(L) Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage

[Sinestra]

So heres a nice equation for you

Spoiler for episode 16 Ahh those crazy girls:

'

One hot ass day+1 broken air conditoner+ 10 to the 5th power of a hang over + 1 annoying indian girl on the run X 5 thugs a church + 1 stray bullet a broken glass of rum + 1 bitchy blonde nun + One crazy ass dual gun weilding half chinese chick= A hail of gunfire that made the landing on Omaha beach on D day look like a high school pep rally.

Damn were they pissed and Revy could calm down and Eda was just as pissed. The new young priest guy didnt help that was a big ass machine gun he was fireing off. Well they deserved it those thugs should have listened to the old guy they fucked with the wrong church and the wrong 2 girls in town their lucky some of them even made out alive.

Best line in this episode: Would you beleive me if i told you i watch the Opera Whinfrey show? The correct answer coming up after the gunshot

Second best line: Do you know what Jesus said in John chapter 5? He said dont bring me any trouble bitch.

Worst 2 names EVER:
Groovy Guy Russel the trouble buster all i can say is WTF
Rotten the Wizard

[Zelda1]

After the emotional hell of 15, ep 16 is a sweet relief! Damn is it funny.

Best Line: "So that's what you look like without the gown and goggles"

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Zelda1

After the emotional hell of 15, ep 16 is a sweet relief! Damn is it funny.

Best Line: "So that's what you look like without the gown and goggles"

I don't want any manga readers to spoil anything for me, so don't tell me what's coming...

But I hope Sawyer survives this arc. Sure, she might slice a person apart with a chainsaw, but that's just business. She appear to be well-known, and perhaps even respected for performing a vital function in the criminal underworld. I don't need her to become a regular cast member; after-all, she works in the background by nature. It's just seems wrong to kill her when there are people in the show more deserving of a bullet to the head.
Why do I feel this way?
It seems Sawyer is quite a sensible and professional person, an exact opposite to the twins of the last arc. And I like people who take their work seriously.

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Balalaika and Chang both admit they lost the right to preach morality long ago.

To us peaceful civilians, the Twins might seemed irredeemably corrupt. But to the eyes of the Black Lagoon characters, they are merely more corrupt than usual.

Thank Goodness we as the audience have the luxury of having Rock as our "filter of normality" through which we can comprhend the fucked-up universe of Black Lagoon.

Though it is the logical conclusion considering how time after time Rock's idealism has been mauled by reality, I sincerely hope against all hope of an ending in which he becomes a jaded, blaze, cynical, uncaring and unfeeling monster like Balika and Revy.

Spoiler:

"Not Perverse Like You" my foot, you ugly Russian Bitch!! The boy was no battle-hardened veteran like your cronies, but a 12-fucking-year-old-boy for crying out loud. Sure, rub it in by grumbling "don't cry idiot," makes your dick feel bigger, don't it you burnt-up-crispy psycho dyke!!

[monir]

So no one has watched episode 5 yet other than Shiroth!? Sure could have used Mr. Prophet's post for clarification on some of the things said in this episode. Anyway, provided some screens from this episode, a small observation, and one multiple choice question if you can dig it.

Screencap for Episode 5:

Spoiler for my observation on episode 5:

The episode has Rock saying things, and so the melancholy of Rock ensues in the beginning in form of narration. The end result is Rock's point of view pretty much strips away all the things that made episode 4 so amusing and makes one feel terrible for enjoying the episode 4. Rock really knows how to bring down the mood. Fortunately, the melancholy of Rock doesn't linger more than 2 minutes, then we are back on the course of the representation of brutality encased in hilarity. A determined Rock who says to Jane, "Shut up! I'm thinking" near the end of the episode gives me hope Rock-kun will redeem himself, and will be the one starring in the next episode. Episode preview also shows that Rotton the Wizard will be debuting in the next episode. All the more reasons to be excited for the upcoming episode.

And the multiple choice question:

What makes Shenhua such an amazing character?

a) Her unique style of fighting skill

b) Her particular way of speaking that probably made every Black Lagoon fan smile at least once

c) Her dress

Spoiler:

Spoiler for my answer:

I answered C

Originally Posted by aohige

I just hope when it gets subbed, be it when it hits the US DVD shelves by Geneon, they get that offensive yet hilarious line Eda says right.

