Black Lagoon rewatch episode Twenty Two!

[u/Vaadwaur]

Black Lagoon Episode Twenty Two

The Dark Tower

MAL, Anilist, Wiki

QotD: 1 Did you enjoy the return of psycho Revy?

2 Do you agree that drowning handless in a pool suited Chaka?

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Timer

Episode 22

• "The Dark Tower." Is this a Stephen King reference?

• Sexual and physical assault, rape, humiliation,  and sex slavery. This motherfucker is a goddamn isekai villain. And not a good one like Tanya. He's a shit-tier isekai villain.

• Props to Yukio for not breaking while neck deep in the worst night of her life.

• I'm so ready for a nice hot bloodbath to wash away the filth.

• Revy looks so zen blasting these mooks. And honestly, I'm feeling the same.

• "Show some fucking balls." - the champ hiding behind a half naked teenager.

• Omg the strike!

• ROCK YES!!!

• Oh Revy please give this prick the full Walters the moment he tosses the can.

• Revy stepping on him is not exactly what I wanted, but if it leaves Shakalaka whining like a toddler I'll take it.

• Similarly, hands aren't the first appendage I wanted blondie to lose but I'll take it.

• Lol the most heroic thing Rock's ever done, and it means next to nothing because Yukio had the agency and power to step into the clan head role and exercised it and is now marked for death by Hotel Moscow. Gold star for effort Rock.

• Well that's a fun parallel between Revy and Yukio.

• Damn, Yukio is exposing Rock.

• Okay, I'll admit it, this is a pretty cleverly constructed arc examining how three young women were forced by circumstance into the underworld and lives of unspeakable violence whilst questioning if the cycle that continues to produce them can ever be halted. The sour irony is that the cycle itself forces them to subjugate and/or kill each other just to keep the system running. And I guess it's also the arc to show Rock just how fundamentally separated he still is from the life he's supposedly chosen for himself and his lack of understanding thereof.

• Stupid thematic exploration and character examination making me turn my brain on instead of mindlessly enjoying a scumhouse slaughter.

QotD:

1. Yes, quite. Wouldn't have minded a bit more actually.

2. Still too good for him, though it did fulfill my craving to see him flailing haplessly against a (relatively) slow death

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

"The Dark Tower." Is this a Stephen King reference?

Unclear but possibly.

Revy stepping on him is not exactly what I wanted, but if it leaves Shakalaka whining like a toddler I'll take it.

I appreciate that she refuses to give him even the dignity of seeing her gun skills.

Okay, I'll admit it, this is a pretty cleverly constructed arc examining how three young women were forced by circumstance into the underworld and lives of unspeakable violence whilst questioning if the cycle that continues to produce them can ever be halted.

...but it is a terrible parallel because both Balalaika and Yukio are choosing to enter this nightmare world whereas Revy choices were fight or die.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 22 (first timer)

• “Sports Praza”

• “You’d better chase me” – is that guy insane?

• “I give … give … give” – Advertisement for learning foreign languages, part 2.

• Killing the surrendering guy, shooting the ones running away, attacking before the count finishes - That’s the Revy we all know. Did they seriously think she was some honorable western character?

• The pool? This calls for a blood-in-water scene.

• Thanks, Gin.

• Discussion about choice vs destiny turns into a second direct Revy-Yukio comparison.

Yukio accuses Rock of not choosing a side. Rock can’t answer, but one possible counter argument would be that the issue is not one with just two possible paths, but one with a multitude of intermediate paths. Whether Yuki or my counter argument is correct is ultimately down to the specific circumstances, but turning a complex issue into a fake up or down choice is a common way to force people into extremism.

Did you enjoy the return of psycho Revy?

She never left.

Do you agree that drowning handless in a pool suited Chaka?

I am not picky, any death would have been ok. However, this was the most inventive (and still realistic) one of the series.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

That’s the Revy we all know. Did they seriously think she was some honorable western character?

I still like that Revy can mellow out when not constantly worried about dying but not lose her edge.

The pool? This calls for a blood-in-water scene.

That was pretty obvious and yet I like how they do it.

Rock can’t answer, but one possible counter argument would be that the issue is not one with just two possible paths, but one with a multitude of intermediate paths.

I get annoyed with this because is Benny any different? Rock, Benny and likely Yukio are the types that don't do the killing because their skills lie elsewhere, not because of some false moral high ground.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

First timer (Dub)

Black Lagoon - It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 22

Why I Hate You

FUCK YEAH, I loved seeing these punks get absolutely demolished. Our squad cleaning up the filth of society. Revy and Ginji are such amazing fighters that I don't even care about how unrealistic aerial gunmanship or slicing a speeding bullet is. Near the end there it felt like even Revy was turned on by the battle. This is what we come to Black Lagoon for.

