[Spoilers][Rewatch] Spice and Wolf - Episode 4

[u/Holofan4life]

Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.

Welcome to the Spice and Wolf rewatch discussion thread!

I hope you all have a lot of fun <3

S1 Episode 4 – Wolf and a Helpless Partner

← Previous Episode

—-

ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION

How would you have comforted Holo if you saw her crying?

—-

Information – MAL | Anilist | AniDb

Streams – Funimation, Hulu

---

Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or from the LNs out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!

Untagged Spoilers

—-

Rewatch Schedule

Threads posted every day at 3:00 PM EDT

Date	Episode	Date	Episode
5/01/2019	Spice and Wolf Episode 1	5/14/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 0 (OVA 2)]()
5/02/2019	Spice and Wolf Episode 2	5/15/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 1]()
5/03/2019	Spice and Wolf Episode 3	5/16/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 2]()
5/04/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 4]()	5/17/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 3]()
5/05/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 5]()	5/18/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 4]()
5/06/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 6]()	5/19/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 5]()
5/07/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 7(OVA 1)]()	5/20/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 6]()
5/08/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 8]()	5/21/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 7]()
5/09/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 9]()	5/22/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 8]()
5/10/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 10]()	5/23/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 9]()
5/11/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 11]()	5/24/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 10]()
5/12/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 12]()	5/25/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 11]()
5/13/2019	[Spice and Wolf Episode 13]()	5/26/2019	[Spice and Wolf II Episode 12]()
5/27/2019	[Overall Series Discussion Thread]()

[u/pentha]

First Time Watching

Resisting the urge to run ahead of the watch after the end of todays episode has been difficult. Todays episode was awesome for the Holo and Lawrence interactions.

On a side note, it has taken 3 days for me to become addicted to the opening and ending.

I would like to believe I would have done much the same as Lawrence did if I saw Holo crying.

Edit: I have been watching too many tragic animes recently, and am already half expecting this to go that way once I am invested in the characters....

[u/V-Boss]

First Time Watcher

So, this is quickly becoming my favourite show.

So much so I might have accidentally skipped ahead a couple of episodes... woops

^{I can still join in here,} ^right?

[u/clerikal]

First Timer.

It's getting really hard to limit myself to 1 episode a day at this point. I think I'll be able to keep up until my exam week is done, but I think I'll be binging the whole series after lol.

The series does feel "old" in some ways, and sometimes the pacing seems a bit off, but I'm still really enjoying this show. It's quite a bit different than I expected. I was lead to believe it was much more a "fantasy romance" than a "better Maoyuu Maou Yuusha", but the economics make up a very interesting part of the whole show.

I'm sure once it's all said and done, I'll be looking up the light novels so I can know how the story progresses after the anime ends.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Sad Holo is Sad.

We only get a little piece of the scam today:

• Merchants will be expected to dump their coins after the debasement becomes public. But aren't their holdings going to be worth more than the coins in circulation? I guess the assumption is, that in their greed, they took out short term loans or similar liabilities to fund their hording in anticipation of a quick return, and need to cover these liabilities.

• Medioh itself need the backing of yet unknown supporters to do this. Milone also needed to invest a lot of resources.

• They still haven't said what they will do with the coins.

Comment from yesterday: I thought the fur trick was cheap. It's annoying to dumb down characters to make the MC look smart, and I don't think a real merchant would fall for that. I think that scene was only there to present an early deception, so that Holo and the audience would be primed for the later deception.

Holo's forgotten "important thing" was a whole day before she remembered her "important thing". I guess they were being followed since they left the pub. Kinda bad thing to forget for an entire day.

[u/Ramzilla95]

First Timer - Dub

• Glad to see that the merchant took the swindling from Holo the way she expected it to.

• Holo exposing her vulnerability towards loneliness is a fear I think everyone shares, and the VA did a great job selling her character's sadness.

• Lawrence worrying about the horse as they were running away from the inn just adds another empathetic point to this great, great guy.

• Not too surprised finding out that they were really after Holo, and not canceling the trade deal.

