Monday!
It's the beginning to get really bad.
Honestly, the flashback arc is my favourite, for what will become obvious reasons to those who know me.
It's the beginning to get really bad.
Honestly, the flashback arc is my favourite, for what will become obvious reasons to those who know me.
We start off by briefly revisiting the command for the hostages (because that's what they are now) to give up their swords. No one moves, so the soldiers are instructed to confiscate them. WWX, wanting to keep his promise to not make trouble, is the first to give up his weapon. Jiang Cheng follows, them LWJ, the Niece Huaisang. The young peacock Jin Zuxian refuses - the only one brave enough to do so - and almost starts a fight, but is eventually convinced to turn the weapon over by Mianmian. Then they're all given a book of Wen proverbs and glories they're to memorise during their indoctrination. There is much eye-rolling.
Cut to Wen Qing and her brother Wen Ning. Wen Ning asks after WWX, wondering if they're at the indoctrination. His sister tells him that they'll never be friends and to stay away from WWX and LWJ. Wen Ning protests. WWX is a nice person, and he saved Wen Ning's life. Wen Qing does not budge.
Back at the housing, WWX is actually reading the proverbs while Jiang Cheng unpacks. He notes the hypocrisy of the Wens, as one of their tenets is that no one should "do evil. Evildoers will be executed and decapitated, their heads displayed as a warning." He notes that if that were true, the Nightless City would have more heads on pikes than pigs. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng finds the comb he had bought for Wen Qing back when they were both students in the Cloud Recesses. He asks after Wen Qing, and WWX notes that they'll probably not be able to see her. The Wen Clan is so petty. That's how he makes the realization that something isn't right - why would the Wen Clan only bring LWJ from the Cloud Recesses. Something terrible must have happened. He runs to the door to go speak with LWJ, and that's how they discover they're actually prisoners. Two guards at the door. They can go nowhere and are not permitted to speak to one another.
Day two of the indoctrination, and LWJ, WWX and Jin Zuxian are called on to begin reciting the Wen Clan proverbs. LWJ states he cannot. So too does Jin Zuxian. WWX eagerly and cheerfully volunteers. AND THEN BEGINS RECITING THE 3000 RULES OF THE LAN CLAN.
Cut to Wen Qing and her brother Wen Ning. Wen Ning asks after WWX, wondering if they're at the indoctrination. His sister tells him that they'll never be friends and to stay away from WWX and LWJ. Wen Ning protests. WWX is a nice person, and he saved Wen Ning's life. Wen Qing does not budge.
Back at the housing, WWX is actually reading the proverbs while Jiang Cheng unpacks. He notes the hypocrisy of the Wens, as one of their tenets is that no one should "do evil. Evildoers will be executed and decapitated, their heads displayed as a warning." He notes that if that were true, the Nightless City would have more heads on pikes than pigs. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng finds the comb he had bought for Wen Qing back when they were both students in the Cloud Recesses. He asks after Wen Qing, and WWX notes that they'll probably not be able to see her. The Wen Clan is so petty. That's how he makes the realization that something isn't right - why would the Wen Clan only bring LWJ from the Cloud Recesses. Something terrible must have happened. He runs to the door to go speak with LWJ, and that's how they discover they're actually prisoners. Two guards at the door. They can go nowhere and are not permitted to speak to one another.
Day two of the indoctrination, and LWJ, WWX and Jin Zuxian are called on to begin reciting the Wen Clan proverbs. LWJ states he cannot. So too does Jin Zuxian. WWX eagerly and cheerfully volunteers. AND THEN BEGINS RECITING THE 3000 RULES OF THE LAN CLAN.
When stopped, he plays dumb and pretends he got it all confused. Wen Chao punishes all three cultivators for failing to recite the Wen principles. This was WWX's plan. He needed to be able to get close enough to LWJ to talk to him and find out what happened.
At the punishment, though, LWJ isn't speaking. Not to WWX. Not to anybody. So, in order to try and get him to talk, WWX grabs LWJ on the shoulder, and his hand is immediately whipped by Wen Chao, who shows up. He demands to know what WWX and LWJ were whispering about. WWX tell him they were whispering about how the dung they have to shovel smells just like Wen Chao.
At the punishment, though, LWJ isn't speaking. Not to WWX. Not to anybody. So, in order to try and get him to talk, WWX grabs LWJ on the shoulder, and his hand is immediately whipped by Wen Chao, who shows up. He demands to know what WWX and LWJ were whispering about. WWX tell him they were whispering about how the dung they have to shovel smells just like Wen Chao.
Well, of course Wen Chao tries to whip him, but WWX catches it, and tells Wen Chao, "Don't test me."
So of course Wen Chao's guards tie him up, and Wen Chao tries to whip him again. This time, LWJ throws himself in the way. and his broken leg gets hit. Fucking ouch.
