Comments | prillalar: Tenipuri episodes 66-68

prillalar

Tenipuri episodes 66-68

Mar 16, 2006 14:51

Note: Unlike previous write-ups, there are significant spoilers for future episodes here. Previous: memories or tagged.

Tezuka, Ryoma, Atobe. The Match. No crack today, but a lot of analysis and questions.

( 66. Rondo to Destruction )

tenipuri episodes, tenipuri, tezuryo

Comments 54

storyteller March 16 2006, 15:38:18 UTC

Tezuka ... "wanting" to be injured (or rather, letting it happen) to get away from the pressure of tennis is such an interesting idea. I sometimes fall into the habit of being so overtly-critical with him in the Dumbledore kind of way and expect him to be able to do everything, but he's a kid -- and you know his recuperation stage was really probably the best thing that could happen to help him grow as a player.

Because I also still don't understand why he did that -- I mean, if he withdrew, Ryoma'd probably still kick ass and they'd still beat Hyotei. Unless he thought that unless Ryoma witnessed his defeat he wouldn't be able to beat Hiyoshi?

Hmmm hmmm hmmmm.

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:08:07 UTC

I've been trying to understand Tezuka for almost two years now. I think, finally, I'm as close as I'm going to get, at least from the canon now available.

I think, like Aja says below, it's about courage. To me, it seems like stupidity for him to keep playing, but that's clearly not the take-away. If Tezuka doesn't do his best until the end, he's going to let so many people down, including himself.

seii_ryu March 16 2006, 16:10:47 UTC

Just curious, does withdrawing due to injury mean a draw or a forfeit? Because in the latter case, Tezuka has to keep playing.

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:12:55 UTC

He would forfeit the match, but that doesn't mean Seigaku would forfeit the whole thing. So if he had withdrawn it would have had the same result as him losing.

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prillalar March 16 2006, 16:11:14 UTC

Well, yeah. Why don't more people? Sigh.

I know, I know. It's such a boutique pairing. Probably most people can't see past the GP. But I think that Tezuka/Oishi, even though it seems so sad here, has the best happily-ever-after potential of any tenipuri ship. I can see them ten years from now, living together quite happily.

Whenever Tezuka says, "Oishi," I want to cry.

(The comment has been removed)

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:40:18 UTC

Everybody has multiple boyfriends. :) I love that -- more scope for fun. Write them all!

And aside from MomoKai, every pairing I write has either Tezuka or Inui. InuTez is like the ur-pairing.

Thread 5

bookshop March 16 2006, 15:57:24 UTC

Of course, this is just what Tezuka needs from Ryoma right now: his presence at the match and nothing more.

I love how they're both so focused on the match at that point - their body language says that they're both hyper-aware of each other but Ryoma's staring at the court and Tezuka's drawing strength just from his additional focus. I also love how tensed and ready Ryoma looks as he starts watching Tezuka at the end of ep 63. It says so much about how completely he identifies Tezuka with Tennis (to go back to Branch's comment about Ryoma as Avatar - I'll say again that I think they each epitomize tennis to each other.)

did Tezuka lob on purpose because he'd heard about it and wanted to see it? <-- That's what I always think every time I see that match. He does want Atobe to come at him with everything he's got.

Fuji and Inui do their "I think..." "Oh, you too?" thing they use to mystify and intrigue everyone.

Yesss and this is where I remind the world that I want to see more Inui/Fuji! So much sadistic mystifying potential!

A ( ... )

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:19:32 UTC

it's interesting how that puts Mizuki and Atobe in the same category, with all the implied vanity between them

What's most interesting to me is that Mizuki is never really redeemed from that. He's humiliated by Fuji; he's not taught to be a better person. And that really says a lot about Fuji too. His tennis, at that point, was not transformative. (I have to get into Fuji at some point too -- but another day.)

that Tezuka didn't want him to watch this match because he wanted to show him about invincibility, but about courage

That's a great insight. It really sums things up.

that Tezuka risked his arm to play Ryoma all those weeks ago in order to show him what tennis was really about

I can't believe I forgot about this aspect while I was going through this time. (There's just so MUCH in these episodes -- it's hard to keep it all straight.) You're so right. It's finally dawning on Ryoma what Tezuka really did for him.

oh Hal, I love them so much

Oh, I know. This is what the show is all about. *sigh*

bookshop March 16 2006, 18:18:09 UTC

I can't believe I forgot about this aspect while I was going through this time. (There's just so MUCH in these episodes -- it's hard to keep it all straight.) You're so right. It's finally dawning on Ryoma what Tezuka really did for him.

