Gintama° Episode 51 Discussion

I didn't like this episode too much. Maybe because it reminded me of how the series is never going to be the same after the last two arcs. And I don't like this change. I want Gintama back to its absurd and inconsequential. It was a pain seeing the ending credits. Not just for the Shinsengumi and the great moments they've given to the show but also for the easy-going tone and jokes that will be missed.

On the other hand, the ship baits. Seriously this arc has gone too far and too out of character with this. We know that Okita and Kagura are rivals, the joke has been beaten to death, but there is no need for this pile of saccharine among the two. This is pushing it too far. Making them show affection for each other screws the joke around them completely. And Otae x Kondo... pfffff. Really. I know that we are in a serious mood but come on. The focus of Gintama has never been romance teasing, and it doesn't feel right if the non-comedic interactions come through this filter.

What I liked about this episode, and had an effect, is the scene where Nobume and the Shinsengumi-Mimawarigumi pay their homage to Isaburo. It was quite emotionally compelling and I liked the soundtrack quite a lot, it's the same that has been used various times in the arc iirc, among them in the very first scene.

This episode is a very generous 6/10 to me. Nice as a farewell to the arc but very out of the mood of Gintama for a season finale. Annoyingly solemn with zero self-awareness. I was expecting the characters to deliver a message to the audience, or something like that, as they always do :(

For the season as a whole, I guess 9/10 is fine. I loved the first 34 episodes. I liked the SA arc. I tried to like the FS arc but ended up enjoying it only sporadically. In the end I'm left with a sour taste, but this season has had too many great moments throughout.

@Blueberry173 First off, it's been 7 years since I posted that so forgive me if I am not vehement enough in my statements; but anyway do not be fooled, I say whatever I want to say and not whatever you understand between the lines. I know Kagura and Sougo are not psychopaths, that's also why I didn't call them psychopaths, but that doesn't mean I felt their display of mutual affection in this particular episode was right (and honestly don't remember it, that's why I say "I felt").

Also my opinion of Otae has never been negative, she's one of my favorite characters in the series, the way she is in comedy and the way she displays emotion and vulnerability in the serious moments. But I have never felt personally comfortable with the ship teasing with her stalker (Kondo, who I also like for other perfectly fine reasons, but they do not work as a romantic couple for me).

I don't know if my thoughts 7 years ago will stand the test of time, but my distaste for excessive solemnity and non-comedic romantic teasing is ingrained in my enjoyment of Gintama as a show. And I do like serious, dramatic and emotionally profound Gintama, never thought that the characters were or were supposed to be one-dimensional (they are not even in their comedic mood) and honestly I say nothing of the sort in the text you quote so what's the point.

@jal90 if the problem is just the shipping, I don't see why it can't be overlooked? I don't think it was excessive at all, it was a farewell to them and putting off the gags for that time doesnt have to be equalled to shipping, as their behaviour there is imi what almost anyone will be like in the situation, for sougo and kagura what you say is probably understandable but i don't think that's the case with the otae kondo scene as even shinpachi was actively present there, the show didn't seem to ship them at that point but instead was just trying to show the characters carrying out basic decency.

@Blueberry173 I mean and sorry for the late answer, it's been a long while. All I can say is that at the time it bothered me because I found it intrusive and potentially leaving out other comedic or emotional beats I connected with more. But it's also 2016 me, on a season I haven't rewatched since, and speaking from a perspective of having watched the series with certain ideas of what I found more or less defining of my ideal experience with Gintama in mind. I do still have some of these ideas, and I am not a fan of the concepts I mentioned; but certainly I don't see myself reacting as badly to romantic teasing as I did before if I rewatch the series.