RJ Writing Ink

One Piece Chapter 980 Review/Recap

So, it looks like the final battle for the fate of Wano’s going to be a slow burn. Moreso than usual as Oda’s quarantining himself from COVID-19. It’s a shame, because I’m looking forward to seeing the Beast Pirates get what’s coming to them. However, this week’s chapter manages to give us a small appetizer as the party gets started. And all because Luffy wants some payback for the starving people of Wano.

KICK THEIR BUTTS, LUFFY!

Recap

So, Luffy sees how the Beast Pirates are wasting food while the people of Wano starve in the streets. Remember poor Tama, he gets understandably pissed off. As a result, he does what Luffy does when he’s mad: he goes on a rampage. Then Zoro comes in, and remembering Tama as well, gets equally mad. The Captain and First Mate of the Straw Hat’s go on a rampage and try to fight their way out of the dining hall.

Meanwhile, Queen and Scratchman Apoo realize that the reports of Luffy being in Udon were false, and realize how bad the situation is. Apoo uses his music powers to hammer into them, forcing the duo to retreat. Queen sics all the men he has with him to go after them. To sweeten the deal, he gives anyone who takes them down the chance to join the Flying Six. Luffy and Zoro wind up boxed in before they can escape. Before Apoo can hit them again, Kid shows up, wanting payback for selling his crew out to Kaido.

Review

All right, I think we all knew that the Straw Hats were never going to follow the plan through. Or to be more precise, Luffy would do something crazy and the Straw Hats would get the party started. The good news is that they’re at full strength right and can fight together. The bad news is that they’re in a place that’s crawling with SMILE Users and heavy-hitters. They have to be smart about who they fight.

Among the members of the Alliance at Onigashima, the only ones capable of remotely beating Kaido are Luffy, and maybe Zoro. They can’t afford to get caught in too many fights, or they’ll lose to Kaido. In addition, we know little about Scratchman Apoo’s Devil Fruit Powers, beyond that they involve musical instruments. That’s something they can’t afford.

However, I’m not too worried about things. Kid’s already charged in to take out Apoo as revenge for betraying him. Kid stands the best chance to take Apoo out, and that will reduce the enemy’s strength.

Long story short, these opening blows to the battle are going to be crucial in the long-term. If the Alliance can take out Queen and Apoo here, the enemy loses two heavy-hitters and keeps the element of surprise for a while longer. It will be worth the two week wait, if you ask me.

I Give “Fighting Music” a 3.8/5

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Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 8 Review

So, the last episode of Harley Quinn ended with Harley and Ivy escaping Bane’s Pit. And then they kissed. THEY. KISSED. We knew it was coming, but to happen so suddenly is as crazy as Quinn is. The last time I got the same reaction to a kiss was the infamous “Booth Buddies” episode of Star vs. The Forces of Evil. Unlike that show, though, this episode actually addresses the effects of the kiss. Or rather, Harley denies there being any effects all episode, with terrible results.

See, Ivy chalks it up to adrenaline from the fact that they’re still alive. That’s what she seems to think, at least. She spends the entire episode working on her relationship with Kite Man and meeting his parents, who not only have powers, but see their son as a disappointment for his lack of them. I’ve seen this before in fiction: parents who see their kid as a disappointment get elated because they’re marrying someone who’s rich or powerful. Ivy never had a good relationship with her folks, so like the audience, we’re disgusted with Kite Man’s folks. Which makes it all the more satisfying to see her tell them to “f**k off”. Which, in turn, inspires Kite Man to stand up to them. Just goes to show the effects of the right partner can have on a person.

Harley Quinn Denies Her Way to Apokolips

Meanwhile, Harley’s trying to convince everyone, but most of all her herself, that her kissing Ivy didn’t mean anything when it clearly does! As a result, she doubles down on her “Harley-isms” and tries to up the chaos with the Injustice League gone. You think a genius psychologist would recognize she’s exhibiting denial, but she doesn’t. In fact, her solution is far more destructive, both figuratively and metaphorically.

What does Quinn do? She goes to Apokolips and gets Darkseid (played by the big guy himself, Michael Ironside) to give her an army to take over Gotham. Meanwhile, Gordon talks the President into letting Gotham rejoin the US if he captures Quinn. When the two armies meet, it’s a disaster.

In the end, Ivy manages to make Harley realize that she’s lying to herself and gets her to call it off. Just when Harley’s about to tell her how she feels, she realizes that she doesn’t want to ruin Ivy’s chances with Kiteman and backs down.

I understand the notion of wanting your beloved to be happy, but if Steven Universe Future taught me one thing, it’s this. You can’t just bottle up your feelings; it’s not healthy!

The season has four episodes left and a lot to settle in that time: Gotham’s still in chaos, Harley’s the last big villain standing, Gordon’s after her, and Dr. Psycho just quit the Crew. Clearly, it’s anyone game, and I don’t know what will happen. I will, however, find it amazing.

I Give “Inner (Para) Demons” a 4/5

Stray Obsevations

• Look at the FBI’s file on Harley Quinn, and it’s filled with references to episodes from Batman: The Animated Series

• Welcome back to being Darkseid, Michael Ironside!

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