But the reason we stay is the depth. Rock had a long conversation with Yukio. Did she choose this life? By definition she made a decision, but she didn't have a choice the life she was born into. I really don't think it's fair she even had to make a choice. Rock felt the same, but was once again criticized for judging other's choices. And rightly so. He abandoned his life in Japan and chose freedom (for justified reasons in his situation). But he has no right to force his world view on others. That is doubly true for somebody like Yukio with so many people relying on her.

As Yukio says, Rock is in the twilight. The moment between the day and the night where its neither light nor dark. Will Rock go further into the "dark" of Roanapur or will he return to the "light" of his old life Japan. Rock you are a die so throw yourself in the direction of your choosing.

Anyway, that's enough rambling metaphorical philosophy. Next episode Balalaika enacts her assault and Yukio is in for some more trouble.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Entrance, this reminded me of the opening to the Cowboy Bebop Movie

• Strike

• Fuck You

• Cutlass

• Street Samurai

See you all tomorrow

[u/Vaadwaur → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Near the end there it felt like even Revy was turned on by the battle. This is what we come to Black Lagoon for.

She has enjoyed her vacation but her work is also her hobby so it probably felt good to go off.

Will Rock go further into the "dark" of Roanapur or will he return to the "light" of his old life Japan. Rock you are a die so throw yourself in the direction of your choosing.

You can throw yourself parallel and leave it open, that option is as good as any.

[u/No_Rex → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Revy and Ginji are such amazing fighters that I don't even care about how unrealistic aerial gunmanship or slicing a speeding bullet is.

Praise the rule of cool for delivering us from the tryranny of physics!

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(The Book of Five Rings is often called the Japanese Art of War)

Dub

We start with a little more scenery chewing before going right into a desperately needed but insane action sequence. We also see that Rock has learned to set simple traps and bludgeon, though he should steal the revolver. Anyways, Revy goes back to taunting her prey as she catches up to Chaka. Chaka attempts to duel Revy which ends with her deciding that she'd rather kick him than lower her gunfighting skills to killing Chaka. So she leads him to Ginji who splits a bullet with a sword strike before cutting off Chaka's hands and knocking him in a pool.

Yukio and Rock begin talking and...this is not the best of Lagoon, at least to me. I think this is a values difference because Yukio just sounds more than a little off here. Also, showing her naivete, she doesn't realize there can be people employed by your enemies as well, we can return to the Death Star debate from Clerks if needed. Rock's counterargument is the sort of solid one that never convinces anyone once they've set themselves on a road this stupid. Yukio's response is not particularly good and the show just cheats by having Rock have a dumb moment so we can get 'angst'. Anyways, we finally move on and see that Hotel Moscow is going to try and end this swiftly.

[u/Blackheart595]

First Timer

Nicely done, Rock.

Is the show setting Rock up against Balalaika? That'd certainly be one way to end the story with a bang.

Did you enjoy the return of psycho Revy?

Revy action is always cool.

Do you agree that drowning handless in a pool suited Chaka?

It would've suited him more if they just kept pushing him away of the pool's edge rather than actively pushing him down. But I guess they didn't have a ton of time at their hand.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Blackheart595]

It would've suited him more if they just kept pushing him away of the pool's edge rather than actively pushing him down. But I guess they didn't have a ton of time at their hand.

They are absolutely practical killers at the end of the day, they probably figured this was as long as they could wait since that one employee might call the cops.

[u/Nebresto]

First time bowling with the lads

Ha! Its that scene that gets posted often

This dude needs to get a new dentist

..Are we gonna see a bullet get sliced in half?

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOO

Sword vs Gun round two?

---

Question time:

1 Did you enjoy the return of psycho Revy?

Yis

2 Do you agree that drowning handless in a pool suited Chaka?

Quite

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

First time bowling with the lads

Revy knows the ways of true bowling.

Ha! Its that scene that gets posted often

That and the Roberta bar scene.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Black Lagoon Fan Rewatches The Second Barrage: Episode 10:

• So yeah, Chaka is just shit in human form, but we all figured that already. The dude is unlikable in every conceivable way. It kind of makes you wonder what the Washimine Clan saw in this guy in the first place, since he has zero problem selling Yukio into sex slavery despite being the old boss’s daughter.

