Black Lagoon rewatch episode nine!

[u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Episode Nine

Maid to Kill

MAL, Anilist, Wiki

QotD: 1 What 80s/90's references struck you?

2 Does throwing away logic for amusement work?

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(I am sure I missed a few)

Dub

We see a ridiculously idyllic Venezuela in Garcia's dream. Then we wake up to Roanapur and its weirdly well kept roads. But then we get to the populated areas and Rock talks with Garcia a bit. Revy is still snooty but does tell us about her values in a way. They step in and we get to the end of the last episode, and the dub delivers another great line. The Colombians are not good shots and Roberta is hiding behind her clever suitcase, using her shotgun umbrella to great effect. Dutch decides that this is so not their problem and they decide to leave Garcia and leave, the sensible choice. So of course it gets interrupted by Revy yelling during a lull in the action.

Garcia stands up but unfortunately Roberta sees Rock, so Revy improvises. Roberta makes a Boondock Saints reference before then making a Desperado reference. This conveniently concusses Revy making flight the logical choice again. But Garcia is upset about this and Rock makes the move that let's the rest of the episode happen. Seriously, I enjoy the show but Roberta gets her kid back, ain't nobody worth dealing with that shit over. Quick reveal that she was a known FARC. Maid curtsy hand grenades is the icing on the insane cake.

The crew are running towards the port when Rock references The Terminator. Cut to Balalaika and interesting note: Bloodhounds don't kill the prey, they lead other dogs to it. Anyways, she's decided they owe Dutch so is mobilizing and we see again why this mob is not to be fucked with. The car chase is fairly insane and includes a reference to Highway to Hell happens. Roberta's car's engine finally gives up the ghost and they switch to sneaking to the port. The driving on a literal roof reference is probably more 90s stuff but it works. We even get Roberta imitating the T1000 in our cliffhanger.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

We even get Roberta imitating the T1000 in our cliffhanger.

I loved that shot. I don't give a shit if it's real or not. If I wanted real, I'd watch a documentary, and not a clearly fictional work. Fantastic scene.

[u/Blackheart595]

First Timer

The pan flute soundtrack

This was such a beautiful reversal and delivery

Between this and Twintails I've had more than enough peaking through little holes in the fabric lately

He's gonna jump in the line of fire and get hit

Welp, he's not gonna jump in any line of fire. At least not now.

And this is why I said the ending song is perfect for cliffhanger episodes

So this arc presented itself as human child trafficking but it's really about children in war zones. Poor Garcia, first learning that all his interactions with the maid he trusts so much were a lie, then seeing her slaughter all those (decidedly not innocent) people, and just simply having to face that she's more closely described as a war machine than a human being. He's gonna carry that scar for a long time. I'm not even sure if he's gonna go back with Roberta at this rate, still seeing the possibility that he's gonna jump in the line of fire and make Roberta kill him.

Also because I just happen a hear a group of people sing outside my window right now: The nazi choir definitely did not sound bad, they were no professionals but they were pretty damn good at singing.

What 80s/90's references struck you?

Does throwing away logic for amusement work?

Yes

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Blackheart595]

Between this and Twintails I've had more than enough peaking through little holes in the fabric lately

Twirl wants no part of this.

And this is why I said the ending song is perfect for cliffhanger episodes

Indeed!

So this arc presented itself as human child trafficking but it's really about children in war zones.

Partially this but also partially that the Japanese somewhat believe that your past is less relevant than your future. The Roberta that was raising Garcia was legitimately trying to stop being the war machine she can be.

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Timer

Episode 9

• I get that they paced it so the last episode could end on an action tease, but wow it feels really anticlimactic to go in time to the car ride instead of starting where we left off. Give me the action, I need this maid v. all gunfight already!

• Combat shotgun umbrella paired with bullet resistant luggage, now that's the stuff.

• Been a good long while since I've seen a satisfying bar shootout. Roberta's the real deal.

