Episode 59: "Sakura, Tomoyo, and the Ball Trap" or "Trapped"
Introduction to the Experiment
Episode 58
Episode 59: Sakura, Tomoyo, and the Ball Trap (Card Captor Sakura) or Trapped (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
The kids are in gym class. Sakura and Madison talk about how Sakura has more energy lately and that she is not as worn out by changing Cards as she used to be. Madison remarks that must mean that Sakura getting stronger.
The Japanese version extends this scene with Tomoyo gushing about how much Sakura is becoming even more super special awesome. She continues to say that she makes the costumes and records Sakura's every moment. Sakura points out that dangerous things happens when Tomoyo is with her; Tomoyo brushes her concern aside - being near Sakura is worth the danger and, more seriously, she is sure that everything will be fine if she's with Sakura. This embarrasses Sakura while Syaoran looks on. She notices him looking and he looks away, blushing. Eriol looks on as well.
In any case, time for 1-on-1 basketball. Sakura is awesome at basketball after some random students we don't know play a few games. The gym teacher announces that Li and Eli are to be partnered next. Li is Not Pleased. Sakura cheers both boys on, causing Li some amount of distress (the deep, full-face blush in the Japanese version was VERY hard to Photoshop out completely in the English version).
The boys play. Eli is awesome at basketball, much to Li's irritation. Li attempts to make a shot but glances over to Sakura. He misses the basket, much to Sakura's disappointment. The version vary for Madison's reaction: Madison states that if Li loses, it will make things worse between Li and Eli while Tomoyo states that he's probably just worried about a "certain member of the audience".
Li is getting increasingly irritated and goes to make another basket. Eli comes up behind him and, switching to his real voice, advises Li to just focus on making the basket. It works - Li makes the basket. As the kids cheer for Li, Eli comes up to him. Eli advises him that, in order to not lose something important to him, he should not let himself get so easily distracted while Eriol advises him to just stay calm and not lose himself in the moment in order to become stronger.
After this, Julian is throwing away a garbage bag, remarking that he is so tired. He sees Eli (who is alone) and immediately Julian transforms into Yueh. Yueh flies over the fence and starts peppering him with questions, since he knows he is Clow Reed. Eli knocks Yueh out. The versions differ slightly but the gist is that Eli/Clow is hiding from Yueh and Keroberos, Yueh is growing weaker because he's using Sakura as a power source, there is another power source he can use, things are developing differently than he expected, and Eli has to erase Yueh's memories of this encounter. Eli transforms him back into Julian. Eli plays it off as if he had found Julian sleeping on the ground, much to Julian's embarrassment. Tori comes over, worried about Julian. He notices Eli and grumbles about him.
Later, Li is at Madison's house, being served tea. The versions differ significantly here:
English version: Madison remarks on the game and how "focused" Li was (unlike at that moment, when he doesn't seem aware that Madison is even speaking to him). She remarks that Li doesn't like Eli and asks why he lets Eli get to him. Li says that he doesn't trust him. Madison doesn't see why he shouldn't and asks if he thinks Eli is hiding something. She suggests giving Eli a chance and not letting his uncontrollable distrust of everyone he encounters imagination run away with him.
Japanese version: Sit tight, this is a long one. Tomoyo asks if Syaoran is thinking about Sakura. He sputters. Tomoyo confirms aloud that Syaoran was thinking about Sakura and that he likes her very much. She asks if he has admitted his feelings to her; he has not. Tomoyo points out that Sakura is kind of dense so she won't know unless he tells her. Syaoran points out that Sakura likes someone else. Tomoyo asks if that is the reason why he won't tell her, pointing out that lots of people like Sakura. Syaoran acknowledge that is true - there are people who like Sakura, such as Eriol. Tomoyo disagrees with his example; Eriol watches her as if he cares for her but not as if he is in love with her. Syaoran states that Tomoyo is very observant. She agrees, as long as it has to do with Sakura. Tomoyo admits that there are some feelings that are not meant to be shared but would Syaoran be okay with that? In this type of situation, people don't know about feelings unless a person states how he or she feels in words.
