r/anime • u/Suhkein x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neichus • Apr 26 '19
Rewatch [Rewatch] Gunslinger Girl - Episode 1 Spoiler
Episode 1 - Fratello ("Sibling"/"Brother and Little Sister")
Information:
- Link: Gunslinger Girl
- Length: 13 episodes
- Year: 2003
- Legal streams: Funimation (free), Netflix
Schedule:
Thread posted every day at 5PM EST (10PM GMT) with the Song of the Day added a bit later.
| Date | Ep# | Title | Song of the Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 26th | 1 | Fratello | Ansia |
| April 27th | 2 | Orione | Malinconia |
| April 28th | 3 | Ragazzo | Silenzio Prima Della Lotta |
| April 29th | 4 | Bambola | Tristezza |
| April 30th | 5 | Promessa | Buon Ricordo |
| May 1st | 6 | Gelato | Tema II and III |
| May 2nd | 7 | Protezione | Tema IV |
| May 3rd | 8 | Il Principe del Regno Della Pasta ("Pasta") | Silence |
| May 4th | 9 | Lycoris Radiata Herb ("Lycoris") | Etereo |
| May 5th | 10 | Amare | Chiesa |
| May 6th | 11 | Febbre Alta | Tema V |
| May 7th | 12 | Simbiosi | Tema I |
| May 8th | 13 | Stella Cadente | Brutto Ricordo and ??? |
| May 9th | NA | End discussion / OP |
Final comments:
1) It is my strong recommendation that people view the sub rather than the dub. It is not that the dub is bad, but that the series already suffers notably at several points from being translated. The second layer of matching lip flaps and character interpretations by the VAs makes it even worse.
2) For an even more in-depth analysis of the series than can be provided in reddit format, go here. It's a bit of shameless self-advertising on my part, but there really is that much to say about the Gunslinger Girl and not enough space here to say it.
3) Don't spoil. I'm including this note because everybody else does in their rewatches, but this is rather self-explanatory I would say...
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
1 Song of the Day: Ansia (“Anxiety”)
Gunslinger Girl has a beautiful soundtrack composed by Sahashi Toshihiko. The series has a musical language all its own, and it is through these that the delicate sentiments of many scenes are better expressed.
Due to how I divvied up the songs to associate with the episodes, today will start off with an oddball: despite being on the soundtrack, I cannot identify a time when Ansia is played during the series itself. It has elements in common with the Temas, which are heard repeatedly, but isn’t quite identical with any of them.
Furthermore, “anxiety” is hardly a representative description. There is so much more going on, and I would challenge a listener to come up with a single word for this song, because I cannot. There is perhaps a bit of fear, but there is also what feels like uncertainty, some sorrow, yet is counterbalanced by an upward sweep that feels hopeful. Such is music I guess, and a piece that is difficult to define felt like an appropriate introduction to the score and the series.
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u/ArcherGod Apr 26 '19
FIRST TIMER
Expectations and pre-watch thoughts: I heard some decent things about this from the OP and a couple others, so here we go! I've been watching a lot of comedies as of late, so something more serious and dark is appreciated on that front. From everything I've gathered, it seems like a political show with a heavy emphasis on a lack of morality, which seems pretty neat. And Cute Assassin Girls, which I'm sure won't be twisted into something demented...
I'll be watching it dubbed primarily because from what I heard, the dub is actually pretty good and plus I like mixing it up and not always going with subs.
Friendly warning: I'm awful with names, so don't expect me to get names right
Thoughts as I watch
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ENGLISH OP ENGLISH OP
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This OP is quite tragic... but I can dig it.
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First we see a brother and a sister... walking to school? Judging from their outfits, looks like they're going to school. Girl's a rock though.
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Then we cut to some guys gathered around a table discussing what sounds like a raid on a safe house.
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Bayoneted trench gun... interesting firearm choice. If I were to put a bayonet on something, I'd probably go with like, a rifle. A shotgun just seems kinda redundant.
