English Dub Review: Blade Runner: Black Lotus “All the Best Memories”

 

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Joseph and Elle’s time together comes to a close as the former Blade Runner convinces the replicant that the only way for a clean slate is a memory purge. Meanwhile, Niander Wallace Jr. begins his final play as he unleashes his new creation upon the world.

Our Take

So here we are. The final act for Blade Runner: Black Lotus has begun and anyone still watching at this point probably has the same question: “Is it worth finishing?”. To say that this series has had some issues is an understatement. From an animation style not embraced by fans to controversial storyline choices to marathons that have absolutely soured fans on the show, Black Lotus has built up a lot of ill will. Some its fault, some not. But with the show finally pumping out some decent-to-good episodes, my response to the question is a resounding “…Maybe…”.

“All the Best Memories” follows up on the previous episode’s revelation that Joseph was working for Niander Wallace Jr.. Joseph was meant to guide Elle on her journey of revenge to ultimately kill Niander’s father, allowing him to take control of the company. With the junior Wallace now in charge, he has no use for Elle being alive. So as the series designated bad guy, he orders Joseph to “retire” Elle. I don’t know how much I buy Niander orchestrating everything, but whatever, show needs a final boss.

While Elle isn’t aware that the man from her dreams is Wallace, she thinks he’s worth finding as her pool fantasy is the only good memory she has left. Joseph, who we now know has issues with retiring replicants he cares for, offers her another path. He manipulates Elle into walking away from everything by getting her memories purged in order to relieve herself of the trauma she’s incurred. As much as I think we should have seen Joseph’s past earlier, at least it helps sell that he genuinely wants to protect Elle.

Meanwhile Niander gloats of his corporate ascension to his newest creation, the Water Lily, and in traditional bad guy style, monologues about his vision of a world populated by his perfect creations. Maybe it’s my own fault for not seeing Blade Runner 2049 but on its own, I can’t take this guy seriously. Flowery dialogue and robot waifus a villain does not make. Sure, he’s the mastermind behind almost everything, but he really doesn’t feel like a threat.

He does, however, get some villainous moments by sending Water Lily to retire Black Lotus when he sees through Joseph’s lie on having gotten rid of Elle. In actuality, Joseph has convinced Elle to get her memories purged and even contacted Officer Davis to apprehend Elle so she will be safe. But the Water Lily is too much for simple security guards and she effortlessly breaks into the building where Elle is in the process of her memory wipe. Lily kills the memory maker who undoes Elle’s purge with his last breath and sets the stage for a dramatic battle between Niander Wallace Jr.’s two pivotal creations.

Overall, not a bad episode. Fairly engaging. Not an amazing one, but a marked improvement over some of the season’s earlier shows. Honestly, if they removed the entire Doll Hunt aspect of this show and just keep the focus to the Wallace dynasty, you could probably get a decent movie out of this, rather than a middling 13 episode show. But on it’s own, this episode at least does the basics of setting up for a finale. Motivations are being revealed, plot threads are aligning, and the best character in the show is probably going to appear in the next episode (side note: I’d happily watch a Marlowe spin-off).

Two episodes left. The series has been a steady path to end stronger than it began. Will it pull it off? God willing. And if not? Well…it’ll be over in 2 weeks.