I think that the culprit is Kanon, there are many things that fit if out, but there are other things that not to answer correctly, as for example the death of Eva and Hideyoshi in the EP1.
I've got a question. Was it ever said or implied why Erika seemed to dislike Jessica? I think that may be important.
Spoiler for Ep 5:
'bout that... At first I thought as well that Erika disliked her from moment one on but then after a time I realized at first Erika was trying it in a friendly manner but then after jessica rejected her (about solving the epitaph) she seemed to start to dislike her and made a bit of spiteful comments. I don't have to be right, but I got that feeling
Erika was kind of harassing Jessica even before that discussion after dinner, though (that whole posture/manners thing just reeked of mocking to me).
The impression I got was that Erika had that inner assumption that because Jessica's the heir to the Ushiromiya fortune she must be a spoiled, undeserving brat (stereotypes and all). Erika, being an intellectual, probably values "earning" your place and dislikes people like that.
When Jessica felt insulted when Erika said that her dad wouldn't be the heir (since she's all defensive of her parents and all), Erika thought she was upset that she wouldn't be getting the money she's just sitting and waiting for and it just worsened Erika's wrong impression into hate.
Then again, Erika eventually is shown to hate the entire family, but that's also because she thinks (and has generally been shown) that they're all idiots. She's not very good at seeing the good in people, I guess .
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"There is no such thing as a sexy George." - Rhiannon, Easy A
Erika was kind of harassing Jessica even before that discussion after dinner, though (that whole posture/manners thing just reeked of mocking to me).
I thought that as well in the beginning. But then after stopping and rereading, for me it seemed more like she wanted to impress everyone. After all everyone has to know how awesome she is. ALso for me she didn't seem to pay much attention to Jessica during dinner, furthermore the other cousins didn't had posture as well.
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Then again, Erika eventually is shown to hate the entire family, but that's also because she thinks (and has generally been shown) that they're all idiots. She's not very good at seeing the good in people, I guess .
That's why I think she is a really sad character. She wasn't made for feelings and having friends. Her only purpose is solving the mystery.
Also she might be a little fixed on JEssica due the fact that she wears her old clothes (which seem really expensive and princess like)
If you want my opinion it was really Jessica the one who started to dislike Erika.
Beside the fact that Erika started to act like a bitch since dinner. By the time she found out about the epitaph she really started to get on my nerves and I think Jessica was the same.
So when Erika said that the epitaph was meant to decide the new heir and therefore questioning the right of Krauss to succeed, Jessica snapped.
Before this point I've never really noticed in Erika any particular hostility toward Jessica. But Jessica did become hostile towards her. Erika wasn't really trying to get on Jessica's nerves here, imho. She simply stated what she thought with her "brilliant" mind. Jessica being Krauss' daughter wasn't something she cared about, she would have said the same thing even if Jessica wasn't.
But once Jessica told her that she was wrong (God forbids) Erika bid revenge on her.
If you want my opinion it was really Jessica the one who started to dislike Erika.
Beside the fact that Erika started to act like a bitch since dinner. By the time she found out about the epitaph she really started to get on my nerves and I think Jessica was the same.
So when Erika said that the epitaph was meant to decide the new heir and therefore questioning the right of Krauss to succeed, Jessica snapped.
Before this point I've never really noticed in Erika any particular hostility toward Jessica. But Jessica did become hostile towards her. Erika wasn't really trying to get on Jessica's nerves here, imho. She simply stated what she thought with her "brilliant" mind. Jessica being Krauss' daughter wasn't something she cared about, she would have said the same thing even if Jessica wasn't.
But once Jessica told her that she was wrong (God forbids) Erika bid revenge on her.
Yeah I agree with this.
Spoiler for EP 5:
Erika is just overall looking to run a show. When she finds the gold with Battler she's literally making up a speech to tell the family about how she doesn't want the gold and just giggles at how they fight and turn on Krauss and Natsuhi when they all go down together to the gold room.
But yeah, Erika basically tells Battler that she can't wait to see the look on Jessica's face when they find the gold.
And I think the thing that pissed of Jessica the most was that Erika made sense. Why make an epitaph to choose a heir if you already have a heir who you are satiesfied with? If you add this to her statement in Ep 4 in which she states how much she respects her farther for bearing the cross of the heir, you have the perfect reason for Jessica to snap at her
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But yeah, Erika basically tells Battler that she can't wait to see the look on Jessica's face when they find the gold.
The reaction of a spoiled little child who didn't get what she wanted
Well..I sorta gotta agree with the family on this one.
Spoiler for EP 5:
If you thought Battler was incompetent then you should see Krauss Seriously Krauss, just wow. He pretty much cements himself as 'the lovable boob'. He does stupid stuff, which by all means is just ridiculous (NASA ) but you gotta love the guy.
Still, I wouldn't trust him with even a dollar. Let alone a giant fortune.
Yeah, I agree that Krauss is a financial wacko who shouldn't be touching even a bit of that gold, and I think it kind of builds up Jessica as sort of a pathetic character in this episode. She blindly loves and defends her parents who aren't telling her a thing about all the ridiculously stupid things they're doing. Even Kanon and Shannon - and she trusts them just as much, if not more - are lying to her to a degree about Kinzo being dead.
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Avatar adapted from Yoshitaka Amano art
"There is no such thing as a sexy George." - Rhiannon, Easy A
Without a chest for Battler to fondle... the truth can't be seen.
This is, of course, assuming that Battler really does like to fondle girls' chests...
Spoiler for EP5 pic:
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