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May 30, 2006

RahXephon Episode 8 - "The Dreaming Stone [Bitterly Cold Holy Night]"

I decided to include the alternate title in [ ], because I'm not sure which is the best title. One of them is the English title, one is the Japanese title. They both seem to have interesting things to say about the episode, so in the end, I felt bad about leaving them out.

Summary:
Futagami is being shown the RX in its holding area, which he describes as like a "god in its shrine." Seeing the damage, he mentions to Itsuki that even gods can be wounded, but Itsuki tells him the water pillar the RX is stored in will repair all the damage. Also in the lab is a piece of the Dolem that was destroyed. After stopping Futagami from taking pictures, Itsuki notices a gemstone (or crystal) embedded in the Dolem, looking clearly out of place. He removes it and puts it in his pocket.

Ayato and much of the Terra staff are at the beach - Ayato is drawing the same picture of the girl who looks like Mishima standing on a cliffside (again).

Megumi asks him if he's drawing the same person and says that if he asks her nicely, she'll model for him. Ayato blows her off, and she grabs the sketchbook away from him. As she does so, she sees Ayato's odd runemarks/birthmarks and asks about his "tattoos". He comments that he's had them since birth, and when he asks her if she has one, Megumi whacks him. Kim and Haruka are also there - Kim lying out in the sun, Haruka working on a laptop. Itsuki arrives with Sayoko, who he tells to wait in the car (she seems irritated by this). Coming down to the beach, he invites them all to a Christmas party, which seems to irritate Haruka and intrigue the rest. He also mentions that much of the staff, including Souichi, will be coming, which catches both Megumi and Kim's attention. The party will be tomorrow. Sayoko seems irritated, especially during the drive back. Upon arriving at the house, he gives her an early Christmas present - the crystal from before in pendant form. This cheers her up, and just then, it oddly starts to snow (considering it was hot enough to be in swimsuits a bit ago, this certainly seems odd). The staff also notices, as does Quon at her home.

In a bar, Isshiki is having a drink when Futagami arrives. Isshiki talks about religion and religious celebration, while Futagami tells a story about his grandfather. Very odd scene.

At home, Haruka returns from a jog in the snow. As she rests, Ayato talks to her about her effort (from behind). As she turns to talk to him, she notices that he's wearing one of the bizarre longsleeve robes that Quon put in his suitcase. When she asks him what he's wearing, he comments how he doesn't have any winter clothing. This reminds Haruka of something, which causes her to blush. She tells him to wait for her a second, runs off, and returns with a pair of gloves (mittens). He asks where she got them, but she doesn't answer.

Back at HQ, Kunagi and Watari discuss the last Dolem attack. Watari briefly mentions the party, which Kunagi blows off, and then Kunagi asks Watari "Aren't you going to see *him*?" No mention of who this *him* is made.

Back in town, Kim and Megumi are walking through the snowfall, apparently on a shopping trip. Megumi falls in the snow, apparently due to new heels she is wearing, and she comments on how her sister was taller than her at her age. Kim has a flashback to Haruka telling her how her sister will be starting work at Terra, and asking Kim to look after her. Kim asks Megumi if he got a present for Haruka, but Megumi says no, implying that she wouldn't, to which Kim replies she didn't know the situation was like that. In a cafe, they talk about it, with Megumi apparently suffering from sibling envy, as she mentions that Haruka isn't the serious, perfect person that the crew thinks she is - that she has a silly side. She tells how there was a boy that Haruka loved a long time ago - that Haruka never forgot this boy and keeps a present she was going to give him inside her dresser drawer. Megumi thinks that it is silly that Haruka never threw the present away, like she never grew up. Kim starts to mention Ayato, but Megumi sees Souichi outside through the window and she runs after him with a present. He opens it right away, and it's a red tie, which he seems to like. She mentions the party, and Souichi mentions that if she's going, he'll see her there. Kim seems worried by the exchange. Megumi mentions that Souichi only likes someone like her sister. Kim mentions that she doesn't think this is the case, but Megumi ignores her saying "If I were more like my sister..." to which Kim responds that Megumi *is* like her sister, even if she can't see it.

