u/BaldHeadDalt

Have you ever felt that the way your life plays out has been pre-determined even before you were born?

May it be by your parents, your family's reputation or the societal barricades that have been laid down by those who came before you. A harsh reality of life is that the second you come out of the womb- expectations have already been set for you to live up to. Whether you like it or not

This is coined by German philosopher Martin Heidegger as the concept of throwness. It can be compared to an actor being cast into a movie set as the main character with the backstory, setting and supporting casts already settled without the former having knowledge of the script while also being tasked by the director to make sense of it all to create a movie worth revisiting .

Reverse 1999’s “Showdown In Chinatown” storyline showcases this complicated dilemma with grace as the phenomenal heroine Liang Yue takes center stage. A descendant of the legendary Liang clan, Yue gets thrown into the wolves as she is vested with the power to wield the fearsome mythological beast known as Qiangliang from an early age. As she matured into adulthood - The expectations that came with her possessing that summoning ability along with the reputation of her family name continued to pile up. Many were touting her to be the next legend of her ancestry . All because of a responsibility that was disguised as destiny.

A pathway that many others would gladly take without hesitation . But for Yue?  That doesn't work for her.  brother!

Her awareness of the repercussions that  the irresponsible possession of the power in her hands would cause  made it possible for her to evolve as a powerful being, not in the physical superhero sense. but rather in the strength of her moral compass

Even in her introductory phase as a “rookie” in the LAPD partnered with her superior Poitier. She showed her poise and humility. Knowing her strength, Yue understood her own limitations. Taking charge when she knew she could while also being humble enough to learn the ropes, hereby developing a flourishing partnership with Poitier as a strong unit willing to risk one life just to save another

Yue continued to develop her own script as the main character slowly finding her way and making sense of her given story. Finding solace in the hero Qi Xing from the CO7 movies as the beginning of her eyes being open to understand why she was chosen to be the wielder of the Qiangliang. 

They say never meet your heroes. 

But as the story has shown multiple times- Yue’s life has never followed the script

Her battle with Qi Xing completed her story in more ways than it being the climax. She honored her heritage and became a hero by her own volition -  she finally embraced her destiny as the protagonist that we all deserve .

Yue’s story is a testament that we are the headliners of our own story. It's up to us to show why we’re worthy to be top billing.

Do you wish to become immortal?

As a man that  has had a tango at death's doorstep, I would rather not. The facade of being able to live forever  is an immense glamorization of the concept of eternal suffering.  However, the volatile nature of the human lifespan here on Earth has left many questions to be unanswered along with two extremes that are continuously debated on. Would you rather stand the test of time  or cherish every second of it knowing that it could be your last?  

Reverse 1999 fully hammers the concept of the question  by harnessing it through the fantastic writing of two characters in the featured story of Version 3.4 . First up is  Paper Heron. An immortal Daoist that has mastered the arts from her history at the White Horse School and now looks to pass on her knowledge through The School Of Mei.

Along the way - she encounters Mayfly..A bright and endearing Yao that deep inside yearns for  “The Method Of Longevity”  as she is desperate to extend her lifetime past the boundaries of her seemingly inevitable destiny . In Heron,  Mayfly found her comfort in the same way that the Daoist master saw her companion as a reflection of a short life well lived- full of brightness and determination.  The meaningful life that she yearns to experience herself. 

The dynamic relationship between the master and her apprentice  bears similarity to the journey of acclaimed singer Emilia Marty and Kristina, a young aspirant that idolizes her in the historical 1922 play titled “The Makropulos Affair” by Karel Capek.  

The brilliance of this connection lies within the parallels of all four characters, not just to their obvious counterparts but also with their younger students. Let me explain

Much like the Daoist,  Emilia Marty hides her true identity . In the eyes of many including Kristina. She is a famous singer admired for her talent, beauty and success. In reality, she is  Elina Makropulos. A daughter of an alchemist that had created a potion that has enabled her to live 337 years. At first, She chases for the formula b may I say - her “Method Of Longevity” by any means necessary . Using her intimate knowledge to dabble with a case that she has no business in interfering   Unethical as it is - her desperation prevails  as she fears her time may finally come to an end .  Shades of Mayfly  

Meanwhile-  Kristina looked to follow the footsteps of her idol.  But as she found out the truth of her situation . The cold, unenviable misery that the acquisition of immortality hides in its facade of great paradise . She comes to a realization . Something that Heron and Elina both saw at the end of their tedious battles and  experiences.

