DTB REVIEW CREW: Episodes 3 and 4
EPISODE 3: A NEW STAR SHINES IN THE DAWN SKY (PART 1)
• Tahara’s flower - the only remnants of life in a space littered with human remains. Beautiful on its own and glowing (literally). Not only that, but it releases seeds, produces life right before his very eyes. Symbol of hope (before we even know what it can do).
( But Wait! There's more... )
• Tahara’s flower - the only remnants of life in a space littered with human remains. Beautiful on its own and glowing (literally). Not only that, but it releases seeds, produces life right before his very eyes. Symbol of hope (before we even know what it can do).
( But Wait! There's more... )
If we want to start with symbolism, I think it starts right from the get-go where we see an image of the bridge for a good few seconds. It almost foreshadows what comes into play just seconds later; how humanity has set foot into the "no man's land" of the Gate, only to be burned in the process. It brings to mind the whole chasm of unknown that the series is founded upon. These unknown existences that sprung into being with the appearance of the Gate.
It looks like the human world (because it took over what used to be human land), but has that eerie fog/gray to it that shrouds it in mystery.
The unexpected flowers that suddenly start glowing... Was it just because it's "Gate organics" or was there some significance to it? (Just my own question.) And then how it suddenly releases spores/seeds... Almost spontaneously.
A lot of your comments relate to the translations itself, which is something I noticed. haha, not to mention that I noticed later that the subtitles seemed to lag, like they were one whole line behind for the conversation XD There were a LOT of weird things in that regards, so I won't bother to comment on them.
So right after the opening song, we get a view of the dolls' specters at work, racing up and down power lines. Then we zoom in more, to focus on one in particular as it is passing by Li's apartment, just as he's taking out his laundry to hang dry. Anyone else think it was interesting how it actually stops and watches him for a few seconds before continuing on its way?
Then back to the zooming in thing I mentioned before. There's usually some significance associated with it, so the next I noticed was after Hei buys his pack of cigs (or "bats" as the subs said... lol~). He pockets the watch, but just leaves it on top of the garbage can he passes by next... I know it was just a cover, but why then and why on top?
The school uniform comment... Each school can be recognized by its uniform and that kind of mentality makes sense - that while you're wearing their uniform, they wouldn't want you to do anything that misrepresents the school. Perhaps not common in that setting, but in the adult world, it's prevalent. You know, like if you go on a business trip, you're the one representing the company... And the whole Japanese (Asian, in general) culture has very strong roots in honor and image.
Once again, another scene of Hei at work, but not with the obvious. He just waves his hand and the whole place lights up. WE know that he must have done something, but the spectacular feat creates this sense of disconnect too. Like you said, you just get caught up in the magical quality of it from complete darkness, to sudden brightness.
There's more I have to say, but that's the problem... haha, there's a lot when I think about it. So I'll just skip to what I really want to say.
These two episodes contrast the first so nicely. In eps 1/2, we learn about the contractors and dolls, which really are still unknown entities to humans. Yet throw in eps 3/4... And even more unknown than the latter two is this third existence, the moratorium. Somehow more powerful than a contractor because of the lack of restrictions they have, only to exhaust their powers and finally transition into a doll-like state.
I think the instability of their existence is highlighted really well with Mai's character. Not only is she this unstable "other" existence, but her lifestyle and just stage of life highlights it even more. We know that those teenage years are always the toughest since they're in the middle of that "scary" transition. Not quite a child anymore, not wanting to be one, yet not quite adult either.
Episode 3 does a great job of showcasing her situation. The early demise of her mother; "living" with a father who shows no care; and all those antics she gets up to in hopes of getting his attention (trying to shoplift and hitting the streets late at night, etc.)
Yet her honest feelings come through when she finally snaps at Li, saying how much she hates him - only to find herself in tears afterward.
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I'll have to pay more attention to the zoom in scenes now. Glad you're pointing those out.
Yes I thought it was interesting when the specter stopped at his window. But I kind of played it off, that he just happened to open the window, so the specter caught the movement.
Gate organics.
Less attention on him to place the pack on top, than to open the can and dump it inside.
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Ya I didn't think the spectre thing was anything major but it was interesting.
True, for the cigs. It still gives the same meaning without having to waste unnecessary time on it.
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