Nodame Cantabile in Europe: Special Lesson 2

January 7, 2008 | 46 Comments

I apologize for being late but I made a mistake thinking that I can do full summary in just under 5 hours. How wrong that turned out to be. Even after 5 hours, I haven't covered half of the episode so I decided to re-write everything and just summarize the important parts of the story. Even then it still ends up being rather long. At any rate, I don't think I have the patience to write long-winded sentences like I used to. But then again two hours show is also a bit too much to be given a blow-by-blow treatment. I remember spending at least a few hours just to write those episodic review of the live-action series. Anyway, this one is actually a little bit all over the place but it still has that feel-good feel of the other episodes. The ending is a bit abrupt but it can't be helped since the manga is not completed yet. I'm actually surprised that the writers decided to squeeze in so many parts from the manga into a two 2 hours episode.

After obtaining Viera-sensei's phone number, Chiaki is abducted by Oliver, Elise's right hand man. At the same time, Nodame finds out that there won't be entrance ceremony for new students. Instead, there was an orientation session, one which she didn't attend. To make matters worse, she finds herself unable to participate in the complex discussion (dominant/sub dominant chords) that happens within her music analysis class. Meanwhile, Elise forces Chiaki to sign up with her company. They promise to publicize him and make him a successful conductor if he signs the contract. Chiaki at first refuses but Elise tells Chiaki about the tale of Prometheus, who earned the wrath of Zeus after giving fire to humanity. Prometheus was tied to a cliff so that the eagles can eat his internal organs day after day. Elise then uses two back-scratchers to tickle Chiaki's sides to force Chiaki to sign the contract and as a revenge for winning against Jean.

While this happens, Stresseman visits Nodame, gropes her, and visits her apartment. He's slightly disappointed upon knowing that Nodame is still as messy as ever. Meanwhile, Chiaki eventually agrees to sign the contract and is ordered by Elise to accompany Stresseman on his world tour so she can have vacation. When he returns to his apartment, Frank tells him Nodame has been abducted by Stresseman. Chiaki finds Stresseman and Nodame (who is now dressed in Geisha outfit) at the Paris branch of "One More Kiss" nightclub. There, Chiaki tells Nodame that he must accompany Stresseman on his world tour for 3 months. The trip takes Chiaki to various European cities and eventually back to Tokyo. A few months later, Nodame receives letter from Stresseman telling her that he and Chiaki are 'working hard'. She, however, becomes upset when she sees photos of Chiaki in compromising positions with other girls.

In France, Kuroki refuses a guy who wants to make a music group with him because the guy is 30 minutes late to the meeting. The guy responds back by crushing Kuroki's pamphlet. When Kuroki tries to repost the pamphlet, Tanya rudely calls him "C'est glaque" which can be literally translated into blueish green, causing Kuroki to become confused. Kuroki then meets Nodame and is surprised when he gets to see her messy room. Kuroki and Nodame share their problem in settling into foreign country and to cheer themselves up, Nodame decides to cook Japanese food. She settles on a packet of Hijiki and Onigiri. Kuroki also finds out from Nodame that "C'est glaque" actually means gloomy. Tanya then arrive, excited to see this friend that Nodame will introduce to her. Her enthusiasm, however, goes downhill when she finds out that it's Kuroki. When Tanya complains about her miserable life, Nodame tells her friends about her situation with Chiaki.

This causes Tanya to wonder if Chiaki really is Nodame's boyfriend, which makes Nodame even more depressed. Frank then arrive looking depressed because he doesn't get Auclair-sensei to be his music teacher. He's extremely upset when he finds out that Nodame get Auclair as her teacher. In the midsts of the fights, Chiaki calls Nodame from Japan. Nodame who's unhappy with his patronizing attitude decides to switch off the phone when Kuroki tells her that he's going to go home. Chiaki who hears this is shocked to know that Kuroki is in France and moreover, is in his room with Nodame. Before Chiaki can think it further, he's notified by the receptionist that the pianist, Son Rui is waiting at the lobby. That night, Tanya assures Nodame not to worry about Frank because although Nodame and Frank are friends at school, they are still competing against each other. The only thing Nodame can do is to keep striving to reach her goal.

