Monster ep.44

March 29, 2005 | 8 Comments

I have to say that it's really hard to write this introductory paragraph without revealing anything about the story. But it looks like the slow burning plot of the past few episodes will finally end. I can't wait to see what's in store for some of the characters, especially Suk. For a Detective, he sure is quite slow in figuring things out. On top of this, he turns out to be even more naive than Tenma during his specialist surgeon days. At least Tenma quickly wises up to the world around him and takes an appropriate action so that he is not being used by other people. Anyway, I assume most people already seen this episode so I decided to make a rather short summary this time around.

The episode opens with Suk looking depressed inside a bar. He tells 'Nina' that at the moment he can only find peace of mind when he's with her. The next day, the reporters finally find out about the murder of the 3 detectives. Suk tries his best to answer the question but it is obvious that he's out of his depth and ends up being forced by his supervisor to stop answering the questions. Because of this, Suk decides to visit the kids who used to be in the care of Mr.Petrov in the hope of finding out more about Grimmer. Much to his surprise, however, the kids has nothing but good things to say about Grimmer. One of the kids, Antonin, even invited him to come with them to meet Grimmer because the kid believes in Grimmer's innocence. Once they arrived at the park, Grimmer shows up and begins to talk to the kids. It appears that both parties have arranged the meeting so that Antonin can give Grimmer the key that belongs to Petrov.

Suk eventually also gets to talk to Grimmer and reluctantly agrees not to capture him. Grimmer then leaves the area after giving Suk the key he received from the kids as well as an advice to trust no one but himself. Meanwhile in another part of the town, Tenma is seen investigating the 3 frogs apartment. He finds out from a local resident that a mother and a child used to live in the 2nd floor of the apartment. Later on that night, Suk tells 'Nina' that Grimmer gave him a key to some kind of a deposit box. 'Nina', however, tells Suk that he must not tell his colleague about the key or what is contained in the safety deposit. She claims that she is worried about his life if he does that. Upon hearing this, Suk begins to blush and tries to kiss 'Nina'. She, however, refuses and decides to return to her own apartment. Once she arrives at the apartment, 'Nina' goes to a bathroom and removes her wig and reveals herself to be none other than Johan.

Impression:

I knew it! This 'Nina' is so unusually strange and out of character that she couldn't possibly the real one. Having said that, I was still quite shocked when I first saw Johan took off the wig. I know that I said Johan is a possibility but I started to doubt it a few minutes into this episode and believe that she's probably just a clone or another twin. So imagine my surprise when I saw Johan smirking into the mirror. It was like watching some kind of deja-vu happening right in front of your eyes. What I don't understand, however, if this is just a guise or Johan's real 2nd personality. It's also interesting to note that the local resident who talks to Tenma informed the doctor that he couldn't differentiate the sex of the kid that was taken away in the black car. It looks like even when Johan was a little kid, people find it easy to wrongly identify him as a girl instead of a boy.

Posted by Garten

Comments

March 29, 2005 | Chris wrote:

Have you noticed that they often focused on Nina's legs or feet? I wonder whether that was a hint as well. The real Nina wore open shoes so that you can see her toes (at least as far as I can remember). This "Nina" wore closed shoes in every scene, maybe because "her" feet would look too male otherwise. Now I don't think Johan suffers from MPD, though. It looks like he's fully aware about his "cheat".

I wonder whether Suk will meet the real Nina. Did Nina actually use the name Anna for herself or was Anna always Johan?

March 29, 2005 | Jygoro wrote:

what a great episode, I'm glad that Nina is not a killer.
Johan sure likes to play with people and his feelings. Poor Suk, It seems that his life is in danger now that Johan knows what he wanted. :(

Chris, Nina in episode 18 tells police her name as Anna Liebert. Mr. Rosso knows her as Anna, too.

April 7, 2005 | John wrote:

I've just found this Blog, and I have a question

I've gotten to episode 34 in the series, and I'm really enjoying it. My question is about the story at the ending sequence.

From the first episode it seemed familiar (I described it to a friend as being like something someone I know has read) and I'm sure I have heard the story, and seen the pictures somewhere before (well before Monster was made).

Has anyone been able to get a copy of the book? I have no idea where I've read it before. I think someone mentioned "Obluda" or something.

To be honest, that really sucked me into the story, that familiarity to a story, where I can see some connection, though my memory is hazy enough that the next bit is on "the tip of my brain".

I had a look at the synopsis of the story someone posted (I haven't been reading anything else, as I haven't watched the episodes yet) and it ends when one monster eats the other, but that isn't where the story ends is it? I'm trying to remember more, but it was too long ago, and it's driving me up the wall. Mind you, it may be a spoiler if the plot of Monster follows the other story, but as it is I'm remembering more before it happens anyway...

Still, it's a great series, with deep thought. I love the way it contrasts "light" and "darkness" within people. I really should read up on my Revelations as well ;)

I look forward to reading more of peoples thoughts on this series, as a deep series inspires deep thought.

April 8, 2005 | Jhelpme wrote:

The Storybook doesn't come into play in Monster until about 3/4 into the story. I believe it was about v12 or so of the manga. I don't want to post it here as it spoils quite alot.

March 30, 2006 | Kalia wrote:

My goodness, I seriously didn't see that one coming. I started shouting at the screen for about a minute afterwards. Something about Johann pulling an Ashford [Resident Evil: Code Veronica reference]

As for John, the storybook is pretty interesting, and it certainly foreshadows/explains a lot from the series, but to be honest I still can't quite get it. I suppose I understand it from a story point of view, but why in the world would the book parallel real life so very closely unless it was intentional from the start? Which means that Johann is seriously in even the upper levels of being a genius.

I'm beginning to reconsider MPD. If you recall, he fainted after reading the book. Only a severe psychological trauma would cause that kind of reaction. Plus, he got a copy of the book later on, so obviously he can read it now with no ill effects- perhaps it causes him to switch personalities? Difficult to say...

Anna started using the name Nina full time part-way through the series. I thought it was a bit weird that 'she' introduced herself at Anna... I recall wondering as 'she' walked home why she had gone back to Anna.

March 31, 2006 | Kalia wrote:

Is it just me, or does Johann make an incredible crossdresser?

I still think he has MPD. The time when he passed out from reading the book, and him now being able to read it- nay, *wanting* to read it- without consequence suggests that his other personality wishes to keep ahold of it- to what end, I'm not certain. And just because he's aware of his 'cheat' as you say doesn't mean it's another personality- he's just dressing like his sister. Plus, high heeled boots are more comfortable than sandals [trust me].

Is it just me, or are his nails grown a little longer for that specific purpose of crossdressing?

February 24, 2008 | Epicurean wrote:

In all honesty, I felt like it was a little obvious it was Johann. The poisoned candies to me were a dead give away as the mirrored the way the director of the hospital & the two other doctors in the beginning of the series. I think it makes it more interesting & unsettling that Johann is capable of transforming himself like that. And what's more it seems like he's incredibly convincing to the people around him.

I finally started watching this series only recently. A handful of episodes a day. I've enjoyed being able to read your commentary to hear any other possible take on the events of the episodes or anything that I missed. Same as with Honey and Clover.

March 3, 2008 | Blueberry wrote:

Hmm, I also thought Johann might be involved in this because of the poisoned bon-bons. However, it never even crossed my mind that he was cross-dressing. Definitely a 'shocker moment'. I honestly thought that there might be a 3rd twin because I seriously believe that Anna is not capable of such cruelty and be that efficient a killer so suddenly.

God, I love this series. I was thinking of reading the manga but it seems that the anime follows the manga very closely. ^_^