On Thu, Dec 18, 1997 at 05:41:03PM -0500, Zen wrote:

In conclusion, I'd have to say that the deaths of Ranma and Ukyou *ARE*
Akane's fault.  How can she ever get better until she accepts her own
culpability?

You raise an interesting point.  Zen does not think that it was Richard's
intention to absolve BE Akane of all guilt - though Zen can see how that
impression might be given.  Akane's refusals to seek help, or to accept it,
are partially symptomatic of her disorder - but that is, as you say, NOT an
excuse.  It might be a good idea to go into more depth with that.  As
Richard said, this version of the story is rough.

You are quite correct - it is impossible for Akane to get better until she
faces the consequences of her actions - and admits that they ARE *her*
actions.  This needs to be brought more to light in this passage.

Yes,  I would agree there.
 

But it is ALSO true that to get to that stage, she must have the strength
to face that prospect - to face herself and what she has done.  Ranma was
her strength, or at least a large source of it.  Part of her guilt is
wrapped up in the assumption that Ranma would hate her for what she had
done - and that such hate would be irrevocable.

TIL Ranma gives her the hope she needs to get better.  This Ranma does not
hate her, even with what she did - so maybe now, she can stop hating
herself.  It is not absolution that he gives her - it is forgiveness.

Maybe that was the intent,  but it certainly comes across as an absolution.

I'd also like to mention that the ending certainly gives the impression that
the BE Akane is suddenly 'cured'.  If this is so, then this is quite
probably the cheesiest ending that I've seen in a long time.  It might
represent the first step on a long road to recovery, but I just can't buy a
sudden cure.  After all, it took quite some time for her to reach the point
she's at; it will undoubtedly take at least as long to get back.

Taken *strictky* as slapstick, the Ranma characters would be shallow, and
two dimensional - it is those little bits of depth - the hints of
seriousness that make them so special.

The wackiness is still there - it is just muted.  Even "Bitter End" had a
few lighter moments.  But it was a story about the DARK side of what is
normally considered funny.  In the manga, when Akane hits Ranma, it's a gag
- like the Three Stooges. (Thanks, Gary! ^_^)  But, on a base level, it is
still violence - and in a slightly more realistic setting, has certain
consequences.

Yes...  but there are times when it seems to me like even Takahashi is
hinting that Akane's violence against Ranma is more serious than just a
Three Stooges style gag.
 

It's funny - the basis of most good comedy is pain.  Whether is it the pain
of lonliness that makes a person turn to humor to find acceptance, or the
pain of violence, or just the pain of being different, comedy takes that
pain and turns it into something that can be faced - it helps to take the
sting out - to lessen the hurt.

I'd agree to that 1000%.  Certainly I found it to be invaluable in the
aftermath of my father's recent death.
 
-- 

- Sean Connor (sec@frodo.com)

        "It jams." - Intel TV ad, referring to the Pentium chip.