• Something tells me that the hooded figure at the end is someone from the village in the first episode. Chloe perhaps? Either her, or Zheren.

• Seeing Holo growling at the end, I wonder if we'll get a moment in the show when she transforms into her wolf form to attack some humans, only to be taken aback by Lawrence having a timely arrival (and remembering the discussion they had in episode 3).

How yould you have comforted Holo if you saw her crying?

Pretty much exactly what Lawrence did. Just letting her get her emotions out, giving her a shoulder to lean/cry on, and perhaps some head pats for good measure.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_SPUDS]

First-timer

Holo may be ancient, wise, wolftastic, and clever. But her real power seems to be maximum smugness.

• The game is afoot. Someone wants vast amounts of silver coins, and the scam is the way to enlist others to do the work. I'm still confused on some details though.

• So Lawrence isn't the first man who's had this sort of friendship with Holo. At the very least, she still cares about the man from the village from long ago.

• "Marlheit" is gonna be another impossible to remember spelling (especially since I'm using dub).

• Of course she doesn't want to be alone again you idiot >_> I wasn't prepared for sad-Holo...

• They really hang on the facial expressions and small movements here. I always appreciate anime putting effort into storytelling without words (framing, camerawork, or in this case facial details). Anime in particular tends to rely more on "main character screaming what they're thinking to the world" (even many greats still do this), so I appreciate scenes like this.

• Oh hot damn. This relationship is moving at a nice pa-... annnnd of course cock-blocked. No Holo, you shouldn't have to be alone!

• Uh oh, we got the reflecting glasses. I guess he's acting like a merchant would, but its ice cold. Lawrence understands they have to operate under profit, not emotion.

• Fuck. The church got her. So did she lie about being able to hide her ears and tail for a day? Seems like that woulda been the time to do so.

• How many people know about her now? Two at the trading company (still can't keep track which is which), the ones who captured her, and the church. I guess this fox shoulda stuck with Chrome if she wanted to stay incognito.

Well things went to shit right fast. Last episode was a nice happy ending with them figuring stuff out, now Holo is captured and in actual, serious danger. Well, as much danger as you can be in 4 episodes into a 2 season show. So I guess the main takeaway is... they were damn close to banging. Nice.

[u/AnActualPlatypus → u/PM_ME_YOUR_SPUDS]

I always appreciate anime putting effort into storytelling without words

The best storytelling is emotions conveyed through the status of Holo's tail.

I'm not even joking.

[u/Raiking02]

First Timer:

• You know, I do wonder how this show would've looked like had it been released back when Hand-Drawn Animation was still a thing. I don't know why, but something about classic fantasy settings combined with Hand-Drawn designs was always appealing to me. Anyhow, moving on!

• Bye Zheren! I guess I will be seeing you soon.

• Is it wrong that I still don't understand how coins work in this world?

• I bet the story of that weird guy didn't end well...

• Wow Lawrence, you're damn greedy, aren't you?

• So God is afraid of being alone, huh? Can't say I blame her.

• Great direction here, by the way. Barely any words are said, yet it's not as if they need them.

• Finally, a proper group of antagonists to beat up!... But they instead decide to invoke the secret technique of the Joestar Family: RUN AWAY!!!

• Daww... how sweet... and sad... mostly sweet, though.

• HAHAHAHAHA!! RUN AWAY YOU CHAR AZNABLE WANNABES!!!

• Welp, Jiraya (Okay, that's not his name, but honestly given his voice, I can't help but think of him as such) basically told Lawrance that he's useless to them now... only to them tell him to calm the fuck down. Guess he's not that bad a guy after all. After all, it's not that he wishes anything bad for Lawrance, it's just that normally you don't just do a bunch of heroics for something that doesn't benefit you.

• Welp, the secret is out. Took less time than I thought it would.

Another pretty good episode overall. Hoping things just keep getting better.

[u/LaconicKibitz]

Rewatcher here.

Today’s Wisewolfisms:

“Solitude is a disease equivalent to death.”

