Guardian thoughts, part 3
Nov. 23rd, 2019 11:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nnozomiEpisodes 16-20. Long and rambly as usual, you have been warned. :)
16
I don’t think I’m supposed to find this scene adorable, but I kind of do; Zhao Xinci’s calm recitation of Guo Changcheng’s vital statistics, and the dry glance he throws over his shoulder which scatters the peanut gallery. (Also, for someone of his general affect, 心滋 is an improbably warm and fuzzy name.) And Guo Changcheng’s understanding little smile. In other news, Lin Jing, you suck at thinking on your feet.
Zhao Xinci’s Chinese is also easier for me to understand than almost anyone else’s: he says exactly what he needs to and nothing more. (I bet Zhu Jiu is jealous of that purple coat, too.)
Stress relief for Zhao Yunlan in the form of two well-placed punches and a bullet-pointed piece of his mind.
Honestly, like a third of this episode is Lin Jing not knowing when to keep his mouth shut! Whoever named him 静 had no clue.
Zhao Yunlan, coming into a bar and immediately relaxing with a grin—okay, on home turf now. Honestly. The mask actually quite suits him.
Zhu Hong is very good at expressing “MURDER” with her eyes alone, not to mention very snazzy in her white and maroon.
Lin Jing continues his trend of shooting his mouth off and gets his comeuppance, smacked good and hard by Zhu Hong and smirked at by Chu Shuzhi.
“What the hell are you looking at?” Chu Shuzhi to Guo Changcheng, who responds pretty sturdily and seems to be the only grownup in the room at the moment.
17
The stone-breaking power is more horrifying to me than most of the others so far, because it’s like “what if an earthquake was malevolent.” Zhao Xinci and his extreme measures…
Shen Wei is Annoyed.
Depending on the situation, Zhao Yunlan is either thinking twice as fast (and clearly) as everyone else, or not bothering to think at all.
I don’t know. Zhao Xinci is ruthless and rigid and obviously not much of a father (sarcasm from Da Qing aside), but also clearly efficient and capable, within his own unshakeable parameters. Another variation on Shen Wei’s theme of sometimes misplaced self-control.
The Black-Robed Envoy, a day late and a Dixing dollar short as usual…
Zhao Xinci sort of put his own name onto his wife’s tombstone, here and there: “the kind soul…in the mercy…”.
I love Guo Changcheng’s diary habit so much.
The library is beautiful but its world-building is an extreme mess, between Van Gogh, random Hebrew diagrams, and bright pink postits (I’m sure Sang Zan got those from Wang Zheng).
Cong Bo, back on the make. There’s a man who loves his work.
Jiajia is ridiculously tiny; she looks about Zheng Yi’s age next to Shen Wei, and (sorry, Zhu Yilong) he’s not unusually tall. She’s a delight.
Heh, I almost expected Xiao Guo to apologize to the pillar he bumps into.
18
Sometimes I think Lao Chu needs to grow up—jumping into the ring may be a strategic decision, but there’s also more than a bit of a) stress relief in the purely physical sense, and b) showing off for Xiao Guo.
And he gets yelled at for it but good by Zhao Yunlan, whose reaction seems a little excessive (still getting over hearing about his father on the premises?). Shen Wei is just sitting there enjoying the fireworks, actually leaning back in his chair he’s so much at ease. I love their little wordless interactions throughout the first half; Shen Wei can get Zhao Yunlan to relax and gain perspective just by the tiniest quirk of his mouth or crinkle of his eyes.
omigod, Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi have just gone in about two seconds from “Don’t yell in my ear, dammit!” to essentially “I love you.” “I know.” What even.
This is definitely the episode for testosterone-soaked homoeroticism, one way and another; it makes an interesting contrast to the above, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei super conscious of one another but keeping a set distance (you can see Shen Wei tense up when Zhao Yunlan comes around the desk to his side…).
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood...
Compared to the tone of everything else, Da Qing and Lin Jing come off as pure comic relief here (who sits on a sofa when they’re all tied up?!). Also, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei completely ignoring assorted young louts yelling at them, having their own meaningful discussion in their own time.
