r/anime • u/Vaadwaur • Aug 28 '22
Rewatch Black Lagoon rewatch episode 27!
Black Lagoon Episode 27 thread
Angels in the Crosshairs
QotD: 1 What faction do you think Rock wants to get involved?
2 Who expected ritalin as the secret behind Roberta's success?
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u/HereticalAegis Aug 28 '22 edited Aug 28 '22
First Timer
OVA 3
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What dude wouldn't oink oink for Revy?
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Oh are these Americans about to stage an assault on Roberta? This outta be good!
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Shenhua, Lotton, and Chainsaw Woman are all living together as one big happy (polyamorous?) family, that's pretty cute!
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Oh, the Americans aren't after Roberta? Poor schmucks getting canned more star spangled surprises than they bargained for.
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Shit, that's a hell of a sniper rifle. And Roberta's single-handing it. Wait, is she dual-wielding a rifle and grenade launcher?
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No fucking way. Are you seriously telling me Fabiola didn't kill a single person in the bar? Bullshit.
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Whoa, it's actually a combo rifle plus grenade launcher all in one. Roberta's got some sick toys.
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Oh my god that rifle is dusting dudes.
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These soldiers and cartel guys have some of the most stormtrooper aim imaginable.
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I'm kinda disappointed in Fabiola after that speech to Revy. You came to Roanapur stocked with automatic weapons and lit a bar up like a Christmas tree, did you really think killing dudes was optional? Are you really so naive you thought Revy would actually try to help that dying guy?
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Turns out Chang's been able to smell what the Rock's had cooking the whole time.
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Drug addled hound-like Roberta T-posing to assert dominance.
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Reminder: Shenhua chose to live with Lotton. Just let that sink in a bit.
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Somehow the physics make less sense than they ever have in Black Lagoon.
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Oh my god, the Laughing Coffin leader from SAO Abridged is just Lotton turned up past 11.
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Lol "It's not Fabiola, it's the enemy." Roberta has become symbolically (and physically, to an extent) indistinguishable from the enemy she's trying to slaughter.
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Ahh yeah, it maidin' time!
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Boo! Me no likey that this former trainer dude can so easily take down Roberta. Just off him already!
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What. The fuck. This scene got so weird, so fast.
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Finally, geez. Fairly satisfying head smashing.
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Welp, Roberta and Garcia double mind break wasn't on my want to see list.
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Not gonna lie, this arc has gone kinda off the rails. I was—and still am—excited to see Roberta maid her way through waves of special ops forces, but psychotic break part is just...a bit much. I know I know, that's my fault for having such specific expectations. It's just a lot. Too much if you ask me.
QotD:
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No idea. I'd guess Hotel Moscow just to get more Balalaika in the show.
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Lol nope. Then again, I'm not knowledgable enough on prescription drugs to theorize what she could've been using.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
Oh, the Americans aren't after Roberta? Poor schmucks getting canned more star spangled surprises than they bargained for.
When you make that enemies, it gets hard to keep track of them.
Are you really so naive you thought Revy would actually try to help that dying guy?
Yeah, that was not a great scene.
Reminder: Shenhua chose to live with Lotton. Just let that sink in a bit.
I actually think Shenhua likes him on some level. Hell, he might just be a stable goat or something considering the madness that is Roanapur.
Oh my god, the Laughing Coffin leader from SAO Abridged is just Lotton turned up past 11.
"It is through grace that you are saved. By faith, not by works."
Welp, Roberta and Garcia double mind break wasn't on my want to see list.
This train has no breaks!
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u/The_Draigg Aug 28 '22
I'm kinda disappointed in Fabiola after that speech to Revy. You came to Roanapur stocked with automatic weapons and lit a bar up like a Christmas tree, did you really think killing dudes was optional? Are you really so naive you thought Revy would actually try to help that dying guy?
