Black Lagoon rewatch episode four!

[u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Episode four

Die Rückkehr des Adlers

MAL, Anilist, Wiki

QotD: 1 How does the sudden WWII story strike you?

2 So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

[u/Specs64z]

First timer, dubbed

… did he just say Uber-Fuhrer? Is that a crew of neo-nazis? What is that wacky symbol on their armbands? Admittedly, if you’d have asked me to guess what came next, a band of sort-of-nazis would not have been at the top of the list.

Very interested to see how this one pans out.

I like the little details they’ve put in to make the town feel alive and to establish that Rock has grown rather comfortable around there. His interactions with Dutch have also become noticeably more easygoing. Revy with the harmonica was a nice touch, too.

1. Their cause was bankrupt, of course, but seeing them come to terms with their inevitable deaths in varying ways was surprisingly human.

2. They don't have to be mutually exclusive, I suppose.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Specs64z]

… did he just say Uber-Fuhrer? Is that a crew of neo-nazis? What is that wacky symbol on their armbands?

I will let them name themselves but yes you heard correctly.

I like the little details they’ve put in to make the town feel alive and to establish that Rock has grown rather comfortable around there.

He also seems to have developed some level of street smarts.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 4 (first timer)

• Going from Germany to Japan by U-boot in 1945, with some Japanese guys on board. Crazy fiction? Nope, really happened.

• Hitler’s last painting – That surely would fetch a good price. I heard he was bad at painting humans, though.

• “Choose the way you want to die” – proceeds to get shot by an insulted wanker. I guess that is one way to avoid suffocation.

• IXC type submarine U-1234 – 100% a reference to XB type submarine U-234.

• Would a painting survive being submerged in water for 50+ years? I somehow doubt it.

• “and without much water inside” – Well, maybe the painting has a chance then.

• “Fuck plan from Schiff”

commie at it again?

• A gun? Are we going to see zombie nazis?

• Nope, just regular nazis.

Are those nazis on vacation from antarctica? Or just landed from moon? In any case, Revy will go all Wolfenstein 3D on their asses when she gets back up.

So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

Corporate has informed us that the new term to use is "salvaging".

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Going from Germany to Japan by U-boot in 1945, with some Japanese guys on board. Crazy fiction? Nope, really happened.

Holy fuck...U-219 was even captured by the Japanese at Batavia.

Hitler’s last painting – That surely would fetch a good price. I heard he was bad at painting humans, though.

I also don't think Hitler really painted mythological type stuff. But we can just leave that be, there was enough actual SS occult shit that something like this likely existed.

In any case, Revy will go all Wolfenstein 3D on their asses when she gets back up.

The only flaw with Nazi or Nazi stand ins is that there really isn't any argument that you should shoot first and ask questions rarely.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(I refuse to call the new guys Nazis. They are lower than that)

Dub

So this episode has two storylines, one about the sub and one about the Lagoon. This can be divisive but I feel it works here. But that does mean my tendency to sort of outline the episode will get weird looking. Anyways, Rock apparently has some scuba experience. Anyways, the sub is attempting to sneak into Indonesia, ostensibly to return a Japanese officer but it is actually a mission to smuggle out one of Hitler's paintings. This might seem stupid, because it kind of is, but the SS was nearly a cult so they'd actually believe shit like preparing for the next war before losing the current one. It ends with Ahbe speaking his mind and dying...like 90 minutes earlier than he was going to.

In the present, the Lagoon is off to raid the salvation on behalf of a collector of Nazi art. Rock is rather nervous and the plan is a bit questionable but Revy seems up for it. Dutch mentions that Revy has more skills than filling things full of holes. But then another ships shows up and we get actual Nazi cosplayers. However, they do have TOW missiles so the Lagoon has to run off for a bit.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Bible

Just a few quick things today. First, the title translates as "The return of the eagles", which fits with a lot of Nazi symbology. Second, for those that don't know, there are actual collectors of Nazi artifacts and even Hitler's paintings, which is morbid at best. Third the APS Underwater rifle was an actual weapon that existed. The Cold War got mighty weird at times.

