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Hiroshi66 Profile
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Re: J-Drama: 相棒11 (Partners 11)


<EPISODE 5>

What a really saddening case. It reminded me that quote from the climax of Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible: I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” With his new life, all this poor soul wanted was his name back—especially since he and his girlfriend were now expecting a child. What a shame that he got involved in such a dirty scheme and will now possibly have to serve jail time as a consequence. It was nice that Ukyo and Kaito let him turn himself in, so he can possibly receive a lesser charge. I wonder if he'll be able to get away without serving time in jail, though.

I think this episode aired around the same time as this National ID proposal, which might explain the conversation between Ukyo and Ms. BL at the very end of the episode:

In Japan, National ID Proposal Spurs Privacy Concerns

I enjoyed reading your take on Kaito vs. Kanbe, Nchristi. This is very true about how it will take Kaito a while to truly appreciate Ukyo. At first, he considered him a 'weirdo' and it was his worst nightmare to be paired up with him in Special Missions. Now, he's started becoming interested in Ukyo and how he solves cases, but I wouldn't say he has become loyal to him yet. He doesn't appreciate being Ukyo's partner either... he still idolizes Itami & Crew and longs to be a part of Unit 1. Maybe that'll change when he realizes that Itami & Crew are simply riding on Ukyo's coattails when it comes to solving cases. LOL!

Kaito's a very smart guy, though. Unlike Kanbe, he seems to have a more active role in solving cases and copying Ukyo's techniques when it comes to investigating and solving cases. That's why I found Ukyo/Kaito's partnership extremely interesting to watch.

Interestingly enough, both Kaito and Kanbe referred to Ukyo by his last name: Sugishita-san. Out of his partners, only Kameyama called Ukyo by his first name: Ukyo-san. Calling people by their first name shows that there is a closer relationship between the two parties, so I guess the proof is in the pudding that Ukyo and Kame had a different sort of relationship than Kaito or even Kanbe did with Ukyo.

I can't wait to see how the story develops with Kaito's father and Ukyo. How ironic that he is Onoda's replacement... literally! Maybe that's why Ukyo is so skilled in dealing with Kaito's father. He has nothing to hide, is honest about everything, and knows how to deal with people like Kaito's dad. After all, he dealt with Onoda for years! I just wonder how Kaito is going to fit in the equation.

Yes, Hana no Sato is great with Ms. BL! She and Ukyo are getting along so well, aren't they? I agree, sometimes Kanbe and Mrs. Ex-Ukyo would gang up on Ukyo, and it was a little awkward to watch. I am surprised that they really wrote Mrs. Ex-Ukyo out of the show. When she left, I assumed it would only be for the season, or just for a few episodes. It looks like her absence is a much more permanent one now, especially since Ms. BL has taken over the restaurant.

This is one great season so far! Episode 6 airs this week.
9/10/2013, 8:53 am Link to this post Send Email to Hiroshi66   Send PM to Hiroshi66 AIM
 
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Was there a glitch in tonight's episode? I got a big black box that covered a majority of the TV screen, including over the subtitles.

edit: well no problems with any of the reruns today.

Last edited by creidesca, 9/13/2013, 6:50 pm


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Currently a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center's Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank) department
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I felt this 6th episode was quite depressing. And was it just me or was the actor playing the husband doing a horrible job up on the hospital rooftop? If he was trying to get away with it/giving us his reasons for doing so, his emotions were very fake.

---
Currently a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center's Transfusion Medicine (Blood Bank) department
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Re: J-Drama: 相棒11 (Partners 11)


<EPISODES 6 & 7

I'm really like Season 11 so far! The relationship between Ukyo and Kaito is extremely entertaining to watch, and it keeps the episodes very interesting. The cases, too, have been more unique than the usual murder cases we've seen in the past, so I think the writers were pushing for a new, revamped format for Season 11 of Partners. I'm glad they revamped the show. It keeps things interesting and new. No wonder Partners has been successful for so long!

I think Kaito is slowly warming up to Ukyo. As the episodes go on, we hear less and less of his commentary about wanting to join Itami & Crew, or wondering what he ever did to end up with Special Missions. I don't think Kaito is 100% content with his new job, but as he gets busy solving cases with Ukyo, I think he's forgetting about his discontent and is getting carried away with investigating whatever case they are working on. Plus, Kaito and Ukyo aren't completely different people. They do differ when it comes to reacting to situations, but their sense of justice and making sure the truth is revealed is very, very similar. Maybe Kaito has subconsciously realized that.