Back at HQ, Kunagi is meeting with Haruka, Isshiki, Itsuki and Sayoko. He mentions that the piece of the Dolem they salvaged hasn't lost cohesion, meaning that part of it may still be functional and dormant nearby. Itsuki mentions this is all very interesting, and Haruka berates him saying that his research can wait and that destroying it is their top priority. Itsuki repeats her words in agreement, but winks at her, which annoys Haruka. Sayoko and Isshiki also notice the exchange, with Sayoko seeming very angry.

Out in the hall, Sayoko and Haruka are drinking coffee, with Sayoko asking Haruka how she manages to deal with everything. Blushing, Haruka says "When there's someone you're interested in at work, you go the extra mile". Sayoko apparently believes this to be Itsuki, judging by her expression on her face. She asks if this is recent, Haruka says its from a long time ago. Sayoko: "Is it someone I know?" Haruka (blushing): "That's a secreeeet!" Just then Haruka notices the stone on the pendant and asks about it, but Sayoko pulls away.

Meanwhile Itsuki and Watari watch the end of the scanning tests for the day on Ayato. Quon is not there though, apparently at home looking outside, saying "Trembling emotions, bitterly cold lips, a pillar for a cold heart to possess."

Sayoko and Haruka sit in silence, when Haruka is called to the bridge. As she leaves, she fails to notice that the pendant crystal is growing, and behind Sayoko in the window glass, we see one of the masked Mu women (like we say when Allegretto and the other Mu Dolems were launched in episode 1). Sayoko shudders, and the weather intensifies.

Itsuki walks down the hall and notices it is snowing inside. Runnign to the hall, he sees Sayoko standing there talking to herself. He notices the stone is growing as she reacts angrily to him, and with that, a wind shatters the glass window behind Sayoko. She comments to him: "Neither father, nor older brother, will ever forgive me" as she jumps out the window. He looks out to see her freezing the ocean nearby.

TERRA is on alert now as Sayoko moves away from HQ, creating ice as she goes. TERRA has picked up a Mu signal in the area, and as this is going on, we see the crystal growing to envelop Sayoko. TERRA finds the anomaly - a Dolem made of ice standing 500 m high. Kunagi makes Ayato launch. He goes in the RX to attack the Dolem, but notices Sayoko imbedded in its head. It attacks him, and TERRA, not knowing the situation, asks Ayato why he isn't fighting back. He informs them of the situation, saying if he attacks, Sayoko will be killed. Kunagi orders him to destroy the Dolem, saying one human life cannot outweigh the rest - that if he wants to save her, he better work a miracle. The Dolem attacks again, knocking the RX away. Itsuki watches from a balcony with Watari, but when Watari asks if Ayato will be alright, Itsuki is unconcerned.
Inside the RX, it is now very cold. Yet, Ayato hears Reika's voice call his name, and she is beside him. She hugs him, touching his hands, and he looks down to notice that his gloves have been replaced by the ones Haruka gave him. He says the cold is gone, that he's warm, and she guides his hands back to the RX's controls. Once again, Quon seems to know what is happening. The RX recovers, with ayato saying "You wanted a miracle - I'll make it happen". He extends a beam saber type weapon from the RX's hand, and cuts into the Dolem. Sayoko has a vision of two people in shadow holding out hands to her (like a memory, as she cries red tears) and she is ejected from the Dolem. Ayato destroys the Dolem, while Quon (now emerged from the blanket, in underwear only--- wtf?) makes another of her cryptic statements about the "light of the Ollin".
With the destruction of the Ollin, the cold weather is dispelled. Sayoko has also been saved, as Futagami takes pictures from afar. Ayato has caught Sayoko in the RX's hand, as she says over and over "I'm sorry...."