Shen Wei seems to be hearing Ye Huo’s whole bit on two or three different levels, and to be the only one here who’s not having a happy ending.
lol, Da Qing: “ahem, Xiao Guo, Lao Chu, enough with the mutual admiration society, could you untie us around now?”
19
Guo Changcheng is very proactive when it comes to protecting Chu Shuzhi, not so much otherwise…
The wrestler’s big brother has a nice Inigo Montoya moment.
Good for Ye Huo; that was a very fast, smart reaction, getting rid of his backpack-bomb.
Zhao Yunlan, if there was ever such a thing as getting what you deserve…
oh my God, Shen Wei needs to have his picture in the dictionary under the definition of “censorious.” No pun intended. Very effective silence, from too angry to speak right now all the way to oh my God, I can't stay mad at this man. lol, Zhao Yunlan’s spluttering reaction to having his face scrubbed like a five-year-old.
Shen Wei seems to be turning on his “advisor with tearful grad student” mode to talk to Zhu Hong…
Zhu Jiu, you are such a petty little jerk. “Who’s the Big Boss?” “Ooh, that would be telling.”
Guo Changcheng has a nice expression of “Okay, standing down, not killing you just now” when Zhu Jiu answers his phone.
I like Shen Wei’s tiny little “Nice work” glance at Zhu Hong when her uncle gives in.
Nobody’s ever written a fic involving Lin Jing/Cong Bo semi-hatesex in the background of this episode, have they? Because I really want one all of a sudden (not my usual style at all…)
Guo Changcheng/Chu Shuzhi having their huddling-for-warmth conversation would be more moving if half the cold wasn’t Xiao Guo’s dumb fault! I really wish they’d written it otherwise, because it would be such an emotional moment, especially with the switch to “Changcheng.”
Zhu Jiu has just fatally underestimated his opponents, I suspect, especially in that he doesn’t even bother to greet Zhu Hong.
Shen Wei Means Business.
20
I have to say, I tend to prefer men with shorter hair (Shen Wei no exception), but Zhu Jiu looks much better in his purple incarnation.
Nice visual hint with Shen Wei, busy dark-energying Zhu Jiu, reflected in a pillar…
Zhu Hong, letting some of her snakely tendencies out with a syringe.
Guo Changcheng: “Am I dead? Are we in heaven? Or is this hell?” Well, honey, that depends on your definition of all of the above. (This line was especially funny because I just saw Cosi fan tutte.)
Da Qing cleans up nice, but he needs a new hairstyle to look like anything other than a high school boy in uniform. Lin Jing’s little grin is great, though.
Zhao Yunlan helping Chu Shuzhi stand up is a surprisingly nice, understated moment. Poor Ye Huo seems to have reached the point where nothing ANY of these crazy people do can surprise him any more…
The fancy SID dinner is a gorgeous little spot-sketch of everyone’s character. Unlike Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei knows how to make a formal speech on the spot and have it sound natural.
Okay, this is the one time when Zhu Jiu’s nasty little chuckle actually seems appropriate; how else to react to somebody screaming "He's awake!" at you?
One way and another, Xiao Guo has the worst luck with bathrooms.
Zhu Jiu gets to go out in style.
Unlike Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong is sensibly aware of the existence of taxis.
The first exchange between Ye Zun’s mocking formality and Zhao Yunlan’s little “uh…hi…” wave is a hoot.
Likewise Shen Wei and, is that Xiao Guo’s uncle? “Where’s Zhao Yunlan?” “He— Damn—“ (whoosh). “Huh…?”
It’s very weird hearing Shen Wei snarl “Shut up!” like he’s Chu Shuzhi.
Incongruously sweet smiles all around for Zhao Yunlan and his two admirers.
(Final reaction: God damn but they packed a lot into this one episode!)
16
I don’t think I’m supposed to find this scene adorable, but I kind of do; Zhao Xinci’s calm recitation of Guo Changcheng’s vital statistics, and the dry glance he throws over his shoulder which scatters the peanut gallery. (Also, for someone of his general affect, 心滋 is an improbably warm and fuzzy name.) And Guo Changcheng’s understanding little smile. In other news, Lin Jing, you suck at thinking on your feet.
