[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 13 - “Q ON THE RADIO - PRINCESS UNDER FIRE”

Some of that, of course, is because of Wakana’s interactions with Shotaro and Philip. She completely doesn’t remember Shotaro from earlier in the season, which punctures his ego in exactly the right way. He basically immediately falls out of love with her, because he always needs to be seen as A Cool Guy – he even does his internal narration back to her as a pick-up line! (Also funny is that Wakana seems to have already forgotten that Akiko was her wacky maid a couple weeks back, and I think I love that script oversight -slash- genius narrative decision.) But Philip, that’s the interesting part. She respects Philip, and Philip consistently has her back. He never doubts the need to protect her from the Violence Dopant, and he never takes the bait of Shotaro’s badmouthing. Between Shotaro’s uncharacteristic ambivalence to saving a beautiful woman, and Philip’s uncharacteristic insistence on working this case, Wakana’s presence shakes up the W format in really entertaining ways.

Regarding Shotaro's tryhard (for here, casanova) stuff, by wanting to act like knight in shining armor for her, Wakana is viewed as just dainty damsel in distress by the protagonists. As usual though, Philip's just more respected than Shotaro in general, Wakana's just another one like Akiko before to admire Phillip for his intelligence here, and acts pleasant to him while touching his hand. This is just typical Kamen Rider stuff to mistreat the moral cast (typically main Riders, but also others), like Kagami in Kabuto before. Wakana treating people differently, with her being two-faced to anyone like Shotaro or her assistants, making exception for Philip, also got Philip fascinated with her to Phillip is even more enamoured with her, seeing her nature as mysterious and complex.

This is a fun shake of the cast and W format, but this is also something frequently happens in people that I disagree with (sorry not sorry this may ruin your entertainment source here though). I think it's sad fact that, in general, power and abilities are appreciated over virtue, as shown by the difference of the perception of Shotaro and Philip, as ability is cool. but subtlety is underrated. It's easier to get mad at peoples' obvious weakness than it is to stand up and defend them and the hidden strengths. And for Philip's fascination, if often happens where audiences being fascinated with scumbag characters that can show soft side on occassion, deeming them as "multi-faceted and complex", and, often that they seem to think it's the only right way to write characters, and harp on any characters that aren't like that, particularly the goody types, who, yes, often mocked for being not deep and nuanced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

And, like… a lot of it is the performances. Everyone’s doing their best work this episode, perfectly nailing exactly what the script requires of them: Wakana turns on a dime in most scenes, switching between Performative Innocence for dopey dudes and Petulant Menace for anyone stupid enough to get in her way; Kirihiko is always colossally out of his depth, while giving off an unearned air of superiority; Saeko is Just Trying To Help, but generally trying to ruin Wakana’s happiness for sport; Shotaro is crestfallen that a woman he didn’t know is different than he imagined, which is a perfect trait for a half-boiled detective; and Philip mixes his usual genius focus with a rare bit of pride in his results, since they seem to make Wakana happy. Everyone in this is great, to a startling degree – like, this is only the 13th episode! They should still be a little rough around the edges!

Wakana's entertainment business conflicts with Sonozaki family's goal, with them suggesting to give her a role in Gaia Memory distribution, but despite her troubles Wakana rejects them and denies it, causing a fight between her and Saeko in their Dopant form, showing Saeko's Taboo as being superior. Ryubee acts as he's helping Wakana, including breaking off those sister's fights problems, but she insists to take care of that. If Wakana seems disdainful of her entertainment business, I wonder what's the reason of keep doing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Ultra-lert!

The late Shion Nakamaru, who appears here as Wakana’s radio host rival had two major appearances as antagonists in the Ultra Series. Specifically, the ill-fated Riko Saida/Dark Faust in Ultraman Nexus and Alien Pedan Harlan in Ultra Galaxy: Mega Monster Battle.

Yeah, recently learned that Motoko's role is the same as Riko's. Despite having watched both shows, I didn't realize for this one, such huge difference between Shion's looks (hair length) and demeanor for these 2 roles.