Guardian Episode 33

[riventhorn]

 Hi new Guardian friends! *waves*

I'm at Episode 33 in my first rewatch of the series. There are many things I love about this episode. Put behind a cut for spoilers.


This is the ep when Lao Chu escapes from the nightmare/dream he's been imprisoned in. It kills me that the first words out of his mouth are "How is Chang Chang?" And when he realizes that Xiao Guo did not come back and is still in Dixing, very possibly dead, and he completely breaks down....*ouch* my heart hurt. And there is Zhao Yunlan, with him to break the news. I just really love how ZYL's empathy, which I think is a major part of his character, shines here. He doesn't give Lao Chu false comfort, but he stays there, obviously totally gutted too. It's like how he handles Zhu Hong's dream earlier--compassionate and gentle but not hiding the reality from her. 

Next, ZYL finally gets to go to Dixing to save Shen Wei. Of course, I cannot get enough of Shen Wei chained to the pillar. I could have gone with a bit more of a disheveled appearance, but I guess they were saving that for a few eps down the road.

Anyway, first, poor SW thinks that something has happened to ZYL and Xiao Guo because the smoky Dixingren turns up with his sword. Devastated, SW is all set to let himself be killed. But no! ZYL appears and immediately sets about trying to cut SW loose. I love SW's desperation here as ZYL refuses to stop trying to cut the chain, even though it's hurting him. ZYL doesn't even bother to reply to SW's pleas because there is of course no way he's about to leave SW there. 

I thought it was also very in character that as soon as he is loose, SW goes to try and help the Dixingren, and ZYL immediately catches on and helps him over there. ZYL probably wants to check SW over to see how badly he's hurt, but he doesn't let his own feelings get in the way of SW helping someone. 

Finally, once everyone is back in Haixing, we have the wonderful scene on the bench. I love how they hit a succession of perfect notes in this scene. First, SW asking what's been going on, and ZYL being a bit evasive. SW, not fooled one bit, makes ZYL admit that he went into Zhu Hong's dream. SW chastises ZYL, ZYL whines but is secretly pleased. SW refuses to return home right that second, ZYL pretends to be annoyed, but is of course not going to leave SW alone after just getting him back. And it ends with them laughing together and then just sitting quietly and enjoying each other's company. 

Comments

[qikiqtarjuaq]

That bench scene is so gorgeous, from their body language/posture, to how heartbreaking it is that Shen Wei has missed the sun. I love it a lot!

[riventhorn]

I love how they both cross their legs at exactly the same time. :D

[bonibaru]

The first time I uglycried watching this series BUT NOT THE LAST.

[riventhorn]

Oh god, it's been even worse rewatching. I skipped ahead a bit to watch the key sacrifice scenes from the very end the other night (I guess I'm a masochist) and was a sobbing mess in seconds.

[mecurtin]

he doesn't let his own feelings get in the way of SW helping someone
don't mind me, just *river of tears emoji*

[riventhorn]

The way they're both committed to the higher good and inspire each other to be better..... *curls into a ball of feelings*

[020104isme]

I have still only watched this episode once but I seem to remember the Dixing person (whose name escapes me right now) who was with ZYL realising that he was not going to stop trying to free SW and that SW was visibly upset about it.

I viewed that sacrifice as a deliberate choice to save both the Envoy and his bestie/lover/most important pookie bear for him.

I love the bench scene as well but I equally love ZYL and his grumpy, supportive arm holding of SW just as much... and SW's long -suffering acceptance. Reminds me of an old married couple.

[riventhorn]

It's interesting how some Dixingren are in awe of/support Hei Pao Shi and others resent him

The arm holding is wonderful too. SW often puts up with ZYL's more aggressively affectionate and flirty gestures, lol. For example, ZYL insisting on giving him his coat. :D

[maggie33]

This is a great episode for all the reasons you mention. I ship Chu Shuzhi/Guo Changcheng, so that scene with Chu Shuzhi waking up, asking about Changcheng and then realizing that Changcheng is probably dead, gutted me when I watched it for the first time.

I love SW's desperation here as ZYL refuses to stop trying to cut the chain, even though it's hurting him. ZYL doesn't even bother to reply to SW's pleas because there is of course no way he's about to leave SW there.

That scene is fantastic, too - Zhao Yunlan’s frantic attempts to free Shen Wei and Shen Wei’s pleas for him to stop.... That episode was so good for my angst loving heart. :)

[riventhorn]

Soooooo good. I'm more of a Lao Chu and Xiao Guo as adopted siblings than romance, but either way, that scene is perfect. They care so much for each other!

[firestar]

Yeah, this episode hurt on so many levels, even though it ends on a good note. :( My poor bbs. :(

[riventhorn]

It is always a mix of angst and joy with them

[firestar]

So true. :(

[solo]

I love that bench scene so much! The banter and the smiles!

I confess that the first AND second time I watched the Chu Shuzhi dream arc, I got utterly confused by what was dream and what was not and even when Changcheng stays in Dixing I was like, okay, is this real now or is this the dream carrying on and is Chu even back in Haixing or is that also a dream??? I was seriously totally lost.

[lynndyre]

I'm so glad it wasn't just me, I spent that whole arc unable to tell what was real or not.

[riventhorn]

That all confused me too. I'm still not sure if the first time he comes back and speaks to ZYL and claims Changchang went home early if that was real or a dream.

[trobadora]

I thought it was also very in character that as soon as he is loose, SW goes to try and help the Dixingren, and ZYL immediately catches on and helps him over there. ZYL probably wants to check SW over to see how badly he's hurt, but he doesn't let his own feelings get in the way of SW helping someone.

I love that moment so much, for both of them.

And the bench scene is so lovely. ♥

[riventhorn]

It definitely speaks to their later sacrifice. *cries*

[lynndyre]

I have already ficced ep33 but honestly there is so much more to work with. The rescue scene especially ♥

[riventhorn]

I ficced it too, but yes, it begs for more.

[asya_ana]

This was a lovely recap and gave me all the feelings. I especially liked your meditations on ZYL, his empathy, and what I've been thinking of his willing acceptance of others as they are.

And that scene on the bench!

Also: happy to see the crickets have left :D

[riventhorn]

I like how you put it-- his acceptance of others as they are. He's such a great leader.

No more crickets! Instead I can inflict my Guardian feels on a wide audience. :)