Spoiler:

Eda: "You know what the hell Jesus said in book of John chapter five?
he said 'Don't bring no trouble here, bitch' ."
Jane: "Isn't this a church!?"
Eda: "So? God's not home. He took a vacation to Vegas."

Spot on! It cracked me up to no end when understanding finally brought forth.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

Thank Goodness we as the audience have the luxury of having Rock as our "filter of normality" through which we can comprhend the fucked-up universe of Black Lagoon.

Though it is the logical conclusion considering how time after time Rock's idealism has been mauled by reality, I sincerely hope against all hope of an ending in which he becomes a jaded, blaze, cynical, uncaring and unfeeling monster like Balika and Revy.

Spoiler:

"Not Perverse Like You" my foot, you ugly Russian Bitch!! The boy was no battle-hardened veteran like your cronies, but a 12-fucking-year-old-boy for crying out loud. Sure, rub it in by grumbling "don't cry idiot," makes your dick feel bigger, don't it you burnt-up-crispy psycho dyke!!

These two "children" hammered nails into her subordinate's head and watch his body twitch for enjoyment. You completely missed the point; she didn't hunt them down for fun, but to avenge the loss of nine of her irreplaceable, loyal soldiers. As they died, they prayed not to God, but to Balalaika for salvation. She had the responsibility as the Kapitan to do what needs to be done.
If she was perverse like them, she would have employed many means of torture at her disposal. But unlike them, Balalaika doesnt find torture gratifying.

What would you do? These twins are off-the-scale in evil, so much so as to be unable to function even as criminals. They kill just because. Nothing more.

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by monir

And the multiple choice question:

What makes Shenhua such an amazing character?

a) Her unique style of fighting skill

b) Her particular way of speaking that probably made every Black Lagoon fan smile at least once

c) Her dress

Spoiler:

Spoiler for my answer:

I answered C

seeing her sexy legs always puts a smile on my face!
anyways my pick would be b)
why? cause its dam funny the way she takes the piss in that accent

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

These two "children" hammered nails into her subordinate's head and watch his body twitch for enjoyment. You completely missed the point; she didn't hunt them down for fun, but to avenge the loss of nine of her irreplaceable, loyal soldiers. As they died, they prayed not to God, but to Balalaika for salvation. She had the responsibility as the Kapitan to do what needs to be done.
If she was perverse like them, she would have employed many means of torture at her disposal. But unlike them, Balalaika doesnt find torture gratifying.

What would you do? These twins are off-the-scale in evil, so much so as to be unable to function even as criminals. They kill just because. Nothing more.

Was waiting for someone to respond to that before I thought I'd add my input. The issue with the Twins probably generated more discussion than anything in Black Lagoon so far. I think I am more sympathetic towards the Twins than most here; was tempted to hope that the last one might survive. While they were most certainly victims of years of unimaginable human brutality, they have also been broken to the point of disrepair and become animals themselves, irredeemably so. Somebody had to stop them or else they would continue killing. Balalaika was there; if not her, someone else would've got to them eventually.

Cute children they are indeed, which only makes things harder for everyone; Balalaika never showed more remorse and weariness killing anyone in the entire series (including what is to come) than when she watched Hansel/Gretel die, and that's saying something.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by monir

Her particular way of speaking that probably made every Black Lagoon fan smile at least once

Thats where my love for Shenhua started. :3

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

These two "children" hammered nails into her subordinate's head and watch his body twitch for enjoyment. You completely missed the point; she didn't hunt them down for fun, but to avenge the loss of nine of her irreplaceable, loyal soldiers. As they died, they prayed not to God, but to Balalaika for salvation. She had the responsibility as the Kapitan to do what needs to be done.
If she was perverse like them, she would have employed many means of torture at her disposal. But unlike them, Balalaika doesnt find torture gratifying.

What would you do? These twins are off-the-scale in evil, so much so as to be unable to function even as criminals. They kill just because. Nothing more.