WWX gets whipped once, and this time Jin Zuxian even speaks up for him. Wen Chao tries to whip WWX once more, but this time LWJ catches the whip and pulls it out of Wen Chao's grasp. He doesn't say anything. He just stares coldly at Wen Chao. Wish I could find the .gif of that. Deciding this just isn't on, Jin Zuxian stops what he's doing and comes to WWX side, too. Am I starting to like this peacock? Am I?
Wen Chao concludes that WWX must have been trying to glean information about the location of LWJ's fragment of the Yin Iron, noting that the Wen Clan has it, because LWJ gave it up. Further, Wen Chao says that Xue Yang doesn't have the fourth fragment, and doesn't know where it is. If he doesn't know, then it must be that WWX has hidden it somewhere. WWX tells him to get serious. Wen Chao commands his guards to take WWX to the dungeon. LWJ puts himself between the guards and WWX again, but WWX ends up going voluntarily.
This was a mistake. As it turns out, WWX's cell has a guest already. A giant black dog. Remember, WWX is terrified of dogs, and this one is giant and mean. Wen Chao tells him that if he survives the night, he will consider WWX's punishment complete.
And if not, well, that was your own damned fault for being such a smart-ass.
Well, RIP WWX. Just kidding. But almost.
We cut to
WWX gets whipped once, and this time Jin Zuxian even speaks up for him. Wen Chao tries to whip WWX once more, but this time LWJ catches the whip and pulls it out of Wen Chao's grasp. He doesn't say anything. He just stares coldly at Wen Chao. Wish I could find the .gif of that. Deciding this just isn't on, Jin Zuxian stops what he's doing and comes to WWX side, too. Am I starting to like this peacock? Am I?
Wen Chao concludes that WWX must have been trying to glean information about the location of LWJ's fragment of the Yin Iron, noting that the Wen Clan has it, because LWJ gave it up. Further, Wen Chao says that Xue Yang doesn't have the fourth fragment, and doesn't know where it is. If he doesn't know, then it must be that WWX has hidden it somewhere. WWX tells him to get serious. Wen Chao commands his guards to take WWX to the dungeon. LWJ puts himself between the guards and WWX again, but WWX ends up going voluntarily.
This was a mistake. As it turns out, WWX's cell has a guest already. A giant black dog. Remember, WWX is terrified of dogs, and this one is giant and mean. Wen Chao tells him that if he survives the night, he will consider WWX's punishment complete.
And if not, well, that was your own damned fault for being such a smart-ass.
Well, RIP WWX. Just kidding. But almost.
We cut to
It looks a little goofy, but I do admire the use of practical effects here.
Anyway, we cut to Jiang Cheng, who demands of his room guards to know where his brother is. There's almost a fight, but then Wen Qing shows up and dismisses the guards. There's quite a sweet moment between them. It's clear that Jiang Cheng has quite the crush on her. They ask each other in unison where Wei Wuxian is, and Wen Qing realizes where he must have been taken. She turns to leave. Jiang Cheng stops her and asks if Wen Ruohan was harsh on her. She says instead that she'll do her best (to help Wei Wuxian, it is heavily implied).
Anyway, we cut to Jiang Cheng, who demands of his room guards to know where his brother is. There's almost a fight, but then Wen Qing shows up and dismisses the guards. There's quite a sweet moment between them. It's clear that Jiang Cheng has quite the crush on her. They ask each other in unison where Wei Wuxian is, and Wen Qing realizes where he must have been taken. She turns to leave. Jiang Cheng stops her and asks if Wen Ruohan was harsh on her. She says instead that she'll do her best (to help Wei Wuxian, it is heavily implied).
Poor Wei Wuxian is being savaged by the dog, but then - three darts! And the dog falls asleep. WWX recognizes the pins and knows Wen Qing was the one responsible. Then Wen Ning shows up and gives WWX some medicine - pills to stabalise and restore his golden core (the magical centre that makes him a cultivator) and some poultice to apply externally.
He's such a sweet young man. I love Wen Ning. What a cinnamon roll.
Having survived, WWX is returned to the indoctrination classes, but not before he challenges Wen Chao to a duel, despite looking (and probably feeling) like death. Once back with his peers, Wen Chao makes some announcements. The Lan Clan is considered rebels, and Nie Mingjue has sided with them. When Nie Huaisang demands to know what happened to his brother, Wen Chao heavily implies that he was killed in a clash.
Then Wen Chao threatens the Jiang Clan, calling the Clan Leader (Jiang Cheng's father) a coward, saying he can't wait to invade Yumeng. In a twist, WWX is forced to restrain his brother, who's temper threatens to make him do something rash that would cause problems.
Having survived, WWX is returned to the indoctrination classes, but not before he challenges Wen Chao to a duel, despite looking (and probably feeling) like death. Once back with his peers, Wen Chao makes some announcements. The Lan Clan is considered rebels, and Nie Mingjue has sided with them. When Nie Huaisang demands to know what happened to his brother, Wen Chao heavily implies that he was killed in a clash.
