Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Rewatch)

HdE said:
Chroma
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Hmm, age is something I hadn't considered. It's unfortunate I didn't manage to keep up with the S1 watch as I remember there was that episode dealing with a Russian terrorist who was much older than her body suggested.

What ran in my mind was that, as Kusanagi was transferred into a fully prosthetic body at a fairly young age, whether Chroma might represent what she believes she would look like, had she grown up naturally. Just a thought.

Either way, I would definitely have appreciated more Chroma too...
 
S2 EP10

I really like the episode, nicely written and executed, a tight trial sequence, we see many features of section nine. Togusa's sense of (misplaced?) justice and temper. The majors own intervention and even a hit by Borma!

I like family side of Togusa, but I find him less likeable than in the films. If they can't use the telepathy, how did the Major hack Togusa?
 
Professor Irony said:
What ran in my mind was that, as Kusanagi was transferred into a fully prosthetic body at a fairly young age, whether Chroma might represent what she believes she would look like, had she grown up naturally. Just a thought.

Either way, I would definitely have appreciated more Chroma too...
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Yeah - I think I commented on this way back in the season 1 chatter - it's what the Matrix movies (hhrrrack-a-patooie!) would cal 'residual self image'.

I'm actually quite pleased that Chroma wasn't used too much in the series. I mean, if you apply the manga's lore to GITS: SAC, Chroma is only a compartmentalised aspect of Kusanagi.

I would have loved it if they'd kept her gld paisley leggings, though. Heh!
 
Episode #10 (Late)

Fantastic episode here - I do love a good court sequence :p I loved the Borma hit at the end of the episode too. I really like how in this GiG they manage to really use Goda's character a lot, making him pull the strings in this one.

Great episode. Hopefully i'll have time to get up to date tonight.
 
S2 EP11

A lovely episode. The emotional and physical background to Motoko isn't covered in the previous series and they add so much to her character. Her comment "I'll bet that even now...that girl is still searching for the first boy she ever loved." is an interesting eye opener to her tender side. How she grew to master her body and control is all part of this.

It also adds to the background for the boy too (though we don't know who that is yet).

The music adds to the melancholic/reflective mood of the episode.
 
I agree, that episode is an unexpected delight. In one stroke, Kusanagi has become a human being.

I know the first series does hint at her early life now and again, but I think the decision to flesh out her back story is absolutely the right one. It finally gives the series a heart.
 
Professor Irony said:
I know the first series does hint at her early life now and again, but I think the decision to flesh out her back story is absolutely the right one. It finally gives the series a heart.
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I initially didn't like that approach, as the manga puts Kusanagi forward as something of an enigma. In my mind, that adds to the character's appeal.

BUT, then again, it's done really well in SAC, and makes great sense in the story context. It adds a really unexpected beat to the show on first viewing (if you come to SAC from the manga, anyway).

There's another noodle-baker of equal size later on. But I'll keep schtum about that for now.
 
Episode #11 (Late)

Professor Irony said:
I agree, that episode is an unexpected delight. In one stroke, Kusanagi has become a human being.

I know the first series does hint at her early life now and again, but I think the decision to flesh out her back story is absolutely the right one. It finally gives the series a heart.
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I'm in total agreement with you here man. This was a really touching episode. It's just a shame it took so long for Motoko do get this much needed episode!
 
Episode #12 (Late)

A realy great episode shedding more light on the Individual Eleven - that final speech was interesting too; claiming there was no book and that it was just an ideology! I really do find the Second GiG to be a vast improvement to the first.

Did anyone watch todays episode? (13)
 
S2 EP12 (day behind)

An interesting episode, the book not existing, was interesting it was almost like mass hysteria, to the point people believe they have copies of the book Interesting how the “Virus occurs” and almost takes out Borma until Ishikawa gives him a right hook...
 
Oh man, EP12 was huge (running a day behind too; should be caught up by end of tomorrow).

I was genuinely surprised when one of the eleven in the truck started up about how the 'liberation' would prompt the native citizens to turn on the refugees - I must have forgotten that particular twist. Presumably (spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen the whole thing yet) that's why Kuze, as the only one who supports the refugees, is dressed in white rather than black. The book suddenly turning out to be non-existent is a really nice touch as well.

