Where I watch Revolutionary Girl Utena, Episode 33

[cypsiman2]

What I found interesting was the way the scenes with Utena and Anthy were framed, how they started off one-sided, but then at the end you get to see who it is they're talking to...not that it was hard to figure out that it was Akio in both cases, and he managed to charm Utena right into his bed, with a little help from Anthy's roses. And of course, Anthy's glasses are shining, preventing us from seeing how she really feels about all this, how she feels about her brother and about Utena in all of this.

Hopefully though, the time will come when at least a few questions will be answered; by all appearances, next episode is going to answer one hell of a doozy of a question, the nature and identity of Utena's prince! NO SPOILERS!

Comments

[oneplusme.livejournal.com]

It was only towards the end of this episode the first time I saw it that I finally twigged as to what was actually happening, which was a huge "holy god, did they just do that?" moment. Deviously clever use of a recap episode, that...

It's also interesting how much memory is clearly a theme in this one - Utena is clearly very worried that there are things she's forgetting. Anthy's comment - "I didn't want to look at the real stars" - is somehow utterly painful.

Oh, and the Shadow Play Girls' quiz questions are just wonderful. ("Which of the following is eternal?" "Canned peaches." :)

All I will say about the next episode: watch it after dark if you can (this applies to most of the rest of the series, frankly - then again, when I first got to this point I ended up staying up 'til 3am to see the end because I couldn't stand the suspense). As with many, many films, it's just so much more atmospheric that way.

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

Yep, you can be pretty sure that the moral guardians will be asleep at the watch when it comes to the recaps! XD

Heh, with all the talk about stargazing, I couldn't help but be all, 'you all live in the city, you can't see the damn stars anyway!' :P

Would it still work if I just drew the shades and turned off the lights?

[oneplusme.livejournal.com]

With a penistower that tall, he probably can... Besides, he's got a planetarium projector, so he's not looking at the real ones in any case.

As to closing the curtains, well, it's more a psychological thing than a screen contrast issue. There's something about being alone at night that I find utterly alters my outlook on what I'm watching (and not just for horror films, which Utena clearly is not). It may well just be me. :)

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

True, but they were talking as though looking at the actual stars was an option. Just amused me, is all.