ohmy.. it's probably was the first episode I didn't like after the first watch. Now that I've rewatched it two more times, I find it great as usual, BUT... Tabuki's behaviour is still totally out of place... I don't get it.. don't get it at all!!!
So, first of all a couple of things I noticed on the backgrounds:
Tokyo Tower caught inside the bottle from this point of view resembles the lamp lit by a fire way too much. This is yet another reference to Tokyo Tower being the flaming torch. Which means that Tokyo Tower symbolizes Momoka herself. So basically, Momoka turned into the Tokyo Tower to pay the price for the crime, Takakuras' parents, being part of the Pingforce, were up to. And it was still not enough to prevent the mass murder.. but I guess there could've been way more injuries in that 95 accident. In fact, just like in an IRL '95 accident, there could have been so many more casualties and deaths - it's a miracle in itself there were only a few deaths...
Anyway, such an irony that Yuri, the one who wants Momoka back so much, says the line: "This room is so cold. We need curtains." - just when both Yuri and Tabuki are gazing at the Tokyo Tower, at the flaming torch, at Momoka, from their apartments. She tries to touch it with her hand, but to no avail... They miss the warmth and love, Momoka had brought them once. And they're blind to it now, even though she's right there, right in front of them. This blindness is so beatifully portrayed! Just look in Tabuki's glasses reflection - no tower there. However, it's perfectly reflected in the building itself. The reality in their eyes is replaced with their own "truth". They're of no difference to Takakuras' parents, putting their beliefs, their desire to bring back Momoka, over others' lifes, even though they know better than everybody else, that it was Momoka's own decision to try and save the world and to pay for it the appropriate price.
By the way, why Tabuki drinks from two different glasses? And why does the 2nd glass has a metallic support stem? I can't read this properly... He didn't finish the drink in the first glass either before he drinks form the 2nd one. What's the meaning behind this? Any ideas anyone?
Could it be... that the 2nd glass contained some drug put there by Yuri? This could explain Tabuki's sudden change of mind... it doesn't explaing the metallic stem though... it's as if that glass was broken in the past... hmm... I don't get it.. don't get it at all... could this glass be the reason of his scars? It's a totally crazy idea.. why would a 7-8 year-old child have a scar from a broken champagne glass...besides those scars were there to let us guess if he used the Diary to change the fate....
Another two things from Yuri - Masako battle.
This kanji means Sky, Heavens. This is yet another reference the Other World being located in the underground (parking). GOD! I BET that this whole War in Heaven scene is another reference to the Book of Revelation! And Yuri's falling feathers only makes it look like SHE IS THE FALLEN ANGEL. Or rather is going to become one. As I stated long ago.. after episode 8 or 9... apocalypse is ahead of us, at the destination of fate. I don't see other reasons why would Shouma's train ticket from ep.1 points the 12.21 as the expiration date. Yes, I know it's only 2011, not 2012, hehe...
Speaking about trains and railway.. Could it be that the HSR sign on Yuri's weapone refers to High Speed Rail? As in, with this tool, you quickly reach your destination fo fate - death xD Oh well, that would be indeed smart and funny unless ithe sign says HSK. And I'm confused about it. I was sure it's HSR up until this very moment... but if it's HSK.. I've got no ideas so far behing it's meaning... Just like I've got no ideas what that Sun icon means. Any ideas?
Apart from Tabuki chaning his mind all of a sudden, I didn't get why Ringo doesn't remember anything what happened with Yuri at the Inn? Did she really forget everything? And why does Shouma didn't tell or at least warn her about anything? Damn that Shouma, he really is an imbecile sometimes xDD Has he already forgotten things how he has been told about the fate derailing by PoC, right before she collapsed? Why haven't you even discussed this with Kamba at all? Baka...
And yes, I totally agree with MapleRose. Rather than a diary, Penguindrum is Love in the first case. Kamba's red heart, his love for Himari, is what PoC's objective during the Survivaly Strategy is. See how Kamba behaves? He says - it can't be me anymore! I sinned! I did dirty stuff, I joined Pingforce! I'm already on the wrong side! But what do we hear as the answer? PoC replies, no, it's fine! I still see the Love in your heart! I can see you regret your sins! You can still be excused for your sins and turn to the good side, it's not too late. This makes it another good hint that Momoka = Jesus Christ = PoC. The whole idea behind this episode's Seizon Senryaku's is: God will accept you no matter your sins - just open up to him and he will forgive you. What a pun on the episode title, the Unforgiven...
Oh, another thing worthy of noting here is how both Himari and PoC use the word SECRET. Who are you sewing the sweaters for? It's a secret! But it's a thank you gift for their love!
What is a Penguindrum? It's a secret! But it looks like a red apple in your chest.
"The apple is also a reward for those who has chosen love over everything else" - this line from ep.1 alone connects the apple with a thank you gift and love. Although, one could say that I'm ridiculously overthinking when treating Kamba's heart as an apple.
But anyway, Love looks like the most obvious answer to what is the key for the diary to work. Momoka was the essence of Love herslef, that's why she could use the diary so easily...
I still don't get Tabuki's and Yuri's actions... if you guys want Momoka back, why of all things did you stop Ringo from turning into Momoka to begin with? Did you believe that she doesn't truly Love Tabuki thus the diary won't work? But if you did, why are you, Yuri, trying to do it again yourself??? This... I really don't get this :(
Regardless, ep.17 makes me think, that in order for Shouma to obtain the penguindrum, Ringo has to suffer. Similarly to how he suffered while trying to save her in episode 8. This guy is so dense, that unless something critical happens to her, he won't realize how much he has already fallen for her. That's why I think that in the next episode, Ringo, trying to protect Himari from Tabuki, might end up hurting herself. Only then Shouma might snap out of his dumbness and start fighting for real... I hope so... at least, in the next episode preview No.2 saved the diary...
Oh, that remind me, No.2 returns with TWO diaries, or I'd rather say with two halves: the Golden one and the Silver one. It's not a secret, that cold moon-resembling Silver is associated with Yin, while that shiny Golden with Yang. No.2 bringing back the diary split into these separate halves pretty much defines the sides of the owner or the respecting diary halves: Masako, declining Sanetoshi's offer to join that train owns the Golden first half of the diary, while Yuri thus owns the Silver, second half of the diary. Yin and Yang, the good and the evil, are at war. So let's see where we're taken next.
PS.
Sorry for another wall of text ^_^; |