Darker than BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini - Episode 8

After a bit of a flashback to more pleasant times for Suou in her pre-contractor past, episode eight of Darker than BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini sees Hei walking straight into trouble once again no sooner had he rescued Suou from her own self-inflicted troubles (however noble her aims) last episode.

This time around, Hei's major problem finds him on the train to Ikebukuro, in the form of Tanya and her current employers, who are also looking to capture Suou in the hope of him leading them to Shion and/or her father. Initially however, this comes simply by way of a proposition to Hei to come and work for them - A seemingly logical deal, but one that he refuses hands-down. What's more, he soon learns enough about his opponent to escape from the group's clutches, although not before Suou has been kidnapped by Tanya, leaving him needing to go and rescue her once again, although ultimately Suou roves herself at least somewhat capable of handling herself before the episode comes to an end with at first a mysterious, but then rather surprising climax.


While you really can't ignore Ryuusei no Gemini's continued short but frantically fabulous bursts of action, once again this episode is really seeking to engage the viewer in deeper, more emotional territory in this episode - From Suou's flashbacks at the start of the episode, we see some fascinating moments between herself and Tanya which reveal both the happiness and hatred of friendship during the course of the episode aided and abetted by Tanya's logical, literal status as a contractor. Hei's own motivations are again called into question here too, although as usual his true thoughts are decidedly difficult to read when it comes to his relationship with Suou as he continues to say one thing but do another.

All of this may be interesting stuff, but once again it's further revelations about Yin/Izanami that really ramps up the intrigue of the show's story - Surely they're going to have to start moving things on pretty fast before we run out of episodes though? Either way, Darker than BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini seems determined to tell its story in an unhurried and calm fashion, and to be quite honest it suits the series well - For now, I'll simply have to trust BONES' judgement when it comes to the show's pacing while I continue to enjoy the ride.