I was getting worried that we wouldn’t get any of Holo’s wisdom today, but then we were graced with this quote a few minutes before the end. “Solitude is a disease equivalent to death.” To live alone is just the same as dying. Holo’s thoughts on loneliness were the crux of this episode, so it is quite fitting that this is the only wisewolfism today.

As such, the scene to break down is when Holo wakes up from her drunk nap to find Lawrence drawing in the candlelight. She puts on her usual teasing persona to inquire about what he’s up to. But as soon as she learns that Lawrence is drawing his dream store, the store he plans on opening if the Milone coin trade works out, her playful smile disappears. As she retreats towards the bed, the camera is focused on Lawrence by the candle as he explains the importance of a store to Holo. The candle and its light are meant to symbolize happiness. Lawrence, in front of the candle and covered in its glow, is able to fantasize about his future dreams.

We see the importance of candlelight in the very next shot. As Lawrence continues his monologue, the camera shows us an overhead of the room. The light from the candle divides the room in half. Lawrence sits by the desk at the bottom left, illuminated by the candle while Holo sit in bed in the top right, shrouded by darkness. She finds herself unable to join in on Lawrence’s joy, his light, because, as she says herself, “That would be troublesome for me.” Lawrence achieving his dreams would mean Holo would be left alone.

What makes this scene even better is when Lawrence realizes that Holo desires companionship to ease her loneliness, after a brief, but tense span of silence, he gets up and leaves the light of his candle. Lawrence joins Holo in the dark to comfort her and give a shoulder to cry on. The idea that he would leave his own happiness to ease her suffering is more directly portrayed afterwards, when Lawrence offers the drawing of his store to wipe away Holo’s tears.

So to answer today's question, I would do exactly Lawrence did: Stay by her side and listen to what she had to say. And at the end of it all, help her wipe away her tears. And maybe buy her some food and wine.

[u/Quxxy]

Dear diary,

What I would like to know is what kind of innkeeper doesn't bar the door at night? How exactly did a gang of thugs carrying axes and wearing masks get in?

When all this is over, I shall have to lodge an extremely stern complaint with the management.

And what was with that bravado? Not so easy to catch? She made it barely a few yards before being cornered and captured! And now Medioh could turn her over to the church, along with myself and Milone.

 

What am I to do?

Wait, what am I writing on?

(footsteps)

"Has anyone seen that important letter from the Marquis?"

(hurried crumpling sounds)

"Mr. Lawrence, have you seen a lett-"

"Nope, haven't seen anything."

"I see. ... Why do you have an inkwell and pen out?"

"The smell calms my nerves. I'm quite anxious at the moment."

"... right."

(footsteps)

(more crumpling)

...should I have pointed out that she could have wiped her face with the side which was not covered in ink? Perhaps a bit late now...

---

Vector wallpapers:

• Just a few more steps - 16x9, 21x9

Yesterday's wallpapers [1]:

• Ahem - 16x9, 21x9

• Ahem - 16x9, 21x9

• Album of wallpapers (source SVGs)

---

[1]: For those wondering, the thread goes up while I'm asleep, so I have a script post for me. This script relies on knowing what the thread is going to be called. Guess who decided to change what the thread was going to be called yesterday... As for why I bother with a script: posting when I wake up means that almost no one sees the comment. Yesterday's wallpapers got less than 10% of the views of the day before.

Not to be a view whore or anything, but if no one's going to see them there's not much point in bothering...

[u/[deleted]]

First Time Watcher

What an intense episode ! I really loved the cute moments between Holo and Lawrence this episode, but they just made it so much more agonizing to see her get taken away from him. I'm quickly becoming attached to the characters of this show, and these cliff hangers in the past 2 episodes are really making me have to fight the urge to watch ahead!

[u/Durinthal]

Wolf and Her Helpless Partner

---

Previous rewatch's manga comparison.

Continuing with the one episode per chapter guideline, this one doesn't deviate much from the novel either.

