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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.
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.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-30 10:38 pm (UTC)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 prettilyno subject
Date: 2019-03-30 10:44 pm (UTC)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