At the party, Sayoko claims to have no memory of what went on, and she is saddened because she lost the pendant, but Itsuki tells her not to worry and offers to get drinks for them both. Ayato talks to Quon, asking her why she wasn't at that day's exams, She replies she doesn't like the cold, but also says "However, the Ollin is quite warm." As Haruka watches, Itsuki asks her "Feeling jealous?", but Haruka says she isn't, to which Itsuki responds "I think I might be" which shocks Haruka.
Ayato goes to talk to Haruka. Souichi is wearing the tie that Megumi gave him as he sits with Kim. She starts to say "About us....", but Megumi arrives (in a very nice dress), interrupting the conversation. Megumi greets them, but notices Ayato holding the gloves Haruka gave him earlier as he thanks Haruka for them. Megumi makes the comment "Those are the same gloves..." (which Kim hears) as Haruka seems very happy that the gloves fit and that Ayato liked them.

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Not a lot of comments to make for this episode. There's a lot of hints and red herrings scattered in the plot of this episode, and we get a great deal of information on the backgrounds of many of the characters, especially Haruka, and the motivations of Megumi's life.

Sayoko's character is explored somewhat, but apparently she has more skeletons in the closet to uncover, judging from the scene where she is freed from the Dolem.

Kim, Megu, and Souichi are forming the makings of a love triangle, although Souichi is such a happy guy, it's hard to tell what he's thinking. It's interesting that Megu thinks that Souichi might like Haruka though - Kim seems to understand the true problem (as she should, since she's apparently hooked up with him).

As for the rest, who is the boy that Haruka liked? Where is he now? Is he the guy at Terra? Will he show up from elsewhere later?

Although I know the answers (as this is a retrospective review and summary), I'll leave you to guess.

Despite what you might this, the beach scene was not fan service. Sadly, some of that will come next episode, judging from the preview.

Posted by Drylnn at 03:32 AM | Comments (0)

May 23, 2006

RahXephon Episode 7 (summary) - "Phantom in the Cloud"

Summary:
On the plane with Cmdr.Kunagi, we see that the reporter, Futagami is also coming, reading about Nirai. Kunagi asks Mr. Watari (Eyepatch from previous ep) why it had to be that specific reporter out of all of them. Watari replies that they'll need the USDF again for support. Futagami insists he'll enjoy a trip to a tropical island, and Watari tells him he'll make sure he has a "cute young guide".
We can also see that Isshiki is also on the plane.

Back at TERRA HQ, the staff is being told that a decoration in the command center isn't just a decoration - it's from the ruins on the island. Ayato is also there and Souichi asks him to "give it a try". The device is some sort of mystical transfer device which can take Ayato right to the RX, but no one knows how it works. Inside, Ayato looks around disappointed, saying "She's not here after all."

The plane arrives at Nirai-Kanai. Elvy and three other pilots are discussing the skills of the staff at the base. It becomes apparent these pilots have all known each other for a while from an old squadron. The pilots meet with the people from the plane, reporting for duty. Isshiki mentions that that Elvy is the sole surviving pilots from Operation Overlord, and that maybe she should be named "Lady Luck" or "The Grim Reaper." One of the other pilots (a woman) gets upset, but Futagami defuses the situation, asking questions about Tokyo Jupiter. Kunagi orders the Elvy and her crew to report to administration. Mr. Watari assigns Souichi to be Futagami's guide around Kinai.

After the tests, Ayato is finishing dressing when Sayoko comes in. Ayato asks her about a possible Christmas present for Haruka. Sayoko asks about Megumi, but Ayato says that she's easy to figure out. Seeing his expression, she says that he must be missing his family, and offers a "shoulder to cry on", but Ayato says he'll be fine and leaves the room. For some reason, this puts an angry expression on Sayoko's face...

In the CC, Haruka reports to Kunagi, and he mentions that this is the day she transfers to Tactical. He asks about Ayato, and Haruka says he's been very cooperative with the experiments and such. Souichi walks in and says that Ayato been adapting well, and wonders if Ayato has found a special someone, which Haruka asks him about who that could be. Kunagi asks Souichi where Futagami is, and Souichi states that he gave him the tour, but that Futagami ran off to Nirai (the main island). We see Kunagi's expression change at this news to one of concern.

Isshiki and Itsuki are talking in the boat - it seems they believe Futagami is an observer for the Federation and that he is here to find out about Itsuki's work. The two of them have apparently been friends for quite a while. Isshiki asks about Itsuki's isolation fro the TERRA staff, but Itsuki insists he's always been a loner, so isolation doesn't bother him.

