Episode 202 "Videl is Crushed"

The Summary

Our episode continues where yesterday's left off. Spopovitch chases after Videl, and is coming towards her FAST! Amazingly, the two fighters still have energy to go on, and Videl throws some very fast punches, but Spopovitch again gains the upper hand. He hits her and then fires a purple energy wave at her, and she flies down to earth landing on the ring on all fours. Spopovitch lands too, and Goku wonders how he could've changed so much. At the last World Martial Arts Tournament, he wasn't able to fly or throw energy blasts. Even so, Videl manages to land some punches, but Spopovitch only retaliates in brutal punishment. Videl flies all over the place from his massive hits and kicks, yet she still refuses to give up and gets up to punch him.

At this point in the fight, the tables are harshly turned against Videl. She doesn't have any chance whatsoever of beating him, and Spopovitch just beats the !$#@ out of her. It was a horrid scene to watch; a hero being beaten so badly.

Hercule still refuses to believe that his daughter is losing, and one of the tournament members insists that he should watch the match. Videl somehow musters enough strength to fight back a little, but he seems to have unlimited power no matter how hard she punches and kicks. Spopovitch then kicks Videl so hard so that she flies right outside of the ring, and as she's about the hit the ground, he grabs her leg and swings her back in the ring for another round of beating. Videl gets up miraculously, and lunges at him, but he punches her in the face.

Gohan watches the match is disgust and horror. The battle is very one-sided, and it seems as though Spopovitch might even kill her. Now, the Z-fighters, especially Gohan can barely stand to watch. He is having an extremely hard time controlling his inner anger towards Spopovitch's ruthless fighting. Goku turns to him and tells him to control himself and not to interfere with the fight. It looks like Gohan is ready to pop, controlling his severe rage inside.

Sure enough, Gohan decides to help Videl. He turns Super Saiyan and his costume comes almost completely off and he's on the brink of deciding whether to fly over and help or stay in despair. While Gohan turns SS, the Supreme Kai adopts a peculiar grin on his face as if he is pleased about something.

Videl's energy is non-existent in the fight and Spopovitch now kicks her off the arena, and she touches the ground. Gohan rushes up to cradle her in his arms and get her immediate medical attention. After he makes sure she's alive, Gohan yells out to Spopovitch, who now is standing next to the ring with his back turned. Gohan tells him to stop, and that the next time they meet, he will fight him and he (Gohan) will win. Spopovitch and the other mysterious man fly away.

At this point, Goku teleports to go to Korin for some senzu beans to help the now injured Videl. The scene then switches to Hercule looking over his beaten daughter. He can't comprehend what he sees. Videl tells Gohan in a frail, weak, voice, that he should get revenge on Spopovitch. Gohan leaves, and Hercule soon realizes that Gohan is Videl's boyfriend. He becomes enraged that a boy as puny as him could be in love with her because Hercule told Videl that the only way she can have one is if he is strong. Hercule certainly doesn't think much of Gohan. (I almost laughed my head off here.) The episode then ends by showing Goku getting the sensu beans from Korin.

The Review

Animation

Once again, as in the last episode, Sapopovitch was very nicely drawn in detail. Videl's body is very accurately represented as being beaten to a pulp. Dirt, cuts, bruises, scrapes, and discoloration can all be taken notice of.

Music

Yesterday, the music was downright bland. Today, however, was a different story. The music in the hospital, where Videl was being cared for was just amazing. It was subtle and serene, but also was a perfect match for the situation. I give the music and sounds for today a thumbs-up. :)

Dialogue

The dialogue wasn't exceptional today, but the crowd's emotion towards Videl was quite powerful. Also, when Goku told Gohan to restrain himself, it sent chills down my back. An important observation to make is that, in a fight, there isn't much friendly conversation. So if you enjoy fast-paced action (I do), then dialogue doesn't make as much of an impact. Yet, if you listened to the grunts and yelling, I suppose that today was quite satisfactory.

Plot

The point of today's episode was to end the long fight between Videl and Sapopovitch, and more importantly foreshadow what is to come. The point where the Supreme Kai grins is a good example. Hint. Hint. I liked the fight and the fact that a good guy was being hurt. Not that that was cool, but that it set the following episode(s) or two in place.

The Existence's Inside Line: The show was great and all if you like fighting and some suspense. There were several clues in here that had to be seen to be understood, and the long, somewhat boring or dull fight is over. The good stuff is yet to come.

The Existence gives today's episode:


5 Dragonballs out of 7...

-The Existance