Through a conversation with Yuuko (who finally figures out that Milch Holstein is none other than Stresseman), Nodame finds out that Chiaki had his first debut in Tokyo with none other than Son Rui, the pianist. This sends Nodame into a fit of jealousy. In order to be more like Rui, she learns her playing style by watching videos in Frank's room. Again. Meanwhile, Chiaki has been forced to accompany Son Rui to go shopping. When the two go to jewelery shop, he remembers that Nodame once asked for a ring. Since he's not comfortable of giving Nodame a ring, he decides to buy her a necklace with a heart shape ruby. Rui who sees this thinks that Chiaki has a crush on the girl. She believes if a guy gives a girl jewelery, it's a sign of possession. At the same time, Nodame continues to be obsessed with playing Liszt's Transcendental Etude just like Rui. While this happens, Chiaki bids goodbye to Rui and her control-freak she calls her mother.

After the two left, Chiaki tells Stresseman that if Nodame has that kind of parent, she might become like Rui. Unfortunately, Nodame's parents have no background in music and Nodame once was scared by her teacher. Upon hearing this, Stresseman tells Chiaki to stop pushing Nodame aside but Chiaki reminds him that it's Stresseman who forced him to leave Paris. In Paris, Nodame finally meets Charles Auclair and asks him if he thinks she has the potential. Auclair thinks that's the case but he first want to hear Nodame playing. He suggests that she plays a song that she likes. Instead of doing this, Nodame chooses Liszt's Transcendental Etude. After the performance, Auclair tells Nodame that wasn't good. He told her to play song that she likes not something that shows off her technical skills. Besides, there are many others who can play such difficult piece. This makes him wonder why Nodame came here in the first place.

One day Elise informs Chiaki that from here on, his schedule would be European tour. With this Chiaki happily returns to Paris. Much to his surprise, he can't find Nodame in his room and on top of this, his room is very clean as well. In Chiaki's mind there's a large distance between where he is now and where Nodame is located (The Forest of Weirdos). When Nodame returns to the apartment, she looks depressed. After much coaxing from Chiaki, Nodame tells him that she can't keep up with her classes. She believes that her passing the exam was a fluke since she still can't sight-read. When Chiaki mentions Auclair, Nodame tells him that the teacher told her that she's not good. This causes Chiaki to ask Nodame to play the song she played for Auclair. Upon hearing Liszt's Transcendental Etude, he realizes that Nodame has been jealous of Rui for no good reason. Despite this, Nodame doesn't want Chiaki's pity and kicks him out of her room.

In order to motivate Nodame, Auclair suggest that Nodame plays in recital. When Nodame refuses, Auclair asks her for what purpose she plays and for what purpose she came here. Eventually Nodame agrees to practice for the recital so she's assigned another teacher who will guide her in learning Mozart. Despite this, Nodame continues to sink further in her sadness. One day, Nodame stays at the school overnight to learn a Mozart piece. When Auclair-sensei finds her in the piano room, he notices Nodame's Moja Moja composition. After playing her composition, he tells Nodame that she's the kind of only knows how to use instinct and emotion to express music. Having said that, the Schubert that she played in the competition was quite good. Nodame's mood, however, only change for the better after she hears a Mozart's Ave verum corpus being performed by a church choir. Now that her mood is lifted, Nodame is happier and decides to invite Tanya and Frank to her recital. Tanya is excited and ask Nodame to bring another guy to come with them.

