sid_guardian | Entries tagged with !rewatch

I keep going back to the rewatch posts to see 'what happened when' in the drama, so I thought I'd compile all the episode summaries in one place, rather than endlessly scrolling through the tag. I figured I might as well post them here, in case anyone else would find them useful.

Most of the pics are copied from the original posts, but I snagged one or two from Scene Discussions.

( Episode summaries. )

china_shop

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan injects himself with the serum
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei make a bet in Hallows-space

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan injects himself with the serum
Ye Zun needs to consume more and more, and makes everyone in Dragon City (in Haixing?) pass out
Zhao Yunlan tries various things against Ye Zun:
- he asks what Ye Zun even wants, letting Ye Zun explain his worldview
- once his serum power strength enhancement kicks in, he physically fights Ye Zun
- aided by Guo Changcheng and Da Qing, he uses the Mountain-River Awl on Ye Zun
None of it is enough to defeat him, but it all does stall Ye Zun so Zhao Yunlan doesn't get eaten.
With the use of the Mountain-River Awl, Shen Wei has the moment he has been waiting for - he makes Lin Jing drive the icicle all the way into his chest, then saves Lin Jing, the Regent and An Bai
Zhao Yunlan's hopes are briefly raised as he sees three dead people come back to life, but the spark is immediately snuffed out again
Shen Wei releases his energies all at once -Ye Zun realises Shen Wei's energy is white, and Zhao Yunlan realises this was Shen Wei's plan
Ye Zun and Shen Wei reunite post-death, and clear up the misunderstanding between them
before leaving, Shen Wei sends his pendant to Zhao Yunlan, who opens it and recognises the lollipop wrapper
People in Dragon City wake up
Zhao Yunlan has one last conversation with Ma Gui and Fu You before gives himself to the Guardian Lantern to save the planet from the destruction Ye Zun left behind
in flashback, Zhang Shi explains how to light the Lantern with sacrifice if the/a wick can't be found
the Dixing clock strikes, and light comes to Dixing
the remaining SID members return to Haixing with Zhao Yunlan's body
One year later:
- Cong Bo flirts badly with Cheng Xinyan
- Minister Guo is now Minister; Li Qian is is director of the lab; Zhao Xinci's health is much improved
- Xiao-Guo has an awkward arranged date; Lao-Chu drags him away
- Zhu Hong meets with the Yashou tribe leaders
in flashback, Zhao Yunlan asks Zhang Shi to take his place
at the SID, Xiao-guo greets many new faces

in the starry Hallows void, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei say goodbye and Shen Wei proposes a bet: they will find each other again

Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan in Hallows space

Hello and welcome to the final episode! The drama's ending is controversial, but I've always loved it, and have only come to love it more over the years (five years now, wow!). So this post is essentially a love letter to Guardian's ending.

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

How do you feel about the final episode? Which part is your favourite? Which line?

Those dementor-like black energy swirls that seem to make everyone in Dragon City pass out are also seen in Dixing. Do you think all of Dixing passed out, too? How close did Ye Zun come to just swallowing everyone?

(If the same thing happened in Dixing, that might explain why the people storming towards the palace with the bartender never seem to arrive ...)

If Shen Wei had known about Ye Zun's reasons for hating him, do you think there would have been a way to make him listen and actually believe the truth?

How do you think Shen Wei feels about Ye Zun, at the end? After everything Ye Zun did, can he really just forgive him? And does Ye Zun regret any of it?

What do you think happened at the palace after Ye Zun died, to separate Lin Jing and Zhao Yunlan from the others?

"You'll die," Da Qing says when Zhao Yunlan injects himself with the serum. Is that just worry, or would he really have died? He's definitely not doing great before his sacrifice, spitting blood and all ...

Do you think what Zhang Shi says about what happens to the person who sacrifices themselves to the Lantern is true? How can he know?

How do you think the SID team copes with Zhang Shi impersonating Zhoo Yunlan? Can they even stand to be around him?

Zhao Xinci, relieved of the burden of sharing his mind with Zhang Shi, seems so much lighter, despite his son being dead. How do you think he copes with everything?

Do you think Haixing and Dixing are truly separated? Will the passages open again?

How do you think Dixing copes with the change the light brings? It can't all be celebration ...

And in Haixing - what happens to the Dixingren trapped there, unable to go back? The ones who were already there, and the ones who were sent by Ye Zun? And the people who were given the serum? How does society change, now that the secrets about black energy powers and Dixing and so on are all out in the open? What effect does all of this have on the position of the Yashou?

Any theories about why the SID has so many new members? What is their mission, if Dixing can no longer be reached?

Finally - what's your favourite way of letting Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan find each other again? There are so many possibilities!

Let's talk about episode 40!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Shen Wei takes a hit of dark energy meant for Zhao Yunlan, and falls to the ground.
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan injects himself with the serum.

Important scenes/developments:

Shen Wei takes the dark energy hit and falls to the ground. Zhao Yunlan is horrified.
Ye Zun stabs Shen Wei with an icicle and eats him, because killing him once is not enough.
Shen Wei and Lin Jing meet in Ye Zun's stomach.
In Dragon City, Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi come to join the fight against the invaders.
Ye Zun projects his torture of Zhao Yunlan into the Haixing sky for all to see.
Zhao Xinci and the Yashou elders make a plan to fight the invaders.
Zhao Xinci and Zhang Shi talk about cooperation and remember Zhao Yunlan's childhood dream of peace and harmony for all people.
Over drinks, Ye Zun tries to persuade Zhao Yunlan to join him, but Zhao Yunlan just wants him dead. No, really.
Zhao Yunlan escapes, using the Regent as a hostage.
Zhu Hong arrives in Dragon City; Chu Shuzhi is worried about Xiao Guo.
Zhao Xinci and the Yashou elders defend Haixing at the Locust Tree gate.
Shen Wei instructs Lin Jing in how to kill him for real, when the time is right.
More fighting in Dragon City; Da Qing and Da Ji are attacked, and Da Ji is choked to death.
Zhao Xinci sees Zhu Hong, Chu Shuzhi and Da Qing off to Dixing; he gives Da Qing a syringe of the serum.
Zhao Yunlan goes to the Dixing bar and gets the Lantern; Ye Zun shows up in Envoy cosplay.
Zhao Yunlan broadcasts Ye Zun's villain monologue to all of Dixing.
At the palace, Ye Zun activates the booby-trapped Lantern, which explodes, injuring Ye Zun and knocking An Bai to his senses; Ye Zun eats An Bai and the Regent.
Chu Shuzhi, Da Qing and Zhu Hong arrive in Dixing and hear that Shen Wei has been eaten.
Ye Zun thinks he's won now he has the Hallows; he still doesn't have the wick, but he knows he can use Guo Changcheng.
The bartender gives a rousing speech to the people of Dixing.
Guo Changcheng remembers Lao Chu and his time at the SID, and snaps himself out of the compulsion to defy Ye Zun.
Chu Shuzhi, Zhu Hong and Da Qing arrive at the palace and fight Ye Zun.
Da Qing decides to use the serum, but Zhao Yunlan grabs it and injects himself.

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?

Does Ye Zun really think he can flip Zhao Yunlan during the drinking scene? (I was wondering if his experience with the Wus, where he killed the father and then suborned the son, had reinforced his wrong-headed ideas about loyalty.)

How potent is the drink Ye Zun serves? Do you think it affects Zhao Yunlan's (or Ye Zun's) choices?

Why the Envoy cosplay in the bar? Is Ye Zun worried how other Dixingren might react to him, or is he just being cruel? Would he have played it differently if Zhao Yunlan had seemed more taken in?

Why does An Bai apologise to Shen Wei?

Why did Li Qian keep working on the serum, purifying it even after Professor Ouyang crossed the line?

What do you think Ye Zun's "disgrace" was 10k years ago -- being enslaved, losing the war, failing to kill his brother, something else?

