One of the unfortunate things about Great Pretender’s distribution is that it makes discussion of the series almost impossible. People are all over the map as regards where they are in its progression (me included of course), from not having started it to 15 episodes in or anywhere in-between. It’s a little better here because individual posts are a fairly safe zone – don’t read and comment if you haven’t seen it – but discussion is still a fraction of what it would be with a normal weekly schedule. But then if that were the case, the budget would be a fraction of what it is now, and the show itself is the most important thing.
I sure wouldn’t want to change that, I know that much. Damn, this series impresses me – it’s just really good. I can’t pick between the first two arcs – each has their own strengths and both totally work as a stand-alone entity. And that’s a great sign going forward. “Singapore Sky” was much darker and more introspective, with a restraint and elegance to counterpoint the bombastic exuberance of “Los Angeles Connection”. The implication is that each arc is going to present its own distinct personality, a new face for the series. And that’s certainly a fascinating prospect.
The sting operation itself was fittingly much less convoluted than the first one. If the L.A. story was largely about the operation itself, this time around the focus was really on the people involved – on both sides of the equation. Abby and Luis ended up being the centerpiece of the story, each of them with their own baggage weighing them down. Isabelle turned out to be playing it straight (I was kind of fooled on that one), and Clark was just as uncomfortable with what he was forced to do for Sam as it appeared.
Makoto is the one who ends up stopping Abby from doing something she’d almost certainly regret, even if Luis seems to be willing and even eager to let her kill him. It would be a stretch to call Luis a victim in the same way Abby was – he’s not. But he nevertheless carried his scars with him before he was ever involved in that crash (which Clark indirectly caused, as it turned out). He and Abby meeting each other was an opportunity in the end, both in terms of the present and in dealing with the past. And it’s Luis who walks away from “Singapore Sky” with a measure of redemption, in more ways than one – thanks to Makoto and Abby.
Clark can’t be held blameless for what happened to Luis, because while Clark didn’t know what was going on at the time, he kept dancing to Sam’s tune even after he found out. That’s the truth of it for these people – you can’t work for scoundrels and not be tainted by the association. It applies to Makoto and Abby too, who’re complicit in Laurent’s crimes in more than just the legal sense. But it ended up being exactly as I predicted – those two are different from Laurent and Cynthia (if Abby is Akechi Mitsuhide and Makoto Hideyoshi, does that make Laurent Oda Nobunaga?). But as long as they’re joined to them at the hip, those differences become more and more meaningless. That’s for the future, I suppose…
Laurent is no fool – he sensed the possibility that the kids could go rogue, and arranged an insurance policy for himself just in case. But there was no insurance policy for them – he left them to deal with the aftermath of his scam and if Sam offed them, so be it. Makoto and Abby are smart enough to know that they’re tools in Laurent’s eyes, no more – they have to watch their own backs. But I hope they’re also smart enough to realize the price they pay by playing Laurent’s game, even if they walk away with their lives. If I was a fanciful man, I might almost guess that Great Pretender ends up with Makoto cooking up one last big scam to triple-cross Laurent and walk away for good – maybe even with Abby at his side.
hgfdsahjkl
June 21, 2020 at 10:13 pmI haven’t seen an original anime this good for a long time,really really great
and
Laurent really reminds me of pariston
Guardian Enzo
June 21, 2020 at 11:18 pmHmmm.
Red
June 22, 2020 at 2:58 pmI can only speculate that part of laurent’s obsession with makoto is because there’s a connection between him and makoto’s father. A con man showdown in the latter parts should be interesting. Anyways, another arc finished with great delivery.
As you say, the distribution of this series really makes discussions sparse though it has still has pros (arc-binging). I’ve got some things to say in this arc but I’ve already forgotten them when the review comes out since I’m ahead of the review (just finished the third arc btw).
Guardian Enzo
June 22, 2020 at 3:24 pmThat would certainly be an interesting angle. But considering what Makoto-papa was involved in (human trafficking) it would be nice to think not even Laurent would stoop that low.
I have to think it’s going to come down to Laurent vs. Makoto in the end – hard to imagine this story ending any other way. But we’ll know soon enough.
Red
June 22, 2020 at 6:02 pmWell, I don’t know for fraud rings but it can be argued that lawyers are essential parts of a crime ring, especially large ones. He can offer his services to various people since the underground has many connections but we’ll see.
