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

[riventhorn]

Definitely in character, although I'm not sure I think of it as Shen Wei acting on his own. Rather, I see it more as Shen Wei believing that both himself and Zhao Yunlan need to do the tasks best suited to them and that are their own particular duty. I never got the impression that Shen Wei did not want ZYL to participate at all in the fight against Ye Zun, rather that he thought ZYL should handle things in Haixing (still plenty dangerous) and that he needed to handle the Dixing side of things and his brother (who he probably felt particularly responsible for).

I'm also thinking of the fact that Shen Wei does call on ZYL to help him when he's chained to the pillar. In this case, Shen Wei does want to work with ZYL--as long as he thinks that ZYL has a realistic chance of success.

Plus, I feel like Shen Wei absolutely relies on ZYL as a model of someone who is prepared to do what's right and needs to be done--to make a meaningful choice (yes, I'm heavily influenced by "Time of Flight" here!)--and I think he has ever since he first met him as Kunlun.

So maybe I see a distinction between having someone at your side in a fight versus relying on that person in other ways??

[china_shop]

I never got the impression that Shen Wei did not want ZYL to participate at all in the fight against Ye Zun, rather that he thought ZYL should handle things in Haixing (still plenty dangerous) and that he needed to handle the Dixing side of things and his brother (who he probably felt particularly responsible for).

Yes! This is how I see it too.

[riventhorn]

I'd say that Shen Wei respects Zhao Yunlan's strength and abilities in a fight (Kunlun/ZYL saved his life after all) but that he's also always hyper-aware that ZYL is human and cannot match someone like Ye Zun's power.

[mekare]

Yes, I think that is the main point here, Ye Zun is simply way too powerful.

[solo]

I'm also thinking of the fact that Shen Wei does call on ZYL to help him when he's chained to the pillar.

Actually, he only calls on Zhao Yunlan when Xiao Guo is in danger, not for himself. Which makes sense because SW and ZYL have an agreement, but it doesn't cover letting Guo die.

[riventhorn]

My understanding of that part was that Shen Wei intended ZYL to rescue both Guo and him, otherwise why would he send his sword along with Guo? I thought Shen Wei was just waiting for Ye Zun to leave and expected his sword to be able to cut through the chain.

This could, of course, be one of the many parts I am confused about. Reasons to keep rewatching!!

[trobadora]

I never got the impression that Shen Wei did not want ZYL to participate at all in the fight against Ye Zun, rather that he thought ZYL should handle things in Haixing (still plenty dangerous) and that he needed to handle the Dixing side of things and his brother (who he probably felt particularly responsible for).

I agree with this. He never tries to keep ZYL out of things entirely. But there are some tasks he definitely sees as his - and with justification, because what can a normal human do against Ye Zun? (ZYL does tries absolutely everything he can think of, towards the end! Including using the Awl! And to no avail.)