keyofnik: I’ve mentioned a few times now but I’m really impressed at the subtextual commentary about Usagi and Mamoru that’s happening in this arc. As I said in tags of the post just before we ended yesterday, this stark difference between how Usagi handles problems and how Mamoru handles them is a fantastic illustration of their differences. Usagi is the central and most powerful person in this universe, and yet her true strength lies in recognizing her weaknesses and relying on those she loves to help her. Usagi knows there’s something wrong with Mamoru, and as we’ve seen repeatedly throughout these episodes, the last thing she wants to do is admit it and deal with its implications. But it’s to the point now where she can’t keep pretending there isn’t something seriously wrong, and the moment she realizes it’s bigger than her, she turns to her friends for help. By contrast, Mamoru’s solution is to push everyone away. He has a problem and he’ll deal with it himself. Even here, where he’s in the grips of a possession and manages a brief moment of lucidity, he’s STILL pushing Usagi away and insisting that he can deal with it alone. This is such a wonderful and important statement being made. It seems at first glance that Mamoru is being strong. He has a problem, he doesn’t need anyone, he’ll deal with it alone. Usagi’s response is one that is seen as weak. She can’t handle this situation, she’s worried, she goes to her friends for help. But that’s fucked up, the arc is saying. Recognizing your weaknesses, admitting them, and asking for help is the strongest thing you can possibly do. Mamoru refuses to get help, and he stands alone in the darkness with only empty reflections of himself for company. Usagi’s strength comes from her friends, and even at her lowest moments she’s surrounded by them in bright colours and warm sunshine. Usagi and her friends are going to get shit DONE, and there isn’t anything remotely weak about that. I hope you learn that lesson soon too, Mamoru.