Then Wen Chao threatens the Jiang Clan, calling the Clan Leader (Jiang Cheng's father) a coward, saying he can't wait to invade Yumeng. In a twist, WWX is forced to restrain his brother, who's temper threatens to make him do something rash that would cause problems.
We return to Wen Ning and Wen Qing, where it is revealed that Wen Qing knows that Wen Ning stole some of her medicines to give to WWX. She rather hypocritically tells Wen Ning that he's not to try and help them ever, and Wen Ning fires back at her that she was the one who taught him the Wen Clan should not turn their back on those who have saved them.
Wen Qing tells her brother that he is the only family she has left.
The following day, while the cultivators are unenthusiastically reading the Wen Principles out loud, except LWJ, who isn't even looking at his paper. He's just brooding silently. As he does. Wen Chao is informed that there is a problem near one of the mountains that the Wen Clan cultivators have been unsuccessful in resolving. He decides to use his hostages as a meat shield and take them all on a night hunt.
Off they go. Wen Chao is sharing his horse with a young lady, and there is a whole lot of PDAs happening there. Gross. Get a room you two.
WWX notices that LWJ is limping, and in pain.
The following day, while the cultivators are unenthusiastically reading the Wen Principles out loud, except LWJ, who isn't even looking at his paper. He's just brooding silently. As he does. Wen Chao is informed that there is a problem near one of the mountains that the Wen Clan cultivators have been unsuccessful in resolving. He decides to use his hostages as a meat shield and take them all on a night hunt.
Off they go. Wen Chao is sharing his horse with a young lady, and there is a whole lot of PDAs happening there. Gross. Get a room you two.
WWX notices that LWJ is limping, and in pain.
He goes to offer help, despite Jiang Cheng trying to get him to not do that. WWX gives the reason that there is someone who needs help, so, if someone is to help, why not himself? Jiang Cheng, I think, is showing his jealousy. He may feel he's losing his beloved brother to LWJ... and it's not entirely unreasonable. I mean, WWX will always love his brother, but... I mean... WWX is in love with LWJ.
LWJ, being a dolt, insists that he's fine. WWX will not let him get away with it, tells him to stop pretending, and then offers to carry him
And that's where we end the episode.
What I Liked
WWX and LWJ are back together, and this time LWJ is much more protective, showing some fondness, even though he remains stoic and stone-faced. I'm enjoying all the small things that I didn't notice the last time - Nie Huaisang is getting bolder, making demands and using his voice. Jiang Cheng is showing his jealous nature more, which will be important later on. WWX is still being a brat to folks he considers bullies, but there's a slight dampening of his impish spirit after the dog incident.
It's small, incremental things that this series permits itself that I'm enjoying the most. Fifty episodes seems long, but with a tighter schedule, it would be difficult to let the characters and story breath and stretch like this.
What Could Have Been Better
There really isn't much to be improved upon, other than, perhaps the odd ending again. It would have been better to end the episode with Wen Chao musing about how he has a bunch of meat shields, rather than just as the night hunt is about to begin, but again, I mean... that's a small gripe.
An even smaller gripe is the giant dog. It was a little goofy, but I really do admire that they decided to do practical effects for this one. And honestly, Xiao Zhan (the bloke who plays WWX) really sold the wounds that resulted from a tussle with the animal, so there isn't much of a problem at all.
Story-wise, it's still great.
Next week, it gets both more awesome and impossibly silly.
LWJ, being a dolt, insists that he's fine. WWX will not let him get away with it, tells him to stop pretending, and then offers to carry him
And that's where we end the episode.
What I Liked
WWX and LWJ are back together, and this time LWJ is much more protective, showing some fondness, even though he remains stoic and stone-faced. I'm enjoying all the small things that I didn't notice the last time - Nie Huaisang is getting bolder, making demands and using his voice. Jiang Cheng is showing his jealous nature more, which will be important later on. WWX is still being a brat to folks he considers bullies, but there's a slight dampening of his impish spirit after the dog incident.
It's small, incremental things that this series permits itself that I'm enjoying the most. Fifty episodes seems long, but with a tighter schedule, it would be difficult to let the characters and story breath and stretch like this.
What Could Have Been Better
There really isn't much to be improved upon, other than, perhaps the odd ending again. It would have been better to end the episode with Wen Chao musing about how he has a bunch of meat shields, rather than just as the night hunt is about to begin, but again, I mean... that's a small gripe.
An even smaller gripe is the giant dog. It was a little goofy, but I really do admire that they decided to do practical effects for this one. And honestly, Xiao Zhan (the bloke who plays WWX) really sold the wounds that resulted from a tussle with the animal, so there isn't much of a problem at all.
Story-wise, it's still great.
Next week, it gets both more awesome and impossibly silly.
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