Guardian Episode by Episode: 08

[extrapenguin]

Delcome to episode 8 of the Guardian rewatchalong! The imgur screencap album has 89 images. In this week's episode, we set up the Hanga arc properly.

Previously on:
Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7

In this episode, Shen Wei discovers that Zhao Yunlan is a fixer-upper, and there's the Ding Dun set-up to the Hanga arc. This is also the episode of the taxi headpat.

Introductions
We meet the Regent Dude! Say hi, everyone!


We don't see his face yet, though we hear his voice. Also seen: the Lord of Dixing's palace.

We also meet Professor Zhou, who is of little importance to the plot, but he's Shen Wei's academia dad and thus counts as a relative.

Of slightly greater importance to the plot, we meet Sang Zan, all empillared. He can make rocks fall from the ceiling. In retrospect, the "pillar with mysterious symbold enscribed on it that is also chained" is quite a visual foreshadowing of Ye Zun.


Alas for Sang Zan, Zhu Jiu is quite good at dodging.


Drunk Professor Zhou tells the dutiful Shen Wei that he should learn how to drink, even a little bit just to get in the mood.

Characterization
Zhao Yunlan continues his ways of trying to get into Shen Wei's good graces by hook or by crook. We start by him buying some old books off a student who said they were the property of her deceased grandfather, then trying to give the same story to Shen Wei, who is having none of it, since apparently he donated those books to the University library personally (and the student stole them or something?)


No, wait, come back!

Da Qing finds it hilarious, especially considering that he thinks Zhao Yunlan "has a thick skin and a black heart, and only bad intentions". Zhao Yunlan, OTOH, is trying to play this as simply an information gathering exercise, though he did bring up the notion of hiring Shen Wei into the SID to Da Qing.

After the old books deceit incident, Zhao Yunlan ended up in the doghouse, meaning that Shen Wei came as the Envoy to deliver a mission to the SID while Zhao Yunlan was elsewhere.


"Zhao Yunlan is out? Too bad."

We also learn that the Envoy doesn't light up Lin Jing's dark energy detector. Do we ever learn why? (In the absence of counterevidence, I'll assume that Shen Wei using powers he's learned from others doesn't light up the detector, but if he wanted to learn someone's power – i.e. use his own root power – it'd light up the detector.)

The bush admonishes Shen Wei to consider the people he'd leave behind. Even the plant is reprimanding you, Shen Wei!

We see Shen Wei go out drinking with his mentor, Professor Zhou, then helping his mentor into the car while he says that alcohol doesn't agree with him. Foreshadowing! Then he spots Zhao Yunlan also drunk on the curb and helps him home, and we get the scene of leaning and headpats.


No, the head goes THERE. – Ah, nevermind.

Then there's the rest of the long interaction, where Shen Wei basically realizes his beloved is a fixer-upper and then cleans his apartment ("as payment for saving me from those thugs" yeah sure) and cooks him congee in the morning. There's a bunch of very sweet interaction when Zhao Yunlan doggedly continues trying to woo Shen Wei into the SID and Shen Wei dodges.


"Not getting you into the SID will be the greatest failure of my life." Also: "How am I supposed to let you go?"

The Regent's message arrived, stating that while there was no-one in the Dixing records as having the name Shen Wei (and thus they couldn't help), the name Shen Wei had been used by a senior official. Shen Wei then rewrote the message completely instead of only wiping off the latter bit.

Like the utter troll he is, Shen Wei implied to Da Qing that he stayed the night (with Zhao Yunlan). It seems Zhao Yunlan won't have to worry about having to let go...

There was also an exchange where Shen Wei told Zhao Yunlan to not go out of the city no matter what. Zhao Yunlan called bullshit on that, because he can't promise things like that and Shen Wei shouldn't ask him to. Later on, there'll be the added "and you shouldn't have to go into danger alone" aspect.

We're introduced to Zhu Hong's romantic intent towards Zhao Yunlan! She's immediately hit by jealousy when she hears Zhao Yunlan pick up the call from the bookseller girl. Her next remarks imply that Zhao Yunlan hasn't really been dating much as chief of the SID. (How long have they known each other?)

WZ flashbacks & backstory
This episode is the one in which we get Wang Zheng content! We're shown Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing discovering her in the mountains in the Northwest...


Spot the hiking gear on the guys and the fact that Wang Zheng has changed clothes after this.

...and the triangular tattoo thing of Hanga slaves gives her flashbacks to her Hanga life, including her original name and Sang Zan's existence. When all those memories hit her, she faints.