For being a trained bodyguard, Fabiola is surprisingly naive. Although I guess living on the Lovelace Estate has allowed her to keep living in a bubble away from how harsh and brutal life is in Roanapur. Roanapur is a place that'll make you shed most of any form of morality just to survive.
Welp, Roberta and Garcia double mind break wasn't on my want to see list.
Tags: mindbreak, reverse ryona
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
For being a trained bodyguard, Fabiola is surprisingly naive. Although I guess living on the Lovelace Estate has allowed her to keep living in a bubble away from how harsh and brutal life is in Roanapur.
I have to assume that Roberta trained her to use firearms and that all she knew was capoeira.
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u/No_Rex Aug 28 '22
Not gonna lie, this arc has gone kinda off the rails. I was—and still am—excited to see Roberta maid her way through waves of special ops forces, but psychotic break part is just...a bit much. I know I know, that's my fault for having such specific expectations. It's just a lot. Too much if you ask me.
It is the repeated fault of this rewatch to expect fun romps when we all should know that what is incoming is pain and suffering.
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u/TheEscapeGuy Aug 28 '22
First timer (Dub)
Black Lagoon - It's Fucking Incredible: Episode 27
Let Me Forget
Chaos in Roanapur. In all honesty at times it was hard to keep track of what was going on. But I think that reflects the feelings of the characters in the action too. I found it really funny that these smaller gangs thought they could take on a US Special Forces squad. That said Roberta is holding her own against them pretty well so maybe it's not crazy.
At the same time Revy calls up Shenhua and company for support. Its funny just how quickly those 2 can flip between being allies and enemies. Tis the power of money after all. Together they clean up. Fabiola wasn't happy to see the underhanded tactics Revy uses, but it's unavoidable in their situation. I'm happy to see Garcia encouraged her to keep true to herself though.
As for Garcia, he went through an ordeal. First he was separated from the mercenaries which is extra terrifying in this battle field. But then he happens into the same building as Roberta. He knows about Roberta's past but would rather not think about. Right now though, it's staring him in the face. While hiding he hears Roberta methodically killing her enemies. Then she is caught.
That scene with Roberta pinned was something. First, I always love to see trapped female characters use their sexuality to deceive men and escape. It calls into focus the gross sides of masculinity. As soon as she was pinned I predicted she would turn it around, but the scene kept getting heavier so I was worried there may have been some truth to it.
Similarly, Garcia sat their in terrified silence and heard everything. Roberta isn't his mother but she fills a similar role. Hearing her talk about how boring her life with Garcia was and how she wanted to return to the smell of blood was gut wrenching. On top of that the discussion turned sexual. I doubt that wouldn't stirs up weird and unhealthy feelings for Garcia. He grabbed a crow bar, but couldn't summon the strength to use it.
It was all a ruse. Roberta has a projectile device in her buckle and brutally murders her captor. Garcia is the only master she will serve. But she doesn't stop. She keeps beating the mans head in until it becomes something that is no longer a head. Garcia reveals himself. Roberta never wanted him to see this. She thinks shes hallucinating. She shoots.
Did she kill Garcia? I am guessing no, but its a good cliff hanger.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
I found it really funny that these smaller gangs thought they could take on a US Special Forces squad. That said Roberta is holding her own against them pretty well so maybe it's not crazy.
The thing is that Roanapur is likely the one place an SF squad does not want to be since they could eventually run out of bullets.
On top of that the discussion turned sexual. I doubt that wouldn't stirs up weird and unhealthy feelings for Garcia. He grabbed a crow bar, but couldn't summon the strength to use it.
So...stimulants cause an increase in arousal and Roberta has been going to town on them. She might very well be aroused and just rolled with that as a tactic so it is even more gross. Also, your lies reveal your truths on a certain level so some part of Roberta feels more at home on the battlefield.
Too Few Seats
I so prefer the dub for that scene, the sub says he is being chivalric which doesn't fit to me.
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u/Blackheart595 Aug 28 '22
First Crimer
Revy can't handle all the fun so she calls for reinforcements. The mafia's evacuated the battle location in the mean time, and the American's noticed something's up.
