This episode got me emotional. Jeez.
Zoro was hilariously and adorably super freaked out. It's rare to see him show real strong emotion and his reaction to Kokoro actually being a mermaid was hysterically out of character. It really got to him.
The Robin reunion is sweet. They're finally together again and in a way that Robin isn't actively pushing them away. From this point forward I think her shell will finally be off and she'll grow far closer with the crew. Although Franky made a great point. Her being with them and the world government knowing that means they're going to be coming after them constantly to get her on their side.
I love how Usopp was the first to follow Zoro to the bridge. It's so like Zoro to be all business. In this loving reunion he doesn't join in, instead he replies to Chopper while walking to see what's happened to the island and strategize about their moves going forward. And Usopp was the first to notice and chase after him to make sure he was okay and help him out. It's moments like where Zoro tells Usopp that they would just cause problems trying to help Luffy that reminds me how much I love the cast in One Piece. I think Usopp being the first to come to Zoro's side after they've grown closer and fought together like they did is just another way of showing how much closer they've grown. If I had to say the people Zoro is closest to, the one's he's opened up to and openly cared about the most in the series since the antisocial beginnings it would be firstly Luffy, and then Usopp and Sanji. He gets along with Sanji in a brotherly bantering way, and he gets along with Usopp in a way that he goes out of his way to comfort or help him and has respect and trust in him too. I felt Usopp didn't give that warmth back to Zoro as Zoro does do it subtlety but little moves like him following Zoro says to me that maybe he's showing more kindness than usual on his side too. You can see his respect and trust in Zoro fire back with how Usopp replied "UNDERSTOOD!" immediately after Zoro told him they should stay back and ensure the escort ship while entrusting Luffy to win the fight with Lucci. Usopp also showed some bravery too if you think about it, declaring that they should go and help Luffy through the canon fire with no hesitation.
The part of the episode that made me grab some tissues was the scenes regarding the Frankies and co. You could already see Franky trying to make light of the situation when Sanji first brought it up but he couldn't. And, even though I criticized the battle to the courthouse for being predictable and repetitive without it we wouldn't have the care we have for them due to them practically carrying the Straw Hats on their backs to get here. So, for that I'm more accepting of the scenes leading there. Because, when Franky heard that his family died after thinking it was an announcement of their escape my heart broke along with his. His eyes widened and you could see how broken he felt. Likewise, everyone else could sympathize with Franky and relate to specific members of the group who fell. This moment was built up to amazingly with the battle to the courthouse and the Straw Hats touching on the subject before hand. Not only did it show the weak side of Franky, but immediately after just how freaking strong he is. The people he lost were so close to him, far closer than the relationships the others made with them apart from Kokoro and Yokozuna, and despite this, he didn't let it hold him back or send him into despair. It obviously crushed him but he stood past it and yelled to Luffy that he better make it back here so that not everyone's efforts go to waste, so at least his new friends don't have to feel the same as he does. He put it past him because dwelling on it would be bad for all of them and pushed forward to help the people who can still make it. I'm sure some part of him has some hope and trust that they'll be okay too. Luck is always on their side.. right?
Even if the Frankies and co are alive, which was obviously foreshadowed with Paulie finding a snailsponder because why else would they show that if not for a scene later where Paulie calls and says they're all okay, this was a great way to show Franky's emotional strength and it was the way it hurt Franky and the others that made it so horrible to watch regardless. However, I do think if Oda did write their deaths which I strongly don't think he did it would give this awesome scene and the following scenes even more of a powerful impact. |