You know I love the start of the episode little jokes here and here (included with s1 choppy animation and movements) just gives you a little fun view of the boys.
Then to break that little moment of fun random laughter they enter and Coach just starts saying "the time has come for you to face one of your greatest adversaries"
What I noticed is that no one questions anything. It's as if they're like "Oh.. okay" like deadass they acting like it's usual then De Los Santos appears and cool joe is freaking horrified "not this guy' WHAT DO YOU MEAN. Like what did De Los Santos do before all this to have cool joe horrified? Like hello little info?
What I liked after this is the factor of Coach acknowledging that yeah sure Big Bo is one of the greatest goalkeepers but he's not De Los Santos and he make sure to get that message across to us (well indirectly) has big bo acknowledge that factor. Makes me wish we saw way more interaction between these two goalkeepers. Because De Los Santos in this episode is deemed the greatest in the super league (and I don't remember correct me if I'm wrong) but that title is never shifted to Big Bo truly. Yeah he's better than the others just no De Los Santos and if Big Bo agrees then you know that shi is accurate.
I know it's just for episode sake but coach introducing them to De Los Santos makes me wonder. How long has it been sense they last saw the Azul? I mean this episode (in my opinion) gives off the impression they haven't seen them in a real long while indicating they haven't been up in the table in previous seasons or maybe they just forgot during the off season about the other teams (kind leaning towards the first one).
I sorta like how the pressure is placed on Shakes and El Matador! Like they make sure we keep in mind that to beat De Los Santos you MUST have good strikers. Which makes me wonder how many teams have fell due to the fact their strikers were not good (would've been a proper moment to give us a video of another team or sumn). But in retrospect it makes you understand how important El Matador Shakes (and klaus in hindsight) are important to that of the team. They're the ones who are supposed to get pass the goal keeper and if they can't this team will falter .
Also the way coach describes de los santos
"He has lighting reflexes and easily covers the ENTIRE goal"
My brother who would not be anxious at that simple description about a Goalkeeper. Now mind you think of it from shake's point. Big Bo is large as is BUT SOMEONE LARGER THAT BIG BO?
BIG Bo. I'd be tweaking!- Just me
The whole accuracy thing did nothing for shakes and el Matador but boost they ego. I'm sorry.
I another aspect I liked about this episode was shake's uncle! I liked we got to see him interact with his family and how this genuinely further the plot later on. Shakes (if I remember correctly) never outright mentions or interacts with his family (apart from rookie season) so it was nice seeing him practically light up at the sight of his uncle. Also it was a great way to introduce something useful to the plot. And they way he was so happy when he told his uncle bye "Goodbye uncle and watch us beat Azul!" He sounds so much like a kid makes me happy for him.
Now next part. I liked the plane part cause 1. Characterization of shakes playing eith his game. Yeah he's a soccer player but in his heart he's still a gamer. 2. The whole conversation between Shakes and Rasta about Azul. I majority liked the fact Rasta has some genuine info around whole thing around the team.
Persons relate the azuls abilities to their ancestors which makes sense in all honesty but I like how shakes ask "How did Santos get so good?"
Like yeah the teams good BUT Santos how did HE get so good. Like Santos is literally in his own league of his own that he needs to be separated from his team. And the note no one has gotten passed him in his last 9 matches has to be a jaw dropper. Makes you sorta ask. If he stopped the last 9 what's gonna stop Supa Strikas from becoming his 11TH (counting the first leg and return leg). Makes you realize Santos's abilities that it makes you question how could shakes and el matador possibly out beat Santos.
And to note we haven't met De Los Santos aside from a cut out yet we're already made to know how GREAT he is. And we know this isn't glazing because we have Big Bo's affirmation. And I like how genuinely no one knows how Santos is so good which links how the Azul don't talk much about themselves. Like they're just this team whose promiment yet no one knows anything about because they keep to themselves. Which kind of makes me understand why in later seasons they don't appear while other teams do. Like they jusr don't get caught up in the shenanigans or foolishness of the super league because they know better.
Also the added bit about the lost city (I can't spell it and I'm not butchering it's spelling)
Okay skipping to match day.
Can we talk about how Hyped the announcers make this match seem. Like this was the most anticipated shi they ever seen in dey life.
So in the tunnel I like how they didn't have both teams appearing side by side but have azul slowly come in. Like they're this mysterious force supa strikas hasn't seen before and appearing out if no where. And the way they let De Los Santos just bring a shadow. That's all I need to say on THAT.
"I don't think this De Los Santos is going to be easy to knock down" Well no shit El Matador.
