Ep.11 of Sailor Moon S rewatch
This episode has a significant moment between Artemis and Minako so figured it's worth a rewatch. Our Goddess of love isn't having any of it at the start. She is so done with being surrounded by the lovey dovey atmosphere of other couples.
Yelling at one as they pass by when Artemis shows up. It's rather comical. Like usual, he in his own world-tunnel visioning about the latest threat and mission. The workaholic ๐
Mina is suffering with doubts and essentially her summertime of youth slipping from her. Lak of love whereas Artemis is sharing at the same time how frustrating it is to not have any new leads.
After Artemis has this dumbfounded expression for a moment, we get Minako doing her improv Shakespeare in the park. Well not really. She does go into this mini theatrical play of her ideal scenario with meeting her ideal man.
"When you stare at love, the love also stares back at you. I can't remember the philosopher that said that."
"Mina...nobody ever said that."
Wouldn't be a Sailor Venus episode without her massacring a saying of some kind.
This summarizes their dynamic well. Minako being lovestruck and overly dramatic while Artemis is the one with rationality and is the straight man to her chaotic shenanigans. He scoffs a bit to her romantic scene she wishes for.
"I wouldn't hold my breath kiddo." (It's probably the Viz translation but I do like it when we are reminded that Artemis is quite old. Gets complicated with him being asleep for a prolonged period compared to the age he was originally conscious in but old man vibes in that line. Where is your romance Arty~!?)
Minako goes into asking when she will meet him and have that magical moment and cue the past crush/present crush from before she was Sailor V. The timing...though think timing is also key for a certain cat boy. Since he was present with hearing her romantic desires.
Oh dear...she quit Volleyball after she returned from England. Depression does make one not enjoy what they use to anymore. Important to have more of that aftermath elaborated on. How after the trauma of everything that took place there, she really did cut out everything but her mission.
I might be thinking too deeply but this is what Artemis has been doing himself as well as wanted for her. To train her as a proper guardian (which he did) but being mission oriented isn't all their is in life like with him focusing on the enemy when the episode started.
He both hears that she stopped doing something she loves and missed out on a prospect for love before he came into her life and changed it forever. Witnessing her blushing at the boy from her old Volleyball team.
Artemis has that moment of clarity and think guilt was present. Yes, waking her up to her destiny was essential but at the same time his heart bleeds because he has witnessed all her tragic love affairs. At the end of the Beryl arc, he did want to wait as long as possible to allow her to be a normal teenager when everyone but Usagi lost their memories with being revived.
Artemis wants to comfort and talk about it...he can clearly see her attraction to her former teammate but drops it. She kept her pain to herself from the England episode, so I think he also feels like a terrible partner to not have noticed that and wants to rectify it by being a shoulder to cry on in this situation or be supportive...not sure what way that would have gone. Voicing their thoughts aloud and not through actions hasn't really been their style (*cough* love language)
We have a quiet scene that speaks volumes. Have a rare moment of seeing Minako without her trademark bow in her hair. Filled with doubt over her life choices and opportunities she was missing as 'Minako'. Thinking of her new crush. Artemis most likely figures she is but neither voice what they are thinking. It's a shame they don't actively speak but I guess it's a testament to their bond that the quiet company is enough as if they did hold a vocal conversation. Maybe?
We have Artemis watching her for a moment. Minako clearly loss in thought and then ending the scene with them both stargazing watching a lone shooting star. (one of the starlights! Just kidding xD)
Following day we see her love interest walking with her to school. Artemis looking up at Mina when he inquires about if she has a boyfriend or not.
Hard to know for certain what is going through Artemis's head. We know he wants her to be happy yet at the same time focused on being her truest self as his partner and Sailor Guardian. The boy then drops the bomb that he has had a crush on her for a long-time. Minako is obviously effected by this news but also says she is too busy to do Volleyball again.
During a study session, Mina drops a bomb of her own about quitting the team for a time. After seeing their reactions she shrugs it off and leaves. Depression is clearly on her face and in her tone. Artemis tries to go after her to comfort or talk her out of that mindset. However, Makoto distracts him for a moment. He's visibly upset and blushing about her getting away.
Luna calls him insensitive but I think that's jumping the gun a bit since we don't know what he would have said. He knows her the best so think it would have helped if he had a chance to articulate his thoughts to her. The girls wanted to give Minako this chance to have some space.
"Sometimes you just have to give a girl her space Artemis." -Rei
Think his instincts were right to go with Minako. Partner senses because later that day, after getting some advice from Haruka, her heart gets crushed.
This is rather messed up. Talk about mixed signals. They guy blushes often, confesses to liking her for years, asked if she was seeing someone and then was apparently already seeing someone himself. Guess it was curiosity on his part after so long but just awful for Minako since her hopes got up after their talk. This was a monumental moment for her since she was stuck on Alan from the betrayal and heartbreak from a couple years back. She tried to get back into the field and this happens.
Acai (love interest) gets attacked and Minako realizes only she has the power to protect and with what happened, pretty much reinforces that she should focus on her duty. She saves his heart crystal with her trademark move and he puts it together that they are one in the same. Thanking her without directly thanking her.
Then we have this scene~ โฅ Can be perceived as sweet for friendship, sibling comfort or what I lean towards more blossoming romantic feelings. Artemis somehow got his paws on a beautiful bouquet of roses. Surprising her with them from the tree he was perched in. While asking her out in a proper gentlemanly way while also saying what she wanted in her ideal romantic meeting with her what-if love at the start of the episode.
"Oh miss~ May I ask? Would you consider being my date tonight?"
"Sure. But it will cost you a fortune." (teasing)
This is a beautiful scene and incredibly thoughtful on his part. Again, he's not really vocal with feelings but actions speak louder than words. He was called insensitive earlier in the episode and I'm sure he found out what happened with the one that crushed on her. She definitely needed to be reminded she is cared for. It's my theory granted, but think this is where the attraction from both did grow from sibling/ward relationship to something different. Emotionally speaking.
Artemis was most likely attracted to her past self as Venus. The new, human incarnation was more of a slow burn. As she grew up and emotional matured while physically returning to her past self. I suppose the transformation is more slow going. When Usagi remembered herself as Princess Serenity her hair and height changed but she is the most powerful. So for others it would take time.
Minako is moved by this sweet, romantic gesture. Giving her what she mentioned she wanted. As much as he could since we don't know if he was aware he could shapeshift into a human at this time or not. His people have that ability but might be under special circumstances or special being among their race? Who knows.
Back to Minako~ She is blushing and teary eyed with the thoughtfulness. Think she may have wished Artemis was human then and there because then it would have been perfect. They even played the couple bgm theme music on top of it. What usually plays in the Michiru/Haruka scenes.
Episode ends with her spirits being lifted and them laughing together. Another example how even with her misfortune in love...she always has Artemis as her anchor.