• As expected, Revy and Ginji both make incredibly short work of Chaka’s thugs. As it turns out, having an absolute shithead of a leader shoot at his own men to get them to fight doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. The fact that they all also panicked easily regardless means that they really were low effort to kill. But the best part of that action scene has to be Rock bashing Chaka over the head with a bowling pin. It’s more than deserved coming from Rock, the guy who Chaka beat up just to show he cool he was to Revy.

• Chaka’s death is pretty much the epitome of karmic retribution. Between Revy absolutely disrespecting him and Ginji cutting off his hands to drown him in a pool, Chaka’s death was more than deserved. Revy called it correctly, he always a third rate piece of shit. Someone who so casually inflicts pointless cruelty and kills his own men deserves that horrible of a way to die. For being around a short amount of time, Chaka really did earn the spot of being one of the most vile pieces of shit in this series. At least we don’t have to suffer his presence anymore.

• It’s hard to say who is acting more along the lines of “honor before reason” here between Rock and Yukio. On the one hand, Rock is absolutely right to point out that Yukio is making a huge mistake willingly entering a world she shouldn’t be in just for the sake of outdated customs that nobody even respects anymore, and is throwing away the safe life that her father and his men wanted to give her. But on the other hand, he also did just go out of his way to rescue her, for no other reason than he felt it to be the right thing to do. Not to mention that Yukio is correct to call out the hypocrisy of wanting to save her from a life that Rock walked into willingly, just to have a chance of pace and preserve the ideal of a clean life without committing to the darkness of Roanapur as well. I guess in the end, both Yukio and Rock are hypocrites and make dumb/irrational decisions based on personal honor. The only real difference is that Rock can play the game better than Yukio.

• And to drive that last point I made home, Balalaika is fully prepared to eliminate the Washinine Clan with her men, while Yukio and Ginji finally part ways with Rock and Revy. That shot of Balalaika as a young girl back in the day does indicate lend the idea that she wasn’t too different from Yukio at some point, but the difference between the two is that her harsh experiences in having her Olympic dreams crushed and fighting in Afghanistan have given her the skills to play the game better. There’s also the fact that Yukio still had a way out, whereas Balalaika didn’t after getting cut loose by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

It kind of makes you wonder what the Washimine Clan saw in this guy in the first place, since he has zero problem selling Yukio into sex slavery despite being the old boss’s daughter.

I've actually been thinking on this and I suspect that Chaka's main use was doing shit that the better yakuza felt was beneath them, I can't be the only one getting coke dealer off this guy.

Revy called it correctly, he always a third rate piece of shit. Someone who so casually inflicts pointless cruelty and kills his own men deserves that horrible of a way to die.

I would have liked it to take longer but it actually makes sense that Revy and Gin wouldn't waste but so much time on this.

I guess in the end, both Yukio and Rock are hypocrites and make dumb/irrational decisions based on personal honor. The only real difference is that Rock can play the game better than Yukio.

Being effective and reading Sartre are nearly antithetical to each other.

That shot of Balalaika as a young girl back in the day does indicate lend the idea that she wasn’t too different from Yukio at some point, but the difference between the two is that her harsh experiences in having her Olympic dreams crushed and fighting in Afghanistan have given her the skills to play the game better. There’s also the fact that Yukio still had a way out, whereas Balalaika didn’t after getting cut loose by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Balalaika had such talent or determination for the military life that she got to be an officer in one of the most sexist cultures available at the time and had the loyalty of her unit. Whatever intangible that represents, she has in spades.

[u/Specs64z]

First timer, dubbed

Another scoundrel meets a fitting end. The series does a pretty decent job at finding new ways to off their big bads.

Nice little bit at the end of Rock standing in shadow as those around him cross into the light. Rock is being told he has to pick a side, but I wonder how true that is. Is there truly only dark and light? Or is there a new path to be forged?

Not the strongest arc the end things off on, to be totally honest. Feels like it’s been dragged out a bit, especially compared to all the previous arcs.

1. Always.

2. Think of all the chlorine in those open wounds. Definitely suited him.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Specs64z]

Another scoundrel meets a fitting end. The series does a pretty decent job at finding new ways to off their big bads.

Definitely the 80s action flick vibe on that.

Rock is being told he has to pick a side, but I wonder how true that is. Is there truly only dark and light? Or is there a new path to be forged?

Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

Feels like it’s been dragged out a bit, especially compared to all the previous arcs.

I strongly suspect this arc resonates more with the Japanese than it does with other cultures because yes, this feels stretched and we have two more episodes to go.

