Last Friends

deseipher wrote:Just got watched Episode 5, and I liked what I saw for the most part...

Spoiler — click to reveal

Sousuke, please, that knife you're holding? Use it as much as you can cutting up yourself, if you ever work up the guts to do so. It's not because you're a bad person doing bad things really. You're still just a viillain because this drama needs one. While we get more explaination from Michiru as to why she keeps going back to you, we still haven't figured out exactly what's wrong with you.

Well, at least Michiru is trying, even if she still goes back to Sousuke and lies to Ruka about it. She did come back to the sharehouse after work, and went to cheer on Ruka during the race, so it's nice to see some effort, even if it appears that she does revert back towards the end of the episode.

I wished they hadn't shown Eri kissing Takeru during the preview for this episode, because it would've been a nice surprise, seeing as Eri hardly gets any significant events. The problem is that after the kiss, we still don't know what it is that bothers Eri, other than she's probably feeling lonely and not too confident about herself. Give Asami-chan some screen time!

Just finished Episode 5 with the subs this time... And I'm pretty much in agreement with you here...

Spoiler — click to reveal

Yow, the relationship pot o' stew we've got going on here is most complex: Takeru all but admits he's gay after Eri's advances, yet he's both excited and crushed to hear that Ruka likes someone... But I'm liking it.

On the other hand, the Michiru-Sosuke melodrama had just about hit rock bottom: I suppose it's fresh and new to Japanese audiences, but to us folks in the States, it's a stale, tired story.

It'd be better if Mr. Ginsu knife just stuffed his head into the garbage disposal and turned it on and let the other relationships play themselves out for the remaining seven episodes.

bmwracer wrote:
Just finished Episode 5 with the subs this time... And I'm pretty much in agreement with you here...

Spoiler — click to reveal

Yow, the relationship pot o' stew we've got going on here is most complex: Takeru all but admits he's gay after Eri's advances, yet he's both excited and crushed to hear that Ruka likes someone... But I'm liking it.

On the other hand, the Michiru-Sosuke melodrama had just about hit rock bottom: I suppose it's fresh and new to Japanese audiences, but to us folks in the States, it's a stale, tired story.

It'd be better if Mr. Ginsu knife just stuffed his head into the garbage disposal and turned it on and let the other relationships play themselves out for the remaining seven episodes.

Spoiler — click to reveal

Actually, in regards to the Michiru-Sousuke relationship, you bring up something that I never really thought of before. I think you're right in that the relationship between the two is something new to Japanese audiences, but that makes me worry as well.

Looking back at how Sousuke's been acting with what you've brought up, I get the feeling that the writers of this show are simply just upping the ante bit by bit. The first episode was shocking enough, but lately we've gotten a rape scene and Rain Man/Jason/Mr. Ginsu Knife apparently ready to kill himself, leaving me to assume the writers will keep upping the ante.

So far it's just been Sousuke hurting Michiru, but I'm thinking the writers will probably expand Sousuke's abuse to Ruka and Takeru, probably ending in a Ruka/Takeru vs. Sousuke showdown where one of them dies, as mentioned in the beginning of the show. We know that Sousuke thinks that Ruka is the one trying to tear the two apart, but he has met Takeru as well. Takeru has been a confidant to Michiru, allowing her to talk freely about what's really going on. Along with Ruka's suggestion that Michiru should be seeing a guy like Takeru, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a scene with Takeru and Michiru hanging together and Sousuke spots the two. Combine that with Michiru's efforts to separate from him, no matter feeble those efforts may seem right now, Sousuke will eventually get angry and frustrated to the point where he feels taking out Ruka and Takeru will leave Michiru with no one else to turn to but him.

It's just my personal speculation obviously, but again given what you mentioned 'Racer, I think what we've seen with the Michiru-Sousuke relationship will continue on as the writers try to go for the shock value. I wouldn't be surprise if all the background story on Sousuke comes out in just one of the later episodes. I think the build-up will end with something happening to Sousuke, then we get flooded with his past to add on to the climax in some lame attempt to get viewers to sympathize with him. Well, it'd make for an easy tears-inducing scene I suppose for all the melodrama lovers out there.

