Of the various series I have been watching lately, this one never fails to hold my attention. This episode is no exception. Packed with a great story line and action this will be on my buy it list if it is ever gets licensed in the US!
In this episode, it starts off with Mino poring over the data he has collected thus far about the strange markings on some individuals he has encountered. They are believed to be caused by capillaries rising to the surface of the skin as a result of being infected by a deadly virus known as the UA Virus. (pronounced ooh-ah) He has discovered that a village had been used for testing this virus and the inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. Those that did manage to survive returned in come cases with abnormal abilities. (increased mobility, flexibility, fighting ability, using their voice as a weapon)
Mino ponders… “Are those surviving the Virus known as Borners?”. He concludes that more research is needed. He and Maria Ōsawa, his reporting partner are scheduled to visit the village where the incident occurred. To Minos surprise and suspicion, both he an Maria have been granted access to cover a world security meeting being held locally. He is suspicious has no one should know of his hotel location aside from his boss. Maria, being the ever optimistic (and on occasion dense) person says “Maybe the rumor has spread… ‘An amazingly skilled reporter has arrived in Shanghai’”. Mino, wanting to protect Maria from her past, plays along.
Mino, tells Maria to cover the convention, he’ll go to the village. As Maria arrives at the convention center, we see the plot start to reveal itself. The terrorists are working on a plan to kill a number of people. Liang Ji reflects on her admiration for her older sister Alphard. She feels that she has gotten soft lately and that she should step up to fill where her sister has left off. She states she wants to “take a look at whats in your mind”. Apparently feeling that Alphards encounters with Canaan have changed her.
Canaan takes it on her self to monitor the conference from her room, in an effort to protect Maria. As Maria gets ready to take pictures, he reflects on how Mino, Yun Yun and Canaan are all confronting themselves now and she should do so has well. Meanwhile, Mino meets with a Borner from the village to ask her some questions. She is a quiet person named Hakkō. But as he continues to press her with questions, she reveals that she can indeed talk but with painful consequences to those listening. “If you want to know…” is all she says. This is apparently her ability resulting from the UA Virus. This leaves Mino stunned, recovering at the park. Hakkō leaves and returns to her job at the bar.
At the conference the President of the United States as began addressing Representatives of the various countries who have helped in fighting terrorism. While taking pictures, Maria notices that Alphard is watching her as she walks up the aisle. During the speech, Liang Ji has set into motion the series of events that will change the lives of many. The President in has now declared it a time of “Love and Peace” and that terrorism does not exist. When Alphard reaches Maria, she says something unusual that catches her by surprise. “It’s been quite a while” Alphard asks of Maria, “Did you forget me? Or are you pretending to have forgotten me?” Maria is stumped.
A short while later all heck breaks loose as Liang sets off explosions all around the conference. Alphard protects Maria saying you still have a role to play. Having hijacked the address system Liang, caused further havoc by announcing they are all trapped and subject to her whims. Mino has recovered and has come rushing into the bar where Hakkō works and asking her point blank, “Is that your ability?” catching Hakkō by surprise as apparently she was unaware that he had encountered others. The bartender attempts to protect her but at that time an Emergency Newscast came on the TV saying the conference was under attack. Mino leaves quickly in hopes to save Maria. Canaan too is shown rushing to the conference.
Maria has been captured and bound as “added entertainment” according to Liang Ji. She so wants to impress her sister that she seems to be slipping into madness. One moment in these scenes just gave me the sense of “you go girl!” as Liang used Marias phone to call Canaan. After Maria tells Canaan not to come, Liang is frustrated and attempts to frustrate Canaan over the phone. Canaan point blank tells her to “be quiet for a moment”. This sends Liang into a fit and she decides she will kill Maria herself. Alphard saves Maria telling her she still has a role to play.
The dignitaries having been ushered into a sealed room are unbeknownst to them being exposed to the UA Virus. This was accomplished by infecting one of the aids the prior night knowing he to would be sealed in the same room. When the virus ran its course, he dies violently throwing up blood and thus spreading the virus further. In this room dignitaries from several countries are present, including the President of the United States. As soon has the aide dies, a timer for 12 hours is seen to start counting down.
It is at this point the episode ends… Mino is rushing as fast as he can via Taxi (strangely the same driver he always gets). Canaan is running with even more determination to save Maria and Alphard and Liang are watching the dignitaries who are now infected with the deadly UA Virus.
Next weeks episode is titled “Gravestone” and I am really looking forward to it.
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