MFSxA

I think Sheryl was never really in a disguise. She didn't hide behind a mask. In order to hide behind the mask the one hiding needs to know the necessity to hide, that is, there is something to hide. If you were not aware of such a thing to hide, how can you hide something you were not aware of? To her mind she can do anything if she puts her will and effort to it, because according to her - she has reached her status due to her will and effort. If somehow that the information you relied upon was inaccurate or untrue, not of your fault, this does not change the fact that you have become based on what you believed you were. "I am Sheryl Nome" isn't a disguise, nor is it a mask. It is a battle cry and at the same time a characterization of her confidence and independence. It is, simply, who she is. Her downfall is not that her rise to fame was false (originally I thought this was the case), rather she facing death. Her rise to fame was her doing with the help of Grace and Co. Assuming that the gg subs are good enough translation, it is worth to note: 1. The initial part of the conversation was Sheryl asking why Grace left her as her manager, and why Ranka's voice could be understood by the vajra. Why was it not her? These were the things she said. I'd interpret it as she either being jealous or insecure in the current spot that she is in. I find nothing distasteful of this, as long as she does not turn the thoughts into negative actions. It is natural for man to be jealous, the important thing is and the only thing that counts is how you act on it. This separates man from those lesser than him (assuming you subscribe to the teachings of the ancients - or more simply but inaccurately the morality of various religions). 2. Grace states that she is merely an idol. A fabricated idol. She counters that it was her own work that got her to the top. The interesting part is Grace's next statement which does not negate Sheryl's reply: If Grace hadn't taken Sheryl from the streets then she would not have been who she is now. This is actually true, it was the first gate to her fame - but she makes no mention if and how She (Grace) and Co. manipulated her rise. In other words there is no conclusive statement or scene to state that every part of her rise was completely manufactured and devoid of her own effort. Anything else is speculation. Besides what Grace gave was an opportunity, but do opportunities act by themselves or is it necessary for man to act upon the opportunity in order to reap the harvest? She is described as beautiful and she can sing. What could Grace and Co. have contributed? setting up her schedule I guess, this is pure speculation though, hehehehe. 3. The truth of the matter is, Sheryl remains undaunted: (a) by the rise of Ranka; (b) abandonment of Grace; © Ranka's voice as very useful and important part of the MF Fleet. Instead she breaks down knowing she will die. This occurs twice, the first in the hospital after Grace grabs her. In the scene where she walks at night while raining, she thinks to herself that something like this...she won't...and then she remembers Grace words that she is going to die. A fabricated idol. You are literally going to die, to provide emphasis, Grace's lips are shown. And then the announcement of the new Min May, eventually her kneeling by the street walk. Aside from God (I am a theist)I think, Death is next as the most interesting thing in life (feels paradoxical). The end of existence, shall I make the most of life? Try to fight this disease? Accept my fate? Shall I correct my family relations? Or drown myself in vain pleasures because life is only once? Or is it crap, I don't care even if i'm going to die? I cannot put into words the various thoughts that flare to my mind upon the thought of my own mortality, you would forgive me if i leave this paragraph as it is. As the scenes play out, it is clear that it was not the death of her singing career, the rise of Ranka, or the importance of Ranka that primarily broke Sheryl down. After the trampling of her ego/pride/vanity/whatever you call it, she remains undaunted, referring to Grace's threat as lame and she would not chicken out of it. She remains willful and unfazed. One can argue that it was merely a retort out of anger, a protection of her ego. I say, pretty normal for a person to act. To finally twist matters and to have (perhaps a decent excuse) her breakdown, MF staff pulls the death card. Heh. Her breaking down due to such an event does not necessarily mean she is weak. I prefer to use the word, shock. What follows next is thought and perhaps self-pity. I think and as per collective experience, if you are told that you are going to die - depression is inevitable. Others are very good at hiding it, but I am fairly sure, that their minds are full of thought due to the thought of mortality. If you would have been told you would die soon due to AIDS, what would you do? I think the author merely followed a logical line of thought and sequence but such an intervening event does not necessarily mean that such a character is weak. The next episodes will flesh out if Sheryl really is weak. I hope she is a phoenix, heh or is she the Northern Cross? Sheryl shines even more, when she tells Michael and Klan that they need not tell Alto of her predicament. I would liken this to a person who does not wish his good friend or his lover to be bothered of his condition. I remember a person, he never told his wife or his children about his high blood - which was aggravated by his asthma. He did this because he didn't want others to worry about him too much and to pull their effort and resources for him too much. He didn't want the people he loved to be inconvenienced. He thought he could handle it, it was reckless, but the intent was good. This would seem to be the intent of Sheryl. Michael in the stair scene says to Klan, that there are things you can't say because you really care about someone. The better question is, why could you not say it? Shame? Embarrassment? Love? Worry? We shall see. The strong Sheryl we knew in the previous episodes, still exists, albeit the ante was raised. How strong are you Sheryl, in the face of your mortality? When you consider your ailing career, your young age, your like/love for Alto - with your mortality? Where is your confidence now and independence Sheryl? It seems, at the face of death, even the willful Sheryl must pause her pace. Or will she surprise me in the episodes to come? I hope she doesn't succumb to insecurities and apathy. Keeping the faith. This death card is really interesting. Aside from the various factors in defining and analyzing Sheryl's character, we add a new one, her impending death. Please nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! I perceive her as a vibrant yet sensitive and loving character. The author is actually doing good work in presenting and developing Sheryl's character, props to him.

Locker room scene.

Have you tried K-Lite Codec Pack which uses media player classic? I have no problem playing the gg subs with it.