To change or not to change…
What They Say:
Episode #17: “The Sick Two”
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
This episode poses the question, how much does the heart change in only five years? Sayu is beating herself up over her lingering feelings towards Kaname. She’s afraid to meet him again, as if she’s worried to confirm her old crush is still a crush. She knows the whole thing is ridiculous, she berates herself over it. That doesn’t stop her feelings though, and it makes for a hilarious slow-motion reunion scene.
Change needs to happen for this group if anyone is going to be happy. Kaname wonders about change as well, and pointedly asks Chisaki about how much she’s changed. Kaname never had a chance with her, and when he original sees her with Tsumugu he seems almost relieved. I love the part right after Kaname arrives to stay with them, where he watches the two not-lovers interact. Kaname has always been the perceptive one of the group, and you can almost hear the gears turning in his head. He notices what those two probably haven’t, that they’ve grown so close they can finish each other’s thoughts and complete each other’s actions. He also notices that Chisaki still gazing at Hikari longingly. I imagine that he’s not over his love for Chisaki either, but I’m not sure he’ll be able to just walk away from her.
So what’s it going to be? It’s easy to say who should end up with who, but making it happen is going to be tough to resolve in the remaining number of episodes. Unless there’s another time skip or something.
The love dilemma is put on hold towards the end of the episode to delve into the mystery of the sleeping, and still closed off, Shioshishio. I find the strange mix of science and fantasy in this series very compelling, and I wish they’d focus on it more. The resident scientist confirms that Miuna has an ena now, although maybe not as thick of one as the native residents of the sea. It’s enough of one to be included on a recon mission to attempt to reach the lost town beneath the waves. She joins Hikari and Kaname as they follow up on potential way to sneak back into the city.
I’m not sure exactly what they’re expecting to find beneath the waves. The words of that scientist ate coming back to haunt me, claiming some believed the sea towns didn’t exist anymore. Who knows exactly what sort of barrier or change was placed over the settlement to protect it from an ice age. The swim down to the ocean floor was ominous, the preview vague. Whatever the truth is, the wait for next week’s episode is going to be a long one.
In Summary:
The sick two indeed, lovesick and hopeless. Miuna and Sayu are well aware that their affections are an uphill battle and socially awkward. I think Sayu had the right idea, that she should eventually grow out of the crush, but with her now being the same age as Kaname that could be a long wait. Miuna is the most hopeless of all the characters, as she really doesn’t have a chance in the world with Hikari. Of course, neither does Kaname, but he seems the type to be able to move on. I’m dying to know what horror awaits the sea kiddos back in their hometown. Whatever is waiting for them down there, I have a feeling it’s just going to bring sadness.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment: 27” iMac running OS 10.8.4, via Safari 6.0.5, FIOS 15/5 Mbps connection. Your milage may vary.