Monster ep.33

December 16, 2004 | 3 Comments

This is definitely one of the best episodes from this series. It's creepy and brilliant at the same time. Most of this is attributed to the fact that the new 'monsters' in this episode is none other than children. Speaking of 'monster', I've noted that the ending sequence has changed again now. It now shows a shoemaker and a guard turning into the green monster. Judging from the previous ending sequences, I get the impression that the wood cutter 'eats' the monster because he wants to become strong. If that's the case, then I think the story is an allegory for how humans sometimes turn into a 'monster' when they try to be the best at their job. I mentioned before how the pressure of one's profession can often lead a person to become heartless jerks to other people. Figuratively, those people have turned into a green monster.

Anyway, the first half of the episode begins with the news that several kids have been found falling to their deaths. Dieter, who's now in the care of Dr.Reichwen, ends up befriending one of the kid who survived the fall. Unfortunately, his new friend, Martin, seems to be a bit psychotic. First he runs away from the hospital, then he leisurely walks into the oncoming traffic without any regard for his life. Martin is also a bit cruel in the sense that he won't hesitate to trip an old man who's walking in the park and then poking his head with a cane. Dieter, on the other hand, feels sorry for the old man and tries his best to stop Martin's psychotic act. Eventually Martin reveals that he fell from the rooftop because he and another kid was challenging one another to see who can walk on a roof ledge with their eyes closed. Martin then forces Dieter to come to a rooftop with him so the two can do the challenge together.

Dieter, however, refuses because despite how it may seems, he understands Martin quite well. Dieter tells the boy how he used to believe that the world is pitch-black and there is no tomorrow but the fact is, he enjoys the simple things in life such as eating his favourite food and having the company of the people that he likes such as Dr.Reichwen and especially, Tenma. Therefore, he does not wish to die because then he won't be able to see Tenma again. Meanwhile, Martin who now stands on the ledge, suddenly loses his balance due to the wind. Thankfully before he plummets to the ground, Dieter manages to save him. Martin then reveals that he's been doing this because he wants to be like a person called Johan, who's playing a dangerous game with a Japanese guy. Johan apparently told Martin that the game involves him about to be killed by the Japanese guy. Speaking of Johan, he's seen inside a house trying to 'educate' another boy.

The boy complains to Johan that his mother is being strict with him to the point that he is not even allowed to read comics. Upon hearing this, Johan tells him that he'll bring him a picture book for him the next time. Meanwhile, Schuwald decides to donate some of his book collection to the University Library of Munich. Because of this, the Librarian wants to thank him by having a ceremony at the library. So Johan and Karl end up visiting the library to ensure that the place is safe for Schuwald. While in there, Johan makes a stop at the picture book section to find a book for the boy he talked to beforehand. He ends up picking up a story from Emile Scherbe, an author from Czechoslovakia. However, while reading the story, Johan's body suddenly convulses as if he's having an epileptic session. He then passes out after letting out a scream and a tear. The episode ends with Tenma appearing inside the library preparing to do his 'mission'.

Impression:

I was quite surprised to see Dieter featured prominently for the first half of this episode because I thought his character simply serves as a conscience for Tenma. So when Tenma left him two episodes ago, I thought that's the end of his involvement in the series. As it turns out, his character is used to show how the influence of a good adult can affect the development of a child. This episode clearly shows that despite his past, Dieter has turned into a kind-hearted kid thanks to Tenma's guidance. This episode, however, also shows the other side of the coin with Martin. It's creepy to see that the 'monster' of the week is actually a little kid. But then again, children are not always innocent. Stories of high school bullying is not that rare anymore these days. The same thing can be said about animal cruelty perpetrated by children. I once saw a 10 year old kid cruelly hang a cat upside down by holding its tail.

If the kid's mother didn't catch him in the act, the cat might have plummeted to its death from the 3rd floor of the building. This incident reminds me a question that a tutor in social studies once asked us, the students: "Do humans born cruel and selfish, or do they get corrupted as they grow up?" 9 out of 12 students in that tutorial felt that the first one is the answer that they're more inclined to give. Maybe that class consisted of a lot of pessimists but it's hard to believe the later when the reality sometimes shows otherwise. Anyway, the second half of the episode doesn't seem to show much apart from the strange reaction that Johan produces when he reads that picture book. I supposed this picture book has the same illustration as the ending sequence. But if that's the case, I don't understand how it applies to Johan since so far the illustrations only show adults becoming monsters. Johan, on the other hand, has been a 'monster' ever since he was a child.

© memento 2003