Whisky Business
Episode 3 of One Piece season 2 starts with Zoro training onboard the ship, still haunted by taunting visions of Mihawk. He wants to be as good as this prolific warrior of course, but after their encounter in season 1, he's still got a long way to go.
The Straw Hats are caught off-guard by the Grand Line's crazy weather, switching between rain, sun and snow on a whim. While the Straw Hats enjoy the varying seasons, Luffy speaks to Miss Wednesday and tries to understand her story. He decides to let Wednesday go from her binds though, confident that she can be trusted and won't hurt them.
Well, out on deck Mr 9 and Miss Wednesday soon leave the ship as they approach Cactus Island, aka. Whisky Peak. The place is full of pirates and the group soon land and start looking around. However, the mannerisms of those residents suddenly change from hostility to big partying and celebrations. Everybody welcomes them with smiles and cheers. The Mayor in these parts is Igaram, and he gets involved in the festivities too.
In the bar, the crew reflect on their journey and where it may lead them next. They eat heartily, drink deeply, and Nami even works her magic to steal from easy marks.
As for Miss Wednesday and Mr 9, they're obviously on the island too and set to work finding Zoro and the others. However, the gang on Whisky Peak are no dummies, and Igaram explains that he's heard about Luffy's bounty. Luffy explains he's helped people in the past… but there's a problem.
It's here we learn that Igaram is actually Mr 8 and apparently part of Baroque Works. Armed with a sax, he begins playing music as Miss Wednesday shows up. The pair manage to knock Luffy out, while Nami does some digging and finds the remains of the Tulip Pirates out back, the previous crew that showed up on Whisky Peak.
Nami realizes they've walked right into a trap, and heads off to warn the others. However, Zoro is already on this and he starts taking out the pirates that attempt to blindside him. In fact, he manages to take out the entire island's worth of agents (100 in total) without much trouble.
Zoro helps free Usopp and Sanji, while Luffy (who recovers from his slumber) goes after Miss Wednesday and Igaram, who are in the process of trying to steal their ship. Although they both look rather guilt-ridden over the whole affair.
Before they can continue though, Mr 5 and Miss Valentine arrive. They're not after Luffy though, but actually looking to get Miss Wednesday. They've figured out that she's Princess Vivi of Alabasta and the very spy who has been snooping around their documents. She's not alone though, as she was joined by Igaram who went undercover in Baroque Works to try and bring the group down.
Igaram has been injured though and stabbed in the gut. He knows he can't continue on but before he leaves Vivi and the others, he mentions to the Straw Hats how he's the Captain of the Alabasta Royal Guard. Luffy agrees to take Vivi back to the Kingdom.
After clearing the bar, Zoro fights with Miss Monday and Mr 9, taking them both out alone before re-joining the other Straw Hats.
With the plan set and Igaram sacrificing himself to save the others, they make it onboard the Merry and set sail for the next island, just as Mr 5 sets off a fiery blast that consumes Igaram. Vivi watches from afar and screams in horror.
Miss Valentine and Mr 5 head inside the bar and find a downhearted Mr 9 drinking afterwards. He vows never to betray his partner, even if she is Princess Vivi, and refuses to disclose her location. Mr 9 mentions how Mr Zero is likely about to dispatch the Unluckies to go after the pair for failing their mission.
For now though, the group are heading on to the next island… but they're not alone. Miss All Sunday suddenly shows up and taunts them.
The Episode Review
So as we approach the midway point of this season, we see Vivi's true identity and also get the showdown in Whisky Peak too. The show has done pretty well to stay faithful to the manga and it'll be interesting to see how the show handles the Alabasta Arc after these islands too, given it's the first big arc of the manga.
Changing the location of this big showdown for Zoro from outside in the streets to the bar is also a nice touch, allowing the camera to actually get up close and personal with some of these strikes. The series has largely done a good job of actually developing the characters along the way with these changes too, which is good.
We've got a few other islands to go before we reach Alabasta of course, but everything is set up nicely for the next chapters.
Episode Rating
3.5
Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!