The way when they got on the pitch they don't let us see De Los Santos's face just his well built figure says alot. We slowly see him get close and close to the goal post till he's IN IT and we see him and full height IS LITTERALLY TOUCHING THE TOP OF THE GOAL. THE TOP MIND YOU THE FREAKING TOP!- and he literally has to CROUCH.
Who would not he horrified at that sight.
I like how de los santos his shown commanding towards his team. I don't really think he's captain but I'm would not be surprised if he was captain. With the way we see him later on in El sound of silencio he might be it. Which would make sense.
Now to the matchcan we talk about how shakes really thought the ball was gonna enter? Really my brother? But to add with this De Los Santos moves quickly and adjusts quite easily. I make this major notion because of how he moves in the goal post he at first moves Left (well his left in the show) and this gives shakes no doubt false hope. In the episode he clearly focuses on the side of the goal where De Los Santos is NOT present. He most likely expects him not to be able to react quick enough to this movement. (He probably expected this to work out like how the other goalies would be) but De Los Santos doesn't over react, he doesn't fling himself over but it looks like he just freaking TURNS his body to the right and freaking grabs dat ball. (Can we tall about how both of his hands freaking SMOOSH that ball?)
Then that little LAUGH THAT LAUGH AND HOW HE HOLDS THE BALL WITH ONE FREAKING HAND AND THE BALL JUST FITS IN HIS PALM LIKE!-. It makes you realize how big he is and how he is self aware of his own skills..
Then off of that can we focus on what the announcers say?
"Santos is the BEST in the super league a ball hasn't gone past him in MONTHS"
MONTHS. MONTHS. yknow what that means? All them teams before Supa strikas prolly got SLAUGTHETED by the blocks de los santos been setting down cause this man has a whole STREAK on him.
Then the way he throws the BALL and it goes so far. Can we talk about how the Azul players aren't even surprised and just take it as it is? Like they're just so normalized to his skill this crap isn't unusual and they utilize this moment to get the ball because THEY know the other team is gonna be mesmerized by that skill. The Azul knows they're skill no doubt and so of course they're not gonna be baffled by there skill. (Can we talk about how nice the striker who got the ball past Big Bo was?)
Then the montage of De Los Santos stopping them balls makes you see how this man has been keep that ball out of the net for MONTHS. He isn't bothered, he isn't fazed by this but just determined and relaxed by this process as if it's NORMAL. Then when the corner kick happens can we talk about how the Azul seem to move on one accord for a moment? Like they're used to this and have even over this before.
Then the mosr comedic bit to this episode.
HOW DE LOS SANTOS CATCHES THE BALL AND SHAKES FREAKING DIVES INTO IT. I'm sorry when I first saw this I had the biggest laugh cause... shakes really eat that mf. I would've felt so shame and in fact i felt shame for shakes. But it makes you realize how strong Santos is. He wasn't fazed by a man hitting face first into a Ball IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND! Mf at like dat shi was NORMAL! HE JUST BRUSHES IT OFF LIKE BRO.
The way shakes lays on the floor in plain and De Los Santos just Laughs like this is something he can't get over seeing but then he offers a hand to him but Shakes rejects it. Shows how De Los Santos knows his own strength in reality and sympathizes when a player of a rival team thinks to high of themselves and thinks they can take him on but fail. No doubt it's happened before.
(The way he casually cracks his knuckles though. Like Hellllllllooooo Mr Santos!)
Also the way he tells Shakes he's impressed kind gives the inference the strikers before Shakes from other teams weren't as good or didn't come anywhere close to Shakes ability. Also shows this guy is a gentle Giant! When not in game.
To add. I like how he just casually says "I'm aztec this game is in my blood" because in his eyes this game is his heritage and nothing to it. He's trained in it and it courses through him and so at this point it's normal to him. Of course this shows his pride in his heritage and the fact he has it on his body furthers this notion. Santos is proud and that's most likely what keeps him in the game. The fact he's playing not for the points but to show what courses through him. (Sorry for that little sappy bit)
"See you at the next match" don't mind if I DO.
Also can we talk about how he reaches the top of the tunnel? like
THIS MAN IS TALL LIKE REALLY TALL. T TO THE A TO THE L TO THE L TALL MY GOD.
So in the locker room I just wanna ask HOW DID SAND GET IN BLOK'S SHOES? WHERE TF DID IT EVEN COME FROM? anyways. I like how El Matador exaggerates De Los Santo's physique and skill because that's how HE viewed it. And you can generally see what he means (I mean dear God to fit in the goal he has to CROUCH) so it make sense he views De Los Santos as is.
