« May 2006 | Main | September 2006 »

June 21, 2006

"The Reading Girl" - Sculpture by Pietro Magni [ Compilation ]

This page is to give a continuing look at the research I am attempting to put into discovering more information on the works of Pietro Magni, a Milanese artist known for pieces such as “The Reading Girl” (from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.) and “A Girl Reading” from the Atlanta art gallery.

In 2004, some friends and I from Florida took a trip to Washington D.C. During the trip, we visited the National Gallery of Art. I had never been there, and we only had about an hour till the end of the day to visit, so I was quickly moved through rooms, trying to plan out a return visit for the next day. During my “run” through the museum, I traveled downstairs (apparently in Zone 5) in the West Gallery, moving through a variety of interesting and beautiful sculpture, one particular piece caught my eye. That piece was “The Reading Girl.” After taking several pictures (unfortunately, a lot of people were looking at it, so I couldn’t get close-ups at this time), I noted the location of the sculpture for my return.

The nest day, I made time for a return to the Gallery, whereupon I proceeded immediately to the sculpture to get some close-up pictures.

It is difficult to say why exactly this sculpture grabbed my attention. At the time, it partly reminded me of my girlfriend Elizabeth at the time, who had been preparing through study for law school in Boston. I found that in many ways, the sculpture resembled her as I imagined she would look in her room, reading a book in preparation for class (in as much as one can look like such a classical style). More than that though, the piece was so finely carved with a realism that I’ve personally rarely seen in sculpture. The statue itself appears to be white marble, but there is fine detail in the marble, including the pages of the book she is reading, and the detail of her clothing and features.

Unfortunately, much of the information on this sculpture is difficult to find. Upon my return to Orlando, I spent a great deal of time researching this piece and the artist. While I found a few sites which talked about finding this piece in the National Gallery, there was very little background on the artist or his works, other than to mention that there was a similar sculpture by Magni in an Atlanta art gallery (with a similar title). The information below is what I’ve managed to scrap together from a conglomeration of sites. I try to credit where I found the information when possible, and if anyone has any clarifications or news, I would be interested in hearing about any of it.

Pietro Magni was born in Milan in 1817 (reportedly on October 21). He studied art in Milan, but later was an understudy of a sculpter b the name of Sangiorgio. Over several years, he would study under a number of different sculptors and artisans. His first noted piece was a sculpture of the biblical character David, in the scene of launching the slingshot at Goliath (as of yet, I have not seen any pictures of this piece). His second exhibited piece was a sculpture of Socrates, which was shown at the 1853 Brera Exhibition. “A Girl Reading” was exhibited in the 1856 Brera Exhibition. Although I cannot find proof online, I surmise that based on the plaque on “The Reading Girl” that it was probably exhibited at the 1862 Brera Exhibition. Magni worked on several more pieces, although none had the acclaim that he reached with “A Girl Reading.” He passed away in 1877 after having worked on statues for the Milan Cathedral’s exterior.

I have included a link here to my flickr set containing pictures of "The Reading Girl" as taken by me. I'm fairly certain that I took all these pictures, although its possible I might have found one online somewhere. You are welcome to share these pictures, so long as they're only used to inform and I'm credited for their use on webpages. The set is located here: Flickr Link

There is also a poem written online that I found about this statue, found at this link.

Information on the National Gallery's Zone 5 (where I think the sculpture is currently located) can be seen here.

I will update this page as I find more information, or receive an opportunity to see other Pietro Magni works.

Posted by Drylnn at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)

RahXephon Episode 10 - "War In the Remembrance [ Sonata of Recollection ]"

Today is part of Commander Kunagi's backstory, which makes this a compelling episode which doesn't overly rely on flashbacks.

SUMMARY:
The episode opens with a Dolem attack. Elvy and her squadron are attacking the Dolem, while it lashes out at the RahXephon, which attacks and slices apart it apart. A barrage of missiles from the jets finish it off.