No wonder – figuring out official name change bureaucracy must be a pain.

This is also a major Zhu Jiu episode! He steps into the light, tells Ding Dun that he utterly loathes humans and every interaction makes him want to kill them, and displays his organizational MO of killing Ding Dun as soon as the latter is done being useful.


He also tries asking someone for directions like a normal person. Alas, he was not quite successful at the "like a normal person" part.

Guo Changcheng is under the impression that Chu Shuzhi and the Envoy have a "special relationship". No, Changcheng, the only person the Envoy wants to smooch is the manager.

Canon details

• One month has passed since Guo Changcheng joined the SID in episode 1! Also it's been half a month since Shen Wei injured Zhu Jiu. (Which episode was that one in again?)
• Wang Zheng gives Guo Changcheng a stamp so he can go through the barrier even if he's ever transferred away from the SID.
• Lin Jing gives Guo Changcheng his "fear into electricity" shock rod thing!
• Zhao Yunlan went to talk about next year's new address to a Minister Song
• We are told that someone infiltrated Dixing and because of that Ding Dun could escape. No prizes for guessing who.
• We're again told that the Flower Tribe didn't interfere in the war 10k years ago, and Shen Wei tells us that he "already lost once"
• There's a ghost beast refuge in Sang Zan's cave

Cinematography
One thing I've yet to point out is the show's tendency to dramatically angle the camera to make shots more dynamic:



There's also a bunch of shots from above in this episode.



And technically not cinematography per se, but the fight scene between Shen Wei and Zhu Jiu was very nice! Screencapping it went beyond my skills, but as someone who has studied martial arts, Shen Wei was very good at blocking. I believe Zhu Yilong is a trained martial artist? Zhu Jiu didn't seem that bad, either, so I wonder if the guy playing him (Wang Naichao) also has some martial arts background.




That smirk! And also the humiliation of being defeated by a plant.


Zhao Yunlan jacket watch
The denim jacket, worn two days in a row because Shen Wei drew the line at removing his shoes.


Shen Wei shoe watch
The same black dress shoes we've seen earlier. No clear close-ups.

Did Shen Wei take off his glasses?
No.

Comments

[green]

I loooove this episode. Also, your recaps are funny. <3

[extrapenguin]

Thank you! I'm glad my recaps are appreciated. <3

[trobadora]

I really enjoy the continued signs of Shen Wei's social circle! He's not some isolated figure; even if he's not close to anyone, he does keep in touch with people.

What I really love about the old books plot is that we learn something about Zhao Yunlan - both that he's willing to try that kind of ploy, but also that when he gets caught out, he realises that's not going to work, and he never tries anything like that on Shen Wei again.

Then there's the rest of the long interaction, where Shen Wei basically realizes his beloved is a fixer-upper and then cleans his apartment ("as payment for saving me from those thugs" yeah sure)

It's a great excuse to poke into every corner of Zhao Yunlan's flat and get his hands on all Zhao Yunlan's things!

Also, I absolutely adore the little jump ZYL makes when he wakes up and suddenly sees Shen Wei sitting there. :D

[extrapenguin]

Same! He checks in with his mentor (thesis advisor?) every now and then, he is nice to his colleagues, he takes along Professor Zhang's students on the trip... He's decently connected, despite his inability to use any sort of technology more advanced than a landline! ♥

Also, I absolutely adore the little jump ZYL makes when he wakes up and suddenly sees Shen Wei sitting there. :D
It's hilarious and also very believable! There's an alien in his apartment, reading at his bedside, after all...

[clevermanka]

Your recaps (especially the photo captions) are a fucking gift, for real. Thank you.

[extrapenguin]

Thank you!

[firestar]

I will forever love that smirk, it's a thing of beauty. XD

[extrapenguin]

It's so cocky! Oh, Shen Wei, forever the Envoy taking care of uppity bit part villains.

[teaotter]

Also it's been half a month since Shen Wei injured Zhu Jiu. (Which episode was that one in again?)

I'm pretty sure that was their blindfight in the alley in Ep. 4.

[extrapenguin]

Thank you! So it's been roughly two episodes a week in internal time.

[teaotter]

Zhao Yunlan's apartment is so weird. I've been collecting screencaps and thinking seriously about making a picspam post.

In your picture up there... is that an angled mirror in his kitchen? It looks like it's showing maybe the countertop with an orange mat under the dishes?

[extrapenguin]

Honestly, I don't even try to understand it. It is a manifestation of the power of the Hallows that it doesn't make any sense...

[mecurtin]

I have been doing the same thing! Either we should collaborate or you should make a post for us to talk about. See my comment below re: BEARS!

