Air: Episode 04

Albeit competent, the episode lacks the verve to qualify this as a satisfactory resolution. Considering the staggering expectations placed on Air TV — upon previewing the first three installments –, assuming a prodigious conclusion for Kano’s story might be unwarranted.

Kano’s story ineffectively intertwines her and Shiraho’s tales other than the parent-child relationship. It accounts how the accursed feather appeared in the village yet it does not clarify the reasoning behind the decision to enshrine the said object. It even fails to provide a reasonable explanation why Kano was deeply affected by this. The hasty exposition only prompts a barrage of pertinent questioning. Does Kano’s desire to face her mother enough to qualify kinship with Shiraho? Is she burdened by the plume only through chance? Or is she chosen as if predestined? What is the reason behind the sudden appearance of the plume? Is its purpose only to allude to another aerial association? Or does it directly connects with Yukito’s faceless winged heroine?

Although I sound as if the episode ineptly entertained, I fairly enjoyed the little tale. However for someone who never played nor read any transcript of the game, I can almost ascertain the massive omissions to quicken the pace of this mini-arc. Hmmm. Is my initial adoration wearing off? (edit: To answer my own question, “nah!!”)
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more speculations:

After excessively brooding over the Kano-Shiraho connection, half-baked theories emerge. If one takes into consideration Charlie’s suggestion to view the mythical aspect symbolically, we might find a feasible explanation for Kano’s story.

Shiraho and Kano’s mother. Truthfully, I’ve been stumped by the correlation between these two individuals. Shiraho sacrificed her life for her child while the cause of Kano’s mother’s death is unknown. However, I mulled over the possibility of a darker history at play. What if Kano’s mother literally committed the same final act as Shiraho’s? Perhaps that’s primary reason behind her family’s decision to concoct a fairytale for little Kano.

Hijiri. I understand overprotectiveness. Yet her actions seem motivated not only by love and affection but by guilt as well. She blames herself for Kano’s self-inflicted wound and consequently drives herself to exhaustion to support and protect her sibling. This act of contrition might have stemmed from inadvertently disclosing the tragic circumstance of her mother to Kano.

The trigger - the plume. Possibly, the moment where Hijiri extends the feather to her sister Kano metaphorically insinuate the older sister revealing the whereabouts of their mother.

The yellow ribbon. This could have meant avoidance of reality. One might conclude that the ribbon is only for Kano’s repressed consciousness. But another perspective might suggest it could also be for Hijiri, to remind herself of the consequences of her poor decision.

These speculations are what I have so far. I know, most of them seem improbable and farfetched but I can’t help it. Air TV has invaded my psyche. Argh. I must focus on something else.