On the TERRA HQ bridge, Haruka comments on how well Ayato has been doing - that he seems to have no doubts anymore. Kunagi comments that there isn't a person alive who has no doubts. Moving forward, we find Kunagi in his office in the dark, with Quon playing a violin piece for him.

The next day, Souichi arrives at the Commander's office to deliver his mail. He reports there is nothing going on and that he wishes these peaceful days could go on forever, as he looks at the Commander's blue bird (in cage). In his mail, the Commander notices a specific letter. He tells Souichi that he'll be gone for about 24 hours and that Souichi is in charge. Souichi asks him why he never gets a mate for his bird "friend" - that she looks lonely... before asking "She is a girl, isn't she?"

On the way out, Kunagi runs into Watari, who mentions that he was on his way to the planning session for the Mu War Memorial Service, which is apparently a sort of rememberance day for the events of the war. Watari comments that he doesn't mean to antagonize Kunagi by referring to the Memorial, saying he knows that today is a "special day" for Kunagi and that he should take it easy.

Ayato and Megumi are apparently about to go out to run errands. As they walk through TERRA HQ, they see Quon. When Ayato calls her name and she turns to say "Yes, Ollin?", Megumi asks "Ollin?". Ayato asks where Quon is going, and she replies that she "left something at Jin's." Megumi and Ayato don't know a Jin, wondering who that might be. On the bridge, the TERRA male crew are discussing what makes women happy. As Ayato and Megumi arrive, they ask Megumi what pleases girls to get - gifts like flowers and such. She replies in a joking manner "Sure, I'll have mine now.", but the bridge crew says she has Ayato for such things, to which she replies "Are you crazy? He puts soy sauce on his fried shrimp!" which of course starts the typical Megumi-Ayato banter. At this point, Isshiki walks in, chastising them for their childishness and wondering at the fact that these people are the first line of defense against the Mu. Souichi also arrives to explain that he'll be in charge as Commander Kunagi is out for the day. Isshiki walks off, commenting "I hope you won't make too many mistakes in the Commander's absence." The crew comments that it's an odd day, and Megumi follows this up by mentioning they ran into Quon, who had said she left something at "Jin's". The crew tries to think of who could be named Jin, when Kim
mentions that she is surprised that none of them know that Commander Kunagi's first name is Jin. As the crew reacts with shock to the fact that Quon is leaving things at "Jin's house", Ayato receives a call from Dr. Itsuki. Souichi mentions that Quon is often at the Commander's house late at night, a fact which makes the male bridge crew jealous. Itsuki asks Ayato to stop by his house, and Souichi asks Megumi to accompany him.

We flash to Quon, who is in the Commander's office and stops to look at the bird in the cage. Flashing back to the bridge, Kim is asking why Quon is always at the Commander's place, mentioning that Quon really isn't with TERRA or the military. Souichi mentions that Ayato is the same way, because he has a special ability to pilot the RX. He says that Quon is the same way, that she has some kind of special ability to help out.

Kunagi is at home, listening to a recording or phone call (it's not clear which at this point) of a young girl talking about her music and how much she misses Kunagi, and that she hopes he'll be at her next recital. At Itsuki's house, Megumi is looking at some flowers which have bloomed while Ayato listens to a recording of music that Quon has done recently. Apparently, the music caused the flowers to bloom in a different manner from the seed stock that they should have been. Itsuki mentions that he would have asked Quon about it, but he doesn't think she knows what she has caused to happen. Ayato reacts to the song he is listening to. He tells Itsuki that there's something not right about the song - that listening to it makes you sadder and sadder through its dissonance and discord.

Quon is playing her violin, and as we see her doing so, we flash to Kunagi, who is driving. He wanders around town, and we flash back to his office, where we see his bird is apparently wearing a ring on her foot. Kunagi has apparently run into Futagami in a watch/jewelry store. Kunagi buys a watch, and when Futagami asks the salesman to see the same watch, he is astounded by the price. Back at the house, Itsuki finds Quon crouching on the floor. She seems to be disturbed by the fact that she can't complete her music, saying something isn't right. He comments to her that Ayato said the same thing, to which she replies that Ayato understands because Quon and Ayato are alike, but then she wonders aloud "Will Jin be alright?"

