing doing important ruling-things things?? Why is he Up Here??? And why insert himself into ZYL's life??? <strike>(Is it personal, or is he just trying to influence the SID and its chief to be better???)</strike>
But when they let themselves be taken by the SID without resistance, that's clearly deliberate, getting Zheng Yi in position to hypnotise someone.
Oh, ha, that had never occurred to me either. Great catch!
no subject
Huh, we read this very differently! The tension about his secret is there too, of course, but he seems very much affected by ZZY's death to me.
FWIW, I think ZYL wants to get the identity stuff out of the way so they can get on with the case together.
Yeah, probably, that makes sense!
An entirely understandable dilemma! :D
RIGHT????? :D
I think he wants SW to admit the truth, letting ZYL into the inner circle, and for them to join forces to solve the case.
Yes, but how would that look like in practice, in a best-case scenario for ZYL? What does he imagine SW saying? I really don't know.
I think being kept on the outside like this makes him feel a bit like Lin Yusen being told he's not up to snuff and should leave the serious work to the professionals. Very hard on his pride (professional and personal), as well as his "desperate to be close to SW" feelings.
Yes, 100% agreed on all that!
"And yesterday when Zhao Yunlan shamelessly feigned a headache at the SID to try to expose Shen Wei’s truth, Shen Wei hadn’t called him on it, had shown by example what he needed in return—acceptance, collusion. I’m not trying to make a fool of you."
AHH yes, I'd forgotten about that - yep, that completely rings true!
He's unthinkingly helping the bad guys. I guess that illustrates one of the risks of being overprotective? ;-p
It definitely does!
I think the point is that the secret is driving ZYL crazy to the point where he can't do anything else until it's settled.
Yes, absolutely! *pets him*
Oh, I didn't read it that way at all. I thought that was a deliberate callback by Shen Wei, trying to return to their previous dynamic where ZYL is sure something's up but doesn't push this hard
Huh, yeah, we read that very differently! Yes, SW initially deliberately put himself in ZYL's path in the most suspicious way, but that was to draw and hold his attention, and now that he has the attention, he definitely doesn't want the suspicion any more, and the seeming return of that behaviour is not what he's looking for. He doesn't want ZYL to stop pushing because he's holding back and observing SW's reactions; he wants ZYL to stop pushing because he trusts SW and they have an unspoken agreement. (Which isn't going to happen, but, well. Neither of them get their preferred outcome here. *g*)
I don't think he can treat Professor Shen as the Envoy until after SW has confirmed it. Because he wants SW to choose to tell him. I think that's why he's not saying it outright.
Yeah, agreed - he could in theory, but he won't because he wants the confession so badly.
I don't know if it's even miscommunication so much as different, conflicting goals/boundaries?
I think it's both. Definitely the conflicting goals, but also I don't think ZYL gets that SW's secrecy isn't pulling back from him, and I don't think SW gets just how much ZYL can't go along with it.
Yes!! Zhu Hong on the SID floor!!!
Yes! And the clip from the wedding disaster!
Yes, or he has a talisman or a red stamp to get him through the security barrier, and it works on the detector too (and LJ doesn't realise)?
Ooh, if it's a property of the red stamp, LJ probably knows, but as far as he knows SW doesn't have a red stamp. But I assume the Envoy does!
(The red stamp might also mean black energy from CSZ, ZH and DQ doesn't confuse his scans, so that might be intended behaviour!)
I think SW is acting purely to show ZYL what he wants from him: undemanding collusion. I guess he expects Lin Jing to get more useful data afterwards?
100% agreed on the collusion, that's definitely it! Thank you!
Oooh, and now that you say it - maybe that's why he put himself in stasis, to deliberately provide useless data? So the results would be useless instead of misleading, and LJ knew he had to get data elsewhere?
It really highlights how the jokiness here is such a front. (I think he's embarrassed now that he showed his need/desperation and SW rejected him.)
