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sid_guardian2019-03-15 08:15 pm
extrapenguin) wrote in sid_guardian2019-03-15 08:15 pm
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Guardian Episode by Episode: 04
Welcome to episode 4 of the Guardian rewatchalong! The icon battle is still ongoing until April. This post has notes on characterization and cinematography. Imgur screencaps album. Only 48 screencaps this time. Please excuse any typos, I'm running on not enough sleep.
Previously on:
Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3
This episode concludes the "face-stealing powers" case introduced last episode.
Introductions
Wang Xiangyang and his wife make their first appearance, as the harmless greengrocer who gives Zhao Yunlan some apples and his pregnant wife.
Characterization
The SID has caught on that Shen Wei's nerves really are too steely for a mere university professor (and he looks too alert to be the "I am blithely unconcerned about anything save my research, including personal safety" archetype) and basically they all think that something's up with him. Then he confirms their suspicions by going on the attack against Zhu Hong, intentionally toying with Chu Shuzhi while he creepily wipes off his doll's face, and in general doing a very bad job at acting like a hapless professor. Then he screws up and has to heal an injury in front of Zhao Yunlan.
Really, Shen Wei, would a university professor try to do this?
This is the episode in which Zhao Yunlan is shown to start piecing the clues together. I'm pretty confident he's figured out Shen Wei is some sort of Dixingian, but confirmation is not yet at hand, and the actual identity 1+1 is not yet there. He's got some serious clues, though, and he wants to know who the hell Shen Wei is.
"It's not one suspicious thing, it's many." [flashback montage] *sound of brain ticking*
Investigative methods include going for moonlit walks with the ex-suspect while the children are working. *g* Of note is that they walk in lockstep all throughout.
Zhao Yunlan is a slippery eel, as usual; he's a cynical bastard when need be, but he does protect xiao-Guo's ocular innocence and prevent him from looking at the faceless corpse. (Or maybe he just didn't want Guo Changcheng to faint again on his watch.) He goes full-on anti-vigilante with Lin Yusen, then switches tack and gives a spiel on how he was "just like you in my youth" except not, because had he been that naïve, he'd never have survived this long. It's all very interesting from a characterization perspective, and he expertly handles people. I'm pretty convinced that the promise he gave to Lin Yusen at the end was at heart empty: he'd have gotten Lin Yusen the interview, but I doubt he'd have hired him due to the kid's personality. Also, Zhao Yunlan hates vigilantes, unless they're Shen Wei.
These resemble some "tired/wired" image meme about vigilantes Zhao Yunlan approves of.
The Envoy was playing cat and mouse games with Zhu Jiu and only arrived at the scene late, which Zhao Yunlan was justifiably annoyed at. Shen Wei's overreaction is hilarious – he calls Chu Shuzhi over to basically ask whether he was being unreasonable!
The Envoy could've stood to arrive earlier. Note the mirrored poses he and Yunlan have.
Chu Shuzhi's creepy doll makes another appearance! We're told he doesn't like anyone touching it. He also says his vaguely ominous threat of "Some lives are already tainted. Those should be treated like a doll – utterly sundered." He then told Shen Wei that he doesn't compare to the Envoy's toes. Later, we learn that he learned espionage from Zhao Yunlan, who likes to fish. Chu Shuzhi is still annoyed by everything Guo Changcheng does.
This is a pretty decent "shots of Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan" episode.
I really like how Zhu Hong told us that they would have to lure the dude out and then immediately volunteered as bait, even if it would have been hilarious to see e.g. Guo Changcheng try to crossdress. The red dress and lipstick were overkill, yes, but effective. We also got to see her use her Yashou powers, even if she was drugged.
Pow!
This episode, we're told that Zhu Jiu gave the bit piece villains a task. Based on the evidence, I suppose that the task was to make Lin Yusen turn into a vigilante who'd be an annoyance and then blow up in a huge kaboom so that Zhu Jiu could waltz into the crater that once was the SID and pick up the Longevity Dial. However, he just had to go and boast about his plan to the Envoy, leading to Lin Yusen being neutralized before he could make the SID crew go kaboom. Unless his plan was to blow up the Envoy and he just miscalculated the size of the explosion.
Canon details
Dragon City in the middle, but we also see a Cold City, Thousand Cities, ?? Mountain, and three other clocks.
About the freeze thing that came up last episode: IIRC that and this are the only two times it's used, and in this episode we do see Zhu Jiu show his face after its use, and if it were Zhao Yunlan's, he'd have used it on Lin Yusen instead. (But confusingly, both of the times it's used, it's Zhao Yunlan who's yelling "Stop".)