I wonder why Kaito isn't driving Ukyo around!? Kame and Kanbe used to drive Ukyo whenever they would go somewhere. How can I forget Kanbe's sports car? LOL! But this time, Ukyo is doing all the driving. I guess Kaito has gotten used to having a driver, since his father had been so wealthy!

This last episode (#7) was one of my favorites. I just loved Ukyo and Kaito's reactions to the "haunted house." Kaito was so scared of the mere idea of there being a ghost in that house that he didn't want to investigate further! LOL! And then we have Ukyo's fascination with discovering a ghost in the supposedly haunted house. He just wouldn't let it go! Of course, knowing Ukyo, he might have just been persistent about it so that he could solve the mystery, but I think a part of Ukyo really is fascinated with the supernatural and the unknown. I love how he got Mr. Forensics Guy to spend so much time on setting up all those cameras!

Lots of funny Ukyo moments in this episode. Ukyo resembled a robot when he started digging with his hands at the beginning of the episode—when the skeleton was first discovered. Even Kaito was freaked out! I got a kick out of the moment when Kaito handed him the shovel, though. Ukyo stopped digging and told Kaito to continue with the shovel. Kaito should have just not said anything and let Ukyo finish the job! LOL!

I also cracked up at Ukyo and Kaito's facial expressions inside the haunted house. Whenever they would hear something, they would look at each other in the face with this hilarious expression—like they were 5 years old! Classic Partners moment.

Ichiro, the homeless man - I had almost forgotten about him, but when we saw the flashbacks to his original appearance, I started to vaguely remember the case where he first appeared. It must have been a case from way back in Season 2 or 3. Interesting that the writers brought him back. I'm glad he wasn't charged with anything and wasn't guilty of stirring the pot or causing trouble behind the scenes.

I hope the daughter reconciles with her father in the hospital, especially since he doesn't have a long time to live. If only Ukyo's words get through to her before it is too late.

As for the previous episode (#6) I agree that it was very depressing. I especially felt for the child, whose mother is now dead and whose father will be serving many years in jail for murder. Yes, he has his grandparents, but who knows how long they can hide the truth from him about what happened to his parents. It's really heartbreaking. If only the father had thought about his son before doing what he did...

So now Kaito's dad is visiting Ms. BL's place, too!? I can't remember if Onoda ever went there with Ukyo. They always seemed to go to fancy restaurants that Onoda would pick. Anyway, I don't think Kaito knows that Ukyo has been hanging around with his father. I don't think he'll be happy at all if/when he finds out. It could put Ukyo in an ugly situation with Kaito, considering the long and complicated history he has with his father.

Can't wait for Episode 8 on Thursday! Season 11 is really warming up so far.
9/25/2013, 7:38 am Link to this post Send Email to Hiroshi66   Send PM to Hiroshi66 AIM
 
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Re: J-Drama: 相棒11 (Partners 11)


<EPISODE 8>

Just finished watching last night's episode. One thing I've always liked about Partners is how each episode focuses on a certain aspect of Japanese culture or society. So, while watching the investigation itself, we're also exposed to new and interesting information about Japan! I think that's what sets Partners apart from other detective dramas for me. It's entertaining in so many different ways.

This week's 'topic' was [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogi]shogi, Japanese chess. I seem to recall shogi being the topic of either another Partners episode a few seasons back. Maybe it was another drama, I can't remember. But the topic of traditional shogi going against computerized shogi was a very interesting premise. No wonder Ukyo knew that there was some foul play involved here—there had to be a lot of bad blood, since the traditional shogi players were feeling threatened by a computer beating them at their own game (literally).

However, it turned out to be so much more than that, didn't it!? How ironic that the female shogi master used the AI match to get her revenge on her rival—the guy who had ruined both her relationship and her career in the shogi world 12 years ago. When her sponsor, the director of the AI program, tried to get in the way and call the whole thing off so that he could benefit from the shogi master's bribe, she lost it and he was killed after hitting his head on the desk during their scuffle. (Couldn't she claim self-defense? He was getting very physical with her during that fight.)

