As always, it’s a challenge to squeeze in any OVA/special/bonus episodes that crop up, but Double Decker’s are being released regularly (and streamed) at least. That does make it easier. As I noted in my write-up on the first EX episode, Doug & Kirill is a series that does one-off and amusing material very well, and as such I think it’s very well-suited to the OVA concept. Many times – I would even say most – original OVA or special episodes (even of original series) don’t really feel as if they’re part of the main narrative. With DD that’s just not a problem, because the series did many eps just like this one during its TV run.
EX’s second episode is another comedy-driven one, though a bit more serious than the first. This time we find K sent off to a police academy seminar (apparently they requested here, though if it was for a better reason than plot convenience we’re never told), which leaves the Angels one member short for an undercover mission at a hotel grand opening. Travis taps Kirill to go in her stead (I always suspected Travis had something like this in mind from the moment he found out Kirill was a dude) and while Kirill is initially adamant in his opposition (it’s a little too on the money for comfort, especially given his brother’s history) eventually Travis convinces him that it’s an important rite of passage “elite agents” have to go through.
The general format of Kirill as a verbal punching bag for Seven-O’s jokes does get a bit tired at times, but as usual when this series plays around with the idea of identity it can be surprisingly insightful. One might think Kirill would slip into the role (and the dress) no problem, but while his face may be feminine his mannerisms are not, and Travis and Apple don’t even notice that he’s cross-dressing. A quick trip to Derrick’s to get lessons from someone who knows all about passing for a woman does wonders, though (it reminded me a lot of George giving Jerry advice on how to be a good liar) and “Olivia” joins the others at the party feeling fairly confident.
The other interesting twist here is that one of the targets, the son of the Persian Gulf magnate who owns the hotel (played by Yoshimasa Hosoya) turns out to be a pretty nice guy. He and Olivia bond right away when he rescues “her” from a handsy and tipsy guest, and eventually the truth comes out – he’s miserable in the role he’s forced to play, and his interest in Anthem is simply escaping who he is. That Kirill manages through his Olivia performance to convince the fellow not to throw his life away is a rather well-executed sequence – effectively by being himself even while pretending to be someone else, he saves the man’s life. It’s almost deep, in its way – and another solid overtime session from one of 2018’s most underrated series.
