Predictions and Observations:
Surprise, Surprise!

Episode Aired: January 3, 2009
This Post Posted: January 9, 2009

Underground duels?! No wonder they're sending him after Yusei! It'd take a nutcase like the kind you find in cage matches to do this the only way Goodwin apparently knows how. And looks like it really is true that, while everyone's forgotten about duel energy (apparently), the most barbaric exploitation of desperate duelists is still alive and well.

He's saving Stardust for Jack? Then by definition he's holding back in every match until then; no matter how spectacular his duels with Greiger and Akiza are (and they're gonna be good; both of those guys are for real), Zigzix isn't going to be reading anything from him.
But to me the D-Tector still seems kinda faulty. Sure, Yusei's match here with Hunter was nothing on his match with Jack, but it was a good duel, an energetic back-and-forth, and I think Yusei made an impact on Hunter; remember how Hunter angrily threw away his helmet after losing to Jack in "On Your Mark..."? Something shifted, Hunter and Yusei had a fun match, and I think after dueling him himself, Hunter respects Yusei too much to be bitter. That's Hunter, and the D-Tector isn't interested in him, but still, I find it hard to believe that Yusei's heart wasn't in this, considering how much who he is resonated with his opponent. Still, he was, by definition, holding back, which is why, I suppose, the D-Tector is silent. I wonder if Yusei has any idea just how neatly he's thwarting Goodwin's oh-so-clever plot?
We know our duel energy; it seems to me that if the D-Tector works at all, it must be under very specific circumstances. For one, it picks up Ener-D from Luna when she isn't dueling but Zigzix pumps some weird waves into the stadium to give her a headache; but it doesn't pick up anything from Yusei's and Akiza's strong, if not exactly legendary, matches. I next asked myself, why isn't Zigzix trying the same thing in the other two matches? Why aren't Yusei and Akiza getting headaches? The only reason I can come up with is Luna. They've attempted to have only one Signer in the stadium at once, by placing Yusei, Akiza, and "Luna" each in separate matches, even though they'd probably be more likely to get results if the Signers ended up facing each other. Does the D-Tector have trouble with receiving multiple sources of Ener-D at once? Either that, or it's possible that giving Luna further headaches could be dangerous to her, and the last thing Goodwin would want, probably, is to damage a Signer. Then again, didn't stop Armstrong from kicking Yusei around a bit. Is that the real reason he got fired? That's the only reason I can think of; Zigzix couldn't give Yusei and Akiza headaches because Luna was already there in the stadium.

"You've got rats." That was random. Did Shira actually hear Hunter, or did he only come close to *ratting* him out?

Why is this one a turbo-duel? I'd been wondering whether the whole tournament would be just duel disks, and figuring that it had to be, because otherwise Leo couldn't participate no matter how much makeup he wore. Perhaps it's a system such that both duelists have runners and can turbo-duel; if either one can't, they make it a regular duel. So, we then must wonder, which of the two duelists in each previous match to this one "kept" it from being a turbo-duel? We already know Leo's no turbo-duelist, so Greiger may still have a runner. No way to tell between Akiza and Ransborg, so no way to predict whether Yusei's other two matches will be turbo-duels or not. And we all know that Yusei vs. Jack is going to be the greatest turbo-duel ever seen in the dueling world, and every time the crowd boos Yusei, I find myself thinking just how lucky they are-- and they don't even know it yet-- to be sitting in those seats come the end of this tournament. They're about to witness something truly undescribably incredible, the likes of which the league apparently hasn't seen in a good while; bet they won't be complaining that Yusei's just some satellite after they see this!

"Let's see if you can even get past your first duel!" What's that supposed to mean, Jack? You doubt it? Then why, pray, did you give Stardust to Yusei before the tournament even started? You already know that there's only one person you're going to duel at the end of this tournament.

They're calling satellites "slacker" now? What is this, Duel Academy?

"Why're these guys putting Yusei down, they don't even *know* him!" Ah, Leo's so cute in this bit of naivite. As a resident of the Tops, Leo is something of a stranger to bigotry and prejudice. Good thing to remember about him.

The point of no return, the announcer called the activation of Speed World. Yes, I suppose. And I notice it wasn't until after this point that Hunter threw off his disguise.

I think Jack recognized Hunter's runner, or his manner right before the starting call. He noticed *something*, and I think it was that he already knew Yusei's opponent quite well.

Hunter just pulled a Weevil and Rex!!!!! Identity pranks during a tournament, I say once again, perish the thought.

Is the real Shira gaff-taped to the floor? Or are those tire-tracks?

