tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post5957907331027413540..comments2024-03-27T22:32:02.739+01:00Comments on Beneath the Stains of Time: Identity CrisisTomCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post-26136801594626775332017-10-10T14:17:51.734+02:002017-10-10T14:17:51.734+02:00I really liked how the amnesia part was handled to...I really liked how the amnesia part was handled too because more often than not I see that as a preeetty cheap plot device.Anhiksihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817774165396917723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post-29879289410639201132017-09-30T11:36:47.290+02:002017-09-30T11:36:47.290+02:00"Yes, and no. In any other series, it would b..."<i>Yes, and no. In any other series, it would be a good chess piece, but in this particular series, that character isn't actually special anymore, as we have seen other people pull the same thing off too in other, but not neccesarily less effective ways.</i>"<br /><br />I've to respectfully disagree with you there. Sure, there have been other characters who have pulled a similar stunt, or could do it, but they miss one quality that this character possesses: this character can be used as a sacrificial piece during the end game of the series. Something you can't do with a character like Harley. <br /><br />This person could, surreptitiously, be approached by Conan to resume the role played in this volume and shock everyone by making a self-sacrificial move leading to this character's death. And this would be done to atone for the crimes and would probably give Conan the room needed to deal with BO. <br /><br />Not something that Conan would approve of, but it would be a dramatic twist that would probably fit the high-tension ending this series has in store for us. But you'll reach that point in the series before I do. So keep this in mind. TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post-53224762237928563102017-09-30T10:12:04.191+02:002017-09-30T10:12:04.191+02:00Yes, and no. In any other series, it would be a go...Yes, and no. In any other series, it would be a good chess piece, but in this particular series, that character isn't actually special anymore, as we have seen other people pull the same thing off too in other, but not neccesarily less effective ways.<br /><br />Oh, and I forgot to mention this in the first comment, but I loved how the artwork served as a proper hint in this story, without it just being "hey, there's a important hint drawn here in the background". In fact, it was right in your face most of the time. There was something that bugged me a lot throughout the story regarding the artwork, but once you realize what's going it makes perfectly sense.Ho-Linghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04673330638260132388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post-76343407638187919312017-09-29T21:46:01.680+02:002017-09-29T21:46:01.680+02:00It's certainly a remarkable story and, as said...It's certainly a remarkable story and, as said, the amnesia-angle itself was really well handled. <br /><br />By the way, do you agree that we haven't seen the last of the culprit? This character is just too perfect a chess piece not to use during the end game of the series. TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516189026477178777.post-525473868407938962017-09-29T19:33:37.316+02:002017-09-29T19:33:37.316+02:00I love the amnesia story! Perhaps not for the indi...I love the amnesia story! Perhaps not for the individual murders, but as a story that puts Kudo (and Hattori!) in a surprising position, and one that explores Queenian issues like what the presence and actions of a detective can result into, it's a fairly unique story even in the Conan canon.<br /><br />I'll probably have a Conan review up next week too, or the week after, as this year's Conan film (The Crimson Love Letter, written by a promiment mystery author) will finally be released on home-video next week!Ho-Linghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04673330638260132388noreply@blogger.com