In any case, Sakura enters the room, wearing a new outfit designed by Madison, asking for their opinion. The versions differ again:
English version: Li (who is blushing for no English-version-compliant reason) gets up and asks if Sakura sensed "that". Apparently, Li feels that something is going down and is highly distressed to the point of tears (Editorial comment: the animation for this scene does NOT match at all what is going on, story-wise, so I had to take some liberties for this summary so this scene doesn't seem nonsensical).
Japanese version: Li and Tomoyo are blown away by how awesome Sakura looks in her outfit. Tomoyo rushes off to get her camcorder, leaving Li and Sakura alone. Li remembers what Tomoyo said to him literally less than a minute ago (about feelings needing to be put into words), causing him to get up and commence a blushing, teary-eyed, silent stare-down with Sakura (who is really confused).
In any case, an image of Clow Reed flashes across the screen. (Yes, even in the English version, it is after Li asks if Sakura felt something). The kids gasp.
Later, the kids are at the school and Kero has joined them. Sakura and Kero acknowledge that the presence is at the school. Kero states that he feels Clow Reed's magic nearby. Again, the versions differ significantly:
English version: Kero whines that he felt a strong presence but now he can't feel it and worries that he is losing his touch. Sakura reassures him that she still feels it at the school and Madison points that Kero just has to trust Sakura this time. Sakura wants to get going so she walks toward the school, Kero trailing her while they discuss what she's feeling. Li and Madison hang back. Li expresses that something doesn't feel right and asks if Madison is sure she wants to come with them, pointing out that if she does, then she should "stay close". Madison brushes his concern off - she is with the two best Cardcaptors ever as well as a Guardian Beast so she'll be fine. Li is taken aback by this. Madison urges him to "trust in [his] abilities".
Japanese version: Kero asks why Tomoyo and Syaoran are here before him. Sakura states the obvious that she was at Tomoyo's house when this started. Kero asks if they ate sweets; they did. He is furious. Tomoyo points out that she has his share with her. He is appeased. Sakura grumps about his gluttony and Sakura and Kero head toward the school, bantering about this issue. Syaoran and Tomoyo hang back for the time being. He points out that Tomoyo is always helping her out while he is no help at all. She says that isn't true, that he is doing what he can for her. He is taken aback by this. She urges him to "be more confident".
In any case, off to the school. The versions differ slightly but the gist is that Sakura is worried that there may be ghosts and Li assures her that he doesn't sense any ghosts (the English version points out specifically that Li was trained to sense ghosts back home). The Japanese version adds a moment where Sakura explains to Tomoyo why she is using Syaoran's given name now, because they're super close now and stuff (the subtitles for this moment says that she calls him her "bestie" - a term that makes zero sense for this scene and is never used again). A basketball bounces in front of them. As they wonder how it got there, it starts bounces on its own. Clow Reed's presence is back so it's time to chase the basketball.
The English version adds a scene with Eli (in full regalia) pointing out that Li's "instinct" was correct and he is finally focusing his energy on the task at hand.
Anyway, back to the basketball. It leads the team to a classroom. When they enter the room, it is gone. Eventually, they decide to leave but find that the doors lead to other classrooms, not the hallways as they should. Basically, the room is in its own dimension so the room leads to other rooms in a random order. Eventually, one of the doors leads to the music room, where the basketball is now. The team goes to pursue it but the door slams in Madison's face, trapping her in the previous room. When Sakura opens the door, it is now the hallway again so Madison can't be found.
Sakura and her crew run around the school, trying to locate Madison. Eventually, they end up in what looks like the supply room of the school (it noticeably has industrial-type light switches). In the Japanese version, Sakura gears up to cry, which prompts Syaoran to tell her that crying won't solve anything; this stops her from crying. In any case, Li tells her that she has to think of a way to get back to the classroom. Sakura suggests the Through Card but that's a no-go; she could end up stuck in a wall using that Card. So they'll have to think of something else.
Some time later, they haven't thought of anything, much to Kero's irritation. Sakura worries to herself that Madison must be scared at the moment since she is by herself. Suddenly, Sakura and her team hear Madison singing. Sakura looks out the window, vowing to find Madison and then notices her shadow on the floor. She remembers that light had been used to find the Shadow Card. She tells Kero and Li to turn on all of the lights in the school, which they do.
