The Untamed, Episodes 4, 10, 11, 40
Narrative and acting choices on Nie Huaisang’s early relationship with Meng Yao.
If you go back and watch the season again, there are all sorts of details about Huaisang’s relation to Jin Guangyao and how he managed to outsmart him. And if you take into account they shot the introductory scenes, after the finale at Guanyin temple, it’s really interesting to take notice how the actors lay from the beginning the foundation of their upcoming confrontation.
First of all Huaisang is introduced with a canary he has just trapped after stalking it for three days. For a character that is portrayed as naive and inept, this is a telling sign of skill, patience and determination. It’s also apparent that he himself often exaggerates his naivety.
He later gives remarks that show a greater insight into the progression of the plot. Something that gives him away as an analytical observer.
For instance when Lan Xichen resolves the tension when the Wen appear first at Gusu, he makes a flattering remark to Meng Yao about the Twin Jades of Lan. At this time Meng Yao is looking openly smitten with Lan Xichen. Huaisang doesn’t remark casually, he observes Meng Yao’s behavior. He can tell who is eliciting such a response. And narratively speaking, this first meeting, this first attraction is what stays in his mind until the finale.
But the best detail, is how from the beginning Huaisang and Meng Yao play a little game of master and servant that is not always consistent- telling us that it is in fact a game. For young Huaisang, Meng Yao is someone he can practice authority with. And Meng Yao will make a show of his submission, not just to please him, but to reinforce his position as a young master.
This is not just a unique relation to them. It curiously stems from the very Nie court. It’s the obsession of hierarchies and values that births duplicity to Nie Huaisang, and he can practice this duplicity best with Meng Yao, who as an outsider is willing to engage in the theatricality of decorum, without really observing the values it stems from.
During the arrest of Xue Yang, despite Huaisang being in his presence, Meng Yao seeing an opportunity for further control, tries to coerce Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan into coming with them back to Qinghe. Huaisang never questions, never intervenes, never argues, or urges for an outcome. He is strangely passive before Meng Yao’s forceful show of authority.
The fact that someone can appear as one thing, but be another, and remain honest is something Nie Huaisang learns from his relationship with Meng Yao.
In this telling scene, Huaisang abandons the guise of the timid child to demand his playmate back. When his brother Mingjue calls him to order, it’s decorum that he demands from him. Huaisang’s eyes dart fleetingly at the two “strangers” behind him, before he assumes again the guise of submission. It’s as if too fast, too suddenly, too emotionally he forgot the lessons he learned from his games with Meng Yao.
Finally Huaisang disguises these lapses of appearing as something he is not, by exaggerating his weakness. He is never seen carrying a sword, in order to underline his lack of martial competence. This frighetened, useless child that needs protection and guidance is the very image of Huaisang in Jin Guangyao’s mind. Because he learned this image so well, he never considered that Huaisang could develop into someone else, into an intimate enemy.
After the reincarnation of Wei Wuxian he will often faint in the presence of others, or make a show of his emotions getting the better of him. He is however always in control, listening, observing, and guiding the scenes he is in towards the desired outcome.The most ruthless and entertaining show of creative helplessness is at Carp Tower in episode 40, where he successfully diverts Jin Guangyao’s attention, so that he can separate him from Qin Su and allow her to read the incriminating letter that will set his revenge in motion.
It’s very interesting that Huaisang knows helplessness excites and incites Jin Guangyao the most. It’s really the only thing he needs to manipulate him into all the wrong choices. And it’s also equally interesting that helplessness elicits both vicious and tender responses from Jin Guangyao, because he can’t stay vulnerable, it’s what he fears the most and it’s what motivates him to violence mostly. But to understand the rhythm of it all, the exchange between the two moods, Huaisang emerges as the most personal foe of the series.