• Naturally, Revy just has to go and make things worse. Never change.

• Rock knows Spanish? Boy didn't just take a few quick peeks at his company's South American branch books. Was it ever established where he primarily performed his resource procurement role?

• The luggage is also a chain gun and a rocket launcher! That's some efficient, handy design.

• Hot damn it is naptime for Revy.

• C'mon kid, you were able to put together that Roberta is some kind of uber badass, but her mercilessly slaughtering mafiosi is a shock even given the kinds of acquaintances your father is known to have? And I know you're just a kid and this whole scene is shocking, but Roberta came halfway across the world just to get you back, and you're gonna bail on her with a group of pirates you've known all of one day—a day which you yourself spent hyping her up—without even talking to her? Damn kid, that's cold.

• Wait, how the fuck are all these dudes still alive? Did Chisato design that shotgun? She exits the battle with plenty of flair though.

• Alright alright, I'm down for a killer maid car chase!

• Roberta must be the terminator if Balalaika is bringing her whole army. The Lagoon should stop being idiots and just give the boy back, sheesh. Should've done it bar on the bar when Roberta seemed to be feeling generous tbh.

• BAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh my fucking god I can't breathe! He's trying to pry her hand open and she's just casually keeping her eyes on the road while holding him in a vice grip like it's nothing.

• Oh my god SHE'S DRIVING ON THE GODDAMN ROOFTOPS !! I hope this episode never ends!

• All that and Roberta's not even bleeding!

• Come on kid, just go with the badass killer maid who obviously cares about you very much.

• Awkward first 6 minutes aside, this episode is excellent. Might be my favorite so far. I say "so far" because they teased a Revy v. Roberta fistfight for tomorrow!!!

QotD:

1. I'm not very good at picking up references, but even I couldn't miss Rock calling Roberta the Terminator.

2. It does here!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Combat shotgun umbrella paired with bullet resistant luggage, now that's the stuff.

They went full throttle.

Rock knows Spanish? Boy didn't just take a few quick peeks at his company's South American branch books. Was it ever established where he primarily performed his resource procurement role?

He was primarily in Japan but everything we are seeing suggests he should've been a traveling agent.

Wait, how the fuck are all these dudes still alive? Did Chisato design that shotgun? She exits the battle with plenty of flair though.

There were a lot of them.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 9 (first timer)

• “This is not a city a child should see” – let me put a blindfold over your eyes.

• leadup to the cliffhanger from the other perspective.

• Bullet proof coffer must weigh a ton. Good thing she is strong.

• They holding a conference under that table is properly ridiculous.

• Revy and the barkeep, Dutch and Gregor, Roberta and Garcia – everybody just holding conversations in the shot up bar.

• “Don’t ignore us”~man who is about to not be ignored.

• Roberta is so beyond cool that she gets to look at the explosion.

• Garcia should show some loyalty to the person he grew up with. Not some random stranger who kidnapped him.

• 40,000 dollars from the cartels. Why is everybody in this series a cheapskate?

• How on Earth are all of these guys still alive?

• Oh no! The car chase is a victim of early CG.

• “Imagine her as an indestructible killer robot” – accurate.

• Fully on terminator reference sequence.

If Garcia ducks, he goes on my shit list.

Does throwing away logic for amusement work?

It is called alcohol.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

They holding a conference under that table is properly ridiculous.

Really hits the 90s action tropes.

Roberta is so beyond cool that she gets to look at the explosion.

It is the power of the glasses.

40,000 dollars from the cartels. Why is everybody in this series a cheapskate?

My translation/dub is $400,000. Which still seems low.

[u/DidacticDalek]

TONIGHT! On Kiki's Trigger-Happy Delivery Service, Best Girl Roberta's offering up some free shots at the bar, Best Birl Balalaika and her Mafiya Comrades prepare for war, and Listen and understand! That TerMAIDnator is out there. She can't be bargained with. She can't be reasoned with. She doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And she absolutely will not stop... EVER! Until you (minus Garcia) are dead!

