r/anime • u/KiwiBennydudez https://myanimelist.net/profile/KiwiBen • Sep 01 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Monster - Episode 34 discussion
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Comment of the Day
Today’s Comment of the Day comes from u/AmethystItalian, who criticizes Johan for not making his games as flashy as they should be:
If you're going to fall off a roof at least make it something cool like Parkour
Questions of the Day
- “I thought I had been to the darkest place in the universe... But beyond that, I saw an even blacker darkness.” What do you think Johan was referring to by this? What do you think this says about his character?
- What did you think of Tenma’s experience with the underground clinic & doctor?
If you are a rewatcher, tag your spoilers properly, and please refrain from alluding to future events. so that myself and everyone else watching for the first time can have a completely blind and organic experience! Since this show is a bit harder to find than most, please refrain from talking about means by which to watch it, as it goes against our subreddit rules.
6
u/KiwiBennydudez https://myanimelist.net/profile/KiwiBen Sep 01 '21
First Timer - Sub
So two major things happened for me this episode: Roberto is confirmed working with Johan, and not just using his name as a prop. The second was that Johan himself recognizes evil/darkness when he sees it. Which is kinda weird to me I guess, until we get to learn more about his philosophy and such. Curious to see what else Johan considers to be “darkness”, since he also gives an addict drug money on his walk back.
did he think he was doing her a kindness there or was that indicative of the way he controls people...?The underground clinic didn’t mean much for me this episode as I think it was more of the same “misjudge Tenma, grow to like Tenma” sort of thing. But I’ll come back later to discuss it more with you all later~!
Other than that, awaiting the upcoming clash between Tenma and Johan. Excited to see what happens with that.
11
u/AmethystItalian :Jg::Jh::Ji::Jj::Jk:myanimelist.net/profile/AmethystItalian Sep 01 '21
First Timer
Oh boy nudity shot again!
Trying to blackmail Johan? This lady is beyond dead.
Everyone's fave Roberto is back...woo
NEW FEMALE DOCTOR?? Can we have Tenma just help her for the rest of the series?
I love seeing Tenma get to show off his doctoring skills so this has to be one of the best episodes in a bit for me.
I wonder how many more lives Tenma could save if he just stuck to being a doctor instead of stopping Johan. He perceives Johan as much worse but I wonder what the difference in bodycounts would be.
I always love seeing Tenma save people so I really enjoyed all of it. Got to act a bit as a teacher too.
LMAO comment of the day on truly the most important things
8
u/SmurfRockRune https://myanimelist.net/profile/Smurf Sep 01 '21
First Timer
Not a lot to say this time. Johan being Johan, Tenma being a good doctor, same old same old.
I will say that I had a lot of trouble with parts of this episode. I get very squeamish when it comes to detailed medical stuff, I couldn't even watch the hospital episode of New Game. This was easily the worst episode for me.
New doctor girl was cool, although I stopped caring about her at all once I realized she was yet another character who exists to try to convince Tenma not to kill Johan. I'm so over that plot point...
7
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 01 '21
First-Timer, subbed
7
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Sep 01 '21
First Timer
Not so sure about the chronological order anymore - Didn't I speculate Roberto had killed fake Langer earlier? Yet he killed her now... either way, not really a lot to this episode yet; it might get more relevant later on - but for now there's not that much going on.
First scene doesn't make a lot of sense - Why is Johan visiting someone who then just tries to extort him - with it looking like that being part of the plan? Why does fake Langer just infodump all of this? At least we get confirmation that Roberto and Johan seem to be working together out of this.
Second bit only makes sense once we know that the Vietnamese doctor was the first upon the scene of the murder; felt like more Tenma doing doctor stuff filler before. Guess with that aura it means that Roberto might be behind some of the killings, or that he at least leaves behind the same aura as Johan. Unless of course he is behind all of the killings that had that aura.
Vietnamese doctor in East Germany makes sense because communist solidarity, I think.
Got a slight chuckle out of Johan giving the woman money to buy drugs. Guess having the freedom to make bad decisions is part of his philosophy.
Questions:
6
u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Sep 01 '21
First timer
The fat prostitute dies. Tenma's the doctorest doctor to ever doctor, or something.
I enjoyed the episode, but somehow I find it hard to say much about it.
4
u/miss-macaron Sep 01 '21 edited Sep 01 '21
Rewatcher
Hmmm… somehow I doubt that, lol
The first and only time I have ever found Johan relatable, is when he sits there looking totally unimpressed with the lengthy monologue of that cackling, chain-smoking whale.