Let’s talk about episode 39!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Ye Huo meets with Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng
Ending of episode: Shen Wei takes a hit meant for Zhao Yunlan

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong and Da Qing enter the Yashou restricted area and find a set-up to use the Hallows
Guo Changcheng passes on the last wishes of the dead via livestream
at the hospital, Guo Changcheng's message helps calm down some panicking patients
Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong and Da Qing have a videocall with Ma Gui and Fu You
Dr Cheng gets permission to go out into the streets and give first aid
Professor Ouyang comes to confront Ya Qing; everyone unites against him
Zhang Shi introduces himself to everyone and tells them he knows the Guardian Lantern's secret
Ye Zun tortures Shen Wei and announces Zhao Yunlan is coming; Shen Wei gives an iconic speech ("My energy is black. My eyes, my hair, and even my soul are black ...")
Guo Changcheng insists on joining Zhao Yunlan in going to Dixing
Shen Wei convinces the Regent to help him
Minister Gao tries to deploy the military; Zhao Xinci stops him
Li Qian lets Guo Ying out of confinement
Zhao Yunlan and Guo Changcheng arrive at the palace and expose Wu Xiaojun; Shen Wei decisively ends the ensuing fight
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei have a moment in a Dixing alley
Guo Changcheng turns out to have been hypnotised by Ye Zun
Da Ji joins Da Qing in fighting for Dragon City
Ye Zun attempts to fuse and absorb the Hallows, but fails; Shen Wei takes a hit for Zhao Yunlan

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene or moment in this episode? Your favourite line?

My favourite line has to be Shen Wei's "My energy is black ..." speech, no competition! A favourite scene is much harder to choose, but ultimately I'll have to go with that moment in a Dixing alley when Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan have their last real moment together before the end. *sniffles*

Anything in this episode that surprised you? Anything you didn't remember at all?

Like I said above, I ended up convinced that a lot of the chaos in Dragon City must actually be caused by Haixingren, and that did come as a surprise! But it makes a lot more sense to me like this.

Speaking of the situation in the city, do you think the Inspectorate is actually doing anything? If yes, what? And what do you think they should have done?

Why does Changcheng passing on the messages of the dead have such a profound effect on people, enough to calm down the situation significantly?

The passage to Dixing from the Yashou restricted area is activated after the Hallows are placed. Do you think it could have been activated without the Hallows? If not, what was Ma Gui thinking, since the Hallows must have been in Dixing at the time?

When do you think Zhao Xinci actually changed his mind? When did his views change from what made him point his gun at Guo Changcheng to saying he was wrong and "the kids" were right?

What do you think Zhao Yunlan means when he says, "I don't know how many times I've been here [in Dixing], but this is definitely the last time"? Is it just foreshadowing?

Why do you think the Regent decides to help Shen Wei after all? And what does he expect Shen Wei to do after he escapes?

Do you think Zhao Yunlan taking the Hallows to Dixing is justified, given the risk of them falling into Ye Zun's hands?

Do you remember your reaction when you saw this episode the first time? What did you think about the ending?

Let's talk about episode 38!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: The team enter the SID and find Lao Li.
Ending of episode: The Regent and Wu Xiaojun trick Shen Wei and knock him down (but not out).

Important scenes/developments:

Everyone rushes over to Lao Li. Da Qing is distraught. Changcheng reads Lao Li's dying thoughts.
Shen Wei and Chu Shuzhi help reconcile Changcheng to his new power.
The team search the SID for the Guardian Lantern and find it. Its wick is missing.
Lin Jing's dying video message arrives, mentioning "the rest of the exits," and the team decides to split up:
- Shen Wei to Dixing to find the wick
- Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan (and Da Qing) to the Snake Village to protect them from the Crows (and find the gateway)
- Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi to say in Dragon City where Changcheng can use his power for good.
Team handclasp!!
Dragon City is littered with smoke and bodies. Changcheng uses his power but finds it heartbreaking; Chu Shuzhi is supportive. ♥!
Shen Wei has trouble opening the portal and coughs blood.
The three Yashou elders have a standoff at the Snake Village. The Crows are backed up by Dixingren, including illusionist Mi Lu.
Ya Qing calls for elections; Mi Lu just wants to kill everyone.
Mi Lu goes to "welcome" the approaching SID and turns the forest into an illusory labyrinth, trapping (and toying with) Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong and Da Qing.
In Dragon City, Changcheng collapses, and Chu Shuzhi catches him.
Zhu Hong uses her Snake power to kill Mi Lu(!!).
In Mi Lu's absence, Ya Qing switches sides and says she just wants to be High Chief.
The Yashou hold their election, and Zhao Yunlan shamelessly interferes in their weird electoral process.
- Flashbacks to YOHE science experiments and Ma Gui's crush on Fu You.
Zhu Hong wins the election, but is reluctant to take office until Fourth Uncle gives her a pep talk and Zhao Yunlan nods.
Chu Shuzhi, Changcheng and Ye Huo unite in Dragon City and decide to work together. Aww!
In Dixing, Shen Wei runs into Wu Xiaojun, who asks for vengeance for his father; they go to the palace.
In Ye Zun's stomach, Lin Jing finds Sha Ya's guitar and cries. :-(
Shen Wei holds his blade to the Regent's throat, but gets talked out of killing him. Then Wu Xiaojun and the Regent turn on him, seemingly knocking him out. But he's still conscious.

( Thoughts. )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?

When do you think Lin Jing set up his posthumous video message, and what prompted it?

Do you have any theories about the wick -- where it is, what it's made from, how and when it was lost?

Do you think Shen Wei was telling the truth when he said he could only get one person through the gate?

The first time you watched, were you surprised when Ya Qing switched sides? Were you glad? What does her changing allegiances mean to you? Would she have killed Zhu Hong if Zhu Hong hadn't had the "life-saving token"?

Is Zhao Yunlan's election tampering justified? And do you think Zhu Hong will make a good Yashou leader?

Now Changcheng has a power, could he learn to wield raw dark energy, too?

Is anyone fighting the invaders? Are there off-screen serumed soldiers? Does anyone have a plan, other than the SID's bid to assemble the Hallows and cut the invasion off at the source?

How aware was Shen Wei of the trap he was walking into? What do you think he's planning at this point?

Let’s talk about episode 37!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Lin Jing meets Guo Changcheng at the Inspectorate checkpoint
Ending of episode: The SID team arrives back at the SID at last and finds Lao-Li

Important scenes/developments:

Lin Jing slips Guo Changcheng a note
Zhao Yunlan makes Cong Bo hack the Inspectorate. Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei and Cong Bo witness:

Professor Ouyang and Minister Gao discussing the serum
Ye Zun visiting Minister Gao and demanding he give up Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei
Vice Minister Guo being arrested

Zhao Yunlan decides to have a worldwide livestream
Guo Changcheng and Lin Jing meet in a bathroom
Zhao Yunlan is on everyone's screen telling them Dixingren are people just like them
Ye Huo joins forces with Chu Shuzhi at the locust tree
Fourth Uncle and Ying Chun listen to Zhao Yunlan's speech on the radio
Lin Jing and Guo Changcheng receive Zhao Yunlan's coded message to steal the serum
Flashback: Lin Jing and Zhao Yunlan agree on making Lin Jing the SID's spy
Minister Gao and Zhao Xinci listen to Zhao Yunlan's speech
Lin Jing and Guo Changcheng are caught by Professor Ouyang; Lin Jing gets away but Guo Changcheng is injected with the serum
Li Qian helps Guo Changcheng escape with the Hallows
Lin Jing is captured by Ya Qing and eaten by Ye Zun
Ye Zun talks about his plans with Mi Lu
Chu Shuzhi and Ye Huo make plans at the portal
Flashback: Chu Shuzhi remembers being saved and recruited by the Black-Cloaked Envoy
Flashback: Chu Shuzhi is about to refuse teaching Guo Changcheng, but Guo Changcheng reminds him of his brother
Zhang Shi helps Guo Changcheng and talks to him about the Guardian Lantern; Zhao Xinci breaks free and pulls a gun on him, but Chu Shuzhi rescues him
Ye Zun's vanguard arrives in Haixing, the Nightmare Master among them
Chu Shuzhi confronts the Nightmare Master; the rest of the SID arrives and joins in
Guo Changcheng shows his power for the first time with the Nightmare Master
Three of Ye Zun's vanguard are trying to enter the SID; the team fight them and the Envoy convinces them they've been duped
The team enter the SID and find Lao-Li

A crowd watches Zhao Yunlan's livestream

Shen Wei watches Zhao Yunlan speak about Dixingren

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Your favourite line? I can't choose between Zhao Yunlan's livestream and Ye Zun's appearance at the Inspectorate, both of which I love to pieces in completely different ways and for completely different reasons. *g*

Anything that surprised you in this episode? Anything you didn't remember at all?