"Trust me, you didn't wanna duel Shira; that guy's a real bore." It occurs to me that Yusei could have just won by forfeit, but he decided to give Hunter a duel in the spirit of friendly competition, because he likes a fun duel as much as Yugi or Jaden. And Hunter knew that, knew Yusei would be interested in the prospect of a challenge, which tells us how much he can read Yusei's style and motives already.

Jack told us, and it was one of the first things I thought of when the duel began, "Hunter's no Yusei". Things are not what they seem to the audience. A former champ, second-placer like Hunter, losing to a nobody from the Satellite? It's Zane's eleventh loss: "if your brother loses to this guy... then his career really *is* over." Little do they know. Yusei has taken Hunter's place as runner-up, and may, by association (does anyone in that audience notice), have a good chance at rising the next rank above that, officially. It's slowly being revealed to the world that Yusei is not only a good duelist, he's as good as, if not better than, the current champion. At this point, he's an unknown with some crazy rumors about him like Yugi was in Duelist Kingdom. The secrecy and incompletion of his victory before lends it a similar quality as Yugi's probably-a-fluke defeat of Kaiba. Yusei's victory in this tournament will also demonstrate that losing to him is no shame to Hunter. On the contrary; I think Hunter *has* raised his game, and is no longer the kind of "trash" Jack always creams. Hunter's no Yusei, but this match was hard-won.

This couldn't have been intentional, but it couldn't have worked out any better for Hunter, unless he'd have won of course. As it was, he got fans again, dueling against a satellite in a stadium of bigots. In addition, if he HAD won, I get the feeling that he wouldn't have been permitted to continue in the tournament, but he could then reveal that Yusei defeated Jack, and get his title back. I think that's what Hunter was shooting for, not a rematch with Jack.

What's an Advance-summon? I looked at the rulebook; nothing. Hunter tributed two monsters and "advance-summoned" Skull Flame. Unless I'm much mistaken, we also saw an advance-summon in the Take Back duel. I sure hope they plan to enlighten us soon on what an advance-summon is.

"Welcome to the *real* world a' turbo-duelin', kid! If ya can't keep up, you're gonna get left behind!" This is the line that stuck out at me as defining the meaning of the duel. By winning, Yusei shows that he's not going to be left behind.

"I learned to defend my title by repeatedly deflecting attacks from all directions, kinda like my monster, but I also learned that to stay at the top, you gotta dish out damage hard and fast..." Um, need I point out the obvious that Hunter *lost* his title, meaning said methods *don't* work. But from the phrase "kinda like my monster", there's of course card symbolism to be gleaned.

You know you're in trouble when Yusei cracks a smile. It reminds me of the Legendary Great Moth duel: "--Then why didn't he see *this* coming?" / "See what coming?" / "Whatever Yugi's grinnin' about!" / "He's not smiling... I think he's *laughing*!"

Slipstream also showed up in the last duel where someone based his strategy on out-speed-countering Yusei; by trying to slow him down, Hunter only made him faster!

"...You'll always be a step behind, but that's something you satellites have to come to expect, isn't it?" Note this: that's the only jab Hunter makes at Yusei's being a satellite. Usually when Yusei duels people who know he's a satellite and aren't one themselves-- canonly, Trudge, Jack, and Armstrong-- that's the main put-down of the duel. You really get sick and tired of people saying that he lives in a dump, rolls in trash, and is, by definition, a delinquent. Not even annoyed about it anymore, just, sheesh, show some originality! But I think Hunter, as Greiger so eloquently puts it, just sees Yusei as a duelist. First and foremost, he sees Yusei, having beat Jack, as a challenge, no matter what he looks like.

The major players are the only ones who know what's so significant about Hunter's happening to play End of Storm. I did quite a double-take. This also shows us that Hunter's not *quite* in on the secret, because he doesn't know the circumstances of Yusei's victory. End of Storm reminds us of that moment in that weird vortex of light, when Jack activated it; now we see it played as just another card. I half-expected Yusei's facedown to be Meteor Crush again, but it was Scrapiron Scarecrow. What to make of that?

"From what I understand, you and Jack Atlas have some history, so I'm sure you know what this means..." How commonly does Jack play End of Storm, that Hunter thought Yusei would recognize it simply by having a history with Jack?

"Jack Atlas may be getting a little scared right about now!" Yeah... that Yusei won't be his opponent!

"If we confirm that Yusei's a Signer, shall I have him brought to you, Director?" For what?