With all of the lights on, Sakura changes the Shadow Card into a Star Card and tells it to find Madison's shadow. The Shadow Card heads off and they follow, eventually leading to the classroom where Madison is. Sakura is relieved; Madison explains that she knew that they would find her.
Meanwhile, Eli looks on from outside. Sakura sense his presence and remarks on it. At that moment, the spell on the room is gone and is back to normal. Eli remarks that Sakura is getting stronger with each Card she changes and so he has to be more careful.
The versions differ significantly at this point:
English version: Sakura remarks that she is not even tired and she only has a few Cards left to change. It's a good thing because someone powerful caused that whole business with the room being in another dimension and the only person who could do that would be Clow Reed. Li states that would require a lot of magical power.
Japanese version: Sakura remarks that she heard Tomoyo's song. Tomoyo explains that she was trying to help them find her. Sakura explains that she nearly started crying but she didn't because Syaoran told her not to. However, she couldn't figure out a way to help her until she heard the song. The song cheered her up and made her try her best.
In any case, Madison is bummed that she missed the "good" part. Kero suggests that she record him instead to make up for it. The versions differ again (except Li is blushing in both versions):
English version: Sakura states that Li was really brave and that she's glad that they are in this together. If someone is behind all this, then she is glad that she has him and his training on her side.
Japanese version: Sakura thanks Li for telling her not to cry earlier as well as all of the help he has provided in the past. Remembering Tomoyo's advice about feelings needing to be shared from earlier, Li gears up for Take Two of his love confession.
In any case, they are interrupted by Kero who wants Sakura in the shot for the video recording.
Oh dear God, this episode was boring. You know it's boring when you're watching it and all you're thinking is, "I wonder if they sell the hot chocolate I like on Amazon. I probably should order it if it is...".
Although the basketball bit reminded me of this one time in gym class (I hated gym class) where we had to play basketball. I hate basketball so, in order to fool the teacher, I just dribbled a basketball while walking around in the gym instead of playing the game with my classmates. Unfortunately, the teacher noticed me and, horror of adolescent horrors, he good-naturedly said, "Come on, [researchotaku]! Let's play basketball together!" So I had to play 1-on-1 basketball with the gym teacher. More than 10 years later, I know he was just trying to do his job but man, I still remember that "oh, crap!" moment.
I much prefer the English title - it's short, it's catchy, and doesn't do that stupid listing thing I hate.
So, this is a bad episode in either version. They're bad for different reasons - like with the episode with the elevator, it is sort of the same issue. I disliked the plot of the Japanese version but I really hated the execution of the English version.
The English version cuts and alters pretty much anything focusing on Syaoran's crush on Sakura with some snipping of Tomoyo being gay for good measure. These scenes drag on forever, so I don't disagree with the changes. With each passing episode, I like Tomoyo less and less and Madison more and more. Tomoyo gets on my nerves because her one-note characterization (Tomoyo thinks Sakura is perfect) make her scenes repetitive and drag on and on. Nearly every scene with Tomoyo was twice as long as it had to be.
I really like the English version's change in focus for this episode from Syaoran crushing on Sakura to Li distrusting Eli. It works for Li's character (in either version, to be frank) and can be interpreted as purely plot-related (Eli is evil so Li distrusts the evil character) or as crush-related (Li wants to believe Eli is untrustworthy but his real issue is that Eli appears to be the favored boy of the girl he likes). I also liked the continuation of "Li feels useless" plot line the English version has been running with, with the idea shifting to Li having the confidence to actually believe he is a valued member of the team rather than just know it.
All good stuff, right? Too bad it's so badly done. To be fair, half of the blame falls to the Japanese version. This episode is basically about Li crushing on Sakura and Tomoyo encouraging him to just tell her that with some Card-related stuff tacked on at the end. So there is a lot, a lot, a lot of blushing and other animation related to the crush (or Tomoyo being gay). And it's not just subtle blushing, it is mostly full-face super blushes that mar Syaoran's face. The English version was fighting a losing battle from the beginning - there was no way they could tell their version of the plot with all of that blushing. Some parts are Photoshopped or cut but if they cut every blushing moment, they would have the basketball game, Yueh's scene, and the cursed basketball bit, which would be, like, ten minutes of choppiness.