Regarding Ye Zun's appearance at the Inspectorate and his delightful(ly extra) outfit, which suits him so much better than his fake Professor Shen outfit did: given that this is what he chose to appear in here when he's not impersonating anyone else, do you think this is his preferred style? If Ye Zun survived and eventually ended up living in the modern day, would he dress like this? :D

"You can't hurt me," Ye Zun says after Professor Ouyang tries to punch him, then passes his own hand through Prof Ouyang's head, "but don't worry - I can't hurt you either." And then he promptly goes to sit down in Minister Gao's desk chair. Is that an inconsistency, or is it a deliberate contradiction on Ye Zun's part as he's being as deliberately unsettling as possible?

Does Ye Zun really think there's a chance Minister Gao will hand over Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, or is he just trying to sow discord?

How did Lin Jing know to tune into Zhao Yunlan's broadcast at the right time, and to expect a coded message? If he and Zhao Yunlan could communicate enough for Zhao Yunlan to let Lin Jing know about that, why couldn't he just tell him directly to steal the serum?

And speaking of, why is Zhao Yunlan asking Lin Jing to steal the serum? Is Zhao Yunlan already considering using it on himself? (Is this his own version of Shen Wei's failsafe?)

Given that the serum is now being distributed, who do you think it's being used on - and how much choice did those people have in being given it? (Professor Ouyang, considering what he does to Guo Changcheng, doesn't seem to care much about consent ...)

How well do you think Guo Changcheng and Li Qian know each other? (He calls her Student Li Qian, which seems pretty formal, but she just calls him Changcheng, which is rather familiar, so I feel like we're getting mixed messages here ...) If they're friends, how do you think that happened?

What do you think Chu Shuzhi means when he thinks he used to be Dixingren? Especially given that a few episodes ago, his happy ending dream involved living in Dixing with Guo Changcheng ...

Zhang Shi explains that the reason the Hallows were lost "decades ago" is because the Guardian Lantern was extinguished. When did that happen? When Shen Wei arrived in the present 20+ years ago, the Hallows were already lost. And Dixing in Chu Shuzhi's youth, ostensibly 100 years ago, looked very much like present-day Dixing. Also, we know from Wang Zheng's backstory that the Mountain-River Awl has been in Hanga territory for over 100 years, and from Li Qian that the Sundial was a family heirloom. How does all of that go together? Any theories?

In this episode, we see Zhao Yunlan casually shoot a man who is already restrained (the Nightmare Master), and then later he shoots another man behind his back without even looking! What do you think has changed for him, that he's now so cavalier about killing?

Let's talk about episode 36!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: On a YOHE clifftop, Zhao Yunlan gives the Envoy his name.
Ending of episode: Back in Dragon City, Zhao Yunlan tells Shen Wei he's not just a knife, and "Professor Lin" arrives at the DoS security check to confiscate Guo Changcheng's baton.

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan fixes Shen Wei's name and asks about his past and his brother.
Ye Zun brings the Hallows to the Rebel Leader and gets kicked in the chest, mind-controlled and abused until his power manifests and he commits involuntarily cannibalism; he becomes the new Rebel Leader.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan talk in the moonlight some more; Da Qing runs up to say the Rebels have declared war.
Clash #1: Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan reclaim the Hallows, and Zhao Yunlan shoots a bunch of guys.
For the first time in months, Zhao Yunlan fails to activate the Hallows (but at least he doesn't have visions, collapse or go blind).
Da Qing chooses Zhao Yunlan as his master, and Zhao Yunlan fastens the bells around Da Qing's neck.
Clash #2: Ye Zun & co attack, Ye Zun's mask comes off, and the brothers reunite... until Ye Zun knocks everyone down.
The Hallows' wormhole swallows Zhao Yunlan, and he meets present-day Shen Wei inside.
From there, they watch as:
- Ye Zun falls into the energy seal, and Shen Wei follows after
- the Treaty is signed and the Allied Forces disbanded
- Da Qing leaves in search of his memories
- 10k years later, the Regent sends Ding Dun to Haixing to investigate the energy seal and look for the Hallows
- Ding Dun's mission finds the newly waking Envoy
- the Regent and Shen Wei agree on their roles
- Shen Wei talks to pillar!Ye Zun, then returns to Haixing and catches some petty Dixingren crooks.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan leave the wormhole and land in the SID lab, where Da Qing is waiting.
Da Qing says Dixing has declared war on Haixing; cue flashback to Ye Zun impersonating the Envoy and burning the treaty.
At the DoS security check, Changcheng gets stopped because of his baton, and the guard sends for Professor Lin.
In the street, Zhao Yunlan tells Shen Wei that he's not a knife, and says the big problem for the moment is humans.
Lin Jing comes to the DoS security check and takes Changcheng's baton.

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue? For me, it's the entire clifftop conversation, and especially Zhao Yunlan asking Shen Wei not to blame him for leaving. It says so much!!

How do you feel about YOHE Ye Zun? Do you have thoughts about his terrible circumstances? Do they make you pity him?

Any thoughts or feelings about Fu You and Ma Gui? Do you ship them? Do you think Fu You was right to leave?

At the end of the episode, Shen Wei seems to think he could have defeated Ye Zun in YOHE. Why do you think he thinks this?li
What exactly does Shen Wei feel about Ye Zun using the Envoy's image to start a war?

We know that, among other things, the treaty places some restrictions on the Envoy. Does burning it change anything?

Does the Regent have any redeeming features?

The first time you watched, did you think Lin Jing had gone to the dark side, or did you recognise his no-nonsense attitude to Changcheng as a ruse?

Let’s talk about episode 35!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Chu Shuzhi tells his true history to an unconscious Guo Changcheng
Ending of episode: "Kunlun" asks the young Envoy about his name

Important scenes/developments:

Chu Shuzhi tells an unconscous Guo Changcheng the truth about Nianzhi
Lin Jing and Li Qian talk about the SID, and Professor Ouyang announces his success
the Inspectorate shuts down the SID and tells everyone to vacate the premises
Zhao Yunlan hears on the radio that his arrest has been ordered, and narrowly gets away
Shen Wei is accosted and almost arrested in the street
Wang Zheng and Sang Zan put two two Inspectorate men out of commission
Professor Ouyang tests his serum on himself, with painful and powerful effects
Wang Zheng returns Zhao Yunlan's black energy gun to him with a message from his father
Ye Zun arrives at the SID, pretending to be Shen Wei
Zhao Yunlan tries to use the Sundial AGAIN
Ye Zun-as-Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan: attempted deception, confrontation, Wang Zheng's and Sang Zan's sacrifice; last minute save by wormhole
Shen Wei follows Zhao Yunlan into the wormhole
Zhao Yunlan falls into YOHE and interferes in a battle
Zhao Yunlan meets YOHE!Da Qing and is told to "take his place"
Zhao Yunlan meets Ma Gui and Fu You, and learns about the war
Zhao Yunlan gets a new look, meets the young Envoy again and asks him to take off his mask and smile
clifftop scene: Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei talk about duty, fear, masks, the different flavours of life, and identity
Fu You tells Ma Gui the Yashou will retreat after everything is over
Zhao Yunlan asks the Envoy's name

Zhao Yunlan with his hand on Chu Shuzhi's shoulder

Ye Zun smiles at Wang Zheng and Sang Zan

( thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Your favourite line?

When we went into the Nightmare Master arc on this rewatch, one of the things most of us wanted to do was make more sense of all these dreams and dreams-within-a-dream, to sort out what's real. Do you feel you've managed to do this? Now that the arc has ended, what are your thoughts?

What do you think Guo Ying thinks about all these rumours about the SID? How much does he worry about his nephew? And he and Yu Jinlan seemed to have practically accepted Chu Shuzhi into the family - what are they making of what's now being said about Chu Shuzhi's background?

Zhao Yunlan's arrest has been ordered, and Shen Wei is nearly arrested as well. Probably Chu Shuzhi would also be arrested on sight - but why were Zhu Hong and Cong Bo allowed to leave the SID unharrassed? Guo Changcheng being allowed to transfer to the Inspectorate can be chalked up to nepotism, I guess. *g* But why is Shen Wei being singled out, other than narrative parallels between our heroes?

