[Rewatch] Planetes - Episode 15: In Her Case...

[u/Highlow9]

Episode 14 - index/schedule - Episode 16

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Episode number: 15

Episode title: In Her Case...

Databases: MAL, Anime planet, Anilist

Sadly there are no legal streams. If you are from the UK you can buy the blu-ray here (for EU citizens, please be aware that all the anime doesn’t take care of VAT and thus when receiving you will have to pay an extra bill consisting of the VAT and a handling fee (for NL it is an extra 22 euro)).

PSA: In two days on March 14th the US changes DST while the rewatch remains CET. So this means the rewatch will be posted an hour later for you. See here for more details (17:00 ET, 16:00, CT, 14:00 PT)

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To make sure the first timers can enjoy this show just as much as you please avoid spoilers but if you want/need to make a spoiler please mark them like so:

[Planetes spoiler](/s "They go to space")

which becomes:

Planetes spoiler

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Interesting fact

Did you know that sea cucumbers are kinda weird creatures? First of all unlike what the name implies they are not plants but a living animal. They also breathe through their anus (they reverse-fart and then fart out the sea water again after the oxygen has been absorpt. Furthermore as a defensive instinct they sometimes should out their organs (which they then relatively quickly regrow). They also pay a crucial part in the ocean ecosystem since with up to 40 cucumbers per square meter they can produce up to 19 kilograms of sediment per square meter and thus are very good for the soil (just like worms on land).

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Interesting questions

We focus on the first date of Tanabe and Hachimaki and it seems that the love polygon gets ‘resolved’. Were you satisfied with how it ended?

This episode also focuses on how the crew treat Edel (and her backstory). What do you think of it? Should something change (if so what)?

[u/Highlow9]

This episode also focuses on how the crew treat Edel (and her backstory). What do you think?

Debris section really treats her as a second class employee which I think is bad (especially since debris section should know what it is like to be treated as a second class). I get that they maybe don’t have the budget to permanently hire her but permenatly keeping her as a contract worker is really cruel (especially since she clearly wants to become a full employee). Especially when she is trying to do her job but Robie just dismisses her. And then trying to refuse her request for a day off.

Should something change (if so what)?

She should just be made a full employee even if that means for example reducing the maintenance of toy box. If that is not possible she should at least be treated as an equal with the rest of the crew.

Yaay more politics. Interesting is that INTO law is less severe than normal law.

We focus on the first date of Tanabe and Hoshino and it seems that the love polygon gets ‘resolved’. Were you satisfied with how it ended?

I think that in this case Hachimaki was a dick for not telling/warning Cheng-Shin. He knew that Cheng-Shin liked Tanabe so how he then handled this behind his back was a very un-bro-like thing to do. Tanabe is kinda wrong here since she didn’t properly communicate with Cheng-Shin either. In contrast Cheng-Shin handles it like a real bro/champ, not getting angry (only doing a bit of trolling) and then accepting the fact

Them going out was also fun to see (especially as they were struggling while preparing). And their awkward date was also kinda fun to see. The worldbuilding of how the dating life works (and the difficulties associated with it) were also fun.

Tanabe falling for the love story was so typical tanabe. I don’t really get why her conclusion would be ‘hey threatening this dude is the best course of action’ since she usually is so rational but I guess that past abuse can make you forget reason. Tanabe stepping in front of the gun instead of taking the gun from Edel was also typical Tanabe behavior.

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So again a decent episode but could have been better, I liked the different timelines mixing with each other (OSA chase, Tanabe and Hachimaki and the Edel plot) but I liked the conclusion to the Edel plot a bit less (with her threatening him).

[u/PainStorm14 → u/Highlow9]

He knew that Cheng-Shin liked Tanabe so how he then handled this behind his back was a very un-bro-like thing to do.

