Predictions and Observations:
Taken By Storm II

No way! Aster can see duel spirits? And, like Jaden asked, since when? Is it since he really struck out on his own? After all, Chazz never saw spirits until he stood up for his own will and left the beaten path. But man, one of the first things I thought: if Sartorius only knew what had just escaped his grasp! He had been trying for the first half of the current bunch of episodes to ensnare one who could communicate with monster spirits. If he had realized early in the year, Aster would have almost blindly followed him anywhere, or so it seems to me.

Speaking of which, something occurred to me over the weekend. Serena controlled those duel spirits to barricade the city, clearly. Therefore perhaps the reason Sartorius wants people who can communicate with duel spirits is that it would allow him to do more of that sort of thing, or on a greater scale. I keep waiting for him to put Chazz to some special use, because Sartorius *does* want Jaden for something specific, for the power he wields, and Chazz was his second choice for the same reason.

It’s Kaiba! It’s Kaiba! Moreover, he was wearing his white coat, and we all know what that means: he’s going to be in the action!! Let’s see, I recorded the conversation, so I’ll try to give my best analysis:
Nice outfit- surprised he didn’t comment on the hairdo though (“You see, I’m a new student here and I want to fit in.” “Then get a new haircut!” “Touche.” –Sartorius and Hassleberry, Happily Never After)
Why was Sartorius being so careful around Kaiba? I mean, he’s never outwardly rude, but I think it was a tad out of his way to be this…deferential. It really seemed to me that he was stepping softly around Kaiba, trying to butter him up. If I had to guess a reason, I’d say it’s because Sartorius well knows—whether Kaiba does yet or not (if it were a snake it would have bit him years ago)—that the spirit of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon is loyal to Kaiba and is one monster spirit he does *not* want to tangle with.
Kaiba seemed very serious in this scene; I suppose I expected him to be a bit more amused; just another business deal, another day, and this guy is no threat, that he knows of. Then again, perhaps just Sartorius’ greeting smacked too heavily of “something’s fishy here”, or perhaps Kaiba’s subtly aware that this is no ordinary storm, which would probably make anyone a bit edgy.
“ Not only haven’t you aged in years”—what on earth does Sartorius mean by *that*? Simply that Kaiba’s retained his youthful good looks? Or are we talking haven’t-aged-in-years as in *Noah*?
Kaiba wasn’t fooled for a second—I love it!
Actually, a few phrases stuck out at me in this dialogue that reminded me of some times that were entirely nasty for Kaiba: “Now then- we’re both men of business…” reminded me, when I paused there to write it down, of what Pegasus said in Champion vs. Creator I: “So why don’t we settle this like businessmen would? *I’ll* agree to use *your* system if *you* agree to a request that *I* have.” Referring to Pegasus’ deal that they use the duel disks but Pegasus duels through Mokuba’s de-souled shell. Kaiba, unable to face the thought of dueling to crush Mokuba, refused. The next, as I’ve already mentioned, was “Not only haven’t you aged in years, but you’re as shrewd as the day you stepped in.” This reminded me of Noah and Gozaburo. Was this intentional, or am I reading into it too deep? I guess we’ll never know, because if it *wasn’t* just my imagination, nothing that minuscule will factor in.

Syrus and Hassleberry do love to bicker, but it’s so nice when they really decide to put aside their differences! Remember Jurassic Impact? It was the same trap Hassleberry could have played at the end of their duel in Camaraderie Contest, but chose not to and let Syrus have the win.

Most of the times Syrus and Hassleberry have come together it was for Jaden’s sake. I think that it’s really sweet that Jaden unites them more than their differences divide them. I also think that they really *are* close friends, underneath it all.