After another trip to Japan, Chiaki eventually return to Paris in time for Christmas. When he rings Nodame's doorbell, however, no one answers. He starts to worry that Nodame might have killed herself by jumping off Eiffel Tower. However, he's surprised upon hearing Nodame's laughter coming from his room. He, however, can't contained his jealousy upon finding out that Nodame is in the middle of talking with Kuroki. Nodame tries to explain that she's just inviting Kuroki to come to her recital and she also tries to invite Chiaki. Chiaki, however, doesn't want to listen and runs out of the apartment. Nodame decide to go after him and ask the guy why he's ignoring her. Nodame thinks Chiaki is upset because she install Christmas tree without his permission but she claims that he never calls so she can't get his permission. Chiaki points out that Nodame could have call him but Nodame claims that she doesn't think it's important and besides she's also been busy. Despite this, she wants him to go back with her to decorate the tree.

Chiaki finally snaps and tells Nodame that even though she says "love", he thinks this is all nothing more than just game for her. He accuses her of never being serious with her love declaration and that her attitude with him is similar to her attitude with music. Just as Chiaki is about to walk away, Nodame drop kick him and tells the guy that he's a cold-hearted small guy. If anyone is supposed to be kissing feet, it should be him. Chiaki is now pissed off and throws Nodame backwards using Judo technique. He tells her that she's the one who's supposed to be kissing his feet. Nodame retaliates by tripping Chiaki's leg using her scarf. She then jumps on top of him and strangles the guy. She asks Chiaki when was she ever not serious about him. If anything she feels that everytime she's close to something, it goes away, whether it's Chiaki or her music. Upon hearing this Chiaki tells Nodame that he understands her feeling and the two made up with one another. Having said that Chiaki wonders why he's the one whose attitude is getting a make-over.

Fast forward a few weeks later, Nodame, Chiaki, Tanya, and Frank are happily on their way to the chateau where Nodame will perform her first recital. Tanya is mostly excited about this man that Nodame will introduce to her but much to her disappointment, the man in question turns out to be Kuroki again. When the group arrives at the destination, they are delighted upon seeing the big chateau in front of them. Nodame and Frank are especially delighted when they see that their host is cosplaying as Mozart. Later on, Nodame and Chiaki realize that their host is one big Mozart fan as exemplified by the many Mozart items adorning their room. On the day of the performance, however, Nodame finds out that she can't unzip the back of her dress. Chiaki thinks that the reason is because Nodame gains weight. Meanwhile, Tanya and the others find out that they must pay to watch the recital so Tanya has to borrow money from Kuroki since she just spent hers to buy her skirt. Due to the difference in opinion about fashion, the two end up trading verbal barbs.

Eventually the recital begins. Nodame appears in Mozart costume and begins playing Twinkle, twinkle, little star. She follows this Piano Sonata No.18, Mozart's last Piano Sonata. It's a difficult piece to understand. There are times when a different melody should appear but another same one appears instead. The piece actually reminds Tanya of her own turbulent life in Paris. Anyway, Nodame follows the song with Ravel's Mirroirs, the first song that Nodame practiced when she came to Paris. After the recital, there is a big banquet at the chateau. Chiaki complains about having to dress up in period clothing and refuses when he was requested to perform, claiming that he only conducts. The butler, however, knows that Chiaki can play violin and offers to lend his violin. Meanwhile, Tanya, who's dressed up as Marie Antoinette, has set her sight to win the affection of the son of the chateau owner. Much to her disappointment, the son is the guy who charge for entry admission to the recital.

An upset Tanya tells herself that if she can't play Piano she's just another girl from Russia. Kuroki who overhears this tells her that she can use her performance to express herself. With that said, Kuroki goes on a Oboe performance with 3 other players, impressing Tanya in the process. Meanwhile, Nodame asks Chiaki what he thinks about her performance and after teasing her a little bit, he admits that it moved him. Much to Chiaki's horror, he finds out that Nodame has been taking his pictures secretly. So he retaliates by snapping her pictures. Later on Chiaki admits he didn't know Nodame can play like that. Nodame tells him it's because she has special practice at the school. Auclair was actually the one who chose Twinkle, twinkle little star, 12th Variations. Nodame promises to learn more so that she can one day perform in Piano concerto on the same stage with Chiaki. As he kiss Nodame, Chiaki claims that Nodame always follow him but seemed so far away. He's okay with this though as long as he doesn't lose sight of her.