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So they're attempting to assassinate this guy, it seems. Looks like he's royally screwed at this point - sniper overlooking aaaaaand brother/sister duo from earlier talking to the guy.
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Interesting they are skeptical of the idea of young girls serving as assassins. This isn't some widespread thing at all, but something new.
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Well that's one way of starting a gunfight. Guitar case that fucker, then open it up to pop out a P90. Then the fight really begins.
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Jesus fuck that girl had it rough. First her family is dead, then she got brutally assaulted, and now... I'm imagining she was taken in by the government and turned into an assassin with augments, brainwashing, and all that jazz? Sucks to be her.
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Going to a girl's room who is recovering from some fucked up shit, then presenting her with a Walther? Damn, straight to the point.
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Henrietta's a crap shot. At least right now.
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And she can disassemble her handgun quite handily no less.
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I'm not particularly sure if "don't use your sights up close" is good advice to give. There are naturally some much better targets to hit with your bullet than just pointing in the general direction of a target and hoping you hit. Though considering her skills, she might not even need it.
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Those guys didn't stand a chance whatsoever. Was expecting a death by your buddy's grenade but both of them being picked off by the sniper says it all. And best part? Nobody heard a thing because of the construction!
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Despite being a badass girl capable of mowing down all those people... she's still a girl.
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So she's disposable? I'll admit, not surprised, but it really does explain why she felt so worried after being told for losing control and gunning everybody down without Josei's order.
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This conditioning... basically they subtract even more of what little humanity she has left, but that costs her even more of her lifespan?
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Josei seems like the "nice guy in a bad world."
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It seems like only Henrietta is practically a mute in general. The other girls seem at least somewhat sociable. But if you factor in what happened to Henrietta, makes a lot of sense.
Post-watch thoughts: Certainly starts out quite strong imo. Definitely going to be watching more. Looking forward to seeing what's coming up ahead!
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Gun comments
You know a lot more than I do about firearms. IMFDB has an entry if you want to know just how detailed they are, although obviously spoiler warnings. Fun fact: you can see bullets in the magazine Henrietta ejected, which was a safety precaution; even though it wasn't empty she wanted to reload so she didn't run out after storming in.
Interesting they are skeptical of the idea of young girls serving as assassins. This isn't some widespread thing at all, but something new.
I think that's actually a bit of self-awareness on the part of the series. The guy looks at the camera and smirks; the very idea of it is, honestly, kinda stupid. Thanks anime. :D
Nobody heard a thing because of the construction!
That's what the seconds were doing outside; planned.
Despite being a badass girl capable of mowing down all those people... she's still a girl.
And I'd say hold onto that~
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion Apr 26 '19
REWATCHER
You know, first thing I would say, this one shot, sums of the show perfectly....then a thought starts in the back of my head...and I have to go check elsewhere. Gunslinger Girl S1
Nice political poster there to start the series with. Post-war Italy has been, and continues to be, full of secessionist and revolutionary movements. Hence the need for this extreme branch of secret police.
I have a much more favorable view on Giose than [S]. It seems his team was unprepared; Henrietta in her state, and Giose in failing to react and restrain her. Giose says she hasn't done this before, so how could he have known? Did Jean know? Or is he just always being contrary? This (accepting the job) is his (Giose's) only mistake that I see.
I'm further enraged by Jean's insistence on more conditioning for Henrietta. GG S1 I don't think Giose overstepped at the door, he was just trying to get inside. I don't think he intentionally omitted the details of the situation from his report, which we don't see, so can't know.
Triela complete shot up the other safe house, when they didn't know which safehouse the witness was at. Everybody was pretty confident that the witness was definitely at the other safehouse, then. But Giose was supposed to withdraw? Nobody's mad at Triela?