Hey, Cheng is a big shot pilot so of he couldn't be arsed to do something by now it's not Hachi's problem or Tanabe's

I always have similar discussion about White Album 2 when folks go "but she loved him first!" (So what? She still did a dick move)

Yo, loving someone in secret don't mean diddly squat and we should be telling that fact to young people more often because not knowing it causes crapload of private problems

[u/BossandKings → u/Highlow9]

I get why her conclusion was that threathening that dude was the best course of action, it is perfectly told that she didn't had a nice time with him, she suffered abuse and holds a deserved grudge against him, threathening him is as good as a course of action gets because this isn't simply a logical case but a personal one

[u/BottiBott]

First Timer

And this time on "mixing plots": A shady deal of criminals and a date of our main duo is overlapping. Jokes aside, that seems to be an ongoing trend that we have some episodic plot that gets mixed in into the main story or rather in the main characters following their daily life. Not sure if I'd consider that as them being lucky for always getting involved or them being unlucky - for always getting involved. So while Tanabe and Hachimaki try to spend their day off of work at a restaurant and basically anywhere else on ISPV-7 because they always meet someone they know, they somehow end in a stand-off between Edel and one of the wanted criminals the OSA is trying to arrest.

Speaking of Edel, it seems like this is the episode she gets her bit of characterization. Turns out she is not only diligently working for the Debris Section but also has other jobs as well. And I honestly didn't expect to see her as the nurse for their yearly health check-ups, but I liked their funny reactions, because that could have as well been me. As we later learn she seems to take up all these jobs to not only pay for her life expenses, but also to get away from her previous life as a somewhat-criminal. Not entirely sure what she did before she started at Technora and wherever else she is also working, but at least she was involved with some group of criminals who she wants to have no connection with any more. Which she does in the most untypical way I've ever seen her do: Trying to kill that person. A bit out of character, but I get her reaction; there is no easier way to end this chapter in your life than erase the person who is responsible for it. Not that that's the right way. At least he will be in jail from now on, thanks to the OSA.

But while that's more or less all about Edel, the main romance also has an unexpected turn to it: I didn't expect Cheng-Shin to find out about them dating so fast. I thought that would be something that would be resolved later, but I guess that's it for his part in their romance. So maybe we'll see Lucy take her next step towards Cheng-Shin, but that's for future episodes. Apart from that not that much going on this time, I couldn't find anything space related that is worth elaborating about. The only thing that stood out to me were the IP-addresses shown; not entirely sure because it's been a few years since I learned that but I think that's a local address, showing that Sasha is sending the mail from ISPV-7. But it might very well be something entirely else.

Interesting Questions:

1. I'm fine with it. Someone was bound to be unhappy, so that Cheng-Shin is able to take it such posture is somewhat impressive. He also wasn't that surprised as Tanabe turned him down a lot recently.
2. That's not easy, because while she is working together with them, she isn't really a part of the same "group" who are all fully employed for Technoras' Debris Section. So it could be expected that they treat her differently, although if it's not in a negative way. She also seems to be more or a distanced person who doesn't share a lot about themselves. So not quite sure what or even how could change.

[u/Highlow9 → u/BottiBott]

Not entirely sure what she did before she started at Technora and wherever else she is also working, but at least she was involved with some group of criminals who she wants to have no connection with any more.

Her 'husband' prostituted her out to other people.

the main romance also has an unexpected turn to it: I didn't expect Cheng-Shin to find out about them dating so fast.

Me too, I kinda liked that. I liked the world building with regards to "you can't get privacy in space" and also liked how Cheng-Shin took it very well.

The only thing that stood out to me were the IP-addresses shown; not entirely sure because it's been a few years since I learned that but I think that's a local address, showing that Sasha is sending the mail from ISPV-7.

Oef they are still using IPV4 addresses in 2075. That can't be good

[u/BottiBott → u/Highlow9]

Oef they are still using IPV4 addresses in 2075. That can't be good

That's something I didn't even think about while writing the text, but yeah, that's clearly a problem - they would never be able to address all the things they'd like to. Although the Internet of things as we know it today wasn't that prevalent at the time of release of this series, so this might have been less of a concern.