Futagami thanks Kunagi for helping him find a stuffed animal toy for his niece. Kunagi turns to leave, but Futagami surprises him by saying "There's no need to be in a hurry, the ship won't be leaving port for a while." Futagami speaks to Kunagi about Watari attending the memorial planning service, then says they need to clear a few things up about the war. They talk about what happened when the Mu showed up - apparently American troops in Japan were said to fire first, leading to America's downfall in prestige. He says though that there were always rumored that the Americans were ordered to fire first, someone from the Japanese (I think) National Defense Force, and that this person dumped the blame on his subordinate,
which damaged that subordinate's career, and then vanished. This subordinate was also tricked or forced into using a tactical fusion bomb against the Mu, and it apparently led to the loss of a city. It is clear from the tone of the discussion and flashbacks that Kunagi was the subordinate under the military official who vanished, and that he didn't want to attack, but he was forced to do so by his superior. Futagami clearly knows this information, and asks why Kunagi is the commander of TERRA and not someone else. Kunagi surprises Futagami by mentioning that Futagami must have a connection to the Federation, causing Futagami to laugh about "being caught". Kunagi asks if Futagami can leave him alone, and as he walks off, Futagami mentions "Atonement for his sins..."

Back at Itsuki's, Quon leaves to go somewhere. On the streets of Nirai-Kinai, Ayato and Megumi (who is carrying some of the flowers seen at Itsuki's) run into Elvy and Haruka, who tease them about being on a date. Megumi mentions she got the flowers from Itsuki, insisting that they're not on a date. Megumi teases Haruka about having been out drinking, and they all tease Elvy about not drinking too much. She responds by grabbing Ayato's sleeve and saying "You're coming with me."

They go to a nearby arcade/bar. where Megumi reveals that she just learned Kunagi's first name is Jin, which Haruka seems to have already known. Megu mentions that they were talking about where the Commander might have gone, to which Haruka says that all she really needs to know is that it's a special day for the Commander. Megumi is upset that her sister "knows it all." Ayato and Elvy are dogfighting in an air combat game. Ayato is doing well, but Elvy eventually wins, shooting him down after distracting him with a compliment on his skills in the RX. As they leave, she asks him how long he intends to keep piloting.

As they (Ayato and Megumi) are walking home, Megu remembers that they forget to get a vase while in town for the flowers. Ayato asks her if she wants to go back, but she declines, saying instead that they should go look at the ships. In harbor is a restaurant cruise ship that Megumi mentions circles the island and is a hot date spot. Futagami comes across them (again, asking the humorous "On a date?" question) and points out Kunagi is getting on the ship. Megumi thinks that he must be on a date, and Futagami says she is sort of right - that the date is with his daughter - today is her birthday. Megu has an idea.

On the ship, Kunagi meets up with a woman who doesn't seem thrilled to see him. It's difficult to describe this scene without the reader seeing it, but apparently Kunagi was surprised the woman came, and they talk about how the girl in the video had a future. The girl in the video was Kunagi and the woman's daughter. Kunagi missed out on much of her childhood because of work, until she died in the war, presumably in the fusion bomb strike which Kunagi ordered. The woman mentions that she is leaving Japan, that she's changing her name, and that they likely won't see each other again - too many bad
memories. Before she leaves, she gives Kunagi an envelope with a piece of music, which is apparently the last page of a piece of music - the one Quon has been playing for him. Just then, a waiter arrives with the flowers Megu had, the stuffed squirrel Futagami had, and a note about how he should have a gift when meeting a girl. His ex-wife goes to leave, but he thanks her for coming.

Outside, Ayato wonders if they should have done anything, saying that sometimes family matters are something that outsiders can't understand. They head home.

Kunagi then heads to a graveyard, where Quon is waiting. Kunagi gives her the last sheet, asking her if she can play it for him. She's happy to do so for him, and she plays as he places the flowers on his daughter's grave, saying he knows that she is lonely, but she won't be much longer, but that he has things he must do. We notice the name Michiru on the grave, and at last we see that same name is on the ring on the bird's leg in his office.

