Predictions and Observations:
Let's Make a Duel

Actually, this episode struck a very good point: Jaden gave someone good advice for dueling, and it was really good advice for something else in life. One of the main reasons I’m a fan is because the philosophy and spirit of the Yugiohverse inspires me. It says that faith in yourself and enthusiasm really do matter, and that anything you put your heart into has a heart of its own. It helps me always remember that, contrary to popular belief, nice guys can finish first. That doesn’t only apply to dueling, either; I’ve only dueled once in my life, with half of a borrowed deck, and my favorite activities are musical theater, web design, and this. It can allow new insights and inspire in anything.

Why was Sy surfing a romance advice site late at night? Does *he* have a crush on someone?

No need to mention how easy it was to post (it’s a plot device, deal with it), but I was pretty impressed that those little computers the DA students all get have both videophone (Welcome to Duel Academy, for one) *and* wireless internet!!

That poster Bob had in his room was interesting. I’d imagine he took a photo and got it blown up to poster-size. It was taken recently, because of the White Dorm blazer, and she seemed to be chatting with Jasmine and Mindy. In a non-hostile way. Huh. Or maybe it was just that Bob happened to have taken the picture while behind Jasmine and Mindy in a crowd or something. I dunno.

Does Alexis get enough of this kind of treatment, or what? By the way, I think Chazz looked kinda jealous.

The Questions, for future reference (or maybe just for fun):
- Obelisk 10: To activate the trap Huge Revolution, which three cards must be present on the field? (Answer: People Running, Oppressed People, and United Resistance)
- Ra 10: (spelling’s phonetic, sorry, folks) Say these three monsters’ names three times: Gagagigo, Gigagagagigo, Ingogigagagagigo.
- Slifer 10: Do five pushups in six seconds
- Obelisk 20: What is the total level of all monsters in the graveyard?
- Ra 20: (Not asked)
- Slifer 20: What round is this? (How many questions so far, actually)
- Obelisk 30: Name three special ways to win a duel. (Answer: Exodia, Forbidden Board, and Final Countdown)
- Ra 30: Asker gets to pick a card from his deck, contestant must guess how many cards are pictured on it.
- Slifer 30: Drink a bowl of water in one minute.
- Right-or-left quiz: Asker holds a card behind his back, contestant must guess which hand it’s in
- Bonus round: What is the monster at the bottom of the asker’s graveyard?

Did I mishear, or was that a tiny dose of Exodia or Millennium Battle, right when Bob finished his first turn and Jaden started his?

Hassleberry and Syrus recommended for a multiple choice “C”, and for a number, 42. Wonder if there’s any reason why, but doubt it.

Those are some nifty holograms! How on earth did an actual bowl of water appear?!

The issue with Obelisk 30 rings a bell. Remember what he told T-Bone? It was basically the same thing; that if you win with anyone’s answers or strategies other than your own, it’s hardly a win! That’s seemingly a major part of Jaden’s code: rely just on yourself to win. However, if I could I might caution Jaden not to rule out accepting help. As the saying goes, “no one is an island.” Even Yugi himself would have lost long ago if not for the support of his friends, as would have Kaiba (though he’d never admit to it). Even though I’d consider it pretty mean, borderline cheating, to have done that to Bob, and Jaden was very fair in throwing it, it’s also important to remember that good sportsmanship doesn’t mean you have to tough it alone.

A game of chance worthy of Joey, that last move there! I refer not only to the risk Jaden took, but to the fact that he took it without showing any trace of nervousness, challenging Bob to pick.

Well, that’s it, and it looks like that’s it for a while. There are no GXs currently listed. I’ll keep a close eye on it, though, especially considering how insane GX schedules have been lately (14 on weekdays, a month break, 11 on weekdays, four at one per Saturday, and now another break—what the heck?! Not to mention the fact that it was listed wrong and I didn’t realize it until the day before it showed!).

So, at present, it seems that there are no more new GXs for at least a week; the last Capsule Monsters of the SEASON is next Saturday; and the Duelist Kingdom stuff is still coming, and it has next week’s listed as “Into the Hornet’s Nest”, so it may be that they’re showing the full-length version of that duel. Although I’m partial to montages, that’ll be interesting; I’m not even sure if I’ve ever seen it. Anyway, ‘til then! -Clio

Note: Posted jointly with Capsule Monsters' The True King I