Predictions and Observations:
A Hassleberry Hounding

So—now we know a thing or two about Hassleberry (and I can stop calling him “that Ra dude who terrorized Crowler and Bonaparte”). For one, he’s the son of the famous General Hassleberry (whom we’ve never heard of before but they have), who taught him that the uniform doesn’t make the soldier (hey- recurring of the theme yesterday where blazer color doesn’t matter), and was confident that he would be a true commanding officer. Wherever he went, Hassleberry formed a posse of supporters, but when things got rough they abandoned him, and until this duel he couldn’t understand why. But, I still have a few questions: 1) What does his hair look like under that bandanna? 2) Is “Tyranno” actually his first name? 3) If he dueled Rex Raptor, who would win?

But—he bullied people like the troll under the bridge to prove that he won’t give up and that he’s great? That’s awfully crude.

Sy actually showed a parallel to Téa in this episode; he was very, very protective of Jaden when Team Tyranno started making fun of him.

So Chazz is renovating the whole Slifer dorm and crashing in Jaden and Syrus’ room while the construction is underway? Okay. But how would Syrus know that Chazz *does* know way too much about freeloaders? He was probably referring to the wild duel spirit parties every night while Chazz attempts to go to sleep, and Syrus wouldn’t be able to hear any of that as far as we know; Chazz does, and Jaden certainly might, though, so maybe they let Sy know why they have their fingers stuffed in their ears late into the night…?

I find it very amusing how Jaden called Hassleberry just about everything except his name: every military title I can think of except sergeant, along with “Huckleberry,” “Bumbleberry,” “Dingleberry…” That’s kind of a Jaden thing.

Apparently duel disks are waterproof. Who knew? Actually, since Yugi and Joey set aside their duel disks before ending up in the ocean in Friends ‘Til the End, maybe the first ones weren’t. Or maybe they’re like waterproof watches: they can go in the water but not deep (return of the “giant wristwatches” theory…).

Why did Hassleberry’s eyes turn dinosaurish when he was struck by such awe in the game? Is there something we don’t know about him? Is it similar to Jaden and the others’ close connection to duel spirits, that Hassleberry took on some of the appearance of his monsters when awestruck by the final play? Or was it merely symbolism?

I have the feeling that Wildheart played such a huge role in this duel because, well, for one, it matched Hassleberry’s wild monsters and spirit, and the spirit of the duel.

Team Tyranno has accepted Syrus into its ranks (or rather, joined Syrus’ team) by the end of the match, I noticed.

I wonder how this lesson about change will be reflected in Hassleberry’s deck and strategy when next we see him?

The renovation? That’s the press headline Crowler was talking about? But why would that be news?

Note to self: Duel Academy has a river called the “West River” over by the main bridge, which has stone banks, a wooden bridge, and is about knee-deep.
Speaking of Duel Academy geography, the side view of the island was very informative; I had never realized before that the Main building isn’t actually right beneath the rim of the volcano. That’s nice to know.

This is the second time in two duels that Jaden has ended the duel with De-Fusion.

I wonder if we’ll catch Hassleberry thinking aloud again? From the way he said it, seems like he does that a lot.

I was right about the prep school! Yaaay! It makes sense now!

Jaden was complaining about one of Crowler’s soporific lectures, so apparently Crowler still teaches, too. When does he sleep anymore?

I think Syrus didn’t want to tell Jaden he got bullied because he knew that Jaden would want to immediately go challenge the guy.

I can’t remember any incident Syrus ever got bullied that badly at Duel Academy while Zane was a student. Can’t say I’m surprised at that, but I didn’t realize it until now.

The word “undies” seems to be a theme—two episodes in a row where someone said “undies,” while before it wasn’t nearly as commonly said. Indeed, I don’t remember any other time.

“Sam Hill”, by the way, I looked it up: it’s a soundalike substitute for swearing when you didn’t actually want to swear in present company, used by macho frontier Americans a pretty long time ago. It’s a synonym for “heck”, basically.

It touched my heart, how very fondly Hassleberry described his “platoon.”

For the most part, what worried me about Jaden in his last duel has dissipated; the only thing left I noticed was that someone said Jaden was right, and he said, “I always am.” But then, I believe what they were saying he was right about is something that he *is* always right about: the Heart.

Tomorrow’s episode is Sad But Truesdale: either Syrus is in for some more hurt (hopefully no more stolen duel disks, stolen lunch money, wedgies, undies up the flagpole, or (from Champion or Chazz-Been) noogies or purple nurples. Wow- Sy’s been through a lot so far this year!), or Zane’s putting in an appearance, for not so good a reason. Either way, I’m nervous—I like the Truesdale brothers! I guess we’ll soon find out what’s up—that’s game, goodnight! –Clio