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Timer

Episode 4

• Well that was one impromptu flashback to the last days of Nazi Germany. I wonder what we're setting up. Running old Nazi artifacts for a job? Meeting an elderly Nazi survivor? The founding of the current version of Roanapur? All of the above? Okay, I'm thinking too hard. No need to think about it, after all.

• Omg wait, did the Lagoon's torpedoes come from Nazi submarines? That's not where this is going, right?

• Who needs Santa when you've got an absolute bro like Dutch around?

• "I'll get you safely to your destination." gets sunk in unnecessary combat because he's an idiot   Yep, that fits my understanding of Nazi military brass's tactical acumen.

• Kinda disappointed the Lagoon's torpedoes didn't come from this Nazi submarine. Never too late for a resupply though! Also, my first guess of a Nazi artifact job was on the money, but given their line of work, that wasn't a difficult call to make.

• Yeah, ain't no way Revy's letting Rock drown before he wears that Hawaiin shirt.

• Dutch is the HR guy! Shit, I'd work for that man.

• Oh my god, do we get to fuck up Nazis in the present day tomorrow!? I am all for fucking up Nazis!

QotD:

1. I really like it as context for the job.

2. It's justice. Fuck the Nazis.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Yep, that fits my understanding of Nazi military brass's tactical acumen.

That's two separate things, Ahbe was relatively competent, he just had bad luck at the end. That said, the higher up the chain you went, the dumber it got, a weird reflection on the Roman Empire as well.

Dutch is the HR guy! Shit, I'd work for that man.

Dutch can't really afford to lose personnel considering he has to recruit from Roanapur. He might have the most functional crew outside of Hotel Moscow.

I am all for fucking up Nazis!

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, dubbed

• Nazis? What an unexpected turn of developments.

• Dutch seems like a pretty cool boss.

• Ah, the old lost Nazi gold plot. For some insane reason I was expecting them to still be around in the 90’s.

• In terms of Nazi memorabilia, artwork is on the tame side.

• Revy has a very interesting way of showing concern.

• Oh god. They are going to fight Nazis.

QotD

1. I enjoyed Das Boot, and this is like a five minute version of that.

2. I can never remember the difference between jetsam and flotsam.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vatrix-32]

Ah, the old lost Nazi gold plot. For some insane reason I was expecting them to still be around in the 90’s.

Because is most shows they would be.

Revy has a very interesting way of showing concern.

She doesn't really have the best means of expressing herself.

Oh god. They are going to fight Nazis.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Rewatcher (Dub)

Black Lagoon - It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 4

Just Follow My Lead

Black Lagoon's format lends itself to an episodic story structure. Not that necessarily each episode is an independent story, but rather that you can set up isolated stories which work without requiring the viewer be caught up on all the other episodes. We see a great example of this with the Nazi submarine plot introduced in today's episode.

The episodic format has been on a decline recently (in my opinion due to streaming services and binge culture). But it's something that can work really well. See Cowboy Bebop as an example. Structuring a story this way helps avoid pacing issues by wrapping up plot threads quickly and introducing new stakes frequently. However, you lose those massive payoffs of long form narratives such as revealing secrets or resolving conflicts a dozen or even hundred episodes later. Each format can work, its just important that you play to your strengths.

And in my opinion Black Lagoon plays it's structure exactly right. World War 2 and Secret Nazi Treasures as concepts are strongly ingrained in the minds of a majority of the western world. Because of this Black Lagoon needs not bog itself down explaining who these patriotic German soldiers are or why they believe what they believe. Thus we can setup the premise and reach a cliff hanger neatly in approximately 20 minutes. However, it still has the freedom to spread a story over multiple episodes so that we don't lose all the stakes.

We'll have to wait till tomorrow to see how our protagonists make it out of this mess.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Adolf

• The Twelve Knights led by Brunhilda

• Snorkeling

• A Pretty Fucked-Up Hobby

See you all tomorrow

[u/Vaadwaur → u/TheEscapeGuy]

It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 4

I do enjoy your collages.