After I watched the final scene, I started to wonder if there was another reason behind the young shogi player getting the female shogi player's boyfriend to leave her. It wasn't to distract her from the match so he could win. It was so that she wouldn't be distracted from the world of shogi itself—so they could both devote themselves to the game itself, rather than other people. But maybe he was in love with her, too. It couldn't stand him to see her with another man, and so maybe he wanted them to break up so that he could have a chance with her. In his mind, perhaps it was a perfect match. They both loved shogi, and it would be a perfect relationship (for him, at least). But I don't know. He seemed a little strange and I don't know if he could ever love anybody the way he loved his chess board.

I was cracking up during the scene where Ukyo was running around, looking at which equipment had stickers and which ones didn't. He was deliriously running around, yelling out "Yes" or "No" while Kaito looked on, utterly confused. LOL! Classic Ukyo. It's one of those moments where the computer in Ukyo's head is going on auto pilot.

Some other classic moments...

I always love when Ukyo barges in on Itami & Crew as they are questioning a suspect—who 99% of the time is not the guilty one. It's so funny when he promises to only need one minute for questioning. It's as if he has no regard for the "great job" Itami & Crew are doing... sarcasm intended. LOL!

The Bureau Chief and his assistant - Mr. Bureau Chief changes his tune awfully quickly, doesn't he!? When his assistant gets a complaint about why the older shogi master was being questioned, the Bureau Chief reprimands him, telling him that the police shouldn't have to back down for any reason. But as soon as he finds out that the shogi master was involved in some kind of political organization, the Bureau Chief changes his tune. It's all about money and political gain at the end of the day for these people, isn't it?

Kaito seems to be getting comfortable with Ukyo. I've noticed that he's sort of joined Ukyo's team when it comes to Itami & Crew. Before, Kaito would hold them in high regard, idolizing them and wishing he was part of their team. We don't really see that with him anymore. I guess he figured out that the "Three Stooges" aren't all he was hoping they would be, after all! LOL!

Looking forward to next week's Episode 9. This has been one good season so far. We're reaching the mid-way point (already!?) and so I think we're going to see the multi-part "New Year's special" soon.
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Yes, there was a Shogi-focused episode a few seasons back. I no longer recall the details, but I think it turned on someone deliberately throwing an important game. There too, a school for young Shogi players was portrayed.

One of the show's standard tropes is 'if only they had known the truth, this tragedy could have been prevented', which probably can trace its lineage all the way to Greek tragedy. We saw it again in this episode, and I think it is still very effective.

And we are left with the unspoken question - would the computer have beaten the master if it had not been interfered with? Computer Shogi is notoriously difficult*, but Wikipedia says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_shogi) that AI programs are just now reaching the level of high-level human opponents. The portrayal of the match (with live television coverage) seems to owe something to the actual human/AI match as described in the Wikipedia article.


*(heck, the game itself is frightening; you perhaps noticed that the board never seems to empty out as it does in Western Chess. Captured pieces may be returned to the board on the capturing side, which was portrayed a few times. So the board really never gets simpler (from an AI standpoint, the endgame is nearly as computationally dense as the midgame); and you have to watch not only the board, but remember the captured pieces 'in hand' that can be paratrooped onto the board. This is why the pieces have direction, but no colour; any piece can be a turncoat. Madness.)
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Re: J-Drama: 相棒11 (Partners 11)


Thank you for the interesting information on Shogi, Ostadan! I was a little familiar with the game but didn't know about the rules and details. Wow. No wonder the young Shogi masters were so invested in the game. It must have taken them years and years to get to the level they are at now. Plus, after all that training, some of the players must have mortified with the thought of a computer beating them. Can you imagine? All those years of training and discipline, only to be defeated by a computer. No wonder they were so desperate to get the match cancelled.

Yes, Partners always makes us question the outcomes of these cases with "What if?" If she knew the truth, would she have let herself commit murder? Who would have won the match if she hadn't gotten involved with the game? I think that's what keeps this drama interesting. Many other detective dramas have very black-and-white cases, but with Partners, I appreciate how the writers always prompt us to use our noggins. I guess it is active viewing, not just sitting and staring at the TV! LOL.

Ahh, so there was a Shogi-focused episode a few seasons back. It might have been as far as back as when Kame was still on the show, but I think it was a Kanbe-episode. There's been so many Partners episodes that I have a hard time remembering them all! LOL!
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It may be just my imagination, but Ukyo seems to be bending the rules a little more this season than he usually did in the past when he sneaks a peek at someone's belongings or a room without permission to find evidence.