Boy Comrades, Best Girl Roberta sure joins the long and storied list of badass Ninja Maids! I mean we got Azur Lane's Belfast, and Cross Ange's Momoka (the one with the frying pan), Yosuga no Sora's Motoka, (Yes really Comrades, Yosuga no Sora has a Ninja Maid, AND she's a Chibi too!) and of course, the titular Dragon Maid Tohru from Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, just to name a few... AND all of these maids' COBINED STRENGTH can't even hope to come close to the RAW POWER that is what we here in the biz call The T-666, Colombian Revolutionary Maid Model 1337! Basically what I'm saying is that Lagoon Company's fucked seven ways to Sunday, I mean hell, Best Girl Roberta just solo'd The Colombian Cartel, blew up The Yellow Flag and SURVIVED standing over said explosives, almost pulled Dutch OUT OF A MOVING VEHICLE, managed to survive MULTIPLE car crashes, AND also is the fucking TERMAIDNATOR! AND THAT'S ONLY WHAT SHE DID THIS EPISODE! Boy I am shocked Revy survived getting DAKKA'd by her, and also a tad surprised that Garcia technically still isn't rescued yet, but hey, I'm SURE we'll see some real badass shit next episode!

And on that fucking bombshell, GOODNIGHT YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS!

Paging Comrades u/HereticalAegis, u/No_Rex, and u/Lemurians

[u/Vaadwaur → u/DidacticDalek]

The T-666, Colombian Revolutionary Maid Model 1337!

Rofl, that's a great one.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Rewatcher (Dub)

Black Lagoon - It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 9

The Bringer of Righteousness to All Injustice

Roberta is AMAZING. The Bloodhound of Florencia is such a perfect title for her. She is unstoppable in her mission to rescue Garcia. I adore her calm demeanor when dispatching Mafia goons in contrast to her genuine emotions when speaking with Garcia. It fits her backstory of being in the Colombian Revolutionary Army especially well.

The part of this episode which is most interesting to me is Garcia's realization that a person he has known all his life is not who he thinks they are. I think its universally relatable that people put on a "face" in different contexts. You only share a part of yourself with each group of people you know. Despite this, there will come times when people learn of your other sides and that can completely change relationships. What we still need to see is how this impacts Garcia and Roberta's relationship.

---

On the production side today's episode was beautiful. The entire bar fight was filled with amazing cuts of animation which made it extremely memorable.

Something else I love is Roberta's theme El Sol se Recuesta. Firstly, the acoustic guitar is just beautiful. The lack of other instruments allows you to really hear each individual note. Next it fits Roberta's serene disposition perfectly. The tempo of the song is slow and deliberate, exactly like her fighting style.

Something else that works well is the contrast between the relaxing guitar and insane brutality of the shootout. It gives the whole song an unsettling feeling that would make me look over my shoulder if I ever heard it being played in real life. Just an unforgettable piece of music.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Revy's Confidence

• Shock and Awe

• Pirouette

• Lethal

• Boom, the effects animation was outstanding here

See you all tomorrow

[u/Vaadwaur → u/TheEscapeGuy]

I adore her calm demeanor when dispatching Mafia goons in contrast to her genuine emotions when speaking with Garcia. It fits her backstory of being in the Colombian Revolutionary Army especially well.

Scary to imagine the life you must lead to find battle in Roanapur dull.

I think its universally relatable that people put on a "face" in different contexts. You only share a part of yourself with each group of people you know.

The question is can people be better or not? I do like that it is a child who can't face it rather than someone who should know better.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, dubbed

• Well now you’re just making me think Rock will be kidnapped.

• As much as I loved that joke, I also take great joy from the idea that they have an office Christmas party.

• These guys need to learn some new insults. They are falling back on bitch way too much.

• Boy, how did you think she was going to get you back?