You know, as a complete aside - the first time i watched that ep my heart almost broke when Tezuka is sitting back on the bench, because when he's looking down at his arm, i was completely convinced that he was looking at Ryoma directly. It wasn't until I watched it a third time that I recognized him as looking down at his arm in that moment. And the more I think about it the more I wonder if maybe I was supposed to think that he was looking at them both at once. The look on his face is so tense at that moment. I wonder if it's the kind of thing where he's looking directly at Ryoma without looking at him - his way of saying, 'Pay attention, Ryoma, because I'm doing this as much for you as for me.'

seii_ryu March 16 2006, 16:09:49 UTC

I don't remember very clearly, but Tezuka says, at one point, "Don't hold back." or something similar. He's obviously going to be upset if Atobe goes "easy" on him because of some weird sports manga code of honour. In a way, he has to prove to himself that he is capable of putting others first. It was unnecessary self-sacrifice from Fuji and Inui's pov, but to Tezuka, to not play while he was able is probably the worst thing he can do.

I think Ryoma not moving is actually simple- he's shocked that the person he looks up to isn't invincible after all. He's also probably realizing just what Tezuka losing will mean, for him and the team...

Anyway. *points at bookshop's comment* That pretty much says it all.

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:21:50 UTC

Yes, Tezuka can't do anything but play his very best. And the victory is hollow to Atobe because of how far Tezuka went. It's completely a code of honour thing. It would be disrespectful of either of them not to give their all.

bookshop March 16 2006, 16:14:09 UTC

Momo leaves too, to help Ryoma warm up. I guess the stress of the match is getting to him. <-- I love that Momo gets more and more perceptive as the series progresses; I think he's in his own way sensing that Ryoma wants the support, too. (I'm so in love with future captain!Momo. He comes so far and grows so much.)

Atobe was wrong about Tezuka. He thought Tezuka was calm, but now he can see Tezuka's passion. <-- He says something like "I thought you were more calm and manipulative" - which really always strikes me as odd. I always wonder where Atobe got that impression of Tezuka. Calm and methodical, absolutely, but I don't think there's anything manipulative about Tezuka at all. I think in some ways he's one of the shows most straightforward characters.

And wah, his passion is not evident from his expression. He looks so pained. :((

"Buchou!" Ryoma says. He's clearly shocked. No one can believe it.

:(( HIS VOICE when he says this.

Tezuka hits a zero-shiki, but it won't work properly and Atobe returns it. Then Tezuka's ( ... )

bookshop March 16 2006, 16:30:18 UTC

Hiyoshi = such an idiot. Every time I see this match Hiyoshi seems more and more incompetent to play against Ryoma, particularly in attitude, to the point where I'm like, 'how on earth could they think Hiyoshi, with this kind of attitude, would be a better captain than Shishido.' Shishido is all about the team spirit. Hiyoshi is even more self-absorbed than Atobe, and also, the fact that he's not even concentrating on the opening serve never fails to piss me off. Clearly I have pent-up issues from Ryoma's match. :))

but then Ryoma hits a right-handed Zero Shiki!...I really do think there's a bit of a challenge to Tezuka here.

Yes. I don't read this moment as a challenge to Tezuka but as an acceptance of Tezuka's challenge to him. If you have achiasa friended, she talks about this all the time, but just to recap what both she and I have said about this moment a million times: this is Ryoma sending a message straight to Tezuka: I'll become what you want me to be, and more - I will do what you can't do, I'll hit the shots you aren't ( ... )

prillalar March 16 2006, 16:58:53 UTC

how on earth could they think Hiyoshi, with this kind of attitude, would be a better captain than Shishido.

Do you mean Ohtori? Shishido is a third-year.

I think Hiyoshi is next in line because of his ability, not his leadership or attitude. Hyotei is so strongly merit-based. Doesn't it say in one of the fanbooks that they have no fukubuchou because there's no point in being number 2?

this is Ryoma sending a message straight to Tezuka: I'll become what you want me to be, and more - I will do what you can't do, I'll hit the shots you aren't able to hit.

That's a really good insight. This is where he accepts the role that Tezuka has asked him to take.

I don't think there's any recrimination in his voice (The Breathy Buchou Voice!) when he comes back and finds Tezuka still playing. Ryoma looks at Tezuka then and sees courage, not betrayal.I agree with that. I wonder, though, if he thinks about it later. At the time, there hardly seems room for thoughts, just gut feelings. I also wonder if it bothers Tezuka, if he feels guilt for not ( ... )

bookshop March 16 2006, 17:12:31 UTC

sadjf;lsd I totally meant Ohtori! I always do that! :)) I can never remember which of them is younger, I'm such a bad Silver Pair fan.

He may want that, but I fear he will be disappointed. Maybe that's the final lesson he will have to learn: all flesh is grass and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.Hahahahaha. Or else he will go pro and fall in love with Roger Federer, and Tezuka will be long forgotten. (though Tezuka's drop shots are unquestionably hotter ( ... )

Thread 23