They are evil, yes, that fact is absolutely irrefutable.

Were I a boss, I would slay them too. The tormented spirits of my murdered brothers would want no less.

Regardless, I would have dones so with much more pragmatism and professionalism, and stay silent all the darned way through (Chow Yun Fat style, much cooler IMO). And heck, since I'm not an athiest like that cynical cow Revy, after the boy dies, I'd give short a short prayer so that he might gets a better shot at life in a few years time, since my debt with him in this life is already settled.

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

seeing her sexy legs always puts a smile on my face!
anyways my pick would be b)
why? cause its dam funny the way she takes the piss in that accent

I would add an entry D personally:

D Because she is Taiwanese!! And we Taiwanese Rock!!

Ahem.

Sorry, it's just that one hardley gets to even see a Taiwanese anime character, Much less. someone as cool as Shenhua.

[Mgz]

Second best line: Do you know what Jesus said in John chapter 5? He said dont bring me any trouble bitch.

btw does jesus or the john guy or whatever/whoever gospel guy actually said that? (i'm atheist so I dun know )

oh and shenhua voice is beyond sexy

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by monir

Agreed, that the ambiguity regarding the twin's gender was never cleared. Admittedly, I would feel better if my current impression is never proved wrong, that, one of the twins was a girl. Poor rock! He is probably the only person closest to the truth.

I agree on the ambiguity of the Gretel's gender. I think he was actually more horrified not by Gretel's true gender, but by the fact that she has been so horrifyingly scarred that he/she believes it is proper to repay kindness from adults with sex.

Poor thing.

[rooboy]

Originally Posted by Mgz

btw does jesus or the john guy or whatever/whoever gospel guy actually said that? (i'm atheist so I dun know )

John actually isn't in John 5. It's a story Jesus tells the Jews who don't believe in him. And no, he never says "Don't bring me any trouble bitch". It's more like, "Look. If you don't want to believe, fine. Whatever. It's between you and God then. He sent me, if you don't believe him, take it up with him when you get to Heaven. "

Metaphorically it works okay though because the Jews were actually trying to kill him at that point for claiming to be the son of God. So his response is in the nature of a "Look, back off." kind of thing.

[Ronin Aquila]

16 Episodes on, and....

1) Though gun oriented in the nature of its combat, this series certainly has a strong 1960's Shaw-Brothers Kung-Fu Film influence, in that each enemy/team of enemies is uniquely themed in bizzare combinations of weapon/fighting-discipline/nationality/costume.

2) One YEAR already? I'm surprised that Rock (or at least his sanity) has survived this far and still remain an idealistic and caring gentleman as opposed to an apathetic, sarcastic and uncaring nihilist.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

16 Episodes on, and....

1) Though gun oriented in the nature of its combat, this series certainly has a strong 1960's Shaw-Brothers Kung-Fu Film influence, in that each enemy/team of enemies is uniquely themed in bizzare combinations of weapon/fighting-discipline/nationality/costume.

2) One YEAR already? I'm surprised that Rock (or at least his sanity) has survived this far and still remain an idealistic and caring gentleman as opposed to an apathetic, sarcastic and uncaring nihilist.

Don't forget, by becoming a member of the Lagoon Company, Rock had abandoned his former life as a conformist. He isn't going to let anyone tell him what to do anymore, and that includes Revy wanting him to ditch the suit and tie. He joined them to be free, so there was no way he was going to change his views to suit other people. In its own way, Rock had left the hell-hole that was the Japanese Salaryman lifestyle to another, different, hell-hole. But at least he did so by his own free will.

[Ronin Aquila]

Rock has a very respectable strength of personality, that much is for certain.

However, even though is a (somewhat) exaggerated representation of a dark world, this series' could easily earn the alternate title of "Reality Bites."

You see, the inhabitants and laws of this universe, (and indeed, the author) seems to delight in treadign on Rock's romanticized notion of and faith towards fundamental human decency, each and every single time that he tries to exercised said idealism.

350 odd days, give or take, of having one's faith being spat on by reality every single time you try to be a good person would realistically turn him into a pragmatic cynic at worst (he has a LONG way to go before becoming Revy Mark 2) or bitter and burnt out like Benny Boy at best.