And does the Inspectorate know who Shen Wei is, by now? Zhao Xinci certainly knows. But who would think it was a good idea to try and arrest the Black-Cloaked Envoy?

Regarding "my little Yunlan": does Ye Zun really think Shen Wei talks like that? Why do you think Ye Zun chooses that phrasing? (And how delightful is it that even Ye Zun knows these two are together? *g*)

Do you think Ye Zun is right that the timeline corrects itself? And that no one's ever come back from a wormhole? He could be lying, trying to prevent people from undoing his success, but since he goes on to suggest Zhao Yunlan give him the Hallows and let him try fixing the timeline, this warning doesn't particular benefit him either, so it could also all be true ....

At what point do you think Zhao Yunlan realises Ye Zun is not Shen Wei? The obvious moment is when Ye Zun asks whether it's worth it, but does he have suspicions before that? To be fair, he has no idea that Shen Wei has an identical twin, or any reason to think the shield is down and unauthorised Dixingren can enter, so it's perhaps not the most obvious conclusion.

If Zhao Yunlan hadn't interfered in the battle, what would have happened? Would the Rebel Leader have thrown Shen Wei down a cliff for the second time? (Shen Wei did survive that even as a kid, but everyone else would definitely have been toast.)

What do you think the young Envoy and Da Qing make of all of the weird things "Kunlun" says? Do they ever compare notes?

I get the impression there's some definite distance between humans and Yashou on one side, and Dixingren on the other, even within the YOHE alliance. What do you think Ma Gui and Fu You make of Zhao Yunlan's interest in and behaviour towards the Envoy? Does it change anything for them?

Let's talk about episode 34!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Chu Shuzhi is dreaming he's by the river with Guo Changcheng.
Ending of episode: Ye Zun is completely free from the pillar.

Important scenes/developments:

Dream!Changcheng calls Chu Shuzhi "gege" on Nianzhi's behalf and tempts him with a happy-ever-after in Dixing.
They go to Dixing; dream!Changcheng asks about Nianzhi and says, "What if I could revive him?"
Chu Shuzhi tells another version of his backstory (I think?) and gets very agitated; dream!Changcheng soothes him.
Dream!Changcheng says they need the Hallows, and they go to get them from the SID; dream!Changcheng tells Chu Shuzhi to destroy the security shield.
Chu Shuzhi realises it's a trick and breaks out of the dream... into another dream? Where he tries to fight Nightmare Guy.
More childhood backstory.
- Shuzhi pretends to be Nianzhi.
- Nianzhi gets his admission letter from the palace.
- Shuzhi gets in a bar fight and is arrested.
- The person Shuzhi beat up mistakenly kills Nianzhi instead.
- Shuzhi escapes from prison and kills the guy.
- The Regent sentences Shuzhi to 100 years.
Chu Shuzhi wakes up on the SID couch, holding his doll; he and Zhao Yunlan are both super upset about Changcheng.
At the pillar, Ye Zun tells Nightmare Guy that he's failed again and gives him one more chance. (Shen Wei is proud of the SID's resilience.)
Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing worry about Changcheng and receive Shen Wei's letter.
Zhao Yunlan goes to Dixing, finds Changcheng in the palace and meets the Shadow Man.
The Shadow Man goes to the pillar and alarms Shen Wei... until Zhao Yunlan arrives with Changcheng. Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan reunite.
Zhao Yunlan tries to break the pillar chains, and the Shadow Man takes over; he dies freeing Shen Wei.
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei carry Changcheng back to the SID, where Chu Shuzhi takes him to the lab.
The Bench Scene!
Chu Shuzhi caresses unconscious!Changcheng.
Da Qing tells Chu Shuzhi that Shen Wei saved Changcheng at the pillar; also, don't touch the Hallows!
Chu Shuzhi immediately goes for the Longevity Dial.
Lin Jing remembers back when Professor Ouyang transferred him to the SID.
Chu Shuzhi/Guo Changcheng Longevity Dial exchange!! Changcheng still doesn't wake, but Chu Shuzhi looks pleased/hopeful.
Lin Jing falls asleep and dreams that everyone calls him a traitor and is rude about his inventions. He shuts down the security shield.
Ye Zun eats a random passerby, and the soundtrack music is alarming.

Chu Shuzhi happily hugs fake Changcheng.

Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan sit on a bench, smiling together.

( Thoughts. )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?

In earlier episodes we've seen Nianzhi say, "I wish that everyone can be happy. That way, I'd be happy too." (ep 6) and heard that he was timid (Chu Shuzhi tells Changcheng, "You are such a scaredy-cat. More timid than my brother." in ep 8). How does that mesh with what we see in Chu Shuzhi's dreams, especially with him aspiring to work at the palace and asking Chu Shuzhi not to use his puppet power? For that matter, what kind of job do you think Nianzhi was going for at the palace? He doesn't seem like your typical guard -- though the palace guard does seem to have had a good reputation in the past, despite working for the Regent; Zhu Jiu joined up in his idealistic phase.

Do you think 100 years is a typical sentence for murder in Dixing, or was Chu Shuzhi targeted, or is his crime special in some way -- maybe because he used his power to commit the murder?

When and why did Chu Shuzhi start to suspect fake Changcheng wasn't really Changcheng?

Any theories on Chu Shuzhi's puppet and the Nianzhi puppet? I've always thought he treated his Haixing puppet so well and protectively because it was Nianzhi, but now it seems that Nianzhi was left behind in Dixing?

How much of the Regent's enmity towards the Envoy is because Shen Wei keeps petitioning on prisoners' behalf, thereby implicitly criticising the Regent's sentencing practices?

The Shadow Man, Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu all sacrificed themselves to protect Shen Wei because they care about the fate of Dixing and they believe in the Envoy. Do you think they're unusual, or are there a lot of others who are counting on the Envoy to save the day?

How much do you love the Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan reunion in this episode, especially the bench scene? I remember my first time watching the show, I was waiting and waiting for Shen Wei to come back from Dixing (much like Zhao Yunlan *g*), and all that anticipation and impatience could have made their reunion anticlimactic, but it wasn't AT ALL. So wonderful!

Do you think there's a cost to the Chu Shuzhi/Guo Changcheng Dial exchange? Does Chu Shuzhi get infected with light energy, too, and if so, how does it affect him?

In Lin Jing's flashback, he'd heard of the SID but didn't know its role. Out of those who know of it, what do most people think the SID is for? Also, does Lin Jing really think the SID team blame him for spying? *cries*

Let’s talk about episode 33!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

awanderingcoyote

Beginning of episode: Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan argue.
Ending of episode: Chu Shuzhi talks with Guo Changcheng.

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan yells at Chu Shuzhi about using his puppet in Zhu Hong’s dream.
Da Qing runs in as the two argue and the talk shifts to the articles that have been released concerning the SID, and specifically Chu Shuzhi’s past.
Zhao Yunlan wants to go to Dixing. Chu Shuzhi volunteers.
It transitions to Ye Zun punishing the Nightmare Master for failing.
Guo Changcheng has a nightmare that Chu Shuzhi strangles him.
Zhao Yunlan argues with Minister Gao about the leaked files concerning Chu Shuzhi’s past.
Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi argue some more.
Chu Shuzhi decides to go to Dixing and Guo Changcheng tags along.
The Regent is still a bad man.
Chu Shuzhi stomps around angrily because of the Regent and losing the last piece of his brother.
Chu Shuzhi tries to scare Guo Changcheng away. It doesn’t work.
Shen Wei is chained to the sky pillar.
Ye Zun manifests in his shadow form, taunts Chu Shuzhi with his dead brother and then seemingly kills Guo Changcheng.
Chu Shuzhi wakes up at the SID and tells Zhao Yunlan about Shen Wei.
Guo Changcheng finds a sleeping Chu Shuzhi and they speak.
Chu Shuzhi has a nightmare about when he and his brother were kids, and how his brother died.
Chu Shuzhi tells Guo Changcheng he would like his dreams to be reality.