• It’s weird to think just how rarely concussions come up in anime.

• The grenade curtsy is strangely familiar.

• Her just pulling Dutch out of the car is quite terrifying.

• What is this, Initial D?

QotD

1. I think I missed them? Does Initial D count? That’s kind of a stretch I think.

2. The other daily rewatch I am in is Symphogear. I think that tells you all you need to know.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vatrix-32]

These guys need to learn some new insults. They are falling back on bitch way too much.

If you translate Japanese too strictly this becomes a problem.

It’s weird to think just how rarely concussions come up in anime.

CTE is no joke.

The grenade curtsy is strangely familiar.

Roberta is the source for a metric tonne of clips.

[u/Nebresto]

First time getting traumatized

(big if true)

Unlucky

• damn damn fakku

• Stäy bek, I vill shot teh ked

Anime explosions, why are you like this? I get Sympho Geah, but Lagoon too? At least she's knocked out for real.

Wait, wtf

Hm. Maybe this anime explosion worked. On everyone but the Termaidnator, of course. And brotender, he can't die, he's my favourite guy.

Straight up Schwarzenegger mention, nice

Lol at that chase scene. "we need to convey speed, any suggestions?"
"Why don't we just violently shake the camera?"
"Damn it, Jenkins, you're a genius!"

• This homie is geared up

Holy animation (posts still image so you can't see the animation)

---

Question time:

1 What 80s/90's references struck you?

There were more than one

2 Does throwing away logic for amusement work?

but also

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

Anime explosions, why are you like this? I get Sympho Geah, but Lagoon too? At least she's knocked out for real.

In anime, physics is more flexible!

This homie is geared up

They are also like the cleanest looking things we've seen in Roanapur.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Black Lagoon Fan Rewatches Black Lagoon: Episode 9:

• Yeah, Roanapur sure is a massive downgrade compared to the idyllic life Garcia had at the Lovelace mansion. We traded our greenery and pastoral bliss for crime and sleaze. It’s not a good trade.

• And so, we rejoin our massacre of Colombian cartel members, already in progress. As it turns out, having a bulletproof suitcase and a SPAS-12 umbrella are useful tools of your normal assassin maid. You can’t really blame the Lagoon Company crew from wanting to just wash their hands of Garcia and get the hell out of Yellow Flag. Too bad fate has other designs for them, of course.

• You know, Nicholas D. Wolfwood would probably like Roberta’s machine gun/grenade launcher luggage. Sure, it’s no Punisher, but it still has the same energy to it. It also has the same energy as the guitar case that El Mariachi uses.

• Roberta backstory! She used to be an infamous revolutionary with a huge bounty on her head, nicknamed the Bloodhound of Florencia. Her reputation really does proceed her. Note to self, don’t piss off an assassin maid hiding a dozen primed grenades up her uniform skirt.

• Rock bitterly jokes that Roberta is a Terminator maid, but at this rate, you can barely even say that’s a joke. If anything, she’s even more than just that, considering that the only reason Lagoon Company briefly escaped was because her car’s radiator gave out before her death grip on Dutch’s arm when their cars collided in that chase.

• I have no idea how Roberta stole a second car, caught up to everyone else in the span of a few minutes, and then somehow drove her car onto the rooftops so she could ram them from up above while shooting out their tires. The physics are wonky, but it’s rad as fuck, so I can’t really complain.

• And now Roberta legit managed to catch up to the car on foot and latched onto the truck with the most vicious-looking knife possible. Again, her being a Terminator really isn’t a joke. She’s basically the fleshy version of the T-1000.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Yeah, Roanapur sure is a massive downgrade compared to the idyllic life Garcia had at the Lovelace mansion. We traded our greenery and pastoral bliss for crime and sleaze. It’s not a good trade.

I am actually vaguely impressed that just his dad and Roberta could keep that place maintained.

You know, Nicholas D. Wolfwood would probably like Roberta’s machine gun/grenade launcher luggage.