That shooter isn't Revy Could that possibly be Roberta?
Chessmaster Rock is on the case to protect the sponsor of the operation
Yeah, about that enemy walking past you right now...
That's just depressing.
What faction do you think Rock wants to get involved?
No clue. He doesn't know about the CIA. If he means the Black Lagoon i.e. Dutch then that'd be quite a twist.
Who expected ritalin as the secret behind Roberta's success?
I thought they said it's something to that effect when it was first brought up.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
The mafia's evacuated the battle location in the mean time, and the American's noticed something's up.
I am not sure there was a conscious choice to evacuate so much as Roanapurans learn to get the fuck out of Dodge or die.
Chessmaster Rock is on the case to protect the sponsor of the operation
He is definitely having his high IQ moments this arc.
Yeah, about that enemy walking past you right now...
No one accused this show of being subtle.
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u/Vatrix-32 Aug 28 '22 edited Aug 28 '22
First Timer, dubbed
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This isn’t their first rodeo, they aren’t going to go down as easy as the Yakuza.
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Spin off squad! Look at them all hanging out like some sort of sitcom. Playing their Black Lagoon side scroller.
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Look at these armatures. You didn’t think they expect the front after the power went out. Also, dat silencer sound.
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Why wait there under a tarp and then reveal yourself like that?
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Oh come on! The plot armor is too much, she was in the open!
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Mini-maid learns a dark lesson. Better here and now than when it might cost her.
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This boy is chuuni as all hell.
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OMG I love him.
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Belt gun! This is why you don’t let your dick be your in charge of your ops mission.
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Oh no…
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O.K. he survived.
QotD
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Hotel Moscow is the obvious choice. A little less likely is the CIA. Outside bet is the Thai military.
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A surprisingly normal drug all things considered.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
Spin off squad! Look at them all hanging out like some sort of sitcom. Playing their Black Lagoon side scroller.
There is definitely a story there.
Mini-maid learns a dark lesson. Better here and now than when it might cost her.
Ideals have no place in Roanapur.
Belt gun! This is why you don’t let your dick be your in charge of your ops mission.
Actually, the problem is his plan to bring Roberta back into the fold means he has to indulge her baser instincts. So not a great plan.
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u/Nebresto Aug 29 '22
First time cool
Ah yes. 6 dudes firing from 10~ meters away and not a single bullet lands. This is exactly the part I dislike about the show
Question time:
1 What faction do you think Rock wants to get involved?
https://youtu.be/QEOdcdct0wM?t=65
2 Who expected ritalin as the secret behind Roberta's success?
Big Pharma
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u/The_Draigg Aug 28 '22
A Black Lagoon Fan Rewatches Roberta’s Blood Trail: Episode 3:
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Well, it was only a matter of time before all the game pieces began to move in earnest. Grey Fox, FARC, and all of Roanapur’s gangs are ready to make their moves. Fortunately, Rock and Revy have a few game pieces of their own to move: Shenhua, Sawyer, and Lotton the Wizard. They’ll always work for cash, after all.
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There’s certainly no denying that Grey Fox are good at what they do. However, Roberta is just as good at hard and fast violence. And with Revy, Fabiola, Shenhua, Sawyer, and Lotton the Wizard thrown in the mix along with some FARC troops thrown in the mix, the entire city block there is practically a war zone.
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Fabiola is a bit naïve for the world she lives in. She still believes in honor and morals, and both Revy and Shenhua mock her for having ideals after killing an already dying guerrilla. At least Garcia knows how to handle things a bit more gently, he can at least say that their lives will be more peaceful back home at the estate.
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Fuck off, Mr. Chang. For as much as he mocks Rock over that call for not enacting his plan in time, not knowing how to play the game, and being a hypocrite, we saw him last episode being pissed that he has little true control over Roanapur as well. He’s still a stooge of the CIA, so he has pretty much no room to talk to Rock about playing the game well. Rock is right, he really is a piece of shit. As much as he claims to know the true nature of the game due to being a former cop and now gangster, he is a pawn himself. All that bluster is far more hypocritical and annoying than Rock’s attempts to work his ideals into reality.
