s-girl

of all times to have problems with torrent. I ended up downloading the script and tweaking the timing to work with the MBS raws. There are certain turns of dialogue that are helpful to have here. I think Sheryl's dilemma ended up confusing me though with this transation. The conversation between Leon , Luca and Sheryl was a bit lost on me. When Luca was explaining the progression of the disease, it was implied that she may be too far gone for Vajra serum to work on her but it wasn't really clear. I also couldn't tell if they were trying to dangle a carrot in front of her to work with them. (If they find Vajra, kill Vajra, there's "serum" potentially to be made if she can still respond to it.) Either way it sounds like they want her to sing, but that's becuase she's ill ... so it feels like a weird dilemma. The end conversation between Ozma and Alto worked for me, although Alto's scream seems still unexplained to me. Was it the frustration of not being able to follow? Or was it the frustration that he realized Ozma was right? Or maybe everything :3

Hm. While we wait for the sub... When Sheryl sang and Leon and Cathy were poking around wreckage, was that a hydra that showed up? Just curious. Kind of interesting to me, as I was wondering if that had some significance in itself. Ranka attracts Vajra, Sheryl hydras? (Are they even supposed to be there?)

oh eww. Like a Grace/Sheryl shipper? Or did you mean a fan? (Shipper as in "relationshipper" or "worshipper"?) LOL

It's kind of hard just picking one. I voted for Sheryl, but I really have to say KlanKlan has really developed on screen for me the last few episodes. In particular, I have enjoyed watching her and Michael...and how I think she has helped push other characters along , with and without Michael. THere aren't a lot of those kinds of characters on this show that really get others to change and develop directly as opposed to indirectly (manipulation, killing, fighting). KlanKlan (like Michael) has been a good influence on Alto and Sheryl. SO I like her lots. Brera has been a pretty good influence on Ranka too. He seems to calm her and support her. So... no poll for guys, but I see him as a good character to have around. Anyways KK better not bite it. That would really piss me off....

*holds up shield against shippers of all other varieties* This is a ink/marker work...

Yes, given Kawamori's tendencies, I am expecting a more mystical ending but with probably enough room for the nerds like us to suggest a mind-body connection (the potential mystical-scientific link). I figure there's enough literature to indicate that people have fought off cancer against all odds(and wi th chemo being of limited likelihood to succeed) simply based on a will to live. Sheryl's pretty strong-willed. Heh. Anyways... my download of the raw is done. bbl. must go watch and think nerdy thoughts.

This is probably not worth continuing discussing at this point as I suspect we're the only ones really interested in this. Still, one last pass and then I'm done. My studies of molecular bio and virology are outdated by ten years, so if a virologist wants to jump in, please do. Going further into Google shows there is a valid connection to the specific example you were concerned about (http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/69/4/2306). However, "v-type" itself can serve as a description of a protein region that figures into binding sites (http://en.scientificcommons.org/11704006). For the rest, the analogy of HIV or any virus with negative side effects works pretty well to explain what Sheryl has and questions about her uncureability. Witchcraft was likely a binding site inhibitor, therefore giving Sheryl some potential protection from the virus entering cells and hijacking their mechanisms to make more virii. Since we're dealing with a virus, antiviral cocktails also could help her. The technology exists on Galaxy to engineer other medicines like it. (It may exist on Frontier as Nanase's friend was able to provide us with the explanationa nd the analysis on the medicine, although replicating something like it in time may not be within reach of Frontier's current capabilities.) IT boggles my mind that the writers have gone so far to explain what the Witchcraft pill was and to think that the solutions at the end to Sheryl's disease (Should she be cured) will be more metaphysical rather than scientific. Then again, Kawamori may want to pull that contrast off. I don't know enough about his writing staff's personal philosophies to guess whether they might throw that at us and go for a mystical resolution versus a more technical one.

Actually it does. It has to do with cell membranes, protein production, and pumps. I am not about to dive deeply into these papers, but viruses and cell proteins do have some relationship to each other. Additionally proteins in membranes also factor into adhesion/entry of viruses into cells. However, it is more than likely the "V" is something dumb like "Vajra" although I would hope not. After they made the statement of "Witchcraft" being a protein channel inhibitor or some type of channel inhibitor, I thought it was starting to make sense from the molecular cell level. Therapeutically there is some basis to what the Witchcraft pill does , in other words. And immunologically that means still that Sheryl has a fighting chance if there are some experimental medicine types or biologists aboard Frontier . (Or rather, Galaxy, since they're more advanced technologically...)

