Well, regarding the way this failed romance played out, it's probably worth saying that -- given that the path was clear for a long time now -- people's opinions about this plot thread have indeed been rather clear for a while now. Indeed, nothing I'm saying or nothing Klashikari is saying or anyone else is really all that different from how we've been approaching it all along, because this was the foregone conclusion. This is just like how, at the end of this arc, I'm sure many people will reiterate their views about the villain when he finally gets defeated.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to your expectations about the show, and what it is that you were hoping for from it. (Or as the case may be, what you enjoyed from the first arc.) There is certainly a group of fans who enjoyed the SAO arc for the sense of tension that the "life and death" situation created. Transitioning to another game where death isn't a present threat with an obviously-doomed romance and an obviously-doomed comical villain is a bit of a culture shock if what attracted you was that sort of "tension". Obviously, you can tell by my posts that this wasn't a factor that personally was key to my own enjoyment, so even though I recognize the "obviousness" of the plot developments, it doesn't deter from my own enjoyment. Indeed, I thought the way this episode played out was quite good in my view. The emotions in the last scene were really intense, even though we all saw it coming.
I think most of the complaints are less about this episode itself, but more about the plot thread on the whole that came to a head here in this episode. And so that's why you'll see opinions generally carried over from week-to-week. This week was just a natural climax to something set in motion many episodes ago.
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Originally Posted by Klashikari
The problem is exactly as you describe though: Suguha is set as a plot device and not a character on her own: she could be any possible cliché such like the girl nextdoor and her relevancy would be close to null. Instead of being a "complete" character, with her own actions to take regardless of "ALO Kirito existence", she is there just so Kazuto goes through ALO with a "little twist". In fact, her role is slightly better than the likes of Liz...
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Eh, I wouldn't go quite that far. While her role as a plot device is key, I thought they actually did a pretty good job of developing her even beyond that. There is actually more to her than just her failed romance, and even that was a lot more convincingly-portrayed. I think there is a place for her going forward.
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Originally Posted by Klashikari
If you were to remove the romance aspect, the ALO arc wouldn't be hurt by the slighest: it would actually be possible to have more IRL/in game exposition, than really a focused duo, whereas one is basically going for a dead end.
If the point was to only bring a focus on Kazuto dead set in rescuing Asuna, they could definitely work with Suguha as a true sibling like I mentioned before. Heck, I think Suguha being in love with Kazuto is even less relevant than her being his sister.
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I suppose you could do this, but I liked this doomed romance angle to the story, even though it was rather obvious. I think it has value on its own merits, and itself drives and carries the plot. The alternate way you would like the story to be presented is interesting... but hard for me to say if I would enjoy it more. Again, my premise is that just knowing where the plot is heading doesn't negate my enjoyment in the journey. If that weren't the case, I would have given up on anime a long time ago. My own personal view, of course.
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