[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Sure, and it's nice that Akiko leverages her innate ability to cut through Shotaro's bullshit by giving him a little tough love. She's the one who's like Your Partner Needs You, which is the key to walking Shotaro back from the edge. Always nice when the show utilizes Akiko as the third leg of Double!

That's why she's the chief!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 47 - ?THE REMAINING U - PHILIP?S CASE?

Like, what else could you do for a final W story than have Philip accept his imminent demise with grace and heroism, while Shotaro rages against both the cruelty of fate and the seeming-tranquility of Philip?s acceptance? A story where forming Double to save Wakana, Philip?s fondest wish, is the very thing that might kill Philip off for good? C?mon, that?s a hell of a hook for the last ride Shotaro may take with the devil.

It makes for a lovely middle section ? Shotaro screaming through the woods and Philip giving the supporting cast presents ? and an absolutely jaw-dropping cliffhanger, with an immolated Terui watching as Shotaro refuses to form Double alongside an anguished and helpless Philip. It?s the strength of their partnership turned in on itself, since Shotaro?s dedication to Philip means he can?t possibly help pull the trigger on Philip by henshining, even as Philip needs Shotaro?s help to save Wakana and avert an apocalypse. It?s an impossible choice, and a terrific cliffhanger.

I have to pity Shoutarou here. He's not merely being asked to have faith in his partner, he's being asked to let his partner sacrifice himself while feigning a smile to obscure his anticipatory grief. The stakes of henshining for Double are certainly much more severe and tragic than, say, memory loss or something. Not that anybody's really at fault in this either, I can feel that Phillip in his own socially reserved way is trying his best to make the process a little easier for Shoutarou, but of course it would never be that easy for him to let go and the sentimental atmosphere only makes it worse instead. Phillip's barely lived and spent most of his life fighting against his dysfunctional crime syndicate family, so it feels unfair that his time is nearly up already. I can't blame Shoutarou for hesitating to fulfill Phillip's last wish, as the pressure to keep the mood light discouraged him from talking honestly with Phillip about his feelings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Ah, the shot that launched a thousand expectations. We were all so excited at the time. Kamen Rider was going to go shared universe.

Clearly this is all Decade's fault.