Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 32 - DB episode 141-145

[ABED]

There was a "study" done, and I don't know how academic it was, that essentially said spoilers don't really ruin stories and to an extent I feel that's true. Still, all things considered, most of the time, I'd rather not know something important was going to happen beforehand.

[Dbzfan94]

As for "Super Decisive Battle for Earth", that one lets the viewer know that the very planet itself is at stake this time, as Tullece was attacking the Earth with the Tree.

So was the battle against Piccolo, Raditz, Nappa/Vegeta, Freeza/Cold, the Androids Cell, Buu, Slug, Cooler, Bojack, Broly, Hirudegarn, Baby, Super 17, the Shadow Dragons, Beerus, Golden Freeza, and DBS Broly.

"Super Decisive Battle for Earth" is pretty much every fight in the series after the 22nd WT.

Nope. None of those guys were after the Earth itself. The Z-Senshi didn't fight those guys for the sake of the planet. Tullece specifically attacked the planet with the Divine Tree, using it to drain the Earth of its energy.

So the titles at least give *some* idea of what the plots are.

Nope. Piccolo literally wanted to take over the world. Nappa and Vegeta wanted to purge life to sell it. Lord Slug wanted to freeze Earth and turn it into his new spaceship or something. You saw what happened in the future timeline thanks to the Androids. There’s more than one way to have a “battle for Earth” because they either won or in most cases the planet was destroyed one way or another.

You’re beyond nitpicking at this point to justify the titles being super vague. And sure, the title does tell you about a big fight that went on. But it’s a Dragon Ball Z movie so no shit there’s gonna be a big fight. it really says absolutely nothing about the plot, just like that 5 or 6 of the other movie titles you could swap it with.

Let’s just agree to disagree because I don’t really want to keep going in circles with you over this.

[Robo4900]

There was a "study" done, and I don't know how academic it was, that essentially said spoilers don't really ruin stories and to an extent I feel that's true. Still, all things considered, most of the time, I'd rather not know something important was going to happen beforehand.

I don't think anyone seriously thinks spoilers utterly ruin a story, but at the very least, it's clear that most people would prefer to be unspoiled on things in general.

[ABED]

There was a "study" done, and I don't know how academic it was, that essentially said spoilers don't really ruin stories and to an extent I feel that's true. Still, all things considered, most of the time, I'd rather not know something important was going to happen beforehand.

I don't think anyone seriously thinks spoilers utterly ruin a story, but at the very least, it's clear that most people would prefer to be unspoiled on things in general.

considering how often I see people overreact, I don't think it's more than just a mild preference.

[Robo4900]

There was a "study" done, and I don't know how academic it was, that essentially said spoilers don't really ruin stories and to an extent I feel that's true. Still, all things considered, most of the time, I'd rather not know something important was going to happen beforehand.

I don't think anyone seriously thinks spoilers utterly ruin a story, but at the very least, it's clear that most people would prefer to be unspoiled on things in general.

considering how often I see people overreact, I don't think it's more than just a mild preference.

Agreed. It's anecdotal, but my experiences with this have shown that people feel quite strongly about this in general.

[MasenkoHA]

I do think it’s more enjoyable not knowing what’s coming but a good work can stand without relying on the “what a twist!” factor.

One movie I really enjoyed that I watched not too long ago “Better Watch Out”’ had a twist at the end of the first act that was spoiled to me because I watched a Youtube video on it (which is how I heard of it in the first place) incidentally pretty much every review talks about the twist because it sets the plot for the rest of the movie so it was unavoidable and even the trailer kind of makes it clear what happens if one pays attention due to certain clips used. But I still enjoyed the film in spite of knowing every plot beat in advance.

Never the less I had two different friends watch the movie completely blind.