Posted by Drylnn at 07:26 PM | Comments (0)

June 20, 2006

RahXephon Episode 9 - "Sanctuary [Small Shrine of Time]"

This is the episode that I saw on G4 that made me investigate this series. It was the first episode of RahXephon that I had seen, and since I started in at the Lighthouse part, it took me a while to figure out what series I had seen.

Summary:
Futagami is still investigating the island, travelling around asking questions of the various people. We are only given bits and pieces of what he is finding out, most noteworthy the concept of being "spirited forth", or the reverse of being spirited away, but we are offered no information on what this means. He makes one final comment: "First dig up a shrine, and then a god descends."

Ayato is running more tests for TERRA. Dr. Itsuki asks him to make the shield on his arm (as seen in the previous ep). Ayato concentrates on making the shield, but fails to do so, earning a lecture from Isshiki about how he doesn't know why they're keeping him. He continues his reprimand by saying that Ayato not knowing about what it took to bring him out would be "criminal" and he tells Ayato that as the representative of the Earth Federation, he represents mankind. There is clearly tension, and as Ayato goes to leave, Isshiki orders Sayoko to escort him home. After telling them "Happy New Year" in a sarcastic manner (and they leave), Isshiki tells Itsuki that he knows that Itsuki "wants to try it."

Back at home, Megumi finds Haruka cleaning out her room - the place is a mess and Megumi comments on how Haruka is always listening to the old music. Outside the house, Quon is waiting for Ayato. In typical odd Quon fashion, she says he is having doubts about where he belongs as she listens to his heartbeat. Megumi walks out just then, chewing out Ayato as she says he needs to sleep because they're going to the beach tomorrow. Quon seems intrigued, and Megumi essentially has to invite her along. Just then, it's the new year.

At the beach, some of the TERRA crew unwinds. As usual, Ayato is drawing, this time a picture of Quon standing at the end of a pier. Kim notices and comments on how good he is, drawing the attention of Elvy and Kathy (the female jet pilot in Elvy's squadron), and they fight over who should be the model. As they battle, Kim grabs the sketchbook, and notices the pictures of Mishima inside, asking Ayato who all the pictures are of. Megumi also wants to see, so Kim shows her, and Megumi seems a bit angry. Ayato comments it is someone from school, and Kim says "Without the Mu, you both might have been high school sweethearts." Ayato mentions that without the Mu, for starters, they'd both be 29 with the 12 year lag. Kim comments that the whole situation is weird; that if Ayato hadn't been inside TJ, he'd be older than her and about the same age as Haruka and Itsuki. Kim asks if he has any memories of the war, but Ayato says that Itsuki told him that the Mu fabricated memories in his head, but he says he is sure he'll remember the truth someday. Haruka listens to this discussion from a nearby chair, seeming worried.

In the meantime, Sayoko is trying to hack into the information on Isshiki, but seemingly getting nowhere.

The crew decide to go swimming and diving from a nearby boat. Haruka is lying out in the sun, listening to an ipod type device when Quon takes the earphones off her head to listen. She then gives it to Ayato to listen to. After he listens to the song for a bit, Haruka asks him if he knows that song and if he liked it. She then jumps into the water. Ayato notices Quon looking up at the cliffside. Looking up, Ayato seems a girl in a yellow dress (looking like Mishima) by the lighthouse on the cliff. Back at the base, Itsuki dons a helmet looking to enter the RX. Ayato and Quon look for Mishima. Ayato thinks she couldn't be there, because she died, but Quon thinks that she is. They wander into a forest as Ayato completes his thoughts saying "...even if she was alive, she'd be in Tokyo", to which Quon says "Will you go back?" Just as she says that, Ayato notices that they have arrived at an ancient looking shrine.

Itsuki tries to enter the RX like Ayato does, raising his hands to the sky in a sort of supplication to the barrier that surrounds the RX. Sayoko returns to see what is going on, asking Isshiki what is going on. She questions Isshiki, saying she knows he has only been with the Federation for one month, and before that, there are no records. Isshiki compliments her on her research skills.

