Monster ep.53-55

September 10, 2005 | 2 Comments

As usual, I find that I have to be in the right mood in order to watch this series. It is a good thing that the series always manages to keep me hooked once I watch an episode in its entirety. The problem, however, comes when the episodes are not as exciting, as in the case with these three episodes. There are some genuine tensions in episode 54 but in general, the episodes are simply character development showcase for Eva and one of the side characters, Verderman. Eva, while an interesting character, has a very detestable personality. As a result, it is hard to sympathise with her even when the character is in danger. Meanwhile, as far as side characters go, I find Verderman to be the least interesting ones that the series has come up with so far. As a result, his revelation in episode 55 doesn't interest me as much as it probably would have if it had been from another character.

Anyway, episode 53 begins with Tenma asking Milch to help him escape from police captivity after Roberto threatened to kill Eva. Upon hearing Tenma's request, Milch secretly instructs Tenma to pretend that he's responsible for the murder so that he'll be transferred to a prison. Meanwhile, Eva is in the middle of regretting the kind of cruelty that she used to dish out on Tenma. She feels even more guilty when she hears the news that Tenma has taken responsibility for the crimes that he did not commit. At the same time, Verderman finds himself having doubts about Tenma's innocence after hearing the same news. Eventually, however, Verderman regains his trust in Tenma while Eva decides to do the right thing by testifying for Tenma's innocence. The episode, however, ends on a bleak note with Tenma being tranferred to a prison while Roberto manages to find out Eva's whereabouts.

Continuing from where the previous episode left off, episode 54 begins with Milch's little brother, Gustav, preparing himself to help his older brother escape from captivity. However, because he's distracted by his girlfriend, Helene, he ends up getting hit by the police car that carries both Tenma and Milch. Milch immediately realises that his plan to escape is foiled. Tenma, however, decides to take matters into his own hand and manages to run away with Milch, the now injured Gustav, and Helene. Meanwhile, Eva realises that one of Tenma's attorneys that she's supposed to meet, Mr.Baul, is actually none other than Roberto himself. The now terrified Eva tries to hide in her room but becomes distraught when she finds proof of Roberto's presence in the room. The episode then ends with someone knocking on Eva's door while Tenma tries to reach his ex-fiancee as soon as possible.

Episode 55 begins with Tenma finding out that Eva has left the hotel unwillingly. Meanwhile Verderman once again loses his trust in Tenma after he heard news of Tenma's recent action. To make things worse for Verderman, Runge shows up at his house implying that at one point, Verderman's father was working together with Franz Bonaparta, a man with an important role within the Czechoslovakia secret police. Stress eventually takes its toll on Verderman when Tenma takes him hostage and asks him Eva's whereabouts. Verdeman breaks down and in the process, reveals that his father really was a traitor. After listening to Verderman's story, Tenma realises that Baul/Roberto befriended Verderman in order to obtain a secret notebook belonging to Verderman's father. The episode ends with Tenma leaving Verderman after receving a note from Roberto to come to the Rose Mansion.

Impression:

Everytime I think that Eva couldn't be any crueler as a character, she proves me wrong. The flashback to her behaviour while she was with Tenma was so appalling that I wonder what Tenma saw in her to begin with. This is partly why I find Tenma's reason to escape to be rather unbelievable. While I understand that Tenma is probably one of those rare person who never holds any grudge for another human being, there has to be a limit to someone's kindness. Especially when he has to go through literal hell in order to save a person. I kind of wished that there was a better reason for Tenma to want to escape from his captivity. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Leaving that aside, I found Eva's attempt to run away from Roberto to be rather tense. I think the good thing about that particular scene is the fact that halfway through the scene, I realised the futility of her action.

Posted by Garten

Comments

September 16, 2005 | Mohammad wrote:

I finally managed to catch up with Monster. Tenma is acting based on his principles. He doesn't love Eva anymore but he will stop at nothing to uphold his principles. He said it in episode 55: "There have been too many victims". I don't think he is trying to save her because he cares about her but because she is just another human and to prove to her and to himself that "all human lives are equal". Tenma wants to live by his rules.

You're right though, I don't know what he saw in her !! She treated him like a dog but he never complained.

The scene where a truck hits Gustav was disturbing. To think that he was hit when he finally decided to go straight . That's the first time I've seen a hit traffic accident in full (animation or otherwise). Most movies and TV shows tend to delete the last few seconds of such scenes so as not to disturb the viewer and what happens next is implied. Monster yet again shows another explicit disturbing scene to keep reminding the viewer that reality is harsh.

March 21, 2006 | Wxyrty wrote:

I like Eva. She is stright forward, spoiled, but beautiful, a wonder character to be loved. I find her interesting and elegant. What is so wrong about Eva? She is just stating the truth!
"People are not equal"
She just try hard to get what she wants and she doesn't give up easily. What a doll she is! what courage and ambition and determination she has! What is so wrong with her?