EclecticJello

I think it can be interesting if DFQC will have to teach her to love again, like she did with him. - I would love that!

She is gonna sacrifice herself not just for DFQC but for the peace. - Makes sense. "I do it for you, but not entirely for you."

"The first people who gave her warm aside her master is DFQS." - A truly revealing and depressing reflection of the culture of the Heavenly Realm.

Xufeng, DFQC's dìdì.

And would CH meet up with, much less trust XF? No.
But DFQC body swapped/glamoured as XF? Yes.

Hey - I said it was a deconstruction, lol!

DFQC is NOT going to pull a Noble Idiocy!
He is in NO way stupid enough to believe he can end XLN's love for him.

DFQC is not an idiot.
He is incredibly intelligent, technically charismatic and subtly brilliant.
He is a Devil.
He thrives on loopholes and keeping his word.

And he is not noble.
He is a villain.
He was a villain and he stayed a villain and he will always be a villain.
He is selfish, unyielding and will always get what he wants - damn the consequences.
He just so happens to want noble things.

By body swapping with Xufeng, a secret alliance with CH and all of them teaming up to take down the common enemy that has been manipulating them all: the Cloud God, who has control of the true threat the Evil Spirit.

It sounds so boring, when you put it plainly like that!

Real DFQC = XF
Real XF = DFQC

Everything "XF" Says to her is the truth.
Everything "DFQC" Says to her is a lie.

Therefore, he is not lying to her and as "XF" is accompanying her and facing it together with her.

He never promised not to hurt her or manipulate her, only not to lie to her and to face anything that came their way together. The body swap/glamour accomplishes both.

What is real? What is fake? I love DFQC. That is enough.

DFQC is NOT stupid. He is not dumb enough to think he can manipulate or trick Orchid into no longer loving him. This is not noble idiocy, because he is not an idiot.

What is he doing????

There are too many things that don’t fit, too many heavy-handed hints, too many pieces I have half figured out.

Okay, the writer wants us to think he is trying to get Bone Orchid off her wrist. We are in Day 3 of 10 day count-down hanging over Orchid’s head. That is where all the audience directed focus is going.

I don’t know what he is doing. Either way, I am more interested in how he is doing it, then what he is doing.

He never breaks his word. So whatever he is doing, he is not lying to her or letting her go through it alone.

Easiest way to not be letting her go through this alone is to be there going through it with her. Okay. So that means “Xufeng” is really DFQC glamoured to look like Xufeng. I can get behind this because both of their speech patterns and body languages don’t fit their characters anymore and are so noticeably of the other.

P.S. Love him for accompanying her through trials she doesn’t know she is undergoing (Chidi & dreams)

Cloud God
“People with choices wouldn’t be angry” “No longer an either-or choice” You can literally see the wheels in his head turning. How does he transform an either/or into an and.

Find your real body. (Emperor? CW? Someone I am not expecting? Ohhhh! What if Cave God in Yannv?! That actually makes a lot of sense. Love the themes of Chinese Whispers of true history and propaganda adjusting reality to fit what you need it to become for patriotic purposes)

(Edit: The more I think back through various dialogues throughout the show, what we know of the history, and the parallelism between DFQC & XLN and Yannv & Changhuo this makes soooo much sense.) You’re finally here. Most secretive and darkest corner in your heart. Owner of this place. Why the heck has the Cloud God been waiting for HIM? Why does the Cloud God understand HIS darkest corner of heart? Because they share it? Why the heck is this Cloud God talking about anger and sadness? (I can’t remember what all 7 of the 7 emotions are)

DFQC has had it up to here with illusions. What is up with his sword? Does it do something special? (Is this the sword we see in the end credits? I always assumed that was the Chengyin sword) (This is the same sword he killed his father with. Did I miss it having a name?) He is specifically using it here and he specifically used it in Thousand Dreamland. Is it especially effective against illusions? On a poetic level that makes sense. DFQC hates hypocrisy. He has vowed to never lie to XLN again. His sword is the execution of his will. His action. (Your position and prestige were not inherited from your father. You earned them with the sword in your hand by yourself.) Not certain how that works literally though. Did he choose this sword because it has special abilities that align with what he wants to conquer? (Hypocrisy/Illusions) He is infinitely surprised the sword is not working on an illusion. You can see the wheels in his head turning. If the sword doesn’t destroy/dispel it, that means it isn’t an illusion.

