[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER FOURZE EPISODE 38 - “AND THE WINNER IS…”





And that’s sort of this whole episode for me, you know? Heartfelt ideas I largely agree with, undercut at almost every turn by frustrating story decisions.

Like, I admire an episode that wants to position Yuuki’s role in a group as the one who never quits, the one who has the personal resolve to overcome any hardship, and the brightness of spirit to rally everyone around her to tackle the impossible together. I completely agree with that! I’m pretty sure I mentioned it in the write-up for last episode! But we’re also in an episode that can’t stop comedically depicting Yuuki as a psychologically-drained anchor, who loudly and repeatedly exclaims her inability to proceed in the contest, needing to literally be dragged along by her more able teammate. This is kind of attacking your core premise, Episode 38! You are not exactly fortifying anyone’s sunny appraisal of Yuuki’s theoretically indefatigable inner strength! You can do an episode where a hapless Yuuki is a wacky problem for the rest of the cast to smile and shake their head at, and you can do an episode where an underestimated Yuuki consistently summons her (alleged) natural charisma and sense of personal pride to push through the walls that would stop any sane person, but you sort of can’t do both in the same episode, often in alternating scenes.

And if that were the only problem, fine, whatever, I got other stuff in here to enjoy. Erin and Gentarou continued to be a charming couple, exhibiting enough chemistry to fuel an actual rocket. Erin’s arc in this one is a compelling exploration of how finding the best in someone can still not get you what you want, and Erin’s character-defining dedication and commitment gets a melancholy finale, pitting her allegiance to Gamou against her newfound supporter in a rain-soaked duel. It’s sad, and inevitable, and avoidable, and sweet, and beautifully shot. It’s Erin’s whole arc, concluding perfectly, after two episodes of growth and examination.

So, you know, OF COURSE they wipe her memory, making sure that we end this story with an Erin who doesn’t remember Yuuki and Gentarou, and presumably doesn’t remember her cathartic confrontation over her traumatic resentment of her father’s deferred dream, so she’s just bubbly and friendly, and fine with two random strangers saying they’re her friends who are going to support her no matter what. It feels pointless, relative to how hard Erin had to work to earn her defeat. It’s like some other character is the beneficiary of Erin’s personal growth, and it all feels kind of dumb; unworthy of the effort of most of the actors in this episode.

And then, and then, even if you disregard how Erin’s story collapses at the end, or how Yuuki’s story tells us one thing while showing us another, there’s just way too many narrative shortcuts and counterintuitive reveals, even for a toku franchise that is normally too fun to care about said details: Why are half the KRC invited along for the final test alongside three of the judges? Wouldn’t it be considered cheating for Gentarou and Ryuusei to turn up with four competitors? Isn’t a test where you tell two competitors to sabotage their teams’ efforts in secret not really about how to overcome unexpected problems on a space mission, and more about how to deal with sabotage from your crewmates? Did none of these kids bring an umbrella to the rain-soaked duel? (The last one… it was just a snowstorm! Don’t make these kids stand around soaked for hours in the cold! That’s how you get sick!)

Again, man, I want to like this episode! I think Gen’s right about Yuuki based on a half-dozen previous stories, but basically none of that is in this one. I love what Erin and Gentarou bring out of each other, but then she gets mindwiped and that version of her character no longer exists. I like getting to have the KRC integrated into this episode’s final act, but there’s no logical reason for any of them to be allowed to be there. (Yuuta doesn’t express any surprise at running into Ryuusei halfway up a mountain in the middle of a timed test!) This one… man, it just doesn’t work. No thanks!



PROGRAMMING NOTE: The next few days are going to be full up for me, with the C2E2 convention being in town, and the steadily-suffocating social and business commitments that go along with it. Don’t expect a new post Friday or Saturday; I’m going to try for Sunday night, but no guarantees. I hope you all make new friends in the meantime, and I hope they’re allowed to keep their memories after you do!