[DreamSword]

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Originally Posted by JusticeMagnum

Yeah that's pretty much how I interpreted it too. Throwing away his identity as Baku and fully embracing Seven is clearly the wrong choice and is going blow up in his face eventually, but from Baku's perspective atm this is 100% correct decision. So I saw the OP playing from Baku's perspective of this being the best possible outcome and none of the tragedies that have come from his indecision as Baku will happen again if he's just Seven all the time, Like for Baku this IS triumphant (even if in reality it really isn't).

I don't think Baku does see it as the absolute best outcome though, atleast not in an emotional sense. In terms of dealing with the immediate threat to the world, yes, but in terms of his own self image and beliefs, absolutely not. The scene where Nem points out that Baku is crying despite what he says essentially confirms it.

[Mesnick]

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

I also didn't like NOX "dying" here, as unless they pull some sort of bait-and-switch with someone else getting the NOX Driver, it's pretty obvious that he's gonna return someway, somehow

I'm almost certain it was a substitution. Most spy stories have a moment where someone fakes their own death.

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Originally Posted by Frontier

At this point NOX is as "dead" as Lords 5 and 6 are.

My bet is on a conspiracy of this three. Five tried too hard to portray themselves as maximally loyal to the CODE. That is, calling themselves a watchdog... Maybe it's a cultural context, but he could have chosen a more pleasant comparison.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JusticeMagnum

Yeah that's pretty much how I interpreted it too. Throwing away his identity as Baku and fully embracing Seven is clearly the wrong choice and is going blow up in his face eventually, but from Baku's perspective atm this is 100% correct decision. So I saw the OP playing from Baku's perspective of this being the best possible outcome and none of the tragedies that have come from his indecision as Baku will happen again if he's just Seven all the time, Like for Baku this IS triumphant (even if in reality it really isn't).

I think Zeztz's next (final?) form will be able to create as well as destroy (hello, Geats Nine). And Baku himself will eventually become something between himself and Seven. Something like Reiji from brother's show.

[Frontier]

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

Finally, I want to add that Fujimi's hypocrisy irritates me. He's outraged (and not for the first time) by Nasuk and Minami's concern for their loved ones and their desire to interfere. And I wouldn't have a problem with his position if he hadn't acted exactly the same way toward Odaka. In other words, Fujimi forbids others from doing what he does himself. Someone should at least point this out to him.
Overall, the story is developing, and secrets are gradually being revealed. And it seems we'll soon discover that reality can be far more terrifying than any nightmare.

I think that was kind of conveyed when Fujimi yelled at Baku over why he didn't help 5 and 6 and he told them about the plan to kill Odaka, which shut Fujimi up.

[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by Frontier

The most surreal visual of 3 trying to punch Baku awake only to then witness Fujimi attempting to sneak into Baku's room like always.

Which Fujimi and Nasuka don't even need to do anymore, since Minami knows their office is in Baku's closet.

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Originally Posted by Frontier

The Catastrophe Nightmare might be why Baku was always injured by something whenever he tried to do good? Like acting opposed to what his Nightmare represented? Though now the Lady has Minami under her thrall, so that's not going to end well.

A force of destruction acting against his true nature.... Yep, that's a Kamen Rider.

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Originally Posted by GuardianAngel87

Just finished tonight's episode and I freaking called it about The Lady being Nem's mom.

Congrats!

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

The show is pretty much right on the edge right now where I've seen it do so much interesting stuff that I thought worked great, that even if the whole back half were to somehow squander this momentum in my eyes, I'd probably forgive it?

Take care you don't jinx it, we need Takahashi to stick the landing for once!

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Originally Posted by Frontier

I think the intention was that Baku was committing so hard to being the "cool superspy" agent in the "real world" that even the OP came with him. It was meant to look as cool and awesome to contrast how terrible it is that Baku has given up his normal identity. This is what he's sacrificed himself to become.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JusticeMagnum

Yeah that's pretty much how I interpreted it too. Throwing away his identity as Baku and fully embracing Seven is clearly the wrong choice and is going blow up in his face eventually, but from Baku's perspective atm this is 100% correct decision. So I saw the OP playing from Baku's perspective of this being the best possible outcome and none of the tragedies that have come from his indecision as Baku will happen again if he's just Seven all the time, Like for Baku this IS triumphant (even if in reality it really isn't).

