Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu ep.6

May 7, 2006 | 34 Comments

I think the anime writers has reached a point where they've gone overboard with the episode shuffle. It's quite annoying to watch an episode and not getting the conclusion until next week's episode. But it's even more annoying when you find out that the conclusion is not going to be in next week's episode but maybe 2-3 episode later. I didn't mind it when they put the baseball episode first before the continuation to Yuki's explanation. But this time around, I think the writers are pushing the viewers' patience. Thankfully the animation still holds up rather well and the storyline, even though feels a bit filler-ish, is still quite interesting. Overall, however, I am not enjoying the random episode shuffle.

The episode opens with a shot of a woman ripping off the letter she's just read. While this happens, Kyon asks Itsuki what he is planning to do now. Itsuki immediately denies that Kikan has anything to do with this. Although he did, write a report to his supervisor about this trip. Kyon, however, points out that Itsuki did plan this trip, prompting Itsuki to argue that he did it because Haruhi wanted to go to a privately-owned secluded island. One that can invoke the feel of Closed Circle, a mystery term used to describe a situation where all contacts with the outside world is cut off. Kyon thinks he knows this kind of situation, like the one where people got trapped in a hotel while there is a typhoon outside. Kyon then reveals that the reason he and Itsuki ended up inside a boat travelling through an ocean is because Haruhi wanted to go on an summer vactation trip with the group. Back then, Itsuki told Haruhi that they can go to an Island owned by his wealthy relative.

Haruhi became happy upon finding out about this and immediately rewarded Itsuki with the title of Deputy Chief. Strangely Itsuki all of a sudden wink at Kyon, prompting the other guy to remark that he's not jealous at all. Anyway, Haruhi tells the group that something exciting is waiting for them there and therefore decides to appoint herself as Super Detective. Back inside the boat, Itsuki asks Kyon why detectives in the literary works always find themselves involved in case after case. Kyon tells Itsuki that is because otherwise there won't be any story. Itsuki, however, warns Kyon against labelling such world as fiction especially when Haruhi planned to cast herself into this kind of world. Kyon, however, points out that there's no way an incident will happen so easily. Itsuki, on the other hand, thinks that it is possible since they're heading to an island that offers that possibility. Kyon can't help himself from being snarky and asks Itsuki if he's insane.

Itsuki tells Kyon that he believes that he's always acting within the boundary of sanity. Besides the whole idea of playing Detective in a closed circle was Haruhi's idea and not his own. Later on, while everyone is in the middle of a card game, Kyon's sister tells Mikuru that her brother actually tried to stop her from coming. A flashback reveals that Kyon's sister tried to hide herself inside a bag so she can come with Kyon. Kyon, however, found her and tried to leave her home before eventually giving up and decided to take her with him. In the present time, Kyon apologises to Mikuru for imposing his sister on her but Mikuru doesn't seem to mind and even gives Kyon a big smile. Kyon claims that maybe he can let this slide since it allows him to see Mikuru smiling. Meanwhile, Haruhi wants to know how long it'll take to get to the Island. Itsuki thinks it'll take at least 6 hours by Ferry but he's asked the host to meet them at the port.

Haruhi becomes excited upon hearing this and starts imagining that the building must be strange looking. She also wants to know the name of the architect but Itsuki doesn't know the details. He simply thinks that the owner hired someone famous. While this conversations happening, Kyon's sister, Mikuru, and then Haruhi manage to complete the game. For a God, Haruhi sure is bad at playing card game. She, however, has the nerve to say that the loser will have to buy everyone juice. It looks like she secretly hopes that Kyon will lose. Kyon, however, is far more concerned with Haruhi saying outloud that isolated island is usually associated with incidents. He immediately chants a wish that nothing will happen. As expected, Kyon is the loser so he ends up buying everyone a drink. After this, Haruhi decides to take Kyon's sister and Mikuru to see some giant squid. Although Kyon doesn't say it, he looks as if he's hoping that there won't be some tentacle action.

Kyon, however, is too tired to think about it and decides to snore himself out. He, however, is awaken when he hears Haruhi's patronising voice and sees a bright flash on his face. As it turns out, Mikuru has been taking his photos while he's asleep. Poor Kyon, these women will be the death of him. Despite this, Kyon can't help himself from grinning like an idiot thinking that Mikuru took his photos so she can put it in a nice little frame next to her bed. Unfortunately for him, Haruhi tells him that she's the one who ordered Mikuru to become an official SOS-Dan photographer and take pictures of him. Upon hearing this, Kyon wants to know how a picture of him snoring and waking up is supposed to be a highlight of their trip. In reply Haruhi tells him that Kyon's stupid face while sleeping will serve as a warning for future generations about the danger of sleeping soundly and being unaware of the danger that they're going to face.

Thankfully for Kyon, Haruhi's tirade ends right away when she hears the noise that indicates that the ferry has arrived at the port. Kyon is a bit worry about the possibility that they may encounter monster in the island but Itsuki assures him that won't happen. Kyon, however, finds Itsuki's words to be hard to believe. Upon getting out of the ferry, the group is greeted by the Butler, Arakawa, and the maid, Mori Sonou. Haruhi seems to be excited to hear the news that they have to travel with another boat to an island and with the fact that they are accompanied by suspicious-looking butler and maid. If no one realises it by now, this scene should prove it once and for all that Haruhi lacks tact. Inside the boat, Kyon realises that Mikuru has been paying attention to the maid, as if trying to imitate its mannerism. Haruhi, on the other hand, is busy wondering if the mansion has a reputation similar to The House on Haunted Hill.

