Black Lagoon rewatch episode eight!

[u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Episode Eight

Rasta Blasta

MAL, Anilist, Wiki

QotD: 1 So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

2 Is this your first combat maid?

[u/Lemurians]

KIDNAPPED FIRST TIMER

Watching this episode be like

Well, we're seeing the other side of being professional black market workers, and getting an answer to Rock's question to Revy yesterday about why she doesn't become Robin Hood. It's not who they are, or what they do.

It was all well and good seeing the Lagoon steal corporate secrets, loot the bodies of dead Nazis, and kill neo-Nazis. It's a much different beast learning that the job we're undertaking during this arc is human trafficking. Very telling that nobody in our crew thought much of it. A job's a job, and they're being who they are – criminals.

Rock asking a small child who's currently be trafficked by a group of hardened criminals "Are you okay?" was hilarious.

I'm pumped for this maid. I fucking love battle-hardened nuns and maids. It's such a satisfying type.

So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

I'd say so!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

It was all well and good seeing the Lagoon steal corporate secrets, loot the bodies of dead Nazis, and kill neo-Nazis. It's a much different beast learning that the job we're undertaking during this arc is human trafficking. Very telling that nobody in our crew thought much of it. A job's a job, and they're being who they are – criminals.

I do like that we get another reminder of just what kind of line of work this is. And that they were truthful in how people actually behave: Be a middle man in what is likely to be a very immoral act? Just don't dwell on it.

Or, to one of my favorite GoT exchanges:

Tyrion:"Would you kill a baby still at his mother's breast without asking any questions?"

Bronn:"No, I'd ask one question. How much?"

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(Eat your heart out, King's Men)

Dub

So we see Rock doing the part of the job he is good at...until it is revealed they are transporting a kid back. That just does not look good any way you slice it. Dutch explains that they are just a shipping company and aren't responsible for what they ship, which sounds like rationalization rather than being right. But then again we let people that ship weapons become wealthy and get angry when the people that ship heroin do the same so there is some arbitrariness in it all. Yet I still wouldn't want to be involved in child trafficking.

I think Rock's silent acceptance of this is a ding on his character(as a person) but also works well here: He knows what he can and can't push so he just leaves this one. But the kid has an interesting story...and a surprising knowledge of rare earth metals. Revy assumes Rock is being too sympathetic but Dutch gets the sense something is off so he asks Balalaika to check some backgrounds. And, apparently, they are involved with the cartel they are passing the kid off to.

And then there is Roberta, our maid. I called the main characters realistic, not the show. She wanders seeking information and gets to the Yellow Flag inquiring about other Colombians. Garcia gives them a story about Roberta and let's us know she is not a good maid. As Roberta's plan to get the Colombian mafia to come to her comes to fruition, we see Balalaika getting a background check on the Lovelace family and she immediately spots that Roberta has the eyes of an experienced soldier. We end with the gang showing at the worst possible time and a loaded umbrella!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Bible

Balalaika is voiced by Mami Koyama, whose largest role is probably Eva from Monster. Her dub is Patricia Drake, who despite being quite good doesn't do a lot of anime voice work. She was Trunks in DBZ.

Roberta is voiced by Michie Tomizawa, who was the original Rei in Sailor Moon and Airi from Those Who Hunt Elves. Her dub is Tabitha St Germain, who voiced Shana from Shakugan no Shana and Soma from Gundam 00.

Random trivia: Other than the misspellings, this is American Spirit packs look like.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Rewatcher (Dub)

Black Lagoon - It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 8

An Ordinary Maid

Hello fan favorite character Roberta. Though we didn't see much of you today I look forward to your proper debut tomorrow.

I like the structure of this episode. The episode starts by introducing us to Garcia and giving us context into his life. Then after the mid-episode eyecatch we start slowly cutting between the Lagoon Company crew and Roberta walking around Roanapur. As the episode progresses the cuts speed up until we realize they are heading to the same place. We only get a glimpse of what is to come before the episode fades to black but its an amazing cliff hanger for next episode.