I agree with your takes as well. Like, I can totally understand how it might be a controversial decision for some. Baku Nightmares himself and then the next scene with Visions is all like, "Hey guys, Seven's here in the real world, look how awesome he is!" And if you don't buy in to the feeling of power that Seven represents, then that tonal jump won't work. Even in the OP, the lyrics start with Baku waking up, like it's his alarm clock, motivating him to truly live in the zone, harmonize and dare to be the GOAT. Now his heart's trapped in the dark and whether that's good or bad luck is up in the air. It's way too appropriate to not play for this scene!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

I wonder if the context will make the Catastrom a form of berserker? Most likely, considering that Birning Agito is also considered a berserker. However, I think it's clear that it's not a matter of Baku's loss of control, but rather his conscious decision. The realization that the consequences of inaction can sometimes be even more dire than those of bad deeds was a very painful blow for a man guilty of inaction for most of his life. And Lady suggests that the cause of Baku's curse isn't external, but within himself.

Catastrom is the combination of the 4 disciplines of dream manipulation, existing in a chaotic state, a reflection of the user's mind. So maybe Orderm will be unlocked when Zeztz brings all those parts of his existence in to harmony. Order and chaos are basically just the same things in different arrangements after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

I think Zeztz's next (final?) form will be able to create as well as destroy (hello, Geats Nine). And Baku himself will eventually become something between himself and Seven. Something like Reiji from brother's show.

The Seven we all know and love from the dreams is kind of like that already. A competent professional agent who doesn't ask too many unnecessary questions, but will still follow his, Baku's, morals. The Seven in the real world is like "CODE's Seven", removed from the heroic ideal Seven that Baku believes in.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

I don't think Baku does see it as the absolute best outcome though, atleast not in an emotional sense. In terms of dealing with the immediate threat to the world, yes, but in terms of his own self image and beliefs, absolutely not. The scene where Nem points out that Baku is crying despite what he says essentially confirms it.

That part of Baku that mourns for his enemy has been sealed. Specifically, everything after the bad dream is from Seven's perspective.

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Originally Posted by Frontier

I think that was kind of conveyed when Fujimi yelled at Baku over why he didn't help 5 and 6 and he told them about the plan to kill Odaka, which shut Fujimi up.

Fujimi didn't get mad at Baku for killing Nox either, so it seems like he's accepted that Nox had brought the tragedy upon himself by killing CODE agents. It's a rational conclusion that Baku would've been next, so he acted in self-defence.

[Mesnick]

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

The Seven we all know and love from the dreams is kind of like that already. A competent professional agent who doesn't ask too many unnecessary questions, but will still follow his, Baku's, morals.

Yes, the parallels between Toei's two ongoing shows are very interesting and amusing. Baku dreams of being who Reiji is, while Reiji pretends to be who Baku is. Or, rather, who he was until recently.

[ThirstMcGurst]

I generally enjoyed this episode, and I'm mad at myself for not calling out Nem possibly being the Lady's daughter. And it makes sense, because how does Nem jump between so many people's dreams? I was definitely getting Eleven (Stranger Things) from this interaction.

Speaking of Stranger Things, a secret organization taking on supernatural threats is not too surprising. But finding out it's not just Nightmares, but other supernatural and alien threats as well was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

I'm almost certain it was a substitution. Most spy stories have a moment where someone fakes their own death.

My bet is on a conspiracy of this three. Five tried too hard to portray themselves as maximally loyal to the CODE. That is, calling themselves a watchdog... Maybe it's a cultural context, but he could have chosen a more pleasant comparison.

I'm still leaning towards this myself.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirstMcGurst

Speaking of Stranger Things, a secret organization taking on supernatural threats is not too surprising. But finding out it's not just Nightmares, but other supernatural and alien threats as well was.

I'm still leaning towards this myself.

Yes, it seems Baku, his fights, and the whole war with the Nightmares are only a small (albeit very important) part of CODE's activities. Let's see what secrets unfold next.