Let's watch! Cowboy Bebop

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Yep! Ta-da! Backstory! It's really interesting once you finally get Faye's origin, because now she makes a lot more sense--the way she wields falsehood, the reckless way she lives...she's lived a life marked by lies.

We're not done finding out about Faye.

[Socratov]

Yep! Ta-da! Backstory! It's really interesting once you finally get Faye's origin, because now she makes a lot more sense--the way she wields falsehood, the reckless way she lives...she's lived a life marked by lies.

Well, not quite: it's more like this: since she doesn't really have a past, was conned into massive debt (like greece has nothing on her) and at a certain moment she just went tilt and like: screw this ****, I may not exactly have a past, but I can do my damnest to make myself a future. And no identity makes conning a whole lot easier since you are (re)inventing yourself anyway...

We're not done finding out about Faye.

I am happy about this. Also, I guess next episode is about Jet's past.

[DigoDragon]

14-Bohemian-Rhapsody0014.jpg

You ever wonder how that stays on?


Episode 15 made me feel a bit for Faye. It's hard enough being displaced in time like that, but to be swindled so badly is just kicking a blind dog.

[Socratov]

You ever wonder how that stays on?

Nope. I have seen enough anime to know that such questions are best left unpondered since it will only bring madness.

Episode 15 made me feel a bit for Faye. It's hard enough being displaced in time like that, but to be swindled so badly is just kicking a blind dog.

Well, that is the sad thing: Faye isn't just running a con, she needs to con herself every day to retain any sense of self. Very existential. Nietzsche would have been proud and Freud would have had a field day.

[Feytalist]

My Funny Valentine is rather poignant for a series that can be surprisingly silly at times. The next Faye-centric episode is even more so. It's one of my favourite episodes.

Faye's background is very touching, yes. (Spike's and Jet's as well, really, but that's about par for the course for Noir protagonists.) It almost makes up for her behaviour for most of the series.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

My Funny Valentine is rather poignant for a series that can be surprisingly silly at times. The next Faye-centric episode is even more so. It's one of my favourite episodes.

Stop that. I'm having emotions just thinking about it.

[Suichimo]

My Funny Valentine is rather poignant for a series that can be surprisingly silly at times. The next Faye-centric episode is even more so. It's one of my favourite episodes.

I cry at Faye's next episode. I'm pretty sure I blocked part of it from my memory the first few times I saw it just because of how much worse it makes it, assuming I'm thinking of the right episode.

Spoiler

Show

See you Cowgirl, Some Day, Somewhere.

[mangosta71]

I cry at Faye's next episode. I'm pretty sure I blocked part of it from my memory the first few times I saw it just because of how much worse it makes it, assuming I'm thinking of the right episode.

Spoiler

Show

See you Cowgirl, Some Day, Somewhere.

Spoiler

Show

The next Faye episode is Speak Like a Child. The one you're thinking of is Hard Luck Woman. And yeah, that one delivers a good swift kick right in the feels.

[Kato]

Hm... it seems I need to rewatch a bunch of Bebop as well... I can remember like, two Faye-centric episodes. Has it been so long?

Just because this is my first time posting instead of lurking... I just wanted to say I really enjoy reading along

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Spoiler

Show

The next Faye episode is Speak Like a Child. The one you're thinking of is Hard Luck Woman. And yeah, that one delivers a good swift kick right in the feels.

Two words: boiled eggs.

[Brewdude]

I needs me some more Bebop reviewage.

Bebop does suffer a bit for binge watching. But weekly watching? Was can't miss tv.

[Socratov]

I needs me some more Bebop reviewage.

Bebop does suffer a bit for binge watching. But weekly watching? Was can't miss tv.

Ooops, you're absolutely right. It's just that my life has been a bit interesting these past days, including a bit of freelance work, a woman, another woman, and speaking in front of 500-600 people, work, and sleep.

[mangosta71]

Take out the public speaking, and you're like Spike.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Take out the public speaking, and you're like Spike.

Well, and add more sleep.

[Socratov]

Take out the public speaking, and you're like Spike.

Well, and add more sleep.

Still missing the space component though

Anyway, I'll post a new one shortly once I find the time.

