ellieamoury

Not then but by the campfire before they fight when QL asked about early birds. I was thinking lark and nightingale but actually CY was talking about mating calls. But it does fit here .

Episode 1 Qing Lang to Qing Tian: “How am I supposed to know when it gets dark?”

Episode 15 Qing Lang to Chang Yang: “How do I know what time it’s dawn.”

There is a really great one involving Chang Yang's younger sister. I think it is Ep 9.

I remember the broken one, I wasn't sure it was the first one we saw. Those street ones are everywhere, most often when people are being watched. The last one I noticed was when Chang Yang picks up his hire car and drives off.

A mirror only reflects accurately though if lit from all sides, otherwise shadows are cast. It is such an interesting concept about a twin flame reflecting who you really are, because don't we only ever let people see of ourselves what we want them to see. Does a twin flame divine that true self because they are the same soul divided?

Yes awakenings. I think QL and CY have a couple of them at different points for different reasons. I think this series resonates so hard with so many of us is because it leaves us yearning maybe for what is missing in our lives, be it emotional, physical, spiritual or mythical!

You can have the quote with my blessing

You give me morecto think about but now it's past my bedtime.

Hmmm there is so much to think about in this!

Don't you just love the screen siren. That image of Chang Yang draped over Qing Lang changing the label on the desktop folder and then they tussle on the bed for the first time before being interrupted by Sister Lan on the phone. Not only was the image of the vomiting man worth saving, but the man was worth being loved too.

I noticed the mirrors straight away, the first being on that winding mountain road and that round mirror drivers use to see around corners. We are being shown what is around the corner all the time if we are clever enough to pick up the clues. Those round mirrors, even a broken one, pop up all the time. I guess the most famous use of the mirror is when Qing Lang tells Chang Yang he regrets meeting him. And they also use mirrors when Han Lu and Hao Yu have that huge argument when Han Lu says he realises how he has been used and exploited. Another break up scene. It's not coincidental that the mirrors are used in both these scenes but I haven't figured it out entirely why either.

I really like what you say about the difference between being looked at and being seen. Chang Yang's house seems to be devoid of mirrors. QL has to go hunting for a hand mirror the night his lips swell from the bamboo worms. No mirror, no constant reminder that image is important. I think that is why little by little QL can strip himself of some of that dust; his hair becomes slightly wild, he takes off much of the jewellery he wears, and eventually dons CY's clothes. He blends rather than reflects, but is still seen.

I can imagine being a twin flame can be very challenging. Imagine having to confront yourself so intimately all the time in someone else!

Can we talk about mirrors? They are everywhere in this series.

Yes aren't we all!

And, will what about the tea cake QL and CY made together and put away?

The thing that comforts me most about this is it points us to how this story is going to end.

It's true when you are on the top of a mountain you can look out towards the horizon and if you are on the right mountain you can see the sea, but there is so much land to cross to get to it. Reminds me of explorers who would climb to the top of a mountain expecting to see the sea only to see yet another mountain!

The mountain and the sea represent so much. I keep coming back to Lang Di reading to Chang Yang by the campfire, the story of Old Man Chang and Old Man Qing on the point of their deaths after having spent 100 years loving each other. Here the sea means something quite different.

Old Man Chang wasn't surprised. He asked Old Man Qing, "Where are they?"
"They went back to the sea."
Old Man Qing looked longingly at the sunset glow and said, "They are all out at sea."
They represented every loved one and friend who ever crossed paths with the two old men. Old Man Chang held Old Man Qing's hands in one of his and gently touched his face, saying "Yangyan, let's go back too. "
Snuggled together under the bright, warm sun they returned to the sea together......

I’ve described this episode as scaffolding. It is building a structure on which the last two episodes will be played out. Or if you like, on a chess board where all the pieces are being put in place before checkmate occurs. Ha , but I might be wrong!

I’ve found it helps if you compare the two worlds both couples are set in. Qing Lang and Chang Yang are the grounded couple living, mostly, in real world of the Tea Mountains. Everything around them is done with purpose, in a rhythm with nature. Their love runs deep and we feel connected to it. Han Lu and Hao Yu, on the other hand occupy the superficial world of the entertainment industry. You can never be too sure what is real, whose feelings are genuine, what is being bought and sold. Their love doesn’t feel as grounded or real and it is hard to connect with or believe in. All the time we are in their world the only place we really want to be is back with Qing Lang and Chang Yang.

A horse. I used it as a metaphor for the black SUV Changyang bought.

Earlier on I joked with oddsare that Changyang and Wenshu would ride in on white horses and save whatever was being setup in ep 14 that was going to go down in ep 15.

Yes yes yes. He bought a black steed to rude to the rescue in! No break up imminent.

(Sleep deprived and accidentally deleted my post!)

I loved the screen siren and the fight. They werexabout to kiss but Sister Lan calls and interupts them.

Home is Where the Hesrt Is. Not sure anyone ever says that anymore but it was my first t hought when I saw that was saved as part of Chang Yang's name. He is Qing Lang's home, his safe place, particularly now mum is headed for thevtemple and he has lost two important people.

And thsnk you for bringing clarity to the leaf. I was puzzled by the meaning behind that emoji. Makes perfect sense. Nothing is accidental!

When you start a small theatre episode the cursor will click the image of the episode it relates to.

Qing Lang is 29 and Chang Yang is 20. Same age gap as the actors.

Ah you found it. I remember as part of Kuma's explanation he is saying Qing Lang is saying things dont need to change even if Sister Lan has gone. It fits with your explanation that sometimes the tea stays hot. Things dont need to cool between them.

Ah and of course Qing Tian puts down that last cup of tea without even tasting it.