Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 13, 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 13, up to 21:44

Summary
Zhao Yunlan & co. break Da Qing out of his frenzy with the help of Lao Li's dried fish. Looking for Tan Xiao, Zheng Yi causes mayhem at the wedding, and Shen Wei arrives and stops it. Zhao Yunlan arrives and intervenes before Minister Gao can blame Shen Wei for any of it, but in fact, Minister Gao is grateful. Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei go head-to-head about Shen Wei's secrets again, neither able to concede. They're called out to the street, where Da Qing and Lin Jing are trying to calm a frenzied Cong Bo. From him, they learn Zhu Jiu and the Crow Yashou have a boss. Zhao Yunlan hints again that he wants to work with Shen Wei, but Shen Wei leaves. Human-form Ya Qing and Zhu Jiu fight in front of Zheng Yi, who just wants her Tan Xiao. Chu Shuzhi stomps through the Snake forest and rescues Guo Changcheng. Tan Xiao has a nightmare and wakes up in the lab, where Zhao Yunlan finds him.



Quote
Shen Wei: Did I bring you trouble?
Zhao Yunlan: If you are the trouble, I'll take it by the dozen to bother my whole life.

Detail
Ya Qing delivers a message from Ye Zun to Zhu Jiu. Does that mean she's travelled to Dixing as their go-between?

Questions
Dried fish brings Da Qing back to his senses: what would work for some of the other characters? During Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's standoff in the parlour, who do you sympathise with the most? Is Zhao Yunlan demanding answers in his capacity as chief of the SID or on the basis of their personal relationship? Is it okay for the SID to go around sedating members of the public without first checking their medical histories? What is Zhao Yunlan thinking as he watches Shen Wei leave the alley? (He looks so serious!)

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]

My answers to the questions!

Dried fish brings Da Qing back to his senses: what would work for some of the other characters?

We know from a later episode that mentioning ZYL works for Zhu Hong. And invoking CSZ and the SID helped Guo Changcheng to break out of his hypnotic trance. Who does that leave? I bet the Envoy could break mind-control on CSZ with a single look, lol. Or Changcheng berating him back into being himself. Lin Jing -- I'm really not sure? And ditto with Wang Zheng and Sang Zan.

During Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei's standoff in the parlour, who do you sympathise with the most?

Both of them, hee! I understand why Shen Wei has set himself this boundary beyond which he can't cross, and I feel sorry for him having to hold himself back. I think he does want to be known by and closer to ZYL, and it's only the strength of his duty and protectiveness that are keeping him on his chosen path.

At the same time, I feel like it's really hard on ZYL that Shen Wei is always moving closer while holding him off. Shen Wei talked about friendship and literally moved in across the hall. Those were personal acts. But Shen Wei is also the one telling him to stay in Dragon City (not willing to share the danger), and setting what seem like unnecessary boundaries. It's such mixed signals, and ZYL really doesn't know what to do with that, especially given this new, enormous piece of the puzzle.

Is Zhao Yunlan demanding answers in his capacity as chief of the SID or on the basis of their personal relationship?

I think Trobadora's completely right -- ZYL doesn't make that distinction at all. Like, in the second half of this episode, he goes straight from, "If you told me that Tan Xiao wasn't Dixingren earlier, we could have used him to lure Zheng Yi out, then the tragedy at the wedding would have not happened." to "Shen Wei, I thought we were friends." <3 <3 <3

Is it okay for the SID to go around sedating members of the public without first checking their medical histories?

Heh. I'd prefer it if they'd called an ambulance with paramedics. But I understand why they didn't. ;-p

What is Zhao Yunlan thinking as he watches Shen Wei leave the alley? (He looks so serious!)

I think it's something like, "Will you ever let me close? Guess I'm not worthy of being your confidant." (But as more of a feeling than as the actual words/coherent thought.)

Did you see any parallels in these scenes with other parts of the drama?

Mostly just what I said elsewhere about Zheng Yi being mute because her voice is so powerful, and Shen Wei keeping silent on his secrets because of the devastation he fears might follow if he said them aloud.

Oh, I guess having Changcheng dress up as Zhu Hong, and that tiny mistaken identity plotline fits with Cong Bo's disguises and falsely attending the wedding, too?

[trobadora]

We know from a later episode that mentioning ZYL works for Zhu Hong.

Ooh yes, great catch!

I bet the Envoy could break mind-control on CSZ with a single look, lol.

Oooh, I want that! :D :D :D

Lin Jing: threaten to take away his bonus, and he starts arguing on reflex. *g*

I think he does want to be known by and closer to ZYL, and it's only the strength of his duty and protectiveness that are keeping him on his chosen path.

Yes, completely agreed!

It's such mixed signals, and ZYL really doesn't know what to do with that, especially given this new, enormous piece of the puzzle.

Yeah, Zhao Yunlan just doesn't have the info to put the puzzle pieces together in the right shape, so it's all extremely confusing and frustrating to him. *pets him*

Oh, I guess having Changcheng dress up as Zhu Hong, and that tiny mistaken identity plotline fits with Cong Bo's disguises and falsely attending the wedding, too?

Oh, yeah, great point! You're right, that totally fits.

[china_shop]

Lin Jing: threaten to take away his bonus, and he starts arguing on reflex. *g*

Hee! Or threatening to break one of his precious inventions?

Yeah, Zhao Yunlan just doesn't have the info to put the puzzle pieces together in the right shape, so it's all extremely confusing and frustrating to him. *pets him*

Especially given his self-worth issues. He knows Shen Wei thinks he's important somehow, but it can't be personally important, can it?

Oh, yeah, great point! You're right, that totally fits.

Ohhh, and the disguises theme totally fits with the Envoy reveal!! \o/

[trobadora]

Ohhh, and the disguises theme totally fits with the Envoy reveal!! \o/

OHHHH, yes, that has to be why it's happening now!!!!!!