Back at the shrine, Quon says she somehow knows this place. Just then, the shrine door opens. Flashing back to the lab/RX Shrine, Isshiki talks to Sayoko, saying that she must find him captivating, to which she agrees. Just then, Isshiki is rejected by the RX, and a Mishima looking projection looks out from the barrier surrounding it. (think of the faces from the movie "The Abyss" when the watery projections were moving around the station to look at the humans) At the shrine, Quon enters, forcing Ayato to follow her. Behind them, the shrine door closes by itself. At the RX shrine, the power goes out, and Isshiki comments on how the goddess is indeed guarded.

The Terra crew, led by Haruka, is searching for Ayato, as he and Quon have been missing for 4 hours. Kunagi tells HAruka that they should keep looking and he'll send more help. Megumi is despondant, wondering why Ayato would go off with Quon. Inside the shrine, Ayato walks down a dark corridor, while Haruka arrives outside. She looks at the shrine door and notices that the chain that apparently held the front is broken. She pulls on it, but when the door opens, it is blocked off by solid rock. Just then Futagami arrives at the shrine. Haruka asks him why he's there and he says it was at this shrine that the "spiriting forth" took place. He says that 38 years ago, two girls appeared at the shrine. As he tells the tale, he mentions that people who return from being spirited away often disappear again and don't return. He says that there was one large spiriting away that took place - that of Tokyo, and he wonders what the people who are spirited away see on their second time that keeps them from coming back. More search teams from Terra appear.

Back at Itsuki's house, Sayoko tries to calm his worries about Quon, but Itsuki reacts angrily. Megumi is also despondant at home. Several days apparently pass, with no word on their whereabouts. Eventually, Itsuki calls off the search, saying they've done all they can, but Haruka angrily responds that she is never giving up. Haruka rushes to her car and drives off, heading towards the shrine. Again, she pulls on the doors, but finds the same wall. She falls to her knees in tears.

Ayato seems to have been walking for a shorter period of time than outside, calling for Quon. Eventually, he notices that the tunnel itself disappears, and he can see Tokyo Jupiter beneath his feet. Quon finds an empty table and chair, with what looks to be a little egg on top of the table. As she picks it up, she comments "Ixtli, the Ollin is looking for you." We now see Reika Mishima sitting in the chair. She tells Quon "The egg you hold is the cogwheel that turns time." Quon puts it to her ear and can hear a heartbeat. Quon talks of fear and oblivion being born into the world, but Mishima tells her "Do not be afraid, it is yours to possess." Quon replies "A world, suffused with sound?" to which Mishima replies "A melody not of this world." as she talks of music being part of the new world that can be created. Quon says "One who will tune the world... an instrumentalist?" Mishima tells her "You are an Ollin...." - we see Quon react in shock, as Mishima is now gone, but we hear her voice continue "... and I am Ixtli..." The egg starts to hatch, and for a moment, we see a vision of two little girls crying in front of the shrine seen earlier, one with blue hair and one with red hair - the color of Quon's.

Meanwhile, Ayato is falling towards TJ, but as he falls, he hears singing. Outside the shrine, Haruka is singing a song, and somehow Ayato is hearing it. Haruka stops singing, but just then there is a flash of light from the shrine and Ayato falls out of it. Haruka catches him and he notices her saying "Ah, Haruka". She starts crying and he wonders why its dark outside. She tells him he has been missing for days, but he says that can't be right - looking at his watch he says it has only been five minutes since he went in. Just then, they notice Quon is lying out front of the shrine as well. Haruka says there must be a time lag like TJ, and Ayato says that he did see TJ inside, but he came back because he heard Haruka singing. She asks him if he hadn't heard her, would he have gone back to TJ, but Ayato says no, that this is the place where he belongs.