So, we got that really bizarre scene where Li is blushing and almost crying about sensing a presence (because the Japanese version of that scene was the first of what I am sure to be many attempts by Syaoran to confess his love for Sakura). It was plainly obvious that wasn't what was going on and threw me out of the story.
Back during my introduction of the project, I had said that I would discuss whether the English version was "right" to cut episodes if they did cut them. At the time, I was under the impression that episodes would be cut, which turned out to not be the case so I've never brought it up.
This episode should have been cut.
Yeah, you read that right. This episode could have been cut for the English version. In light of the English version's plotline, this episode did not help. The animation just doesn't support it and what animation was left was not needed to carry their story forward.
But wait, I hear you say, what about the Yueh scene?! What about the Yueh scene? What did that scene accomplish? We know that Eli is Clow Reed already. We know that Yueh is running out of energy and needs to find another source. For a brief moment, Yueh was allowed to connect the dots that Clow Reed is Eli but Eli just erases his memory right away. There are no permanent consequences to that scene (for example, Yueh isn't going to tell Sakura to watch out for Eli). Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the scene itself in either version.
Let's be honest though: if this episode had never happened for the English version of the plotline, would be anything be amiss? Not really.
For any other show, I would be horrified if a dubbing company cut an episode for any reason. But Cardcaptors is different - more and more, it is telling a different story. I might even argue at this point that it is a better story than the Japanese version (I will reserve my final judgment until the end). If it could tell its story with the animation, then certainly the episode should stay, however altered it needs to be. However, the animation for this episode hinders the English team's ability to tell a story.
Or, since the purist in me is rebelling at the notion of suggesting that any dubbing company would cut an entire episode of a show to serve its made-up plot, the English team should have sucked it up and re-introduced the crush again. Even I admit that, at this point, it would seem very out-of-left-field but that is literally the only way this episode could have been saved in the English version.
The English team is not completely excused, though:
a. While the insertion of Eli stating that Li was more focused during the cursed room sequence was neat, it was sloppy. Eli is wearing a completely different outfit in that moment than in the other two scenes - why didn't they just use the roof scene twice? Furthermore, why even do that at all? That was very "tell, don't show" - why not let the audience see that Li is more focused by tweaking some dialogue or adding a voiceover for Li ("I have to focus on how to help Sakura find Madison!")?
b. Okay, so they changed the teary-eyed blushing scene to a "I sense something!" moment. Fine, they do end up sensing something so it's not completely wrong. So why didn't they just change the order of the scene from the image of Clow Reed flashing across the screen and then have Li get all up in Sakura's face? Or, you know, just show the image and cut to the two standing in shock, completely omitting the blushing scene.
c. I know I'm not going to win this fight but for the love of God, please have Madison sing a different song! There are no lip flaps!
As I have alluded to, the Japanese version isn't good either. While it is continuing the "Syaoran is in love with Sakura" plotline, the execution of it is just so boring in this episode. I'm grateful that I didn't have to sit through another montage but I know that this is just the beginning of a long series of "Syaoran trying to confess but gets interrupted" scenes that I find I don't have the patience for.
The other issue I have is just Tomoyo and Kero being annoying in the Japanese version. I've talked enough about my issues with Tomoyo but Kero was just bizarre in this episode. Why was he upset that Sakura arrived with the other two? Did he not know she was visiting them? (And yes, Kero in the Japanese version is also guilty of the "the joke is old now, why is this scene still going?" thing but he doesn't do it as often as Tomoyo does).
The Japanese version also had this weird tendency to remind the audience of things that literally just happened. We know that Syaoran was told to confess his feelings, we were there! We know that Syaoran convinced Sakura not to cry, we were there for that too! What the heck?
Finally, the teary-eyed blushing scene in Tomoyo's house was so narmish that I burst out laughing when it happened. Not the effect I'm sure they were going for.
Not many plot holes, just an odd moment: During the basketball scene, when Eli is coming up behind Li, it looks like he is trying to grab his butt.
