NoaIzumiEpisode spotlight: Cowboy Bebop, Waltz for Venus
December 6th 2008 22:04
While catching a bounty on Venus, Spike runs into Roco, a small-time hood with a secret, a secret that concerns a stolen gray ash plant, which is almost priceless on this planet.
The first thing that caught my eye in this episode (aside from Spike’s cool moves on the plane) was that we finally see a payday for the Bebop crew. After seven episodes, I was beginning to think they’d be starving bounty hunters forever. It gave me a good feeling about the episode right away and is one reason this one is probably my favorite of the series.
"Waltz for Venus" has a great, self-contained story, with a character reminiscent of Katerina in the first episode. Roco the not-so-bad criminal is a great guest character, one that probably reminds Spike of his younger self. Not a bad person, just someone who does what he has to do to survive. The episode does a good job of fleshing out his character in the short time available, as well as telling a good crime story.
In addition, the episode is just full of great moments. Spike has a turn as sensei (Spike was cool before, but teaching someone automatically ups your coolness level by at least 20 points), and it is nice to get a little insight into his technique. Faye gets to do a turn as the badass-bounty-hunter-in-a-see dy-bar, which is a nice contrast to a similar, but oh-so-different scene in the previous episode. There’s a sweet scene with Spike and Roco’s sister having tea, which tells us Roco’s story and gives another tantalizing hint of Spike’s past. The climatic gun battle is exciting, if short, and highlighted by Roco’s moment when he’s able to execute a Spike move. And of course, there’s the final scene. Beautiful, understated, and with no dialogue, this is the perfect cap to the story.
This episode is also the first and only one set on Venus.
In short, this is a great little stand-alone story, the kind of episode that reminds us why we fell in love in Cowboy Bebop.
Watch it here! (English dub)
No, Mr. Hijacker, I'm wide awake!
The first thing that caught my eye in this episode (aside from Spike’s cool moves on the plane) was that we finally see a payday for the Bebop crew. After seven episodes, I was beginning to think they’d be starving bounty hunters forever. It gave me a good feeling about the episode right away and is one reason this one is probably my favorite of the series.
"Waltz for Venus" has a great, self-contained story, with a character reminiscent of Katerina in the first episode. Roco the not-so-bad criminal is a great guest character, one that probably reminds Spike of his younger self. Not a bad person, just someone who does what he has to do to survive. The episode does a good job of fleshing out his character in the short time available, as well as telling a good crime story.
Roco
In addition, the episode is just full of great moments. Spike has a turn as sensei (Spike was cool before, but teaching someone automatically ups your coolness level by at least 20 points), and it is nice to get a little insight into his technique. Faye gets to do a turn as the badass-bounty-hunter-in-a-see dy-bar, which is a nice contrast to a similar, but oh-so-different scene in the previous episode. There’s a sweet scene with Spike and Roco’s sister having tea, which tells us Roco’s story and gives another tantalizing hint of Spike’s past. The climatic gun battle is exciting, if short, and highlighted by Roco’s moment when he’s able to execute a Spike move. And of course, there’s the final scene. Beautiful, understated, and with no dialogue, this is the perfect cap to the story.
This episode is also the first and only one set on Venus.
In short, this is a great little stand-alone story, the kind of episode that reminds us why we fell in love in Cowboy Bebop.
Watch it here! (English dub)
| 56 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