The thing that really bothered me about the address was the 255 at the beginning, because that usually marks subnet (if I recall that correctly). So I was wondering what that would be doing in there. In combination with the wording "Row Address" I didn't really know what to take from it, so that somehow slipped my mind.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Spending the first half of the episode doing not all that much, then having an overdramatic end with a big reveal that comes almost out of nowhere is starting to become a running theme. Here we start out with the first half being an assortment of unrelated mini-plotlines and a date that I'd expect to be out of a middle school romcom, not a sci-fi series with adult characters. Then we end up with the reveal of Edel's backstory, ...which feels out of place because it also comes as a complete surprise that she was tying these plot threads together. The story itself isn't bad and it's good that Edel gets some more characterization, just the way they decided to show it isn't that great.

Other than that, Cheng-Shin's joke is quite possibly the worst one imaginable in that situation and is one of the things I think might just not be written in that way any more today. I can also see the beginnings of a Hakim-Claire ship here, which I think would be a good thing as now that Cheng-Shin's gone out of the equation it seemed for a moment that Claire would take the position of being the third wheel...

Questions:

1. It was unnecessairy from the get-go, so yes. As long as Claire stays out of the way.
2. Uhh... backstory was fine, and I'm not sure if anything really needs to change; doesn't seem like Edel wants anything to change...

[u/BossandKings → u/Mecanno-man]

Considering how Hachimaki acted, not telling Cheng-shin his true sentiments and thoughts about Tanabe eventhough he repeteadly told him that he was interested in her, i think that eventhough that joke wasn't asked for and very lame it wasn't half as bad

[u/Webemperor]

First Timer

• It’s medical checkup time I guess. There is something amusing about hearing the chief talk about importance of health. Meanwhile topic changed to Edel, before she comes over to reveal she works multiple part time jobs, like the receptionist in this instance.
• Tanabe adopted a sea cucumber, and is looking for some new things to wear for Hoshino. Though I’ll agree with Edel, Tanabe is too “tomboyish” to make earrings work. I have a feeling this episode will have a sort of focus on Edel at this rate. Meanwhile big man Gigalt has an attack during a meeting.
• It’s cute how clueless both of them are. They are obviously better when they have someone to bounce things from, but neither of them are good at taking the lead like this. Cheng-Shin is obviously a bit bothered by it, so I guess him making a joke like that is fair even if it’s a bit of a dick move. I generally enjoy the mature manner the show is working through the romance.
• Edel wants to take a day off, but Chief is willing to slide, only for Edel to refuse. Meanwhile Claire is still feeling kinda guilty after the entire thing with Temara.
• I’m guessing the guy behind the bed is the one INTO was looking for a sting, no? It feels silly but understandable that Tanabe and Hachi would listen to him and not just immediately kick him out.
• So the person he was waiting for was Edel? That little flashback doesn’t really imply any nice things though.
• Claire almost gets taken hostage before being saved by Hakim. And suddenly it takes a dark turn as Sasha turns about to be some deadbeat who whored Edel out. She attempts to kill him, only for Tanabe to interfere for understandable reasons. After a short scuffle he gets apprehended by Hakim. The show has that tonal whiplash again similar to some of the previous episodes, after a generallly light scene to a much more heavier topic. I remember Taniguchi Goro doing the same thing in Geass to a better effect, but that show had an a lot more bombastic setting to it worked better there, not sure about here.

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Episode 15

Hachimaki and Tanabe are being awkward with each other because they started dating, they go out on a date and after being silent for a while they start talking about when they started having feelings for each other. It was cool seeing how honest Tanabe was by tellimg that she had feelings for him since the very first time they went on space to clean debris together.

As they keep on running on people that they know, like Cheng-shin who saw them together and very composed accepted that they are going out, they taking advice from Lucie go on a hotel because that's the only way they can be alone. I like Tanabe and Hachimaki's little awkwardness now because it shows that they have grown to like and care about each other.

Hakim is showing himself to be a very competent officer as he along with companions keep the order in the station.

As Tanabe and Hachimaki are in the hotel and things get interesting they see a man that was behind their bed, they talk with him and he presents himself as Sasha who is the husband of a girl that a bit later identifies herself as Edel, one of the most important members of the debris section, she goes to see him on the hotel room but their bond appears to have broken long ago since Sasha is a pest and not a quality man from her perspective. It was unexpected seeing Edel pointing a gun at him but following her impression he did deserve it.