So did Syrus, Hassleberry, and Thunder get Shadow-Realmmed (man, how long has it been since I last used that term…?) then? Did they fall through the ceiling or did Frost grab them off the skylight before the shadow-boxes blew? Then again, if he did then they aren’t shadow-realmmed; remember, in the original Double Duel, the skylight was a barrier, or right on top of one, that stood between earth and the shadow realm, so if they didn’t fall through the roof they weren’t shadow-realmmed. I have a feeling that they didn’t, because the Society of Light is using Syrus and Hassleberry as bait and therefore need to still have them in one piece (which they wouldn’t be if they fell through the roof of that skyscraper without a parachute to their names, unless some Light-heads were there to catch them or something), but I don’t think their being shadow-realmmed would make any difference on that count because not only would they be unable to warn Jaden away (not that he’d listen), but also if Jaden were told they were shadow-realmmed, what had happened to them, he would be all the more willing to do whatever it took to get them back, to make sure they’re okay—especially considering that the shadow games are a myth to him!

What did Sartorius want with Kaibaland? And moreover, does that mean the whole show is making tracks for California soon (oh, give it up trying to tell the difference already, lol!)? Supposedly Kaibaland, the first one anyway, is in California (probably southern California with all the other amusement parks…). It’s entirely possible, probable even (because you know Kaiba *did* say he would) that other locations have opened and probably high on the list was right in Domino’s backyard. But location is a pointless debate I engage in with myself for fun; the big question is what does Sartorius want with Kaibaland when it comes to testing Jaden? There’s plenty of trouble to get into at an amusement park (fall off a roller coaster, get bitten by a virtual poisonous snake, tangle with a few valkyries and too many rose petals, end up in the Volcanic Pit when the computers go nuts…) and I have a feeling that whatever it is won’t come up roses for our team (pun intended; I just can’t resist!), but why go to Kaibaland of all places, especially considering that the main thing to test about Jaden is his power as a duelist (not like this is a written exam!) so they’ll be dueling. I smell another re-enactment coming on; where to next, Duelist Kingdom? Death Valley, maybe?

Mark it down as a first: Jaden introduced Aster as “my good friend Aster Phoenix.” I think this is the first official marker of the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Grandpa was a fan of Aster (when he was dueling pro)?! And here I thought he knew how to spot a duelist with heart, and Aster certainly wasn’t dueling for fun *or* with heart when this started, only for revenge and to further his career!

That’s so cute, and speaks a lot of the kind of character Mr. Moto is: “Who knew I had such old fans?” “Like who?”

“And they’re not holograms,” Aster said of the duel spirits, “somehow I can sense they’re real.” At least he’s not denying it. And now we know that there really *is* a way to tell the difference from afar if you can communicate with duel spirits, that there *is* a feeling.

“Why are we always running?” Guess who said it this episode—it wasn’t Chumley, but it sure reminded me of him! Dude, I hope you’re having fun making koala cards, and watch out for people in white blazers because Industrial Illusions HQ was another spot where a climactic duel or two took place!

Syrus said that his card gave him the power to attack his *opponent’s* monsters; he can already do that! He then proceeded to attack Hassleberry’s dinosaur, so I think he meant *ally’s* monsters.

What Syrus and Hassleberry did there wasn’t cheating—Frost and Thunder played the reflectors, and it’s not an illegal move to use whatever your opponent has put on the field. It’s not like they put together a scheme beforehand; Thunder and Frost put it out and they used it!

I have a feeling that it means something that Thunder couldn’t play the Mirror of Duality but Frost could.

If you have to go, go out with a bang—that dino machine was awesome, and really represented Sy and Sarge’s strength as a team!

Mirror of Duality—Duality, n: The quality or character of being twofold; dichotomy; the only way I can think this is at all symbolic is that Frost turned on his tag-partner and destroyed him in the end along with his opponents. Two-faced creep.

Why did the storm clear? There can be only one cause: Serena called it off. But why? If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because the stage is set. Next stop: Kaibaland, which they’ll have to be able to get out of Domino to get to.

And where does Serena fit into all this? Why did she need to come in person?

Tomorrow’s episode is J-Dawg and T-Bone. No, seriously- that’s the name! Somehow I have the feeling it refers to Jaden and Hassleberry. Not really sure why I don’t imagine someone else as being “J-Dawg” or “T-Bone”, but those are the folks that seem to fit. But how would Hassleberry escape? What about Syrus? I suppose we’ll soon find out! -Clio