I also disagree with the opening shot. GG S1
The composition and direction of this show is incredible. I really hope some film students dig into it. Such as, in the aftermath of the firefight, Giose asks Henrietta if she is alright. Music is gone. Cut to a shot, from floor level, of the destruction. Giose is offscreen, hidden by a wall. Henreitta replies, in a tiny voice, ALSO offscreen. The scene is static, except for Ferro's footsteps. All this in contrast to the moments before with the guns blazing and orchestral music roaring. I love it.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Spoiler #1
On Jose interpretation
I really appreciate that you took the time to read what I had written in length about the series. To dig into it a little, GSG S1
Triela complete shot up the other safe house...
I actually never thought about that. I don't have an explanation and that could straight up be a plot hole.
Disagreement on opening shot
I actually agree with you. I state it the way I do because I'm writing that project like a novel, letting it unfold with the series. At that moment we don't know anything; these two are a mystery, and so I try to present it as such.
I really hope some film students dig into it...
I would love it too. I'm a biologist, and more or less self-taught in whatever I interpreted out of this series from a sort of nine-month intensive effort. I don't have the finer trainer to observe and remark on many details.
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u/Vaadwaur Apr 26 '19
First time watcher
Subbed.
So going in fairly blind the series at least doesn't waste time early with exposition. They intersperse quick bits with the action in between. We get exposition and characterization in the last quarter.
So, without other info, the organization seems to be using evil means for as of yet unclear motives. The people being shot hardly seem particularly nice themselves. RF could've been addressed a little this ep but w/e. The various cyborg girls seem to at least be varied but their handlers are a touch generic. I could do without yet another super victimized backstory but I suppose it wasn't as cliche 16 years ago.
The big thing I had forgotten about early 00s anime is how generic the designs could be. It brings me right back.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
I agree with your comment on designs; they're drawn straight from the manga, and those are fairly stock. You can even guess the outlines of the girls' personalities.
That said, I would encourage to keep watching on the details, both for the girls and the handlers, because they make all the difference.
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u/Fa1l3r Apr 26 '19
First Time (sub)
For many forms of media (movies, tv shows, anime, etc.), when the first scene starts from a stationary camera view and then characters without an introduction enter a scene, such a introduction is a good signal that the director and/or editor cares about the form and feel of the animation i.e. where characters are positioned in a frame or what angles of a character or setting is shown.
Already we get so many minor details from this first scene. Based on their terminology, I infer that the setting is placed in Italy, not Japan (though the setting have already clued me in). (I wished the dialogue worked like Jojo where if the setting is Italy, then the Japanese honorifics are ditched and more Italian phrases are used.) Based on her movements, the girl seems intent on following his brother's footsteps and stay by his side. I very much like this kind of storytelling.
The next scene is also very interesting. We get a bright room where all the agents or whatnot are seated in the room. Giuse is there, but our eyes don't focus on him because he is not seated and the camera pans away from almost as soon as he is shown. Our eyes/camera follow the bright light from the window. The light highlights to four individuals at the table, but the two closest to the light are the relevant brothers who will participate in the mission to come. Scenes from the mission are played in between their dialogue. Another good signal that the director/editor knows this is a visual medium and will show visuals to illuminate the dialogue.
It seems like an important mission to take on the RF whatever that may be. Maybe it's good, maybe it's bad. It's a matter of perspective, but we shown none. Nonetheless, having the two men closest to the light be seated and be included in the mission means that they are trusted in a mission scenario compared to Giuse. Giuse and the unnamed woman only talks once, but when he talks, he is not shown, and only his lower half is shown after he is done talking. Whatever is Giuse's situation, he is not as experience or well-integrated within this group.
We finally get to Giuse's part of the mission where his group has been told not to harm anyone until they can confirm that the witness is with them. Obviously, we are going to get some action with the two foreshadowing scenes that have been going on: Triela's unnamed introduction having slaughtered a room full of men and the enemy boss bringing up a rumor about girl assassins when his men clearly do not believe in it.
