Predictions and Observations:
Heart of Ice II

“No, it’s my fault. I should have been there to protect her.” Both Atticus and Chazz need to cut it out. Quit pointing fingers, even at yourselves, and forgive.

White Veil!!! She didn’t play it before, but she did *now*!

“They may be weak, but they’re *mine*, and every card in my deck is important-- *you* taught me that!” When did she teach him that? Specifically, I mean. I don’t remember any particular incident. That’s another Jadenism, I think, by the way.

Even when she’s evil, Chazz is still in love with her. For some reason, this reminds me of something: “Wow! That was an *awesome* move! You may be under an evil spell, but ya haven’t lost your touch, Mai! You’re still one of the greatest duelists that I know. Sure I’m about to pass out, but this is *fun!*” (Joey, Fighting for a Friend V)

I dunno, I think that my rooting where Alexis’ heart is concerned is moving toward Chazz. The poor guy is completely besotted with her, couldn’t hide it if he tried, and not only does Alexis not requite this, but nobody else wants Chazz anywhere near her either. Maybe it’s just that I feel sorry for him, but I kinda hope that he wins her in the end.

“I’m dueling *you*, not the Society!” Well put, Jaden! There’s something significant about that: perhaps this counts as a pseudo-Jadenism—dueling is about heart, and Jaden’s not dueling the ice, to use another metaphor, he’s dueling the heart beneath it. Dueling connects people, not divides them; that’s the paradox of it all. Opponents get to know and understand each other, and when it comes down to it it’s really a game. I don’t remember which philosopher said it, but to add another quote on to all this, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” I believe the canon quote I may be looking for that also applies to this is, “Great duels can lead to great and lasting friendships, because the cards are about heart.” (Hawkins, The Ties of Friendship) Jaden’s red-hot dueling, giving her, Alexis, everything he had, thawed that ice from the inside out.

Flare Neos—I think the last time we saw him was Homecoming Duel. Why the sudden comeback now?

I hadn’t realized before how much independence and strength figured into Alexis’ personality. I suppose as a girl duelist in a mostly male sport/game/profession, she’d have to be somewhat tough and independent by nature.

Sure, Alexis won…her soul back!

“Scared her memory will come back?” That could be…awkward…

How far back do their memories go, anywho? Does Chazz remember losing to Sartorius? That was before he joined the Society. Alexis quite apparently doesn’t remember anything about how she joined the Society, but does she remember challenging Chazz for the fate of the Obelisk Dorm? What about Atticus’ song?

So they’re going after him right now? As in, right-now right now, or as in in-the-near-future right now?

Tomorrow’s episode is Tough Love, and this Saturday’s Duelist Kingdom is all three parts of the Face Off duel, back to back. Monday’s GX will be It’s All Relative. Like we needed another really eerily similar episode name?! Well, maybe this means Mokuba will show up to show these loons how tournament commissionering is done?! Nah… Maybe it means some folks will show off their ninja skills, or that another little brother will step up and help his big brother—namely the Truesdales (any day now, Syrus…come on…). Will it have any relation at all to the Duelist Kingdom episode its name is so similar to, or are they just messing with us? -Clio