Lian watches Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Episode 7
After the horrifying implications of the last episode, THINGS GET WORSE.
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Episode 7: "Can You Face Your True Feelings?"
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1. More than halfway through the series, the girls have finally realized that Kyubey has lied to them. Sayaka is furious, but the following scene proves that her understanding of Kyubey's nature is still far from accurate. He is evasive, defensive and even patronizing in his arguments, acting like Sayaka brought this upon herself. Not that, you know, she is a teenage girl who was manipulated by someone who has essentially lied through omission from the very beginning. This is important. Kyubey says half truths and then lets his victims draw the wrong conclusions. He does it masterfully - sure, it wouldn't really hold against an inquisitive adult, which is why he prefers FOURTEEN YEAR OLDS. God, this character.
2. (Post-series note: Funny how a throwaway line suddenly becomes filled with so much horror when you know a little bit more:
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Choke on a battery, Kyubey. DO IT.
I experienced a single, sad moment of relief for Mami when Kyubey said she never knew what really happened to her - she had enough terrible things on her plate. But if you watch the series, you will see a scene where Mami does find out! Her reaction? PLANNED MURDER SUICIDE!
MAGICAL SHOUJO STUFF, Y'KNOW? oh God my heart help
3. "If your body dies, your spirit is annihilated" says Kyubey, showing us that (ok granted, according to him), there is no God or an afterlife in the Madoka universe.
Brb, sending Iscariot out for some Xanax.
Iscariot: How much do you want, Lian?
Lian: ALL OF IT.
4. Remember how I said that Sayaka doesn't fully grasp Kyubey's character? She doesn't physically harm him, but she manifests her anger through intimidating body language - she pushes a chair on the floor, she hovers over Kyubey and she berates him for his actions - in response, Kyubey chooses to literally torture her, giving her 30 seconds of incredibly intense, debilitating pain, so intense that Sayaka cannot stand on her own two feet.
I am reaching Sephirothslave-like levels of hate here.
Except you know, Kyubey is actually terrifying and clever.
One fourteen year old energy capsule misbehaving? Let's torture her in cold blood all the while pretending to give her some useful information.
5. In her own way, Kyoko tries to teach Sayaka her coping strategy and opens up to her regarding her past and why her misunderstanding of her father's wish had such catastrophic results. Kyoko is traumatized by the hunger she experienced as a child and by the destruction of her family, for which she feels responsible. And yet she still has hope and wants to make the best out of her situation, and is trying to get Sayaka to do that as well. I wonder if Kyoko's red barrier is a symbol of her extraordinary ability to cope with what happened to her.
Sayaka understands this, but rejects Kyoko's strategy. This is beautifully expressed through a metaphor - she asks Kyoko where she got the money to buy the apples she offered her. When Kyoko doesn't answer (it's strongly implied that she used her powers to steal them), Sayaka says she cannot accept them. Living for yourself like Kyoko does (as a result of her terrible experiences) implies a pretty large degree of not caring about others. While Kyoko is using her powers for herself, Sayaka wants to use her powers to do good, because she is a beautiful human being. My heart is with you, Sayaka.
Both these girls have a different kind of strength, but I can't help but love them all the same. They are victims trying to survive in their own way, drawing on their inner willpower.
(Post-series note: It is remarkable that Kyoko did not become a witch after what happened to her family. She's unbelievably strong!)
6. The eerie music playing during the scene where Hitomi confesses her love for Kamijo to Sayaka is a perfect rendition of that sinking, panicky, expanding feeling you get in that kind of situation. I know exactly how Sayaka is feeling. It's as if the entire sensation was transformed into musical notes.
I really like how Hitomi gives Sayaka the chance to confess to Kamijo first. Not many girls would do that.
7. Sayaka is anguished because she had one single evil thought as response to the situation she faces. Not only was she tricked into becoming a lich, but the guy she did it for doesn't return her feelings (or is even too oblivious to be aware of them) and now one of her closest friends is giving her an ultimatum Sayaka knows she cannot fulfill because well, look at what she has become.
God, I have never wanted to hug a fictional character so much in my entire life.
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If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of my heart breaking in the background.
Sayaka is so pure, she even beats herself up over her thoughts. This is what Kyubey does, he finds these incredible girls and RUINS THEIR LIVES.
FUCK YOU KYUBEY. WHY ARE YOU STILL IN ONE PIECE?
Am I the only one thinking how sinister living with Kyubey must be after the events of the previous episode? Not only has he turned her into a lich, but he also tortured her in cold blood. And yet he continues to hang around her room and follows her when she goes out. I think Sayaka knows she can't do anything about it, because if she said anything he would probably start harming her again. At this point, Kyubey more or less has Sayaka under his thumb. Sickening.
8. Sayaka is sinking. Slowly but surely, she is sinking. I love her so much and it's just heartbreaking to see her losing it while battling the witch. At this point, everybody seems to be worried for her, even Kyoko.