Futagami ends up at the ramune store, where he meets Ayato, who tells him how to drink it. they talk, and Futagami mentions that he's here on a business trip as a salaryman. Ayato says he knows how that is
[working], and when Futagami asks him what he does, Ayato lies and says he drives a pizza delivery truck. Futagami asks "They still have those?" Just then, Ayato gets a page from the base, and Futagami asks him if he has to go deliver pizzas, to which Ayato answers in the affirmative. Futagami comments to himself how he's a nice kid.

The RX and the pilots in fighters take off to intercept the D1. The D1 is coming towards Nirai-Kinai, but they can only see the legs, the rest is above the clouds.

Meanwhile at the house, Futagami has arrived, noting the names (including Ayato's) on the door. "Uncle" Rikudoh meets him, and Futagami says he came to see him, bringing a game for the two of them to play to pass the time.

The jet fighters move to attack the legs, with Elvy saying it's "revenge for her comrades". One of the legs is blasted off
but apparently the D1 is hovering, so it doesn't fall. It launches smaller dolem-like creatures at the fighters, which they engage.

Back at the house, Futagami and Rikudoh are going back and forth, with Futagami asking about who else lives here, and Rikodoh telling him "2 nieces and one other."

Ayato and the RX engages the smaller things, but they're mostly too fast for him. As he blocks one, he makes a shield around his arm, something he wasn't able to do before. As he does this, Quon wakes up at her house. More mini-dolems decend, and Elvy ascends into the clouds to attack the D1, insisting she won't let a kid do her job.

Futagami talks about a contest held on an annual basis and insists that one of the 5th graders that participated in 2009 was named "Ayato Kamina", He states that if he were in 5th grade back then, he'd be 29 years old now, but his Ayato is 17. Rikodoh says that they must be different people then.

Elvy gets through the clouds, immediately running into the sound of the D1 Aria, which is also detected back at the base. Kunagi orders Elvy back, but she doesn't respond, and her plane is being damaged. Ayato ascends to help her. Elvy is in pain, but the RX moves in front of her ship, emitting a cancelling sound which nullifies the Aria. The D1 makes the clouds more solid to entangle the RX and hits it with lightning. Itsuki insists he can't be electocuted in the cockpit, but it is makign the temperature rise inside. Elvy fires on the D1 to help Ayato, but her shots are blocked by a shield.

The RX stops functioning, and Ayato's lifesigns are weakening. Ayato see Tokyo Jupiter in the distance, and seeing it, moves the RX and reaches towards it. He fires a blast from the RX's hand, repeatedly pounding at the D1's shield, repeatedly yelling "Get through!" Eventually he shatters the shield, destroying the D1 and fragmenting it into a number of pieces which crash into the ocean. Looking back at Tokyo Jupiter, he heads back. Back on Nirai, Quon is looking out the window saying "Time... the guiding timbre, not the fire of war. You are so wrong, Ollin."

Meanwhile, Rikudoh has beaten Futagami at their game. He asks if Futagami would like to play again, but Futagami says not now, he's sure he'll be back another time. For the first time, Futagami also calls him by name: "Professor Rikudoh."

Elvy is lectured about her charging in against the D1 by Haruka, who insists that Elvy will be killed. Elvy says it is her life to give. Kunagi stops Haruka's questioning, asking why Elvy did charge in. Elvy answers that her instinct told her it would be the right course of action. Kunagi says not to make a habit of it and grounds her for 2 days (slap on the wrist). Haruka is still upset, and afterwards she walks up to Elvy in the hall, but Elvy asks her first "Don't you find all this pitiful - making a child you kidnapped fight for you?" She insists that they all have to do their share in the battles too. Haruka softens, and thanks Elvy for looking after Ayato, especially since she cannot be out on the battlefield herself.

As Ayato returns home, he notices Futagami lying by the seashore. As they talk, Futagami notices his name printed on the sketchbook and realizes this is probably the Ayato Kamina he was looking for. Ayato asks him which it is to Tokyo. As Futagami points in the direction, Ayato looks that way and says "It just makes me feel connected somehow." Futagami smiles to himself and says "Really?" while they look out to sea.

