[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 32 - “LOSING THE PLACE YOU BELONG, THE QUEEN’S PRIDE”



Sakura and Aguilera! Hard to go wrong with that pairing at the heart of an episode.

Beyond the terrific chemistry the two actors have together, I like how this story is delving into a major theme of the show, which is how we need to be vulnerable as people; how we need to be honest and open with the people around us if we ever want to feel happy and fulfilled. The various Demons – Kagerou, Vice, Lovekov – are all expressions of the things inside our cast that they’d prefer not to deal with. Those parts, eventually, need to be brought into the light and treated with care and responsibility, or the characters are destined to live frustrating and unfulfilled lives.

So, hey, here’s Aguilera, desperately trying to live the life that she had before, even though it maybe was never worth living in the first place, but it’s all she’s ever known. She wants a final glorious battle with Sakura, because that would make everything in her life feel directed, warranted. The Queen Bee who’s defeated by a Kamen Rider is a fittingly tragic end for a regal monarch of evil; the girl who’s cast out from power and left to eke out a meager existence bereft of purpose or station is a humiliating finale.

It’s not a story that completely comes together here, though. Much like the last two-parter, Aguilera’s motivations and goals are kept irritatingly opaque, with only the arguably-accurate Tamaki to sketch in why Aguilera keeps randomly picking fights with a sympathetic Sakura. The idea that Aguilera is clinging to her tattered reputation makes sense, but there’s a specific outcome she’s after that is left just out of reach for the viewer. I mean, it’s a two-parter, we’ll get there, but it makes some of the fighting a little less impactful, emotionally.

Sakura’s side of things is given a little more spotlight, though, and that’s nice and clear. She wants to do right by Aguilera, but she’s imposing her own values and hopes, rather than trying to understand Aguilera’s specific dilemma. Like, offering Aguilera a gig scrubbing tubs alongside Tamaki?! TERRIBLE. INSULTING. That’s the wrong solution for a girl who was raised to believe she had a destiny, and now has nothing but scorn and pity. Sakura’s refusing to be vulnerable enough to let Aguilera lean on her, and even Lovekov knows that things are headed in the wrong direction.

Speaking of wrong directions! Oh boy, all of that Fenix stuff.

Akaishi is maybe my least-favorite Kamen Rider villain in recent memory. He’s so corny! He’s cackling maniacally in front of his troops, and everyone’s just like What Can You Do, back to work. It makes Akemi, George, and Daiji all look like helpless chumps (George acts like he’s nailed to his chair for this episode), and I’m not clear on why this dude gets to treat Fenix like his own personal Deadmans. It’s a very weird choice, writing and performing Akaishi in this way, and I’m not a fan.

Rest of this one worked okay for me, though. I’m looking forward to some clarity on Aguilera’s mindset in the conclusion of this two-parter, but I thought the kick-off installment was solid enough. Excited to see these two kids work out their problems!