There is another thing I would also like to touch upon, even if solely due to another recap series that shall not be named. That is the paralyzing fog. The paralyzing fog gives us zero plot holes, because as we can see, it's there very close to the Jeep, while fake Zhang Danni is ten meters away and unaffected. We also see Chu Shuzhi recover enough to come over and participate in the action again, all before the Envoy turns up, so no, the Envoy being able to move is not a fucking plot hole.
Cinematography
Mostly dark and moody, but with slightly more shots from a bit above or below sight line!
I also really like this shot:
Zhao Yunlan jacket watch
Zhao Yunlan wears the same leather affair two days in a row.
Shen Wei shoe watch
These are workhorse shoes I recall seeing on him often!
A bit of heel but not stilettos.
Did Shen Wei take off his glasses?
No.
Previously on:
Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3
This episode concludes the "face-stealing powers" case introduced last episode.
Introductions
Wang Xiangyang and his wife make their first appearance, as the harmless greengrocer who gives Zhao Yunlan some apples and his pregnant wife.
Characterization
The SID has caught on that Shen Wei's nerves really are too steely for a mere university professor (and he looks too alert to be the "I am blithely unconcerned about anything save my research, including personal safety" archetype) and basically they all think that something's up with him. Then he confirms their suspicions by going on the attack against Zhu Hong, intentionally toying with Chu Shuzhi while he creepily wipes off his doll's face, and in general doing a very bad job at acting like a hapless professor. Then he screws up and has to heal an injury in front of Zhao Yunlan.
Really, Shen Wei, would a university professor try to do this?
This is the episode in which Zhao Yunlan is shown to start piecing the clues together. I'm pretty confident he's figured out Shen Wei is some sort of Dixingian, but confirmation is not yet at hand, and the actual identity 1+1 is not yet there. He's got some serious clues, though, and he wants to know who the hell Shen Wei is.
"It's not one suspicious thing, it's many." [flashback montage] *sound of brain ticking*
Investigative methods include going for moonlit walks with the ex-suspect while the children are working. *g* Of note is that they walk in lockstep all throughout.
Zhao Yunlan is a slippery eel, as usual; he's a cynical bastard when need be, but he does protect xiao-Guo's ocular innocence and prevent him from looking at the faceless corpse. (Or maybe he just didn't want Guo Changcheng to faint again on his watch.) He goes full-on anti-vigilante with Lin Yusen, then switches tack and gives a spiel on how he was "just like you in my youth" except not, because had he been that naïve, he'd never have survived this long. It's all very interesting from a characterization perspective, and he expertly handles people. I'm pretty convinced that the promise he gave to Lin Yusen at the end was at heart empty: he'd have gotten Lin Yusen the interview, but I doubt he'd have hired him due to the kid's personality. Also, Zhao Yunlan hates vigilantes, unless they're Shen Wei.
These resemble some "tired/wired" image meme about vigilantes Zhao Yunlan approves of.
The Envoy was playing cat and mouse games with Zhu Jiu and only arrived at the scene late, which Zhao Yunlan was justifiably annoyed at. Shen Wei's overreaction is hilarious – he calls Chu Shuzhi over to basically ask whether he was being unreasonable!
The Envoy could've stood to arrive earlier. Note the mirrored poses he and Yunlan have.
Chu Shuzhi's creepy doll makes another appearance! We're told he doesn't like anyone touching it. He also says his vaguely ominous threat of "Some lives are already tainted. Those should be treated like a doll – utterly sundered." He then told Shen Wei that he doesn't compare to the Envoy's toes. Later, we learn that he learned espionage from Zhao Yunlan, who likes to fish. Chu Shuzhi is still annoyed by everything Guo Changcheng does.
This is a pretty decent "shots of Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan" episode.
I really like how Zhu Hong told us that they would have to lure the dude out and then immediately volunteered as bait, even if it would have been hilarious to see e.g. Guo Changcheng try to crossdress. The red dress and lipstick were overkill, yes, but effective. We also got to see her use her Yashou powers, even if she was drugged.
Pow!
This episode, we're told that Zhu Jiu gave the bit piece villains a task. Based on the evidence, I suppose that the task was to make Lin Yusen turn into a vigilante who'd be an annoyance and then blow up in a huge kaboom so that Zhu Jiu could waltz into the crater that once was the SID and pick up the Longevity Dial. However, he just had to go and boast about his plan to the Envoy, leading to Lin Yusen being neutralized before he could make the SID crew go kaboom. Unless his plan was to blow up the Envoy and he just miscalculated the size of the explosion.
Canon details
- Dragon City is large enough to have "sides". The University is in the north, while the crime scenes are in the south.
- Zhao Yunlan's mother died "a long time ago", and would be proud to see her son keep such intellectual company.