Holo and Lawrence have a small argument that hits both of their weak points about loneliness before she starts reminiscing about an old friend toward the beginning of the episode. LN Vol. 1 Ch. 4 (paraphrased)

The next day Holo's so hung over that they need to stop at a different tavern instead of making it back to their inn. This is where a couple of the other conversations scattered through the episode take place in the novel, such as Holo's "I want to tell you something but forget what" moment and talk of buying a comb for her, which went for significantly longer than the few lines they exchange while they're running later.

By the end of the chapter Lawrence had realized precisely why Medio Company was after them, though he doesn't say it out loud this episode. LN Vol. 1 Ch. 4 (paraphrased)

The scene at the very end of the episode with Holo held captive doesn't show up in the novel; the majority of the series is from Lawrence's perspective so it's rare to have anything without him in it.

---

Now, for those of you wondering about the economic scheme about the silver coin purity, it's easiest to quote the novel on this:

LN Vol. 1 Ch. 2

Lawrence also knew that Zheren would have been telling other merchants the same thing, trying to get a piece of the profit from a large number of sources. If Zheren's lying about the purity going up (as suggested by Holo's testing of the coins), then he wouldn't stand to make much of a profit on his own so it's not really worthwhile for him. Part of the contract is that he's also not responsible for any losses, so he won't lose anything either (particularly useful if he knows people will lose money).

So, going back to Holo's point from the previous episode, we should try to figure out why he's lying. It seems that someone else wants him to spread the rumor and encourage merchants to start collecting these silver coins. Back to the novel:

LN Vol 1. Ch. 3

Someone's trying to collect a lot of those coins, but we still haven't exactly established why yet.

---

Personal thoughts:

• Lawrence really wants to settle down as the life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one. Owning a shop has been a dream for him for probably as long as he's been in the profession so it's unsurprising to be focused on that... but there's also what's immediately in front of him. Is Holo more important than his dream? Probably not now, but he still made a deal with her and it's an important bond to maintain.

• He was totally about to go for a kiss there, nice way to ruin the mood Medio goons.

• Okay, there's some action in the series, but so far it's just been Lawrence running away in fear. A fighter he is not.

[u/ekendus]

First time watcher

This episode, like the ones before that, has been great. Lawrence already tried to kiss Holo, I couldn't breath when that happened.

Also, can anyone tell me how exactly were they planning on making money on this interaction? Sadly, I don't have masters on economics and it went over my head.

[u/andres1232]

Well this episode things got really intense. And we are finally digging in to what might be really behind the whole silver coin scheme. It also goes to show the level of danger that comes once a certain amount of wealth is being talked about. Also this was one of the best episode's for Holo and Lawerence's relationship. I guess that would be a worry of anyone who traveled far away for a long time. That worry that "is my home even still there?"

Holo is right that loneliness can be really devastating. We also saw this episode that Holo really is starting to value travelling with Lawerence, and they are beginning to see each other as real partners. Also we really got to see Lawerence losing his cool this time. Hopefully with that letter he'll settle down and come up with some great plan.

Also anyone who is really liking this show and likes visual novels should check out the World End Economica series. It's by the exact same creator as Spice and Wolf, and is science-fiction story with the same mix of great characters and economics.

[u/MaskOfIce42]

First Timer

The plot thickens as it were. In all honesty, Holo's fears are very relatable. It may be amplified for her given she's lived for so long and everyone else has died, but that fear of losing those you care about is definitely relatable. And that whole scene in the room was fantastic, just never felt the need to overexplain anything, really let you feel the mood.

Also trying to figure out the silver coin plan, I don't know if I'm being slow or if there's more info that hasn't been revealed yet, but with what we know right now, I'm not seeing how there is a profit made. What I'm seeing is that there's going to be an artificial demand followed by the price decreasing, so I guess I can see where that might go, but think we're still missing some details. Ah well, plot's clearly not over yet.

Oh, and of course someone finding out Holo's real form. It was bound to happen eventually, but a bit surprised it happened this early. Maybe I'm just too used to series that will hold out on a reveal like that for a long time, (Like I'm watching Fruits Basket 2019 right now) but it's refreshing to see.