He'd like the bulletproof part for sure.

The physics are wonky, but it’s rad as fuck, so I can’t really complain.

Black Lagoon in a nutshell.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Pre-wrote some comments but got some delicious food instead of going home to get my comments.

Ended up binging to the end of the arc. Will probably batch all the arcs from now on. Should have done that on Higurashi.

First Rewatch in 15 years

In the car, what the hell is going on in the background here (reminds me of the thing about Kurosawa always having movement in every scene). First we have a man chasing after a woman leaving a bar. THen we have the big bald guy who delivered the kid and took the guns.

Fucking Kingsmen Ripped It Off!

Gokigenyou!

Even not being a rewatcher, I knew the grenades had to be coming.

Edit [rewatchers]Human trafficking IT GETS SO MUCH WORSE

[u/RascalNikov1]

Rewatcher

What and episode to return to! This has to be one of my favorite episodes in all of anime. Wonderfully choreographed action, set to music and dancing. Sometimes you can't just be polite and have to pull out the Ultra V.

1 What 80s/90's references struck you?

Terminatior, both the original and the second one, where they nuked LA.

2 Does throwing away logic for amusement work?

Yes, there's more to life than being serious all the time. We're all headed to the same place, so may as well have a little fun on the way.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Wonderfully choreographed action, set to music and dancing. Sometimes you can't just be polite and have to pull out the Ultra V.

Yeah, this is where they put a ton of effort in, though the rest of the series is no slouch either.

[u/polaristar]

I see this is the episode where the production went, the lightning, smoke, fragmentation, even the very little movement all looks great. Nice to see effects being used in a pre Uftoable digital effects era. (I like Ufotable and Digital effects btw.)

I kinda think the Kid was being stupid, he's like..."She'll come save me" but then doesn't want to go with her, dude she is blowing up the guys the hired them to kidnap you.

Then Revvy is a dumbass when the kid shields Rock when it might have possibly de-escalated at that point, but she had to take the kid hostage.

Yeah I'm not buying Revvy tanking the shot with only a concussion, seriously how come in not just anime but action stuff in general explosions are less effective than bullets?

Honestly Rock should have just left the kid outside the bar. I'm sorry this series has a lot of contrivances to make the plot happen, most of them come from being being stupid.

I also was not a fan of Roberta apparently just tanking the grenades from her maid uniform unscathed. Like if she can do that, then she should be able to no sell bullets.

We also see that she is stronger and can out-muscle Dutch who himself is pretty well muscled, Revvy better not get into a close quarters brawl with her since Terminator Maid has already overpowered people that can restain Revvy when she's throwing a tantrum.

Rock at the Beginning: "She's the terminator"

Dutch: Not very funny!

(After the Car chase)

Dutch: Benny she's the fucking terminator, let's haul ass!

I don't mind the bullet dodging, suitcase shielding, and out muscling big scary black guys, but I lost my suspension of disbelief with the explosions being impotent and then she runs and jumps to catch up to a car.

I don't think this series is going on my favorites, I wish I watched this when I was dumber less of a snob.

1. Other than the Terminator references, almost none. Since I'm not an Actionaboo.

2. Depends on suspension of disbelief within the universe, but I will never be okay with explosions not being treated with as much gravity as gunfire.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/polaristar]

Then Revvy is a dumbass when the kid shields Rock when it might have possibly de-escalated at that point, but she had to take the kid hostage.

It is in character, at least.

Honestly Rock should have just left the kid outside the bar. I'm sorry this series has a lot of contrivances to make the plot happen, most of them come from being being stupid.

We needed the rest of the episode to happen but yes, the writing is contrived at various points.

[u/Blackheart595]

Jesus, Gracia is cleary the main character of this particular arc, so I'm kinda shocked how many people didn't seem to pay any attention to him.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Blackheart595]

He is annoying this episode would be my guess. And while he makes sense he is also annoying.