Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-10390252-20130809142349/@comment-130.18.106.91-20130821151653

To me, Ren doesn't seem depressed or groggy -- just calm, collected, and relaxed (in other words, the ideal foil for Nora). What few lines he does say, I found rather sweet. After dealing with Nora's nonstop chatter for a few hours, most people would snap. Ren just quietly interjects a point about sloths. He doesn't seem aggravated, tired, or even mildly annoyed. If anything, he seems quietly amused by her abundant energy and enthusiasm. Note also that when he leaves, he doesn't just turn and go -- he indisputably invites her to go with him. This makes it fairly clear that she is not following him like a lost dog; their relationship, whatever it may be, is mutual. I think that it is impressive that with such little screen time, the show manages to cultivate an atmosphere of long-established, heartwarming affection between the two characters.

And the name is indeed Ren. In the real world, many Eastern cultures arrange names such that the family name (the "last" name) is given first, while one's personal name (the "first" name) comes second. It appears that "Lie Ren" follows this same structure.