SCI episodes 20-21

[maggie33]

I finished all subbed episodes. Now I have to wait for the episode 22 until, hopefully, Monday. And then wait for the last two episodes. But I’m impatient and I want it now, now, now. I’m so, so glad that I got into Guardian when it was already subbed in full. The waiting would be unbearable. ;)

As always spoilers behind the cut


Predictably what I loved the most in these episodes are Zhan Yao, Zhao Jue and their messed up, but deeply fascinating relationship.

I love Bai Yutong, I do, he’s adorable and pretty and loyal and looks very nice in white. I love Bai Chi and Zhao Zhen. I adore Ma Han.

But Zhan Yao makes that part of my brain designated for fannish interest go all WHEEEE!!!! with happiness. He’s super intelligent, complicated, with daddy issues and darkness lurking under the respectable surface. I want to know what makes him tick.

It helps that Zhao Jue is a great, well-acted villain and watching their confrontations brings me so much joy.

Episode 4 was the one when I sat up and took notice. The scene in prison, which instantly made me think that Zhao Jue was Zhan Yao’s father - that longing on Zhao Jue’s face and the way he stretches his arm though the bars to reach Zhan Yao and touch his face.

Here is that scene in gifs



I very much enjoyed the little domestic scene with Bai Yutong and Zhan Yao in the beginning of episode 20, but I was thinking ‘why do we need to see Zhan Yao drawing?’ And then we got to the scene with Zhao Jue painting and I knew why, to emphasize the similarities between them even more.

And then Zhao Jue threatens his underling not to touch Zhan Yao.

“You’ll better remember this face properly. Keep some distance from him. Otherwise I would make you thoroughly disappear from this world.”

Oh, give me more.... :) I like protectiveness like this very, very much.



And in episode 21 we have that fantastic scene with Zhan Yao and Zhao Jue. But I also love very much the scene just before. With Zhan Yao deliberating about going for the meeting with Zhao Jue and unsuccessfully trying to send Bai Yutong away (because Zhan Yao didn’t tell him about the message from Zhao Jue inviting him for a meeting, of course he didn’t :)). And Bai Yutong instantly knows something is wrong, he pretends to go, but then waits by Zhan Yao’s door and confronts him about it.

And then that whole talk with Zhao Jue. First he calls Bai Yutong “the family Bai’s little tiger” and then he baits Zhan Yao about their latest case. And then comes this exchange:

Zhao Jue: You and Qitian only look similar. In all other aspects you two are not alike at all.

Zhan Yao: Then whose personality do you think mine resembles? Yours?

Zhao Jue: Doesn’t it?

*happy sigh* I could watch the whole episode just about them talking and trying to outmaneuver each other.

Later in the episode Zhan Yao hypnotizes an innocent man to make him do what he wants, and talks about forging his boss’ signature and I love it.

And when Bai Yutong says “The way you are now reminds me of someone” Zhan Yao replies “Zhao Jue” so calmly and without any shame, like ‘so what, shrug’. When Bai Yutong compared him to Zhao Jue in episode 11 he had much more emotional reaction, he was ashamed then.

It really is the battle between the angel and the devil for Zhan Yao’s soul. :)