[Socratov]

Episode 16: Black Dog Serenade

• I'm back! Guess what's also back. yep, a fan-****ing-tastic baseline, that's what!
• Dom Perignon is still in business, I see...
• Well, that's a waste of perfectly good champagne...
• Never held Jet to be a Bonsai person. Neither Faye for a buddhist kind of gal... What with earthly possessions and all...
• So, I take it the arm is gonna get some backstory...
• "not a world for smokers anymore" I guess that moment has happened a lot earlier then proposed.
• Ed, I don't think that's how you are supposed to water the bonsai...
• ok, that big guy with the bazooka is really stupid.
• And damn, that ship of Jet's is a real rustbucket...
• But now the police dude's ship is one too. All ripe for the scrapyard.
• Jet, you're not doing so good buddy... I'd make haste in dispatching him...
• Ah, Ye Olde Corrupted Partner scheme...
• And now the only witness is gone.
• Thought so, I only saw im load one bullet and shoot the dude...
• Well, it's a good ending if I'm to judge...

So, bad stuff: te pacing is horrible. Damn this is a slow episode. And how about Jet's ex-partner, I mean the plot was extremely obvious this episode. Besides, the action feels forced and unnatural.

I liked the history of Jet's robotic arm though... And the comedy involving Faye and showers was funny though...

I'd mark it 5/10.

Next time the (in)famous Mushroom Samba episode... I'm curious to see what everyone is on about...

[DigoDragon]

Next time the (in)famous Mushroom Samba episode... I'm curious to see what everyone is on about...

Mwahahaha.

I'm gonna go get a refill on popcorn for this.

[Cristo Meyers]

Still missing the space component though

And the being shot at.

Episode 16: Black Dog Serenade

Jet's episodes always seem like totally different beasts when compared to everyone else's. Like you said: the pacing's always different, the plotlines, the characters even. I appreciate them trying to change things up, but I'm just not sure they always succeeded

Next time the (in)famous Mushroom Samba episode... I'm curious to see what everyone is on about...

Yeah...buckle up.

[Brewdude]

Remember to ask yourself: How many blaxploitation references can you spot in mushroom samba? And what's with the watermelon?

[Socratov]

And the being shot at.



Jet's episodes always seem like totally different beasts when compared to everyone else's. Like you said: the pacing's always different, the plotlines, the characters even. I appreciate them trying to change things up, but I'm just not sure they always succeeded



Yeah...buckle up.

Yeah they are, but the pacing rarely agrees with me. The episodes might be interesting, but the messed up pacing ruins the vibe. Which is a shame because Jet is a really likeable character.

[Socratov]

Episode 17: Mushroom Samba

• so, bracing myself I start the episode; 3.. 2.. 1.. Let's Jam!
• A, another hunger episode. Haven't seen those before
• And Ein gets the last nugget of food.
• So, no food, no fuel, and emotions running high. This is gonna be good.
• Gheh, spoiled rations, poetic justice indeed. Also, it seems Ein is indeed the smartest of the bunch.
• Ooh, funky... I like it.
• watermelons in the desert, I'm surprised it's not a fata morgana
• And here we see a, I believe the colloqial term is 'shawty', with a nice fro.
• ding #3: purple suit
• Lol, the coffin part started badass, but turned to stupidity very quickly
• Laughing yourself to death because of shrooms is a bit funny
• lol, shrooms, Ein is funny when he's trippin' balls
• So, Faye is gonna trip balls,
• Spike and Jet are, of course, next.
• I think it's funny how Edward first experiments on the other crew members, before trying them herelf. Maybe there is a method to her madness after all...
• a fart gun? Seriously? In an enclosed space? I take back what I said about you Ed. You are just nuts and occasionally get lucky, that's all...
• Gran theft watermelon truck
• Wow, Ein is good. I wonder why he isn't taken on other missions as well.
• So, Ein and Ed caught the bounty, and of course they let him go.
• Well, I'm guessing the shrooms aren't worth 100.000 each...
• Knew it. Well, at least Shiitake are edible, so sustenance is handled I guess...
• And that's a wrap...

Ok. You know I don't know what the fuss was about, this episode is kinda fun. Ed continues the tradition of not cashing the bounty, despite catching the perp, Faye acts in character of being a heartless bitch, Jet and Spike didn't really get anything showcasing, but Ein got some screentime which wasn't bad at all. Was the episode actually good? No, not per se, but was it bd? Equally no. It sort of resides on a blue/orange scale instead of good/bad. By the way, they did an okay job describing the effects of shrooms, so that's a nice thing...

The verdict is in: 7/10

[DigoDragon]

Watching the crew trip was just hilarious. And it's great watching Ed and Ein get some action. :)

[Ravian]

I would just like to say that high Ein is adorable.

That is all.

[Socratov]

I would just like to say that high Ein is adorable.

That is all.

he is, though jet is a lot funnier when spaced out.

