[DreadBringer]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 4 - ?DON?T TOUCH THE M: BETTING ON JOKER?

It?s a theme in this episode, but maybe oppressively so. It?s there in Philip?s memories, in Shotaro?s role as his big brother, in the Narumi Detective Agency as a found family, in Yuuko?s backstory, in the Sonozaki subplot? it?s 100% what this episode is about, so it?s not like I?m mad at its inability to elucidate or adhere to a theme. FAMILY! That?s the whole thing! I just wish that it felt like we were getting more than just A Bunch Of Family Stuff.

Philip's trouble is that he's amnesiac, as when he searches for family later in Gaia Library, the book's pages are torn out, which is the reason that the word family traumatizes him. Shotaro tolerates him, and supports him which Phillip suspects as him following Sokichi Narumi, the name of their Chief and Akiko's father. Kaga also attempts to use the word family to his advantage again, but now it's Phillip's turn to reaffirm the main character's bonds, with him taking Shotaro and Akiko as his family for now, thus it no longer worked on him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

The Sonozaki/Museum stuff? it?s definitely there. It?s a plot that moves at a breakneck pace, but without really intersecting with this episode?s mystery at all, in any way. (At least last episode we got Kirihiko saving the Money Dopant.) It?s just here to flesh out the Dopant side of their group, and that?s all. We get to see Wakana?s Dopant form in action, Nazca gets a full reveal (as opposed to, uh, Kirihiko?s earlier ?full reveal?) and a glimpse of the rest of the family?s Dopant forms in a cool/nightmarish wedding photo. Beyond racing through the wedding of Saeko and Kirihiko, there?s nothing in all of these scenes that narratively assists the mystery plot in this episode. It?s just, like, another thing that?s happening in Fuuto. While it?s nominally on the topic of Family, spoiler ? a subplot featuring a family is sort of always on the topic of Family.

The head of Sonozaki family, Ryubee, reveals his aim that he feels Sonozaki family is destined to be mankind's rulers, and thus on the way of Kirihiko and Saeko's marriage, Kirihiko had to master Nazca memory first, and he's pitted against Wakana, who can henshin into Claydoll Dopant, and continues her contempt against haughty men to fight Kirihiko. Progression is that Kirihiko succeeds to meet Ryubee's expectations and he marries Saeko.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

The mystery plot fares significantly better, as it?s both a tense battle to defeat the Money Dopant through either high-level mathematics or bluffing through use of the worse gambling partner, and also a fun exploration of Shotaro and Philip?s unsteady dynamic.

Phillip is the one held in highest regard among the cast, and he lives up to the claim, comprehends how roulette work, impressing Money Dopant too for his confidence, and searches for keywords related to roulette in the Gaia Library. Shotaro and Philip arrives at Million Colosseo, to take the Life Coins, which the story uses 'settling things with tabletop game' resolution against Kaga. Philip lives up to the hype, winning most of the lottery and the Life Coins by predicting the result of the roulette, but the trauma hits Philip back with Kaga discussing about family, gaining himself upper hand as Philip can no longer focus, on the verge of being turned into another Life Coins victim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

The bit that really landed with me is a two-part thing, apropos to Double. The earlier part is Shotaro trying to connect with Philip?s sense of frustration by quoting something Sokichi once said. It bounces right off of Philip, because he never knew Sokichi, and Shotaro?s invocation of his memory isn?t dealing with Philip?s current struggle. Philip feels an absence, and Shotaro?s like Let Me Talk Like My Work Dad. But later, when they?re at the Million Colosseo, Shotaro speaks from the heart and tells Philip that yeah, he?s following in Sokichi?s footsteps, but the result is him dedicating himself to protecting Philip. It takes what was previously a tossed-off detective cosplay and turns it into something personal and heartfelt. There's warmth and vulnerability where there used to be performative manliness, and it's Shotaro once again missing what makes him effective in pursuit of someone else's personality. It's always fun to watch that play out.

Yes it's also revealed that Shotaro's tryhard of being hardboiled is emulating Sokichi, as Sokichi demonstrates being an ideal detective to him, but being hardboiled involves supporting one another in Sokichi's eyes as well. Shotaro also does that in non-behavior related like the retro fashion sense like his fedora hat, as well as using old-fashioned tools like his typewriter.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

DIE-A MEMORIES

-Akiko running down Shotaro is like oxygen for me now, but I?m glad that Yuuko?s able to realize that Akiko is pretty awful at every aspect of her job. I like when there?s parity!

It's endearing act to stand up against the client, but a reckless one to blow her cover again... after Shotaro is being forced to acknowledge her usefulness right before. Standing up for clients here is something she inherits from her dad. Despite the bickering, the bond of the main characters seem to be reaffirmed here that, Akiko knows full well about the danger of her confronting a Dopant here, that if he does anything to her, then she puts her faith into Shotaro and Philip that they'll pay her back. Although she hypocritically mocks Shotaro as useless after her reckless act although brave, while praises Philip as super genius. She stands up for him though when Philip doesn't have a faith on him against Kaga, Philip got hit by her slipper as Shotaro's doing that to save him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

-I had a vague feeling that the Money Dopant was cheating at the casino, but I?m glad I misremembered that! This whole story avoids a lot of easy outs, and I appreciate that. Yuuko just sort of goes Money Crazy; she isn?t being warped by the Money Dopant or anything. Also, everyone knows a monster runs the casino, and everyone?s too greedy to care. I love that touch!

The advantage of the Rider being 2-in-1 is played well here to win, as when Shotaro wears the belt, even before they henshin into W, their consciousness is linked, therefore Philip can secretly participate too within Shotaro's body, Philip's intellect is still utilized to win the game. This sequence, personally reminds me of JoJo Part 3, for both D'Arbys with the resolution being gambling against predictive player who absorbs the losers in coins (Daniel) and it being won by the partner secretly participating (Telence).