A “feel-good” episode that actually makes Gloria somewhat likeable, and manages to pack some great comedic moments in between the sap. The Neres team goes in for their mandatory health checkup, and it turns out that Gloria has a deadly tumor. The gang tries to keep it a secret from her, but Gloria is immediately suspicious of their awkward behavior and finds out the deal. After a heart-to-heart talk with Maia (whose bad-luck streak continues when drawing straws for this role), Gloria reveals her life dream. Maia becomes committed to making it come true via an elaborately contrived scheme, with a familiar face filling the guest actor role!
Though it’s been done to death in numerous other shows, DITBB manages to put its own unique spin on the terminal illness plot device. I found myself trying to second guess where the show was going to go, only to find myself somewhat surprised by its charmingly offbeat nature. Cheesy? Yes. Entertaining? Double Yes. Horrible hair? Unfortunately, still yes, especially when Gloria rides the Power Tower (which by the way, is not nearly as exciting as it looks…).
The chemistry of the cast is well-established at this point, and it pays out major dividends in the scene where everyone is trying to be nice to Gloria (even Yuu!). The minor running gag about Maia’s horrible scriptwriting skills is smoothly integrated into the plot as well, as does the odd disguise fetish (what’s up with Yuu’s driver uniform?). Maia cooks up so many bad acting gigs, she should be a B-movie director instead of a bumbling mercenary for hire!
This post was written by...
Ender – who has written 219 posts on Sea Slugs! Anime Blog.
One of the original founders, and the first to attempt a coups d'état.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Power Tower? Reminds me of this:
“So I went out ‘n’ bought me a leisure suit I jingle my change, but I’m still kinda cute Got a job doin’ radio promo An’ none of the jocks can even tell I’m a homo Eventually me ‘n’ a friend Sorta drifted along into S&M I can take about an hour on the tower of power ‘Long as I gets a little golden shower”
That’s “Bobby Brown” from Frank Zappa. It’s prolly horribly OT but I always wondered whether there’s any relation between this song and the husband of Whitney Houston that is Bobby Brown.