Zhao Xinci’s Chinese is also easier for me to understand than almost anyone else’s: he says exactly what he needs to and nothing more. (I bet Zhu Jiu is jealous of that purple coat, too.)
Stress relief for Zhao Yunlan in the form of two well-placed punches and a bullet-pointed piece of his mind.
Honestly, like a third of this episode is Lin Jing not knowing when to keep his mouth shut! Whoever named him 静 had no clue.
Zhao Yunlan, coming into a bar and immediately relaxing with a grin—okay, on home turf now. Honestly. The mask actually quite suits him.
Zhu Hong is very good at expressing “MURDER” with her eyes alone, not to mention very snazzy in her white and maroon.
Lin Jing continues his trend of shooting his mouth off and gets his comeuppance, smacked good and hard by Zhu Hong and smirked at by Chu Shuzhi.
“What the hell are you looking at?” Chu Shuzhi to Guo Changcheng, who responds pretty sturdily and seems to be the only grownup in the room at the moment.
17
The stone-breaking power is more horrifying to me than most of the others so far, because it’s like “what if an earthquake was malevolent.” Zhao Xinci and his extreme measures…
Shen Wei is Annoyed.
Depending on the situation, Zhao Yunlan is either thinking twice as fast (and clearly) as everyone else, or not bothering to think at all.
I don’t know. Zhao Xinci is ruthless and rigid and obviously not much of a father (sarcasm from Da Qing aside), but also clearly efficient and capable, within his own unshakeable parameters. Another variation on Shen Wei’s theme of sometimes misplaced self-control.
The Black-Robed Envoy, a day late and a Dixing dollar short as usual…
Zhao Xinci sort of put his own name onto his wife’s tombstone, here and there: “the kind soul…in the mercy…”.
I love Guo Changcheng’s diary habit so much.
The library is beautiful but its world-building is an extreme mess, between Van Gogh, random Hebrew diagrams, and bright pink postits (I’m sure Sang Zan got those from Wang Zheng).
Cong Bo, back on the make. There’s a man who loves his work.
Jiajia is ridiculously tiny; she looks about Zheng Yi’s age next to Shen Wei, and (sorry, Zhu Yilong) he’s not unusually tall. She’s a delight.
Heh, I almost expected Xiao Guo to apologize to the pillar he bumps into.
18
Sometimes I think Lao Chu needs to grow up—jumping into the ring may be a strategic decision, but there’s also more than a bit of a) stress relief in the purely physical sense, and b) showing off for Xiao Guo.
And he gets yelled at for it but good by Zhao Yunlan, whose reaction seems a little excessive (still getting over hearing about his father on the premises?). Shen Wei is just sitting there enjoying the fireworks, actually leaning back in his chair he’s so much at ease. I love their little wordless interactions throughout the first half; Shen Wei can get Zhao Yunlan to relax and gain perspective just by the tiniest quirk of his mouth or crinkle of his eyes.
omigod, Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi have just gone in about two seconds from “Don’t yell in my ear, dammit!” to essentially “I love you.” “I know.” What even.
This is definitely the episode for testosterone-soaked homoeroticism, one way and another; it makes an interesting contrast to the above, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei super conscious of one another but keeping a set distance (you can see Shen Wei tense up when Zhao Yunlan comes around the desk to his side…).
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood...
Compared to the tone of everything else, Da Qing and Lin Jing come off as pure comic relief here (who sits on a sofa when they’re all tied up?!). Also, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei completely ignoring assorted young louts yelling at them, having their own meaningful discussion in their own time.
Shen Wei seems to be hearing Ye Huo’s whole bit on two or three different levels, and to be the only one here who’s not having a happy ending.
lol, Da Qing: “ahem, Xiao Guo, Lao Chu, enough with the mutual admiration society, could you untie us around now?”
19
Guo Changcheng is very proactive when it comes to protecting Chu Shuzhi, not so much otherwise…
The wrestler’s big brother has a nice Inigo Montoya moment.
Good for Ye Huo; that was a very fast, smart reaction, getting rid of his backpack-bomb.
Zhao Yunlan, if there was ever such a thing as getting what you deserve…
oh my God, Shen Wei needs to have his picture in the dictionary under the definition of “censorious.” No pun intended. Very effective silence, from too angry to speak right now all the way to oh my God, I can't stay mad at this man. lol, Zhao Yunlan’s spluttering reaction to having his face scrubbed like a five-year-old.