( Thoughts!! )

Discussion Points:

What was your favorite part of this particular episode as we continue into the dream arc of the show? Was it Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arguing several times? Was it the cannibal scene? I’m eager to hear!
When do you think the dream actually started? Was it when we see Guo Changcheng wake from his nightmare? Or was it after Guo Changcheng was ‘killed’ by Ye Zun? Or is Guo Chancheng really Guo Changcheng in this whole episode? I’m sure you can see my opinion in my write-up of what I think LOL XD
How do you think Chu Shuzhi got back to the SID after being defeated by Ye Zun? Was it the Nightmare Master’s doing? Do you think Zhao Yunlan had an inkling that something was wrong?
Also, do you think with how confused Chu Shuzhi was acting that the Nightmare Master used his powers on him to remember things differently, which is why he acted so confused/stumbled and stuttered?
Do you think when the Nightmare Master impersonates someone he can actually get a sense of the person with his powers? Or is he just real good at reading people and manipulation?
When the Regent was pretending not to know where Shen Wei was, what do you think that look at the very end was? I felt like it was significant in some ways, but I’m not sure what to read of it.
I know I sped ran through the Ye Zun part, but I have to say Zhu Yilong’s portal of Ye Zun versus Shen Wei is really awesome. He definitely can play maniacal evil very well. Does everyone have a favorite Ye Zun scene? If so, what it is? :D
I still feel vaguely confused on the Chu twins background. Can someone confirm that I am not reading things incorrectly and that there are at least two (maybe three) versions of the Chu twins background between 32 and 33? Because I had to run on over to 33 to try and figure out if I was just remembering everything wrong LOL and honestly, I still feel vaguely confused?!

Let’s talk about episode 32!

Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

PS: Also, a shout out to everyone who has written up/commented/and just squee’d over these rewatches! This community is truly awesome :D Kudos to everyone! And also, please forgive any run on sentences or repeating of myself (I'm pretty sure I repeated some thoughts several times) I fueled myself with a lot of caffeine when writing this :) THANK YOU!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan confronts Zhang Shi
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan confronts Chu Shuzhi

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan confronts Zhang Shi
Flashback: Zhang Shi entering Zhao Xinci's body; agreement between them to secretly work together
Zhao Yunlan confronts his father; Zhao Xinci wants to use the non-human SID members as scapegoats
Zhu Hong meets Zhao Yunlan in the street; she's worried about him, and he tries to send her away
Ya Qing attacks Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan
Minister Gao can't stop the rumours, and gives the go-ahead for action
Zhao Yunlan remembers his promise to Shen Wei, and his father's threat to shut down the SID
Zhu Hong won't wake up; Zhao Yunlan enters her dream
Flashback: younger Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong chasing someone on a case
Chu Shuzhi stops men from the Inspectorate from entering to shut down the SID
Flashback: younger Zhu Hong tries to make herself over in the image of a human woman
Shen Wei senses Zhao Yunlan's energies are in turmoil; Ye Zun taunts him
Guo Changcheng enters the dream; Zhu Hong lashes out at him and Chu Shuzhi's puppet protects him
Zhu Hong talks to Zhao Yunlan about their relationship; he admits she's important to him
Zhao Yunlan confronts Chu Shuzhi about endangering Zhu Hong

Zhao Yunlan puts his hands on Zhu Hong's shoulders

Chu Shuzhi stops the Inspectorate from entering the SID

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite moment in this episode? Your favourite line? I think mine is Zhao Yunlan confronting his father, promising to protect his people. ♥

I always get hung up on how the scenes don't match between the ending of episode 30 and the beginning of 31: in episode 30, Zhao Yunlan calls Zhang Shi out on not being Zhao Xinci and then, when Zhang Shi asks how he knows, promptly pulls his gun, whereas in episode 31, he first explains his reasoning, and doesn't pull his gun until Zhang Shi tells him he's talking nonsense. And I actually feel it works better if he pulls his gun right away. What do you think? Any preference?

What do you think is Zhang Shi's motivation in choosing Zhao Xinci as a host, and working with him? And what do you think of Zhao Xinci's "compromise" with Zhang Shi?

Why do you think Zhao Yunlan is trying so hard to push Zhu Hong away in this episode? Would he have done the same to other SID members?

Chu Shuzhi says Zhu Hong's wound is just a wound - no poison, no curse. (He doesn't appear to have detected black energy either, but then perhaps it's indistinguishable from a Yashou's own energy.) What do you think a "curse" is in the context of Guardian's sci-fi context? And how do you check for one?

Does anyone know what "human food" Zhu Hong is eating here?

When Ye Zun taunts Shen Wei and says he's curious what Shen Wei's dream will look like, Shen Wei claims he doesn't have dreams. Ye Zun asks if it's that he doesn't have dreams or if it's that he doesn't dare dream; Shen Wei claims he doesn't need to dream, implying it's because he has the real thing. Do you think Shen Wei doesn't dream in general? Or is this in relation to how the Nightmare Master's power functions - is this not about literal dreaming-while-asleep, but about having unfulfilled dreams for your life for the Nightmare Master's power to latch onto?

Chu Shuzhi gives Guo Changcheng a vial with what he calls a magic potion and what turns out to be alcohol. Why do you think he has this? What's it actually for? And how does he know it will help Xiao-Guo enter the dream?

How did Chu Shuzhi make his puppet manifest in Zhu Hong's dream? Did he plant it on Guo Changcheng somehow, without Xiao-Guo's knowledge? And in the confrontation at the end, Zhao Yunlan throws the smaller version of the puppet on his desk. How did he get it? He didn't grab it in the dream, at least.

Speaking of, why do you think Zhao Yunlan is so sure activating the puppet inside the dream is dangerous? And is he aware that Zhu Hong attacking him and Xiao-Guo in the dream is also dangerous? (Shen Wei can sense the instability it causes in Zhao Yunlan from Dixing!)

Let's talk about episode 31!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Shen Wei, Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu are at the locust tree gate and about to go to Dixing.
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan pulls his dark energy gun on Zhang Shi.

Important scenes/developments:

Shen Wei gives Sha Ya the ring from Lin Jing.
Zhao Yunlan and Minister Gao argue about whether to hide the Ye Zun threat from the public.
Ye Zun tells Ya Qing to hack the SID and leak false info.
Zhao Yunlan hears Lin Jing in the lab with Professor Ouyang and confirms Lin Jing is a spy.
Lin Jing leaves the SID, and everyone is very upset.
Shen Wei arrives in the Dijun's palace with Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu, and finds that Ye Zun has taken over.
Flashback to the coup.
Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu tell Shen Wei to save himself, so he leaves and goes to the pillar.
There are four patients at Dragon City hospital with the same mysterious complaint.
Lin Jing starts working with Professor Ouyang and Li Qian in the Haixing lab.
Shen Wei yells at Ye Zun and gets chained to the pillar.
Zhao Yunlan argues with Minister Gao again; Zhao Xinci (but actually Zhang Shi) arrives and tries to mediate.
Cong Bo starts to delete all SID electronic data, but Ya Qing knocks him out and leaks it online.
The SID team is upset; Zhao Yunlan stews in his office; Da Qing takes charge.
Da Qing and Zhu Hong are questioned in the street by a member of the public. Da Qing saves himself; Ying Chun saves Zhu Hong.
Fourth Uncle tells Zhu Hong to return to the forest, but she's determined to stay.
Chu Shuzhi received a forged note from the Envoy and is worried for his safety.
Zhao Yunlan burns incense in his office and struggles with his inaction.
An official car arrives at the SID to collect Zhao Yunlan; on his way out he tells Wang Zheng and Sang Zan to defend the Hallows.
Zhao Xinci greets his son with, "You've made me so disappointed."
They go to Zhao Yunlan's flat, where Zhao Yunlan pulls his dark-energy gun on Zhang Shi.

Long-suffering Zhao Yunlan is frustrated with politics.

Zhao Yunlan is a whole rainbow of frustration and worry in this episode.

( Thoughts. )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?

How many bullet holes is Shen Wei sporting after the fight at the palace?

And has the Regent actually taken Ye Zun's side at this point? If not, what's he playing at, telling the guards to open fire on the Envoy? I find it hard to figure him out.

Why do you think Shen Wei changes into his suit after he escapes from the palace?

How differently would things have gone in Haixing if Minister Gao had let Zhao Yunlan go public sooner and set the narrative?