Haruhi, however, becomes disappointed when she sees the villa and realises that it looks ordinary. There are, however, some interesting development when Itsuki reveals that the owner's younger brother, Tamaru Yutaka, has also been invited into the island. Before they leave the boat, Kyon notices that Yutaka is the guy who ends up tying the boat into the dock. The gang is then greeted by the owner, Tamaru Keiichi, who is surprised by Haruhi's restrained manner. He tells Haruhi that Itsuki has told her that she's much more frank. Wrong mistake! Because Haruhi immediately launches asks the guy if there has been an incident happening around the island lately. Unfortunately for Haruhi, since the building has just been completed a couple of days ago, nothing has happened before. Keiichi also never heard of an incident happening in the island beforehand. Haruhi becomes even more disappointed when she realises that the room looks ordinary.

Mikuru tells Kyon's sister that she can stay in the same room with her. Kyon, in his jealousy, tells his sister to behave. After the group settles down, Haruhi suddenly tells the other that she figures out the suspect is Keiichi and his victim is Mikuru. Kyon is annoyed to hear this since there is no incident whatsoever and they are actually Keiichi's guest. It's not clear whether or not Kyon said this outloud but all of a sudden, Haruhi changes her mind and decides to take a swim first. Kyon is happy to hear this and even more so when he gets to see Mikuru in swimming suits. He, however, is concerned about Yuki, who is pre-occupied with reading a book than having fun in the beach. Itsuki tells him that everyone has their own way of having fun so everyone should do whatever they enjoy the most. Having said that, they do have to ensure that Haruhi is not bored while they're here. The two then decide to join Haruhi and Mikuru in the pool.

The group ends up having fun together and somehow they actually manage to persuade Yuki to play with them as well. Although predictably, she's still fixated on her book as usual. Haruhi, on the other hand, seems to be having a lot of fun even during dinner and later on that night when they go back to the beach to play with fireworks. Kyon is also happy that the day ended without nothing extraordinary happen to them. Unfortunately, on the second day, a storm suddenly appears out of nowhere and upsets Haruhi because they can't do outdoor activities. She, however, becomes excited again when Kyon points out that the typhoon seems to have come out of nowhere despite the weather forecast predicting something completely different. Haruhi thinks that now they are trapped in an isolated island, an incident could happen. Because they can't go and play outside, the group decides to play various games in the basement game room.

After playing a few games, Keiichi and Yutaka appear to join them in the game of Shogi. Keiichi, however, decides to leave the game halfway through playing it since he has something to tidy up. As Keiichi leaves, Kyon realises that Keiichi and Yutaka as well as Arakawa and Mori seem relatively normal for Itsuki's acquintance. He thinks they need more characters before an incident can happen. The gang then gather inside a bedroom and play a game of "Who's the King?" and Haruhi is of course ends up being the one. So she asks number two, which is Yuki, to turn around and says "I love you". Yuki agrees to do so but she ends up saying the word while using expressionless face and voice. Because of this Haruhi orders Kyon to do it instead but when Kyon almost said it, she tells him to forget it, causing the poor guy to become aggravated. I think at this rate, Kyon will suffer from indisgestion or worse, heart burn at a young age because he has to deal with Haruhi.

The next morning, Haruhi is keen on playing pillow fight. Before they can do this, however, Arakawa the Butler appears and by accident Haruhi ends up hitting him with the pillow. Arakawa, however, is not offended because he has a much important thing to say. He tells the group that not too long ago, Mori went to Yutaka's room and found it empty. And it seems they also can't find him anywhere on the island. Arakawa also tells the group that they haven't been able to contact Keiichi through the intercom. Because of this, the group decides to go to Keiichi's room to investigate. When they got to the hallway, however, Haruhi suddenly stops as if sensing something. The others, however, rush past him and immediately knocks on Keiichi's door. Since Keiichi doesn't answer, Kyon, Itsuki, and Arakawa decide to break the door together. When they get inside the room, however, they are shocked to find a knife embedded into Keiichi's lifeless body.

Impression:

Unfortunately, instead of continuing this particular story, next week's episode will deal with an entirely different story. I really wish they had screened the episode in the right order instead scrambled like a mess. Anyway, it's interesting how things suddenly turn bad just like Haruhi wishes it will be. She was hoping for an island that is cut off from the outside world and suddenly there is a typhoon that prevents anyone from coming or going out of the island. She also kept wishing for an incident on the island and suddenly there is a murder case inside the mansion. At the moment it is implied that Yutaka is the perpetrator of the murder since no one seems to be able to find him. But if it had been that obvious, then there wouldn't be a mystery and Haruhi wouldn't be able to be the detective, so I suspect, the killer is actually someone else. Unfortunately they are rather short on suspect. For all we know, the murderer could be someone from SOS-Dan. Although the woman at the start of the episode could also be a suspect.

Upon rewatching the episode, however, I think I understand now why the scene where Haruhi stops herself in the middle of the hallway is important. In my opinion, Haruhi stops all of a sudden not because she senses something, but simply because she doesn't know where is Keiichi's room. In other words, she acts just like a normal guest. On the other hand, the rest of the group somehow manages to find the precise room where Keiichi is sleeping. Please remember that Keiichi told them that this house was just newly built. As a result, there's no way for anyone apart from Arakawa to know where Keiichi's room is located. If Arakawa had told the group, then Haruhi will surely know where the location is as well. Does this mean that the murderer is actually someone from SOS-Dan. It's a possibility. After all, Haruhi did say that Keiichi could be someone who wants to kill Mikuru. Maybe that is true and the gang (minus Haruhi) simply tried to stop him but ended up killing him in the process.

© memento 2003