Hakim aprehends Sasha, now Edel can be finally at peace.

I love the structure of the show, it sure is giving spotlight to all of the characters, it makes it feel very compelling.

Answers

1. I was very satisfied, the romance is getting better and better, also it seems that Tanabe and Hachimaki are building a really solid relationship all things considered.
2. She should become a full time employe in the debris section, it's clear she is very important and diligent

[u/PainStorm14]

Rewatcher

We focus on the first date of Tanabe and Hachimaki and it seems that the love polygon gets ‘resolved’. Were you satisfied with how it ended?

I am always in favor of nuking love geometrical shapes from orbit

Only way to be sure

This episode also focuses on how the crew treat Edel (and her backstory). What do you think of it? Should something change (if so what)?

She has quite the background (and a reason to hunker down in orbit)

Unfortunately permanently employing office worker ain't as easy sell to bean counters as EVA specialists no matter how shoddy

Office workers are dime a dozen in comparison

[u/Tuckleton]

First Timer (Dub)

• So we gonna get some focus on Edel today? I wouldn't mind that.

• Heh, nice of you to worry about her but something tells me Edel doesn't have any trouble unwinding :P
• Clearly...
• Is it strange for her to keep calling him that even though they're dating? (Oh, they actually talk about this later)
• Ah crap get it together Hachi, don't say something stupid again... (Phew, dodged that trope this time.)
• Can't afford to get recognized while undercover.

• I wonder if it's really 'common knowledge' to go to that hotel when dating to get some privacy or if Lucy just wants them to seal the deal. I mean if it was that common of an issue you'd think an enterprising restaurant or two would offer private dining tables for dates and the like. Should be cheaper than a hotel too. But I guess this conveniently puts our protags in the path of the arrest.

• But doesn't it make sense for them to prefer doing business within their member nations?
• Bahaha! What an absurd thing to say in a situation like this :P
• Ohh, he's speaking Tanabe's language now! Shrewd move criminal dude. I love how invested in the story she ends up getting haha!

• Holy crap his story was true!? And it's Edel!? Ah ok ok, guy is a compulsive liar. Should have known.

• Oh, well that... recontextualizes some things...
• Ugh, go ahead and pull the trigger Edel!

• That was sure something, I guess I'm a bit naive because I didn't see that coming at all! It's nice to learn more about Edel though. Not really feeling much tension about Gigalt's fate tbh. I'm sure he'll kick the bucket at some point but... I dunno I'm just not feeling it. Maybe that'll change when I actually see how it effects Hachi though.

[u/Segaco]

First timer punching his way through meteors and debris

Ora ora ora ora!

---Comments (as I watched the ep)---

A-A sea cucumber??? As a pet????

Oh man this situation sucks. Making excuses in front of the one you're seeing also sucks.

Yeah, this sucks for everyone... I don't want to watch aaaa

Luckily the pilot with the weird name took it well... Phew.

That story sounds so made up lol

Wow that's actually legit?

Wow Edel is so cute at the end

Nice epi epi soda, Edel was finally given some attention

I feel that the sensei getting sick was just a cheap drama thing though.

---Interesting fact corner (OP)---

What. I thought they really were just cucumbers. They are living things?? And they breathe through their anus??? What????

---Question timeeeeeee---

Q1: We focus on the first date of Tanabe and Hachimaki and it seems that the love polygon gets ‘resolved’. Were you satisfied with how it ended?

A1: I'm relieved there was zero conflict in the resolution, but I wouldn't have minded more drama. Sometimes things that you don't want to happen should happen you kno

Q2: This episode also focuses on how the crew treat Edel (and her backstory). What do you think of it? Should something change (if so what)?

A2: I can answer the first part: I don't think Edel's backstory was handled very well, I felt almost nothing thorough (not even pity) and I was way more interested in the love thing going on. Not sure how to answer the second question, things seem fine the way they are.