Why didn't Zhao Yunlan tell the rest of the team his arrangement with Lin Jing? Does he not trust them? Or is it just for the sake of dramatic tension in the meta sense?

When did Ya Qing learn to use computers, and how hard is it to type in gloves?

How strange must it feel for Chu Shuzhi to be worried about the Envoy?

What's up with the mysterious medical cases? Do you think they're linked to the serum project?

Let’s talk about episode 30!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are going to see Fourth Uncle
Ending of episode: Shen Wei, Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu are at the locust tree gate and about to go to Dixing

Important scenes/developments:

Shen Wei deduces a number from a payphone's push buttons
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan discover the jeep and Minister Gao
flashback: Bai Suxia's and Wang Xiangyang's wedding pics at the jeep
Vice Minister Guo fetches Minister Gao
flashback: Zhao Xinci scolds little!Zhao Yunlan about searching the wrong way for their lost dog
Wu Xiaojun attacks the Pillar; Wu Tian'en saves him
the SID watches a DVD Wang Xiangyang recorded and deduce the location
Flashback: Bai Suxia and Wang Xiangyang are expecting a child
Sha Ya tortures Zhao Xinci and discovers he has two personalities; Zhao Yunlan et al. interrupt Wang Xiangyang's plan to kill Zhao Xinci
flashbacks: events of Reunion Night for Wang Xiangyang and Bai Suxia
Zhao Yunlan offers to take Zhao Xinci's place as his son; big confrontation between SID and Wang Xiangyang
flashback: Zhao Xinci in the hospital
Wang Xiangyang gives the Merit Brush to Zhao Yunlan and is dissolved into ashes
SID speculation on the Merit Brush is interrupted by a quake; Ya Qing explains the Merit Brush broke Ye Zun's prison
Ye Zun kills Wu Tian'en
Shen Wei takes Hua Yuzhu and Sha Ya to the Dixing portal
flashbacks: Gu Ban's death, Gu Ban's feelings for Sha Ya

Zhao Yunlan and the SID watch Wang Xiangyang's DVD

Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei open the window

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? I find it hard to pick between the payphone deduction (more lighthearted) and Zhao Yunlan on the rooftop (more angsty).

What's your favourite line? Mine has to be Zhao Xinci's "I could just not explain anything to you, but I don't want you to die stupid!" :D

Why do you think the SID never checked out the contents of Wang Xiangyang's home before? Shouldn't they have done so as soon as they realised who the Master of the Merit Brush was?

During Wu Xiaojun's first visit to the pillar, An Bai's two friends (An Song and Dandan) emerge from a cloud of black energy. Later, after the quake and the Pillar breaking open, Ye Zun appears as a black cloud, and An Song and Dandan emerge from it somehow, only to then vanish again. Is Ye Zun his absorbing and releasing and re-absorbing them? That's what it looks like to me! Did he eat them, and spits them out again whenever he has use for them?! Or if this is some sort of portal-adjacent power and he's calling them from somewhere else?

After Wang Xiangyang's death, everyone tries to figure out what Team Merit Brush was after. Why do you think they didn't realise earlier that it was about freeing Ye Zun? After all, Zhu Jiu with his energy-gathering already temporarily/partially broke him free from the Pillar once (when he appeared as an energy projection and Zhao Yunlan got blinded). Freeing him seems like an obvious goal, doesn't it?

The energy spectacle in the sky that accompanies/follows the quake also involves a stream of black energy going upward. Is that coming directly from the Pillar? And what do ordinary people make of this spectacle? (The implication seems to be that everyone at the SID is seeing it, so I would assume people can generally see it! And I also assume the uproar among the Yashou is also related to this.)

At the locust tree where the passage to Dixing opens, Shen Wei has Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu with him. How did that happen?

Last we saw Sha Ya, she appeared to be leaving from the rooftop. And now, she seems to have no interest in running away, even though her revenge was not completed and she doesn't yet know it was misdirected. Was she captured? Why has she given up on her revenge?

And last we saw Hua Yuzhu, she left the forest. How is she with Shen Wei - especially given Shen Wei doesn't seem keen on taking her to Dixing? He specifically tells her she lived in Dragon City for so long and committed no crimes, and offers to let her go.

Speaking of Sha Ya, she looks red-eyed and drained. Is that emotional, or has all the boosting from the Merit Brush gone away after Wang Xiangyang died? (Or are those boosts permanent, do you think? Is she still superpowered? Can she still zoom into the sky?!)

And regarding the Merit Brush's enhancements: if Shen Wei learned Sha Ya's power from observing it, would he only learn the basic version, or would the Merit Brush enhancement come across as well? Or do his own power levels mean he can accomplish something similar without enhancement?

After Gu Ban is shot, Zhao Xinci tells Hua Yuzhu to call an ambulance, but he doesn't know Gu Ban is Dixingren, and the black energy gun shouldn't harm humans. Does he realise Gu Ban is Dixingren, or is he so distracted by the other guy that he thinks Gu Ban is only down because the guy strangled him, and the gun did nothing?

When the perpetrator takes the gun and tries to fire it at Zhao Xinci, nothing happens. It's not just that it has no effect on Zhao Xinci - it looks like it's out of bullets, and doesn't shoot at all. But we've never seen it actually need ammo, and Zhao Yunlan uses it freely in YOHE. Does it need time to recharge? *g*

Let's talk about episode 29!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

A dark-toned group photo of the Special Investigation team from the Chinese drama Guardian. Text reads: Guardian Rewatch SID-Guardian.dreamwidth.org/tag/!Rewatch

We're up to the last quarter of our rewatch! We're having a ball, and we hope you are, too! Feel free to jump into the conversations at any time -- tell us your favourite moment of the episode; share your squee, thoughts or observations; come and help us puzzle out the significance of things we haven't made sense of before; and just generally roll around in love for the Guardian drama. Special thanks to

trobadora for making such awesome posts in the current round, and thanks too to everyone who's commented so far! ♥ ♥ ♥

It's time for our last round of sign-ups.

Important: Anyone can sign up to host a rewatch post! You don't have to attend the Discord viewings or anything else to take part here. And as you may have noticed, the dates for posting are pretty flexible. ;-)

Trobadora's and my tendency towards meta-heavy posts notwithstanding, we're actually aiming for more of a "let's talk about anything in this episode" vibe, and less of a TED talk presentation. The posts can be as minimalist as you like! The template only requires:

a reminder of where in the story the episode starts and ends in terms of plot
a quick list of significant/memorable scenes and developments, and
a few discussion starters -- observations, thoughts, questions.

( Template )

And participants' comments can be as brief or as in-depth as you like.

On each rewatch post, mods will post a "Links to episode [#] fanworks and meta go here!" comment, and we encourage everyone to link to their own and others' fanworks, previous or new episode reactions, meta, picspams, etc.

Announcements
If anyone would be willing to help spread the word on Tumblr, Twitter, and other parts of Discord, please do! You're welcome to use the rewatch banner.

Sign-ups
Rewatch sign-ups are in blocks of 10 episodes/10 weeks. Please comment below to claim an episode/date – or more than one!

ep 31, 11/12 Aug:
ep 32, 18/19 Aug:

awanderingcoyote
ep 33, 25/26 Aug:
ep 34, 1/2 Sept:
ep 35, 8/9 Sept:
ep 36: 15/16 Sept:
ep 37, 22/23 Sept:
ep 38, 29/30 Sept:
ep 39, 6/7 Oct:
ep 40, 13/14 Oct:

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan asks Sha Ya if Wang Xiangyang has more enemies he's pursuing.
Ending of episode: Zhao Xinci tries to escape his kidnapping, and Sha Ya zaps him.