After this duel, I think we have a better idea of the importance of speed counters. So, we've figured out by now that the number of speed counters you have determines which speed spells you can play; the more counters, the wider variety of cards you can play and also the more ridiculously powerful. Some of the effects you find on speed spells would be too powerful for one to play simply as a normal spell card. They also raise what seems to be a cap on how fast your runner can move; the more counters, the faster you're able to go. This, it seems to me, is mostly dramatic and symbolic; as far as I can tell, you don't lose if the other person rides circles around you, if you can *duel* circles around them, but psychology is half the game.

Still no Ener-D. I think Zigzix is starting to worry about his job... But Yusei was holding back, merely by keeping Stardust out of it; he's not worried about losing at all. Hence, no Ener-D. So, by definition, it apparently comes from some strong aversion to losing. Just what did Zigzix pipe into the stadium to make Luna react when she wasn't even dueling, that isn't showing up when other Signers actualy *do*?

Break instead of bend-- what's THAT supposed to mean, Lezar?! What are you going to tell Greiger to do?! And how far will this go before an honorable duelist like Greiger tells you to stuff it?

So Jack *is* getting suspicious...and, "All in due time" is not a good enough answer, Goodwin!!!!

So apparently if you wear a full-length, face-covering robe to a tournament, you're just *begging* to get replaced. I'll keep it in mind for the next one.

Can Yusei take Greiger and Akiza without Stardust? It's a fair question. Yusei may have beat Trudge three times, Jack once, bug-boy, Leo, and Hunter with the deck he's got, but the fact remains that he's holding back, by definition, as soon as he walks onto the field without the best card in his arsenal. Greiger is a serious duelist of the normal variety, and Akiza is probably a Signer and definitely tough. Yusei's good, but so are they; it seems to me that Yusei underestimates them by holding anything back, even Stardust.

Wait... what are the stakes? No formal prize, other than the chance to duel Jack, has been announced so far. Okay, to give a brief recap of what we DO know about each *individual's* stakes:
- Yusei is dueling in this tournament because Goodwin has threatened to arrest Rally, Blitz, Tank, and Nervin and charge them with the actions entailed in the theft of Yusei's runner from the Impound Center. This probably would include some illegal hacking, the theft itself, resisting arrest, wrecking the elevator, and leaving tire tracks in every single hallway in the building. As satellites, they could even be pinned with turbo-dueling in the City without a permit, even though Yusei himself is a bit more in a grey area there. Anyway, in addition to Goodwin's threat, Yusei and Jack have made something of a bet on their rematch at the end of the tournament, which Jack is in no doubt whatsoever Yusei will reach. Considering that Goodwin's threat applies only if Yusei doesn't *duel* in the tournament, and Lezar never said anything about winning, what would happen if Yusei threw the tournament and bowed out early? For the record, not gonna happen because Yusei's way too honorable to walk out on any opponent like that without a really good reason. If he did, it would be reneging on his bet with Jack, even if Stardust used to be his, if he didn't give it back. He would also be forfeiting to Jack, which could be considered a token victory, but we've been through this before, Jack doesn't want one; he wants to meet Yusei on the track and beat him in a fair match, wants to know for sure that he's the best. I can just imagine him tearing his hair out if Yusei somehow ended up not being in the final match. Yusei himself would also have a problem with forfeiting to Jack, because he doesn't want a token victory either; it would be like taking Stardust and heading right back down the sewer pipe, except, if he keeps his promises, without Stardust. Goodwin should be grateful; Lezar may have caused Yusei to show at the opening ceremony, but it's Jack who's keeping him there 'til the bitter end, and that means that the D-Tector may actually get a reading from one of these duels. If Yusei takes the tournament, in an actual, uninterrupted victory this time, he would be New Domino's champ. Rally, Blitz, Tank, and Nervin could probably come to the City easy after that. The League would see a new age of bold and exciting duels as Yusei and Jack would essentially lock up champ and second, and maybe even keep switching those titles, racing neck-and-neck. The other pros would be set a spirited example of competition at the highest level, and Yusei may just do in the Fortune Cup what Yugi did for the game in Duelist Kingdom. More satellite duelists, emboldened by the success of a marker in the Fortune Cup, would come out of the woodwork. Social change may actually have a chance in Domino. It all seems too, too tidy, I confess. What's predictable is this outcome, but something's going to shake things up, going to maintain something of the status quo, not let Yusei get everything he's fighting for, so he still has something to fight for. As Yusei put it himself, a "big-time *anything*" is just not who he is. He stands up for the people who need freedom, not trash. Something's going to shake up this tournament, and if Yusei wins, it won't be the way we expect; mark my words.
- Akiza's stakes, we're a bit fuzzier on. I can glimpse why she might fear to lose, in how if it's not a bribe with Goodwin it's a threat and he thinks she's a Signer, along with possibly another motive having to do with the sinister figure in the brown; but I can't see why she'd want to win. Not like *she* has a history with Jack-- does she?
- And Greiger. Oh, Greiger. He's a cut above the rest of Goodwin's black-robed thugs, and I can't shake the feeling that he has a real reason to go after the Signers besides cash from Goodwin. Yusei's next duel is against him; will we find out what that motive is, on the premise that in a duel the truth always comes out?
- Ransborg and Shira were lightweights, dweebs in cool disguises. Will either Commander Koda or the Professor prove any more serious? What are their motives for working for Goodwin?
That's what remains of the Eight, but there are a few more players to consider. Arguably, Goodwin has the most at stake in this tournament. He's staked his respectability on entering a satellite into a championship tournament. He apparently has a lot to gain from finding the Signers, and I wonder what he'll do if they slip through his fingers in this tournament. I say again: it looks as though his intentions, whatever the heck they are, are not nearly as good as what he told Jack about saving the world. If they are and he isn't just asking the Signers nicely, he's wackier than Zigzix. So what-- world domination? "Soon all the pieces will be in place again, and your power shall rule the world!" he said, to the Star, in "Bloom of the Black Rose". What that means, we have yet to see.
But then, to discuss another player with something at stake here, there's Jack. We all remember how shaken, how furious he was at being defeated by Yusei; he nearly threw in his cards! Jack got his wish to have their duel be in front of his fans, but last time Jack was a whole lot more certain that he would win. The question remains of whether he'll get too obsessed with winning to duel, but I doubt it, or if it does happen, Yusei will snap him right back out of it.

