Goro, you magnificent idiot.

The entire episode, only one thought was running through my mind:

FOR GOD’S SAKE, SOMEBODY STOP HIM!!!!

So, for the third time, our hero has literally pitched himself into unconsciousness. I hope it was all worth it.

That’s the central theme of this show, I suppose – is Goro a hero, or insane? Is his way of viewing the world really something to admire? I suppose my answer to the first question is yes – to both. Whatever else you can say about this unique, singular character he’s undeniably courageous and, when it comes to the team, selfless. He’s a gladiator, with all the positive and negative connotations of that term. There was something truly poignant in seeing him meekly trudge off the field after pulling himself out of the game at last – in so much pain that he was unable even to respond to his teammates or his manager.

Thanks to Goro’s inspiring pitching – just missing the Major League record of 10 strikeouts in a row, though he did notch his 10th (and last) in 11 batters with a 101 MPH fastball – and Murdoch’s 12th inning HR, Indiana finally prevailed 11-8 and clinched their first division title in 25 years. Unfortunately Goro was in an ambulance on his way to the ER at the time. Though we’re not clued in on his condition, one assumes he has to have surgery. His teammates come to his room to douse him with champagne (that he’s still too young to drink in the US) but clearly, he’s done for the season.

Which leads to an interesting point for the series. That would seem to have been the dramatic peak of the season, but there are still three eps left. Looks like 154 will focus mainly on the Gibsons, but what then? The Hornets will soldier on without Goro and even Watts, but the inherent drama of that is certainly less without Goro there. I can honestly say I have no idea how these last three eps will play themselves out.