RJ Writing Ink

One Piece Chapter 981 Review/Recap

I’m not sure if I’ve said it already, but if the Alliance wants to have any chance of beating Kaido, Orochi, and Big Mom, they need to keep the element of surprise. So far, they’ve managed to do that, despite the actions of Luffy, Zoro, Kid, and Killer. This chapter, though, sees some complications arise. Fortunately, the chapter also sees some new allies join the fight.

Recap

Thanks to Kid’s sudden attack on Apoo, him, Luffy, Zoro, and Killer are able to flee even as Queen sends more of their forces after them. What makes it worse, though, is that some of the Numbers start to get involved in the melee. Despite this, the four members of the Worst Generation begin to make their escape. In addition, Kid tells them that Apoo’s powers have a range limit: if you can hear them, he can attack you. The Tobi Roppo choose to ignore the chaos in favor of finding Yamato.

On the eastern flank, Kin’emon chooses to split his forces in two. One portion will proceed to the rear of the island, as planned. The other part will work their way to the dome in the central skull. There, they can launch an assault from above, trapping the enemy inside.

There’s two problems, though. Firstly, they have to cross a bridge in clear view of a brothel run by the Tobi Roppo. Secondly, Big Mom spots Chopper in the Brachio Tank.

While all of this is happening, the rest of the Big Mom Pirates, now Kaido’s new allies, begin to make their way into the country. Once there, they plan on crushing Luffy for humiliating them. However, as before, they’re intercepted. Instead of King, though, it’s someone else who throws them off the waterfall. Two old friends have joined the Alliance: Marco the Phoenix and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Review

Well, guys, I knew from the outset that the master plan would never hold up in the end, but I still hoped it would. I know that things are looking bad, with Chopper getting spotted by Big Mom. However, that may not be a bad thing. Maybe Big Mom will remember Chopper from when she had amnesia and will let him go since she owes him or something. Or maybe she won’t realize that he’s part of the Straw Hats. I have hope, alright!

The more important thing is that new allies have arrived to help the Alliance: Marco the Phoenix and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates, plus Nekomamushi. We’ve seen Marco and Izo fight, so they could end up being the ace in the hole the Alliance needs. Also, I think they’d want some payback for Kaido killing their crewmember Oden.

My point is that, despite things falling apart, the Alliance has the advantage. Plus, I don’t the manga will be on break next week, so I think that’s a win, as well. Can’t wait for the big fight!

I Give “Joining the Fight” a 3/5

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Harley Quinn Season 2, Episode 10 Review

Well, after last week’s lackluster episode, I’m happy to say that Harley Quinn is finally getting back on its feet. With less than three episodes left in the season, now’s the time to start tying the show’s plot threads together. And man, does Harley do it in style! Grab your best clothes, because it’s time for Harley to do Die Hard. Or in this case, Dye Hard.

I think the joke comes from the fact that Harley dyes part of her hair.

So, last week saw Harley confess to Ivy, only to get turned down. Considering how the Joker turned her against the idea of romance until she realized she loved Ivy, it makes the rejection even worse. So she decides to hit the town and drink away her sorrows. Only for it to bring her right back to the guy she started with, the Joker.

Yeah, Joker (or Joe Kurr, as I’m calling him) is now working at a bar in Wayne Tower, that then gets held hostage by some thugs, forcing Harley to drag Joe as she tries to escape in the air ducts. Hence why it’s called Dye Hard.

As much fun as it’s been seeing Harley find her place in a world without Mistah J, viewers knew it wouldn’t last. Ever since we saw him resurface, we knew that Joker would return one day. As much as Harley tries, she’ll never truly be rid of the Joker. And as this episode makes very clear, Joker is clawing to get to the surface of Joe Kurr’s mind. Memories of his past keep coming to the surface, and Harley has to deal with the consequences.

In fact, Dye Hard ties together the whole theme of the season: Harley having to deal with the consequences of her actions. And there are a lot of consequences that she has to deal with in Dye Hard.

Dr. Psycho and Riddler: Evil Dream Team

I would like to say for the record that I knew Riddler would escape from his hamster wheel before the season was out. That’s one big consequence that Harley has to deal with. And I also knew that Dr. Psycho would take control of the Parademons to conquer Gotham after he rage-quit the Crew. What I didn’t expect was for them to team up.

Dr. Psycho’s been one of my favorite characters on the show. Yeah, he’s an evil, sexist maniac, but the writers make him so much fun to watch. And this episode sees him give voice to the fact that he’s been side-lined all season. In addition, he calls out Harley for having a moral compass and wasting the best chance she had of taking control of Gotham. She could have had it all, but she wasted it. Why? Because deep down, Harley’s not evil.

In fact, given everything she’s done this season, Dye Hard hammers home this one question: why is Harley still trying to be evil anyway? I can imagine that by the end of the season, we’ll see Harley have to choose to cross the threshold into being a hero. First, though, she’s got to deal with her past.

Return of the Joker

After Sy Borg sacrifices himself to help Harley escape, she realizes that the only ones who can stop Psycho are the Justice League, still trapped in the Book of Fables. And Joker’s the only one who knows where it is. So, we know where this is going. Back in the Acid for Joe Kurr.

I have to admit, seeing Joe Kurr get dumped in acid has a dose of irony and tragedy. Irony, because now it’s Harley who’s doing it to him. And tragedy because this means Harley has to bring back the man she hates so much into her life. That, and it ruins Mistah J’ chance at a normal life.

I don’t know how this season will end, but I do know this: it’s going to be crazy! It almost makes the price for DC Universe worth the money. But I’m still not keeping it after its done.

I Give “Dye Hard” a 4.5/5. Best episode of the Season so far.

Bonus points for reference to Heath Ledger’s “Pencil Trick.”

Also, a cancer ray. Really, Bruce?

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