Then here comes coach (Lemme tell yall I hate this man so much some times). He litterally comes in and just says "you two worked hard but not hard enough"
my brother you just let these two shoot balls at a moving sign and thought that'd be enough to stand toe to toe with DE LOS SANTOS. What else were THEY supposed to do?! You boosted they ego IMMENSELY with that little play thing.
"This team must find de los santos weakness".. you mean shakes and el Matador? Cause youve been putting the pressure on them specifically and no one else in the team.. soooo. Yknow what off that.
I like the interior design we see of the stadium from this hallway. Its decorated full of photos and memories which is propbably the closet thing they'll even show to their history truly. (I'm gonna ignore how El Matador was in this episode). I like how this hallway is how Shakes learns where De Los Santos comes from. As i mentioned this is the closet they'll ever get to theyre past and this is how how Shakes gets this info. From their little snippets of their memories.
Can we talk about how happy santos is in the picture with his little team? So adorable like this man is so happy
He so happy and the way he towers over his TEAM! Also note how the date is basically redacted (I lnow this may be the way the animators did it) but i 100% believe this is Azul just making sure people dont know to much of their history. Like in case somehow someone traces their way back to Qetzqazl which they probably dont want in anyway.
Also love how ironically shakes and el Matador was leaving Santos was leaving to. Like wow condience.
Also can we talk how he just dresses "normally" like nothing flashy or extravagant a green shirt and a jean's pants. Casual normal and its just him. Like no one would believe that (yknow aside from the height) this man is De Los Santos. The most feared goalie in the super league.
Likes how Shakes is genuinely interested in De Los Santos's past! Shakes acts like a kid who just learned something about one of their oarents and genuinely wants to know more anf so hes curious like a kid.
"Santos, is it true that your from qetzqazl"
"It is called the forgotten city for a reason shakes"
I dunno how to place it but he so reserved sbout this situation. Its lile he has accepted that his city is gone and wants to keep it that way. He doesnt want anyone to even try knowing more about it. He says this so calmly and reserved but his face looks so sad about it. Like i dunno how to place the entire situation but y headcanon is that he doesnt want ANYONE to know or try to figure out why its the forgotten city and so aside from the azul he doesnt discuss etzqazl to ANYONE (you must be extremely close to him for him to dare do such a thing). This man wants his city to stay forgotten nothing more or less.
"Just stay away from there shakes." Shakes I think you should just stay away
Skipping over the montage and everything.
You know looking at the jersey room I wonder if they collect jerseys from the strikers who come to find the machine weakness but fail. Or they figure out the machine but not the goalie (I'm saying goalie because I notice it those persons whom are photographed beside the jerseys are most likely from a different time before de los santos time) which gives me the headcanon even before De Los Santos The Azul was hard hitting when it came to goal keeper. It's just De Los Santos made the team hit harder.
The way they hid Qetzqazl make so much sense. It's why it's te forgotten city. I dead ahh believe Azul make sure this city is hidden away from prying hands and eyes. This Is minaly to protect their heritage and they're way of training. It shows how much respect and care they hold for their culture. Also the machine make so much sense when you see it here now which can explain how de los santos moves quickly. He like the machine adjusts and co ordinate with whats occurring around you and you adjusts to what happens no matter what.
Love hown the guide is bro. This man just let's what happen happens and even when they do find the machines weakness he isn't fazed at ALL. Which I is why I believe the jersey room is a rewards room of strikers past who found Qetzqazl and played against the machine but failed to win against the Goal keeper (Now look I know the Azul jersey is there but like let's be realistic why wouldn't they have their own teams jersey?)
"I tried to tell them Santos is better than the machine" this man standing 10 TOES down on this. He doesn't even care they found the machines WEAKNESS (which is why is why har my last notion). He believes THEY aren't gonna win against Santos. Which also makes me wonder a bit if the guide was one of the men in the photo? I mean its a stretch but I wouldn't be surprised IF he was on the Qetzqazl 11 team with De Los Santos and if that's how he knows how good De Los Santos is.
Match day #2!
I love how the new reporter looks so baffled when El Matador says what he says then runs off. The new reporters just like "....well that was strange ANYWAYS Mr santos"
I love how we get to see how tall santos is again ( i am so sorry). But you see how he gotta just LOOK down and then how strecthes the news reporters arm so the mike comes to his mouth . (MAJOR THING I NOTICED) in the ep 'El sound of silencio' He stretches lina's hand to! But he doesnt do so painfully as he does the male reporter (I'm not spelling out this guys name forgive my ahh). Gives the notion he respects Women.
