Golden Time Episode 13 | TFP Review
Hitsugi Amachi: I was not all that happy with this episode. First of all, we have clear indications without any dilly-dallying that Linda had strong feelings for Banri, feelings that were obviously hard to suppress. It’s very likely that she’s hurting quite a bit inside having to interact with Banri, all the time remembering her loss. And she feels guilty as well, for not meeting him on time and thus being in an indirect way responsible for the accident.
Second, now it’s pretty clear that the ghost debate can be ended, because we now see the ghost affecting the weather and causing havoc in Banri’s life. It’s bad enough that the introduction of a supernatural element was handled so clumsily in the early part of the show, but now he’s a vengeful ghost?
*le sigh*
At the moment, the show just fell off a cliff for me. The silly antics involving Koko didn’t do anything to rescue this move towards needless misery. And that’s what going on here. It seems that Yuyuko Takemiya cannot write a love story without someone having to suffer miserably. In Toradora, I won’t name names just in case someone reading this hasn’t seen the show/read the novels, but there is a love triangle and it’s not just a matter of two forming a couple and the third drifting off, it’s two forming a couple and the other being heartbroken and miserable about it. We seem to be headed in the same direction here, except it’s worse: there’s the prospect of both girls being left absolutely miserable, in addition to the guy.
I’m sorry, but I don’t find people being subjected to anger, longing, jealousy, and misery to be entertaining.
So, this show has entered the potential drop zone for me.
Sensuifu: …Still not buying these Ghost-Banri shenanigans…I’m chalking these coincidental events as karmic retribution on Banri’s idiotic indecisiveness. That voice he heard at the end? That’s all in his head…typical symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. So yeah, Banri may actually be suffering from multiple personality disorder/schizoaffective disorder. It’s unfortunate the victims in his circumstance happen to be himself, Koko, and Linda, who both also suffer from their own dysfunctions.
Hitsugi Amachi: An interesting hypothesis and one that I hope is true. The problem is that the author keeps on bringing this stupid ghost back into frame. Having it appear once and then seemingly have it reintegrated into Banri the living person would have wrapped up things nicely. But trotting it out again and giving it a narrative voice and a seemingly active role in affairs? I’m not saying your theory about karmic retribution is wrong. I’m just wondering why we’re going through this crap again. Can’t the author just settle the damn matter already?
sonic: I think the drama was a bit much this time. Banri’s ghost went from having little effect on things to suddenly being able to affect his surroundings? I wonder how much of the issues current Banri and Kouko experienced this episode were part of the ghost’s vengeful plotting? I thought it was both interesting and ironic Linda told Kouko her having to pee is a “phantom urge.” The sudden rain, the punch at the elevator, and the blindfold slipping off may all have been orchestrated by the ghost as part of his revenge; and this is just the beginning. The end of the episode seems to indicate ghost Banri has more plans to mess with current Banri. I feel like the Ghost Busters need to be called in to save Banri after this episode.
The 3-D CG character models mixed with the animation during the parade scene was also off-putting. The new OP is not as nice as the old one either; the new END is decent though. Overall, a let down from what I’ve been expecting from the series. I plan to keep watching, and hope things don’t devolve into a School Days ending.
Sensuifu: As for the episode…seems like more of the same ‘ol stuff. Nothing really new other than the OP/ED. I’ll continue to follow since my tolerance level for this show is just enough to keep me interested. Oddly enough, Sekatsuyo seems to be progressing with its story better than the runaround in GT. No, really. Despite the retarded wrestling scenes, the series is at least showing more effort in advancing its plot. Golden Time seems to be stagnant right now, though I’m hoping it doesn’t continue to wallow in Banri’s unceasing angst to the end. Though as of now, that’s probably asking too much.
Hitsugi Amachi: That this show can be unfavorably compared to the pile of crap that “that wrestling show” is, is an amazing thing 
While there is much of a sameness going on, what is missing is the counterweight of Koko material to even the scale. The whole “air yakisobu” thing was just not that funny. But it brings to light just how much she would be hurt if Banri’s old feelings were to take over and Linda were willing to reciprocate, as she’s not impossibly still under the spell of her feelings from before. Sadly, they’ve already set up A Time of Trials, since Koko is going to be going off on her family’s vacation while Banri will be staying in his apartment… Where Linda has visited Banri before… And there’s no club activities until the new term starts…
Could it be any more obviously foreshadowed? I think not.