Awwww! Yep, that all rings very true.
Ha! It is! I totally forgotten it was from this scene. :D
Me too! I've seen your icon many, many more times than I have this scene, and I've seen this scene a lot. *g*
But only very gently/implicitly. He doesn't say, "You don't really have a headache, do you? You were lying!" Because that's not what he wants from ZYL in return.
Yep! But he still does mention it. Not as an accusation, and not demanding the truth/not calling ZYL on it when he immediately pretends to have a headache again, but as an acknowledgment, a "I see what you did there", right? ♥
Yes, though you could argue the opposite: Zhu Jiu is already targeting the SID, and ignorance is not making ZYL any safer!
Yeah, I'm not saying he's right, but you can see where he's coming from. He's not just being obstinate.
Ooh, that's such a great question. And now I'm wondering if ZYL told the SID anything about his adventures in YOHE, and ZH got a chance to update her understanding of Fu You then, before the Hallows video call...
Ooh, yeah! This reminds me, someone still needs to write a proper "the SID learns about the time travel/ZYL being Kunlun" fic, I need to remember to prompt for that ...
Does he maybe think she's mute except for her power? I presumed it was that. I don't think we see her talking until she starts crying to Tan Xiao when he's gone.
Oh, yes, that makes sense! Presumably she has bad control and is learning to get better at it, but Tan Xiao may not be aware that that's an option.
And why insert himself into ZYL's life???
(Is it personal, or is he just trying to influence the SID and its chief to be better???)Awww. I think on some level he knows it's personal, but he can't wrap his head around why/how, and that means he's questioning everything. Poor ZYL.
no subject
I think your reaction is *why* I don't read it as Shen Wei being profoundly affected. Even with everything that's going on, I don't think ZYL would be oblivious if Shen Wei were deeply, personally upset. I don't want to think that of them? So I can't read it that way.
Yes, but how would that look like in practice, in a best-case scenario for ZYL? What does he imagine SW saying? I really don't know.
"Zhao Yunlan, there's something I want to tell you. In fact, I suspect you've guessed it yourself. You also know me by another name..." Etc?
> He's unthinkingly helping the bad guys. I guess that illustrates one of the risks of being overprotective? ;-p
It definitely does!
And why it's so necessary that Weilan aren't. :D
> Oh, I didn't read it that way at all. I thought that was a deliberate callback by Shen Wei, trying to return to their previous dynamic where ZYL is sure something's up but doesn't push this hard
Huh, yeah, we read that very differently! Yes, SW initially deliberately put himself in ZYL's path in the most suspicious way, but that was to draw and hold his attention, and now that he has the attention, he definitely doesn't want the suspicion any more, and the seeming return of that behaviour is not what he's looking for.
I didn't quite mean going back to the earliest suspicion. I meant after ZYL trusted SW but still knew something was up (he just didn't know what), when it felt like a game between them. Like during the bears conversation. SW saying vague things like "according to my principles" and "I won't just stand on the sidelines", getting to be inexplicably authoritative, and ZYL good-naturedly exasperated but rolling with it. I think that detente worked really well for Shen Wei.
Unfortunately, reminding ZYL of his earlier suspicion probably just makes ZYL feel worse/stupider, because he never in his wildest dreams suspected *this*.
I think it's both. Definitely the conflicting goals, but also I don't think ZYL gets that SW's secrecy isn't pulling back from him, and I don't think SW gets just how much ZYL can't go along with it.
That's true. Great point!
Ooh, if it's a property of the red stamp, LJ probably knows, but as far as he knows SW doesn't have a red stamp. But I assume the Envoy does!
Yes! Great point.
(The red stamp might also mean black energy from CSZ, ZH and DQ doesn't confuse his scans, so that might be intended behaviour!)
I really like that idea!
Oooh, and now that you say it - maybe that's why he put himself in stasis, to deliberately provide useless data? So the results would be useless instead of misleading, and LJ knew he had to get data elsewhere?
