As expected, Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop show can’t compete with the original
By Diana Nosa
Episode 8: “Sad Clown A-Go-Go”
As expected, Episode 8 of Cowboy Bebop digs deeper into the story of Spike Spiegel. And as a bonus, it also features the introduction of yet another great foe from the 1998 anime series, the Mad Pierrot.
I was uneasy wondering whether the series would do this fabled antagonist justice, but my worries were quickly cast aside once I saw how menacing they made Pierrot; he is just as eager to kill Spike as Vicious. (Although I was confused as to why Vicious would employ Pierrot to do such a thing rather than take care of it himself.)
Of course, Mad Pierrot is no match for our space cowboy in the end, but his sudden appearance had Jet questioning his longtime partner, wondering who Spike is and what exactly he’d done to pick up such a death wish.
In retrospect, I’m glad the Netflix series decided to ease into Spike’s character arc. (Ignoring the first two episodes, of course.) For the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful that the series will stick the landing with Spike. After all, here in the eighth episode, it finally makes Ein important to the story as well as nail the conclusion of the coup storyline with the Syndicate. So I expect nothing but greatness from the remainder of the series.
Speaking of the coup, it was pretty electrifying. Vicious unexpectedly betrayed everyone, including the people he recruited to assist in taking the Elders’ throne. With the killing of Eunuch, Mao and the Elders’ master (Vicious’ own father), the white-haired villain is in a position to do damage to anyone and everyone, especially Julia.
We end this action-packed episode with questions all about Julia. How will Vicious deal with her now that he knows that she betrayed him? What does her singing signify? Most importantly, will Spike get to her in time to save her life?