The power comes back on at the shrine, and Isshiki seems disappointed. On the way back, Haruka is telling Itsuki that she found Quon and Ayato. Ayato starts humming the song Haruka was singing in front of the shrine, which grabs Haruka's attention - he comments that he's heard it before, and wonders where he has heard it before (he knows the name and everything). He says it makes him feel "nostalgic" and "good". Haruka seems about to cry, hanging up on Itsuki. He starts humming it again, and she hums along with him. Itsuki, hearing a dialtone, comments "Haruka, good for you, and yet, thank God."

Isshiki and Sayoko are meeting for drinks - apparently, Isshiki wants Sayoko to do something for him, and she asks him if he's sure it will help Itsuki. She also mentions that "partners should get to know each other" to which he says "As I've said, you're quite smart."

---------------------------------

This show isn't too subtle with some of its secrets, which is probably my biggest complaint. In seeing this episode, it should be obvious what the writers are implying - that Haruka might have known Ayato long ago when they could have been the same age. But so far, we're left to figure out how that fits into the puzzle of the plot. It would have been better (IMO) to reveal that more slowly - to leave more doubt in our minds as to this possibility. By starting to reveal these pieces so soon, the writers eliminate secrecy that could cloud the main plot thread, but miss a chance to really surprise the audience.

Mishima = Ixtli. Ixtli = Mishima. But what does it mean?

Megumi seems to be having a thing for Ayato, despite her aggravation when people try to link them as a couple. Should prove interesting if Haruka knew him long ago.

Quon's role remains to be established, but you're welcome to try and figure it out. The revelation by Ixtli/Mishima that Quon is also an Ollin means that "Ollin" isn't a proper name. Which leads to the next question - is Ixtli?

As I stated at the beginning, this is the first RX episode I saw any part of, and it was the mix of the interesting storylines that made me watch further. For those who want to try and shove RX into the line of mecha shows, it is episodes like these that put the lie to that push. The RX is only briefly in the episode and plays no role - it's character interaction and development which drive this episode. It's one of the reasons I like RahXephon so much.

Posted by Drylnn at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)

RahXephon Episode 11 - "Nightmare [ Continuing Path of Empty Wickedness ]"

It's amazing what good story can keep you from noticing. I never noticed something until I did the screenshots for this episode - all the "dream world" sequences are in letterbox widescreen format. I guess my brain naturally just makde the transition without me having to consciously think about the change. It made the screenshots that I use for each episode's montage difficult, but I decided to use the letterbox shots.

Summary:
The RahXephon is in trouble at the beginning of the ep: Ayato is screaming through the com, in obvious pain, while TERRA HQ is receiving danger alerts from the monitoring systems. Haruka is confused by the readings she is seeing. On the RX, Ayato is writhing in pain. The D1 moves towards the RX, and Haruka notes that the field it is emitting resembles the signal type of Tokyo Jupiter. She calls out his name as the Dolem comes closer to the RX. It restrains the RX and pulls it inside an undetectable field. TERRA is losing signal from the RX, and Haruka screams for Ayato to get out of there. It appears like the RX tries to sing, but it is enveloped by the field as it does. The D1 and the RX are lost. Haruka is distraught.

Ayato awakens inside what appears to be Tokyo Jupiter., but he cannot be sure he is really there, as when he looks in a nearby storefront window, he sees himself as still in his combat suit (while away from the window, he appears to be in his civilian clothes) He is surrounded by familiar sights, even running into Asahina and Mamoru. Interspersed with these images, there is a flash of another humanoid figure (it's hard to explain - you only see it every once in a while, for just a few frames). The people around the trio don't seem real, almost like shades of real people. Mamoru and Asahina don't seem to have noticed that Ayato was gone; they react as if he was just daydreaming and was out with them the whole time.

Mamoru convinces them to go to an arcade, where Ayato notes that it says that today's date is 7/25/2015, or back when he was inside.

(In a funny note, the 3rd place on the table is Buchi, the cat).

Later, as they walk through town, they stop to get a bite to eat. Mamoru's cellphone rings and he walks away for a moment to talk on it. While he's gone, Asahina puts her hand on top of Ayato's as they sit on the steps. Ayato looks to where Mamoru is, but he hasn't noticed. As Ayato looks back, Asahina has moved closer, saying she wishes things could stay like this. In a creepy moment, she says that Ayato has some BBQ sauce on his face... "Let me clean it off for you" as she moves closer and licks her lips. Ayato runs off.