Shen Wei seems to be turning on his “advisor with tearful grad student” mode to talk to Zhu Hong…
Zhu Jiu, you are such a petty little jerk. “Who’s the Big Boss?” “Ooh, that would be telling.”
Guo Changcheng has a nice expression of “Okay, standing down, not killing you just now” when Zhu Jiu answers his phone.
I like Shen Wei’s tiny little “Nice work” glance at Zhu Hong when her uncle gives in.
Nobody’s ever written a fic involving Lin Jing/Cong Bo semi-hatesex in the background of this episode, have they? Because I really want one all of a sudden (not my usual style at all…)
Guo Changcheng/Chu Shuzhi having their huddling-for-warmth conversation would be more moving if half the cold wasn’t Xiao Guo’s dumb fault! I really wish they’d written it otherwise, because it would be such an emotional moment, especially with the switch to “Changcheng.”
Zhu Jiu has just fatally underestimated his opponents, I suspect, especially in that he doesn’t even bother to greet Zhu Hong.
Shen Wei Means Business.
20
I have to say, I tend to prefer men with shorter hair (Shen Wei no exception), but Zhu Jiu looks much better in his purple incarnation.
Nice visual hint with Shen Wei, busy dark-energying Zhu Jiu, reflected in a pillar…
Zhu Hong, letting some of her snakely tendencies out with a syringe.
Guo Changcheng: “Am I dead? Are we in heaven? Or is this hell?” Well, honey, that depends on your definition of all of the above. (This line was especially funny because I just saw Cosi fan tutte.)
Da Qing cleans up nice, but he needs a new hairstyle to look like anything other than a high school boy in uniform. Lin Jing’s little grin is great, though.
Zhao Yunlan helping Chu Shuzhi stand up is a surprisingly nice, understated moment. Poor Ye Huo seems to have reached the point where nothing ANY of these crazy people do can surprise him any more…
The fancy SID dinner is a gorgeous little spot-sketch of everyone’s character. Unlike Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei knows how to make a formal speech on the spot and have it sound natural.
Okay, this is the one time when Zhu Jiu’s nasty little chuckle actually seems appropriate; how else to react to somebody screaming "He's awake!" at you?
One way and another, Xiao Guo has the worst luck with bathrooms.
Zhu Jiu gets to go out in style.
Unlike Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong is sensibly aware of the existence of taxis.
The first exchange between Ye Zun’s mocking formality and Zhao Yunlan’s little “uh…hi…” wave is a hoot.
Likewise Shen Wei and, is that Xiao Guo’s uncle? “Where’s Zhao Yunlan?” “He— Damn—“ (whoosh). “Huh…?”
It’s very weird hearing Shen Wei snarl “Shut up!” like he’s Chu Shuzhi.
Incongruously sweet smiles all around for Zhao Yunlan and his two admirers.
(Final reaction: God damn but they packed a lot into this one episode!)
no subject
Date: 2019-11-23 08:07 pm (UTC)Zhu Hong is great at expressing murder with her eyes,I'm impressed.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-25 09:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-11-24 06:49 am (UTC)Zhu Hong is very good at expressing “MURDER” with her eyes alone
Great description of Zhu Hong.
Depending on the situation, Zhao Yunlan is either thinking twice as fast (and clearly) as everyone else, or not bothering to think at all.
:D So true.
I love their little wordless interactions throughout the first half; Shen Wei can get Zhao Yunlan to relax and gain perspective just by the tiniest quirk of his mouth or crinkle of his eyes.
I love that scene so much. I think of it as the "Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan gossip about the *other* couple in SID" scene. *g*
Unlike Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hong is sensibly aware of the existence of taxis.
LOL, yes!
no subject
Date: 2019-11-25 10:00 am (UTC)There are times when I would like to be Zhu Hong...
One of the things I'm looking forward to when I do a rewatch with English subtitles is actually getting the nuances of all the ZYL/SW conversations, because I can't begin to follow the ins and outs of what they talk about just from the Chinese subs and I know I'm missing a lot of good stuff.