Coming off my latest big re-read of Berserk I couldn’t be more excited for the future. I’d gotten a little sentimental in my last post, so I’ll spare you guys the reminisces this time. But I will say, GODDAMN what a great series. Looking back on everything, especially the point we’re on now, I do feel a certain nostalgia for the relative innocence of the Golden Age arc. It all seemed so simple then....
This was a another very satisfying episode. I’ve read it several times now, when it was first released, and again as I finished my re-read. We all have various theories for what will or will not happen next, and some are more plausible than others. But I haven’t been THIS excited in a long time.
So, what happens next? How will Casca react to Guts, to Griffith, etc etc. Will she blame Guts? Will she run back to Griffith? Will she leave and follow her own peregrinations? I don’t really see that happening, but G&C may need to go to couples counseling.....
First, from ep. 354, we know exactly what’s going through Casca’s mind in this episode. We’ve seen the memories and the emotional associations. With each step she takes another piece of the puzzle is in place, in much the same order and manner as those shattered and broken pieces of the doll. It only makes sense to me that with her last step the last fragment (the eclipse) would show its teeth. But we know what this memory contains, and it does not associate Guts with Femto or the horrors of the festival. He was a victim the same as her, not the catalyst. In fact, it’s the loss of her comrades, the terror of the rape, and Guts’ struggle to save her. This trauma is what broke her mind to begin with, so this is not an unexpected reaction.
Following this train of thought is the complication of “Elaine.” The final piece of the puzzle is Elaine returning to the body of the doll. Throughout the dream she is terrified of Dog-Guts, running in fear at the sight of his snout. I would not at all be surprised if this fear manifests in Casca shortly after Guts reaches her. I see this as a complication, but not some insurmountable obstacle. All the issues and concerns that others have brought up in Guts’ treatment of her will have to be dealt with, I think it would be unsatisfying if they were ignored.
From this, I imagine she will continue having flashbacks, moments or horror and revulsion, but will lean on Guts as the only one who truly understands what it’s like living in a world they now find themselves in. I rather like the idea of Casca stripping off the armor Guts wears, it works both literally and figuratively, and would be a wonderful mirror to their first sparks of intimacy. Guts bears so many more scars for her now, I can imagine her feeling more than a little concerned/regretful that he put himself in harms way for her so many times. I don’t think intimacy will come easily either, as it’s clear from her nightmares that she does have loads of phallic trauma. I just hope Guts doesn’t find himself too eager to impress upon her just how deep his desire goes....
Guts will be overcome with emotion himself, and we’ll probably see the first tears shed by him in a while. I just hope he can finally see Casca smile again.
I’m just as interested to see how the new group dynamic works. Surely, if Isidro heard of the Hundred-Man Slayer, he also heard tales of The Hawks’ famous female captain?
But I wouldn’t be surprised if all the excitement is cut short by some sort of invasion. If Griffith/God Hand is going after all the Spirit Trees, Elfhelm wouldn’t be far on their list. Also, how aware do you think Griffith is of Casca’s restoration? The World of Dreams seems to be a plane the God Hand is not unfamiliar in walking. And with Griff being all or nearly omniscient now, surely he’d have some intuition of what’s going on there?
So nothing very revelatory in this here post. Just some thoughts that have probably been stated better elsewhere. Yet there’s so much more to discuss! To Wally, Griff, Cronus, et al who have mentioned all us old farts getting together, count me in! I’ve enjoyed the podcast, and would love to be a participant.
‘Til Next Time!