Ukyo admonished Kaito in Ep6 for letting his personal feelings get in the way of an objective investigation. Ukyo has always been about fiding the truth no matter the consequences. Yet, how long can Ukyo keep walking the line between "noseyness" and criminal trespass?
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class blockquote dunedan wrote:

It may be just my imagination, but Ukyo seems to be bending the rules a little more this season than he usually did in the past when he sneaks a peek at someone's belongings or a room without permission to find evidence.

Ukyo admonished Kaito in Ep6 for letting his personal feelings get in the way of an objective investigation. Ukyo has always been about fiding the truth no matter the consequences. Yet, how long can Ukyo keep walking the line between "noseyness" and criminal trespass?
You're right, Dunedan! Ukyo has definitely been a little 'racier' lately with his trespassing. He's always had it in him, but I feel like it's reached a new point this season. Maybe Ukyo feels more comfortable now that he has a new ally in Kaito's father. This is the first time since Onoda that Ukyo has had a close ally in someone so 'high up' so perhaps he's feeling comfortable to do whatever he pleases now that Kaito's father is in the picture.
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Re: J-Drama: 相棒11 (Partners 11)


<EPISODE 9>

Wow, I wasn't expecting this turn of events! Looks like this is going to be a multi-part episode. At the beginning, I was expecting them to solve everything by the end of the episode, but as I kept watching, it seemed more and more unlikely. Plus, not only do we have to wait for Ukyo to solve the case, but Kaito has to get his memory back, too!

I've always wondered how people with amnesia can lose their memory but still remember how to speak and even read perfectly. For instance, Kaito was able to read the characters for his name when Ukyo showed him his badge. I guess it's one of those interesting and mysterious parts of the human mind and psyche. Plus, it was strange to see Kaito so relaxed and mellow after he lost his memory! He's always so grumpy and rough, so it was like seeing a totally different person!

We learned a little bit about Kaito's family in this episode. It sounds like his mother and older brother are living abroad. So, I guess the parents are divorced, but we've never seen Kaito talk much about his mother. I wonder if they have a rocky relationship, as well?

Speaking of family, I couldn't believe Kaito's father didn't even want to hear about how his son was doing. My jaw dropped when he asked Ukyo if his son was dead when he called. Disgusting. I know Kaito has been estranged from his father (and vice-versa) but I was expecting the father to experience at least an ounce of concern when he heard about his son. Ugh. I could tell from Ukyo's expression that he was both shocked and disappointed at Kaito-dad's behavior. I wonder if Ukyo will convince him to show up at the hospital?

Interesting to see Ukyo team up with Itami & Crew in this episode! LOL. I've always suspected that deep down inside, Itami & Crew have a soft spot for Ukyo. Yes, they need his help for solving all these cases, but I think on top of that they have grown to like and respect him. Especially Itami. We've seen that when push comes to shove, he supports Ukyo and almost has a sense of protective loyalty towards him—just like Kame.

Wow, did the Bureau Chief's assistant just tell his boss off and stand up for Ukyo for the first time!? I was shocked. After eleven seasons, the assistant has finally had enough and calls his boss out for what he truly is—an idiot. (I think that's the exact word he used, too!) This poor guy must have had enough after being thrown under the bus by his boss countless times. I wonder if he's going to quit his job? Either that, or the Bureau Chief might have him transferred. I can't picture him working with the assistant after that outburst.

I wonder what Kaito got caught up in to warrant getting beaten up by those men? Perhaps he witnessed something unpleasant? But what could that family be hiding? They seem awfully suspicious, as if their business is really a cover for some kind of sinister operation. Are they engaging in illegal activities, and if so, what? Kaito must have witnessed something really bad for him to get beaten up like that. Those men want Kaito dead—especially since one of them went to the hospital with a knife! If Kaito hadn't lost his memory, he could have been stabbed to death in his own bed. Thank goodness for the amnesia!

Another episode of Ukyo sneaking into a room he wasn't supposed to go into again. He has been doing that a lot this season, indeed. I also got a kick out of his laugh when the woman made that joke about asking the rust why it hadn't rusted. Funny!

I got a kick out of how Ms. BL came to the hospital with Kaito's favorite foods from the restaurant. She is too sweet. I am enjoying her new status as a regular character on the show!

I hope Kaito snaps out of his amnesia soon, so we can find out what really happened in that forest. Well, even if he doesn't snap out of it quickly, I am pretty sure that Ukyo will get to the bottom of all this! And we'll see what Kaito-dad chooses to do. I hope he shows up to the hospital soon before I totally give up on him...

The continuation (Episode 10) airs next week!
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