Tuesday 8 June 2021

Cowboy Bebop Marathon - Session 5: Ballad of Fallen Angels


This might be one of the strongest episodes so far.

Spike and Jet are looking at pursuing a bounty on Mao Yenrai, a capo in the Red Dragon Syndicate who is apparently wanted for the murder of a rival syndicate boss. However, Jet backs out when he thinks that Spike is hiding something. It's revealed at the beginning of the episode that Mao had formed an alliance with the other syndicate boss, only for both to be assassinated by a syndicate enforcer known only as Vicious. Faye pursues the bounty, only to find that Mao is already dead and the bounty posting itself was a trap meant for Spike, with whom Vicious has a history.

This episode takes the opportunity to delve into Spike's past as he shares a drink with Anastasia, a corner shop owner who secretly deals in weapons. We also have the introduction of Vicious, and his sinister presence instantly makes the episode darker. With his cold demeanour, his katana, and his cormorant, he certainly lives up to his name.

While it's a shame that Faye ends up becoming a damsel-in-distress this episode, I love the showdown between Spike and Vicious' goons in an abandoned church which also holds significance to Spike's past.

All in all, this is a pretty good episode. We know a little more about Spike's past, but we don't have the whole story. Just enough to find out a little more.

Plus the resolution is kinda funny.

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