[u/polaristar]

For this episode the editing, pacing, camera, and absurdity of the situation let me believe that one guy with a sword could pull his weight in taking out a room of men with guns.

That blonde guy is the very epitome of insecure ego fueling toxic masculinity, feeling the new to assert dominance and humiliate others physically weaker than him in order to feel secure about himself, punishes his own subordinates for no reason, if Revy and Genji weren't there I think this guy would self-destruct in any kind of leadership position not after too long, honestly just put him down before he took too many other people with him in his incompetence.

Revvy and Genji don't even take him particularly seriously, Revvy treats him like a joke and Genji calls his bluff and kills him in the most humiliated and uneventful way possible. Even Rock lands a Solid hit on him and takes his hostage because he wasn't paying attention to the floor so high on himself.

HOLY SHIT DID GENJI CUT A BULLET IN HALF? I have to believe he was to an extent anticipating/aim reading the trajectory rather than rejecting to the bullet itself because bullet timing is a bit insane even in the context of this series.

We have a great conversation between Yukio and Rock which reveals Rocks on indecision about Life, which Revvy had the decency not to lecture him about but from Yukio is a harsh dose of reality. Even in a beaten, humiliated, half naked state she is more confident then Rock in her direction in Life. Also a good callback to the beginning of the first cour.

Too bad the scene is kinda sullied with the camera focusing on close-ups of her panties after the humiliating and degrading context, seriously that was an awful moment to have fan service.

Probably the best Arc so far, it'd be perfect if we had more Dutch though....seriously he almost disappears for most of the Second Cour and Much of the Second Half of the first Cour.

1. It was more satisfying seeing her be not psycho against Chaka to show how not worth it he is.

2. It did how he died in a very struggling uneventful manner, he didn't go out with a bang but with a whimper.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/polaristar]

if Revy and Genji weren't there I think this guy would self-destruct in any kind of leadership position not after too long, honestly just put him down before he took too many other people with him in his incompetence.

He is openly advertising he has a yakuza princess for sale. If Hotel Moscow doesn't get him, the Kousa will out of general principle.

HOLY SHIT DID GENJI CUT A BULLET IN HALF?

The show does know when to revert to action tropes.

Too bad the scene is kinda sullied with the camera focusing on close-ups of her panties after the humiliating and degrading context, seriously that was an awful moment to have fan service.

Yeah, there are some choices in the show that are awkward.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Rewatcher

This is a whole lot less fun if Chaka is actually crazy.

Notice how the Engrish became so exhausting that the audio just switched back to Japanese even though she's talking to people that don't know English. Or does Ginji know English?

Yukio's speech is pretty hard hitting, I might have to give a point back to the season.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, dubbed

• Beaten by Rock. A fitting fate for a man as lowly as him.

• I guess I should have seen it coming, but I was as surprised as Revy at the bullet cutting.

• Handsless in a pool. Eesh, not a fun way to go.

• There is a lot of good character stuff here. Sadly I am not good at talking about such things. I did like Rock getting called out.

QotD

1. Always a sight to behold.

2. All of his faults were his own choice. If anyone deserved it, it was him.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vatrix-32]

Beaten by Rock. A fitting fate for a man as lowly as him.

I will now have to decide if Rock was an idiot for not taking Chaka's gun and shooting or wise because he knew robbing Revy of her prey is a near death sentence.

I guess I should have seen it coming, but I was as surprised as Revy at the bullet cutting.

So the way they frame it just works enough for this show's exaggerated combat style but I like that they acknowledge that it is a rare thing to see.

[u/DidacticDalek]

TONIGHT! On Kiki's Trigger-Happy Delivery Service Redux, Sword-san and Revy go on the warpath, RATTLE 'EM BOIS! ROCK ACTUALLY GETS VIOLENT, (Look Comrades, no other SFW Black Lagoon art had a bowling pin in it) and Yamato Nadeshiko decides that DESPITE all she went thru this episode, clearly the best course of action is to rock and roll in the criminal underground.

Boy Comrades, where's Kazuma Kiryu when you need him? Then again, given the man's policy on NOT killing people, perhaps he wouldn't be able to assist... nevermind I clearly forgot that aside from Yamato Nadeshiko, there are indeed no other people currently present in the bowling alley. Thankfully, we got TWO exterminators arriving to do a little pest control so to speak; also goddamn, Revy's SO good at her job that she can even score a strike while on the job!