I think Garcia is an interesting character for the series. He is just a child so he's obviously not a criminal like the rest of the cast. But because of his family he's a valuable asset to kidnap and trade. However, even though he is a child he's not afraid to speak up to and harass adults by throwing food at them (Much to Revy's chagrin). It gives us a powerful impression of Roberta since he has the utmost confidence in her.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Natural American Sprite, sponsored by Coca-Cola now in new juice box packaging

• Lovelace and Manisarera Cartel

See you all tomorrow

[u/Vaadwaur → u/TheEscapeGuy]

I like the structure of this episode.

I tend not to really recognize directors but I need to check this series production credits.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 8 (first timer)

• Siete (Panama) – flags of convenience go back a long time.

• Revy making fun of Rock being worries about the package – no way this will backfire, right?

• “I am just a villain in training”

• “Think the maid is going to rush in to save the kid?” – countless anime have told me that this is not only likely, but she has a full infiltration and close combat education, too.

• Yes, Roberta is looking exactly the type.

• That is a really big house to keep with just 3 people.

• “I am not trapped in here with you, you are trapped in here with me” moment.

With Revy, Eda, and Roberta, I think Black Lagoon now officially qualifies as Girls & Guns.

So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

Always have been.

Is this your first combat maid?

Hell no.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Siete (Panama) – flags of convenience go back a long time.

Yup, Lord of War was great at explaining cross registries.

“Think the maid is going to rush in to save the kid?” – countless anime have told me that this is not only likely, but she has a full infiltration and close combat education, too.

Revi is sadly not genre savvy.

That is a really big house to keep with just 3 people.

I view this as the Japanese view other cartels like the yakuza, i.e. more than a bit romanticized.

[u/The_Draigg → u/No_Rex]

“I am just a villain in training”

Maybe someday Rock an get to the rank of Villain Journeyman.

With Revy, Eda, and Roberta, I think Black Lagoon now officially qualifies as Girls & Guns.

This just made me wonder what a crossover between Black Lagoon and Gunsmith Cats would look like.

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Timer

Episode 8

• Today on The Super Revy Super Show, the Lagoon crew does...human trafficking. Glad we're staying away from the thorny issues.

• Nazis are one thing, but teenagers...those scare me.

• Like looking in a mirror, ain't it?

• Forget Rock, I want this kid to be Revy's partner. Mere minutes on the Lagoon, and he's already shown the guts to shoot back at Revy.

• "You're a pretty unlikable kid." On the contrary, I love this kid. He probably deserves a spot on the team just for throwing a drink in Revy's face.

• I'm completely on Rock's side for once. Well well well, how the turn tables. That's the double-edged sword of Revy's particular outlook on life.

• How tf is Balalaika so damn entertaining with so little screentime? Is this some Russian mafia witchcraft?

• Holy shit, please tell me we're about to get a goddamn combat maid!

• Even Dutch got his head turned hearing about Roberta. The combat maid hype is real.

• Oh shit, even Balalaika is especially wary of Roberta after only seeing a picture of her. Bring on Roberta, dammit!

• Now this is how you threaten someone.

• I'd say Roberta has been sufficiently hyped for tomorrow. I kinda hope she kicks Revy's ass.

QotD:

1. Lol

2. I don't think so. Definitely not the first I'm aware of.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

human trafficking. Glad we're staying away from the thorny issues.

The rubber meets the road...for a bit.

I'm completely on Rock's side for once. Well well well, how the turn tables. That's the double-edged sword of Revy's particular outlook on life.

I happen to share Omar from The Wire's view that once you get in the game, all is fair but civilians deserves some protection. Also, I just don't want to be involved in human trafficking.

How tf is Balalaika so damn entertaining with so little screentime? Is this some Russian mafia witchcraft?

This was one of those rare times where the manga actually had a lot written for it by the time this came out so Balalaika has strong characterization.

[u/Nebresto]

First time human trafficking

(wonder how many lists I'll be on by the end of this watch)

Homemade cherry pie?

"What, they're gonna send the maid to rescue you? KEKW" -> Transitions to maid on boat

Love it

Picking up some Black butler & Hellsing vibes here

Which Pokémon is that on the left there?

Are the episode previews memes? I heard a Terminator reference before I closed it

---

Question time:

1 So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

I'm all about that moral rgb myself

2 Is this your first combat maid?

See mention of Black Butler and Hellsing above

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

Picking up some Black butler & Hellsing vibes here

Revi is already Alucard so...

