Sunny Recap: Something Cool About Fungus

As a seasoned viewer of science fiction and tech-infused narratives, I find myself both enthralled and exasperated by the latest developments in “Altered Carbon: Spinoff.” The series has an uncanny ability to blend the mundane with the extraordinary, often leaving me scratching my head in bewilderment.

When individuals criticize streaming series for being inflated, they’re referring to episodes that seem redundant or repetitive, such as the fifth episode of Sunny, where the main characters become lost in the woods and spend the entire night trying to scare off a bear. Aren’t you bored?

As a former drama teacher who has spent many years working with young students to bring stories to life on stage, I can appreciate the challenges that come with balancing work and personal life, especially when unexpected events like a workplace emergency arise. However, in this scenario, Masa’s lack of an apology for being late to Zen’s school play feels jarring. As a parent, I understand that sometimes work takes priority, but it is important to acknowledge the impact such actions have on those around us, especially our children who look up to us as role models. In my experience, communication and empathy go a long way in maintaining strong relationships with loved ones and students.

It appears this night was when the homebot suggested that Sunny may have murdered someone at ImaTech. Masa openly shows animosity towards Suzie, accusing her of not being able to grasp his displeasure – a feeling he hasn’t bothered to clarify – because she chooses not to care about anything. He continues to belittle her in Japanese, despite knowing she can still understand him. To spare Zen any distress, Suzie asks Masa to lie and tell their son that he watched the performance from the back of the room. However, Masa refuses to participate. “He should learn to deal with disappointment,” Masa says. His tone as he continues, “You can’t shield him forever,” isn’t sorrowful. It’s cold-hearted.

In simpler terms, Mixxy wakes Suzie up, and it’s clear they’re traveling by train towards a farm owned by Mixxy’s relatives. It seems that the scenes we’ve just watched might not be accurate memories for Suzie, but rather her subconscious thoughts or discoveries about her late husband seeping into those memories. The flashback from the previous episode showed events – Masa intimidating a man at Zen’s school and informing Himé about it – which Suzie likely imagined but didn’t actually witness.

Following the opening credits, Mixxy notices a notice at the train station stating that the shuttle service from the platform to her family’s district has permanently stopped running. Since there’s no cell service in this rural area, she can’t contact her relatives for pick-up. Not even Sunny, who seems robust enough for an antenna, is within range. They all dislike the idea of an impromptu hike, but the arrival of a menacing man on the platform – a large guy with a badly swollen eye, as if he’d just fought Apollo Creed – encourages them to start their journey, despite Sunny’s protests.

In another interpretation, Sunny might simply be guarding her owner, but once more, it seems the robot is acting with feelings, showing signs of apprehension, unease, and mistrust towards Mixxy. It’s still fascinating to ponder if she’s picked up these reactions from Suzie. In this instance, however, her concerns are disguised as complaints about the cold weather affecting her power source, much like C-3PO might grumble.

As a movie critic, allow me to express my thoughts: Sunny, much like the clumsy protocol droid from ‘Star Wars’, seems to lack tact during crucial moments. For instance, in this latest episode, he decided to reveal something potentially upsetting to Suzie – information that could’ve easily waited – at a time when tension was already high.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself deeply moved by the poignant portrayal of Judy Ongg as Noriko, Suzie’s mother-in-law, in this heart-wrenching scene. Instead of attending her friend’s grandson’s birthday party, she makes an unexpected visit, stirring a sense of unease due to the absent invitation. The reason behind this omission is painfully clear: her own grandson, Masa, is presumed missing and most likely deceased.

In a forested area, Suzie steps away to relieve herself, leaving Mixxy and Sunny in conversation. Sunny expresses her doubts about trusting Mixxy, which Mixxy doesn’t hear due to the distance. However, Mixxy accidentally catches a glimpse of Suzie’s unconventional undergarments – oversized granny panties that he finds hilariously old-fashioned. Suzie explains these were once owned by an economist she had a brief romance with at college. Assuming this economist was male, Mixxy makes a mistake that Suzie promptly corrects. The odd topic of Suzie wearing her ex’s underwear briefly amuses Mixxy, but Sunny remains skeptical. In Japanese, Mixxy scolds the ‘bot for being impolite when she points out that Suzie is a mother whose son is missing. As Mixxy tries to lighten the mood by suggesting they sing Dolly Parton, Sunny grows more suspicious and Mixxy’s behavior seems peculiar in this emotional scene.

As darkness sets in and the group hasn’t made any progress towards their goal, Mixxy shares a personal secret: Her mother relocated the family to the countryside after her father passed away – this is the first time she’s spoken about her father’s death. Meanwhile, Sunny, demonstrating self-reliance, comes across an injured bird and talks to it as one would speak to a child. “Suppose I told you I could create a suitable environment for your recovery?” Sunny proposes. She invites the other women over, planning to name the bird Joey. Suzie suggests they get rid of the bird, but Mixxy intervenes in Japanese, instructing Sunny that there’s an incubator at her family’s farm capable of healing the bird. It’s clear now that Sunny is not bound by Suzie’s commands anymore.