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan continues interviewing Sha Ya; she offers a trade.
Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng search Dragon City for Hua Yuzhu.
Lin Jing talks to Sha Ya alone, and we get her backstory.
Lin Jing gives Sha Ya a ring, and she's happy for a moment.
Hua Yuzhu and Sha Ya both separately hear news of a building development and run to the site. Zhao Yunlan recognises Hua Yuzhu's earring and follows her; Lin Jing takes Sha Ya to the site.
More backstory: Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu are in an Extremely Amicable Love Triangle. Ye Zun tempts all three to go to Haixing. Romantic misunderstandings. Then Gu Ban is shot, and Sha Ya thinks Zhao Xinci did it.
Hua Yuzhu arrives in the forest, Sha Ya attacks her, and Lin Jing de-escalates.
Sha Ya blows up a digger and burns the construction site and possibly also the construction workers. /o\
The SID lose Sha Ya.
Team Merit Brush kidnap Zhao Xinci, Minister Gao, and their driver.
Wang Xiangyang decides to play another game with the SID.
Vice Minister Guo brings news of the kidnapping to the SID. Zhao Yunlan is shaken; Shen Wei steadies him.
Cong Bo and Lin Jing do hacking.
Zhao Yunlan tries to induce a vision with the Sundial and collapses.
At the flat, Shen Wei silently scolds Zhao Yunlan while he sleeps off the Dial's effects.
Wang Xiangyang is dying. Flashback to him and Bai Suxia being cute in a phone box.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan fight some Crow soldiers; Shen Wei doesn't immediately heal.
They find the missing driver in the phone box.
Zhao Xinci wakes up and tries to escape, but Sha Ya intercepts him.

( Thoughts and screencaps. )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Favourite line of dialogue?

If Sha Ya had genuinely changed sides at the SID, and Lin Jing had appealed to the Envoy, do you think Sha Ya would have been allowed to stay in Haixing? For that matter, what would it have taken for Sha Ya to let her vengeance go and work with the SID?

What did Ye Zun gain by sending Sha Ya and co to Haixing? Was interfering just a hobby at that point?

Hypothetically, could Hua Yuzhu have become a Flower-Yashou healer?

Did Zhao Yunlan's vision actually warn of this kidnapping? If so, why are the circumstances so different?

When Shen Wei tells Zhao Yunlan, "You are the Chief of the SID, the Lord of the Guardians. If you are in disarray, the whole city will be as well," is he speaking metaphysically, or is it more prosaic cause-and-effect deal (ie, we can't stop bad guys if you're freaking out)?

How torn is Shen Wei about keeping the Hallows at the SID, given that ot1h, it's the safest place for them, but otoh, Zhao Yunlan has a reckless, self-sacrificial streak a mile wide and apparently never learns?

Let’s talk about episode 28!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Lao-Li apologises to Da Qing for what he did ten years ago
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan asks Sha Ya if Wang Xiangyang has more enemies he's pursuing

Important scenes/developments:

Lao-Li explains his backstory with Da Qing; Da Qing forgives him
Da Qing talks to Shen Wei about ending up with the SID
the SID confronts Wang Xiangyang; Ya Qing takes him away
Lin Jing dreams of Sha Ya calling him a traitor, and destroys the syringe from Kong Jing's place
Sha Ya attacks the lab again
Prof Ouyang visits Li Qian in hospital and decides on a dangerous course with their research
Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei and Da Qing sneak into the lab; Shen Wei reconstructs what they've been working on
Sha Ya says she's leaving soon; Lin Jing tries to bug her
Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi happen on Guo Ying and Yu Jinlan being attacked by Sha Ya; she gets away but loses an earring
Zhao Yunlan calls Cong Bo and tells him to investigate certain people, then discovers Shen Wei talking to Zhao Xinci
Shen Wei and Zhao Xinci talk about the experiments at the lab and about Zhao Yunlan
Zhao Yunlan confronts Shen Wei about keeping more secrets from him
at the SID, Zhao Yunlan deduces that the attacker is Lin Jing's girlfriend
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan try to capture Sha Ya at the club
Lin Jing confronts Sha Ya outside; she lets herself be captured
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan interrogate Sha Ya

Tension between Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan

( thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What is your favourite scene in this episode? (I'm having a hard time choosing between the Da Qing and Shen Wei memory scene and the Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei confrontation.) What's the best line? (I quoted my favourite above.)
Which use of Dixing or Yashou powers in this episode was the most fun, or the most unexpected? I'm voting for Sha Ya zipping off into the sky! :D

Anything you didn't remember? I had entirely forgotten about the Regent sending out a siege squad, and also about the ring Lin Jing already has in his pocket in this episode ...

What is the point of Sha Ya's second invasion of the lab? She tells Li Qian she's there to destroy the research, but just like the previous time, she can't get into the safe, and that doesn't seem to bother her. How can they be sure she's destroyed everything?

How do you think Zhao Yunlan suspects Lin Jing so quickly? When he discovers the syringe missing, he immediately looks at Lin Jing's desk ...

When Sha Ya's power zaps the bug Lin Jing is trying to plant on her, he says: "Tell me the truth, are you ...", but she stops him with a finger on his lips. Is he about to ask if she's Dixingren? Or does he already have a suspicion about her electric powers and the connection to Team Merit Brush?

When Zhao Yunlan tells Cong Bo to check out some people (plural), who do you think is included? Who else, apart from Lin Jing, is getting investigated? Everyone? Only some of them?

What did Shen Wei hope to get from the meeting with Zhao Xinci? Do you think he got it?

Why do you think, when Zhao Yunlan confronts him after the meeting with Zhao Xinci, Shen Wei stays silent for so long? What's his reasoning for keeping this particular secret from Zhao Yunlan?

When Lin Jing confronts Sha Ya at the end, is he doing this on his own, or is he part of Zhao Yunlan's plan? That is, did Zhao Yunlan leave him out of the operation to capture his girlfriend, or did he, despite suspecting him of being a traitor, nevertheless bring him in on this?

Interesting to me: during the confrontation in the alley, Zhao Yunlan accuses Wang Xiangyang of hiding behind others, goading them into avenging him - which is very similar to what Sha Ya says about him at the end of the episode when she's being interrogated. Is she doing that deliberately for subconscious appeal to Zhao Yunlan, or are they really on the same wavelength regarding Wang Xiangyang?

Let's talk about episode 27!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Shen Wei's flat has been torched.
Ending of episode: Da Qing regains his memories, and Lao Li kneels in apology.

Important scenes/developments:

Shen Wei's flat is arsonated, so he and Zhao Yunlan retreat across the hall...
...where they work on the couch together (domestic! adorable!); Shen Wei cuts up oranges and watches Zhao Yunlan sleep. ♥ ♥ ♥
Wang Xiangyang has found another recruit.
Lin Jing and Sha Ya have a morning date, and Lin Jing overhears Da Ji's husband plotting to kill Da Ji.
Da Ji's husband stages a romantic anniversary dinner during which he poisons Da Ji.
Sha Ya's gig; Lin Jing has brought Zhu Hong for moral support.
Da Ji's husband (and his girlfriend?) are arrested for fraud.
Lin Jing puts on a slide show about Da Ji, and no one pays attention.
Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng investigate Bai Suxia's accident.
Lin Jing and Cong Bo research Da Ji, and Da Qing vaguely recognises her.
Da Qing wears a terrible suit and goes undercover as Da Ji's blind date.
The cats go for a walk and argue, and Da Ji starts choking Da Qing; Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei show up to watch.
Zhao Yunlan intervenes in the choking, Da Ji attacks him instead, and Shen Wei accidentally kills her.
Zhao Yunlan presents the evidence linking the Merit Brush cases to Bai Suxia and Wang Xiangyang.
Da Qing absolves Shen Wei of Da Ji's death and quotes the Envoy from 10k years ago.
Da Ji wakes up, knocks Da Qing out and escapes.
Da Qing asks Dr Cheng for more memory treatment, but it doesn't work.
Da Ji finds Da Qing and takes him for a tour of Memory Lane, which triggers some old memories incl. that she died saving his life.
Everyone at the SID teases Da Qing about his "girlfriend".
Da Ji attacks Lao Li, then knocks Da Qing out and kidnaps him.
Da Ji tells Da Qing about his past with Lao Li.
The rest of the SID search for Da Qing.
Da Ji and Da Qing argue, but Lao Li intervenes and comes clean to Da Qing.
Da Qing blocks Da Ji's attack of Lao Li and gets the rest of his memories back.
Lao Li kneels in apology.

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What's your favourite scene in this episode? Your favourite line?

How does Da Qing feel about Da Ji? What do you think of her? How about Sha Ya and Lin Jing?