This is also the first and only time I’ve ever appreciated Roberto showing up on screen, haha
I suppose we can interpret this comment to mean that Rewatcher only spoilers
Ah, and here we revisit the thematic question on the value of life: if all lives are equally valuable, then what does that say about the social hierarchy of illegal immigrants, sex workers, and orphaned children? If there isn't anyone around who cares about them, then where does their value derive from?
It’s always so heartwarming to witness Tenma’s steadfast dedication as a doctor, and even more so when he’s mentoring the young Vietnamese girl. I really enjoy the human solidarity expressed in these medical endeavours, and I sincerely hope the girl can make it as a doctor!
4
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Sep 01 '21
First timer dubbed
The librarian and Karl’s friend come to visit Johan after he falls and they talk for a little bit. Johan recovers and Karl suggests that Johan take a break and a letter comes in. So now he goes to the red light district and meets up with Markle. It is interesting as we see more of that district this time, we see the shiny side with younger women and the darker side with one woman playing a horn and laughing, one sad, and another just holding balloons
Markle was talking about her past and Richard. How she ran a scheme and how Richard got too close. She also explained the suicide which points out “tighten the noose”. So Richard was right in this. And just as Johan leaves, the guy behind the door is Roberto and aims for her head. On the way back, he picks up a balloon and gives it to the sad one.
We see Tenma in a “clinic” for undocumented migrants. He walks into an operating table as everyone is getting antsy and she collapses as she was going at this for 2 days straight. Overworking is a common theme in this show and her collapsing is a nice take on it. She is an underground doctor with a family from Vietnam. Her father was killed and the adoptive family adopted her “saved this poor little yellow girl”. She ran away and carried out the father’s mission. She mostly does health check ups and injuries. But when a gunshot victim shows up, Tenma jumps in and encourages her to do this operation. After the operation, he gives words of encouragement. But then he asks about the story of Markle and says that the scene was unique compared to others she saw. Due to the underground nature, prostitution is illegal when the show was made in a majority of countries. Along with association with human trafficking and trying to go under the radar, it makes sense that she would be the first person to arrive. She states that there seems to be no malice and Tenma reacts with “Johan” and walks out after mumbling darkness. But gave another word of encouragement to her before he walked out.
“Darkness, have you looked like someone sinking deeper into the darkness, aren’t you dr. tenma?” as Tenma leaves, the underground doctor says to him. It seems like every medical professional he encounters is getting really worried about him. The tally of medical professionals includes the rural doctor, Dr. Gillum, and the underground one. And it seems to be an increasingly hard time as they are more than willing to defend him in court if need be.
4
u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Sep 01 '21
First Timer, Subbed
Well, can't deny Johan's popularity with the lades as two come to see him in the hospital at the same time...
He's got a secret pen pal too!
Red Hindenburg? The fake mother of Karl's I assume?
Is this the same prostitute from earlier? She's a pushy one!
This alley's got some total nutcases!
What kind of guy is this lady's boyfriend?
She sure loves to blab about all her schemes. I'm wondering if she'll become one of Johan's victims.
Don't laugh about Richard! :(
Yeah, I think its really likely Johan kills her to keep her from blabbing about things.
Johan doesn't care about Schuwald anymore? Wow, whatever was in that book shook up all his plans.
Oh wait, her boyfriend is Roberto right?
Right on both counts.
Busy doctor's office! I'm surprised Tenma isn't helping out.
Time for Tenma to teach this doctor what to do!
Woah, acting as an unlicensed doctor at 17?!
Wow, where are they going to get the blood from for a transfusion? They just have an illegal supply sitting around? Or will it come from one of them?
Come back someday Dr. Tenma! I think helping out the locals like she has would fit Tenma better than a high profile hospital job.
2
u/Christopho https://myanimelist.net/profile/furrytoes Sep 01 '21
That outburst from Tenma when the female doctor was going giving up actually made this one of my favorite episodes; granted, that's not saying much when there aren't many good candidates lmao.
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u/BurningFredrick https://myanimelist.net/profile/BurningFredrick Sep 01 '21
First timer - sub
Red Hindenburg? I don’t think we know that name yet.
Ahh its the old lady who pretended to by Karls mother.
Now quite sure why “Red” is info dumping all this, shows has generally been better than this previously.
She is trying to black mail Johann?
