Rose is finally useful. I am so glad for her because I have been totally annoyed by her futile attempt to do anything at all.
In a way, I like it that they finally resolved the whole issue since it is clear in Episode 12 and 13 that Rose’s continual weakness is affecting the group. Anyway, let me go straight on this Red Garden episode.
Episode summary
We have Rose being ignored by Rachel in school, as she vowed to be stronger. Kate promised her that they would train tonight as she went down the stairs to meet Claire who was late. Claire told Kate to give her a break as they discussed how Kate’s powers were released during the last fight and Claire’s need to fix up her car, as Jessica looked on at the conversation. Amanda and Rachel’s boyfriend were having fun with darts, while Rachel chatted with her teacher, only to realize that he was married with a novelist and only came out for coffee as his wife was getting inspiration.
On the other hand, Kate and Rose were training, with Kate realizing how to do the leaps after a cat suddenly jerked her into action. Rachel, on her way back, saw how Rose was training. The next day, Kate’s father wanted to go to school after the reporting on Kate constantly missing classes and being late. However, Kate’s sister said it would be problematic if he went since it would make a big issue, so she volunteered to. Kate also realized that Herve was lying to her after noticing that the bar was not officially open yet. During the meeting, the principal assured Kate’s sister that everything was all right and it would be managed accordingly, as Kate’s sister also introduced Emilio while the principal introduced Paula.
As Kate’s sister left, it seemed that Paula was part of the clan (calling the principal grandmother) as Paula said that she wanted to tell Kate about the situation. However, the principal said that she was the only person who could protect Kate now. They also discussed that some drastic measures would happen, especially when the enemy was starting to lose their female descendants. All this was overheard by Jessica. Kate also thanked her sister for the trouble, with Emilio having a short fit of discomfort.
Herve was by Mireille’s side as it seemed that she survived. Emilio also met up with Herve, telling him that Kate found out that he lied as he vowed to make a better lie next time. The police inspector also tried to find out some more information about Herve, with no avail. Claire was trying to fix her car, as well as repaying the money to her brother. However, when she reached the area, it seemed that there was some busy times and she left.
Kate also met up with Herve, with Herve saying that he lied and telling her the whole story about Mirelle being sick and he had to rush off to see her after panicking. He then professed that he could give up if it was just him but he would do absolutely anything to save his sister, as Kate was touched by his gesture. At night, Rose was training still as she finally found out how to release her powers. Just then, the butterflies appeared as they fought this time with two monsters.
It was still the old Rose in fear, unable to fight back. As they barely repelled the monsters, Kate and Claire decided to split up with Rose and Rachel, with Rachel calling out to them not to leave her with Rose. Rose was clearly still useless, as Rachel was about to be attacked, only for Rose to bash in and be shoved by the monster. Rachel called out to the monster with a baseball, backing off as the monster was about to attack her. However, Rose simply grabbed a pole as she leaped up, whacking viciously with the pole when she landed on the ground to kill the monster. Rose started to ask if she did anything as Rachel thanked her, saying that she should have done so sooner. It seemed that all four of them finally have a better trust of each other, now that even Rose was fighting.
Thoughts
Finally, are we all glad that Rose finally grew a spine? I am honestly happy that the main problem in the fights is solved right now, what with the silly “I am so scared that I cannot do anything” crap. I think anyone whose life is in danger will really get sick of such an explanation, which is why it makes me feel so good when Rose is in fact the person who saves Rachel.
She really proves to everyone that even though she is indeed the weaker link among the four, she does make an effort to protect them. Rachel disappointed me slightly though, with the fear she emits when she can fight back easily. I mean, she has a baseball bat but she just simply backs down and fears? Isn’t that the same thing that Rose is doing, except in a more drastic manner? How can you criticize someone when you are also doing roughly the same thing? In my opinion, that is Rachel’s character flaw and it might show up when something bad happens. You never do see Rachel blaming herself for the situation at any point of the anime right?
It is slightly surprising for me that Paula is in fact the grand daughter of the principal. It is perhaps not very shocking because the amount of protection that Paula gave Kate but coming out from the horse’s mouth still shocked me quite a bit. It is clear that it’s painful for Paula but she knows that it is under the orders of her grandmother as well as the headmistress (the head of the clan) to protect Kate. I am sure that Paula generally likes Kate on the friendship level (stop being disappointed, you yuri fans) and yet she feels compelled to tell her the truth. I think it’s pretty logical to hold the falsity from a person you consider a friend, especially when you know that withholding the truth and telling it both hurts them.
Herve is a total vicious person. By using the story of Mirellie, it is clear that it’s a good way to gain sympathy from Kate, in order to cover the fact that he lied. I mean, anyone who does not have the background logic of the whole clan’s troubles will understandably be touched by Herve’s actions. With such an abstract idea simply that her younger sister is suffering from an incurable disease (the monster changing), it is clear that this move will give him the chance to get closer to Kate and hence be able to spy on her more. I have not watched Episode 15 (will watch it tomorrow), so there might be some plot twist then.
Lastly, a question on a very subtle thing that happened. Do you think that Emilio is going to succumb to the monster disease too, what if the itchy gesture? I personally read a bit more into it and think that it will be the next plot twist for Kate?
What do you think?
6 Comments
I like your analysis, the only problem is that I haven’t seen it yet. I’m waiting for those subbers.
The series is great!
-Greg
Rose…useful? It’s like a whole other series.
I’ve actually been expecting Emilio to ‘go bad’ ever since we found out he had the potential to do so; it’s bound to cause some angst if they fight a named character instead of just another generic guy they don’t know.
@Greg: hahaha, thanks! Well, I am paining toward either a very detailed summary to the extent that raw watchers can understand most of it or a summary like this. Eventually, I opted for this as the series is catching up on the english subs.
@Karura: she is useful! Well, honestly, she’s perhaps not as useful compared to the other three gals but the fact does remind. She saved Rachel from impending pain or death with her awkward fighting. I mean, as long as she can kill, it’s good.
Wait, am I even saying that killing is good? I must be too desensitized by it. The fact I have to remember about this show is that there are no real good guys or bad guys in this series. I always assumed it, hence framing certain characters in a good way, and some in a bad way. I…must…stop…that…urge.
there’s no good or bad guys…yet.
I’d say it’s pretty obvious that it’ll get to a point where the girls have to face their dilemma with a little more skepticism than they are currently. Eventually either they or the (emilio’s) family will become the “good guys” or “bad guys”. It’s inveitable.
so at some point the killing could be good ^^;;
(probably will be).
Heck, they’ll probably continue to justify their killing because they want to survive. So we’ll probably even get a warped view of who’s good and bad O_o;;
*wonders why there isn’t a screenshot of rose dishing out a can of whoop-ass*
Well the obvious answer to the interclan problem is to get the book, remove the curses, make a peace treaty. I’m pretty sure that given a choice between Herve and Lula, I’m picking Herve to be the worse guy though. Sure, he’s got his reasons to be a bad guy, but he still seems to be lot more careless of the consequences to innocents.
@Teferi: haha, there are like a few screenshots of rose dishing out a can of whoop-ass in the third set of pictures. Honestly, I think what you profess will eventually come true. It will be totally crazy if the four gals were forced into desperate measures and the line between right and wrong becomes even more blurred.
@David: Hmm, the thing is that there is a lack of trust between the two clans completely. No one dares to make the first move and I do wonder what is the feud behind them that causes such a strong hatred…That answer still eludes me.