Episode 25: Live Through

Review by Dale

September 23, 2000

Vash awakens in a bed, bandaged and badly injured. He recalls the killing of Legato with shock. Meryl enters with groceries and goes to make some soup. She explains that they are 200 miles from LR Town and he has been unconscious for 10 days. She quickly rushes out when he tries to discuss the events concerning Legato. From outside, she can hear him weeping loudly. A large boulder comes crashing from the sky, and Milly pops out from a manhole with the wages from her job as a construction worker. The agents go to pick up more food and reminisce about their families. Vash is meanwhile sitting on top of a mountain thinking about all the recent tragedies. He begs Lem for forgiveness and begins crying again. Meryl approaches from behind and warns him that his injuries are too severe, and he needs to return to bed. He mutters more about Lem then passes out. Later that night, the agents ponder what would have happened if they had not been present to have been captured. Many days pass, and Vash is feeling much better. A truck comes from out of town and reports that townspeople in LR are all dying for no reason, and that this is the only untouched town. Upon seeing Vash sitting outside, he recognizes him and leaves in a hurry.

Vash begins singing the song he learned from Lem, and Meryl joins him on the mountain. Meryl returns to find the whole town out to kill Vash. The townspeople tell the agents to leave if they don't want to be killed too. Outside, a truck is dragging Vash around on a rope. He is untied and beaten while a man yells about the death he has caused. Vash admits that he kills people, but this only angers the crowd further. He is about to be shot when Meryl runs to his defense. She tells the crowd that Vash has tried to help them. She walks toward the crazed man with the gun and calmly explains that all life is precious, and he finally lowers his weapon. Vash looks up and sees an image of Lem in place of Meryl. When Vash later asks why she did something so dangerous, she replies that he does it all the time. Vash realizes that if he goes on the wrong path, there is still a chance for him to atone in the future. He hugs Meryl tightly with joy. Obviously not amused, she punches him in the face. The next morning, Vash prepares himself for the confrontation with Knives and puts on his trademark red coat. Meryl wishes him a good trip and Milly gives him Nicholas' cross to take with him. Meryl tells Milly that she didn't tell Vash anything at all. Milly replies to tell him when he gets back.

This episode was totally unnecessary. It deflated the tension that had been building up to this point. Consisting mostly of pointless flashbacks and endless self reflection, the only interesting parts of this episode concerned Meryl. It is obvious she considers Vash more than a friend, as her scene on the mountain and dialogue at the end demonstrate. I was also unsure if the man would shoot her, since the sudden death of Nicholas had me expecting anything. It was also a nice touch having Vash take Nicholas' cross with him. I was really hoping the series would end with a fantastic two parter, but one will have to do.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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