IreneSharda
June 23, 2020 at 12:09 amI think you’re a little harder on Laurent that most would be. He’s loose and aloof and seems to be pretty careless with everything and everyone. And yet, we know that there’s a sharp brain under there that pretty much can outthink anyone. And I don’t think it would be a stretch of anyone’s thoughts to say that he is the “great pretender” of the series. Everyone else pretends too. Makoto pretends to be bigger than he is to make himself feel better. Abby pretends to be stalwart in order to hide her own pain. Cynthia, you will get to in the next arc. But Laurent? I think Laurent is the biggest pretender of them all.
I don’t think he’s nearly as flippant and uncaring or even as bad as you think he is. He’s doing all this for a reason. With Abby, Makoto, and Cynthia. It’ll just be interesting to see what that is.
My personal theory for how this will all end? It will be similar to most Hollywood-esque Ocean’s 11 type movies. Once Laurent accomplished all that he needs to do and the entire group becomes closer as a sort of family (notice that all 4 of them are mostly loners when they are on their own), they will unofficially dissolve the con gang and find their own lives on their own, but better than before Laurent had pulled them in. However, if anyone ever gets in trouble, or if they need help, the gang will get back together to have their backs.
Chaitan
June 23, 2020 at 5:28 amThe first arc was fun and enjoyable but some aspects of the story were 200% unrealistic. Like, you simply cannot just waltz into the police operation pretending to be a team of FBI agents: too much paperwork is required for this. Or the crime boss ignoring inconsistencies in the stories of supposed “brokers”, etc.
The second arc was stepping up the darkness with each episode. I was sure that Luis’s wife had betrayed him, and I was expecting that Abby had been raped in captivity. But this buildup went nowhere in the end. Well, the final race and the final jump were fun, I cannot complain.
The third arc was epic.
MFF
June 25, 2020 at 1:21 amIts really hard to have a discussion, you’re right.
I’ve been watching it arc at a time because I can’t stand stopping… I guess releasing it by arc stops me from just wasting a whole day watching the entire series and instead treating it more like a movie.
In terms of its visualisation of SG, its really really good. I’ve been there a few times and been to almost everywhere depicted – one of the ones I haven’t been being the lobby of Raffles Hotel… A wee bit beyond my means.
Also, the marketing for this bubble tea chain is on point: http://www.the-alley.sg/
Not sure many chains will be able to boast having their logo shown on an anime before.
(also, there is no gachapon there, just a toilet.)
Its one wild wide. I can’t wait for more.
As it turns out, Netflix JP does have english subs for it unlike other shows so I’ve been able use a VPN for it which is nice.
Guardian Enzo
June 25, 2020 at 9:57 amMan, if I was in Singapore the Raffles would be the first place I’d go. No charge to go to the lobby and gawk!
MFF
June 25, 2020 at 4:18 pmJust walking by the front is intimidating enough with the multiple Rolls Royce parked on the gravel.
Although going to the Long Bar there is very high on the itinerary when I go there next, whenever that will be now.
Had the pleasure of going up to the top of marina bay sands with a few drinks. Really pleasant time to go when I went there earlier this year. They had just closed borders from China, which made everything so much more peaceful.
Don’t think it’ll ever be like that again.
raikou
June 26, 2020 at 10:55 amI finally caught up with this series.
Btw, Great review Enzo.
I love this series soo much. Finally Netflix understand what kind of original anime they should be going for.
The first two arcs completed in a very satisfying way, in my opinion. An original anime like this is what I need, enough style and substance, great art and character, enjoyable music and insert song. Wit really delivers here. Bailed out from Shingeki project was for the better, I guess.
Kaburagi Hiro won me with 91 days, and he stroke gold again with this. I will be eyeing him whenever he makes original anime again.
Well it’s still half a season so final outcome is still pending, but I have great expectations.
If this quality keeps on till the last episode, it will be on my top 3 for 2020.
Guardian Enzo
June 26, 2020 at 11:26 amAt this point it might be in mine too, especially given how few prospective contenders there seem to be.
Yes, my great hope here is that someone at Netflix realizes this is the path to take, not the pseudo-cool and self-consciously “edgy” stuff they seem obsessed with. GP is reportedly pulling very strong numbers for Netflix Japan, which would certainly be a hopeful sign.