Running through the city, he stops to rest, and notices a stuffed penguin wearing Mishima's scarf. As he watches, the penguin starts to wave, but then it pops like a balloon, which freaks Ayato out some more. Ayato runs again, we see the same humanoid figure for a moment, and Ayato finally stops, seeing Haruka in front of him. He asks her what she is doing here.

They go to a nearby bar (of some type), and Ayato asks if this place is in TJ and what year it is. Ayato continues to ask questions, but Haruka asks him why he isn't drinking. Ayato starts to drink, but insists that this is just a dream. He says he thinks it is a dream, but that its exactly like the TJ he lived in. He starts the thought "And hanging out with Asahina and Mamoru again..." which Haruka finishes "... makes the other world seem like a dream?" Ayato questions whether this is the dream, but Haruka asks him if it matters if "you're dreaming of the butterfly, or the butterfly is dreaming of you?" She continues to ask "If you believe that what you feel is real, doesn't that make it real?" She wonders why he chooses to suffer in silence if he can feel and enjoy this world. We see another flash of the odd humanoid (who seems to resemble one of the masked Mu people... it is not staggering to its feet) and flashing back, Ayato is on top of Haruka, with his hand on her breast. He pulls away, saying he's sorry, but Haruka grabs his hand and pulls him back asking him why he doesn't act like a man and stop holding back his desires just because she's older than him. She tells him to do what he wants - whatever pleases him. Ayato yells for her to stop this; that he's not restraining himself and he's not suffering in silence, but Haruka says he is lying, that this is what he wants and everyone knows it. She tells him to do it, that it's all his for the taking. Ayato pulls back, and looks at a nearby painting. In it, a long haired angel turns towards him, causing him to freak out. As he falls, Haruka gets on top of him, asking him what he desires, then asking "Can you play the music yet? Have you been tuned? Answer me." which causes Ayato to yell "No!" He flees into the street saying that he just wants to go home.

Taking the subway, Ayato gets off near his mother's home, where he rings the doorbell. His mother answers and he tells her that he is home. They're having a meal while watching TV, where Ayato comments that this isn't like her. She mentions that it has been a while since she cooked like this. Ayato is about to ask his mother a question, when he hears the TV news announcer's voice saying things like "Ayato... Ayato Kamina, can you hear me? If you can, you have to set your suit transmitter to C and give us some sign that you are alive..." TERRA is apparently calling him, but the voice is being
routed through the TV announcer, which is breaking up. Interspersed in the static, we can see the face of Reika Mishima. Just before it turns off, we can see Haruka's face for a moment after Mishima's. Maya shuts it off, saying they've been having a lot of interference. Again, we see the brief image of the Mu woman, who is getting closer to our perspective, reaching out towards the viewer.

In his room, Ayato keeps looking at his hand when his mother says he has a phone call. It's Mamoru, saying they were worried and that they'll see him in school tomorrow. Ayato lies on his bed saying that he doesn't care anymore, that this is his world and its where he belongs. He insists that he doesn't have to be scared nor feel any pain - that he doesn't have to worry about anything and as he breaks down into tears, he says "I just don't care anymore..." He then sits up and screams "Isn't that right? Isn't that what you want me to think?" He begins yelling "Leave me alone" and throwing books off the bookshelves in his room, but he soon notices that the books have no text or pictures in them - they're just blank pages. Just then, he notices his painting of Reika Mishima, and he hears her voice calling his name.

Back in "the real world", Quon is in her underwear on the floor staring into a mirror, rubbing at her lips and looking like she is terrified. Itsuki walks in, asking what she is doing and telling her to snap out of it. Quon says "No, Ollin, you can't...." In HQ, Megumi and Haruka are despondant, with Megumi telling Kim that the lifesigns on the suit keep fluctuating, going from active to negative, mostly negative. Kim tells Megumi they can't give up, but Megumi says its been several hours with no word. She picks up the headphone and yells for Ayato to answer her. She starts to cry, but Haruka picks up the headset, saying they have to let him hear the sound of their voices and that she's never giving up.