- This is the episode we're told about the "Haixing energy + Dixing energy = big kaboom" recipe.
- You know that "the vast mountains connect to the seas" thing Kunlun named Shen Wei after? I just realized that baby Shen Wei later said he came from the mountains, and Haixing means "sea star".
- The other clocks on the wall are also for imaginary cities, and I can only conclude that the entire planet uses solar time.
Dragon City in the middle, but we also see a Cold City, Thousand Cities, ?? Mountain, and three other clocks.
About the freeze thing that came up last episode: IIRC that and this are the only two times it's used, and in this episode we do see Zhu Jiu show his face after its use, and if it were Zhao Yunlan's, he'd have used it on Lin Yusen instead. (But confusingly, both of the times it's used, it's Zhao Yunlan who's yelling "Stop".)
There is another thing I would also like to touch upon, even if solely due to another recap series that shall not be named. That is the paralyzing fog. The paralyzing fog gives us zero plot holes, because as we can see, it's there very close to the Jeep, while fake Zhang Danni is ten meters away and unaffected. We also see Chu Shuzhi recover enough to come over and participate in the action again, all before the Envoy turns up, so no, the Envoy being able to move is not a fucking plot hole.
Cinematography
Mostly dark and moody, but with slightly more shots from a bit above or below sight line!
I also really like this shot:
Zhao Yunlan jacket watch
Zhao Yunlan wears the same leather affair two days in a row.
Shen Wei shoe watch
These are workhorse shoes I recall seeing on him often!
A bit of heel but not stilettos.
Did Shen Wei take off his glasses?
No.
no subject
I just rewatched the episode the other day (also knowing it would be up for the rewatch post! ^_^) and I really found this super interesting to watch again. Shen Wei is, IMO, not even trying to play The Harmless Professor here. His attitude towards Zhao Yunlan is 100% consistent - as soon as Zhao Yunlan is in the room with him, he's switching to earnest* and really straightforward**. But from his general demeanour, you'd expect him to try the harmless professor with Zhu Hong and Chu, and instead he's basically dissing them. It doesn't look like a sudden loss of control either, though I also don't think it's the smartest strategy - if he didn't have the kind of rapport with Zhao Yunlan that he does, his interview behaviour would be likely to get him more on their radar rather than less.
It's one of those moments where I'd expect Shen Wei's character type to do something, and Shen Wei the character does something very surprising.
*lying about being Superman aside
**ditto
Zhao Yunlan is great in this episode, though, the way he's putting the clues together, and figuring Shen Wei is some sort of Dixingian but trusting him anyway. (It's really remarkable and I went a little "Zhao Yunlan, Zhao Yunlan..." too at how one moment Shen Wei was in an interrogation room and the next Zhao Yunlan is asking him about case theories. *g*)
Zhao Yunlan is a slippery eel, as usual; he's a cynical bastard when need be, but he does protect xiao-Guo's ocular innocence and prevent him from looking at the faceless corpse
I loved that! <3
The Envoy was playing cat and mouse games with Zhu Jiu and only arrived at the scene late, which Zhao Yunlan was justifiably annoyed at. Shen Wei's overreaction is hilarious – he calls Chu Shuzhi over to basically ask whether he was being unreasonable!
Shen Wei is really not coping well with "Zhao Yunlan might not like him". (I actually think Zhao does have a bit of a legitimate beef about Shen Wei's timing. I mean, it probably wasn't Shen Wei's fault, IDK what his Dixingian Trouble Alert System is like, but it's true that they really could have used the Envoy to show up a little earlier, and it's a pattern, and the Envoy is now all serious and mighty about The Rules... it's really no wonder Zhao is pissed off.)
I'm actually a big fan of Zhu Hong's dress in this, I think it looks killer and is visually great in all the darkness in the scenes she's in there. I do find it interesting that they were quite explicit at the start that she's not a field agent - there's her "I'm a secretary" talk, and Chu also says at some point that he's the only field agent of SID - but that seems to have fallen by the wayside later, when she's out on missions and investigating. (I'm hoping her pay got adjusted. *g*)
About the freeze thing that came up last episode: IIRC that and this are the only two times it's used, and in this episode we do see Zhu Jiu show his face after its use, and if it were Zhao Yunlan's, he'd have used it on Lin Yusen instead.
Yeah, I was paying attention to this after it came up in the last post, and I don't think it has anything to do with the SID, I think it's Zhu Jiu laying a trap or trying to interfere.
