Guardian eps 35 and 36 moments

[riventhorn]

 Just rambling about a few moments I liked in these episodes.

At the very end of episode 35, where ZYL and SW are trying to decide what to do about Ye Zun, and SW is obviously feeling guilty for not stopping his brother, and ZYL says to him, "You are not a knife; you are human." (or presumably the equivalent of human for a Dixingren, but I'm sticking with the term for the purposes of this discussion). I love how throughout the series, ZYL is always reminding SW of his humanity. That he doesn't have to devote himself entirely to war, that he can enjoy things, that he can be hurt and that it's okay to admit he's hurt and let someone help and take care of him. 

On a lighter note, in episode 36 we have ZYL teasing SW about his inability to understand electronics. It's the part where ZYL is going to make the world-wide broadcast about what's going on, and he sees SW looking intently at the whole microphone setup and tells him--paraphrasing here-- "SW, even with another 10,000 years, you're not going to be able to make sense of that. Just let it go." lololol  And SW, the sweet thing, offers no protest. 

Comments

[galaxysoup]

Ohhh, I love that line of Zhao Yunlan's! Well, both of them are good, but the 'not a blade' one in particular. The last time Shen Wei heard anything like that was probably all the way back when a mysterious stranger made friends with him and gave him a name.

[riventhorn]

I didn't even remember it from my first watch, but it really stood out to me on this rewatch. And yes <3<3<3 I also love ZYL giving him the name bit, not least because as someone who doesn't know Chinese, it's fun to learn about the distinction between the two ways to pronounce "Wei." And then of course when SW wakes up 10,000 yrs later and the Regent asks him what name he wants, and he says it just that way and I DIE.

[extrapenguin]

Ahh, I love how Zhao Yunlan does his best to make his sweet Dixingren realize he can have wants and needs of his own, and it's okay to have weaknesses and accept help! He's such a wonderful boyfriend. Shen Wei, on the other hand, is kinda bad at being a human, and I wouldn't be surprised if he had some attachment issues of his own from being orphaned at a young age plus losing his brother (and losing Ye Zun is likely what triggered a lot of his "I must be a protector with no weaknesses, not a fallible man" issues). Depending on one's interpretation of the timeline, he might've also been a child soldier. And then he's ripped even further away from all he knows, ten thousand years into the future. No wonder he's clingy with Zhao Yunlan - he's his only link to his original era!

[riventhorn]

Poor SW definitely has a few issues. Give him all the cuddles, ZYL!!!

[rheasilvia]

He's such a wonderful boyfriend. Shen Wei, on the other hand, is kinda bad at being a human

YES! And YES! And poor Shen Wei has so manby issues to work through... but Zhao Yunlan is going to be there for him through it all.

So I really must say, Shen Wei does have an excellent eye for picking out a good man. ;-)

[extrapenguin]

So I really must say, Shen Wei does have an excellent eye for picking out a good man. ;-)
Just get obsessed with the first one to be all adoring at you! A very wise choice on bb Shen Wei's part.

[rheasilvia]

"You are not a knife; you are human."

I love that moment *so much*, for exactly the reasons you mention! Zhao Yunlan will just keep telling (and showing) Shen Wei this until it finally truly sinks in.

In my mind, this is closely linked to both the moment with the bomb where Shjen Wei's only idea is to teleport out with it and sacrifice himself, and Zhao Yunlan points out to him that Shen Wei should consider how this would destroy Zhao Yunlan) and the infamous kitchen scene where Shen Wei tries to calm Zhao Yunlan's worries by saying "I'm used to pain". Oh Shen Wei.

It will take a lot of time, effort and love on Zhao Yunlan's part to get the idea that he is allowed to be a person with wants, needs, weaknesses and desires through to Shen Wei on a deeper level. Good thing Zhao Yunlan is up to the challenge. :-)

[riventhorn]

Those are such good moments too. And I love when he's back with bb!SW who also refuses to admit he's hurt, and ZYL is immediately exasperated-- you've always been like this!!

ZYL is perfect for the challenge. He knows how to wear away at SW's resistance.

[trobadora]

Oh, I love the "you're not a blade, you're a person" bit! It's one of my favourite ZYL lines, honestly. ♥

[riventhorn]

I know, I can't believe I kind of missed it on my first viewing. Then again, we get such an amazing amount of wonderful moments between them that I actually forget some!

[asya_ana]

GAH. Both of those moments are so heartfelt and lovely each in their own way. The things ZYL says to SW in 35... my heart is very full. I feel like ZYL shaped SW so much in these scenes, and that's partly why SW feels so indebted to him. :'(

[riventhorn]

It's so true. When he picks up the lollipop wrapper in order to have something of Kun Lun's I just die. And then when ZYL says he needs to go, and it's clear everything Da Qing is saying is what SW is thinking but can't say.