Because of the poor execution of one version and slow pacing of another version, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 60
Episode 58
Episode 59: Sakura, Tomoyo, and the Ball Trap (Card Captor Sakura) or Trapped (Cardcaptors)
Baseline Version: English Cardcaptors
The kids are in gym class. Sakura and Madison talk about how Sakura has more energy lately and that she is not as worn out by changing Cards as she used to be. Madison remarks that must mean that Sakura getting stronger.
The Japanese version extends this scene with Tomoyo gushing about how much Sakura is becoming even more super special awesome. She continues to say that she makes the costumes and records Sakura's every moment. Sakura points out that dangerous things happens when Tomoyo is with her; Tomoyo brushes her concern aside - being near Sakura is worth the danger and, more seriously, she is sure that everything will be fine if she's with Sakura. This embarrasses Sakura while Syaoran looks on. She notices him looking and he looks away, blushing. Eriol looks on as well.
In any case, time for 1-on-1 basketball. Sakura is awesome at basketball after some random students we don't know play a few games. The gym teacher announces that Li and Eli are to be partnered next. Li is Not Pleased. Sakura cheers both boys on, causing Li some amount of distress (the deep, full-face blush in the Japanese version was VERY hard to Photoshop out completely in the English version).
The boys play. Eli is awesome at basketball, much to Li's irritation. Li attempts to make a shot but glances over to Sakura. He misses the basket, much to Sakura's disappointment. The version vary for Madison's reaction: Madison states that if Li loses, it will make things worse between Li and Eli while Tomoyo states that he's probably just worried about a "certain member of the audience".
Li is getting increasingly irritated and goes to make another basket. Eli comes up behind him and, switching to his real voice, advises Li to just focus on making the basket. It works - Li makes the basket. As the kids cheer for Li, Eli comes up to him. Eli advises him that, in order to not lose something important to him, he should not let himself get so easily distracted while Eriol advises him to just stay calm and not lose himself in the moment in order to become stronger.
After this, Julian is throwing away a garbage bag, remarking that he is so tired. He sees Eli (who is alone) and immediately Julian transforms into Yueh. Yueh flies over the fence and starts peppering him with questions, since he knows he is Clow Reed. Eli knocks Yueh out. The versions differ slightly but the gist is that Eli/Clow is hiding from Yueh and Keroberos, Yueh is growing weaker because he's using Sakura as a power source, there is another power source he can use, things are developing differently than he expected, and Eli has to erase Yueh's memories of this encounter. Eli transforms him back into Julian. Eli plays it off as if he had found Julian sleeping on the ground, much to Julian's embarrassment. Tori comes over, worried about Julian. He notices Eli and grumbles about him.
Later, Li is at Madison's house, being served tea. The versions differ significantly here:
English version: Madison remarks on the game and how "focused" Li was (unlike at that moment, when he doesn't seem aware that Madison is even speaking to him). She remarks that Li doesn't like Eli and asks why he lets Eli get to him. Li says that he doesn't trust him. Madison doesn't see why he shouldn't and asks if he thinks Eli is hiding something. She suggests giving Eli a chance and not letting his uncontrollable distrust of everyone he encounters imagination run away with him.
Japanese version: Sit tight, this is a long one. Tomoyo asks if Syaoran is thinking about Sakura. He sputters. Tomoyo confirms aloud that Syaoran was thinking about Sakura and that he likes her very much. She asks if he has admitted his feelings to her; he has not. Tomoyo points out that Sakura is kind of dense so she won't know unless he tells her. Syaoran points out that Sakura likes someone else. Tomoyo asks if that is the reason why he won't tell her, pointing out that lots of people like Sakura. Syaoran acknowledge that is true - there are people who like Sakura, such as Eriol. Tomoyo disagrees with his example; Eriol watches her as if he cares for her but not as if he is in love with her. Syaoran states that Tomoyo is very observant. She agrees, as long as it has to do with Sakura. Tomoyo admits that there are some feelings that are not meant to be shared but would Syaoran be okay with that? In this type of situation, people don't know about feelings unless a person states how he or she feels in words.