Details are great. Thanks guys for posting them (Firewalled behind work so can't access raw.)

Reading these... makes me hope that the blogs will continue a little bit after the show ends . If anything, just to reward the loyal who read it for any hint of what's going on. BTW, did any of the other blogs ever start up? Or is Alto's terminally dead?

It also will likely create a peaceful resolution since we know the Vajra are a hivelike existence. What I wonder is if Ranka is sacrificing herself knowingly, e.g., "I must also join with the Vajra" or if she only thinks she's sacrificing her life to get Ai=kun back to the hive. It all comes down to what Ranka has realized for herself by epiosde 21.

Now watching Lunar's subs, thinking that the destruction of Island-3 was intentional to force the Zentradi to miclonize ... and actually the intent is for Leon (And/or Grace) to use the Vajra as one of their pawns in their ultimate attempt to get rid of the Zentradi by reducing their advantage of size. Galaxy is lacking in Zentradi according to what Sheryl said. Possibly intentional? ... while I'm at it, editing this to throw in another idea. "Northern Cross" is the name of the next episode, and the lyrics are a confession of sorts of love. Since MF tends to move characters forward at the same time incrementally, will this be the episode where Alto finally gets some desperately needed exposition (and maturing) as well as a declaration from Sheryl about her feelings?

I'm puzzled by the outpouring of hate for her lately, some from new people to the boards and some from others who have been here a while. I wonder if a part of it is because we're a lot older than Ranka and have a hard time remembering what it's like to be a young kid and are trying to measure Ranka by western standards? I hope it has nothing to do with the preference for Sheryl/Alto or something like that. (And even though I prefer Sheryl/Alto, I don't to the degree that I would wish a horrible fate unto Ranka.) I'm waiting until the end to decide how much of what she's done is understandable and defensible considering her circumstances, which are pretty horrific when one thinks about them. So far, her issues have been mostly related to her being young and lacking confidence, as opposed to someone like LEon or Grace, who are motivated by greed for power and/or superiority. (Grace -- still not sure what her ultimate motive is, although she seemed to take great pleasure in being the one to unravel the mystery of the queen over Dr. Mao and Ranshe.)

Four episodes is plenty of time to wrap up major issues as well, particularly if they're all linked back to "The mystery of the Queen." Grace essentially has part of the puzzle figured out according to 20, although I'm hoping she's still wrong on one major account, and that's the influence of the "Triangle" upon the situation. I wonder if we should keep a running tally of "all remaining unresolved issues?" Sort of like a "Plot danglers" thread.

You guys need to relax. I'm evaluating Alto on the basis of the entire series so far. The most complex reaction I"ve seen from him other than screaming out names and running off into action like a hot-headed young guy is his scene with Sheryl in Episode 20. While I like him, he's not exactly a saint. Perhaps because I'm not a native Japanese speaker and inferred this more by context, but I think he persisted with wanting to shoot Ai-kun even after Ranka was trying to explain things. This pretty much is in line with his behavior in nearly every episode in this series. (Is there an episode where he doesn't get mad and yells at someone? ) It's not wrong at all to instinctually want to defend yourself and others, but Alto seems to not listen to people and is quick to cast judgement. This is my issue with him. Until he learns how to think first, he can not protect Ranka or anyone. In that way, I agree with Brera.

After watching Ranka really flounder the last episode, I am much happier with this turnaround in her character, although in a ways, 20 was a regression for her overall. I was also very touched by the last image of Ranka that was showing at the end of the credits. It was a beautiful illustration. Wish we had it without the credits. Of course, now with the last few episodes, I'm still bothered by Alto's cardboard reactions. Is he unable to understand the enemy as a complex creature with perhaps its own issues? When he was about to off Ai-kun, and Brera b*tchslapped him, I actually was completely in agreement with Brera's actions. If the next episode isn't about Alto and allowing him to process and mature things, then I'll be seroiusly annoyed and start rooting for him to eat the pineapple. (Based on the preview though, it looks like the next episode will let Alto sort of figure things out. I hope.)

speculation: Music was really good in parts in this episode. Must .. .have... OST2 .

It's interesting how adverse Sheryl is to anything artificial. It's one to "not be artificial" for the sake of your image but it's interesting that she seems to have a strong personal dislike for it even in a pet!

It doesn't mean much at that point

Regarding potential ep 23 description.

I love the fact that you used a song from Mononoke -- a very underappreciated anime. Brilliant, but not marketable here.