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No summary this time.

Posted by Drylnn at 03:16 AM | Comments (0)

May 22, 2006

RahXephon Episode 6 (review) - "Lost Songs, Forgotten Memories"

Summary:
The episode begins with scenes from a city; people in a coffee shops. There's a mild tremor, then we hear the sound of a Dolem aria. Underneath the people, the floor starts to flow, and objects and people begin to sink into the glowing ground...

On the ferry boat, we seem an adult woman listening to music. Ont eh same boat, Ayato and Megumi are arguing about food preparation, with Megumi telling Ayato that soy sauce on the food in question is weird, while Ayato insists that years ago, it was probably the fashion out "here" too. The woman walks up to them and implies that they're like a couple, to which Megumi says it isn't like that. The woman introduces herself as Kim to Ayato. when he tries to do the same, she already knows his name. Kim works at TERRA with Megumi and knows all about him, including that he is the pilot of the RahXephon. He insists he won't pilot the RX anymore.

On the mainland, TERRA has a press conference to discuss events in the world. Some in the press imply that people don't see the need for TERRA, with some hinting it should be dissolved. One reporter, a Mr. Futagami from Yamato News, is exceedingly persistant that TERRA must have a new weapon, saying that the same day that a transport that came to Nirai, it came and left empty, yet oddly, it had a military escort. Terra denies any such weapon and most of the press laughs it away. Back in Nirai-Kinai, the TERRA staff debates what will happen. Just then an alarm sounds.

On the mainland and in TERRA, there are reports of a D1 that no one can find, but it has devastated an area and left what looks like a Nazca line drawing. Meanwhile, Mr. Futagami is still suspicious. Kunagi calls Souichi to tell him that Souichi will have to command the action, as he cannot make it back in time to Nirai-Kinai.

The signal from this new Dolem matches the D1 Aria from 14 years ago in Australia, where several cities were devastated. As Haruka is giving a presentation on what happened 14 years ago there, she mentions that back then, 6 million people died. Ayato comments on the loss to Kim, and he makes the comment that until a few days ago, he thought there were only 23 million people left in the world, so for him, that's as if 1/4th of all the people just died. Kim is thinking of other things though, remembering the events of 14 years ago and growing angry. As her anger grows, Quon is somehow aware something is wrong. Kim responds angrily to Ayato, insisting that he has a lot of work to do. He responds that he will not pilot the RX; that he didn't want to do it the first time. Kim fires back that Terra needs him and he says he doesn't care what Terra wants. She asks what he'll do then, and he says he'll work, but not fight. She questions what he could possibly do that could be of use to them. He says she knows nothing about him; she says she knows how the world works - "What the hell did someone like you have to be the pilot?" The argument interrupts the meeting. Megumi, Haruka, and Itsuki try to stop the argument, with Itsuki implying they're both acting like children.

In the hall, Megumi explains to Ayato that Kim's parents were in Australia 14 years ago and were killed. She also tells Ayato that is why Kim works for Terra.

Kim appeals to Souichi to do work related to translating Mu signals. Souichi refuses, implying that revenge isn't a proper reason. Itsuki arrives in the office, notes the discussion, and asks Kim if she'll take somethign to intel for him. He says it's the latest D1 Aria file.

Back on the mainland, Kunagi and two other characters obscurely talk about how "It's taken 40 years to make this a reality." A lot of unclear talk occurs about "the proper application" and "the plan". (basically, if you've seen any old X-Files eps where the suited people talk about the conspiracy, you'll get the idea of what this scene is like). The older of the trio says he hasn't seen Kunagi since "that incident", and Kunagi comments "And yet we're still both in good health, right Lord Babhem?" Lord Babhem asks about the Federation Council's decision, which is apparently to leave the RX in Terra's hands for observation and to only use it in emergencies of the highest order. The other man (whom I'll call Eyepatch - he seems to be a TERRA higher-up) insists that this decision was due to the Foundation's support. We're left to wonder what this means.