In any case, Sakura enters the room, wearing a new outfit designed by Madison, asking for their opinion. The versions differ again:
English version: Li (who is blushing for no English-version-compliant reason) gets up and asks if Sakura sensed "that". Apparently, Li feels that something is going down and is highly distressed to the point of tears (Editorial comment: the animation for this scene does NOT match at all what is going on, story-wise, so I had to take some liberties for this summary so this scene doesn't seem nonsensical).
Japanese version: Li and Tomoyo are blown away by how awesome Sakura looks in her outfit. Tomoyo rushes off to get her camcorder, leaving Li and Sakura alone. Li remembers what Tomoyo said to him literally less than a minute ago (about feelings needing to be put into words), causing him to get up and commence a blushing, teary-eyed, silent stare-down with Sakura (who is really confused).
In any case, an image of Clow Reed flashes across the screen. (Yes, even in the English version, it is after Li asks if Sakura felt something). The kids gasp.
Later, the kids are at the school and Kero has joined them. Sakura and Kero acknowledge that the presence is at the school. Kero states that he feels Clow Reed's magic nearby. Again, the versions differ significantly:
English version: Kero whines that he felt a strong presence but now he can't feel it and worries that he is losing his touch. Sakura reassures him that she still feels it at the school and Madison points that Kero just has to trust Sakura this time. Sakura wants to get going so she walks toward the school, Kero trailing her while they discuss what she's feeling. Li and Madison hang back. Li expresses that something doesn't feel right and asks if Madison is sure she wants to come with them, pointing out that if she does, then she should "stay close". Madison brushes his concern off - she is with the two best Cardcaptors ever as well as a Guardian Beast so she'll be fine. Li is taken aback by this. Madison urges him to "trust in [his] abilities".
Japanese version: Kero asks why Tomoyo and Syaoran are here before him. Sakura states the obvious that she was at Tomoyo's house when this started. Kero asks if they ate sweets; they did. He is furious. Tomoyo points out that she has his share with her. He is appeased. Sakura grumps about his gluttony and Sakura and Kero head toward the school, bantering about this issue. Syaoran and Tomoyo hang back for the time being. He points out that Tomoyo is always helping her out while he is no help at all. She says that isn't true, that he is doing what he can for her. He is taken aback by this. She urges him to "be more confident".
In any case, off to the school. The versions differ slightly but the gist is that Sakura is worried that there may be ghosts and Li assures her that he doesn't sense any ghosts (the English version points out specifically that Li was trained to sense ghosts back home). The Japanese version adds a moment where Sakura explains to Tomoyo why she is using Syaoran's given name now, because they're super close now and stuff (the subtitles for this moment says that she calls him her "bestie" - a term that makes zero sense for this scene and is never used again). A basketball bounces in front of them. As they wonder how it got there, it starts bounces on its own. Clow Reed's presence is back so it's time to chase the basketball.
The English version adds a scene with Eli (in full regalia) pointing out that Li's "instinct" was correct and he is finally focusing his energy on the task at hand.
Anyway, back to the basketball. It leads the team to a classroom. When they enter the room, it is gone. Eventually, they decide to leave but find that the doors lead to other classrooms, not the hallways as they should. Basically, the room is in its own dimension so the room leads to other rooms in a random order. Eventually, one of the doors leads to the music room, where the basketball is now. The team goes to pursue it but the door slams in Madison's face, trapping her in the previous room. When Sakura opens the door, it is now the hallway again so Madison can't be found.
Sakura and her crew run around the school, trying to locate Madison. Eventually, they end up in what looks like the supply room of the school (it noticeably has industrial-type light switches). In the Japanese version, Sakura gears up to cry, which prompts Syaoran to tell her that crying won't solve anything; this stops her from crying. In any case, Li tells her that she has to think of a way to get back to the classroom. Sakura suggests the Through Card but that's a no-go; she could end up stuck in a wall using that Card. So they'll have to think of something else.
Some time later, they haven't thought of anything, much to Kero's irritation. Sakura worries to herself that Madison must be scared at the moment since she is by herself. Suddenly, Sakura and her team hear Madison singing. Sakura looks out the window, vowing to find Madison and then notices her shadow on the floor. She remembers that light had been used to find the Shadow Card. She tells Kero and Li to turn on all of the lights in the school, which they do.