Having said all that, I wonder if I should be as harsh on my criticisms about the Michiru-Sousuke relationship, considering this drama is catered towards Japanese audiences after all. That's a whole different perspective and set of expectations to consider. I doubt I'll change my take, but I think I have a better idea of what to expect now.

deseipher wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Having said all that, I wonder if I should be as harsh on my criticisms about the Michiru-Sousuke relationship, considering this drama is catered towards Japanese audiences after all. That's a whole different perspective and set of expectations to consider. I doubt I'll change my take, but I think I have a better idea of what to expect now.

Excellent post, btw. First, I feel that we should have the right and incentive to be critical of anything. Even if the original audience isn't us, we are the consumers here and should rate it according to our standards, not someone else's.

I think that it's informative to look to the target audience for how and why it was created (something I am definitely not qualified to do, having not been socialized or ever enculturated into Japanese social norms and popular culture understanding - I only get a little piece from media/visual culture). Doing so can help us evaluate the framework under which it was created and help identify the norms and expectations it may challenge, even if it can't merit a comprehensive understanding of the questions and challenges it may raise in Japanese culture. We can at least get a starting point for understanding popular reaction (both our own and theirs (again.. what little we know)).

That being said, I honestly don't think it's necessarily something terribly new or different. Even if people don't see these relationships or social problems in popular media in Japan (I'm not sure I've even seen mainstream american media delve into some of these issues - you have to look to independant films or public television shows), most people are at least familiar with the ideas.

An understanding of transgender individuals has only recently become part of the popular discourse. Gender identity, while probably a little more mature a discussion in the United States, is still a pretty new discussion on the cultural level, even if far more familiar on the personal level. Domestic violence and PTSD (I'll make an argument for Takeru here) are pretty widely portrayed and probably have been for the last 15-20 years now.

These are culturally relevant issues and it's good to see a mainstream show exploring them, even if they are being portrayed in a somewhat clunky manner that occasionally elicits a cringe or a sigh. :bonk:

deseipher wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Actually, in regards to the Michiru-Sousuke relationship, you bring up something that I never really thought of before. I think you're right in that the relationship between the two is something new to Japanese audiences, but that makes me worry as well.

Looking back at how Sousuke's been acting with what you've brought up, I get the feeling that the writers of this show are simply just upping the ante bit by bit. The first episode was shocking enough, but lately we've gotten a rape scene and Rain Man/Jason/Mr. Ginsu Knife apparently ready to kill himself, leaving me to assume the writers will keep upping the ante.

Spoiler — click to reveal

Quite possible. The term "stalker" has been used in many a drama, I believe, but more jokingly... This portrayal is definitely an eye-opener to those who are naive to the seriousness of stalking.

Spoiler — click to reveal

So far it's just been Sousuke hurting Michiru, but I'm thinking the writers will probably expand Sousuke's abuse to Ruka and Takeru, probably ending in a Ruka/Takeru vs. Sousuke showdown where one of them dies, as mentioned in the beginning of the show. We know that Sousuke thinks that Ruka is the one trying to tear the two apart, but he has met Takeru as well. Takeru has been a confidant to Michiru, allowing her to talk freely about what's really going on. Along with Ruka's suggestion that Michiru should be seeing a guy like Takeru, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a scene with Takeru and Michiru hanging together and Sousuke spots the two. Combine that with Michiru's efforts to separate from him, no matter feeble those efforts may seem right now, Sousuke will eventually get angry and frustrated to the point where he feels taking out Ruka and Takeru will leave Michiru with no one else to turn to but him.

Spoiler — click to reveal

It's more than obvious that things will come to a head... I just hope it doesn't happen in the last or next to last episode: I'd rather see it happen soon and have all the remaining characters deal and cope with the ramifications instead of having things tied up neatly with a bow in five or ten minutes.

Spoiler — click to reveal

It's just my personal speculation obviously, but again given what you mentioned 'Racer, I think what we've seen with the Michiru-Sousuke relationship will continue on as the writers try to go for the shock value. I wouldn't be surprise if all the background story on Sousuke comes out in just one of the later episodes. I think the build-up will end with something happening to Sousuke, then we get flooded with his past to add on to the climax in some lame attempt to get viewers to sympathize with him. Well, it'd make for an easy tears-inducing scene I suppose for all the melodrama lovers out there.

