great episode but unlike some people i wasn't that suprised.
their parents
i did feel bad for tabuki
the kanba & himari thing was most interesting. i might have a different opinion, but i think kanba's feelings change AFTER the first episode.
Spoiler:
the reason why i say that is when himari first "died", kanba was the one who was totally resigned and was already preparing funeral preperations etc. compare it to this episode and he has a totally different reaction.
not to mention, that was the first time QoC pulled out the red juice from kanba and then kanba later kissed her. she even compared that moment to being sacred as a first kiss, so it's not a coincidence we see him kissing her immediately after.
this also explains why sho was being thrown down the shaft and why i thought himari favoured kanba, because he was never dismissed. i really do think though that QoC personality is just an extension of himari's, albeit an exaggerated one.
it was definitely bizzare watching their scene, which was basically akin to intercourse, but at the same time it was heartwarming because kanba went to that length to save his sister.
i do have to say that their scene and sanetoshi's scene with QoC in the sky episode drew parallels with me. especially when she said "no" when he leaned down to almost kiss her. was sanetoshi attempting to do what kanba did?
but kanba isn't her fated one apparently and sanetoshi strolls in
i also think that their dad was involved with the same survival strategy business as well--was the apple tree a metaphor for their mom? idk.
also a question: i watched the subbed version and when the takakura's dad was on the phone learning that his wife was fine and had a baby, he used a singular "boy". it wasn't plural. mistranslation or am i reaching? just curious.