Predictions and Observations:
(The) Return of the Supreme King I-II

So they didn't get starstruck? The duel was a tie; they both lost all of their lifepoints at the same time. So they'd both get starstruck. Then again, maybe they're both just so powerful that it just meant they got to fly up there if they wanted to. Go figure.

That's "Doctor", but Crowler doesn't seem to have noticed this time. Someone (I think it was Syrus, and I don't feel like going back and checking) called Crowler "Professor Crowler", and he didn't even notice. That's how you know it's serious.

"-Everything's gonna play out, just the way it's supposed to play out.
-Is this like a destiny thing?
-Uh-huh."
Well, I'm inclined to agree. But if Crowler feels called to do something, by all means, it probably means he's supposed to.

The heart of Jaden's dueling is to respect and see the good in his opponents. Since this is rather personal, it's difficult-- but if Jaden doesn't make his peace with Yubel and her reign of terror, then the SK's the only powerful Jaden we stand to see in this duel.

Like cards, like duelist. Yubel's cards, as plants, are all earthbound, contrasting her unwilling origin in space. They absorb damage and grow strong, just as she did. Their power depends on damage done or that could be done by the opponent. What if Jaden were to stop attacking her and relax?

Jaden still thinks Yubel's trying to get even with him?! Obviously, he's not listening and he's not reading the cards! Understandably, he's not as tuned-in or connected with this duel because he still harbors some resentment and resistance towards Yubel. And that means, he's off his game and he's not dueling like the Jaden we know and love. As far as I can hear, Yubel is saying that even though it was painful, her experience made her stronger, and she wants to inflict that same pain on Jaden so it can have the same result, as a gift. And then, united by that painful experience, they'd be close again. Actually, she reminds me a lot of Zane Truesdale during the Gx Tournament: "When I first started dueling in the Underground, I felt the same way! But then I discovered the pleasure of pain. Duels aren't all fun and games-- they hurt! They're about enduring anguish, and making your opponent suffer! You see that now, don't you! You FEEL it!" However, while that was how Zane related to dueling specifically, and thus to life generally, Yubel relates to the experience of pain as that which makes someone strong. Life isn't pain, unless you're lucky.

Jaden is conflicted over whether he wants to help Yubel. This isn't a matter of should or shouldn't, but seeing the good in everyone, even Yubel, is who Jaden is; it's really him thinking he shouldn't want to help her, but he does. This entire time, Jaden's been resisting reaching out to Yubel because she's evil and has caused massive damage and is all too happy to cause more. But seeing good in everyone is Jaden's greatest power; without that compassion, he's not on his game and he will not win.

I was quite interested in the description we got of the dimension from which Chazz and the other two Ojama brothers called out to Syrus and Ojama Yellow. I get the sense that it was they we spoke to so that the two Ojamas could illustrate the distortion of perceptions without much exposition.

Well, it's good that he isn't scared of his anger... might mean that he's learned to control the SK. Good thing we get to find out right now, I said at the end of the first episode. After seeing a whole episode with Jaden tapping into the SK's power or whatever he's doing, I'm still not sure. I don't know what I'm expecting or waiting for, either. I think it's that Jaden's still fairly tentative about the line between himself and the SK, with good reason, and comments like Yubel's asking what his starstruck friends would say actually got to him.

Bustin' out with Neo-Space usually means Jaden bringing his A-game, though. That he's playing Neo-Spacians as the SK gives me some confidence in all this.

The other thing I thought of: Neo-Space is a BALANCE of light and darkness, remember? Jaden will have to do more than LET the darkness play.

What would your friends say if they saw you embracing the power of the SK? Come, on, Jay, remember they're your friends and give them more credit than that! All of them have discovered the value by now of being true to who you are, and they wouldn't want you to do anything but your best. Syrus is closer to Jaden than anyone; use him as a barometer for everyone else.

It's the doubt rune! It appeared on Sy's cheek just as he said that if Jaden listened to Yubel he'd start doubting himself! If it's showing up again, it's a factor. And if Syrus starts doubting Jaden now...

Oh, great. It's a great big Yubel monster. What was the quote? When Jaden first faced down the Sacred Beasts? Something along the lines of, what more could any kid want?

So according to Yubel, Yubel tried to reach out to Jaden through Marcel, but Jesse got in the way, so Yubel used him as bait to get Jaden to come to this dimension and his friends would follow him, and Yubel made it so they would suffer by Jaden's hand so he could see what he did to HER. So this whole thing, even the part where Jaden was the villain, was all her. Suddenly everything makes sense.

Return of the Supreme King III and... The Next King of Games?! Aw, man! Okay, 'til next week, everyone! Sorry about the super-late post, I've been busy again. -Clio