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Another great episode. The fight between Miria and Rigardo definitely lived up to its billing. I liked the way Deneve, Helen, and Clare fought to protect her. I had hoped we would learn more about Miria's travels and such after the Slashers eps. A fight like this seemed the perfect opportunity to reveal how she got stronger...oh well, not a big thing, but unmet expectations like that can make an otherwise good story seem bad. I must say, Rigardo's comments really gave that battle a life...from recognizing Miria's illusion trick, to stating that she was slowing down, then the final "I guess that wasn't an illusion"...great stuff.
Similar to last episode, I liked the way they interspersed the battle with the other storyline. This is actually an oft-used device that serves to heighten tension. Anime (over)uses it quite often in the manner of flashbacks or characters talking during battles. People unfamiliar with anime actually proclaim this use of flashbacks and talking as "unbelievable" or "jarring". It's simply a stylistic decision. Interesting to see that many anime fans have learned to dislike the more accepted Western(?) device of simply having multiple stories run simultaneously.
Raki asking Easley "Who on earth are you?" was a welcome question, and Easley's response (foreshadowing?) was perfect. The bit about Raki having a choice on traveling with them, and his reluctant acceptance, was full of an awkward tension I really liked.
I must say that I loved Deneve in this episode. Really glad to see she got some quality time, aside from Helen always seeming to steal the show. They really closed out the deep Undine x Deneve interaction with a strong exclamation mark. I wonder what repercussions Deneve will experience because of her feelings of complete helplessness?
While some of the flashbacks were strong, others felt very weak. Deneve's worked very well, even though it was a "mid-battle" one (which too often means mediocre at best). Clare's memory of Theresa was even better. However, the repeat of the last minute of ep 21 right at the start of ep 22 was obvious filler, as was showing Priscilla's "Papa, Mama" twice.
The disappearance of the other Claymores during the battle could have been handled much better IMO...I can suspend my disbelief enough to imagine that they all realized they couldn't contribute. However, just a quick "Retreat or die" message from Miria would have worked better. It seems so easy to just replace one of the many other flashback/extended scenes with that, since they only served to end the episode at the right moment.
Having Raki truly understand that Clare was a breath away from becoming like Priscilla, and see that such a transformation is her eventual fate, was very powerful. It completely changed my view of Clare and the other Claymores (which I didn't realize had shifted so far during the series). Even amidst all the shounen strength and power displayed at the moment, they are now allowed to be tragic figures, and can be pitied once again.
All of the building tension from the scene shifting, along with the emotionally "right on the mark" moments, brought me to the edge of my seat at the end as Clare ran to save Miria. Excellent use of slow motion (a hard thing to do in animation). Powerful music. Completely chilling voice change from Clare. Anxiety and suspense...I really couldn't say if Miria would live or not. An all-around climax that few (if any) scenes have ever equaled in my memory.
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That would be epic. And Clare goes berserker.
Graphic Designer