With all of the lights on, Sakura changes the Shadow Card into a Star Card and tells it to find Madison's shadow. The Shadow Card heads off and they follow, eventually leading to the classroom where Madison is. Sakura is relieved; Madison explains that she knew that they would find her.
Meanwhile, Eli looks on from outside. Sakura sense his presence and remarks on it. At that moment, the spell on the room is gone and is back to normal. Eli remarks that Sakura is getting stronger with each Card she changes and so he has to be more careful.
The versions differ significantly at this point:
English version: Sakura remarks that she is not even tired and she only has a few Cards left to change. It's a good thing because someone powerful caused that whole business with the room being in another dimension and the only person who could do that would be Clow Reed. Li states that would require a lot of magical power.
Japanese version: Sakura remarks that she heard Tomoyo's song. Tomoyo explains that she was trying to help them find her. Sakura explains that she nearly started crying but she didn't because Syaoran told her not to. However, she couldn't figure out a way to help her until she heard the song. The song cheered her up and made her try her best.
In any case, Madison is bummed that she missed the "good" part. Kero suggests that she record him instead to make up for it. The versions differ again (except Li is blushing in both versions):
English version: Sakura states that Li was really brave and that she's glad that they are in this together. If someone is behind all this, then she is glad that she has him and his training on her side.
Japanese version: Sakura thanks Li for telling her not to cry earlier as well as all of the help he has provided in the past. Remembering Tomoyo's advice about feelings needing to be shared from earlier, Li gears up for Take Two of his love confession.
In any case, they are interrupted by Kero who wants Sakura in the shot for the video recording.
Oh dear God, this episode was boring. You know it's boring when you're watching it and all you're thinking is, "I wonder if they sell the hot chocolate I like on Amazon. I probably should order it if it is...".
Although the basketball bit reminded me of this one time in gym class (I hated gym class) where we had to play basketball. I hate basketball so, in order to fool the teacher, I just dribbled a basketball while walking around in the gym instead of playing the game with my classmates. Unfortunately, the teacher noticed me and, horror of adolescent horrors, he good-naturedly said, "Come on, [researchotaku]! Let's play basketball together!" So I had to play 1-on-1 basketball with the gym teacher. More than 10 years later, I know he was just trying to do his job but man, I still remember that "oh, crap!" moment.
I much prefer the English title - it's short, it's catchy, and doesn't do that stupid listing thing I hate.
So, this is a bad episode in either version. They're bad for different reasons - like with the episode with the elevator, it is sort of the same issue. I disliked the plot of the Japanese version but I really hated the execution of the English version.
The English version cuts and alters pretty much anything focusing on Syaoran's crush on Sakura with some snipping of Tomoyo being gay for good measure. These scenes drag on forever, so I don't disagree with the changes. With each passing episode, I like Tomoyo less and less and Madison more and more. Tomoyo gets on my nerves because her one-note characterization (Tomoyo thinks Sakura is perfect) make her scenes repetitive and drag on and on. Nearly every scene with Tomoyo was twice as long as it had to be.
I really like the English version's change in focus for this episode from Syaoran crushing on Sakura to Li distrusting Eli. It works for Li's character (in either version, to be frank) and can be interpreted as purely plot-related (Eli is evil so Li distrusts the evil character) or as crush-related (Li wants to believe Eli is untrustworthy but his real issue is that Eli appears to be the favored boy of the girl he likes). I also liked the continuation of "Li feels useless" plot line the English version has been running with, with the idea shifting to Li having the confidence to actually believe he is a valued member of the team rather than just know it.
All good stuff, right? Too bad it's so badly done. To be fair, half of the blame falls to the Japanese version. This episode is basically about Li crushing on Sakura and Tomoyo encouraging him to just tell her that with some Card-related stuff tacked on at the end. So there is a lot, a lot, a lot of blushing and other animation related to the crush (or Tomoyo being gay). And it's not just subtle blushing, it is mostly full-face super blushes that mar Syaoran's face. The English version was fighting a losing battle from the beginning - there was no way they could tell their version of the plot with all of that blushing. Some parts are Photoshopped or cut but if they cut every blushing moment, they would have the basketball game, Yueh's scene, and the cursed basketball bit, which would be, like, ten minutes of choppiness.
