Seems like I'm always the one who ends up being the wet blanket when it comes to stuff like this, but there are some issues with the end of Origination that I just can't get over. Its difficult for me to go along with all the people here who praise Origination and give it 10/10 overall.
The high point for me was Alice's promotion. That was carefully paced and tastefully directed to play the heartstrings with a delicate hand. My heart skipped a beat the moment Athena took hold of Alice's other hand, and I knew that something unexpected was about to happen.
Everything after that didn't quite seem to live up to that potential for me. Why was Aika's promotion handled as a flashback? That episode (11) pretty much amounted to three episodes crammed into one: The first part being about Akira, the second part being Aika's promotion, and the third part being about Alice. Even though Aika is presented as the heir to Himeya in addition to being a prima gondolier and should hypothetically the most prestigious figure of all three girls, the tiny amount of screen time dedicated to her promotion seems to diminish her achievements dramatically in comparison to Alice and Akari.
Why was Akari's exam such a joke? Alice had to go through extremely strenuous formalities giving Athena the full customer experience, and even had to overcome lingering apprehensions and sing a canzone in front of the Gondola Tourism representatives. That's what made watching it so gripping. All Akari did was knock around town paying more attention to her friends than her work, and navigate one narrow canal. The same exact kind of stuff we've watched her do as a Single with Aika and Alice in tow since the first episode of the first season. There wasn't even an intimate bonding moment in the experience like the one at the end of Natural where Alicia dragged her all over town making snowmen without explaining why they were doing it. Episode 7 of the Picture Drama was a little bit deep this way with hints of secret wisdom also. Akari's actual exam was just a routine boat ride in comparison. And choosing the Aria Company house as the final destination? Cute, I get it, but who didn't see that coming? (Same with Ai becoming Akari's apprentice. Saw that coming since season 1 episode 1.)
Lastly, for Pete's sake, why is Alicia retiring from Aria Company all of a sudden? This more than anything else I struggle to comprehend. She is clearly one of the most, if not the single most famous figures in Neo-Venezia. Akari even says Aria Company's bookings are down after Alicia leaves. After perfecting her craft, why would she suddenly want to throw away her oar and hit the lecture circuit? She's still young and capable! It's not clear how long Alicia was a prima before Grandma left, but we do see that Grandma was wrinkled and aging at that time. And Alicia's not a big talker begin with: Her penchant for teaching Akari through hands-on personal experiences has always been a huge part of the show! People keep saying she's engaged to be married, who the hell is she getting married to? 54 episodes altogether and we never see her express affections for any man, unlike Aika and Akari who have numerous romantic encounters. Who do we see Alicia standing shoulder to shoulder with at the Aria Company's front counter, after everyone has been calling to ask about her marriage...?
So I dunno. Overall I give the series 7/10 I guess. Same as I did for the Animation and the Natural. Episode 10 (among others) really was fantastic and had my on the edge of my seat with this rush of mixed emotions I can hardly put a name on. But man, that ending... Why couldn't it have been more like the Natural...? |