Spoiler — click to reveal

I hope that's not the case... I won't watch that episode or that portion of it.. Any attempt to try to justify his actions is as you say: lame.

Candy-coating Sosuke's behavior to make him sympathetic would demean those who actually have been victims of domestic violence...

Having said all that, I wonder if I should be as harsh on my criticisms about the Michiru-Sousuke relationship, considering this drama is catered towards Japanese audiences after all. That's a whole different perspective and set of expectations to consider. I doubt I'll change my take, but I think I have a better idea of what to expect now.

I agree with phlargo's take: it's out there for public consumption, so we're allowed to apply our cultural POV to the drama...

There's no wrong or right to it and opening channels of discussion on the various subjects isn't a bad thing.
:victory:

BIG SPOILER:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Ruka grows out her hair just before kicking Sosuke's ass: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/bmwracer/warau/wm_041.jpg

:beaten:

[quote="bmwracer"]

Spoiler — click to reveal

Quite possible. The term "stalker" has been used in many a drama, I believe, but more jokingly... This portrayal is definitely an eye-opener to those who are naive to the seriousness of stalking.

[quote]

I didn't figure out the use of the spoiler tags on this one (as it's a general discussion, not a plot point or episode analysis), but I'll play along:

I'm astonished that this weekend, arguably every drama I saw involves

Spoiler — click to reveal

stalking

In Rainbow Song it was very integral the plot and was used in a much more positive light to develop the relationship between two new characters. In Odoru Daisousasen, the police chief wasn't even familiar with the term and couldn't understand how it was a crime (indicating that it is a relatively newly classified behavior). And Sousuke's behavior in Last Friends (really previous episodes more) was the kind of obsessive, omnipresent, invasive behavior that those individuals engage in.

I know these all come from different times but what an amazing paralel to be exposed to in three straight dramas. A motif, if you will. (it has now reached official word of the day status)

I have a suspicion it happens more in Japan than we see here. However, I think it's on the rise as traditional social outlets (comfortable face-to-face conversation... <cough>)seem to be drying up.

Time for work :)

bmwracer wrote:BIG SPOILER:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Ruka grows out her hair just before kicking Sosuke's ass: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/bmwracer/warau/wm_041.jpg

:beaten:

Mou! Why can't we access this site in school :puppydog: I will have to wait till later to be able to see it. BUT if it is what I think it is, than this thought makes me very happy.

Anyways...

Spoiler — click to reveal

Have you noticed how in episode four Ruka said that "if it is Takeru it is fine" for him to touch her. What a difference in the episode five. I still wonder what is the significance of it.

bmwracer wrote:BIG SPOILER:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Ruka grows out her hair just before kicking Sosuke's ass: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/bmwracer/warau/wm_041.jpg

:beaten:

she look pretty mad
go girl go

:beaten: looks like it going to be bad

bmwracer wrote:
I agree with phlargo's take: it's out there for public consumption, so we're allowed to apply our cultural POV to the drama...

There's no wrong or right to it and opening channels of discussion on the various subjects isn't a bad thing.
:victory:

understandable and i also agree

Spoiler — click to reveal

Candy-coating Sosuke's behavior to make him sympathetic would demean those who actually have been victims of domestic violence...

Spoiler — click to reveal

exactly in whic many people ould be high vex
i think would be down right worng too.

Iatheia wrote:Mou! Why can't we access this site in school :puppydog: I will have to wait till later to be able to see it. BUT if it is what I think it is, than this thought makes me very happy.

I just found the pic in my archives... Wishful thinking just to lighten things up a bit. :)

Anyways...

Spoiler — click to reveal

Have you noticed how in episode four Ruka said that "if it is Takeru it is fine" for him to touch her. What a difference in the episode five. I still wonder what is the significance of it.

