Guardian: An Introduction.

[rheasilvia]

Before I start posting fanfic and talking about Guardian, I’d like to give you all some idea of what this fandom is about. So!

Guardian is a Chinese fantasy/scifi series about a cop who heads a specialized team for supernatural* crime. Zhao Yunlan – the cop – is supported in his endeavors by Shen Wei, a mild-mannered professor who acts as a consultant, and who frequently jumps in to save Zhao Yunlan and/or the day. He does this surprisingly effectively, because Shen Wei is secretly an immensely powerful being known as the Black-Cloaked Envoy, one of the rulers of the supernatural* realm. Shen Wei has also been in love with Zhao Yunlan for thousands of years, for complex and spoilery reasons that don’t need exploring at this juncture.



* I use „supernatural“ as shorthand for „technically scientifically explainable scifi-genre-like goings-ons that are for all intents and purposes supernatural“. More on this in a bit!

The entire series is available on YouTube, with subtitles, and is a delight. I encourage you to check it out if you have any interest in gay romance, or fantasy/scifi with an unusual slant.

The Heroes

Zhao Yunlan is irreverent, quirky, brilliant at reading people, and somewhat reckless, but scarily competent and completely devoted to protecting people who can’t protect themselves. He has a habit of sucking on lollipops that gets rather R-rated at times. He also possesses the superhuman ability to sprawl on absolutely any surface.





Shen Wei, aka the Black-Cloaked Envoy, is seemingly reserved, but intensely passionate, and is both a bad-ass, steely incarnation of justice and a fussy, kindly gentleman scholar (with hearts in his eyes, if Yunlan is near). He likes to cook for Zhao Yunlan (because ZYL does not take proper care of himself), and he stares at him a lot. He also moves in right across the hall about two seconds after meeting him (again). (It’s complicated.)





Together, they fight crime!

The actors are great, the characters are multi-faceted and well-developed, and their sizzling chemistry fairly jumps off the screen. (If that is a thing that chemistry does. Errr.)

There are also a lot of great supporting characters, including Zhao Yunlan’s team, which is awesome, and his father, who is horrible in an awesome way.



The World

Guardian‘s worldbuilding is initially somewhat startling, particularly because there is a jarring info-dump right at the start of the series. This is because the novel the series is based on is fantasy, and the series had to be changed to scifi because of censorship. However, don’t worry! If you ride it out for an ep or two, it all comes together beautifully. It’s totally over the top in some ways, but gloriously so – the series just goes all-in and throws in everything, no holds barred. Aliens! Genetic mutation! Shapeshifters! Elemental powers! Meteors! Ancient wars! Rulers of the magma-filled underworld! Yes! Just keep piling on the awesome!

The Gay Romance

The series is based on an m/m novel, and in theory, the romantic and sexual relationship between the two male leads was toned down to a bromance for TV (censorship again). In practice, it was totally not. Granted, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei never kiss on-screen, and their relationship is never openly referred to as romantic (although Zhao Yunlan flirts so openly and massively that it almost counts). But that’s it. In all other respects, this is a gay romance.



It is, in fact, the most front-and-center gay romance I've ever seen in a fantasy series, as well as probably being the most satisfying gay romance I have ever seen in any TV series, period. The relationship between the main couple is central to the plot, it is well developed, it has immensely strong and genuine emotions, and it is intense and sweet and angsty and absolutely believable every step of the way.



Special Effects and All That

Evidently, the series ran into some financing issues, so the special effects are not always great. This didn’t bother me at all, though. CGI is never a priority of mine anyway; I focus on characterization and plot, and to my uncritical eye, most of the special effects seem absolutely fine, or even good. Plus, I grew quite fond of some dubious costume elements, such as one villain’s purple-streaked mop wig – you will know it when you see it.

Far more important for me is that a lot of thought went into the sets and costumes. Shen Wei's and Zhao Yunlan's apartments, for example, are perfectly furnished to reflect their personalities, down to the tiniest little details.

ETA: The Cat

I've been reminded that the internet is for cats, so allow me to add: Zhao Yunlan's deputy director is a shapeshifter, and is also his cat.

If you do give this series a try, I’d love to know what you think! :-)

Comments

[trobadora]

It is, in fact, the most front-and-center gay romance I've ever seen in a fantasy series

Yes! It's so central to the entire show, and the censorship did exactly nothing to change that. It's unquestionably a love story, kissing or no. And OMG, do I ever love it to pieces. *g*

[rheasilvia]

Absolutely - this is not a bromance in any way, shape or form. I don't even miss the on-screen kissing, with this kind of emotinal pay-off. (And hey, the sex is even very strongly hinted at...)

I have no idea how they got this past the censors, but I am so glad they did. :-)

[solo]

I would have you know that the people I infected after you infected me have now infected others! The virus is spreading!

And this is totally absolutely a gay romance. Who needs on-screen sex anyway? We know what they do!