I can save her and teach you how to release the 100,000 soldiers. As long as you cooperate with me, your tribe and your lover will no longer be an either-or choice. (So whose voice is he hearing this statement in? Xi Lun’s? CH’s?) Again you can see the wheels in his head turning. He is going to make a pact with the Devil. Just not this Devil. Just not the Devil we expect. The Devil of the Moon tribe.

Turtle: Tomorrow’s wedding is not your destiny (duh). Your love is selfless and inclusive (can not limit to Moon Queen). You are destined to take your responsibility (of love - echoing her words to XF when he tried to talk her out of going into Fuju cave after giving her Nine mysterious Potion) You are destined to cease hatred (Moon Tribe’s origin) and protect the people (neutralize war - both literal war and God of). You haven’t seen what you are supposed to see. You haven’t lost what you are supposed to lose.

He knows she is with CH. Okay, we are actively trusting CH now? Did you let him in? Did you make your pact with the Devil? Are you trusting your blood brother? Did you ask him to take XLN? You know she is coming back, so this wasn’t a rescue mission. Okay she needed to know about her heritage. Why? And why did it have to come from CH, not you? Okay, if you couldn’t say it - there is a lie in it somewhere. Easy answer: They were exterminated by Moon Tribe. Obviously a lie - we know how they were killed. Okay, there had to be a less obvious lie in there somewhere. Will have to rewatch that part again.

And the wedding is off. So Wooden Head and Turtle Head are on the same page. That’s progress?

“I’ve decided to sacrifice her.” What does “sacrifice” actually mean? (vs I will never sacrifice her. I will think of another way.) (Thanks for the SUBTLE hint from the director to look at DFQC and XF differently or upside down)

Okay, XF is DFQC. Yep - totally. The posture. The way he holds his neck. The crooked arm. The gesture with the sleeves. NOT XF’s facial expressions. DFQC’s authoritative tone.

Okay, okay. Not lying. Roll with the scene that he promised he wouldn’t lie to her again.

He said she was wrong when she mentioned being afraid of the Moon Supreme and then immediately corrected himself, that he was referring to that he didn’t like her. This really reminds me of the way DFQC constantly corrected himself when he was talking to her, so as not to do a Freudian slip. Dramatic pause made it feel deliberate. Okay, he respects her very much. (Like very, very much? Like feed her hands to the crocodiles in Memory Loss River very much?)

He respects her.

Wrong again. - (War is coming, DFQC is worried about the war. He is not helping DFQC. He is picking on XLN) I can get behind each of these statements being inaccurate.

I was ordered to imprison you to help my brother. (Who ordered you? To help my brother (either blood brother reference or help XF with his part of the plan)

My brother won’t see you. - Not DFQC won’t see you. Not Moon Supreme won’t see you.

Closed expression. Highly expressive eyes. Totally DFQC. XF has an open expression and closed eyes.

Also Queen outranks Prince, so the guards should be listening to her over Xufeng. (Yes, she is Queen. That title is not being conferred to her through marriage, but earned by the trial of the Fuju Cave Sarcophagus.)

What is it with servants asking all the right questions? Why are you getting the armor out? For her, you idiot.

Flashback of DFQC as Xufeng with CH.
Where is ORCHID? She is recuperating at the palace. When the war starts she will sacrifice her life. (OR ALTERNATIVELY,) if you want to start the war (have her sacrifice herself right now) now I will fight to the end.