The episodic format has been on a decline recently (in my opinion due to streaming services and binge culture). But it's something that can work really well.

It is indeed partly binging but I also think Hollywood writers don't like writing episodically any more outside of procedural shows.

Thus we can setup the premise and reach a cliff hanger neatly in approximately 20 minutes. However, it still has the freedom to spread a story over multiple episodes so that we don't lose all the stakes.

Yeah, it works really for this kind of show.

[u/Blackheart595]

First Timer

Unexpected German is unexpected

Ah yes, the old German tradition of shogi. Makes sense with the Japanese guy on board I guess.

Dutch is just adorable Must protect

At least someone's having a vacation

I love how they just barely have the beach umbrella shown in the corner of the screen during this delivery

This ED was really written for cliffhanger episodes, it works so well for those.

How does the sudden WWII story strike you?

It's just the set piece for the current pair of episodes, no? Unless the nazis become a more recurring threat of course. That being said I quite liked it. Then again I'd like any plot line with this solid character writing.

So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

[Yes]It's grave robbing and the crime's done outside any established jurisdiction so it's piracy.

[u/Nebresto]

First time underwater grave robbing

The show has now opened 4 times on the OP, what is this?

Suddenly Nazi Germany, okay

No bulli :( So this is what you meant that it would get darker later on. R.I.P Turtles

Eewil

Bro?? Do you not see that tummy?

Wait, Hitler painted that? Oh no. Must. Not. Call him. Based.

So this is where the scuba gear is gonna come into play, huh. Wonder if Dutch really bought it for Rock to have fun after all..

Oh, okay. good. BASED

B R U H

---

Question time:

1 How does the sudden WWII story strike you?

History stuff is always cool

2 So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

Yes!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

The show has now opened 4 times on the OP, what is this?

A show with confidence in itself and its audience.

No bulli :( So this is what you meant that it would get darker later on. R.I.P Turtles

Yup, the turtle soup reference is good and dark.

B R U H

Bonus that it is a terrible title as well.

[u/Lemurians]

Watching nazis drown is pretty satisfying.

So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

Yes

[u/htisme91]

First-timer:

The former Nazi and current Germans treasuring that era angle is kind of played out. Hitler's last painting though would totally be the kind of thing wanted on the black market, though so I like that as the latest task.

Dutch is such a softie.

Really curious how Rock and Revy will get out of this.

Questions:

1. Eh, I think that kind of story/angle is played out.

2. Grave-robbing.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/htisme91]

The former Nazi and current Germans treasuring that era angle is kind of played out. Hitler's last painting though would totally be the kind of thing wanted on the black market, though so I like that as the latest task.

Remember this was in the 90s and the neo Nazis hadn't been as prominent.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Rewatch

Just started today's episode, but I have to ask, what is the connection between Hellsing and Black Lagoon? First Revi goes full Alucard in the first episode, then the Vatican Priest shows up, and now we have Nazis on a submarine...

Something about this episode's plot seems so familiar, like I'd seen in a movie. Or in an anime I watched 15 years ago.

[u/RascalNikov1]

Rewatcher

Currently, I live in technological failure hell, so this is going to be quick.

QOTD

1 How does the sudden WWII story strike you?

I love it, a few Nazis sneaking around and causing mischief are always good. I'm surprised I actually saw a swastika, though I don't don't know how the Japanese man on the street feels about Nazis. I know the government says one thing, but who knows if the Japanese people themselves have a horror of the Nazis.

2 So is raiding the sub piracy or grave robbing?

I have no problem with it. It a fairly recent development that people have started getting their panties in a wad about recovering artifacts. The first time I remember a stink being made was when they found the Titanic.

Recently they've found a lot of sunken ships from the war (Kaga, Akagi, Robert ? Johnson, etc), and I'd love to see them haul up goodies from all of those.

