274: "Give us your answer, Robin! The Straw Hats' Outcry!"
This episode seemed to bring the ‘chase’ part to a close, so there isn’t much to say about it. Must admit, though, watching the Strawhats standing together in solidarity was beautiful.
The imagery and the symbolism got me more than anything.
There’s the chasm that separates the main island where Luffy stands, from Spandam’s tower where Robin is imprisoned. There is a physical space between Luffy and Robin, but it also represents the psychological distance between Luffy and Robin. I think Oda and the anime team meant to hint at that literal and metaphorical distance, as there were quite a few shots devoted to highlighting that precipitous drop (ugh).
Spandam’s tower is also a prison. A literal prison that also, I think, could represent Robin’s current mental state. Ever since what happened when she was eight, she has shut down all emotions, focused only on her goal and has betrayed everyone she came across. She has all these terrible memories locked away inside and cannot deal with them because it’s just too damned hard. In a way, she has imprisoned herself mentally.
Franky tried hard. He told it like it is. Spandam said the deal was off. Why was she just sitting there hanging her head? The Strawhats risked their lives and came all the way just to find her. Don’t leave them waiting!
When Robin didn’t (or couldn’t) answer, Franky said he would have her meet Luffy. He faked an ass explosion and blew out the window (there are upsides to being a cyborg, I guess, lol).
Robin finally saw Luffy with her own eyes. He yelled across the divide, asking her to get moving and come back with them.
But Robin, for whatever reason, just cannot get past whatever is haunting her.
This is the part that just killed me. She said “I won’t return. This isn’t what I want. When did I ask you to rescue me? I just want to die…”
I really, really feel for Robin. I can’t understand how much pain she’s in but all I know is I want her to be happy.
Spandam, the sick fuck, found great enjoyment in ‘watching the Strawhats implode’ and I wanted someone to turn round and slap him hard (especially after his display of cowardice during Franky’s fake explosion. Acts big when all his CP9 lackeys are around, huh?) He wanted Luffy to break down.
But…. Luffy didn’t do that.
He did something even better, which I will love him for forever.
He didn’t ask Robin to bring up her past. He didn’t force her to come. He didn’t use emotional blackmail. He just offered unconditional, straight up supportive friendship.
“Go ahead and say you want to die, or something. But say those things by our side!”
That was touching. I don’t know if Oda meant it, but it was good. Very good and I will never forget that moment.
On a lighter note, I loved how all the Strawhats arrived on the roof. Zoro slashed his way up (almost taking out Nami and Chopper in the process). Sanji kicked his way through the roof. And Usopp… was hurled to the top like a caber by two giants. (Usopp always has to do things the unconventional way, doesn’t he?)
I hope Mozu and Kiwi pull through soon. Once that drawbridge comes down, Robin’s own drawbridge will come down and hopefully she’ll walk across it and reunite with the Strawhats and her happiness again. :)
The best sort of friends, indeed. ^_^
“The nakama runs so deep.” - Zoe