[rheasilvia]

YES! My work here is done! *insert evil laugh*

That is excellent news, and I hope the infection continues to spread more and more... the series really is such fun that I am not surprised. :-)

And this is totally absolutely a gay romance.

Yep. We have hand-holding and cuddling and wrist-grabbing, in the grand Asian tradition... not to mention sitting next to someone's bed and staring at them all night. The sex is very strongly hinted at, even. Hard to get a strong platonic friendship out of that. ;-)

[maggie33]

That’s a great introduction with great pics.

The relationship between the main couple is central to the plot, it is well developed, it has immensely strong and genuine emotions, and it is intense and sweet and angsty and absolutely believable every step of the way.

I agree with every word. :) And I will always be grateful for lollipops replacing smoking from the novel. Because the things they do with them (mainly Zhao Yunlan but also bb!Shen Wei in the past) are not subtle at all. :)

Evidently, the series ran into some financing issues, so the special effects are not always great. This didn’t bother me at all, though.

Yes, I don’t care about those things either. If I love the characters and the plot interests me I don’t care about cheap special effects. And as you’ve said clothes and sets are great.

[rheasilvia]

Yes! I love the lollipops so much - they have far more charm than cigarettes, and as you say, Zhao Yunlan does so many things with them. ;-) I find them to be a great characterization tool, too. The lollipops immediately insert a bit of quirkiness and individuality when Zhao Yunlan is introduced, a note of "this doesn't quite fit" in the otherwise very cool and macho, even threatening first impression.

If I love the characters and the plot interests me I don’t care about cheap special effects.

Exactly! I don't exactly think it's a bad thing when a series focuses on plot and characters over expensive CGI and the like. :-)

And as you've said clothes and sets are great.

They really are! I keep discovering new details that add even more depth to the characters and the narrative world.

[naye]

probably being the most satisfying gay romance I have ever seen in any TV series, period

YES! This. ♥

Thank you for this recap - it made me smile hugely just reading it. And then the pictures! <3

You should link it on sid_guardian if you haven't already.

[rheasilvia]

Yay, I'm very glad it made you smile! I had such trouble picking out the right pictures, you have no idea. I barely stopped myself from recapping all my favorite scenes. :-)

I was wondering whether to link it to the comm - it isn't anything the people there don't already know, after all. But I think I will! :-)

[bonibaru]

why did I read this. like I don't have enough fandoms already. *shakes fists of impotent rage*

[rheasilvia]

Is there ever such a thing as enough fandoms? *g*

You could always just watch an ep or three, just out of curiosity, and NOT grow fannish about it. (That's what I did. Ahem. ;-))

[yantantether]

it is intense and sweet and angsty and absolutely believable every step of the way ♥♥♥

Also, randomly, from the pic above that paragraph - I am such a sucker for anytime Shen Wei doesn't wear his glasses in front of Yunlan because it's such a visual signifier for the progress in their relationship and how much he trusts him. Plus it makes him look slightly vulnerable and super hot!

[rheasilvia]

YES! And the particularly lovely thing about that scene is Zhao Yunlan's bare feet (particularly in combination with the particularly open way he sprawls here in terms of body language) - such an informal and relaxed thing. Both of them have shed part of their social armor, as it were. It's definitely a moment that signals closeness.

Plus it makes him look slightly vulnerable and super hot!

It really, really does. :-)

[galaxysoup]

Well, if I hadn't already fallen down the rabbit hole this post would make me do it! Actually, it's making me want to do yet another rewatch. Aw, I love this nutty gay show.

I mean... bros. They're totally bros. There is no war in Ba Sing Se. :D

[rheasilvia]

I just watched most of the first two eps again because I thought I'd just have a quick look at one scene I'd been thinking about... it's dangerous, I tell you.

And it's all because those bros are so, uhm, bro-ish! :-)

[starandrea]

Oh my gosh, this is AMAZING! I just watched the first episode and I want to keep watching! Forever! I love the random aliens and the magic and the apparent reincarnation and all of it! Thank you so much for the detailed breakdown of the greatness of this show, because I watch so little TV that it's all to your description I even gave this a try. ♥

[executrix]

I just watched the first episode.
NOBODY MENTIONED THE CAT. How could nobody mention the cat? This is the Intarwebs.
I would just like to point out that, although The Magicians surely is not the greatest TV series ever made, it is a fantasy series where Elliot is in love with Quentin; it's not clear whether Quentin is capable of loving anybody, including himself; and Elliot and Quentin canonically have sex as well as being lifelong partners with a child in an alternate timeline.

[mergatrude]

What a lovely post! *uses it to bait my trap*

[rheasilvia]

Yes! Trap more people! Trap them allll into appreciating the awesomeness that is this series! :-)

[china_shop]

for complex and spoilery reasons that don’t need exploring at this juncture.

HEE! *loves*

This is such a great summary! *scampers off to link to it*

[rheasilvia]

I am now rewatching the entire series again because I wanted to have a quick glance at the scene where Shen Wei first catches sight of Zhao Yunlan in the window. <3 <3 <3

It's just so delightful!

