February 04, 2005
Gankutsuou ( 巌窟王 ): Episode 15
God, I love this show. It just keeps getting better and better. Episode 15 has been the best episode to date, as things all start coming to a head.
The Count and Albert have left Earth on a little trip. Albert needed to get away from all the stress that has come into his life. His betrothed was taken away from him, his mother is acting strangly, his best friend is angry at him, people are being murdered, strange letters are showing up at his house, the Chief Justice tried to shoot him and the count...It was time for a vacation...
He spends some quality time with the only person he's willing to trust at the moment, not knowing that the very same man is responsible for all his heartache and pain. The Count sits Albert down and tells him a story about two lovers and the betrayal of a best friend. The story makes Albert cry and the Count seems to be touched...it is, after all, his own story (though Albert has no idea). The Count also tells him that his business in Paris is almost finished and he'll be leaving soon. Albert begs the count to stay or at least take him with him. The count again, is touched.
However, back on Earth, Alberts dad is running for president. They are holding court and he's speaking to all his supporters when Haydee comes in. She appears to be a follower at first, but when she takes the podium, she tells a horrific story about how her father was betrayed and murdered and herself and mother were sold into slavery. The man responsible? Why, none other than Fernand Mondego himself, known now as General Moncerf (Alberts father). Moncerf tries to deny it, calling Haydee a conspirator. His supporters rally, but Haydee silences him. Mercedes, Alberts mother, asks for proof, and Haydee shows them all the brand burned into her neck. He cannot deny what he's done.
Meanwhile, Fanz has left Paris searching for answers to the mystery of "Gankutsuou". After being forcable thrown from the Government Library even while having "confidential access", he's even more convinced that the Count is behind the sinster mishaps going on in Paris. He just can't prove it. So, Franz turns to grandfather Nortier. The old man seems to have the answers, and supplies them with a means to access his memories in thanks for saving his grandaughter from her murderous stepmother.
Back at the Count's estate, Haydee is feeling guilty and tells Ali that extracting her revenge hasn't made her feel any better. If not, she feels worse. She insists that she must deter the Count from his plan, not wanting him to feel the pain that she does.
In space, the Count tells Albert it is time for them to part. He says a final farewell to the boy, and Albert runs after him. The Count appears sad and torn, but sends him back to paris alone, telling him that his father needs him. After Albert is gone, the Count breaks down in what seems to be distraught sadness. He sobs, falling to the ground, but then his crying turns into uproarous, joyous laughter. He laughs and laughes, slapping his knees and gives his help the most evil look. He says it's time to go back to Paris, back to where the evil lives.
(This is probably one of the most sinister and evil scenes I've seen in an animated show to date. It gave me chills watching it)
Albert is alone on his space pod, plumetting for Earth.
