The X Bridge | DataDock

The Sessions (cont'd)
Session 8: Waltz For Venus

Synopsis: After averting a hijacking, the Bebop crew head to Venus, where they begin another pursuit. A young man named Roco, who was aboard the plane where Spike showcased his moves, wants to be taught by him. Spike didn't realize that Roco was one of the many bounties he was after nor knew about the secret behind the package he had to take care of, a strange plant that could help out Roco's ill sister in more ways than one.

My Thoughts: This episode perfectly mixed drama with comedy. Roco was a complex character who struggled to find a place in this world, yet finding inspiration in Spike, someone who isn't exactly a willing role model, but someone who has been through what Roco is going through. Roco's final fate is sad because he only did what he did because of the love he had for his sister. This is probably one of most poignant episodes of Cowboy Bebop.

Session 9: Jamming With Edward

Synopsis: A mysterious hacker on a savage planet known as Earth is blamed for the weird activity of a satellite. The Bebopers discover that perhaps there's a little more to this mission than they thought, in more ways than one.

My Thoughts: The geeks' favorite iconic character, Ed, is introduced. She's very enigmic and bothersome to the crew, but Ed bonds almost immediately with the crew she's so enamoured with. A fun episode that was more comedic than the previous one.

Session 10: Ganymede Elegy

Synopsis: The Beboppers head to Ganymede to turn in a new bounty. Of course, the crew learn that Ganymede is Jet's hometown with a lot of memories about a lost love left behind. Meanwhile, Spike receives a new bounty that looks very similar to the new man in Jet's old love's new life.

My Thoughts: One of the few Jet-centric episodes, it was a lot tamer than Jamming With Bebop, and a lot smoother as well. Jet's still considered "the old man" of the crew, and this was a very sophisticated episode.

Session 11: Toys In The Attic (DVD Session 3)

Synopsis: A strange creature is stalking the Bebopers, infecting them with a strange virus or something . . . it's a race to find the intruder.

My Thoughts: This was one of the few episodes in which the thoughts of all the characters were heard. Toys In The Attic is also a strange episode that doesn't deal with anything in particular but shows a strange end for the cast that reminds the viewers to throw out all leftovers. A little ode to Alien, this episode was quirky and just plain weird. Stick around for Ed's next episode voiceover for her thoughts of the end of the episode.

Sessions 12 and 13: Jupiter Jazz (Parts 1 and 2)

Synopsis: After Faye leaves the Bebop with all of their money, Jet orders Ed to find her. When a strange message attached to the name Julia appears, Spike immediately heads down to investigate. Meanwhile, Faye finds herself in Blue Crow, a town without women and meets this musician named Gren, who isn't exactly all man, if you know what I mean. And everything is tied to Vicious.

My Thoughts: It's always funny that girls always come home with musicians. Anyway, this two-parter goes deeper into the rivalry between Spike and Vicious as well as explains, covertly, the feelings Jet has for Faye. Pretty deep episode that continues the spiritual journey this series has made with hints of the end to come.

Session 14: Bohemian Rhapsody

Synopsis: The star gates (wait, no, can't say that) . . . the interstellar travel gates are being robbed. There's a huge bounty for the ones responsible for the high-tech robberies. So far, 20 people have been arrested, but they're not the ones the bounty offerers are looking for. The only clue the Bebop crew has is a chess piece. What is going on?

My Thoughts: After the explosive Jupiter Jazz two-parter, the series went into a screeching halt. An interesting premise that unfortunately falls flat at the end. Probably one of the weakest episodes in the 26-episode run of Cowboy Bebop.

Session 15: My Funny Valentine (DVD Session 4)

Synopsis: Faye tells the story of her current life to Ein, who reminds her of someone in her past. Meanwhile, that particular somebody, who she thought was dead, is aboard the Bebop, ready to be picked up for a bounty. Faye kidnaps him hoping to find some answers.

My Thoughts: So, Faye's a lot older than she looks. The origin sequence perfectly mixed comedy and drama and showed all of Faye's emotions, from her confusion about the circumstances of her new life to the anger and frustration about having to pay her bill, and love and all the feelings to go with that strange emotion. A melancholy episode that showed the best in the mysterious Faye Valentine.

Continue on to the next batch of episodes right here.