Episode 4: The Ghost |
Review This episode starts off a little differently than the others so far. We see a little girl asking where her mommy and daddy are. At first it may be hard to figure out who this girl is, but it continues with many signs of who it is-Amy Stapleton. She wakes up and wonders why she is even getting out of bed. Well, she doesn't want to get out of bed; we've all been there. But today is different. Her mother and father are out for the day, and she says having dinner tomorrow with them is one day too late. And so her mood is set from here on out, and it does seem troubling. It' s not until the writers made it obvious when I figured out what was really wrong. Today is her birthday, and everyone has seem to have forgotten. It is interesting to see this subtle character act this way, and for once, one might even feel bad for her. Her life isn't perfect, but neither is anyone's. Meanwhile, Takeshi is soaking in the sun...on the race track. So he isn't tanning or anything, but he closes his eyes as he imagines how surreal it is to be out here. It is pretty surreal. The track is very big to a human's point of view, and it's interesting that Takeshi appreciates it so much. It's the kind of beauty that one finds in the most practical of things. For many, places to relax are fields, or beaches. For Takeshi, it's the race track. Takeshi's not the only one, though. As he opens his eyes, he sees Cunningham. The music changes to a slightly intimidating piece, which sets the mood for his character. Cunningham talks smack about the race tomorrow, and Takeshi isn't too thrilled. Cunningham comes across very subtly. I don't think Takeshi was even sure what to think of the conversation. Cunningham changes the topic a little, and asks Takeshi about his swordsmanship. Takeshi says that it would be okay for him to show it off to Cunnigham sometime. Takeshi makes a motion like he is done talking to Cunningham. Cunningham isn't quite finished. After an uncomfortable pause, Cunningham instantly pulls out a sword and slashes at Takeshi. Takeshi dodges it and swipes back. After that, they both stand as surprised as we are, and Cunningham says that's how good he is. But Cunningham notes that that may or may not be his best. Perhaps Cunningham is saving his best for the track. Takeshi makes a clever response saying that he may not have shown Cunnigham his best either. So there ends the conversation, and Cunningham leaves. Takeshi is still a bit unsure of Cunningham, even after he seemed to be friendly. Was it just a show? Speaking of shows, in case you didn't follow, neither of them had real swords. They were just waving their hands around acting like they had swords. See, it's all a metaphor for the races, and links back to the first time we saw that metaphor last episode. Later, Takeshi and River have a quick Iaido match. Takeshi inadvertently gets psyched out and whacks River on the wrist. That part isn't shown, but implied. It may be a bit confusing to some people unfamiliar with the style of Iaido. River is upset at Takeshi, and thinks that Takeshi only cares about himself-that Takeshi just puts on a facade. Then, he hits on Jesse, who is fixing him up. She also makes a clever response by saying, "Wow, River. I guess you really are all better". She then hits him on the wrist, and his yell says it all. He's in pain, and Jesse just got back at him. At least she's knows how to handle boys. Meanwhile, the Team is eating lunch. Liz notices that Amy is looking down today. Amy says she's not and leaves, although by her tone, we can tell she is upset. Not like we didn't already know. Jesse meets her on the roof of the establishment. Apparently, that's where Amy likes to be alone. Amy explains why she feels lonely. She's always been alone, or at least it seems. She says that she really wonders if she's satisfied with the way things are in her life. Jesse says that she thinks that is natural. It is natural, and once again, I'm amazed at Jesse's way of truly caring for everyone. Jesse says how lucky the team is to have Amy. It made Amy feel like she belonged to something. The team still doesn't notice though. After the conference about the race tomorrow, it's approaching nighttime. Amy asks everyone if they want to do something. They all say they have plans. The way it comes off, it seems that they really do all have separate plans. Another play of this scene shows that Liz does act suspiciously surprised at Amy's request. But anyways... Amy is once again, alone. She packs up for the night, but then hears Luca mewing. She walks around looking for where Luca's voice is coming from. She finally finds the room, and it is dark. The lights suddenly turns on, and the entire team surprises her for her birthday. They hadn't forgotten, but she cries in joy thinking that they had. Then a quick flashback of when Luca met Amy appears. Amy is alone crying, and Luca appears in a royal robe acting like Prince Charming who saves her. Of course, that's not how it really happened. Then it fades to what actually happened. Amy finds Luca on the street. That first vision speaks truth though. Although Amy saved Luca, Luca is really the one who saved Amy. Her mom then apologizes for not remembering. Amy says just never let her give up on her dream of racing in the IGPX, and they are forgiven. Back to what's going on this morning, Takeshi and Team Satomi are walking toward where their machines are for the race, and they pass by Team Velshtein. Takeshi tries to greet Cunningham before the race. Cunningham walks by silently. Liz reminds Takeshi that they are enemies, not friends. Takeshi's now frustrated, wondering what actually happened yesterday between him and Cunningham. Jan Michael and Dew ask what that was about, and Cunningham tells them that Takeshi was likely nervous about seeing a superstar like him. People put on masks to hide their true motives, or what they are really feeling. Cunningham really is a ghost. We have no idea if his mask was on for Takeshi or for his team members. Many would like to believe it was for Takeshi, but what if it was for his team members. Maybe he really wants to get to know Takeshi, and his friendliness was genuine. Either way, the race will make them enemies, and now Cunningham knows about Takeshi's style. As Cunningham warns his team members about Takeshi, we see a flashback of Cunningham with a cut shirt walking away from Takeshi. That explains why Takeshi was psyched out by River. It was really Cunningham who psyched him out, another case of masks. Takeshi can't hide it when he sees Cunningham again. He tells Liz that she obviously doesn't understand what's going on. Amy reminds them to focus on the race. Liz once again refers back to her quoting of others. The consistency of her character is great. Cunningham is a mystery, and the outcome of the race is a mystery. Perhaps this is why this is one of those episodes that works so well. We are left wondering, and will come back next week to find out. Everyone will try to figure out who Cunningham is trying to be, and the mystery behind him may make The Ghost a most suitable name for him after all. |
Amy gets out of bed, but asks herself what the point is. |
Luca is famous, as we see in his own advertisement for Luca brand cat food. |
Alex Cunningham and Takeshi have an interesting coversation on the track. Is Cunningham really who he seems to be? |
Additional Pictures |
USA original air date: November 19th, 2005 |
Japan original air date: October 26th, 2005 |
Original Japanese Title: Under the Name of the Emperor |
Summary After the stunning victory against Team Black Egg, Team Satomi takes a little time off to build up to the next race against former champions, Team Velshtein. Takeshi meets Team Velshtein's forward for a personal talk, but will this give Takeshi the overconfidence in beating him? And how will Team Satomi really match up against the entire Team Velshtein once out on the track? This episode features an up close and personal look at the IGPX race track, and Sir Hamgra: leader of Team Velshtein. |
OVERALL SCORE: 8 out of 10 |
Toonami Version Differences -Perhaps the most famously cut scene of the series appears in Episode 4, but not in the Toonami version. The scene is about 45 seconds of the first time Amy meets Luca. This scene is between Amy's birthday party and Amy waking up the next day. |
Additional Information |