[mecurtin]

In Zhao Yun Lan's apartment-lair-pit, there's a skull:



I'm *pretty* sure it's a bear skull, but I don't know what kind. But: BEARS.

I really appreciate (in every way) that Zhu Yilong is a trained martial artist, it makes his fight scenes exponentially hotter. Competence AND beauty!

[extrapenguin]

Obviously Zhao Yunlan got it after Shen Wei went on about BEARS last episode. He's going all-out to woo his professor!

[riventhorn]

This is one of my fav episodes!! The whole taxi scene and aftermath is what really got me hooked on Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan as a couple.

I'm also very curious about the whole "new address for SID." Why do they want to move somewhere else? I mean granted, being by the whole fruit-seller-who-goes-crazy-and-tries-to-kill-everyone isn't the ideal location, but no one knows that's going to happen yet! I thought they would like it there--Zhao Yunlan has room for all his motorcycles, for one. and they have the pole that you can slide down from the upper story, like in a firehouse. Which leads me to another question--why does Zhao Yunlan only use the pole as his mode of transport once? (that I remember). I feel like he would be sliding down it all the time.

[winter_blossom]

I think the new address thing is one of those ill-advised allusions to the novel which go absolutely nowhere in drama canon. I seem to remember something about ZYL buying himself and SW a house to move into together near the SID's new HQ or something? Dunno, it's been months since I read the novel, so I may be wrong.

[extrapenguin]

I'm also very curious about the whole "new address for SID."
The "new location" is brought up as early as episode 1 (as a reason for tolerating Guo Changcheng). I don't know quite why they want to move, but I guess Zhao Yunlan would prefer a place with a better floorplan? Like a place where the pole connects two places Zhao Yunlan travels between. :P

[winter_blossom]

Not sure about martial arts, but I do remember seeing a comment about Zhu Yi Long doing kick-boxing because his father's a trainer or something? Not sure how reliable these bits of information are, but he must have some background, or his fight scenes wouldn't look so good and that whole behind-the-scenes video where he totally pwns Bai Yu on the weightlifting machine wouldn't have happened (lol).

The book-gifting scene is one of my absolutely favourites, because not only was it hilarious seeing Zhao Yun Lan get burned by one of his own tricks, but Shen Wei's reaction made it clear that even though he's willing to put up with an inordinate amount of BS from ZYL, even he draws the line at some point. Still, even after ZYL crossed the line so blatantly, SW loves him enough that when ZYL genuinely needs him, he'll still be there. (Also, the fact that ZYL's demonstrated inability to take care of himself irritated SW even more than the earlier deception made for such a nice scene)

[extrapenguin]

Not sure about martial arts, but I do remember seeing a comment about Zhu Yi Long doing kick-boxing because his father's a trainer or something? Not sure how reliable these bits of information are, but he must have some background, or his fight scenes wouldn't look so good and that whole behind-the-scenes video where he totally pwns Bai Yu on the weightlifting machine wouldn't have happened (lol).
Actually, it's mantis boxing, as per qikiqtarjuaq's primer post! (I also learned that Bai Yu knows archery. We could've had Kunlun shoot people with bow and arrow!)

Shen Wei will put up with very many things from Zhao Yunlan, but he will not put up with book-based deceit! And Zhao Yunlan stops the outright deceit right there.

[jo_lasalle]

but Shen Wei's reaction made it clear that even though he's willing to put up with an inordinate amount of BS from ZYL, even he draws the line at some point.

I know! I love how he's so besotted almost all the time but that maneuvre just made him go totally cold, 'I refuse to engage in this nonsense' and he just walks away. <3

[jo_lasalle]

In this episode, Shen Wei discovers that Zhao Yunlan is a fixer-upper

LOL! Oh Shen Wei... <3

We also learn that the Envoy doesn't light up Lin Jing's dark energy detector. Do we ever learn why?

I had always assumed that Shen Wei could control what energy he was giving off. Maybe I just default to 'Shen Wei has things under control', especially with how cool he was knowing he could fool the more in-depth test in that later episode with the tank top.

But your theory is interesting too! It could work with the tank top episode as well. As the BCE, he doesn't need to fool the dark energy detector, and once he knows he doesn't blip it (if somehow he learns about that) he can be his cool cucumber self for the tank top episode?

(Though I also like the idea that he is just that good at managing his powers.)

Even the plant is reprimanding you, Shen Wei!

Shen Wei's relationship with the bush is so sad. He's so rejected. It cracks me up every single time.

