#menardier

Which sucks even more because it could have been so good

Everyone felt extremely out of character. Menardier was uncharacteristically angry and rough and did not care at all when Sarah was severely injured and reacted in annoyance, which is very unlike him. The plot could have been great, easily, but they had the characters put together evidence that made literally no sense and just 'discovered' the truth; like all they had was a photo with Belphegor in it, a skip in a film, and the fact that this group of five people were having eye issues after their eyes had been scanned in a public ceremony; and they immediately jumped to the conclusion 'Belphegor can stop time' which not only makes no goddamn sense but was also completely unnecessary? The plot played out the exact same way it would have had they NOT known that and having the characters know that kinda ruins all the tension

The dialogue is also pretty bad. It feels like placeholder dialogue that they forgot to do anything with. And this isn't an issue with the translator, there are issues with the underlying dialogue. It's still and clunky and just does not match the characters.

This is also the only episode where Belphegor actually does leave Sarah for dead, like he actively tries to kill her for no apparent reason, not as a bluff, she nearly dies-

-And while I certainty could buy him doing that and him trying to kill her, this episode does not sell that, ESPECIALLY with everyone else also acting so out of character

I think I have a new third least favorite unfortunately

Like when you first get into the show it's set up for the audience to assume that Sarah is the smart one. Like Jacques is obviously as dumb as rocks, and we love him for it, and so you'd think that Sarah, the other protagonist, would be the smart one

And at first you'd be right; she is very intelligent, she knows a lot of languages, goes to museums frequently, and always seems to have some idea about what she is doing.

Then she starts to actually do things and it very quickly becomes clear that she is far too reckless and unhinged to be the smart one

But Menardier? Menardier might not know enough about Egyptian history and might act a little goofy, but oh boy, this guy is smart.

Like in a practical sense. This dude is very intelligent, and is great at working with the information he has, and coming up with a plan or hypothesis on the spot

It's especially funny in this episode because Belpehgor rolls up like "Hey, I can get that ring off Sarah for you, and I'm literally the only one who can do it. So like, can you bring her to me, so I can get my shit back and you can get your shit back and we can just make this easy on everyone."

And Menardier, who desperately needs Belphegor's help, is like "No absolutely not" seemingly on principle alone

Sarah "Listen-"

Menardier "Oh my God"

Sarah "No just hear me out"

Menardier "This is your second domestic terrorist in two weeks!"

Sarah "Ok, but-"