So, we got that really bizarre scene where Li is blushing and almost crying about sensing a presence (because the Japanese version of that scene was the first of what I am sure to be many attempts by Syaoran to confess his love for Sakura). It was plainly obvious that wasn't what was going on and threw me out of the story.
Back during my introduction of the project, I had said that I would discuss whether the English version was "right" to cut episodes if they did cut them. At the time, I was under the impression that episodes would be cut, which turned out to not be the case so I've never brought it up.
This episode should have been cut.
Yeah, you read that right. This episode could have been cut for the English version. In light of the English version's plotline, this episode did not help. The animation just doesn't support it and what animation was left was not needed to carry their story forward.
But wait, I hear you say, what about the Yueh scene?! What about the Yueh scene? What did that scene accomplish? We know that Eli is Clow Reed already. We know that Yueh is running out of energy and needs to find another source. For a brief moment, Yueh was allowed to connect the dots that Clow Reed is Eli but Eli just erases his memory right away. There are no permanent consequences to that scene (for example, Yueh isn't going to tell Sakura to watch out for Eli). Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the scene itself in either version.
Let's be honest though: if this episode had never happened for the English version of the plotline, would be anything be amiss? Not really.
For any other show, I would be horrified if a dubbing company cut an episode for any reason. But Cardcaptors is different - more and more, it is telling a different story. I might even argue at this point that it is a better story than the Japanese version (I will reserve my final judgment until the end). If it could tell its story with the animation, then certainly the episode should stay, however altered it needs to be. However, the animation for this episode hinders the English team's ability to tell a story.
Or, since the purist in me is rebelling at the notion of suggesting that any dubbing company would cut an entire episode of a show to serve its made-up plot, the English team should have sucked it up and re-introduced the crush again. Even I admit that, at this point, it would seem very out-of-left-field but that is literally the only way this episode could have been saved in the English version.
The English team is not completely excused, though:
a. While the insertion of Eli stating that Li was more focused during the cursed room sequence was neat, it was sloppy. Eli is wearing a completely different outfit in that moment than in the other two scenes - why didn't they just use the roof scene twice? Furthermore, why even do that at all? That was very "tell, don't show" - why not let the audience see that Li is more focused by tweaking some dialogue or adding a voiceover for Li ("I have to focus on how to help Sakura find Madison!")?
b. Okay, so they changed the teary-eyed blushing scene to a "I sense something!" moment. Fine, they do end up sensing something so it's not completely wrong. So why didn't they just change the order of the scene from the image of Clow Reed flashing across the screen and then have Li get all up in Sakura's face? Or, you know, just show the image and cut to the two standing in shock, completely omitting the blushing scene.
c. I know I'm not going to win this fight but for the love of God, please have Madison sing a different song! There are no lip flaps!
As I have alluded to, the Japanese version isn't good either. While it is continuing the "Syaoran is in love with Sakura" plotline, the execution of it is just so boring in this episode. I'm grateful that I didn't have to sit through another montage but I know that this is just the beginning of a long series of "Syaoran trying to confess but gets interrupted" scenes that I find I don't have the patience for.
The other issue I have is just Tomoyo and Kero being annoying in the Japanese version. I've talked enough about my issues with Tomoyo but Kero was just bizarre in this episode. Why was he upset that Sakura arrived with the other two? Did he not know she was visiting them? (And yes, Kero in the Japanese version is also guilty of the "the joke is old now, why is this scene still going?" thing but he doesn't do it as often as Tomoyo does).
The Japanese version also had this weird tendency to remind the audience of things that literally just happened. We know that Syaoran was told to confess his feelings, we were there! We know that Syaoran convinced Sakura not to cry, we were there for that too! What the heck?
Finally, the teary-eyed blushing scene in Tomoyo's house was so narmish that I burst out laughing when it happened. Not the effect I'm sure they were going for.
Not many plot holes, just an odd moment: During the basketball scene, when Eli is coming up behind Li, it looks like he is trying to grab his butt.
Because of the poor execution of one version and slow pacing of another version, I judge these episodes to be...
Equal!
Episode 60