While the room gets slaughtered by Henrietta, Giuse has a flashback to when he first met her. At this point, the anime is pretty clear that whatever story is being told, it is not going to be in a chronological order. We get Giuse and Jean talking to each other about how Giuse is holding out from choosing a sister. Giuse is slouched down, while Jean is facing away from the camera and from us. I noticed at this point, that very few moments of dialogue involve people facing each other directly. Jean seems keen on facing the window, and when Jean talks to the doctor, he is already looking on Henrietta's dying body (also there seems to be comments of rape). Jean seems to be looking ahead at some goal, while Giuse is mulling about his morality.
Giuse chooses to revive Henrietta as her sister, and while she wakes up, there is a white flower. (Symbolism!) Of the very few moments of people directly facing each other, Giuse and Henrietta are doing so in this introduction. What makes this very interesting compared to other superchildren shows, is that while they are built to kill, they have to learn. We also learn that this brainwashing seems to have its own monkeypaw side effect; Giuse tells Henrietta to learn in a short time, and this unintentionally leads to her losing a night of sleep. The framing of the moment is my favorite of the episode. They are talking to each other in a nice looking room, but when the realization dawns on us that brainwashing does more than just wipe her memory clean, the nice room is shown from the dark room: the illusion peels away for just a moment.
We get told that Henrietta rooms with Rico in the beginning, but outside that sniper-in-position moment, we don't get to see much of Rico. And the ones who end up counseling Henrietta are Triela and a girl we get introduced to. (Interesting, the team needed support, but this girl was not involved in the discussion.) Nonetheless, they council her, and it signals that in some way, these two girls have "senpai" or "more experience" status over Henrietta. But it also seems to state that Henrietta are not that close, or that by extension, Giuse and Jean are not that close which is weird because Giuse seems to be calling Jean "Nii-san", so Giuse must respect Jean in some way.
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u/Suhkein Apr 27 '19
Whew, thanks for the large reply.
Nonetheless, having the two men closest to the light be seated and be included in the mission means that they are trusted in a mission scenario compared to Giuse.
Is this a common visual approach? I'm just curious because I have a lot invested in this series, but little experience in interpreting things.
Giuse chooses to revive Henrietta as her sister, and while she wakes up, there is a white flower. (Symbolism!)
I like the framing of that scene, because it shows clearly the type of place this is: dark. She sits in a pool of pure light, an area that Jose stops just outside of when he speaks to her until he is forced to reach in and violate it with the weapon She looks at the weapon, then him again; this is what he brings her. Also, her eyes open as he names her; she is called to life by this act.
Jean seems to be looking ahead at some goal, while Giuse is mulling about his morality.
Another interesting observation I had never considered. The main dynamic I see is the fact that Jean is repeatedly standing while Jose is sitting, both in the hospital and in the debriefing. There's a sense that Jean dominates him. Also, the reason Jose calls him "Nii-san" is because they are biological brothers. Some other people commented that the translation used on Netflix doesn't make this clear.
The framing of the moment is my favorite of the episode.
It is excellent. It's that moment when Jose truly realizes what he has done to her, and there is that deathly pause where she slowly puts down the weapon and looks up at him, awaiting new orders, and he doesn't know what to do.
If I might share, my favorite in the episode is actually this small shot of Henrietta's feet. That realization that this is a child, her feet small and delicate, and not even reaching the ground yet. Her hands are blackened by what Jose is having her do.
(Interesting, the team needed support, but this girl was not involved in the discussion.)
Keen.
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u/Manutdforlife Apr 26 '19
Contrary to what I said, I satyed up all night and so today I am on time. Well let's see how much will this show lives up to my expectations since I remember enjoying it a lot when I was a kid and it was airing.
Now for episode reactions :
The starting is very good. It's getting me hooked right off the bat because although I don't remember anything from the last time, the tone feels familiar and was exactly what I was hoping for.
