The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me? (Episode 11) – Between a Rock and a Hard Place? Are You Kidding Me?!
Brantag reveals the nobles plans for Well and his homeland, a vast underdeveloped piece of land that has had a long line of average lords and things don’t look like they will improve under Kurt. How will Well respond?
What happened?
So, it would appear that this has been the plan ever since Well brought down the bone dragon. The nobility were so pleased to finally have someone who could make use of the undeveloped lands that they did everything in their power to push Well towards this outcome. It’s hard for Well though as he’s fond of his nephews and his brother’s wife. He doesn’t want to see them cast out or erased as Brantag warns him. Even now, the villagers are growing restless and are prepared to face any punishment for going against Kurt. Finally, Well decides that he’ll do it and puts together a plan. But what of those in the capital that don’t like Well and would rather he disappeared?
What did you think?
This series has had its ups and downs, most notably around the failure to show the action, especially when we know it’s happening. The ups have definitely been centred around the political machinations of the nobility. I’m actually really enjoying the end of this season and can’t believe that we only have one episode left. The family disputes and underhanded movements of the various sides have been very interesting and almost made up for the lack of action. I think this could have been a two cour season and easily had enough action to bulk it out. Maybe, it would have been a harder sell to the animation studios, but I would have enjoyed it.
What have you learnt?
I quite like Amalie and think she might be my favourite girl in the series, even though she’s done very little. Anyhow, I do love a bit of plotting, especially when those who are central to it don’t realise that they are being used as a pawn. It’s been a bit of a theme in the whole series. Alfred was using Well as a means to move onto the afterlife, Erwin, Lousie, and Iina were using Well to move up in the world, Well used them to avoid being left alone with a strange man, and on and on. Ultimately, everyone is using everyone else for their own benefits and it’s been interesting to watch. It makes sense too. Every character should have a reason for doing what they’re doing, always.
Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
- Episode 2 – A Succession Dispute? Are You Kidding Me?
- Episode 3 – A Loner? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 4 – Obligations? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 5 – Political Marriage? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 6 – A Bullet Tour? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 7 – No Magic? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 8 – Presumed Dead? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 9 – People Hate Me? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 10 – Toxic? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 11 – Between a Rock and a Hard Place? Are You Kidding Me?!
- Episode 12 – The 8th Son? I Guess That’s Not So Bad!
- Bonus Posts
Other shows I’m watching
Discounted and Free Books
“Ultimately, everyone is using everyone else for their own benefits and it’s been interesting to watch. It makes sense too. Every character should have a reason for doing what they’re doing, always.” It’ll be interesting to see if Amalie and Well’s use of each other follows the manga–she’s not just pulling at Well’s heartstrings by bringing her sons around him, but also quietly demonstrating her femininity and strength. In the manga, this is a big part of her endgame, and it pays off in spades!
I like Amalie, so it’s working on me… Should be an interesting final episode.
Surely they can’t plan to wrap things up in one more episode! I figure that it will get at least one more season, as did Ascendance of a Bookworm. . .
I feel like the Kurt arc will be wrapped up in one more episode, but I would welcome a second season.
Well, you were right about Kurt. I can’t believe how curtly the series ended! Gotta say that I’m very disappointed that the anime deviated from the manga about Amalie. Well’s gotten fiances for political gain, personal advancement, and one just to make sure she’s fed–seems kind of odd that they’d shy away from less fantastical idea of a woman marrying her dead husband’s brother in order to ensure the welfare of her children. And she was wily about it, too, first merely offering herself to Well to help train him to please his many wives once their marriages were consummated, pretty well already knowing that his natural compassion (as well as his love for his nephews) would drive him to take her as another wife and thus cement and legitimize their statuses. . .
Yeah, the ending was a little weak. It’s already dealing with polygamy, might as well go all in. I’ve not read any of the light novels, but I have seen on Wikipedia that he does marry her too. It would have made more sense in this world.