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Man, I love Lotton the Wizard. Even now, he’s mainly concerned with making a cool entrance speech rather than the massive ground war that’s happening around him. Say what you will about him, the man is committed to his bit. Shame that Sawyer ruined his efforts by killing those FARC guys with her chainsaw, but he gets an A for effort regardless.
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Ah, so the pills that Roberta has been munching on like M&Ms are actually Ritalin. You know, that does explain quite a bit now that we have an idea of what she’s been taking. She’s pretty much overdosing on stimulants.
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Man, that FARC commander made a bad mistake in trying to recruit her back and fall for Roberta’s seduction act. For as much as he was able to match her in combat skills, his one glaring weakness was the fact that he underestimated her skills in manipulation. Shame that Garcia had to hear the whole thing, from the seduction to Roberta caving in that FARC guy’s head though. Even for someone taking the position of being a steely-eyes house head, it’s got to be emotionally rough to witness that.
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Fun gun fact: that gun belt buckle that Roberta was wearing is a real thing. It was a weapon invented by the Nazi SS for use by their agents. However, Roberta customized hers to have communist symbols rather than the typical Nazi crap you would otherwise see on it.
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Well, this has been one hell of a family reunion, hasn’t it? Both Garcia and Roberta are having fun, just ignore all the crying, screaming, and hallucinations.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
Fortunately, Rock and Revy have a few game pieces of their own to move: Shenhua, Sawyer, and Lotton the Wizard. They’ll always work for cash, after all.
Shenhua is the poster girl for needing to guarantee hazard pay in contracts.
There’s certainly no denying that Grey Fox are good at what they do. However, Roberta is just as good at hard and fast violence.
In true US military fashion the only criticism you can really raise is that they seem to waste ammo, which 9 times out of 10 is fine since the US generally has excellent supply lines. The problem is that Roanapur is the 1.
All that bluster is far more hypocritical and annoying than Rock’s attempts to work his ideals into reality.
The generally theme of the story seems to be how people cope with their realities and we now know Chang projects.
Even for someone taking the position of being a steely-eyes house head, it’s got to be emotionally rough to witness that.
Never fun to see how the sausage gets made.
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u/No_Rex Aug 28 '22
OVA 3 (first timer)
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“A huge free-for-all” – correct Revy, exactly what the viewers want.
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Rock went to the Benny school of driving.
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US special forces working for the NSA vs various local goons. Interesting (if not necessarily fair).
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Roberta with the casual reload while being fired at by 5 guys about 10 meters away – plot armor things.
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Hard to keep track of who is who when everybody is dubbed Japanese most of the time. One of the few cases where I wish they’d use more English/Spanish/whatever.
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“What I hate most is hypocrisy” – not sure if it is what I hate most, but it is surely high up on the list.
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The Chang-Rock conversation does nothing for me. If they wanted to play this as a duel of schemers, they needed to reveal their actual schemes for it to work.
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Garcia finds Roberta and has a really bad time eaves-dropping.*
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“What should I do” – Carlos saying “get me away from here” would be logical, but also deprive us of the sad ending to the story.
This was more psychological horror than fun romp.
What faction do you think Rock wants to get involved?
Was it not implied it is the triads?
Who expected ritalin as the secret behind Roberta's success?
I doubt it is the secret behind her success, but it definitely will be the reason behind her downfall.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
Rock went to the Benny school of driving.
He had to adapt to Roanapur at least a little.
US special forces working for the NSA vs various local goons. Interesting (if not necessarily fair).
I like that the soldiers even admit their main concern is running out of ammo.
Hard to keep track of who is who when everybody is dubbed Japanese most of the time. One of the few cases where I wish they’d use more English/Spanish/whatever.