Back in Japan, Mine finally manage to converse with Kiyora, who looks like she didn't do good job at her competition. She also admits that she received Mine's many mails. Mine encourages Kiyora to keep in contact with her friends in Japan if she's lonely and to do her best again. If she still fails, she can still go back to Japan. As for Chiaki's European debut, he sticks with Brahms' Symphony No.1, which he used during his performance with R☆S Orchestra. Suffice to say, the performance is a success and he receives applause from his friends and rivals. Backstage, Nodame waits for Chiaki to ask for his autograph. She also wants another kiss like the one he gave her at the chateau. When Nodame closes her eyes, however, Chiaki gets a naughty idea and uses the pen to create a spiral pattern on her cheek. Before he goes back to the stage, however, he runs back to Nodame and embraces her tightly. The episode ends with implication that Chiaki finally reach Forest of the weirdos where Nodame and her friends reside.

Ending Theme

Impression:

There are some modifications made to the stories in order to fit most of them into the 2 hour format. To begin with, in the original manga, there's a Chinese student character whose name escaped me at the moment. He's supposed to be one of the students who live together with Tanya, Frank, etc. His character, however, is completely written out and his scenes are either given to Frank or Kuroki. Speaking of Frank, in the manga he doesn't actually come to Nodame's recital because he always go to his family's home for holiday. His inclusion and that little kid is just something that the live-action decide to add. I don't mind the changes since it doesn't really divert the story or anything like that. Nodame's struggle at figuring out the reason that she came to the school is far more prominent here than in the manga. She seems to cope a little better in the manga than in this version. Kuroki is also introduced a lot earlier in the live-action while in the manga he doesn't appear until Nodame actually solved her personal crisis.

Every character seem to have their own problem in this episode. Chiaki is clearly frustrated with his work schedule and his inability to be close to Nodame. Like I said in the previous episode, I'm actually surprised to know how insecure he really is. He gets jealous easily just because he sees Nodame with Kuroki. I do understand why he thinks Nodame is not serious about the relationship though. On the surface, she behaves like a girl who has a crush on someone as opposed to someone who is in love with another person. But after that Rui incident, surely Chiaki knows that Nodame has deeper feelings for him. Only someone who's in love with another person would go that far to impress the other person. If it's just a simple crush, Nodame would have given up a long time ago. Besides, Chiaki always gives out mixed signal. At fist he treat Nodame like she's an annoyance but then he looks around for her when she's not nearby.

I'm glad that Nodame gets to figure out what she wants to do away from Chiaki though. All of these times, her reason to play piano has always been so that she can be with Chiaki. She's still like that even now but at least she's more knowledgeable about her subject. I like that Nodame refuses to take Chiaki's passive-aggressive treatment during that Christmas night. Although the whole fight feels kind of weird, at least she gets a result out of it. Frank's problem is simple but easy to relate to. It must be annoying to find out that you don't get the teacher that you want after switching your school. Tanya's problem is a lot more superficial and it's hard to sympathise with her plight when her only aim in life is to marry the richest guy she can find. I also think her pairing with Kuroki feels a bit forced. I don't think there's much chemistry between the two.

Music-wise, this episode is a lot more enjoyable than the first one. I like the choir singing Mozart's Ave verum corpus. If you're interested in the song, you should check out the song's rendition as performed by Vienna boys choir. In general, I find most Mozart's song to be easier to listen than other classic composition. Ravel's Mirroirs is also a pretty good piece and perfectly illustrates the turbulence in Nodame's life after she moves to Paris. I'm not impressed that Chiaki once again uses Brahms' Symphony No.1 as his final performance. I feel that song has been used to death in the original series. I also don't find the song to be that spectacular so I don't understand why it's featured prominently in the live-action series. Liszt's Transcendental Etude, on the other hand, is an impressive piece that I like to hear again.

© memento 2003