Oh, yes!!! That must be it!! After all, misleading data would potentially put people in danger.
Me too! I've seen your icon many, many more times than I have this scene, and I've seen this scene a lot. *g*
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Yep! But he still does mention it. Not as an accusation, and not demanding the truth/not calling ZYL on it when he immediately pretends to have a headache again, but as an acknowledgment, a "I see what you did there", right? ♥
Yes, exactly. I don't think of that as "calling him on it", so much as poking him slightly. ;-)
Yeah, I'm not saying he's right, but you can see where he's coming from. He's not just being obstinate.
Yes, agreed. He's doing his best! And in fact, this is another case where over-protectiveness helps the bad guys. Maybe that's *why* we have Fourth Uncle being so openly wrong?
Ooh, yeah! This reminds me, someone still needs to write a proper "the SID learns about the time travel/ZYL being Kunlun" fic, I need to remember to prompt for that ...
I have about 8k words... /o\ It's still on my list to get back to!!
Oh, yes, that makes sense! Presumably she has bad control and is learning to get better at it, but Tan Xiao may not be aware that that's an option.
Yes! *adopts as headcanon*
> And why insert himself into ZYL's life???
(Is it personal, or is he just trying to influence the SID and its chief to be better???)Awww. I think on some level he knows it's personal, but he can't wrap his head around why/how, and that means he's questioning everything. Poor ZYL.
I think he wants to be sure it's personal -- he was before he found out about the Envoy thing, but now, how CAN it be?? *pets him*
no subject
See, I would prefer not reading it that way too. But I just do, and I can't turn that off.
"Zhao Yunlan, there's something I want to tell you. In fact, I suspect you've guessed it yourself. You also know me by another name..." Etc?
Ha! Words that would never come out of Shen Wei's mouth. *g* But yeah, I guess that's what Zhao Yunlan is hoping for.
And why it's so necessary that Weilan aren't. :D
Yes, this!
Like during the bears conversation. SW saying vague things like "according to my principles" and "I won't just stand on the sidelines", getting to be inexplicably authoritative, and ZYL good-naturedly exasperated but rolling with it. I think that detente worked really well for Shen Wei.
Idk, that conversation was Zhao Yunlan insisting that Shen Wei had to know something about the case, when actually he didn't. Which is what led to the bear trolling. So, not exactly an optimal state.
Unfortunately, reminding ZYL of his earlier suspicion probably just makes ZYL feel worse/stupider, because he never in his wildest dreams suspected *this*.
Ha! Yeah, good point.
Oh, yes!!! That must be it!! After all, misleading data would potentially put people in danger.
Exactly, which is why I've been having trouble with him volunteering. But this makes it work. Definitely my headcanon now!
And in fact, this is another case where over-protectiveness helps the bad guys. Maybe that's *why* we have Fourth Uncle being so openly wrong?
Oooh, yes, excellent point! It's a whole motif that runs through this.
I have about 8k words... /o\ It's still on my list to get back to!!
Cheering you on so much!
no subject
*hugs*
Ha! Words that would never come out of Shen Wei's mouth. *g* But yeah, I guess that's what Zhao Yunlan is hoping for.
I actually wonder if he's about to say something along those lines in the lab, when they're interrupted by Zhu Jiu.
Idk, that conversation was Zhao Yunlan insisting that Shen Wei had to know something about the case, when actually he didn't. Which is what led to the bear trolling. So, not exactly an optimal state.
There's never a completely optimal state when there's secrets and ZYL in the same mix, but at least it was playful in a way.
Exactly, which is why I've been having trouble with him volunteering. But this makes it work. Definitely my headcanon now!
\o/!
> And in fact, this is another case where over-protectiveness helps the bad guys. Maybe that's *why* we have Fourth Uncle being so openly wrong?
Oooh, yes, excellent point! It's a whole motif that runs through this.
\o/!!
Cheering you on so much!
<3 <3 <3