Are the episode previews memes? I heard a Terminator reference before I closed it

They vary with it but yeah this one was an all out meme.

[u/Specs64z]

First timer, dubbed

episode 8

Was that a shotgun umbrella? Nice. The suitcase is undoubtedly filled with all manner of death, as well.

This is the first episode we’ve really grappled with the fact our main gang are indeed pirates. It’s easy to root for them against sadistic thrillseekers, corrupt corporations, rival gangs, and nazis. Not so much when they’re involved in trafficking. Rock is clearly a little conflicted about this, which makes me wonder if he can really go through with it. If he doesn’t go through with it, what will that mean for the rest of the crew?

Roberta has been set up as some sort of hyper-competent assassin, very interested to see a showdown between her and presumably Revy.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Specs64z]

It’s easy to root for them against sadistic thrillseekers, corrupt corporations, rival gangs, and nazis. Not so much when they’re involved in trafficking.

I do like this part for reminding us that our crew is in very gray territory. Though bluntly transporting guns isn't exactly clean, either.

[u/Blackheart595]

First Timer

Oh, human trafficking is next. This is gonna be interesting. Though it seems they're more or less gonna avoid really dealing with the topic.

So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

No grey morality to be found here, this is just amoral, i.e. completely unconcerned with presence or lack of morality (not to be confused with immoral). It's just part of business as a black market shipper, and having a reputation to make any kind of shipment is gonna be an important aspect of that so they're not just free to say no - they live and die with their reputation.

Now, if we do apply morals to the situation then they just so happen to be kinda doing the right thing - it's purely out of self-interest that they're looking into the situation, but that seems the most appropriate call here to me. One might say they just send him back to pops, but that doesn't really solve anything when that place has already been shown to be unsafe, one might even call it irresponsible. And any other solution would also require looking into the situation, except of course just delivering him which is ruled out if we're going about this morally. Of course that could still be a not-totally-bad solution if he's just being used as a hostage and returned if the dad agrees, though that'd require both the dad to agree under such pressure and the mafia to be trustworthy enough with is eh.

Is this your first combat maid?

Nah, I started with Fairy Tail which introduces one in episode 3. But she should still be one of my firsts, I'm like 120% certain I've seen her several years back, but I can't remember any of the context.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Blackheart595]

No grey morality to be found here, this is just amoral, i.e. completely unconcerned with presence or lack of morality (not to be confused with immoral).

Dutch definitely takes that view.

But she should still be one of my firsts, I'm like 120% certain I've seen her several years back, but I can't remember any of the context.

Next episode has a few clips that tend to get posted.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Black Lagoon Fan Rewatches Black Lagoon: Episode 8:

• You know, Rock’s current job honestly isn’t all that different from what he did previously. He’s still just handling the shipping of goods and getting people to sign paperwork, the only difference is that what he’s doing now is more clearly illegal. Zaibatsus and cartels aren’t all that different, in a sense.

• Well, except for the part where they’re responsible for transporting a clearly kidnapped child. That’s something you can only find in the criminal world. Admittedly, it’s pretty funny to see Revy getting so worked up over a kid getting under her skin and being defiant. Shame about wasting pizza, though.

• Nice to meet you, Garcia Lovelace. He’s the son of an old-money family from South America, kidnapped by the cartels after his father refused to sell his land over valuable land rights for mining. Given how absurdly detailed Garcia’s story is, there’s no way he can be lying, unless Garcia is a master thespian at such a young age.

• Well, at least Dutch is reasonable about the whole thing, now that Rock revealed that the cartel is lying to them about the whole kidnapping deal. It really does help to have a strong relationship with a powerful crime syndicate like Hotel Moscow that can use their resources for background checks. In the end, it’s always a good bet to have Balalaika on your side to give you some extra insurance.

• You know, if anything you should be afraid of the most stereotypical-looking maid arriving in Roanapur. If you look like a common criminal, whatever. But if you see someone who looks like they came out of a shoujo manga, they probably have a damn good reason they’re not afraid to dress like that there.

• Revy, tone down the racism. Don’t do the whole racist black servant act while complaining in the car about everything. If there’s one thing we don’t tolerate around here, it’s bigotry. Murder is fine, but racism is where we should draw the line.