Which is why unrealistic as he may be, I really respect Rock as the Classical Representation of the Traditional Idealistic Asian Male Hero.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

Rock has a very respectable strength of personality, that much is for certain.

However, even though is a (somewhat) exaggerated representation of a dark world, this series' could easily earn the alternate title of "Reality Bites."

You see, the inhabitants and laws of this universe, (and indeed, the author) seems to delight in treadign on Rock's romanticized notion of and faith towards fundamental human decency, each and every single time that he tries to exercised said idealism.

350 odd days, give or take, of having one's faith being spat on by reality every single time you try to be a good person would realistically turn him into a pragmatic cynic at worst (he has a LONG way to go before becoming Revy Mark 2) or bitter and burnt out like Benny Boy at best.

Which is why unrealistic as he may be, I really respect Rock as the Classical Representation of the Traditional Idealistic Asian Male Hero.

That's only if you think Rock can't be an idealist and see the evils of the world in the same time.
To me, a genuine Idealist isn't someone who believe the world is all roses and honey (that would be denialist.); it's someone who believe things can be better than the way things are. Such an idealist can most certainly maintain his values even BlackLagoon, because how the world presents itself has nothing to do with it.

[Tempest35]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

That's only if you think Rock can't be an idealist and see the evils of the world in the same time.
To me, a genuine Idealist isn't someone who believe the world is all roses and honey (that would be denialist.); it's someone who believe things can be better than the way things are. Such an idealist can most certainly maintain his values even BlackLagoon, because how the world presents itself has nothing to do with it.

It's one of Rock's strong points that he's an 'idealist' in a loose sense. It is idealistic to try and save such a wayward child as Gretel because Rock saw a lot of good in her - Gretel could have easily be trained in opera and had a wonderful prodigy career. That's what Rock saw in her but her blood-soaked reality of pure carnage for pleasure was just too overwhelming. I'm sure that Benny knew very well what Rock was going through - the Benny that he was after just joining the Black Lagoon team could very well have had the same 'idealist' view on Gretel, that's why he very bluntly slammed Rock with the reality that someone like Gretel can't be saved because their brain is now hardwired beyond help, even if she acts like an angel - the urge for her to kill will come sooner or later. Benny is the most 'normal' one out of the BL team and even he saw it because he's been around it moreso than Rock has.

That said, Rock does think differently than anyone in the Black Lagoon team and I'll chime in to say that he's not weak for it. It might make him an 'idealist' to the others because that's how 'normal' people are brought up to be. We can't fault him for trying to retain what bit of human decency he's allowed to keep in that criminal underworld. As Rock said before, he is his own kind of 'villian' - he'll translate for mobsters, come up with crazy plans to blow away his enemies and even negotiate for weapons and other illegal cargo but despite all of that, I feel he doesn't want to let go of his humanity just for the sake of being called 'tough' in the underground.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

Rock has a very respectable strength of personality, that much is for certain.

However, even though is a (somewhat) exaggerated representation of a dark world, this series' could easily earn the alternate title of "Reality Bites."

You see, the inhabitants and laws of this universe, (and indeed, the author) seems to delight in treadign on Rock's romanticized notion of and faith towards fundamental human decency, each and every single time that he tries to exercised said idealism.

350 odd days, give or take, of having one's faith being spat on by reality every single time you try to be a good person would realistically turn him into a pragmatic cynic at worst (he has a LONG way to go before becoming Revy Mark 2) or bitter and burnt out like Benny Boy at best.

Which is why unrealistic as he may be, I really respect Rock as the Classical Representation of the Traditional Idealistic Asian Male Hero.

Thats one of Rock's biggest and best qualties strength of heart to hold to what you beleive in and have faith in some Ihumanity) no matter how many times you get shot no matter how many times your life gets treatened by a crazy chick or how many illeagle operations you carry out to get your daily bread. However i can see Rock turning into a bit of scenic later down the road but imo he will never lose that strength of heart and idology that he lives by honestly i think thats the only things that keeps him saine.