"Supa strikas are good.. but not good enough" man just give the match to the Azul we dont need to play to know Azul done eat up supa strikas . (Also the way he walks off. This man doesnt gaf aside from winning)
Skipping to the important bits of this match ig.
I was genuinely happy for shakes when he scored that goal (cause at the end of the day you still gotta be happy for the main characters). But the way the Azul players are just depressed when that one goal happens. ITS NOT THAT SERIOUS. But my possible idea for this is that they may feel like their letting downctheir culture by letting supa strikas win. They descend from the people who MAKE the game but they ein WINNING the game their ancestors MADE. So you can see why the entire teams in this state
IM SORRY SHAKES YOU THINK THAT ONE BALL WORTH A CELEBRATIONS? I mean yeah your the only striker in months to get a ball past De Los Santos but but come on on dude. Really think the Azul gin let you get away?
"Maybe once shakes but not twice" he standing on BUISNESS when he says that. HE MEANS THAT.
Now. What I noticed the same tactic used against Big Bo (the hit off the post into the goal) is used by shales differently. Which makes me wonder if all the Goalkeepers weakness are those goalpost. It seems they cannot adjust whenever the ball hits the post.
The way shakes thought he was gonna get the ball in AGAIN the SAME way as last time. IM SORRY didnt this man tell you NOT TWICE? who you think you is? And i love how de los santos meant what he said but the strikers still try it (mind you IN THE SAME CORNER).
Now unto coach. Igl one thing i notice is aside from the beginning part of the episode BARLEY ANYONE IN THE TEAM TALKS the entire god damn GAME. This shi just been el Matador and Shakes. And Coach right there getting mad at shakes (BRO WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO?!)
Anyways. I like the who goal post thing because I do believe this isna general weakness for all goalies because they cannot adjust when it bounces off and goes elsewhere. (Which makes way for shakes to kick it in). Crazy how they have to have 1 striker to trick this man and the other striker in position to kick it. They gotta tag team him TO WIN. You know you good when you gotta TAG TEAM YOU.
I like how De Los Santos seems genuinely disappointed. Like he didn't expect himself to be so caught off guard but THEY DO. Which may have been a sign to him to stop being so cocky sometimes. But he genuinely is impressed by shakes for that move! And when shakes tells him how he learned the 2nd move he isn't even bothered by the fact Shakes still went to the forgotten city. He's so happy! Possibly because someone else but him and azul learned from the machine. Someone else learned from their ancestors. Which may be why he is so happy.
The way the guide is baffled at this revelation (I'm sorry did you not smell main character energy off of Shakes?) Another note he just casually has a soccer ball. Okay. But this furthers my thought he was on the Qetzqazl 11 team.
"I told you we shouldn't show them around"
THIS THIS THIS THIS IS why I believe that the jersey room is a collection room for strikers who come to train against the machine (but ultimately fail.) But these were before De Los Santos time though (based on those photos of differently men beside the jerseys) it's just Shakes defeated De Los Santos so I guess he just is an exception at this point.
In conclusion
THIS EPISODE ATE RIGHT DOWN TO THE NINES AAAAH.
I had to over analyze this thing because EVERYTHING ABOUR THIS (side from coach annoying ahh) HIT DIFFERENT.
The Azul should've been WAY more promiment in THE GOD DAMN SHOW an should've been in the finals WAY MORE OFTEN. The have the skills, they have the abilities and they have DE LOS SANTOS. They should've been on top SO OFTEN. And they should've been winning I STAND 10 TOES AND 10 FINGERS DEOWN.
The Azul is so under utilized and so secretive and I love that for them. Theyre not gonna get caught up with the supa league shenanigans. I believe theyre like this because that's just how they are. They dont need anyone knowing anymore about them unless its on the field. No one needs to be in their personal buisness and thats just that. Also note their coach dont appear (I know they may have just decided not to pur him in) but I think their coach is so aware of their skill and his ability to coach HE DOES NOT NEED TO BE THERE. He knows and believes in theyre strength and trusts them to be on their own.
Igl I deadass believe Ms altivo tried to get them in a show and they just shut her ahh down. And she keeps trying and FAILS. (Just like that one clip of Plankton getting the door slammed in his face)
I am very happy to announce an event this December! An event for our own little fandom!
Say hello to
Strikacember
This December you can use these prompts for any purpose! Show us all your creativity and skills and let us celebrate being in this amazing little fandom!
There is no need to go by the order of these prompts, do as you like!
Make sure to tag #Strikacember while submitting your stuff!
