This and that (Scout and Masatsuka-sensei)
I started rewatching bits of "Scout" tonight. It's *such* a good show. But...
I was reminded again about my problems with the ending. Seriously, it was like Masatsuka-sensei stayed up late writing the script the night before it was due, fell asleep, and then woke up the next day and had fifteen minutes to finish the thing. The reset button/it was all a dream/etc. is one of my least favorite plot devices in science fiction, and for a reason...it cheapens everything that's happened before it.
I mean, I suppose to some extent that plot device needed to happen because otherwise Tomu would be um, well, those of you who have seen the show know. But even still there wasn't much of a confrontation between Tomu and Mattsu's characters in the end, which would have somehow made it more satisfying.
(Yes, yes, I know, this is Takarazuka and it's silly to analyze it too deeply. I guess it's *because* Scout is otherwise such an intelligent and well-directed show)
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I've decided that I'm torn on Masatsuka-sensei's shows in general. On one hand, he's written a lot of really good, smart shows (Magician no Yuutsu, Scout, Bourbon Street Blues, Practical Joke, Futari Dake ga Waru, etc).
However, as someone whose Japanese is passable at best, his shows tend to be VERY dialogue heavy (I prefer shows that have more songs). And depending on the show, the vocabulary can be difficult to understand. For example, I don't think I ever would have been able to follow Futari Dake if it weren't for ekusudei 's translation. I'm a bit worried about Bara ni Furu Ame in this regard, *especially* since it's supposed to have a lot to do with business.
But even if there are business terms that I wouldn't even understand in English flying everywhere, I suppose chances are that it will at least be intelligent, and I'm always a fan of that. Besides, I won't be seeing this one in the theaters, so even if it is extremely dialogue heavy it's not like I'm going to have to sit through it 5+ times.
I can't believe Zorro has already finished its Daigekijou run, Bara ni Furu Ame is about to start, and Touko and Asuka are about to retire. I don't think I'm used to this new one-month schedule yet!
I was reminded again about my problems with the ending. Seriously, it was like Masatsuka-sensei stayed up late writing the script the night before it was due, fell asleep, and then woke up the next day and had fifteen minutes to finish the thing. The reset button/it was all a dream/etc. is one of my least favorite plot devices in science fiction, and for a reason...it cheapens everything that's happened before it.
I mean, I suppose to some extent that plot device needed to happen because otherwise Tomu would be um, well, those of you who have seen the show know. But even still there wasn't much of a confrontation between Tomu and Mattsu's characters in the end, which would have somehow made it more satisfying.
(Yes, yes, I know, this is Takarazuka and it's silly to analyze it too deeply. I guess it's *because* Scout is otherwise such an intelligent and well-directed show)
------
I've decided that I'm torn on Masatsuka-sensei's shows in general. On one hand, he's written a lot of really good, smart shows (Magician no Yuutsu, Scout, Bourbon Street Blues, Practical Joke, Futari Dake ga Waru, etc).
However, as someone whose Japanese is passable at best, his shows tend to be VERY dialogue heavy (I prefer shows that have more songs). And depending on the show, the vocabulary can be difficult to understand. For example, I don't think I ever would have been able to follow Futari Dake if it weren't for ekusudei 's translation. I'm a bit worried about Bara ni Furu Ame in this regard, *especially* since it's supposed to have a lot to do with business.
But even if there are business terms that I wouldn't even understand in English flying everywhere, I suppose chances are that it will at least be intelligent, and I'm always a fan of that. Besides, I won't be seeing this one in the theaters, so even if it is extremely dialogue heavy it's not like I'm going to have to sit through it 5+ times.
I can't believe Zorro has already finished its Daigekijou run, Bara ni Furu Ame is about to start, and Touko and Asuka are about to retire. I don't think I'm used to this new one-month schedule yet!