[ABED]

Agreed. I love the shock factor but it can't be just that. Even if someone tells me something about the plot by accident, if the story is good I can still emotionally invest. The surprise factor isn't the be all end all. My mother spoiled the twist at the end of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles for me. I would've loved to be surprised by it but damn it if that ending doesn't still get me misty eyed. I've seen DB many times and the moment at the end of the 22nd TB after Goku just barely loses, the first person to greet him is his best friend. It's such a beautiful moment, especially in light of what happens right after. I know it's coming and it still gets me.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Episode 141 - Four Tenshinhans

A very exciting episode as Goku and Tien continue to show their prowess in martial arts and its related technique with much surprise to the other fighter throughout.

The opening shot with the shining sun being overshadowed by dark clouds to reiterate the feeling of unpredictability established in earlier episodes. The sense of wonder exemplified by Yamcha and Kuririn's confusion as Tien poses to multiply himself makes for some great juxtaposition between them and Goku not being as impressed by these supernatural abilities. That said as Goku gets kicked around by a duplicate Tien he couldn't foresee it becomes clear that this is a necessary foe for Goku to learn from and hone the skills he's learned.

Moreover, Tien demonstrates great speed and kicking and punching him from all sides, while Goku shows great endurance, getting up and escaping a number of further attacks, which intrigues even Roshi. Chi-Chi's attempt to run towards the arena when Goku is plummeted towards the ground was a wonderful character moment to show the compassion she has for her future husband, as was Yamcha's decision to hold her back highlighting the belief he has in Goku. Goku appears to share this belief as he moves his feet while on the tournament grounds, jumps and stands up doing exercises as if nothing had happened showing a certain level of cockiness on his part. Goku remains confident not looking phased by any of the four Tiens, soaring towards the sky as they launch a barrage of Tri-Beams and effortlessly blinding them with a Solar Flare.

Throughout this battle there is a great sense of payoff to what Mr Popo taught Goku as we see him use all of his senses not just one, and most importantly sensing Tiens' spirit energy not his physical presence, which allows him to outrun and defeat all the duplicate Tiens. Various characters have different reactions, but all of them are to an extent impressed with Goku's performance. Kuririn looks shocked, Shen laughs, Chi-Chi gushes and Piccolo Jr stares with anticipation, particularly for their upcoming match.

Episode 142 - Which is Stronger?! God vs Demon King Piccolo

Another exciting episode with some nice character moments and good action, all while the feeling of tension on the tournament grounds continues to grow.

The character moments come at the beginning of the episode with Chi-Chi gushing over Goku, taking his arm as they walk into the waiting room, ironically enough Goku shows more interest in the fighting. It is this desire for Goku to continuously improve himself through facing other strong opponents that we see Tien admire and show pride knowing he had the honour to compete with him. Similarly Kuririn expresses wonder over how much stronger Goku can become.

Shen's usage in this episode adds both fear and amusement for Goku and the audience respectively. The former is reminded of the symbiotic relationship between Kami, the one possessing Shen's body and Piccolo Jr, which adds an extra obstacle for Goku in which he must find a way to stop Piccolo Jr's inevitable reign of terror without also killing Kami. Shen's clumsy antics once again serve as a source of entertainment from the audience. Nonetheless once the fight gets underway it becomes clear Shen can't fool Piccolo Jr like he did Yamcha.

While Shen shows great tactics and speed Piccolo Jr's proficiency with ki blasts give him the edge. The tense Kikuchi track that plays during these moments emphasizes the growing uncertainty to how much Shen can hold off Piccolo Jr and how much more dangerous this villain could be. The constraints on Shen due to the limitations of the body of an average human added another dimension to this tension, and how vulnerable he now is.

The use of the Mafuba works as one last chance to route for Shen in a believable way as Piccolo Jr looks petrified, and Tien, Yamcha, Roshi and Goku are all startled, while Kuririn and the announcer both unaware of this technique are built up as being about to witness something magnificent. The promise of Piccolo Jr's imprisonment is short lived however, as the demon king manages to deflect it back, leaving everyone horrified at what had happened.

Shen being down for the count leaves the episode on quite a grim note, especially considering the most powerful good character had used Shen's body to try to defeat Piccolo Jr, leaving a lot of questions to be answered as to whether or not he has taught Goku enough. Everything remains to be seen.

Episode 143 - The Fate of the World at Stake!

