#idk how they found a guy whose smile is textbook radiant but im glad he's here

[llycaons]

Ep4: wwx's reign of terror <3

god the landscape shots for this show are so pretty

and so it begins....the hypocrisy here in the lan clan's claim to being above worldly things, but their willingness to accept such an indulgent, magnificent gift. lqr was looking very pleased when he saw this come out. the commentary on the core corruption and indulgence of the major sects who have such high values that they pretend to ascribe to starts early. the lan principles are good, on the whole, they just don't always practice what they preach. sects are human and imperfect constructions led by flawed individuals. this is why an ending where wwx and lwj leave the sects behind is so gratifying to me!

lan xichen was such a real one for this. I'd fall in love with him too. the subtext in this episode starts strong and never really lets up

I was going to mention how stupid wen chao is, and he is indeed foolish and arrogant, but his actions barely even matter. so what if he set the lan guard on fire and told lxc to his face that they're delivering someone? so what if he almost starts a fight in the receiving hall? he's untouchable. he's been taught that the wens can do anything at all and there are zero consequences for his actions. the lans won't dare discipline him, so he can be as insulting and aggressive as he wants. it's so jarring to see in this setting full of careful civility, ceremony, and respect. but something the show really hammers in is that the world exists outside the rules of etiquette and people can and will act against it for their own ends. politeness won't prevent violence and aggression must be confronted

wwx was indeed the only one to verbally confront wen chao, but in a fun little microcosm of several relationship dynamics, lwj was clearly ready to physically fight him. he stayed back because of lxc shaking his head, but if not for the restraint of his sect/family he would have backed wwx up in holding wen chao accountable and he probably would have been quicker to fight than wwx was this is so fucked up though bc the lans aren't even fighters. they're cultivators and scholars. they're not a fort like the nies, and they haven't been marshaling power like the wens. they have a few special guqin attacks but it's not a surprise that gusu was overrun

wwx is already lowkey obsessed and he's not used to being ignored bc he's handsome so he's all sulky and in denial about lwj not paying attention to him

life lessons from wwx: enjoy nature. seize the day. don't envy others. remember the good things in life. practice gratitude. drink and eat to your heart's content. go after that pretty boy <3

hellpp he went to try to touch it my boy is so impulsive

wwx acts out and plays around, and it must be frustrating that he doesn't behave, but jc tends to default to blaming wwx instead of holding other characters accountable for their equally poor behavior (jzx for being a dick, the lans for being inflexible and unreasonable, wen chao for being aggressive and inflammatory), or taking into account the situation or context. it seems like jc is hardly ever on wwx's side and never backs him up and I feel like people assuming jc is always in the right and his perspective on wwx is objectively correct need to keep in mind that he's also a young teenager deeply enmeshed in an incredibly complicated emotional/family situation, with high-stakes political and personal strings tied to his relationships with everyone in his family, and what he says about wwx does not necessarily reflect the objective truth or even his own feelings

HE CALLED JC A MANWHORE?? okay I stand by what I just wrote but goddamn, CR-era wwx really is a brat. at this stage in their dynamic he's giving as good as he gets despite their underlying issues and their inherent difference in status

this scene KILLS ME. no fish for jyl??? who MADE the rest of the dinner??? you want her to starve?? you bastards. such a stark visual reminds us that jyl isn't here to be her own person with her own wants, she's here to fill a role of bridging the gap between her brothers and making them play nice. they're acting like such children here

extremely funny to see characters passing notes, doodling, snacking in class, and putting 'kick me'-esque signs on the backs of their teachers robes. even though this is set in the past, some things are eternal. also I think the turtle is a gay joke. kind of homophobic of you, wwx

wwx just can't win! lqr was trying to catch him out in making a mistake, but wwx genuinely knows all this already. but even though he knows it all, he's still not allowed to be proud of himself. lqr wanted to punish him for his behavior and was trying to find a way to do it by criticizing his knowledge, but wwx (literal genius) just can't be stumped no wonder so many people don't like lwj while wwx appreciates him...most people have to study really hard to know this stuff and lwj just makes it look effortless to Be Perfect. but wwx is already at his level and so he doesn't resent him for his skills, he just disagrees with their application and lwj's conduct

you know what I just realized? wwx is approaching this like a survivalist. at his core he's practical and efficient and he'll do what he needs to in order to survive. this is the logic of a person who grew up starving on the streets and used whatever was available to make it out. of course the well-bred and wealthy cultivators are horrified and scandalized, whispering in shocked conversations about this evil technique. because they don't know what it's like to be that desperate

wen ning 🥺 he must have been so young when he died

this was honestly so gay. I don't ship ningxian but I think there was a little something there.

aww when lwj shows up, wwx has the BIGGEST smile we've seen all episode. look at that boy. he's like the sun

personal highlights: ep4

the show making it clear early on that this is a commentary on the society it depicts, and that the lans aren't perfect despite appearances

lwj ready to throw down with wen chao

lxc and meng yao's first meeting

wwx's guide to life