Since war is inevitable, I will lead the fairy army to bring back the GODDESS OF XISHAN.

Okay, these two have a behind-the-scenes agreement going on. Using the inevitable and the wheels of momentum to their advantage. They are distinguishing between XLN and Xilun. They are there and trust each other because of ORCHID, for ORCHID. But are taking action (public declarations) for the GODDESS OF XISHAN. Okay, are they trying to trigger her to awaken her GODDESS powers? So she could heal the Evil Spirit carrying CW inside Bone Orchid? That would make so much more sense then the noble idiocy path of trying to get her to stop loving him. Again, DFQC is NOT stupid.

Is he only leading the army in the name of bringing back the GODDESS or is he leading them to actually bring back the GODDESS? So, they are using the inevitable war to save XLN? Um? The war begins and ORCHID sacrifices herself (whatever that means) and becomes the GODDESS and the GODDESS is brought back to the Heavenly Realm?

Is DFQC really willing to play the long-game here? To stage losing? To trust CH that much?

“We only cared about our own safety. We’re scattered. We would have been eaten by Yong Zhao. Because we took pity on each other and didn't want to see any of us die, we faced our fears and worked together to win time for survival. So emotion is not a burden. It’s the reason we survived this time.”

“We only cared about our own people/agenda/pride. We’re scattered (Haishi Butterfly very much trying to do a divide and conquer scenario here. She went after XF. She went after Jieli. She went after Li Yuan. That is literally the 2nd in command in all 3 tribes. They are destabilizing power here. Same tactic they used to perpetuate the civil war in Moon Tribe.) We would have been eaten by Evil Spirit/Cave God. Because we took pity on each other and didn't want to see any of us die, we faced our fears and worked together to win time for survival. So emotion (trust, alliance, unity, love) is not a burden (an either-or choice). It’s the reason we survived this time.”

Cheering for U.N. Bromance working behind the scenes!

Could he have also had a conversation with Xi Lun and XLN (obviously) doesn’t remember?

Back to Arbiter Hall
Lightening
A “It’s just lightning. I’m not afraid.” - Don’t be afraid (he knows her mantras)
B Telling her it’s a body swap.
C The last time he brought lightening it was because he was upset she didn’t like him back. This is the redirect. So we don’t see what he is actually doing: Don’t love me.
Meat
Raw, roasted and fried meat dishes - What DFQC likes to eat the most are fat fairies like you. Boiled, roasted, fried, steamed and eaten raw. (Nightmare that you turned into a fat pig)
Sneezing/Don’t you have a name?/Food outside is better than food inside? Better to have freedom in the right way/ Lice & Bathing (I got nothing. Not sure what he is trying to say with this one)

XF (DFQC) is back
He is giving her a lot of information.

My brother said you don’t need to make the phoenix crown. (Is there another meaning to the phoenix crown I don’t know yet?).

He also asked me to remove these flowers./ You don’t need these flowers here. (He mentioned getting rid of the flowers twice. Why do the flowers need to go? Is it a reference to the number 8,452? That is not the same number as the lost soldiers. Hmmm)

That’s right. You are wondering how I know what you and my brother have said privately, right? Of course, he told me himself. (“Because only the two of us know about this.” Broken stand in Thousand Dreamland Arbiter Hall.
A) Tell the illusion from reality.
B) Always find you?
C) What is something only they know? Hmm? How many flowers? That she has been drugging his medicine? That they met with CH to release the souls from the Evil Spirit? Zither? Cuju? Bone Orchid? Something from the mortal realm field trip? Piggy back? Underwater kiss? The specifics of how they swap bodies? Morning dew? His favorite cakes? Butterfly chick? Evil bunny? Lantern wish? Mad at me wifey? Pregnant? - Drags hands over face. - Gah, if my husband communicated like this, I’d kill him.

