I couldn't bring myself to do the "live-blogging" style for these eps -- they were just too involving.
In fact, because of that, I'm finding a hard time coming up with instances that I can just go ahead and pontificate about, because I wasn't taking any notes, and I really can't do any justice to everything that happens with just my flawed, intoxicated memory.
There's one little bit of controversy that needs debate, if not a bit of clearing up, though. And it's a hell of a spoiler....
Margaret shot her father.
A lot of the earlier flashbacks make the suggestion (the "huge tease") that the big split happens such that Madlax actually pulls the trigger. But if you watch the exact sequence when the final truth is revealed, it happens like this:
- The squishy things start a' squishin'
- We hear a gunshot
- More squishy-squishing
- Chibi-Madlax appears with the smoking gun.
At the end, Mr. Extended Weekend (or as I call, that motherf*'n ratfu*r) forces her to admit as much, and it's true, not just metaphorical. So the deep irony is that Madlax has been living all along with a sin she didn't commit. It's harsh and it's sad, and that's what make the ending so much more intersting and powerful.
There's a lot more that happens on these three discs that are fantastically interesting, funny, scary, and endearing. Maybe they're even the best 3 discs in anime... but I'm biasesd (and haven't had a chance to re-watch Noir in a while...)
One of these days I want to dissect these discs shot-for-shot, but for now, I have to settle with posting this precious little on my fanboard. Please, please feel free to add your own opinions in the mean time!