[Socratov]

Episode 18: Speak like a Child

• Here we go again, but first we take a nice little relaxing baseline to the eardrum
• Horse racing, and there she is: Faye.
• slips tumbling, so I guess she didn't win...
• So... Postage is expensive these days. A couple of thousand woolongs it seems.
• And it's a VCR tape! Of course nobody knows what it is and thus subsequently tries to wreck it.
• And we have a nostalgia freak. I like how the writers of Cowboy Bebop play with the whole technological advancement.
• And it seems Spike has once again made stuff worse. Well, that's to be expected I guess...
• Meanwhile, Faye finally managed to get some lucky shot in and win some money.
• Well, Faye you're not the centre of the universe, gal. If you take off suddenly because you get a package you can't expect the crew to stay and wait for you...
• Meanwhile on earth we have spelunking in a deserted urban environment, a falling elevator and some belly crawling. Funny how the makers put a junglebeat underneath it.
• Back at the tracks, Faye manages to lose what she has again. Quelle surprise...
• Back to the jungle bongos: Spike and Jet have found the motherload: and take it all home. Sadly it's VHS instead of Betamax.
• Faye, once again, is back.
• Well, whaddaya know, a betamax player.
• Well, won't you look at that. Faye back when she was innocent. And shy.
• You know, this is quickly turning melancholic.
• Still no name, however, unless her real name is 'me'
• I think it's safe to say Faye used to suffer from confidence issues...

So, here is some thoughts. This was a weird episode. I'd say even more so then Mushroom Samba. Not in terms of screwed up ****, but in term sof story balance. I mean , Spike is a bit played down in terms of intelligence, Edward is turning a bit more social, and acted relatively 'normal' this time around (normal between quotes because edward is still being edward). I liked the whole legacy technology thing, especially with the nostalgia guy. It felt very logical. Especially the part about saving data on a disk, which is quickly becoming prehistoric itself, that is, if you don't mind the data being copied by a hacker. I also thought the bongo music was done very well with the whole search for a betamax player.

Now for the big one. I don't know if I liked fay this time around. Her tape self was nice and funny (and cute even). The current Faye was kind of a bitch. She flew off without notice, expecting the crew to be there for her, but not returning the favour or owning up to her responsibilities. When the crew instead flies off to Earth she acts like a self-absorbed queen bee, annoyed at the crew leaving her instead of sitting on their hands and waiting on when she would deem it ok to return. Still I thought the episode was good.

7.5/10. Really solid.

Next time we get more action, even better, we get to see spike in a dogfight! It's about time!

[DigoDragon]

Faye used to suffer from confidence issues.

Now she has taken confidence to an... art. ;)


But yeah, this is one of those episodes you want to slap a little sense into Faye. Or maybe a lot.
I have no idea why Spike thought kicking the player repeatedly would work.

[Socratov]

Now she has taken confidence to an... art. ;)

even then it just doesn't cut it.

But yeah, this is one of those episodes you want to slap a little sense into Faye. Or maybe a lot.
I have no idea why Spike thought kicking the player repeatedly would work.

Yeah. A lot. A whole lot. And I guess the writers tried some kind of monkeys and technology thing where they smash it to try and understand it. Which is funny, because usually analog technology benefits heavily form kicking or tapping it. (Or at least it used to).

[Calemyr]

Now she has taken confidence to an... art. ;)


But yeah, this is one of those episodes you want to slap a little sense into Faye. Or maybe a lot.
I have no idea why Spike thought kicking the player repeatedly would work.

"My ship works better when I kick it..."

Percussive maintenance - sometimes when a machine has loose connection, or a moving piece like a gauge or compass gets stuck somewhere, a good thwack fixes it quickly and cheaply. And if it doesn't help, it's at least therapeutic.

Basically, Spike is being Spike here. He's not a mechanic, he's a pilot. He knows a bit, yes, but mostly what he knows are the tricks and shortcuts to keep his ship flying, not the nitty-gritty of how everything works. He also follows herbal and homeopathic medicine rather than "proper" medicine and favors unarmed and small arms over big guns. He likes things simple, traditional, and simple. Also, simple. Spike doesn't like to think more than he has to.

[DigoDragon]

"My ship works better when I kick it..."

In the Beta's case, that ship sunk from a hull breech. XD

[Feytalist]

Now for the big one. I don't know if I liked fay this time around. Her tape self was nice and funny (and cute even). The current Faye was kind of a bitch.

That's kinda par for the course, though. Current Fay is... pretty difficult to like. A large part of this episode is making her a sympathetic character in spite of that.