A few random comments on Part 2. Possible Utena
spoilers ahead.
<<Despite the stresses of her life, she managed to
keep her looks and figure, all without a care in the
world.>>
This is a rather contradictory statement... is
she stressed, or not?
<<Dropping into the seat next to her and across from
Herv�, was a woman far younger than Oriel, and
possibly far more beautiful.>>
Same problem as above--is she "far more
beautiful", or isn't she?
<<She had long amethyst hair and eyes that were a
startling blue-green, though they were covered
behind a pair of eyeglasses.>>
Didn't she leave the glasses behind at the end of
ep. 39?
<<"Rose, they blew up the Louvre, killing 700
people and destroying a third of the building, several
priceless statues and paintings, chief amongst them
the Mona Lisa. My daughter and granddaughter were
among those killed in the blast. The French
government wants to see Guerre du Monde brought to
justice. I want them dead."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Oriel.>>
If they've worked together five years, why
doesn't she already know this?
Additionally, the exposition seems a little too
direct, like a carefully rehearsed news report--not
like someone waxing emotional about a very upsetting
topic.
<<However, because of the delicate situation, German
security forces are hesitant to seize the building,>>
I think this requires a little more
explanation--what "delicate situation"? If they know
precisely where the terrorists are, why are they
hesitating?
(For some reason, my mailer cut off the reply
message here--so I'll have to do without quoted text
from here on.) A few more points:
1. The sword fighting scene with Anthy and Wil is
cool--nice to see that she can finally stick up for
herself--but there is one thing that bothers me about
it: *Why* is he (vainly) attempting to kill her with a
sword when he's got a bunch of henchmen with guns
standing right there? O_o (If it has something to do
with the stolen computer in her backpack--and I find
it difficult to believe that the bad guys wouldn't
have the information backed up somewhere else--then
why were they shooting at her in the first place?)
2. This relates to my single biggest gripe about the
series so far--all this sword fighting. Yes, the
Duels in SKU are great, but they also occur in a
highly specialized setting. The swordplay is a
carefully controlled plot device meant to hone the
characters' skills, not endanger their lives--and so
it's a lot harder to make it work in the "real world",
with antagonists who *do* want people dead. With so
many more efficient ways to kill, it just isn't
believable to have every violent confrontation wind up
as a one-on-one swordfight. (I know, it always works
this way in anime--one heroine with a sword can beat
twenty thugs with automatic rifles--but the premise
can wear a little thin after a while. :P) Considering
the way the story has already been set up, there may
be no way around this lack of realism, but it's
something to keep in mind. If you mean to establish a
truly formidable set of villains, you'll have to make
them a little more competent...
3. So the fourth person to have escaped from Ohtori
is Nanami? (Darn, I was hoping for Tokiko...) But if
Mitsuru was with Nanami for a while, doesn't that make
five? And what about the others mentioned in SKU who
have spent time on the "outside"--Tokiko, Mikage,
Shiori, Ruka (and probably some others I'm
forgetting)?
4. I may have done nothing but pick out rough spots
so far, but, overall, I do like the story. I
particularly like the idea of Utena not only escaping
the final episode in one piece but also coming back to
battle the evil of Ohtori. Shades of Davies' "Serena
and Luna" and even "SM 4200". :) (Apparently, this
take on the story requires the expansion of Akio's
two-person conspiracy into a worldwide terrorist
organization, and we'll have to see how this rather
drastic change works out in later parts... but I think
it's looking pretty good so far. I can't wait to read
Part 4.)
Emily Iizuka
iruka_2000@yahoo.com
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