The other thing I found noteworthy while rewatching this was that Shen Wei is really a little... reckless... in how easily he gives away what his biggest liability (Zhao Yunlan) is. It seems terrible strategy to on the one hand say, 'I can't tell this guy I love who I really am because it might put him in danger', but then paint a HUGE TARGET on him by telling the currently-main villain du jour that the villain is absolutely not allowed to touch him. I mean, I love you, Shen Wei honey, but that was not good self-control!
The shoes were quite prominent in this one! And definitely some shots that disguise the height difference!
And that is one of the best leather jackets! *g*
no subject
It's very interesting, yes! We see him be a harmless-ish professor in episode 1, but here he seems to be accidentally stuck in Envoy mode for some reason. Maybe he's just super pissed that he was interrupted by the SID?
Indeed! And I agree that Zhao Yunlan's beef with the Envoy's timing is completely legitimate, and the Envoy should probably start investigating options into getting a better Dixingian Trouble Alert System. Currently he's the deus ex machina at the end of the exciting bits, when he really should be there at the start to stop whatever it is from happening, or at the very least appear in the middle of the exciting bits to take over.
I agree on her dress, it's quite killer! Re: the field agent stuff – IIRC most of the "field agent" stuff we see her doing is not really going into danger, except the Hanga arc field trip, where she's there as Wang Zheng's female friend. Then later on, when the personnel is tight, she gets enlisted into doing more field stuff.
Indeed. It's every terrible superhero identity thing rolled into one. I now want Zhao Yunlan confronting the Envoy about why the Envoy went to such trouble to specify that the villain isn't allowed to touch him, and if the Envoy is going to paint such a large target on him, he'd like some forewarning, thanks. Or just more Zhao Yunlan calling Shen Wei out on his bullshit, even if Zhao Yunlan seems to have gone for the "judge nothing and make encouraging noises so maybe he'll tell me something later as well" approach. No, Shen Wei, no indeed.
no subject
Pssssst, Shen Wei, maybe consider getting one of those newfangled things called a mobile phone... Then Zhao Yunlan will have less reason to be mad at you and you don't have to make your woobieface!
I now want Zhao Yunlan confronting the Envoy about why the Envoy went to such trouble to specify that the villain isn't allowed to touch him, and if the Envoy is going to paint such a large target on him, he'd like some forewarning, thanks.
That would be fun! :D
no subject
Oh no, now I'm imagining Zhao Yunlan making a point of calling the Envoy while making eye contact with Shen Wei and hearing the cellphone ring.
Then Shen Wei would claim that the Dean was calling him and he had to answer.A cellphone or equivalent would definitely be a good way to get the Envoy onsite and prevent sadfaceness.I basically want all the fic of Zhao Yunlan calling the Envoy/Shen Wei out on his bullshit in very polite terms and Shen Wei floundering, lol.
Spoilers for the entire drama
I've been developing a theory about this after re-watching. Once he recognizes Kun Lun he absolutely intends to stay close to him (because of spoilers plot, timeline, hallows have disappeared etc.) and everything is starting to come together. I think it's Shen Wei's strategy to keep people (Ye Zun) from wondering why he is so interested in Zhao Yun Lan.
It's a great cover because it's true, (especially useful against people who might be able to read your mind just by touching something you recently touched etc.).
This works well for the major secrets Shen Wei is keeping later, no one really questions why he keeps making what seem like crazy choices - including Ye Zun.
Anyway I will have to do more re watching to see if my unified Shen Wei theory holds up. :))
Re: Spoilers for the entire drama
Re: Spoilers for the entire drama
Re: Spoilers for the entire drama
And is "oh, this guy is Kun Lun" really the next step from wondering why the BCE keeps hanging around this SID chief guy? (Kunlun was relevant in some battles but I don't actually think other people know that Baby Shen Wei and he hit it off like that?)
Re: Spoilers for the entire drama
I'm basing this on the idea that Shen Wei is assuming that his real advisory is Ye Zun and everything he does (and possibly even thinks about) will get back to him. Shen Wei needs to protect / monitor Zhao Yun Lan and it will become obvious that is what he is doing (moving in next door etc), whether he draws attention to it or not.
So it's not that Ye Zun will immediately jump to the conclusion that Zhao Yun Lan is connected to the timeline; just If there is no apparent reason for Shen Wei's interest, then eventually Ye Zune could start to actively try to figure it out, which given his resources, (physic powers, telepathy?), could be disastrous.
So I'm thinking this is preemptively controling the information that gets back to Ye Zun so that by the time he might start questioning Zhao Yun Lan's role particularly in regards to the hallows it's already well established that Shen Wei is crazy about Zhao Ye Lan.
no subject
i love that the interrogation scene shows just how easily shen wei controls the conversation, in different ways for different interrogators, and basically dismisses them until he can speak to the only person whose opinion matters to him :D