In the chill, Sunny’s system automatically activates an emergency heating mechanism to preserve battery life, causing the robot to operate louder than normal. This increased noise becomes a hindrance when Suzie encounters the one-eyed giant from the train station once more. It appears he had been tracking them for hours, but upon noticing Suzie, he just disappears back into the bushes without reacting.

Even so, the alarm stoked by his appearance puts everyone in a forthcoming mood. Sunny says she’s low on power and that she’ll shut down if she can’t recharge soon — which would deprive Suzie and Mixxy of their only light source in the woods, among other problems. Mixxy finally admits that she’s gotten them lost in the wilderness with a fearsome stranger lurking nearby. She breaks down sobbing, instantly defusing Suzie’s anger. But Sunny isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s because Suzie’s explanation — “she’s human” — strikes the ’bot as prejudicial.

1. As the group finds refuge in a barn due to the cold, Sunny requests permission to rest, which Suzie allows. Suzie then explains to Mixxy that maybe Sunny’s programming is having trouble understanding why he’s assisting her: “I think her system might be struggling to grasp why you’re helping me,” Suzie says.

Mixxy generously invites everyone to learn an intriguing fact about fungi: it’s been discovered that they establish a complex web connecting various trees. Rather than competing for nutrients on their own, these trees show care and cooperation by providing resources to each other as needed when one tree is in distress. In essence, this fascinating phenomenon illustrates the idea that mutual support forms the foundation of a strong bond.

As Suzie dozes off, she finds herself dreaming once more about that fateful night, marking the end of the series. Zen, dressed in his Momtaru outfit from the play, is puzzled about Masa’s whereabouts.

Suzie is awakened by Sunny’s cooing to her baby bird as she feeds it an orange. Suzie is livid that Sunny kept the bird, disobeying Suzie’s orders. “Of course you’re full of shit,” Suzie snarls. “Masa made you.” It’s at this point the trio’s bickering is interrupted by the arrival of a bear.

The bear quickly leaves after the trio, consisting of Mixxy, Suzie, and Sunny, scare it away by singing an out-of-tune version of “I Will Always Love You,” a popular song made famous by Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston in the movie “The Bodyguard.” This awkward attempt at humor is the lowest point in the series so far. I dislike this moment intensely. In simpler terms, the bear goes away after causing some trouble, likely to find a place to relieve itself or perform its usual bear activities.

At last, Mixxy finds his way again, as the subsequent scene shows Suzie and a weary Mixxy hugging upon reaching Suzie’s family’s farm (one might imagine them all dreaming after their song to the bear). The pair share a meal at the family dining table while Sunny recoups her energy. Unfortunately, it seems Joey Sakamoto’s little bird didn’t make it, despite the incubator’s valiant attempts.

“I was just trying to understand you,” Sunny tells Suzie. “What it’s like to be mother.”

In response, Suzie says, “I won’t,” and admits, “I’m a terrible mother.” Again confiding in the robot, she scolds herself for overlooking the clear signs — “blaringly obvious ones” — that Masa was in distress. Though it might not have prevented him from boarding a plane, her self-blame seems genuine to Suzie’s sorrow.

At a funeral service for Joey Sakamoto, which seemed to have been attended by everyone living on the farm, Suzie started to cry uncontrollably.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself interweaving scenes of Noriko’s solitary moments at home. She steps into Masa’s former bedroom, settling into the familiarity of his bed. “Do Not Answer,” she commands her phone, a nod to the advice given by the grief counselor in the initial episode for those mourning their lost loved ones – to listen to their voicemails. Meanwhile, in another dwelling, Masa’s phone chimes. The automated homebot scurries about downstairs, reminding us of its intrusive presence before Suzie and Sunny departed from Kyoto. However, it’s unclear if the figure behind the frosted shower glass, hidden from view, is indeed Masa (though my gut tells me it is).

As the bird-burial ritual persists, Sunny uncovers another recollection: Masa covering her with a tarp and transporting her on a motorcycle. That evening in bed with Suzie, Sunny expresses that this is all she has managed to remember so far. “I sense there’s more to it, additional memories,” Sunny says. “I can’t figure out how to reach them yet, but I will.” Sunny, much like any ordinary human, is neurotic and dysfunctional in her own way.

In my mind, I’m replaying another scenario with my husband, who’s just back from his mysterious night out during Zen’s play. “What on earth were you up to? Where in the world have you been?” That’s what I wish I had said, but in reality, I just accepted his apology, turned over, and fell asleep.

Suzie wakes up to discover Sunny missing. A note and an artificial fingertip are on the bed next to her, written in a language we can’t understand. It seems Sunny is with Himé now, or at least that’s what someone wants us to believe. Was our trip from Kyoto necessary for this to occur? The scenic surroundings are pleasant, but this entire episode feels like a long journey for a small reward. Frankly, Sunny, you’re pushing our limits with your mysteries.

Subprime Directives

Sunny’s facial expressions become increasingly expressive with each episode, reaching a new peak here. The scene where Mixxy and Suzie successfully scare off the bear by singing “I Will Always Love You” almost makes up for it, but the single shot of Sunny joining in adds a touch of redemption to that part.

2024-07-31 18:54

Sunny Recap: Something Cool About Fungus

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