Spoiler — click to reveal

Yeah, it was a total 180... But so were her emotions at those times: sad in Episode 4 and pissed in Episode 5...

bmwracer wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

Yeah, it was a total 180... But so were her emotions at those times: sad in Episode 4 and pissed in Episode 5...

Spoiler — click to reveal

I too was a little distressed by this. I thought that she would be more understanding with him. It just shows how unstable she really is (like everyone else, it would seem).

I was also a little troubled that she became the defacto authority for ascertaining Michiru's behavior - even though she has known her for a long time, she's become the surrogate parent figure. If anything, I think Takeru better fits that role here.

phlargo wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

I too was a little distressed by this. I thought that she would be more understanding with him. It just shows how unstable she really is (like everyone else, it would seem).

Spoiler — click to reveal

Yeah, it bugged me too, seeing that she considered him a confidant and then to suddenly bite his head off... But she was really upset with Michiru's decision to go back to Sosuke, so I'd give her the benefit of the doubt.

Spoiler — click to reveal

I was also a little troubled that she became the defacto authority for ascertaining Michiru's behavior - even though she has known her for a long time, she's become the surrogate parent figure. If anything, I think Takeru better fits that role here.

Spoiler — click to reveal

Maybe they're trying to show that Ruka's trying to control Michiru in a way not too far from Sosuke's behavior... :sweat:

At this point, Takeru appears to be the most sensitive and understanding of the lot...

Gehh, I wish this site had a hide/unhide button for spoilers like the D-Addicts site... This highlighting thing is tiring. :grumble:

phlargo wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

I too was a little distressed by this. I thought that she would be more understanding with him. It just shows how unstable she really is (like everyone else, it would seem).

I was also a little troubled that she became the defacto authority for ascertaining Michiru's behavior - even though she has known her for a long time, she's become the surrogate parent figure. If anything, I think Takeru better fits that role here.

Spoiler — click to reveal

It was quite surprising for me to see Ruka react like that towards Takeru. Poor guy's heart just sank right there.

I agree with you in that I was a bit worried about Ruka's behavior towards Michiru during the episode, particularly during the scene where Ruka asks Michiru to throw her cellphone away. Although Ruka does realize what she's doing, she came across as a bit controlling of Michiru.

Wow, the ratings jumped from 15.9 to 19.9... The show's building up some momentum... :victory:

Now if they'd just kill off Mr. Happy...

bmwracer wrote:Wow, the ratings jumped from 15.9 to 19.9... The show's building up some momentum... :victory:

Now if they'd just kill off Mr. Happy...

And harvest his 'organs' for Ms. Happy?

bmwracer wrote:Wow, the ratings jumped from 15.9 to 19.9... The show's building up some momentum... :victory:

Now if they'd just kill off Mr. Happy...

Mr. Happy=Ratings. Have to milk him for all he's worth first :mrgreen:

I'll be sure to tune in live should the ratings dip under 10.0 then! :hehe:

deseipher wrote:Mr. Happy=Ratings. Have to milk him for all he's worth first :mrgreen:

Gehh. :bleh: :bleh: :bleh: :bleh: :bleh:

If "people" are actually watching this drama for his one-trick pony role, they need as much therapy as he does.

A Ruka mug will be available in June according to Amazon.

deseipher wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

It was quite surprising for me to see Ruka react like that towards Takeru. Poor guy's heart just sank right there.

I agree with you in that I was a bit worried about Ruka's behavior towards Michiru during the episode, particularly during the scene where Ruka asks Michiru to throw her cellphone away. Although Ruka does realize what she's doing, she came across as a bit controlling of Michiru.

Spoiler — click to reveal

I guess it's human nature. I mean, the mood called for it in Episode 4, but of course it wouldn't in 5 -- unless it were coming from Michiru, it seems. As someone who has snapped at people for similar incidents, I can totally understand why Ruka snapped at Takeru at the end of the episode. Really, he's a nice guy... but what good would him putting his arm around her this next time do? It won't help her feel any better, because the source of her feeling bad at that moment was Michiru not being strong, and Ruka's inability to help her. A *pat pat* coming from anyone would come off patronizing.

...but that aside, yes, my heart broke for Takeru at that moment. As if I didn't feel bad enough for Ruka...