On the train (mass transit), Kim is remembering her parents leaving on vacation before they died. There is a thought that is hard for me to explain - It appears Kim is thinking of two identical "child" Kims - one is standing over a box, crying, while the other (identical) walks away from the crying one, with a determined look on her face. I can only surmise that this might be Kim, leaving her childhood behind and becoming resolute in what she'll do.

At this point, Quon comes up and asks her why she is crying (she was only crying in the vision in her head, not in reality). As Kim doesn't answer, Quon says "That's a very pretty music box, may I listen?" and takes Kim's headphones on her ipod like device. Apparently Kim was listening to the D1 aria on her ipod, and she admits that she took the data. Quon however says crypically "A city that overlooks a strait, it is prepared with an enclosure of a star."

Meanwhile, Ayato gets inside the RX. Itsuki talks to him via a radio, saying that Ayato should tell him if anything happens. Apparently, Ayato is only cooperating on doing tests, not to fight. Itsuki says he understands Ayato's decision not to fight, insisting he's a pacifist like Ayato. Sayoko says that Ayato would be angry to know that Itsuki is not telling the whole truth, that he is a guinea pig of sorts. Itsuki says he hasn't lied, but if Ayato won't ask, he won't mention it.

At home, Kim remembers when her parents died - at the time, she was staying with relatives until her parents return. As notification of the death comes, the relatives talk to each other about how they didn't sign on to keep her forever. They talk about shipping her off to another relative, which she overhears. Just then, a package arrives from Australia. It's a music box from her parents that they sent before they died. Inside, there's also a picture of them and a note that they'll have lots of presents for her when they return for her birthday. She cries. Back in the present, Kim thinks about how it was their last message, and thinking of "message" makes her remember what Quon said on the train. She overlays the Aria pattern on a map of Australia, and it matches the Australia city destruction exactly, which means she knows where the new Dolem will be next now, since the pattern is the same as the one 14 years ago. She tells Souichi, who tells her of the cost and such of mobilization insisting the USDF wouldn't do it, but since he's in charge, he'll order the mobilization. She kisses him on the cheek and they discuss the planning.

The USDF, under TERRA, gathers tanks and such at the next location. Haruka and Elvy are flying overhead to observe. When Elvy mentions that Haruka is only doing this for "that kid", Haruka responds "Who was it that was draped all over him before?" then mentions that she heard about Elvy's transfer request.

Back at the base, Megumi asks Souichi how he got the USDF to mobilize, and he says that he told them the D1 was after the RX. Ayato is sitting outside, but there is no mention of his role. That night, the D1 arrives. Ayato (for some odd reason that isn't explained at this point) is in the RX, as Kim mentions it is coming right towards the trap. The tanks fire, but fail as it sucks them into the ground. The RX attacks the D1 and starts beating on it, but Ayato hears Kim's voice in the RX saying "Do you want revenge?" as he remembers Mishima's scarf falling as she disappeared. He stops attacking the Dolem, and it starts singing, causing the ground to glow and making the sinking thing happen to the RX. Inside the cockpit, the situation with the RX is mirrored as Ayato begins to sink into a blackness. Kim reports that the RX is being sucked down into Mu-Phase space. Ayato struggles to free himself but keeps sinking. Kim prays for Ayato, remembering that just before the operation, she talked to him and asked him why he changed his mind. She asks him "Do you want revenge? I mean.. like me?" He says not exactly: it's because he can, that there must be a reason he has this ability. As she remembers this conversation, she drops his sketchbook, which she was holding onto for him, and it falls open on a drawing of Mishima.

Inside the RX, Ayato is blacking out, but then sees a vision of Mishima walking towards him, singing.

He says "Reika" several times, and she reaches out to pull him up. As she does so, Quon (with eyes closed) opens her eyes, seemingly aware of the change. Ayato and the RX emerge from Mu-Space, flying out and finishing off the D1.

We flash back to Kunagi and Eyepatch, talking about how the operation was a success and they wish they had on-site decisions "back then". Kunagi insists that "is all in the past, dead and buried"

Kim seems to have found a measure of happiness, as she is cleaning and lightening her apartment. On the ferry, Ayato is paging through his sketchbook when he notices little note on one of the pages: "Thank you... -K" Meanwhile, Kim looks at herself in the mirror and says "Happy birthday..." and smiles.

