Wow, this episode was way better than I ever thought possible. The animation, cinematography, dialogue, and character development/interactions were amazing. If all DITF episodes could be directed like this one, I would be the happiest girl in the world.
But this episode was also a very tough pill to swallow due to some....surprising revelations that I was not expecting. Goro and Ichigo get some needed screen time, but the real essence of this episode, to me at least, seemed to be about 02′s possible dual nature and how Hiro is finally feeling the effects of his decision from ep 1.
Starting with Hiro, I’m happy that he’s come a long way; he’s now a part of the group, he’s being respected again, and feels that he found his purpose. Sticking to his decisions, even though it will kill him down the road, is really admirable and make me like him even more. But in this episode I felt that he was being “dragged along” by 02. Not even once did he question himself “what the heck is this blue blob?”, “why does it hurt so much?”, “does 02 know about this?”. He doesn’t even seem startled at 02′s lack of empathy towards her allies, or to her twisted way of seeing his suffering as “beautiful.” I would’ve liked a little more perspective as to what was going on in his head. But that didn’t make the episode less enjoyable. Through his gestures alone one could see both his pain and resolution.
Now, to 002: where to even begin? She is clearly the talk of the town, because here we get to see the other side of her. Or is it her true self? Is the 02 we see at the forrest talking about Hiro’s death as inconsequential the true persona, or is it a defense mechanism (as some have suggested)? I completely understand her seeing the death of other pilots as no big deal; her upbringing, reputation, and isolation must’ve been torturous enough to make her lack any sense of sadness or remorse. Who knows how many partners she has had, so I agree with that 100%.
BUT I cannot agree that her words towards Hiro possibly dying are merely a “defense mechanism” or her way to “infuriate ichigo”. First, Ichigo is way, way below 02(to the latter’s eyes); i don’t think 02 would’ve spent an ounce of energy trying to rile someone as inferior and “weak” as Ichigo. 02 could’ve gotten under her skin a long time ago if she wanted. Second, and this is where I struggle the most, if Hiro is such an important essence in 02′s life (he doesn’t fear her, he doesn’t see her as a monster, he can actually manage riding with her), wouldn’t she want to protect him and/or see him as an equal, as opposed to a possession? She hasn’t called Hiro by his name once in the entire series so far, and in ep. 5 it’s clear that 02 thinks that he BELONGS to her, he is HER darling, and she is his partner, and she alone. I love how Ichigo counteracts this with “Hiro doesnt belong to anyone.” So I think it’s clear by the end that the staff wants us to doubt 02′s intentions with Hiro. They want us to question wether those moments where 02 showered Hiro with attention were genuine or fake. Was she just luring him into her, like the butterfly was lured into the spiders web?
Some people argue that 02 does indeed care for Hiro, but because of her upbringing doesn’t want to get too close and be disillusioned, so she sees him as someone who still has to prove his worth. The way i see it, if someone like 02, someone with a painful past that simply longs for a life with a partner, were to finally meet a person who sees her for what she is, wouldn’t she want to truly care for him, protect him, even if he’s not as strong as she thought? Wouldn’t she want to nourish that relationship specifically because of her past? To finally love and be loved? Instead we have someone who is possessive, selfish, and somewhat twisted at the end of ep 5 (again, she sees his suffering as beautiful). Which begs the question, is there a duality that 02 is secretly fighting with? It’s no coincidence that we see her as joyful, caring, and even a bit childish/innocent in the first half of the episode but then cold, harsh, and pragmatic in the last portion. Maybe she’s really trying to get close to Hiro but her old mentality is still preventing her from truly connecting with him.
On the other hand, Hiro’s view of 02 could be interpreted as being just as practical: she allows him to pilot (fly), she has been the only person who is compatible with him, and she has qualities that he likes (being strong, decisive, etc). He does seem to enjoy being with her, but I don’t get the feeling that he feels alive because he finally has a partner; he feels alive because he can finally pilot again, regardless of who it’s with. So I will go on the boat of people who think that Hiro and 02′s relationship is, at its core, a toxic relationship. The way he looks pained at the spider who is about to eat its prey is proof that he knows whats to come. He knows he will be changed in some way or another. But he still wants to pilot. SO lets see what happens in episode 6. |