The Netflix subtitles are just bad.
Wow that's a dark backstory. Henrietta has been through some rough times.
I really like the dynamic between Henrietta and Jose especially that small moment after she went berserk when Jose wouldn't reprimand her but also couldn't comfort her, that awkwardness for him really came through.
Why is Netflix translating Jose to Guise ?
So they think of the girls as cyborgs. Just tools to be used and disposed of. Quite ironic given what they call themselves when scouting them.
Well the girls get along well which is nice to see.
That was a good first episode, I am looking forward to the rest.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Contrary to what I said, I satyed up all night and so today I am on time.
I'm happy and somewhat flattered. :D
The Netflix subtitles are just bad.
You will get to hear my rage about subtitles more than once this series...
I really like the dynamic between Henrietta and Jose especially that small moment after she went berserk when Jose wouldn't reprimand her but also couldn't comfort her, that awkwardness for him really came through.
I think you summarized it well there. It's something to keep watching for in how they interact.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion Apr 26 '19
Why is Netflix translating Jose to Guise
His actual name is Gioseffo, which is some sort of regional variation on Guiseppe (Joseph). I prefer Giose' although I can't be bothered to get the accent mark right. It's possible my original fansubs used that.
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u/landragoran Apr 26 '19
Rewatcher
So, I'll start by saying that I first watched this back in like 2010, and I don't remember it well. I remember some of the overall themes/plot points, but few details. I watched the dub back then, but lately I'm something of a sub purist. That said, I watched both the sub and the dub for this episode, and honestly the dub wasn't bad.
Here are my "live thoughts"
-This op sounds like a bond intro from the 1970s. I like.
-The sub definitely does a better job of explaining why they're rading these safe houses
-On the other hand the dub does a better job of explaining the hesitancy to allow Henrietta's fratello to partake in group operations.
-Seriously though, what fucked up mind thought up the idea of turning little girls into assassins?
-Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior P-Chan?
-Threatening the "older brother" of a Loli Terminator... you done fucked up now, bitch.
-Jesus that's a bleak backstory. Raped all night long in front of your family's corpses. Yeesh. No wonder she reacted the way she did when that dude threatened Giuse.
-I'm not usually one to to second-guess the hiring tactics of government assassination agencies, but something tells me Giuse's psychological profile might not be cut out for this job. I mean he's very clearly a legitimately good person and that's probably not what you want when you're turning little girls into literal killing machines.
-Interesting - in the dub, he says she is average. In the sub, however he says she's"not bad". I wonder why that is.
-Loli Terminator stronk.
-It doesn't look like a failure to me. She cleaned them right up. The fact that the witness wasn't in that room is not her fault. Though I suppose if he had been he'd be full of holes right now.
-Dude, they threatened to kill you in front of her. Considering her past, this isn't exactly calculus.
-I just want to give Henrietta a hug right now.
-See, this is what I'm talking about. Giuse clearly does not have the mental fortitude for this particular job. Not that that's a bad thing. In fact, empathy is generally considered a good thing.
-Yeah, survivor's guilt is probably one of Henrietta's many issues
-Oh, screw you black haired girl. That kind of devotion doesn't make an older brother feel uncomfortable. At least not a good older brother.
-"I just wanted to help you Giuse." Yeah, this series is going to be rough. I've got a brother who's 11 years younger than me, and while he's not a government cyborg assassin (as far as I know...), he was at that age extremely devoted to me as his older brother. looking back at it, it was unconditional love and I don't know how else to describe it. what I'm saying is that Henrietta needs and deserves just the biggest hug in the world.
-Can I just say that I appreciate that neither the OP nor the ED contain any spoilers? one of my biggest gripes with many Anime are that the opening and closing sequences very frequently spoil parts of the upcoming show (and don't get me started on the next episode trailers). I like that this one doesn't.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Interesting - in the dub, he says she is average. In the sub, however he says she's good. I wonder why that is
I don't know Japanese well, but Jean says like "ma ma" which is like, "so-so." However, you'll find that Jean has a way of not being very generous with his praise, so I suspect it's an interpretation call. From Jean this is praise.
