Episode 6
This episode opens with the white origami crane that Sera discovered in the previous episode. As I guessed, Gwen has come over to talk out Sera’s trouble. Gwen holds the crane in her hand inspecting it. With this character absent for several episodes she does not disappoint in her second appearance of the season.
Gwen’s fantastic one-liners are entertaining, and function as comic relief for Sera’s dramatic dilemma. With this scene, in Sera’s apartment, Gwen examines the paper crane while seated calmly at a table. Sera paces anxiously in front of Gwen, and every so often intrudes on the frame. Gwen expertly analyzes the situation, admittedly impressed with Ona’s moves, and cuts right to the chase. She suggests, while rather composed, that Sera shouldgo ahead and sleeps with Ona. “Go for it!”
Gwen’s fantastic one-liners are entertaining, and function as comic relief for Sera’s dramatic dilemma. With this scene, in Sera’s apartment, Gwen examines the paper crane while seated calmly at a table. Sera paces anxiously in front of Gwen, and every so often intrudes on the frame. Gwen expertly analyzes the situation, admittedly impressed with Ona’s moves, and cuts right to the chase. She suggests, while rather composed, that Sera shouldgo ahead and sleeps with Ona. “Go for it!”
Now one thing to consider with this episode is the paper crane. It’s the object that remains constant throughout the episode, and it rather the focus in both the dialogue and visuals. The episode begins with the crane in the centre of the shot, and ends with Gwen holding the crane into the shot. This object is important, and will probably carry as a symbol over several episodes.
Sera asks, “What does it mean?” and this is up for debate. Right now the crane is a symbol for Ona and Sera, what they could be and what they are. But the question is what does it mean from Ona’s perspective? Consequently in Japanese culture, a thousand paper cranes (held together by string) is a traditional wedding gift from the father. The gesture is meant to wish a thousand of years of prosperity and happiness on the newlyweds. A neat idea with Jeri and Casey’s wedding as the story backdrop, but in Ona’s case this doesn’t fit. The crane being folded from white paper is significant, as the origami wedding flowers staked up in several different colours.
In many different cultures the white crane is seen as a messenger of the gods, and often guides the protagonist in folktales. The white crane also acts as a symbol of long life, wisdom, and poise. This can describe Ona, but also seems to capture Gwen’s personality well. Consequently Gwen’s the one holding the crane in this episode. Sera’s the one stuck with some choices to make in the story thus far, and hopefully the white crane will guide her.
Sera asks, “What does it mean?” and this is up for debate. Right now the crane is a symbol for Ona and Sera, what they could be and what they are. But the question is what does it mean from Ona’s perspective? Consequently in Japanese culture, a thousand paper cranes (held together by string) is a traditional wedding gift from the father. The gesture is meant to wish a thousand of years of prosperity and happiness on the newlyweds. A neat idea with Jeri and Casey’s wedding as the story backdrop, but in Ona’s case this doesn’t fit. The crane being folded from white paper is significant, as the origami wedding flowers staked up in several different colours.
In many different cultures the white crane is seen as a messenger of the gods, and often guides the protagonist in folktales. The white crane also acts as a symbol of long life, wisdom, and poise. This can describe Ona, but also seems to capture Gwen’s personality well. Consequently Gwen’s the one holding the crane in this episode. Sera’s the one stuck with some choices to make in the story thus far, and hopefully the white crane will guide her.
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Speaking of Gwen keeping her cool, she seems to have different motives than what we had expected via the trailer. Is Gwen’s support and coolness really a front for her to swoop in when Sera gets hurt? Sera and Gwen’s ethics clash throughout this scene, and Sera holds steadfast to her rules of right and wrong. Gwen tries over and over to talk around Sera’s points, and of course Sera’s proposed solution is weak.
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One valid argument on Sera’s part is that she wants more than just a golden ticket to happy pants town. For her happiness is more than that, and Sera thinks that Ona should just break up with Laura. Sera is actually fighting not to be Ona’s second choice.
