#pgsm ep 04

[tirorah]

I said in my big post that I couldn't afford to write about all the clever things this show does because that would take too many words there. Here, though, I can elaborate on one really smart thing PGSM does: Keeping the core group limited to four people.

One reason this show can characterise its main cast so well is that it knows when to hold back on introducing them to one another. Makoto isn't here yet, and Minako won't be coming in for quite a while, so currently we only have the trio of Usagi, Ami and Rei to work with. And Usagi, for all her sterling qualities, is not the best at understanding the deeper insecurities of her two new friends. She gets a bit better at it later, but she simply doesn't have the benefit of experience.

Ami and Rei do. It's a big leap for Ami to bring this up, but she sees something familiar in Rei: they both have trouble trusting people. Although their circumstances and issues are very different, Ami can 100% relate to being afraid of this new friendship blowing up in her face. She understands that fear of putting herself out there, only to be left alone to wallow in disappointment.

Usagi has already proven herself to Ami, so she's willing to believe, despite her crippling anxieties. Rei still needs to wait and see, and Rei's standards are exacting. Ami respects that, and Rei appreciates that Ami respects that.

This nascent friendship between the two of them is vital. Not only does it allow them to bond outside of Usagi's influence--which is another thing I love about PGSM--but there's a sense that they can truly understand one another. They're on the same wavelength.

Later on, Usagi and Makoto will be paired off in a similar manner. And then it also develops Usagi and Ami, and Rei and Makoto as duos. In this way, there's always one half of a group that complements the other. If they'd added Minako to the mix sooner, those dynamics wouldn't have had as much room to breathe.

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #pretty guardian sailor moon #pgsm #the character writing in this show is just *chef's kiss*

[tirorah]

Here rests TirOrah, slain by adorable friendship

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #this is going to happen for A LOT of episodes from now on #pretty guardian sailor moon #pgsm

[tirorah]

It's SO cool how Minako's music serves as a sort of influence from her, even though she's barely been present in person. It helps Usagi wake up in the morning, it helps Ami study (and protected her from the teacher-possessing Youma) and now it's helping them synchronise their attacks. Guiding, protecting, leading.

So poignant, especially when you think about how Minako herself comes to feel about her music later.

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #oh and Usagi lent Ami her Aino Minako album #so it helped to unite Ami and Usagi!

[tirorah]

- Ami, as they try and fail that one puzzle in the original FF7 for the umpteenth time

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #oh the pain

[tirorah]

This is so cute! Rei's standards are exacting, but the fact that Usagi tried to save her just mellows her out right away. They're not really friends yet, and Usagi's rescue failed utterly, but the effort itself is what proves to Rei that Usagi's heart is in the right place.

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #that understated look of small hope though #only for it to wilt in disappointment #glorious!

[tirorah]

BEHOLD, HINO REI'S FLAWLESS DISGUISE

NONE WILL EVER SEE THROUGH IT

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #pretty guardian sailor moon #pgsm #I wonder if she bought that at the store or made it herself #also not at all a coincidence that it's the colour of Sailor V's mask I'm sure #you'd think Makoto pulling up her scarf to her face and wearing sunglasses was a poor disguise #but along comes this ridiculous human being #and then you realise that Makoto's improv sleuthing attire was the height of effort

[tirorah]

Rei, later on: *upset that Makoto believes she needs to be alone*

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #oh how the turntables

[tirorah]

It's amazing this guy hasn't been outed as a thief when he expounds about the Silver Crystal every opportunity he gets. OUT LOUD.

I guess the people in PGSM are just not that observant, unless they're Naru. If I had to count the times the girls transform in full view of a hundred windows...

#tirorah rewatches pgsm #pgsm ep 04 #I suppose not even this Mamoru can escape being ridiculous at times #I can't wait until we get to see those ridiculous epaulettes again lol