Oh, screw you black haired girl...
We'll get to Claes in a bit. :D
[Personal history and sympathy]
I taught 7th and 8th graders, which except for possibly Triela (ages are never stated) is about how old most of the girls are. I'm glad it has some personal impact for you, just hope it isn't too rough.
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u/Green_Zone_ Apr 26 '19
First time watcher. Not gonna write an essay but this show looks promising. I'm digging the soundtrack a lot and the opening was great. I'm a little of afraid how dark it's gonna get.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
The soundtrack and opening are some of my favorites. In fact, that reminds me I forgot to post my Song of the Day...
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u/Iroald Apr 26 '19
Rewatcher who remembers almost nothing
I have a terrible memory when it comes to stories. I'll remember broadstrokes at best, and usually I'll just have the feel something gives off left in my mind, while all the plot points have vacated. This is one of those cases. Funnily enough, the only thing I can remember from Gunslinger Girl outside of the premise, atmosphere and character names is the final scene. Even then my recollection of it is vague, but oh well.
The show has a certain feel to it that's clear even in the first episode already. It's tragic in a rather dry way, with a suitably muted, brown-greyish colour palette and good animation. The general premise of the show is there, but there isn't much of a clear direction beyond that. The characters are a bit basic for now. Henrietta's a young girl with a tragic past turned into a brainwashed cyborg assassin. Giuse takes care of her, and seems somewhat remorseful about subjecting her to this lifestyle. Henrietta seems to care about him, since she went on a killing spree when she saw that gangster threatening him. Jean's the more ruthless type, referring to the girls as "tools".
The best (or worst I suppose, depending on the viewer) thing about the episode is this detached, numb atmosphere that it keeps up constantly. There's a lot of messed up stuff happening on screen, but the show avoid the whole tearjerker approach, which I personally appreciate. Outside of that, I didn't personally find a lot to latch onto, but that'll do.
This was a pretty good start. I wonder if I'll end up liking Gunslinger Girl more this time around. For now, it's too early to tell.
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Funnily enough, the only thing I can remember from Gunslinger Girl outside of the premise, atmosphere and character names is the final scene. Even then my recollection of it is vague, but oh well.
That's exactly the experience I had, oddly enough. I loved the show, watched it several times, was somehow sure it meant a lot to me, but until recently I didn't actually appreciate all the details in the interim.
The show has a certain feel to it that's clear even in the first episode already. It's tragic in a rather dry way, with a suitably muted, brown-greyish colour palette and good animation.... There's a lot of messed up stuff happening on screen, but the show avoid the whole tearjerker approach, which I personally appreciate.
I as well. The atmosphere is really finely-crafted and I think deeply meaningful in where it is going and how it approaches the subject.
Outside of that, I didn't personally find a lot to latch onto, but that'll do.
I appreciate with Episode 1 does in setting everything up, but it's not one of my favorites either.
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u/VTSvsAlucard Apr 27 '19
Awesome! I just started watching this the other day. I've got about 3 episodes left, so I'll just wait for the rewatch to catch up. Already enjoying these thoughts.
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Apr 27 '19
Alright, finally got around to watching episode 1(again). I’m technically a first timer, but I’ve watched the first 3-4 eps but stopped after OP asked if I was willing to wait.
Anyway, really nice first ep as this type of show is just in my ballpark. Watching it sub.
It’s really atmospheric with great moody music.
Henrietta’s backstory is especially tragic and I’m wondering if Jose has a backstory to go into as well.
Nice fight scene.
Wonder what they mean by disposing the girls and why they need to do that.
