... even in deep space, Christmas is still a time of joy and wonder for children of all ages, as we find that the magic of the season can turn the bulkheads of a pirate ship into a scene of holiday festivities.
Even the evil space invaders the Illumidas are getting into the Christmas act, as we see them celebrate by participating in their most sacred rituals- drinking in bars accompanied by blonde escorts.
Happy Holidays to everyone, whether you're in outer space or safe at home, whether you're a green space alien or a one-eyed space pirate! See you in 2008!
Man! Dave! How can you talk about this episode and NOT break out into showcasing how it's likely the single most melodramatic episode of ANY series, right up there with the last two Zeta Gundam episodes and most anything else by Tomino!
ReplyDelete"every Christmas papa would come home, walking thru the snow carrying presents...oh, oh...I swoon from some space flu! cough cough!"
Seriously, that whole scene, where Revi is having what will turn out to be her last conversation with her father (and I can't wait to see how YOU romanize that SOB's name! ARGH!) is one of the major tearjerkers of all time. The way they mic the sound effect for the 'close communication' switch, it sounds like the final nail pounded into a coffin lid....
I really like this series, it's a crying shame the chances are nil it could be licensed and released in the US now.
There are times when I sorta wish they had licensed Harlock back in the 80's or it would've been great to have watched that in my youth in a way that demanded things like wanting to be Harlock on Halloween and all that! Some foreign kids were luckier!
ReplyDeleteHi Dave!! (This is Sarah, aka Tetsuro aka Kodai cosplayer from AWA) Haha, you won't believe this, but I was just thinking of posting a little thing about this episode on my LJ. I'm really glad you mentioned this episode, I got a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think Tochiro was cute as Santa too ^_^!
Hope to see you again in the Con circuit! Happy Holidays!
What I like most about the episode is that it's Christmas all over the universe, that the rough-tough space pirates have their Xmas tree and decorations out, that even the Illumidas dress up their bawdy-house bars with Xmas trees. It's kind of charming in a Rankin/Bass sort of way.
ReplyDeleteSee you at AWA!!
"...charming in a Rankin/Bass sort of way."
ReplyDeleteThat's a perfect descriptor for it. My jaw dropped to the floor when I heard "Jingle Bells" start to play in that episode and then I proceeded to laugh my ass off.
Maybe I shouldn't own up to this, but if you want some real "wow-harlock-that-was-kind-of-odd" fun, pay attention to the sound that Harlock makes after tasting Tadashi Monono's steak for the first time. SSX episode 2, 5 minutes, 20 seconds.
Well, I think I've spammed your blog enough. ^_~
Any chance you'll be coming to Katsucon? :D
There are lots and lots of little moments in SSX that are just a delight, even to watching Mr. Zone smirk his way thru an episode.
ReplyDeleteI always assumed that the 'space bar' was one of those Earth places that had decided to collaberate with the invaders, go with the flow if you will, and the Illumidas didn't care jack crap about Christmas, they were busy with the blonde Earth Women...
It's funny, eating is a central theme of SSX, at least the first few episodes. That whole bizzare 'My Dinner with Leotard' scene, Harlock sans mantle, just sitting and eating and NOBODY LOOKS TWICE at the guy in the black spacers leathers with the big white skull and bones on the front....
And Tochiro's 'gonna get some, huh? huh? attitude... :)
Any chance you'll be coming to Katsucon? :D
ReplyDeleteProbably not. Actually I haven't been to a Katsucon since the first one way back there a number of years. Man, I'm old.