Or: Of Grey Wolves and Golden Fairies
Outside of comedy, my father is quite content to simply watch a series or film once and never revisit it. In drama you know plot’s end. In science fiction you know how the shining empire falls to the rag-tag band of heroes. In a murder mystery you know whodunnit and why. Yet with comedy, the jokes may be appreciated once more.
To an extent, I agree. Yet, at the same time, I stand apart from this sentiment. A drama may be appreciated again for the characters, for the plot itself, despite knowing how it reaches its end. Science fiction may be enjoyed for its grand scale, its characters, and its battles. Equally, a good murder mystery may be appreciated for its chess pieces, and by seeing all the clues one missed the first time fall into place.
Towards the end of November, and following a whim on suggestion of Twitter, I watched Gosick for the second time. Theoretically, Gosick is a murder mystery. It isn’t a very good murder mystery. But then again, it isn’t really one to begin with – it just happens to include a number of murders and mysteries. It’s more a drama; a drama about avoiding and inciting war, a drama about genius and its usefulness, and a drama with a touch of romance.
The first half is admittedly weak, but the second half picks up magnificently. One might almost go so far as to say it genuinely good. Gosick’s ostensible deuteragonist is a delight to watch and behold – though admittedly perhaps a tad too mean and vindictive for some. The tying of the plot to the two world wars, a political fight between science and the occult, and a mysterious alchemist with bloody ties to the setting’s monarchy, all make for a satisfying series with sufficient action, suspense, and twists to keep the audience interested.
Unlike with previous days and their Moments, today I choose neither part nor whole of the series itself. Rather I should like to celebrate the humble re-watch, with Gosick as my example. A good re-watch, for indeed there are bad re-watches where disappointment joins, is a reminder of the past, and a reminder of what and why one likes a series. A good re-watch is a Moment to savour.
Post Scriptum
Look mum, no footnotes. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, this should be Day Seven.
The Untold Story of Altair & Vega 