She didn’t yet know about the Chengyin sword, how it worked, that it had been restored or its history.
He gave her a timeline. He gave her the Orchid with her primordial spirit. (I am willing to bet she didn’t use it the way he wanted her to.)

My brother will kill you with this sword (Lost on this one - Blood Brother CH? Really messed up triple body swap between CH, DFQC and XLN?)

(Not trying to be nitpicky, but this time the body language feels much more like XF. Is it actually XF or is DFQC getting better at impersonating him?)

Righhhhht, like XF would ever react that violently to XLN running away. And why does he need to be where XLN is headed i.e. “DFQC”, if DFQC is DFQC? (because obviously that is where she is headed.) (Again super ambiguous terms: my brother, the lord)

Not DFQC’s hand gestures. (Not sure what is going on with his thou– OMG! His thoughts are literally bait for the Evil Spirit God!) Not DFQC’s fighting stance. “I knew you would come to me again” DFQC says “ridiculous,”not “nonsense”. “You summoned me” That is 100% not how DFQC throws Hellfire. (Okay the differences in WHD’s posture, carriage, tone, inflections, verbage and facial expressions between the 2 encounters with the Evil Spirit God are soooo different)

XLN arrives. NOT part of the plan

That is not how DFQC wears his hair. Dude is crazy about fixing it and adjusting his sleeves (remember in the mortal realm, he couldn’t stand just a few strands out of place after Shangque “hugged” him to stop him from killing Xiao Run)

Why do we have a reaction from “XF” at “DFQC” raising his sword at XLN?

Yeah, not DFQC’s tones and inflections. DFQC does not radiate swarminess or cockiness (XF does). Come on - that facial expression. How he is walking. That isn’t how DFQC carries himself. Tuck an arm, man! At least put some effort into your imitations. God, his inflections are just so slimy, so very XF.

And we are back to CH and Xi Lun.

Okay, that is a SUPER vital piece of information she didn’t know. Not that he knew she was the goddess, but what is happening with Chidi Woman and Bone Orchid. (How to save your life hidden in a My Brilliant Evil Plan Monologue) Lies, lies, so many lies

DFQC, you are so literal. But I love you for it. You swore never to lie to her. You swore to accompany her and face struggles together with her. Not to not hurt her or manipulate her. (FMV request for Love the Way You Lie)

XLN
I really hope their contingency plans don’t interfere with each other! (Don’t forget XLN has been drugging her his medicine all week and he is drinking it with this “What is she up to?” face and absolute trust)

“How many days do we have until the war?” “Three to five days.” “That’s enough (for potion to take effect).”

What the heck has she been putting in his medicine!??!?!

What can she do with an elixir? A mind-meld (like from the book)? Access Thousand Dreamland? Give him access to her memories and thoughts stored in the heart-hiding hairpin? Store his thoughts and memories there? Increase the probability of lightning hitting them for a body switch? Plant dreams in his subconscious? A minor protective enchantment?

Again, it is her pattern of conflict resolution when she is backed up against a wall. He knows the medicine has something in it, he doesn’t know the exact purpose and has been drinking this medicine all week with absolute trust and just a “What is she up to?” face (Which by the way I find sexy beyond expression)

Missing Threads
Love locks? They did NOT hang them and they are in the end credits. Nine Mysterious Potion? Wedding gifts DFQC presented to XLN (Ancient Dark Spider Thread, Mermaid Tears, Yuehua Pill)? Spirit Vanishing arrows?Nine Bone Devouring Spikes? Wuxian Clan?

Oh - Nine Mysterious Potion + Spirit Vanishing Arrows (get rid of Chidi without XLN feeling pain?)
Yuehua Pill for Jieli to detoxify Heart Eroding Potion?
Does it matter that it is NINE Mysterious Potion and NINE Bone Devouring Spikes?
If CH’s mother = Old lady in Moon Tribe Village = DFQC’s nanny I am going to lose it

WARNING: Episode 30 Deconstruction
LONG
Do NOT read if you don't want spoilers

I'd love to know everyone's thoughts!