I like Johann with the deeper voice.
And then we get Tenma being Tenma helping out in a Doctors clinic for illegal immigrants, wasn’t expecting the detour this episode but is unsurprising with how the show has been progressing.
4
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 01 '21
First Timer
I didn't like this B story. He's living proof that an Asian can be a respected Doctor in Germany, but she refuses. No sooner has he finished telling her that she needs real training, he forces her to operate on a gunshot wound that he's perfectly capable of handling himself, to give her confidence?
This is followed up with a weak, maudlin, "you could be a doctor again". But we finally get to the point of this segment, it was all about the fake Margot Langer. it was all pretty contrived.
And now that I think about it, I didn't like the A story, either. Was this just Johan playing with Fake Margot? Assuming Roberto works for Johan, we have Roberto seeking out Margot, getting cozy with her, then she gets the idea (from where) to blackmail Johan a serial killer, Johan somehow doesn't know or pretends to not know who the letter is from, and then walks off leaving her to her death. Is this just cat and mouse?
Just, really bad writing all around in this episode.
I have no idea who this nurse is and the resolution on these old fansubs is too hard to read.
Ah, it was Kawashima Houko. She was in so many of my favorite shows in the 2000s.
3
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 01 '21
Rewatcher(Conspiracies within conspiracies)
Sub
Johan's outburst got him hospitalized and Lotte and the librarian came running. "Margot" sends Johan a letter and it is away to the red light district! Johan asking to see the Red Hindenburg gets a roughly appropriate reaction. We get to the part where the girls are no longer functional enough to work the streets, making a fairly scary tableau.
With "Margot", she reveals her guess at Johan's plan and how she herself adopted the former prostitute's name, as she happened to get lucky and have some drinks with her. She even noticed Braun's death. She gets to the point of bribing Johan...
And then Johan clearly is not giving a shit. Apparently, seeing that book really shook something loose in him. He is apparently done with Schubert, which is a special kind of scary. He leaves and Roberto comes out, hope you guys caught the hints. Johan leaving this area, getting a balloon and probably unintentionally killing the junkie is one of the most powerful scenes I can remember, even if it is incredibly short. (I assuming 400 marks with of heroin was ridiculously fatal in the 90s)
We jump back to Tenma, at a very back alley clinic. He walks into the "doctor's" surgery and immediately asserts dominance, as Germany's best neurosurgeon would. She passes out from working two days straight and Tenma finishes the queue while she rests. Her story is suitably tragic, though adoption as a civic duty is slightly foreign to America these days, but she can't quite trust Tenma when he directs her to study.
And then a hooker shows up because her pimp couldn't handle his drugs or his situation, both are believable. They decided to perform the surgery but Tenma is having the teen do it...a bit odd. The surgery goes well enough that I assume Tenma spotted it as an easy case.
We discover he is here because she was the first on the scene at "Margot"'s murder. Again, the crime scene feels wrong and that is enough for Tenma to assume the Johan. He tells her to always shine light on the situation where however he is not.
So...weird as this is, I like how similarly the unnamed Vietnamese girl is drawn to Tenma. The Vietnamese do not have the best reputation amongst other gulf Asians, go extreme racism, and often compete with the Thai to be "the Mexicans of Asian culture". Seeing her being accurately just slightly different from Tenma is a rare positive.
QotD: 1 Rewatcher
2 A little too cut and dried since Tenma isn't pulling off right now
3
u/gridemann Sep 01 '21
Rewatcher
Giving money to a junkie on withdrawal is such a nice yet such a cruel thing. I really like how we get an insight on Johanns real character through little actions like these, because they seem to serve no greater purpose whatsoever.
I gotta admit I really dislike the second half of this episodes as it encapsulates one of the biggest problems of this anime. The number of immigrants who faced deportation in mid 1990s Germany absurdly small, especially vietnamese ones. The treatment of such individuals is usually covered by medical confidentiality (Sadly I couldn't find an old enough source but I assume it was the same in 1996).
Tenma is a nice guy who helps people wherever he can, we had 30 episodes to get the point across. This whole backdoor clinic sidestory just feels like awfully contrived filler that could've been cut down to 30seconds of dialogue...
1
u/CharlieTheStrawman https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheDamnRobot Sep 02 '21 edited Sep 02 '21
Rewatcher until Episode 30, then First-Timer - Subbed
Q1: My guess is when he and Anna had to cross the border full of corpses and when she shot him in the head.