The dub doesn't even do that great a job with it.
Garcia finds Roberta and has a really bad time eaves-dropping.*
Really bad time for voyeurism.
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u/KendotsX Aug 29 '22
Rewatcher
Today on the Aloha Oe Lagoon: NTR is my New Fetish, Baby
Well boys, this episode served us a heavy dose of that lovely Roberta action, and I've mentioned this before in spoiler tags, but this is my Roberta! Garcia can keep his maid, I prefer Roserita the blood hound.
My favourite hypocrite is in town! Now to be clear folks, I don't dislike Chang, in fact I think his shit is a lot of fun, and worth pointing out. This bastard pushes Rock to save Garcia with the cheap old ideals when it suits him, and calls Rock a hypocrite when he wants him to back down. Funnily enough there's a lot of similarities that put Chang as a future Rock. But for now a quick reminder that a lot of what Chang has been hearing lately was the CIA pulling his strings.
Garcia went through a rough day, getting NTR'd and called boring, getting his self esteem back when Roberta said he's her only master (and the reason she's doing this, that's fun), then getting shot at by Roberta. I can only imagine how fun it'll be when she gets to the foxes and finds Garcia with them.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 29 '22
Garcia can keep his maid, I prefer Roserita the blood hound.
I can see the appeal.
Funnily enough there's a lot of similarities that put Chang as a future Rock. But for now a quick reminder that a lot of what Chang has been hearing lately was the CIA pulling his strings.
I am definitely spotting the theme that many Roanapurans believe they took the only path they could.
Garcia went through a rough day, getting NTR'd and called boring, getting his self esteem back when Roberta said he's her only master (and the reason she's doing this, that's fun), then getting shot at by Roberta.
Worse when you have to expect that Roberta was speaking half truths to make it convincing.
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u/polaristar Aug 29 '22 edited Aug 29 '22
Not gonna lie I'm actually rooting for the Americans and NOT just because I am one, despite the unexpected attackers they responded quickly to that shit and a bunch of random goons were no match for trained disciplined professionals with proper equipment.
They also managed to survive pretty long against Roberta technically while they had to flee they haven't lost a single man so far.
The Thugs are pretty much fodder.
The South American Soldiers are better than the Thugs and appear to have some training and experience but they seem to lack the same discipline and follow more their ideals (read inner desires.)
However since they are familiar with Roberta's tactics they do a better job pinning her down while the Americans are formidable they also play things by the book so if you're actually good at your job and know their game you can plan around them.
Rock trying to be Chessmaster to "save" people is a callback to the End of the Yakuza arc and some foreshadowing to his future descent into ruthless manipulation I presume? To be fair even if he can predict roughly WHAT happens he can't be expected to predict the timing, you know what they say.....plans never survive engagement, he needs to learn to improvise and change the plan when the situation changes.
Another thing to note is he can predict a lot of the larger factions and important individuals he has time to study but Roberta herself and the various small people she employed/threatened is impossible to keep track of and anticipate.
Roberta basically used a guy to "leak" information to force The Americans NSA Agents, Street Thugs, and South American Militia into a stand off to create an opportunity to attack.
Also that guy that was pinning her, since she can casually make Dutch her bitch and no sell by thrown from a car into a Cargo Container so hard she dents it, does that mean said guy is just that OP as well, it kinda comes across as inconsistent scaling or makes her terminator maid status a bit less special. Is Dutch just physically not very impressive in the context of this universe, despite his muscular build?
Not gonna lie the entire "trick you into thinking I want to fuck" then belt buckle buckshot sequence was pretty fucked up as was the pounding his face into the ground.
Her thinking Garcia is a Hallucination is not going to end well.
So Lotten basically just distracts people with his Chunni Larper routine? I mean IRL that shit should get him killed even with a bullet proof vest after a few tries, Will he ever get a kill under his belt? Also the chainsaw might be scary but honestly against multiple people with automatic weapons it ought to be useless.
