Things take a turn as we near the end of Golden Wind. Quite a lot happens here that changes the game. To say this is an exciting episode is an understatement.
That said, quite a lot goes on here, so let’s get rolling.
Picking up from the previous episode, Doppio is about to attack Bucciarati when he makes a declaration about his mission to get to the Colosseum. That’s when Doppio remembers that Team Bucciarati was headed to the Colosseum for a meeting. Doppio tries to help Bucciarati across the street but panics when he sees Mista and Giorno at the gates. Bucciarati’s senses are failing him by this point, and he mistakes Doppio for Trish. The boss tells Doppio that Bucciarati is essentially dead and can’t distinguish people or faces anymore, but can sense a person’s energy enough to make an outline. Following this misguidance, Doppio takes Bucciarati to the Colosseum to meet with Polnareff.
The meeting goes well at first, with Doppio nearly fooling Polnareff into thinking he’s a woman. But when Polnareff asks to see Doppio’s Stand, things quickly turn. Diavolo, the whole time wondering who Team Bucciarati is meeting with, quickly puts together Polnareff’s identity. Polnareff also learns that Doppio is Diavolo. The two then give their account of the golden arrows’ roll in all of this.
Sometime after leaving Italy, Diavolo found the golden arrows on an excavation trip in Egypt. He sells all but one to Enyaba, who tells him all about the arrows. Years later, Diavolo starts his own mafia syndicate. As all this is happening, Polnareff and Jotaro learn of the arrow and that Diavolo may have the others. While Polnareff searches east in Asia and the U.S., Polnareff goes west to Europe, mainly Italy. He manages to track Diavolo down and confronts him in a battle. However, Diavolo corners and defeats not only because of 「King Crimson 」’s ability but because Passione is so deeply rooted in every aspect of life that Polnareff has no way to reach out for help or insight. Polnareff loses his eye, an arm, and both of his legs but survives his attack.
In the present day, Doppio vanishes, and Polnareff attacks, leaving a confused Bucciarati and the rest of his team worried as they sense the time blips from 「King Crimson」. Doppio reveals his form as Diavolo to Polnareff, and the two have a fierce battle. Polnareff loses and is fatally injured, but he manages to stab 「Silver Chariot」 with the golden arrow before he loses consciousness. At first, things seem calm as the gang arrives on the scene. But as the episode ends, Diavolo notices a dark figure sauntering around the Colosseum with a mark resembling the golden arrow.
Things take a dark turn in this episode, and you can feel it. This is mainly because we finally get Diavolo’s face revealed. Up to this point, we’ve only seen the boss as silhouettes or as a talking 「King Crimson」. And, of course, I can’t forget Doppio and his many phones. This is the first time we see the boss as he is, and it’s a tense moment. But it only grows more so from here on out.
Seeing Polnareff in action again is also nice. However, as I mentioned yesterday, having a character like Polnareff make another appearance is odd. Still, there’s a logical reason why that is. Of all the Stardust Crusaders, Polnareff is one of the very few with knowledge of Stands and would be more than capable of finding the arrow. As strange as his reappearance may be, it makes sense.
As far as issues go, I don’t hint this episode is clear on what Bucciarati can hear, see, or just sense. To me, there are times that, theoretically, his senses go in and out as he starts to succumb to death. Still, how can Bucciarati hear anything when his hearing is shot? The lack of consistency here is confusing as it’s not 100% clear what Bucciarati’s actual state is. Still, this is an episode that changes everything for Part 5. I can’t act like this wasn’t a great episode for all its problems.
Though for tomorrow’s next set of episodes, things get weird not only with our main cast but also with more of the Stand’s effects.
Until then, enjoy the rest of your duwang!
-Hanime on Anime
Hanime on Anime 