Something that  a one winged angel like Mayfly was too blind to see as she was engulfed by the allure of her final fantasy coming true  until it was too late to stop her fall .

An endless cycle of emotional emptiness has nothing on an unending flame that a life well lived carries on.

Honor- a complex word that has multiple meanings but the same connotation.. sometimes .  It's  the reward for doing an exemplary job in  their fields. In others, being honored is symbolized by the younger generation continuing the path that was left behind , or maybe it's the act of being noble , doing the "right thing" by any means necessary .  For such a vaunted  notion. There's no clear method of  how to obtain its truest form. 

But what happens when the quest for its meaning makes you vulnerable, not  invincible . The question becomes

Is honor really worth dying for?

Cheng Heguang -  raised by a father that once had ties with bandits ,  has now earned his place as the Chief Constable of  the district Police Patrol of Zhu County . He goes through the  complicated process of how people around him perceive the essence of how honor is truly obtained.  These clashes in principles and beliefs  in the fictional  world reflect the  story of how the true definition  of valor continues  to be  disputed across multiple centuries and ideologies.  Let's dive in

The first concept of Honor that truly jumps out when we  initially encounter  The Chief Constable  is that of Plato’s.  In that particular viewpoint. Valor is measured through the link of the just individual and the just state.  His actions are based on what his duty and what the law identifies as appropriate. No one is above the law , as the saying goes  and Heguang is the harbinger of justice, order and respect as  letting go one citizen’s misdemeanor signifies failure in protecting the city and its principles .  This ideology comes under fire when the justification of the state values doesn't coexist with the  natural desire of the constituents around its clutches . A prime example of this is when Heguang detains a  Yao bird after he allegedly spreads false rumors about the existence of the “Method To Longevity”. In the eyes of the law, spreading misinformation that may lead to chaos is an offense , but when you view it through the lens of the desperate Yao, one who's only  hoping for a chance to see a few more days than  life usually allows.  Is it truly wrong? Heguang’s blind following for the state and its rules  causes friction between him and those who he vowed to protect which completely breaks the link that Plato describes as “inextricable”. 

In the eyes of Roman Stoicism,  It is defined  as the fulfillment of a given obligatory duty.   A steadfast performance  , even through adversity shall bring  its  core value through  internal satisfaction. Heguang’s eagerness to find his purpose and do the right thing, even if it causes  unforeseen miscalculations or errant actions deprive him of  the feeling of being complete or being worthy as questions echo through his head , asking “Where did I go wrong?” 

As the story progresses,  the Aristotelic view of honor shines through Cheng’s character as his actions seem to reflect the “golden mean” found in the book of Niccomachean Ethics which states that achieving virtue is laid upon at the right times, about the right things,  towards the right people, for the right end , and in the right way . These principles coincide with Heguang’s pursuit of honor and excellence not being concerned with acquiring superficial badges and promotions but rather the recognition that his service to his constituents in the Zhu County has led the town to become one at ease instead of turmoil. 

Through the lens of Confucianism.  Heguang's  biggest  desires deviate from the core ideology of the longstanding Chinese philosophy. . His sense of bringing back reverence to his family name involves  straying away from the path that his Father took before him.  Hereby , violating Filial Piety.   Despite that. Heguang’s moral compass both reflects Confucianism while also  showing cracks that can lead to further questions rather than finding one true answer .   A person of high honor is painted to be acting  for the sake of righteousness rather than personal gains . But what happens if the chase for it leads to vulnerability rather than strength? 

Showing respect to your elders supposedly leads  to a stable , more harmonic society.  What happens if that respect and admiration is used for moral manipulation and the one that must lead you to that right path brings you to anarchy for his own personal gain?

These unclear questions display the  one harsh truth about honor.

It is impossible to obtain in  its purest  essence  as the chase to find what honor truly is will continue to be futile. 

The Chief Constable's plight is an encapsulation  of how  leaving a  legacy worthy of being  honored by others is an unenvious burden . Several maps may help  in carving the path to be traveled .    However , it is our willingness  to pay the price and challenge the established and venture through the unknown  that shall determine  how we will be remembered.