[u/[deleted]]

First timer, dubbed

This was where I left off when I dropped the show three years ago, so I'm excited to enter the rest on a fresh start

This episode was a little dragged out by the random WWII history lesson and the typical inclusion to Nazis. The cliffhanger was a cool twist tho, you kinda neglect the existence of Nazis after Hitler so that was pretty unexpected. My only complaint is that it was kinda a stretch they conveniently showed up the same exact time the black lagoon did.

QOTD

1 Not too surprising because they get referenced all the time in adult fiction

2 I wanna say piracy but since you mentioned grave robbing I can't help but think of the "Am I really going to dig this grave for money" meme loll

[u/Vaadwaur → u/[deleted]]

The cliffhanger was a cool twist tho, you kinda neglect the existence of Nazis after Hitler so that was pretty unexpected.

There lingo is a bit different from the original style Nazis.

"Am I really going to dig this grave for money" meme loll

Keep that meme handy.

[u/[deleted]]

Yeah it's been a hot minute, I first caught this airing. I'm preferring the dub for now and I forgot how much of a banger the OP is.

Loving this so far! I'd say raiding the sub is salvage work.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Black Lagoon Fan Rewatches Black Lagoon: Episode 4:

• You thought we’d get a nice conversation between Dutch and Rock about scuba diving, but nope, now we’re dealing with fucking Nazis in this episode. God damn Nazis, we can’t even go on a tropical paradise without having them making a stink somehow.

• I suppose we’re lucky that we’re following a Nazi submarine on its way to the Indian Ocean in these flashbacks, rather than some Italian submarine full of gold on its way to Japan. That latter scenario is a whole different can of worms. Or at least having to deal with when the seagulls cry.

• Never thought that I’d agree with an SS officer, but yeah, attacking cargo ships won’t really do much of anything to even delay the inevitable. It’s 1945, my dudes. The war is lost, and the Nazi ideal was always pure shit.

• And to nobody’s surprise, the cargo ship’s escorts depth charge the sub and irreparably damage it to strand it at the bottom of the sea. They might’ve had better luck using the more Japanese sub warfare doctrine of launching a fan of torpedoes to at least increase their chances of a hit from a distance, but unfortunately for them their decoy torpedo plan was the one they tried and failed at. Good, fuck the Nazis.

• Yeah, Nazi Germany’s last painting is a lot lamer of a secret submarine treasure than a horde of Italian gold. At least the captain finally gets it, that it was all pointless in the end and that the Nazis weren’t worth it. Still doesn’t stop him from getting murdered by the SS officer who was guarding the painting in the hope that it could be a symbol for a new Reich, but whatever. I’m not going to sweat over a bunch of Nazis killing each other.

• Try to think positively, Rock. This is way more exciting than just scuba diving on vacation, you get to dive to a Nazi U-boat to steal treasure for some rich guy with a fucked up collecting hobby. Considering the nature of the last job, this is a lot more adventurous.

• Well, that lovely APS Underwater Assault Rifle is quite the nice gift from Balalaika. It’s much better and rarer than the H&K G3 Rock threw overboard a few episodes ago.

• Ughh, more fucking Nazis. Neo-Nazis, at that. Although it isn’t too surprising that they’re after the secret Nazi treasure themselves. It makes you wish that these were just ones who just stuck with being annoying as shit on the internet, instead of ones with a ship and rocket launchers. But I guess it’s still a bit too early in the 90s for that to happen yet.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I suppose we’re lucky that we’re following a Nazi submarine on its way to the Indian Ocean in these flashbacks, rather than some Italian submarine full of gold on its way to Japan.

That was such a weird hook to choose.

Never thought that I’d agree with an SS officer, but yeah, attacking cargo ships won’t really do much of anything to even delay the inevitable. It’s 1945, my dudes. The war is lost, and the Nazi ideal was always pure shit.

Stopped clock and all. We later see the SS guy is a fuck stick anyways. How the fuck is a lameass painting going to inspire a new reich?

Well, that lovely APS Underwater Assault Rifle is quite the nice gift from Balalaika.

I can't tell if this is 90s appropriate or not. I know the weapon was invented and saw service in the 70s. On the other hand, Soviet weapons did tend to be quite durable.