- Genre : Fantasy, Adventure, action, political
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
While I was watching this week’s episode, I had decided that the title of this post would be “you can’t tell me what to do”, then I switched it to “Kiss Her, Kiss Her”. I was going to throw in a paragraph about how one of my favorite band names is still “Seagull screaming kiss her kiss her“. There was a whole plan and then things got…we… you know… Man the things I will do for these Winter Games. I guess it’s true what they say, no guts no glory. That doesn’t apply here? Oh….
You Can’t Tell Me What To Do
I’m pretty use to having only the vaguest idea of what’s going on in this show and *why*, so I didn’t even question the meeting between Villar and some guy…. But apparently it was important.
- Some guy: You should betray Alexis
- Villar: nah dun want to
- Some guy: Dude thass dumb
- Villar: You can’t tell me what to do
- Silluca: No wait, he’s right. You really should do that
- Villar: You can’t tell me what to do either
- Kouchie: You’re making the wrong move here
- Villar: Hey Kooch, guess what: You can’t tell me what to do!
- Villar: Anyway some guy, you really should do this thing
- Some guy: No way! You can’t tell me what to do!
And scene! At this point Villar sends Silluca and Theo away and telepatically communicates with Theo. We don’t know what they say but seeing what comes next I assume it’s something along the lines of: You owe me one bro! You better get some. Then he also sends Koochie somewhere to do something and everyone is in a huff except Theo who got the telepathic message and is real chill about every thing!
Kiss Her Kiss Her
Theo and Silluca are going somewhere, just the two of them. They have to cross a forest. At this point we get a series of vignettes which are mostly still images depicting their forest adventures. It’s telling that this little montage of slow-moving animation littered with stills and no dialogue whatsoever was one of the high points of the series. I honestly enjoyed it a lot and sort of wish it had been a much more significant part of the episode.
Since the plot makes little to no real sense to begin with and is frustratingly shallow, stripping away context to an abstract visual narrative actually made everything better. The slower moving scenes also translated to very consistently detailed and beautiful art. More of this guys.
Eventually, a sudden rainstorm forced Silluca and Theo into a clichéd romantic moment, sheltering in the hollow of a large tree in the undergarments while drying their clothes. This is one of the oldest tricks in the romance story line playbook and I just find Theo and Silluca not that compelling a couple but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward and adult Theo turned out to be in the situation. No playing hard to get or just ridiculously drawn out scenes. We actually got a straight answer and even a very nicely animated kiss.
If the entire show was of the same caliber as this sequence, I would be one happy Winter Games competitor, unfortunately:
That Got Uncomfortable
We cut away to catch up with Koochie doing what Koochie does, namely indiscriminately slaughtering people whose role in the plot is unclear to me. There was a pretty graphic decapitation scene, I’m not sure if you got the points yet but if not: Congratulation TPAB.
Seeing herself getting back into a corner, Marinne, who is quickly becoming my favorite character, decides to do what Marinne does, that is what is strategically necessary for the alliance regardless of personal wishes and morals and bloodies her own hands in a bid to gain Koochie’s favor and possibly sway him to her side. When he agrees to a one on one parlay, she makes her case:
- Marrine: You’re strong – you should fight with me instead. I need a reliable guy like you and there’s no way you would ever betray me like you’re about to betray Villar or anything…
- The Kooch: Meh, why not, you got a nicer rack that my last boss but I need to get laid first
- Marrine: Whatever – but I’m just lying there, you gotta do all the work
- The Kootch: Sounds good, was the same thing with Villar anyways.
And then it got uncomfortable. Also we find out that Marrine has no nipples which was kind of weird until it turned out that Koochie didn’t either so I guess they’re not mammals. Really it was my fault for assuming.
Predictions
I’m not sure I wanna. Do they make those Listerine breath strips for your eyes? It’s not even that the scene was particularly horrible, we’ve seen much worse but it was just so awkward….
Plot: Theo will have to fight Koochie again
Character: Silluca’s dad will be unhappy
Also Marrine has a really hot megane mage dude. I think the series should center in him from now on!
I’m sure Astral, Leap and TPAB are 100% on board with this as well. At this point, what do any of us have to loose really? You know what the sad part is. Even though we are wrapping up the games at 12 eps, knowing me, I wont be able to drop the series at least the season is over.
Because some of you like screencaps here are the ones I couldn’t figure out how to use in the post. The close ups of Silluca and Theo are quite nice in my opinion:
This episode was definitely a little off the walls but there’s definitely some different angels they can take. I would hope that somehow Alexis catches wind of their little hook up and takes a more aggressive approach to the Alliance
if they use the foundations they’ve laid ere, it’s a little coarse but they could build something interesting, thing is so far they seem to have been dropping story threads left and right so I’m not sure whether I can still trust this show to follow through with anything. I guess we’ll see…
That’s true. I’m hoping that they bring those plot points up again otherwise it would just be time wasted on those episodes.
Why were there even werewolves and vampires????
Some shit about them fighting the chaos. Tbh they should’ve never even mentioned it considering they all but dropped it, the only hint left of it are the two werewolf girls that act as Theo’s maids and the vampires in the domain.
Things may have gotten uncomfortable but at least we got to see that Marrinne is really willing to do anything for the power she thinks is her responsibility(and not only banned chemical warfare). It’s such a pity that it doesn’t integrate into a gripping plot and thus comes across as gratuitious (because the entire show seems gratuitous). It’s like they want you to read the manga, but they wouldn’t have such ulterior motives, would they?
Yeah, Theo will likely have to fight Koochie again (if Koochie survives that long and doesn’t fall to, say, a vampire). But will that happen before episode 12? I honestly can’t tell with this show.
Maybe we’ll get 3 episodes in a row of Villar doing paperwork….
And thus we go deeper down the stairs of despair while listening to the screams of the abandoned.
“Don’t do it anymore!” The screams echoed.
We didn’t stop. We couldn’t stop. And before we know it, we arrived at the end.
The sign says “End of the season”.
With a sigh, we all stepped out of the exit whilst regretting our life choices.
“That was a waste of my time.” All of us said at the same time, shocking each other.
“But wait, yours was better!” Again, synchronised speeches.
Oh well, at least we managed to push through, right?
…with the most painful journey ever.
I can’t speak for the poor boys who really do seem to be suffering but these reviews are becoming some of my favorites to write.
And now we find out the real reason why you liked Blend S! You are a M, aren’t you Irina 😉
Duuuudee – I told you that in private!
My bad. I’ll keep that other thing between you and Shoka private then 😉
I’m not actually watching this series, but I had heard bad things about this episode. Aaaaand I can see that it’s pretty warranted. Yikes.
Sad thing is – I don’t think this was the worst one…
I loved the scenes with Theo and Siluca this week. While Marrine and Milza were uncomfortable, I think it could be a positive plot point in terms of actually moving the plot or giving the plot some actual direction for the next bit of the show. Then again, it might just be another random encounter between characters that won’t ever be mentioned again.
Considering the dramatic flair they poured into that Marrine/Mirza scene, I would be really disappointed if it didn’t have some future purpose
Oh shoot, a Seagull screaming kiss her kiss her reference! I’m so happy right now xD