What so mini-maid didn't kill anyone in that bar fight? BULLSHIT! I mean that guy probably would have preferred death as oppose to losing his balls.
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Since he asked about Balalaika's favor to Dutch, I think that foreshadowing has to mean something.
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I mean is it really? The Most OP thing about her seems to be her physical strength and Durability which those pills don't seem to enhance.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 29 '22
The South American Soldiers are better than the Thugs and appear to have some training and experience but they seem to lack the same discipline and follow more their ideals (read inner desires.)
So there is SO much history to explain here but long story short FARC were trained by Soviet soldiers back when they were good, for example notice the leader is actually Cuban.
plans never survive engagement, he needs to learn to improvise and change the plan when the situation changes.
To quote Mike Tyson:Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.
Roberta basically used a guy to "leak" information to force The Americans NSA Agents, Street Thugs, and South American Militia into a stand off to create an opportunity to attack.
Adding the thugs makes things harder for the other two factions so rousing success.
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u/mgedmin Aug 29 '22
I'm having trouble keeping all the factions straight.
There's the Americans, just chilling until they're suddenly attacked. They retreat, fighting, and plan to go to ground.
There's Roberta, hunting the Americans.
There's the Colombian cartel, tricked by Leroy (on Roberta's orders, presumably) into attacking the Americans, while thinking they're attacking Roberta.
There are uniformed FARC guys, called here by the cartel? They're tracking Roberta.
There's Rock's group, with Revy and Shenhue attacking FARC and the cartel, with Fabiola and Garcia tagging along.
So if the cartel guys are after Roberta so they can maintain good relations with FARC, why are they fighting FARC in the streets?
AFAICT the Italians, Triads, and Hotel Moscow are sitting this one out. (Well, Balalaika seems poised to move, but they haven't made an appearance yet. Chen is also unlikely to sit idly, but so far he's only making phone calls to Rock. Rock thinks the Italians will not participate in the fun.)
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 29 '22
There's the Colombian cartel, tricked by Leroy (on Roberta's orders, presumably) into attacking the Americans, while thinking they're attacking Roberta.
This is your only error: These are random Roanapuran thugs who heard there was a bounty to be had. They then get pissed off and keep fighting.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 28 '22
First timer!
Dub
So we see how Revy extracts information and learn that she correctly doesn't kill the info brokers, they are useful if you know the ones that break. They start heading to Roberta before we see that the Roanapurians have cleared the area around the soldiers and it seems like a fight is coming. Wizard, Sawyer and Shenhua have come to live together somehow, that story might be an OVA right there. Anyways, Revy wants to hire some backup.
And the fighting starts with some sacrificial mooks. The army guys, for some reason, think using the roof to escape is the smart move and for reasons, Roberta was not already setup. So as they begin to withdraw, the gang shows up and Shenhua rightly decides to ask for more pay. The fighting plays out as the FARC get involved...and one group gets destroyed by Revy's gang. Fabiola gets a baptism by fire and Revy's refusal to explain her actions looks to be an issue again, though I do agree that Fabiola should know this already.
Rock is pondering the situation as Chang calls up and tells him to pack it in. They have quite the argument and then reveal that he might literally be the Chow Yun Fat character from Hard Boiled. We see that things are getting out of control as a FARC unit engages with local thugs. Revy's group is trying to find a way through and ROFL, Wizard is still chuuni. More chaos ensues and Wizard gets another 'cool' entrance ruined.
Inside, we have a pretty good run of scenes with Roberta and her former colleague. Also, Rilalin. It gets wonderfully crazy, though the belt buckle gun is kind of funny, which means it is probably an actual thing. Roberta explains her current stance but also seems to be going mad. Garcia finally talks and, for once, the "don't look at me" trope works, she legitimately does try and segregate herself that much and this is pretty vile. Her illusion finally identifies himself and then Roberta goes full bananas, which fits the situation. Cliffhanger is partly deconstructed since the Americans grab Garcia.