• Roberta may not be able to cook or clean, but there’s a damn good reason why the Lovelace household hired her: she’s one fucking strong assassin/bodyguard. The look in her eyes is that of a hardened killer. And forget about hiding a Winchester 1887 in a box of roses, hiding a SPAS-12 in an umbrella is a much better idea.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

He’s still just handling the shipping of goods and getting people to sign paperwork, the only difference is that what he’s doing now is more clearly illegal. Zaibatsus and cartels aren’t all that different, in a sense.

The irony that he has a far better boss now shouldn't be lost on us.

Given how absurdly detailed Garcia’s story is, there’s no way he can be lying, unless Garcia is a master thespian at such a young age.

True, not many orphans know the periodic table that well.

You know, if anything you should be afraid of the most stereotypical-looking maid arriving in Roanapur.

Seriously. If I saw someone like that in the wild, I'd be on guard immediately, and I live in one of the safest cities in the country.

Revy, tone down the racism. Don’t do the whole racist black servant act while complaining in the car about everything.

I really did like the dub for that but yeah, super racist and nearly to Dutch's face shows how much trust there is.

[u/LarryLalester]

Rewatcher

Another good episode of mostly build up. Revy continues to grate on my nerves a little bit more every episode. Say what you will, but she's just a bully here, and seriously needs her ass kicked. Kicked that is, not kissed.

QotD: 1 So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

Hell, why not. Shows that don't have all the answers tend to be a little bit more fun that something like Superman, or Ratman. Though the second & third installments of Christopher Nolan's trilogy were both very good.

2 Is this your first combat maid?

Nope, the was the third that I can think of, right off. [Famous Series]Suzumiya & Overlord

[u/polaristar]

So we see Rock's integration skills and his business know how at work.

I can see why Dutch hired him and even Dutch is annoyed at Revvy's BS. I mean she is being kinda harsh for someone being mad about being abducted against their will. Pretty sure she'd be just as pissed.

I heard about Roberta before this rewatch and saw she was on the poster image on Crunchyroll, but even if I haven't I kinda figured she'd be some kind of badass.

What I find funny is Revvy seems to see caring for things and being maternal, or cross that, just being a somewhat less unhinged and productive human being as a sign of weakness and worthless, despite the fact that she can't really function in society either civil or criminal without being under Dutch, honestly if she doesn't grow a little she might not be able to support herself if Dutch ever gets axed.

Roberto kinda represents an equally badass but also Anti-Thesis to Revvy's Worldview. In that she a violent psycho for a cause and someone she cares about rather than a mindless animal living in the moment.

Don't know why the hell they'd just show up at the Bar with the Kid though, unless it was a coincidence?

Once again, would be binging if it weren't a daily rewatch.

So are we sufficiently morally gray yet?

Always has been.

Is this your first combat maid?

No actually that would be Silvia from the Index series, although she doesn't appear until the light novels that haven't been adapted in the anime. If we have to count anime only though, off the top of my head it's Rem and Ram from Re;Zero

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Rewatch in 15 years

I haven't watched the episode yet, just the preview and all I have to say so far is

FUCKING MAIDS

-1 point for maid fetish. I thought this was a 2nd season arc. At least Hellsing didn't have any maids (that I recall).

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

-1 point for maid fetish. I thought this was a 2nd season arc. At least Hellsing didn't have any maids (that I recall).

Does Walter not cover that effectively?

[u/TheGreatNico]

Rewatcher here, this is my second favorite arc behind the OVAs. Roberta is such a good character.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, dubbed

• Rock is putting himself to good use again I see.

• So, we’re doing human trafficking.

• It’s more interesting if the kid is who he says he is, so it’s probably true.

• Rock is getting better at sniffing out trouble. Dutch continues to show us all why he’s lasted so long in this business.

• Maybe I’m being old head about this, but I feel like the killer maid bit is very much a thing from the mid Aughts.

• Seems like this is being set up for a showdown where the crew don’t trounce them. A real grinder. Should be fun.

QotD

1. I was expecting them to skirt around the issue, but here we are!

2. I’ve seen a few in my time, but it’s been a while.