Zhao Yunlan called bullshit on that, because he can't promise things like that and Shen Wei shouldn't ask him to.

I know this episode is chock-full of great stuff, but I actually love this particular exchange for how non-bratty it is. Because Zhao Yunlan's point is totally reasonable and Shen Wei is being very unreasonable, and in between all the flirting and rather obvious manipulation, Zhao Yunlan is like, 'yeah, no, I know you mean well but I do have a job, you know'.

Zhao Yunlan went to talk about next year's new address to a Minister Song

And apparently stayed out drinking an entire day! I think it took me a rewatch to realise that the drinking excursion is why Zhao Yunlan isn't around for the Envoy's visit to the SID. I've had friends speculate that he was just that embarrassed by the failed book plan, but I'm still not sure if I buy that, so I still find it quite the long disappearance by the SID chief.

The denim jacket, worn two days in a row because Shen Wei drew the line at removing his shoes.

I love that jacket, but seriously, Zhao Yunlan, after a 24-hour-boozing binge, GO CHANGE!!!

I wish I had more brain for this one this week, given what a fun and seismically relevant episode it is, but I enjoyed your recap as always!

[extrapenguin]

I had always assumed that Shen Wei could control what energy he was giving off. Maybe I just default to 'Shen Wei has things under control', especially with how cool he was knowing he could fool the more in-depth test in that later episode with the tank top.
Whereas I want the rules to be consistent for everybody, not just "Shen Wei is so OP he breaks the universe". Especially since all his energy is dark energy at this point, and he's using Dixing powers copied from people with Dixing powers, none of which would imply not blipping the detector.

Shen Wei's relationship with the bush is so sad. He's so rejected. It cracks me up every single time.
He tried to be the bush's friend but was refused! Poor thing. It is hilarious, yes.

And apparently stayed out drinking an entire day! I think it took me a rewatch to realise that the drinking excursion is why Zhao Yunlan isn't around for the Envoy's visit to the SID. I've had friends speculate that he was just that embarrassed by the failed book plan, but I'm still not sure if I buy that, so I still find it quite the long disappearance by the SID chief.
Actually, given the time of the Envoy showing up, I think Zhao Yunlan was still with Minister Song. Then he returned, only to discover that while he was away, the Envoy came and gave the kids a mission which the kids then promptly failed at by only being able to bring back a corpse. After that, he went to drink with friends in the evening. (Because no-one with a job goes to drink in the middle of the day; Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem that dysfunctional.)

I enjoyed your recap as always!
♥

Old Book titles?

[mecurtin]

Here's the old book collection, rotated to make the titles more easily readable:


[click for larger]

Can any of you Chinese-speakers tell us what the titles are?

Re: Old Book titles?

[extrapenguin]

Not a Chinese speaker, but with the help of my good friend Pleco, I have divined:
The purple one is 杂鬼神志怪 "Miscellaneous records of supernatural beings"
The top right green one is 幽明幽 which is something along the lines of "Netherworld and this world hidden"*
Bottom right green one is West something
Top left blue one is 黑口口亚... "Black [] Asia..." (or it could be about the Yashou)
Bottom left blue one, I can only make out 沙 "Sand" (3rd character)

All in all, they're a very novel-inspired book selection. Are the titles cribbed from the novel, too, or made up by production?

* 幽明 means "the hidden and the visible / that which can be seen and that which cannot / darkness and light / night and day / wisdom and ignorance / evil and good / the living and the dead / men and ghosts", with 幽 being the negative half and 明 the positive half.

[lynndyre]

♥♥♥

Shen Wei's loving stalkery caretaking is the best. And so is Zhao Yunlan's 'please join me' provocative bed lounging. XD

[extrapenguin]

Zhao Yunlan's 'please join me' provocative bed lounging.
Yes! And it's so very "please join me between my legs" on very many occasions. Oh Zhao Yunlan, you.

[china_shop]

So... Zhu Jiu (or Ding Dun) write the letter to Wang Zheng to trigger her memories, right? But that means they have to already know enough to write the letter (that she's connected to the Hanga tribe, that she used to know the location of the Awl). Isn't this circular? I can't get my head around it. I mean, it's possible Ding Dun has some information about the general location of the Mountain-River Awl, dating back to his expedition to find the Hallows, but that still doesn't join the dots to Wang Zheng. Or am I missing something?

[extrapenguin]

The information they sent was vague - a copy of the slave tattoo and a very generic letter - so I could buy that they saw the SID had an energy being whose creation might've involved the Awl, did some research on where she was from, and gambled. I expect to talk about it more next week.