[asya_ana]

Thanks for this primer! I am the slowest ever at getting around to actually watching things, but this has been on my mind and I know your intro will come in handy when I finally watch! :D

[rheasilvia]

You are very welcome indeed! :-) And if you do find yourself checking the series out one of these days, I would love to know what you think!

[bonibaru]

i am on episode 23. what even means having a life

[rheasilvia]

I know exactly how that happened to you... and I am grinning so hard right now!! Yay! This series is *dangerous*. It just sucks you in... but it's so much fun! Having a life is overrated. ;-)

[unrelaxing]

I'm definitely going to use this series to get many many friends into this. I love this intro - it has all the best parts of the show, but with enough room that you need to find out more. I don't think I could have hit that balance

[rheasilvia]

That's wonderful to hear! I did wonder whether to go into more detail, but I myself was initially interested by a two-sentence summary. And ultimately, if the basic dynamics of the show aren't interesting to someone, more details aren't likely to change their mind... or it will be some very individual preference that is different for everyone. ;-)

I did just add a mention of Da Qing, though! :-) As executrix reminded me, the internet is for cats, so it was remiss of me to leave that particular detail out. ;-)

[mekare]

Here via trobadora who aksed me if I had seen this yet. I’m being dragged into this fandom I can tell. It sounds perfect for me.....

[rheasilvia]

I'm not exactly unbiased, but I really do think it's an incredibly fun and rewarding watch! I don't think you'll regret checking it out - since it's on YouTube, it's very easy to give it a quick look and see if it's something you might be interested in.

What about Guardian sounds good to you, if I might ask? Not that I intend to refine my pimping method or anything... ;-)

[kat_lair]

You don't know me but I'm shaking a feeble fist at you right now.

[rheasilvia]

Heee! So... you're going to be giving it a try, then?

I am more than happy to take the blame, if that helps in any way. ;-)

[tinny]

It's glorious how this has 50 comments on the DW side. <3

Yay, more Guardian intro posts! *throws confetti*

I love that last cap of ZYL you chose there. There is no way at all to misinterpret that look. None.

[rheasilvia]

It really is! I am so happy to be having fannish interactions with people again. Not only is DW reviving, but fate has also led me to a wonderful new - and highly infectious - fandom! Glorious indeed. :-)

I love that last cap of ZYL you chose there. There is no way at all to misinterpret that look. None.

Well, when a man has spent a good few hours watching you sleep, you generally wouldn't be wrong to assume certain things. So how's about it, sailor? Or professor, in this case? ;-)

Interestingly enough, I don't know what to think about how serious Zhao Yunlan is in his invitation in this scene. On the one hand, the attraction and fascination is most definitely already there - but on the other hand, at this point I am tempted to think it's mostly part of Zhao Yunlan trying to figure Shen Wei out. If Shen Wei had tried to take him up on the offer, I suspect Zhao Yunlan would quickly have remembered he really has to get to work. ;-)

[asya_ana]

Ok, I started watching... *cries* I'm on ep. 3.

[asya_ana]

I'm on ep 8 and I am literally dying. I hope you're happy with yourself.

[mecurtin]

bonibaru sent me, chuckling evilly.

"Sprawling on any surface": so, like Methos, eh?

Question: the series had to be changed to scifi because of censorship

huh? What makes fantasy censorable, and SF not?

[rheasilvia]

Yep, pretty much exactly like Methos! :-)

What makes fantasy censorable, and SF not?

I haven't actually researched it yet, but my assumption is that fantasy is tainted by the association with superstitions that have no place in a modern socialist state - gods, demons, ghosts, curses, witches and all of that.

[bonibaru]

(whispers) Escapade pimping of Guardian is in full swing thanks to dedicated agents of quality and taste with some strategically placed gifs and fanvids in tow.

[rheasilvia]

Oooooh, what excellent news! I am happy to hear that the dedicated agents of quality and taste have taken on this worthy task, and hope the contagion was spread far and wide! :-)

[imogeneherdman]

I've been meaning to look into this show for a while and putting it off, but your post (and youtube link! <3) finally got me watching :D Thanks for the the primer! I'm on episode 15 now lol.

[rheasilvia]

Yay! I'm very glad you like it!

Guardian is ridiculously addictive. I only meant to have a quick look in passing at an ep or two myself, and look what happened. ;-)

There's an excellent Guardian community on DW, too - sid_guardian . Just saying. ;-)

[amedia]

I stumbled across bonibaru's "Heartlines" vid thanks to the YouTube algorithm, so of course I had to watch it [a bonibaru Guardian vid I hadn't seen yet? --yes, please!], and the link to this page was in the comments, so I wiped my eyes and clicked. :-)

OMG, this is like the best crack_van entry ever! If I hadn't already gotten hooked on Guardian by way of The Untamed by way of the Escapade 2020 vid show, this would have done it!

So here I am four years later just leaving a note to say this wonderful ship manifesto is still appreciated by the occasional new reader. ♥

[tabaqui]

Damn, I'm sold. :D