Dr Cheng says to Da Qing, "I am quite curious. At your young age, how come you have so many memories so deeply buried? You come across like an experienced old man." It doesn't sound to me like she'd connecting this to Zu Ma's condition -- why not?

What did Team Merit Brush need Da Ji for? Does the Merit Brush, under Wang Xiangyang's control, feed on revenge energy? Or is using other people's revenge part of Wang Xiangyang's covering his tracks? Or something else?

What Da Qing says the people at the SID "laugh when they're in love, cry when they're in pain," it echoes Da Ji's, "Smile when happy, cry when sad. That's what we cats are really like." Do you think Da Qing is saying the SID are like cats? Or that everyone's just people?

Do you think Shen Wei is worried about what else Da Qing might have remembered and what he might say to Zhao Yunlan?

How much do you think Shen Wei lost in the fire? Most importantly, when they arrive at the SID the next morning, is he wearing Zhao Yunlan's underwear?

Let’s talk about episode 26!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

trobadora

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan and Guo Changcheng question the taxi driver; Guo Changcheng is infected with black energy
Ending of episode: Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan arrive at Shen Wei's flat; something smells burnt

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan and Guo Changcheng question the taxi driver; Guo Changcheng is infected with black energy
Guo Changcheng doesn't want people to touch his diary and becomes aggressive
Zhu Hong tries to confess her feelings, and turns shy and weepy
Zhao Yunlan talks to Dr Cheng and finds out about Kong Jing and his 99 personalities
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei arrive at the SID and are appalled by the changes in Chu Shuzhi
Shen Wei decides to go to Dixing; Zhao Yunlan playacts a changed personality, and Shen Wei is decidedly unimpressed
Shen Wei consults the Regent in Dixing; the Regent tells him to find the source
Zhu Hong whines, Da Qing rejects junk food, but Lin Jing is unchanged
Zhu Hao confirms Kong Jing freed him from prison; before he can explain more about Kong Jing, Ya Qing kills him with a dart
Zhao Yunlan is captured by Kong Jing
Kong Jing tries to transfer his personality into Zhao Yunlan; Shen Wei arrives in time
Kong Jing's original personality wants to die; Ya Qing kills him with a dart
Wang Xiangyang draws the 30th symbol to weaken the energy seal that holds Ye Zun
Zhao Yunlan asks Dr Cheng about remaining unchanged during the personality swap
Lin Jing finds a syringe at the crime scene, and almost hides it
Guo Changcheng visits Kong Jing's grave, and witnesses Dong Nan's death; Ya Qing offers him a token
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan arrive at Shen Wei's flat; something smells burnt

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

What do you think of the personality changes? Can you watch this episode without wincing? (Do you watch it through your fingers? *g*)

What's your favourite scene, and your favourite line?

(Zhao Yunlan as Kong Jing's captive is my favourite scene, and I already mentioned my favourite line above: "You're mistaken. I'm not awake yet." :D)

What's Minister Gao's actual job? What does the Haixing Inspectorate do? In this episode, he's apparently responsible for dealing with a crime wave, and Zhu Hao is held at the Inspectorate ...

During the conversation between Minister Gao and Zhao Xinci, why does Zhang Shi take over when he does? (I don't think it can be because he wants to say/do anything in particular.) And is the pain Zhao Xinci experiences because Zhang Shi is taking over, or conversely, is Zhang Shi taking over because he can manage the pain/Zhao Xinci's health better than Zhao Xinci?

"Anyone but you is susceptible", says Shen Wei. Why is he convinced Zhao Yunlan is immune to the personality change? Why is Zhao Yunlan immune? Do you think there's an external reason?

My theory is that Dr Cheng is correct, and Zhao Yunlan is immune not because of any special powers (whether due to his position as Guardian or due to the energy exchange with Shen Wei, or other or protection from Shen Wei), but because of how in control of his image Zhao Yunlan is. And of course Shen Wei knows this about Zhao Yunlan. But the question remains: how does he know this confers immunity to the personality-changing effect? Could it be because the same self-awareness is what makes some people immune to Ye Zun's mind control powers? Thoughts?

Why does the taxi driver return to normal before Kong Jing dies? Everyone else only reverts afterwards, but Zhu Hao is back to his usual self when he's captured again.

When Kong Jing comes at Zhao Yunlan with black energy between his hands, it takes several moments, but then Kong Jing is suddenly thrown back, and Zhao Yunlan discovers black energy around his hands. He whispers, "Hei-laoge," and the energy dissipates. What exactly is going on here? I assume Zhao Yunlan is correct in ascribing the protective black energy effect to Shen Wei - but how? Is this perhaps the counterpart to the white energy Shen Wei gained from the energy exchange with the Sundial? How does it work, and why is it actively protecting Zhao Yunlan?

Dong Nan, on dying, transforms into a crow. Does this happen to all Yashou? (I feel like this would make more sense in the novel, where they're yao ...) Or is it perhaps a choice Dong Nan makes? Any theories?

Where are Wang Zheng and Sang Zan during most of this? Is their disappearance from the episode because they were affected by the personality change, too? What would they be like, changed?

Let's talk about episode 25!
Come and talk about this episode - anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others' episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

china_shop

Beginning of episode: Zhao Yunlan being brutally polite to Shen Wei as they arrive at the hospital.
Ending of episode: Guo Changcheng being infected with personality-switching dark energy, which will make him ruder. (Nice bookends!)

Important scenes/developments:

Zhao Yunlan continues the fight as he and Shen Wei arrive at the hospital.
Shen Wei stops Nurse Wei Lan from being forced to kill herself by an invisible compulsion.
A young patient, Zu Ma, is glued to his hand-held game; he and Dr Cheng are close.
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei interview Nurse Wei Lan.
Guo Changcheng looks for Wang Xiangyang in the graveyard and meets crow girl Dong Nan instead.
Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei consult Dr Cheng about the case and meet Zu Ma.
Chu Shuzhi bumps into Changcheng in the street, and they are cute.
Lin Jing's detector is broken; Zhao Yunlan assigns him to play Zu Ma's game.
Da Qing and Lin Jing run into Sha Ya at the electronics shop; Da Qing unsuccessfully plays wingman.
Zhao Yunlan hints to Dr Cheng that Zu Ma is involved in the case; Dr Cheng drugs Zhao Yunlan's coffee.
Flashback of Ya Qing recruiting Zu Ma; Dr Cheng is eavesdropping.
Dr Cheng confronts Wang Xiangyang in Zu Ma's hospital room.
Zhao Yunlan is trapped inside the game.
- Round 1: Russian Roulette
- Round 2: Classic 2D fighting game
- Round 3: Poison vs Water
Shen Wei arrives and disarms Zu Ma; Zu Ma says the hospital is full of bombs.
Shen Wei finds the bomb and picks it up; the Defusing and Making-Up Scene.
DoS Lab: Prof Ouyang is a terrible manager, Li Qian is awesome, and a syringe of serum is missing.
At night, a creepy guy scares a taxi driver.
Zu Ma is dying and remorseful; Zhao Yunlan tells Shen Wei to comfort Dr Cheng; he doesn't.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan arrive home together to find the cat asleep on the couch. Aw!
Taxi driver personality switch case starts, and Changcheng is infected.

Zu Ma being a brat at Zhao Yunlan during the game.

Zhao Yunlan's whaaaat? reaction to the feather duster.

Da Qing, Guo Changcheng, Chu Shuzhi and Zhu Hong under the control of the game, running towards camera in a classic action shot.

Shen Wei sitting on the edge of a hospital bed, holding a bomb. His hands are supported by Zhao Yunlan.

( Thoughts )

Discussion starters:

Favourite scene in this ep? (If it's the bomb scene, what's your second favourite? *g*) Favourite line of dialogue?
Do you think Dr Cheng was acting of her own volition when she drugged Zhao Yunlan's coffee? Do you hold it against her? What was her exit strategy? Do you think Shen Wei ever finds out?
Did Dr Cheng remember the game afterwards? Does she feel responsible for any of it?
Do you think the show really believes video games stunt players' growth, warp their personalities/morality, etc, or is that just a pasted on moral for the censors?
Zu Ma was very upset at the end. Do you think Team Merit Brush believed they were helping him, or were they just using him? Where does the flashback with Ya Qing fit into the timeline of the episode?

Let’s talk about episode 24!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!