Shen Wei's decision not to tell Zhao Yunlan

[riventhorn]

 I'm putting this discussion behind the cut because it contains spoilers for Episodes 38 through 40. 

I'm interested in how others feel about Shen Wei's decision not to tell Zhao Yunlan about his end-game plan for stopping Ye Zun, i.e. turning himself into a bomb. 

Personally, I think it was the right decision--or perhaps it is more accurate to say, the best choice of many bad options. Regardless of whether he told Zhao Yunlan or not, I don't think Shen Wei would have changed his decision to sacrifice himself to stop Ye Zun. If he had told ZYL much earlier, say when he first conceived of the plan or during the famous kitchen scene, it would only have resulted in a lot of fighting, anger, and sorrow, because ZYL would certainly have tried to stop Shen Wei or done something drastic himself to try and stop Ye Zun. I mean, just look at ZYL's face in these moments in Ep 38 when Shen Wei is hurt and how absolutely devastated he is: https://youtu.be/V2dUtbSz4hQ?t=1823

By not telling ZYL, Shen Wei is able to be with him without Shen Wei's looming death hanging over them. Shen Wei, of course, knows what is coming and has to bear that, but I consider it more an act of kindness and love not to tell ZYL as opposed to looking at it as a selfish act. 

Beyond this moment, it raises the interesting question of when it is appropriate to keep secrets, to keep people in the dark, to hide bad news, etc. I know I've read this somewhere, although I can't remember where, but it was something to the effect of how a strong and lasting relationship may not necessarily depend on the parties involved sharing everything with each other. 

Comments

[galaxysoup]

I'm honestly not sure whether I agree with Shen Wei's decision or just understand it? Zhao Yunlan would have fought him on that decision so hard, and Shen Wei was barely managing to stay above water with the battles he was already fighting without having to contingency-plan for ZYL's contingency plans as well, so on that level I think it was the right decision. And, as someone else pointed out, even a kind one - they got to have their last times together without that doom hanging over both of them.

On the other hand, the fic writer in me wants to think that maybe ZYL and the SID would have been able to figure out some kind of workaround that would have saved the day for both of them. But given what we have in canon, I think I'm on Team Shen Wei's Sacrifice.

[riventhorn]

Part of how you look at it does depend on whether or not you think there could have been another option to take out Ye Zun. But if you stick with canon, yes, I'm on Team Shen Wei's Sacrifice too.

I do think it was a kind decision. And I feel like ZYL, when he understands what's happening, doesn't blame SW at all. Which is really another testament to ZYL's empathy and love. I could easily see that scene where he realizes what Shen Wei has done being played with him being hurt/angry and instead he smiles and is clearly thinking more about how much he admires/loves SW for putting what must be done over his own life (like when as Kunlun he says that SW has always been a light, or words to that effect).

[galaxysoup]

Yeah, I think if ZYL had had time right after Lin Jing reappears to think about it he might have gone the angry route. But since he's in the middle of a fight and not too long after that he goes and sacrifices himself too, I think he gets it. I hadn't put that part together until Trobadora said it below.

[solo]

Shen Wei was barely managing to stay above water with the battles he was already fighting without having to contingency-plan for ZYL's contingency plans as well

I love how you put that!

[galaxysoup]

Thanks! :D

[trobadora]

and Shen Wei was barely managing to stay above water with the battles he was already fighting without having to contingency-plan for ZYL's contingency plans as well

Ha! That's the perfect way to put it. And I'm definitely Team Shen Wei's Sacrifice, too.

(Also, ZYL's sacrifice afterwards - he'd have fought Shen Wei tooth and nail if he'd known what he was planning, but in the end ZYL makes the same choice to sacrifice himself for the greater good, and I think in that moment he fully understands why Shen Wei did what he did.)

[galaxysoup]

Ooooooh, that's such a painful point but you're so right ;____;

[trobadora]

I do love that they end up on the same page in the end. ♥

[ranalore]

This is really well-said.

I do think, given the constraints of the canon world, Shen Wei made the best decision in not telling ZYL his ultimate plan. It's kinder to both of them, I think, and he does rely on ZYL for the things ZYL can realistically do (and ZYL still manages to get involved in the Dixing side of things anyway, and make his own ludicrously noble self-sacrifice on behalf of everybody, so).

I mean, of course there's a huge squishy part of me that wishes it could have been otherwise, that Shen Wei had told ZYL everything and they had figured out an alternative that allowed them both to live, but I think that aspect of the plot was so intricately constructed, a lot of other things in the show would have to fundamentally change for it to work. So, I will happily read--and write--fixits by the dozens, but I'm Team Shen Wei's Sacrifice, too. Plus, they both suffer so prettily

[riventhorn]

I think that aspect of the plot was so intricately constructed, a lot of other things in the show would have to fundamentally change for it to work.

You're right--it's really embedded in so many of the episodes and the entire dynamic.

Plus, they both suffer so prettily

I am not ashamed to admit that this also factors very heavily into why I like the ending. :D