In the "dream world", Ayato hears Reika's voice saying "You must find me Ayato..." He screams out asking who she is, and for a moment he can see her, but just then Maya comes in and hugs him from behind, saying he should listen to his mother. Another flash of the Mu woman, and suddenly they're in a curtained room, with the covered Mishima painting on one side and on the other, a kid Ayato is playing with legos and his mother. They stand, watching the child Ayato play with his mother, while Maya's voice says "You are the rightful instrumentalist of the RahXephon" but says he must adhere to the score - that its too early for him to improvise when he hasn't learned to properly tune the RX. She insists that she gave birth to him and thus, he will stay with her. Another flash of the Mu woman, and when we flash back, Ayato has apparently rejected his
mother (it is left to interpretation whether he slapped her). She says he can trust her, but insists its not alright. She says she always cared for him, and he says that she never was near him nor there for him. On the floor behind them, the legos have been wrecked and the clothes of the child Ayato and younger Maya are empty. Ayato runs off, while Maya cries and says "You are my son..." before she starts speaking in another tongue.

Ayato runs, hearing the singing of Reika. He comes to a park area, where he finds Reika next to a lake, singing. He says "It was you, wasn't it?" She replies with a smile, "We do keep meeting." Ayato insists he wants to go back to the real world, to which Reika says "I don't know about that." Ayato says he can't exist in this world, that this world is sick, and he doesn't care which world is real - but he can't stay in this on, even if it might have been the world he wished for. Reika tells him that if he chooses to leave, he may have to confront some truths that he doesn't want to hear, but if he can
handle that, it might be possible to leave. She then pushes her hand into his mouth, forcing him to his knees, and pulls what appears to be a large log out of his throat. As she does so, the lake erupts, and the RX's command seat is there. Reika tells him that he may leave this place of his own will.

The throne is now inside the curtained room, but the curtain starts to lift as he sits in the seat and Reika stands in front. He thanks her for her help.

The RX's eyes open - the Dolem had a long appendage down the RX's throat (similar to the log in the dream world). The RX pulls the appendage out, freeing Ayato and the RX from the field. He quickly destroys the D1. Megumi remarks "He's incredible" then turns to see her obviously relieved sister. Ayato stares at his hand some more, then looks out at TJ.

Back at Itsuki's house, Quon is being watched and monitored by a number of medical personnel. In her delirium, Quon says "There you are, I've found you... Ollin."

------------------------

There is so much in this episode that cannot be summarized. To begin with, the conversations between characters often have a weight of tone in their voices that is open to interpretation. There's a great amount of imagery and representation in the visuals, constantly giving the viewer something to think about.

One might wonder why a Mu Dolem (assuming that's what the woman was) would set up a false world that Ayato obviously didn't fully want. Having things like Asahina seemingly try to seduce Ayato only serves to freak him out, and can only make it harder for the Dolem to control him, if that is indeed its goal.

The Haruka scene has a lot of seductive undercurrents - it is clear that there will be unresolved issues between Haruka and Ayato after his emergence.

It was interesting to see Megumi nearly as distraught as Haruka - a love triangle is definitely being set up. Will Ayato choose the older woman, or the sister of around his age?

You'll need to see most of the imagery to understand that I cannot begin to explain it all. We're left with more questions - why was Mishima in this false world, and why wasn't she a warped parody like the others. What was Maya talking about when she was so insistant that Ayato was her son and she did everything to care for him? And was this dream world a link to Tokyo Jupiter, or just a seperate reality created by the Dolem. That last part might seem cut and dry, but remember Maya's commentary in the last set of scenes in the Dream World - she doesn't sound like the musings of a Dolem trying to seduce or trick him into staying in the dream world. She sounds much more lucid in that scene.

Posted by Drylnn at 05:04 AM | Comments (0)