Interesting that the gun-dealer from earlier in the show was in the truck too; I'm sure the text on the title card for that ep identifies him as Kuze. Must have been a translation error or something.

I also just noticed the legend "Mega Gaiz" on the gate barrier. :)
 
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S2 EP13
Enlightening episode on Paz. With the Individual 11 plot bubbling in the background, Paz is certainly a dark horse. So what do people think? Is it the real Paz or not?
 
I do apologize for falling behind again - I had to miss todays due to someone coming over. I did introduce him to GitS though - we saw the first 8 episodes of SAC and now he's hooked :p I'm sure this is worth forgiveness! :p
 
Episode #13 (Late)

A great episode - I really love Pazu as a character. I'd happily watch a whole series dedicated to his past.

@Hokum: I don't think the real Pazu is the "I don't sleep with the same woman twice" kinda guy - I think he's a lot deeper and more caring, but does this to protect all those around him. It's only my guess, though.
 
Godot said:
I really love Pazu as a character. I'd happily watch a whole series dedicated to his past.
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Same here. EP13 is another one of my favourites this season. This is about the only glimpse we ever get into Pazu's character, but the episode does a brilliant job of suggesting a fully-formed life for him off-screen.

I thought it seemed appropriate that he and Kaori should engage in a knife-fight at the end, not only because it made the fight seem far more personal than a gun battle, but also after Batou's quip in the previous episode about using his knife to bring back Kuze's head. Come to think of it, Pazu seemed remarkably untroubled at the end for a man who's just had to stab his own reflection in the face...
 
Episode #14 (Late)

Really great episode - I remember this one well :) Saito, in my opinion, has the best history episode there is. I love Pazu more as a character, but this episode is just awesome.

I think today was episode 15, so either tonight or tommorow I'll be up to date :)

Same here. EP13 is another one of my favourites this season. This is about the only glimpse we ever get into Pazu's character, but the episode does a brilliant job of suggesting a fully-formed life for him off-screen.

I thought it seemed appropriate that he and Kaori should engage in a knife-fight at the end, not only because it made the fight seem far more personal than a gun battle, but also after Batou's quip in the previous episode about using his knife to bring back Kuze's head. Come to think of it, Pazu seemed remarkably untroubled at the end for a man who's just had to stab his own reflection in the face...
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Yeah, it does a great job for giving Pazu depth, despite not actually telling us much. As for him seeming untroubled, I think that's just his 'facade'. I think Pazu is the kind of character that doesn't display his problems, and bottles it up a lot of the time - to deal with in his own time, in his own way.
 
Quite possibly. Looking back on it now, Pazu seems to have accepted ahead of time that Kaori would want to kill him if they ever met again - it's like he's already dealt with it in his own mind, so he was prepared for the situation when it arose.

I don't think I enjoyed Ep 14 quite as much, but it was still a good one nevertheless. Saito's story was giving me strong Full Metal Jacket vibes, so it did amuse me when one of the other players compared it to the plot of an old movie. Interesting to see Ishikawa looking visibly younger too.

Seeing the Major in Ripley-esque commando-mode was not unpleasant either...
 
S2 EP14

Probably one of the best background stories I've seen in an anime. Interesting to see how the characters met as a group. Also interesting is the background to the American/UN invasion of Mexico. There is nothing to say his story isn't true...
 
Hokum said:
There is nothing to say his story isn't true...
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This is my favorite part of Ghost in the Shell. I don't think anything in the Universe is unrealistic at all. When we look at the development of the net in just the last 20 years - whats to say that things couldn't have reached that stuage in another 20 years?

Episode #15

Up to date!

A really good episode, that actually left me feeling really sad at the end. The Major describing their lack of freedom was definitely interesting too - though I'd need to think more to get at exactly what she's referring to.
 
I'm hideously behind now. Damn my workload! Damn it to Hell I say!!!

BUT - a few words on the episode 'Poker Face'.

It's probably my single favourite episode of the 2nd GIG. I love the shift in focus onto Saito, and even though there are a couple of moments that are a little hard to take, overall I think it's a real powerhouse.

It's about the only episode that I re-watch in preference to any of the others. The Major's line 'You're pretty good with that rifle, you son of a bitch!' and the off-screen hand-skewering that immediately follows it makes me wince every time.

Really superb stuff!
 
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