With the highly anticipated match between Goku and Piccolo Jr about to get underway this episode has an appropriately dark tone to be consistent with the growing sense of uncertainty and fear. It is the fight that the whole series and Goku's development from a boy in the wilderness to a man who trained with a God has been building up to.

The audience are still in shock over Shen's defeat, Goku takes it a step further expressing frustration and demonstrating the bond he has developed with the being who inhabited Shen's body, that being none other than Kami himself. The shot where dark clouds of thunder once again hover over the arena and the gloomy Kikuchi track that plays emphasizes the danger that Piccolo Jr poses and the potential danger at hand. Piccolo Jr pretending to give Goku the Denshi jar that Kami is contained within only to eat it shows him as being nothing less than malicious, unlikeable character. Shen's moment of walking through the audience without Kami's essence totally confused over the clapping he received created a sense of irony for how oblivious one person could be in the midst of all the growing tension.

The moment where it rains over the arena and lightning strikes as Goku makes the revelation about who Piccolo Jr is was also satisfactorily ominous and a necessary reminder that this new demon king is an even greater threat than his father before him. As the match gets underway both Goku and Piccolo Jr both show their prowess by moving at great speed, disappearing briefly to once again astound the audience and making great use of ki blasts.

The danger escalates towards the end of the episode with the partly obliterated arena floor and Goku being down for the count, leaving a great cliffhanger for the next episode where this highly anticipated battle continues.

Episode 144 - Unleashed! The Ultimate Super Kamehameha

The stakes rise throughout this episode as the looming sense of danger Piccolo Jr poses is further emphasized. Goku, despite having a glimpse of what Piccolo Jr is capable of remains confident by taking off his shirt, which gives a sense of seriousness on his part.

Chi-Chi continues to show her compassion for Goku appearing to be praying as Goku and Piccolo Jr stare down and an aura engulfes them showing there is great power within them, although it still remains to be seen which one is more powerful. Not only do Goku and Piccolo Jr continue to show great speed with their punches and vanishing acts but the way the battle plays out implies that both characters are full of surprises that could be the deciding factor in who gets the upper hand or becomes either the saviour or the threat of the Earth.

For example Piccolo Jr's ki blast misses Goku but hits a mountain causing collateral damage. Moreover Goku's vanishing act allows him to go undetected by both Tien and Piccolo Jr, which works as a great payoff to the lessons he's learned on Kami's lookout about concealing his spiritual energy. The beam struggle towards the end has a great feeling of tension because Goku needs to defend himself but at the same time if Goku kills Piccolo Jr Kami will also be destroyed and the Dragon Balls will turn to stone without any known way of them having their powers reinstated.

With the skies clear the episode ends on another cliffhanger, this time the question is whether Piccolo Jr was defeated, and more importantly is it for better or for worse.

Episode 145 - Demon King Piccolo’s Super Giant-Form Technique

Much like the previous episodes the escalation of tensions and the fear of what Piccolo Jr is capable of continues. As Piccolo Jr survives Goku's Super Kamehame Ha he makes the shock announcement that he is the demon king, which scared off the audience and terrified King Furry whose peace is once again threatened.

The announcer is shocked by the flock of people departing, which emphasizes that this battle has surpassed the confines of a tournament and the stakes have become much greater than a mere ringout or knockout. Interestingly Goku still wishes to win an honest fight rejecting help from his friends, which shows that he still takes great pride in the art of battle and his integrity as a warrior.

Piccolo Jr's act of growing into a giant is intimidating at although initially its not as impressive or ominous as what we've seen from him thus far. This growing technique, at first works more in Goku's favour emphasizing the notion of the bigger they are the harder they fall, as Goku manages to knock Piccolo Jr down and slam him on his backside. That said, like any other competent villain Piccolo Jr ends up showing he was only toying with Goku and grows even bigger.

Appropriately, the episode ends on a shot of Goku looking up as the frame tilts towards Piccolo Jr's facing looking down on him, adding perspective to what the crowds were terrified and running away from. What will come next for Goku all remains in the balance.