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branchandroot) wrote2020-04-15 08:33 pm
branchandroot) wrote2020-04-15 08:33 pm
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Untamed Rewatch 28-29
Ep 28
Trust is still the biggest issue with WWX, the one that makes him look all dead-eyed at JC. And the question of what’s possible or what’s not is the hottest one between him and JC. JC wants to do what will appease the other sects (and keep WWX with him). WWX wants to do what’s right and just, even if it means separation from his family and, as JC says, going against the whole world. Also note that he succeeds in forcing JC’s sword hand back, which suggests, given their current relative strength, that JC isn’t really trying. Again, WWX is unbending when it comes to the moral stance he knows is correct, even when it clearly hurts, and that’s something JC does not grok, can only read as madness.
Interesting that Wen Qing also seems to be wondering if WWX is staying out of guilt, and tries to send him home.
Timing note: JC returns to Yiling, leaving the duel for daylight the next day, which is so Extra I can hardly stand it. On the other hand, it gives Wen Qing an opportunity to kick him in the emotional nuts with that comb, which I approve of given what an asshole he’s being to her. Also with another pointed question about doing the just and compassionate thing, which it’s now clear in action WWX would do and JC would not.
Another Lan music connection: the rousing Wen Ning calms when WWX plays Clarity for him.
And its The Duel! Note WWX has that little smirk at the corner of his mouth, though it’s tighter than it would be if he were really amused.Also, damn he’s got some moves for a Core-less man. Note that he has both the black and the orange energies going when he launches talismans, but black only when he’s playing the flute. Note that forms a physical barrier that blocks JC’s sword thrust. Dramatic light flashes! JC gets in a slash at his side, and then turns out to be bleeding both internally and from his shoulder. Those are some sharp black whispies. Note that the Jiang disciples don’t /actually/ buy the story of WWX ‘rebelling’, which is frankly adorable. Dramatic Cloak Rip! No wonder they don’t believe it.
Jin Zixuan getting muddy planting lotuses is actually adorable, and that was a canny matchmaking moment on Madam Jin’s part. Zixuan’s offer to build another Lotus Pier for her both points up how the one she had (her family) is breaking, and how much she values kindness like he’s offering.
LWJ seriously losing his temper at the gossip about WWX is also frankly adorable. And then he gets pounced by a-Yuan, and totally panics over a crying kid and scolding parents. Can’t blame WWX for seriously cracking up over it. Of course, when he intervenes, he promptly gets stunned and a bit flustered by the soft way LWJ is looking at him. (Adorable!) Which is probably why he jokes about giving birth to a-Yuan.
Note that WWX puts his finger on a clearly sore point when he says LWJ’s face looks like he’s harboring grief and bitter anger. On the other hand, LWJ outright smiles at WWX playing with a-Yuan. He’s clearly made some choices about his life and beliefs, at this point.
Ep 29
Still the Issues with Trust, in where WWX /in the course of small talk/ asks LWJ to please not start again with the music to cleanse him.
Note he makes himself not call Jiang Yanli ‘shijie’, at first, which is heartbreaking. But he also admits to LWJ that the big duel was a put-up. LWJ is not having fun watching WWX’s heart get torn up.
Note that WWX is back to inscribing talismans with straight qi, and uses a raw blast, in the urgency of stopping the rampaging spirits from Wen Ning’s awakening.
Note that LWJ displays in action a whole lot more trust in WWX’s work and judgement than JC ever did in re Wen Ning. Also in re WWX’s reverse-meaning naming sense. “Not based on what they think it means” indeed, WWX that’s so /you/. Yet he will still ask the hard questions, like what the plan is in case the tiger seal is taken.
Frankly hilarious how alarmed LWJ is over Wen Qing doctor-hounding WWX. Adorable that WWX lets himself basically swoon into LWJ’s arms.
Heartbreaking to see WWX basically beg for understanding from LWJ, but also fascinating that WWX believes, now, that LWJ would make the same moral choices he has. Suspect LWJ knows good and well that WWX’s control of resentful spirits and the tiger seal is a separate issue, here, but also cannot see any way around the use of the seal.
And here we have LWJ watching WWX walk back up the mountain, hearing his description of his path as a single-plank bridge. And a-Yuan’s comment that their destination isn’t dark at all (because WWX’s new family has put together a feast for him).
Entertained that WWX drinks /everyone else/ under the table. And then we get the quote about wine (home) now being better than fame. We also get a link made between Emperor’s Smile and LWJ (implication, another family).
And we wrap up with the wild proliferation of Yiling Patriarch gossip, now including fanboys and charlatans trying to cash in (competing charlatans in cosplay, even, omg). Meanwhile Wen Ning and WWX roll past in a wheelbarrow, rolling their eyes to find food offerings at the gate to the mountain. So obviously WWX’s reputation is mutating out of Jin control.
This is also when we get inventor-of-explosions WWX, and realize part of the issue here is that he’s still inventing and disseminating things of use to the cultivation world. Interesting statement of the value of material culture vs psy-ops.