Hunter, like Trudge, seems to be turning into a real character. In a certain sense, Jack is to Hunter as Yusei is to Trudge. Both Hunter and Trudge were foils to Jack and Yusei respectively in the first episode, devices to show us who these characters were, because you can't duel without an opponent. Hunter was Jack's opponent, and showed us that Jack is the reigning champion in Domino. His defeat there also interestingly paralleled Yusei in the opening sequence: "Will the competition ever show its face?" Trudge provided us with more important exposition, as his duel with Yusei was the central focus of the episode. From him we learn that Yusei is a duelist who stands up to unjust authority, who risks himself to help others, and who dreams big despite his second-class status. Trudge was simply a representative of the authority that was hunting Yusei, more or less interchangeable with another officer. Hunter was representative of the Domino City pro culture, as much a part of explaining Jack's role to us as the cheering fans or the announcer, but no more. Now that we understand the characters better, however, these foils have come back as real characters, with their own motives and opinions. They have even gone against the things they represented initially; Trudge took a disliking to Goodwin, and now Hunter has entered a tournament illegitimately, which makes him decidedly *not* as much a part of the scenery as the rotating card hologram. He just crashed *through* the scenery, metaphorically speaking.

Hunter's position, in terms of what he does and doesn't know, is rather unique. He foreshadows to anyone in the stadium who's paying attention about Yusei's history with Jack. Was anyone listening and wondering about Hunter's comments? Well, I do think it'll be quite a stadium-shocker if Yusei and Jack end up speaking frankly about their history, and I'm wondering if they'll go to the trouble of not mentioning things like: Jack's betrayal of his friends, Yusei's illegal entrance to New Domino, Jack's having "inherited" his runner from Yusei along with stealing his best card (which also entails messing with a duel rival's deck without permission, which last time I checked is a minor sin among duelists), the fact that they dueled illegally once before-- on this very track-- AND Yusei would have won (that'll be a showstopper), and of course need I mention the Crimson Dragon will probably put in an appearance for a rematch like this, which may cause widespread chaos in the stands as the entire audience simultaneously decides to get the heck out of there. I wonder if Hunter, knowing better the stakes now, will stick around to watch the fun? I bet he wants to see if it's true about Yusei and Jack.

Next new episode is "Return to the Spirit World I": We've been there *before*? In 5D's? I thought the Crimson Dragon was more of a dimensional thing, and that's the main wacky magic we have happening. As for the other canons, there's the dimension (one or possibly more of twelve) in which duel spirits are real, which could be called a "spirit world". Yami Bakura mentioned to Yugi in "Spiritual Awakening" that putting the Millennium Items in the Millennium Stone opens the way to a "spirit world". Or are we talking about spirit monsters, which, we have yet to see several duelists in action and this could be a reference to one of their decks. One of the first things I thought of was a quote from another canon that also has a spirit world: "Do they have *bathrooms* in the spirit world?" / "As a matter of fact... they don't." (Avatar the Last Airbender, B3Ch6)

Okay, before it's Saturday, I will sign this off! Good night! -Clio

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