Yes! He face was sooo raw here. Most assuredly in my Top 5 and Top 3 facial expressions from him in this drama.

Circe's Barnyard, MDR. Seriously?! I was just saying hello. That's hilarious.

This is actually a family tradition of mine. Is weird that I am more attached to it now because of DFQC and I just want that standard of devotion, then because of honoring tradition?

1 - Framing her face after the sarcophagus

2 - More adorable hand-holding. Honestly, I don’t need kiss scenes. I need more hand shots. Esther and Dylan are brilliant at this. How do they make each handhold fresh and unique from the last? So touching and never sappy?

3 - XLN imitating DFQC in both tone and head positioning when she tells Shangque to get up.

4 - Knowing your beloved one’s body language.

5. - I choke people for you. I love how DFQC didn’t become “good” and stayed a villain that loved her.

6 - Someone sorted their priorities: The war is coming. Enough time to marry me.

7 - “How many days do we have until the war?” “Three to five days.” “That’s enough.”

What the heck has she been putting in his medicine!??!?!

What can she do with an elixir? A mind-meld (like from the book)? Access Thousand Dreamland? Give him access to her memories and thoughts stored in the heart-hiding hairpin? Store his thoughts and memories there? Increase the probability of lightning hitting them for a body switch? Plant dreams in his subconscious? A minor protective enchantment?

Again, it is her pattern of conflict resolution when she is backed up against a wall. He knows the medicine has something in it, he doesn’t know the exact purpose and has been drinking this medicine all week with absolute trust and just a “What is she up to?” face (Which by the way I find sexy beyond expression)

8 - I promised you I won’t lie to you again. No matter what happens we have to face it together.

9 - Can we please take a moment to appreciate that entire scene. DFQC being open about the war (the geography, the troop numbers, his Hellfire, CH’s position) and reiterating his promises to her. Her standing resolute in her choice to stand by him and her (now) people. Him accepting and allowing her this agency. All that happened while she was literally - MEASURING - first him and then herself. Beautiful symbolism.

10 - "I'm here. I'm here. It's okay. It's okay."

11 - How he never gets into bed with her. (Remembers what she said about Heavenly Realm customs in Episode 3)

12 - Playful DFQC

13 - Leaning in to have him whisper share his dream

14 - XLN having zero patience for the manipulation tricks CH is attempting that work on every other FL in the history of CDramas

15 - Him not being worried that CH has her and knowing she will choose to come back

16 - Looking through her dinner for notes.

Vote for your Favorite Couple Moments from Today’s Episodes 29 & 30

Every time I see those guards in formation in the front of Moon Palace all I can think is "Orrrr-eeeeo. O. O. Orrr-eeeeo." Major Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch castle flashbacks.

(Also, yes - it feels like anyone can break into the palace or slip into the kingdom at any time. Do we not have border patrol people?)

Security Detail (Not What You Think I Will Say)

"I'm here. I'm here. It's okay. It's okay."

WHD how can you do open and vulnerable in 500 different nuanced flavours that there are no echoes, no repeated facial expressions? You make it nuanced to each individual scene.

How many muscles does the face have? Sometimes I replay a scene over and over and try to literally break down what you are doing with your eyes, your jaw, your lips, your eyebrows, heck, even your nose to convey what your character is feeling. I don't think you can control consciously on a micro-level like that. This is just pure instinct and he is BEING his character.

Most Replayed Scene

Can we please take a moment to appreciate that entire scene. DFQC being open about the war (the geography, the troop numbers, his Hellfire, CH’s position) and reiterating his promises to her. Her standing resolute in her choice to stand by him and her (now) people. Him accepting and allowing her this agency. All that happened while she was literally - MEASURING - first him and then herself.

Breath-taking symbolism by the director!