Trust is still the biggest issue with WWX, the one that makes him look all dead-eyed at JC. And the question of what’s possible or what’s not is the hottest one between him and JC. JC wants to do what will appease the other sects (and keep WWX with him). WWX wants to do what’s right and just, even if it means separation from his family and, as JC says, going against the whole world. Also note that he succeeds in forcing JC’s sword hand back, which suggests, given their current relative strength, that JC isn’t really trying. Again, WWX is unbending when it comes to the moral stance he knows is correct, even when it clearly hurts, and that’s something JC does not grok, can only read as madness.
Interesting that Wen Qing also seems to be wondering if WWX is staying out of guilt, and tries to send him home.
Timing note: JC returns to Yiling, leaving the duel for daylight the next day, which is so Extra I can hardly stand it. On the other hand, it gives Wen Qing an opportunity to kick him in the emotional nuts with that comb, which I approve of given what an asshole he’s being to her. Also with another pointed question about doing the just and compassionate thing, which it’s now clear in action WWX would do and JC would not.
Another Lan music connection: the rousing Wen Ning calms when WWX plays Clarity for him.
And its The Duel! Note WWX has that little smirk at the corner of his mouth, though it’s tighter than it would be if he were really amused.Also, damn he’s got some moves for a Core-less man. Note that he has both the black and the orange energies going when he launches talismans, but black only when he’s playing the flute. Note that forms a physical barrier that blocks JC’s sword thrust. Dramatic light flashes! JC gets in a slash at his side, and then turns out to be bleeding both internally and from his shoulder. Those are some sharp black whispies. Note that the Jiang disciples don’t /actually/ buy the story of WWX ‘rebelling’, which is frankly adorable. Dramatic Cloak Rip! No wonder they don’t believe it.
Jin Zixuan getting muddy planting lotuses is actually adorable, and that was a canny matchmaking moment on Madam Jin’s part. Zixuan’s offer to build another Lotus Pier for her both points up how the one she had (her family) is breaking, and how much she values kindness like he’s offering.
LWJ seriously losing his temper at the gossip about WWX is also frankly adorable. And then he gets pounced by a-Yuan, and totally panics over a crying kid and scolding parents. Can’t blame WWX for seriously cracking up over it. Of course, when he intervenes, he promptly gets stunned and a bit flustered by the soft way LWJ is looking at him. (Adorable!) Which is probably why he jokes about giving birth to a-Yuan.
Note that WWX puts his finger on a clearly sore point when he says LWJ’s face looks like he’s harboring grief and bitter anger. On the other hand, LWJ outright smiles at WWX playing with a-Yuan. He’s clearly made some choices about his life and beliefs, at this point.
Ep 29
Still the Issues with Trust, in where WWX /in the course of small talk/ asks LWJ to please not start again with the music to cleanse him.
Note he makes himself not call Jiang Yanli ‘shijie’, at first, which is heartbreaking. But he also admits to LWJ that the big duel was a put-up. LWJ is not having fun watching WWX’s heart get torn up.
Note that WWX is back to inscribing talismans with straight qi, and uses a raw blast, in the urgency of stopping the rampaging spirits from Wen Ning’s awakening.
Note that LWJ displays in action a whole lot more trust in WWX’s work and judgement than JC ever did in re Wen Ning. Also in re WWX’s reverse-meaning naming sense. “Not based on what they think it means” indeed, WWX that’s so /you/. Yet he will still ask the hard questions, like what the plan is in case the tiger seal is taken.
Frankly hilarious how alarmed LWJ is over Wen Qing doctor-hounding WWX. Adorable that WWX lets himself basically swoon into LWJ’s arms.
Heartbreaking to see WWX basically beg for understanding from LWJ, but also fascinating that WWX believes, now, that LWJ would make the same moral choices he has. Suspect LWJ knows good and well that WWX’s control of resentful spirits and the tiger seal is a separate issue, here, but also cannot see any way around the use of the seal.
And here we have LWJ watching WWX walk back up the mountain, hearing his description of his path as a single-plank bridge. And a-Yuan’s comment that their destination isn’t dark at all (because WWX’s new family has put together a feast for him).
Entertained that WWX drinks /everyone else/ under the table. And then we get the quote about wine (home) now being better than fame. We also get a link made between Emperor’s Smile and LWJ (implication, another family).
And we wrap up with the wild proliferation of Yiling Patriarch gossip, now including fanboys and charlatans trying to cash in (competing charlatans in cosplay, even, omg). Meanwhile Wen Ning and WWX roll past in a wheelbarrow, rolling their eyes to find food offerings at the gate to the mountain. So obviously WWX’s reputation is mutating out of Jin control.
This is also when we get inventor-of-explosions WWX, and realize part of the issue here is that he’s still inventing and disseminating things of use to the cultivation world. Interesting statement of the value of material culture vs psy-ops.
no subject
no subject
Zixuan’s offer to build another Lotus Pier for her both points up how the one she had (her family) is breaking, and how much she values kindness like he’s offering.
I adored this scene, and I really like your explanation of why it felt so meaningful.
And after looking at all your posts with this tag -- I can't wait to read through the rest of your meta for the show!
no subject
It's such an adorable scene! Like, after all that Manly Boy nonsense, he finally /gets it right/, and that's the point at which I actually buy that Jiang Yanli might like him enough to stay.