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It's nice that all the problems in RX don't center on Ayato as a character. This episode is clearly about Kim, as the series attempts to flesh out some of the people in TERRA. Kim's backstory is told, and we get some idea of her relationships to people in TERRA, specifically Ayato, Souichi, and Megumi.

Kim is an interesting character because her pain is believable - it has a personal element. Her questions to Ayato are spot on - if he will not pilot the RahXephon, what good is he to TERRA? At the same time, Ayato's problem is understandable - is he to be defined solely by his pilot role? Does his opinion matter? We can sympathize with both characters, and that is important in the series. Far too many times in NGE, they gave us too many personal problems and I could feel no sympathy for one of the conflicting characters - one would have a lesser problem and as such, I picked sides. Here, Kim and Ayato both have problems that are reasonable for their motivations, and I didn't feel that one was more "right" or "wrong" than the other.

Kim really does save the day in this episode by figuring out the pattern, although its debatable if she would have if Quon had not made her cryptic comments to remember. Quon's role hasn't yet been fully established, but she definitely has an interesting ability to know what people are thinking and feeling. The imagery in Kim's head seemed to be readily apparent to Quon, and there was a lot of possible double entendre given in discussions with Kim, specifically the "music box" comment and the asking of why Kim was crying.

We also get a little bit of information on the conspiracy aspect of the show as Kunagi, Bahrem, and the Eyepatch guy (whom I can't remember if he was introduced prior to this)discuss the events of the past in vague terms. They only give tiny bits of the puzzle - there was an incident many years ago, possibly related to the RahXephon and the ruins on Nirai-Kinai. Much like in NGE, we'll have to see in later episodes what all this means. Something apparently went wrong at this event and obviously it had an effect on the events of today (or they wouldn't even have it, and this would be one poor drama series).

My only complaint about the episode (other than the need to have "the mysterious conspiracy" angle) is that I hope it doesn't fit a pattern. Ayato obviously helps to fix Kim's self-image and help her into a better world - I hope he won't be the solution for each person. I want to see character interaction between people other than Ayato, and that these other people are capable of helping each other out. Ayato cannot merely be the convenient cure for all ailments, or the episodes will become too formulaic.

Posted by Drylnn at 04:45 AM | Comments (0)

May 18, 2006

Still looking at HK...

I apologize for the infrequent updates. Since getting my degree in Economics, I've been trying to prepare myself for a probable move to Hong Kong. I keep talking with various companies, and a lot of them seem interested in my specific background and skillset. As a result, I've been unable to update for a month (exams, then more recently various tasks).

As I learn more about Asia and Hong Kong, I'll let people know. This has been my dream, I'm trying to keep in contact with the people I've been talking to on a regular basis.

My parents have been suffering through the waterlogging in New England, but they'll be back on their boat soon somewhere in the Virgin Islands, and then speeding off (as much as a sailboat can speed) to Trinidad. Since my mom's broken leg, they're way behind schedule.

Oh... maybe I never told anyone here. My parents live on a sailboat and sail around the world (currently, the Caribbean and South America). They enjoy the lifestyle. Is it any wonder where my wanderlust comes from?

My brother has been travelling a lot, but lately he's grown weary of it. I haven't got there yet. My biggest dream has always been to go to Asia, get a good job there, and spend my spare time travelling. Our planet is full of such fascinating people and places, and although I can't possibly see them all in my lifetime, I'm making it a goal to see as many as possible. I've travelled extensively in my life with my family and I want to continue the journey.

Anyways, I'll get back to RahXephon. I'm thinking about some other newer series too. I refuse to blog the revisionist Gundam Seed Destiny miniseries thing that's been on recently. It redoes some of the scenes in GSD, and admittedly, the scenes are much better in some cases. But I can't continually blog the same series over and over. I'm wondering what will be on the final few GSD dvds once they're released. Will the last one have Final Plus, or the original episode 50, or both? New viewers would be terribly confused by the old 50.

Keep an eye out... I *promise* that updates are coming.

Posted by Drylnn at 06:46 AM | Comments (0)