My default expression when watching this show.
*
*
Episode 7: "Can You Face Your True Feelings?"
*
*
1. More than halfway through the series, the girls have finally realized that Kyubey has lied to them. Sayaka is furious, but the following scene proves that her understanding of Kyubey's nature is still far from accurate. He is evasive, defensive and even patronizing in his arguments, acting like Sayaka brought this upon herself. Not that, you know, she is a teenage girl who was manipulated by someone who has essentially lied through omission from the very beginning. This is important. Kyubey says half truths and then lets his victims draw the wrong conclusions. He does it masterfully - sure, it wouldn't really hold against an inquisitive adult, which is why he prefers FOURTEEN YEAR OLDS. God, this character.
2. (Post-series note: Funny how a throwaway line suddenly becomes filled with so much horror when you know a little bit more:
*
Choke on a battery, Kyubey. DO IT.
I experienced a single, sad moment of relief for Mami when Kyubey said she never knew what really happened to her - she had enough terrible things on her plate. But if you watch the series, you will see a scene where Mami does find out! Her reaction? PLANNED MURDER SUICIDE!
MAGICAL SHOUJO STUFF, Y'KNOW? oh God my heart help
3. "If your body dies, your spirit is annihilated" says Kyubey, showing us that (ok granted, according to him), there is no God or an afterlife in the Madoka universe.
Brb, sending Iscariot out for some Xanax.
Iscariot: How much do you want, Lian?
Lian: ALL OF IT.
4. Remember how I said that Sayaka doesn't fully grasp Kyubey's character? She doesn't physically harm him, but she manifests her anger through intimidating body language - she pushes a chair on the floor, she hovers over Kyubey and she berates him for his actions - in response, Kyubey chooses to literally torture her, giving her 30 seconds of incredibly intense, debilitating pain, so intense that Sayaka cannot stand on her own two feet.
I am reaching Sephirothslave-like levels of hate here.
Except you know, Kyubey is actually terrifying and clever.
One fourteen year old energy capsule misbehaving? Let's torture her in cold blood all the while pretending to give her some useful information.
5. In her own way, Kyoko tries to teach Sayaka her coping strategy and opens up to her regarding her past and why her misunderstanding of her father's wish had such catastrophic results. Kyoko is traumatized by the hunger she experienced as a child and by the destruction of her family, for which she feels responsible. And yet she still has hope and wants to make the best out of her situation, and is trying to get Sayaka to do that as well. I wonder if Kyoko's red barrier is a symbol of her extraordinary ability to cope with what happened to her.
Sayaka understands this, but rejects Kyoko's strategy. This is beautifully expressed through a metaphor - she asks Kyoko where she got the money to buy the apples she offered her. When Kyoko doesn't answer (it's strongly implied that she used her powers to steal them), Sayaka says she cannot accept them. Living for yourself like Kyoko does (as a result of her terrible experiences) implies a pretty large degree of not caring about others. While Kyoko is using her powers for herself, Sayaka wants to use her powers to do good, because she is a beautiful human being. My heart is with you, Sayaka.
Both these girls have a different kind of strength, but I can't help but love them all the same. They are victims trying to survive in their own way, drawing on their inner willpower.
(Post-series note: It is remarkable that Kyoko did not become a witch after what happened to her family. She's unbelievably strong!)
6. The eerie music playing during the scene where Hitomi confesses her love for Kamijo to Sayaka is a perfect rendition of that sinking, panicky, expanding feeling you get in that kind of situation. I know exactly how Sayaka is feeling. It's as if the entire sensation was transformed into musical notes.
I really like how Hitomi gives Sayaka the chance to confess to Kamijo first. Not many girls would do that.
7. Sayaka is anguished because she had one single evil thought as response to the situation she faces. Not only was she tricked into becoming a lich, but the guy she did it for doesn't return her feelings (or is even too oblivious to be aware of them) and now one of her closest friends is giving her an ultimatum Sayaka knows she cannot fulfill because well, look at what she has become.
God, I have never wanted to hug a fictional character so much in my entire life.
*
If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of my heart breaking in the background.
Sayaka is so pure, she even beats herself up over her thoughts. This is what Kyubey does, he finds these incredible girls and RUINS THEIR LIVES.
FUCK YOU KYUBEY. WHY ARE YOU STILL IN ONE PIECE?
Am I the only one thinking how sinister living with Kyubey must be after the events of the previous episode? Not only has he turned her into a lich, but he also tortured her in cold blood. And yet he continues to hang around her room and follows her when she goes out. I think Sayaka knows she can't do anything about it, because if she said anything he would probably start harming her again. At this point, Kyubey more or less has Sayaka under his thumb. Sickening.
8. Sayaka is sinking. Slowly but surely, she is sinking. I love her so much and it's just heartbreaking to see her losing it while battling the witch. At this point, everybody seems to be worried for her, even Kyoko.
My default expression when watching this show.