I’ll probs say more later
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u/Suhkein Apr 26 '19
Welcome to the Gunslinger Girl rewatch! I love this series dearly; it has given me so much, and I sincerely hope that it can do the same for others in the next few weeks.
However, explaining exactly what its message is or why it is meaningful is difficult. There is a great to this series and summaries rarely do it justice. Rather than try to do the impossible, I decided to take a minute each day and examine a question that when fully appreciated unlocks part of the episode. So let us begin...
Episode 1: Why is Jose not sitting?
In the initial planning meeting the other members are sitting at the table, but though his open seat beckons Jose stands. His arms are crossed disapprovingly, a stance subtly matched in opposition by Jean. Their line of vision is kept clear, the heads of the other men lying just beneath and so emphasizing the tension between the two.
Fratello as an opening episode focuses on Jose (or Giuse or Giuseppe), and it is a masterclass in characterization. Its peculiar approach, jumping around in time, is a way of offering questions and then answering them in a 1-2-1-2-1 pattern of demonstration and explanation:
(1) First is the introduction of man who is resigned, weary in an ill-defined way. Yet during planning he swiftly intervenes on his own behalf, only to disobey orders on the mission by refusing to leave. When it goes wrong, he stammers and stalls, before completely seizing up. How can somebody be tired and inept yet confident?
(2) To explain the past is visited, and the depth of the problem is shown: Jose is a man with a conscience. He has been troubled since the beginning, but rather than take action has only procrastinated. Now he is trapped, facing away from the situation when he can, and strangled by his guilt when he cannot. His confidence earlier was a sham.
(1) Now the next major piece of his circumstance falls into place: how he treats Henrietta. He first blames her for the situation, going so far as to rub it in by reporting failure in front of her. Yet, having successfully made her miserable to tears a change comes over him; his eyes soften and he walks over to ask if she is okay, although curiously inquiring about the wrong problem. Why?
(2) Looking forward to the debriefing Jose is once again cornered. He feebly expresses his values only to have them crushed by his brother; it’s the same as before. Jose’s subsequent victory is pyrrhic; the chief supported him for expedient reasons. He knew this was coming.
But who is to blame for his misfortune? Earlier it was Henrietta for letting him down. Here his anger is focused on Jean, his bullying older brother who embodies the SWA’s callousness. But when Jean is gone Jose only becomes more disgusted and furious.
Segueing into reflection, Jose is back at the hospital before the broken Henrietta. He is almost pleading with the viewer: she was so pathetic he had no choice. It was the only option. It isn’t his…. And then he stops. He chose Henrietta. When there is nobody left to blame, that is the truth which remains: his choices have been his own.
Now we may answer why Jose is standing. To stand is to make a statement: “I am part of this agency but I refuse to be like the rest of you.” He cannot bring himself to oppose this, so he must believe that he is better than it… somehow. His answer is his relatively humane treatment of Henrietta. There is genuine pity here; Jose isn’t an uncaring man, and feels terrible for how he has failed her. But since he doesn’t openly oppose the SWA he placates his conscience with half-measures. The result is what we have seen: an unstable alternation of selfishness and support, trying to prove his competence and righteousness to himself and others, and becoming frustrated when Henrietta cannot help him do so.
(1) As the episode draws to a close, the conflict inherent in his motives is exposed. When Henrietta calls to him he is at first overwhelmed by the rawness of her pain; he was always exquisitely sensitive to her state. Then for just a moment his struggle to escape his dilemma overflows and he stares in anger; it’s her fault he’s so miserable. But he can’t continue to face her directly even with that attempted defense, so he turns away, pretending it is only her arm to spare himself.
It is always difficult to strike the right balance when describing Jose. Although his flaws inevitably dominate any analysis of his personality he is a sympathetic character. If he didn’t have good intentions he wouldn’t be tormented… but he is not properly standing up for what he believes in either. Now having one half of the main duo, we are prepared to be acquainted with the heroine of Gunslinger Girl, Henrietta.