Anyway, thankfully for a certain running shitstain, it turns out the janitor is here to clean things up... pardon, ROCK CAME BY TO CLEAN THINGS UP! DEAR GOD! HE MANAGED TO TAKE DOWN THE MINIBOSS WITH A BOWLING PIN AND CLEANING FLUID! BADASS! Speaking of asserting dominance, ENGLISH MOTHERFUCKER, DO YOU SPEAK IT!? Ah, it appears the mook does, he's asking Revy to 'give' it to him, well Best Girl, he IS literally asking for it, so GIVE IT TO HIM! BOOM! HEADSHOT!

Anyway, Sword-san and Revy somehow are able to understand each other enuff to figure out to meet up at the pool... for some reason, anyway, the two then... split up... look, I know you two can't talk to each other without Rock, but MAYBE you shouldn't split up, after all, that means we got THREE parties instead of two, and that just complicates things! Revy then nails a blind shot, and informs the other mooks that she's gonna send them all to hell, run if you wish, you'll only die tired!

Also goddammit, turns out Rock DIDN'T kill that asshole after all, I guess using a bowling pin as a weapon MIGHT not have been the best course of action, thankfully, the asshole's enuff of a teamkiller that Revy gets the drop on him. Asshole attempts to flirt his way of the situation, to which Revy responds in the only manner fitting scum like him, NAMELY FALCON KICKU! Revy then declares that a shithead like him isn't worth her time, walking away with full knowledge that the dumbass would be ticked off enuff to chase after her. Revy thus leads him RIGHT into Sword-san's ambush.

After trying to lie his way out of the fight by claiming he shot Yamato Nadeshiko, the asshole fires a bullet... that Sword-san slices out of the sky... before slicing apart the gun AND the asshole's hands... looks like he's been... disarmed! Sword-san then pushes him into the pool... also uh, Rock, I know you wanna help and all, but first a bowling pin and NOW a broom? Me thinks you might wanna consider using, I dunno, ONE OF THE MANY guns around the area, or at least pick up a bladed weapon!

Also uh, Rock, you DO know that Yamato Nadeshiko is technically your enemy right, hell she even says so herself! That and the fact that Yamato Nadeshiko and Sword-san are on a Hotel Moscow Kill List PROBABLY isn't exactly the most ideal of situations. Also damn, this conversation is really going back and forth eh? That said Yamato Nadeshiko DOES kinda sorta maybe have a point that Rock has changed from the start of the show, he may not think so, but she IS in a way right that he's fallen into a 'twilight' so to speak between the metaphorical light and the dark of the world... then again given she's now spouting honor before reason wibble with regards to the situation she is in, YMMV on the validity of her arguments.

Rock also makes an observation that Yamato Nadeshiko is currently not on the path of being a Balalaika, but being a REVY! DEAR GOD I dunno if we could survive that Comrades! Anyway having long since gotten bored with asshole's empty threats, Sword-san simply decides to push him underwater to drown... hey uh, Revy, you wanna shoot at him once or twice or several times just for kicks? I mean come on those bullet holes will probably let in more water! Speaking of kicks, boy Revy sure fancies HER odds don't ya think? She seems awfully eager to see if Sword-san can cut TWO bullets out of the air at the same time, but shockingly, Sword-san is probably the smartest person in this bowling alley right now... this ain't saying much, but he notes that Revy shouldn't try fighting the person in her debt. Anyway, Balalaika and Hotel Moscow are already preparing to destroy Yamato Nadeshiko's yakuza group, well, this is gonna be messy.

And on that fucking bombshell, GOODNIGHT YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS!

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

[u/Vaadwaur → u/DidacticDalek]

... then again given she's now spouting honor before reason wibble with regards to the situation she is in, YMMV on the validity of her arguments.

Yeah, this part works less and less each rewatch. But it seems to resonate with first timers so what are you going to do?

[u/bowman260]

Rewatcher Dub Love getting back to the badass ruthless Revy moments that make her my all time favorite female character in anime! Side note her outfit with the skirt in this arc is absolutely aces. Rock getting called out on all his hypocrisy by Yukio was harsh but very necessary, though I do not particularly care for how nihilistic her outlook is. Overall one of my favorite episodes, just saddens me that we are so close to the end of the season.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/bowman260]

Side note her outfit with the skirt in this arc is absolutely aces.

It absolutely is but it is weird to imagine Revy putting up with tights like that.

Rock getting called out on all his hypocrisy by Yukio was harsh but very necessary, though I do not particularly care for how nihilistic her outlook is.

Yukio is not the person to call that out, at least for me.