Guardian rewatch episode 5

[selenay]

So this was an episode where I'd forgotten a lot of what happened, possibly because there wasn't much interaction between Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan, and then as I watched I realised how many things were set up here that were important later.

Who knew?

(I certainly didn't. Things definitely have more significance now.)

I mean, Butler Wu didn't not seem that important except as a minor plot point! Except gosh he was. And the conversation he had with Shen Wei about the team he'd been part of was really confusing at the time, but makes so much more sense now that I know what the Hallows are and why everyone wants them.

I still find the kidnapped couple irritating and feel their whole miscommunication thing was resolved a bit too easily, but they had half an episode for this story so I can't blame them. It's an oddly-paced episode.

It is interesting to see Butler Wu recognise Shen Wei the moment he takes off his glasses and does his Black Cloaked Envoy look.

And damn, I'd forgotten how early Shen Wei discovered the Monarch's Palace was overrun with people doing dodgy things. He really is trying to juggle an awful lot of things at once for a long time.

The part I did remember was Shen Wei ever so conveniently moving in RIGHT ACROSS THE HALLWAY from Zhao Yunlan. Oh, Shen Wei. No chill. None at all. Wow.

(And the awkward "just moved in" meeting with Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing is priceless. Thank you, writers, for that piece of ridiculousness.)

The part I'd forgotten and then remembered was the phone call. A brief moment of "Shen Wei, are you involved with my case? No? Woo hoo!" and then settling in for a nice little chat. About the case, obvs. In my head, they have a lot of phone calls we don't see, which somehow seem very relevant to a case when they start and somehow segue into half an hour of soft flirtation that has nothing to do with any cases, and Zhao Yunlan gets a lot of judgy looks from Da Qing every time he gets caught but he never stops.

Ahem.

There is also, of course, the very important "Zhao Yunlan touched the Longevity Dial so Shen Wei must Black Cloaked Envoy his way into the SID instantly" moment. It's lovely seeing Zhao Yunlan's attitude to Dixingren slowly softening so that he's willing to risk himself to save one of them.

You can also tell Shen Wei thinks it's lovely. A lot is changing with Zhao Yunlan in charge of the SID, as noted in a brief internal Shen Wei monologue. And also as noted in the way the Black Cloaked Envoy looks at Zhao Yunlan and then heals Butler Wu because ZYL asked him to.

I'd even forgotten that it was Guo who ran off to find the Longevity Dial and insist Zhao Yunlan try to use it. Brave Xiao Guo turns up earlier than I'd remembered!

I really had forgotten how many little moments of important character and relationship development there were in this episode. Sorry, episode 5, I didn't mean to dismiss you in my head. It's just that you come right before the intensely "there is no heterosexual explanation for that" portion of the show starts, so I forgot you.

Comments

[umadoshi]

In my head, they have a lot of phone calls we don't see, which somehow seem very relevant to a case when they start and somehow segue into half an hour of soft flirtation that has nothing to do with any cases

YES. I like this very much. *^^*

Brave Xiao Guo turns up earlier than I'd remembered!

Such a brave little toaster! He's brave even earlier, too--ep. 2, I think?

[selenay]

Such a brave little toaster! He's brave even earlier, too--ep. 2, I think?

I think so! I just remember in my first time through, it took me a while to realise he was starting to get braver. I don't think I really paid attention to his character as much in the early episodes, but this time I'm noticing a lot more.

[grayswandir]

Hope it's okay that I've just added you. :) I stumbled on this post while doing a search for Guardian stuff on DW, and I thought your name looked familiar, and then I realized you'd written one of my favorite Guardian fics (which I in retrospect I wish I'd written a longer comment on! I only have three Guardian fics bookmarked, and yours is one of them).

I can see that you're mostly writing about The Untamed now, which I haven't watched yet (I just got into Guardian a couple of months ago and am not quite ready to move on yet), but I'll probably end up watching that soon, too. :)

[selenay]

Adding me is fine! I'm blushing a bit, but fine! :D It's lovely to hear you enjoyed me fic so much!

Everyone eventually watches The Untamed and it's definitely worth it :D