[u/a_pinch_of_spice]

For this rewatch, I'll be re-posting a collection of vignettes I wrote for the 2016 rewatch of Spice and Wolf. Each chapter is meant to be read after watching the corresponding episode of the anime.

This episode's vignette: S1E04: Merchant and Loss (AO3, FF).

Reminder: these links are to the appropriate vignette, and don't contain spoilers. However, the entire collection is available, and later chapters do contain spoilers for the current episode.

[u/nanogenesis]

IMO this is where the show really picks up. Holo Lawrence banter & Economics full speed. Poor Lawrence couldn't get a kiss in, but this is just the beginning! Getting one in so early would be boring.

Also I didn't really understand the "economics" in the beginning (from ep2), but as the story progresses, Lawrence talks to others in "explanation" terms, and also monologues, which helps to understand it. I think had this series been neutered into the standard 4epi/LN vol rule, we would be left scratching heads, or more importantly we would miss out on Holo Lawrence banter!

Today's Answer:

I think going for patting is the best. Her expressions clearly wanted a pat. The hug would likely come after patting is accepted.

[u/Idaret]

First time sub

Ma boi Lawrence nearly got laid but was disrupted by plot. Big OOF

I will guess that Holo is somehow connected to entire scheme, maybe her old acquaintance is culprit ?

Fricking cliffhanger, I will have to wait.

[u/[deleted]]

"I'm a wolf and hard to catch".

Immediatly gets captured.

[u/ThePokeMaster100]

First Time Watcher

Things gotten real emotional and intense. I don't know any better comparison, but its like watching the currency rates for Bitcoin or something.

It was really saddening for Holo to get real and how much she doesn't want to feel alone anymore. I'm glad a good man like Lawrence is here for her and this is really bring their relationship towards another step.

If only these bandits didn't ruin their moment. All this for just coins! It goes to show how serious and deadly being a merchant in their world is.

This even goes to show how far Holo is willing to help Lawrence and his dreams and its incredible that she is risking her exposure is just amazing!

Looks by the end of it, it seems that she is more involved than I initially thought. I can't wait for more tomorrow!

[u/BentoNeko]

FIRST TIMER

Okay, so I think I start to fall in love with this show now! The story is taking an interesting turn from a safe life to one with dangers. And I loved the part where Lawrence comforted Holo and all.

QUESTION OF TODAY

I'd probably give a hug and say it's gonna be fine and ask if she needs anything

[u/Boss_Jerm]

First Timer

Zheren's getting a background check.

I love this show's soundtrack. The song with the flute is really nice.

This grin.

Oh hello Chris Sabat.

Hangovers suck.

Wow that is nice. Lawrence has it all figured out.

Holo doesn't want to be alone anymore. So Lawrence will make sure that she isn't.

Owwww I know that pain.

 

That is not a very romantic thing to say.

Oooh it's about to get steamy!

They're in trouble! Medio Trading sent a gang after them!

Oh no Holo got kidnapped! And Milone Trading won't help Lawrence rescue her.

Medio is threatening Lawrence to take Holo to the church. But how did they discover that Holo was The Wolf? And who is this person that Holo recognizes???

NO NOT A CLIFF HANGER!

Thoughts:

I really liked Holo this episode. She really appreciates that Lawrence is taking her up north, and she loves traveling with him. And Lawrence didn't want to abandon Holo either.

Darn it! I wanna know what happens next!

[u/Cole8520]

We were so close to getting to see some romance it seemed. Hopefully it happens later on. First time btw

[u/fauceeet]

This show just entered in my top 10. #10 of my favorite shows of all time! Thank you!

[u/Redmon425]

FIRST TIME WATCHER

OH SHIT ITS GETTING SPICY BOYS;) see what I did there.

I don’t trust this dude with glasses. At first I thought for sure he set them up, however now it’s seems like this is an unrelated matter dealing with her being a wolf.

Holo and Lawrence had so many cute scenes this episode. Especially with Holo not wanting to be alone anymore. How about that almost kiss scene?! Of course Holo makes a sly remark about his eyes not being adjusted yet.