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The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4: Favorites

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The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4 – Quick Summary

In The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4, “The cowl does not make the monk.”, Chise found herself and Ruth suddenly elsewhere. They were even standing on water! Stella was nowhere to be seen. Who or what called them here? Was Stella okay? Did Elias know she had been summoned? And how was she going to get to school the next day?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4

The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2 Episode 4: Chise appreciated Rahab's efforts

Language can be hard. Chise knows all about that! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

My favorite quote this week is a duet. Rahab had called Chise to her place because she sensed someone else wearing the necklace she had given Elias. Once she learned that Chise was his apprentice, she wanted to know more about Elias – who had been her charge.

When Rahab had taken Elias in, he knew almost nothing of the human world. Rahab decided she would teach him all she could. She became his role model – showing him how to take care of a garden, how to keep a home going, and other basics of human living.

Learning about family proved difficult for him. Even for “normal” humans, it can be a challenging topic. The conversation got even more difficult and nebulous when Elias asked what a bride was. Rahab’s explanation wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t complete. He knew Rahab wasn’t his bride, but he knew a bride was a partner or someone he wanted to be with. She told him he’d have to find a bride just for him.

Mindful that Elias now considered Chise his bride, Rahab, head on the table, said (10:46), “I mean, I tried my best to explain, I swear.”

“I get it,” Chise said, trying not to become angry (10:51). Even Ruth looked judgmental. “I greatly appreciate your effort.”

So, it’s all Rahab’s fault!

Favorite Moment from The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Episode 4

The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2 Episode 4: Rahab could not believe what Chise told her

Chise’s words spoke to the hopes Rahab had cherished and feared would not come to fruition. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Some Things Seem Beyond Hope

Chise is a gracious soul. She thinks about what people have done for her, and she appreciates it. In this episode, she expressed that to Rahab in such a way that it hit really close to home – as did Rahab’s reaction.

Have you ever raised a child with special needs? My son’s deaf. I’ve talked before about how, when he was small, I wore hearing aids just to see if people treated me differently in public. They did. Very much so, in fact. That glimpse into the world of prejudice, sometimes innocent and well-meaning, sometimes driven by cruelty, helped me understand what my son would face.

So, I did what any reasonable parent would do. I worried. I tried to prepare him for the world, but I felt deep concern that he would have a hard time of it. That’s a natural parent thing to do. I don’t make any special claim to virtue; I just did what was natural. But for his entire life, I worried.

The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2 Episode 4: Rahab was shocked to hear that Chise was Elias' bride

Rahab’s surprises began as soon as Ruth told her Chise was Elias’ bride. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

You remember my favorite quote, don’t you? Rahab had tried to teach Elias, but she felt like a failure. Later in the episode, she confided that she felt like she had not prepared Elias for the world because he couldn’t even smile.

Chise was happy to correct Rahab on that point. She said that Elias does smile, even if he himself doesn’t know it. Rahab seemed shocked, but in a quietly joyous way. Chise had just said something that was beyond her expectations. Within her hope, maybe, but not something she expected to hear.

Delivery: Chise’s Gift to Rahab, of Rahab’s Own Making

Chise went on to describe the whole range of emotions that Elias showed her. Rahab seemed in a daze. She finally laughed and told Chise how glad she was that the two of them had found each other.

But Chise wasn’t done. She actually made Rahab’s mouth open in astonishment as she described how Elias had turned into a “proper mage.”

The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2 Episode 4: Chise told Rahab how Elias had turned himself into a proper mage

Chise told Rahab how well Elias had been doing – even if Elias himself didn’t realize it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Then came my favorite moment. Chise said (14:30), “I’m certain it’s all because he imitated you, Rahab-san. And that’s the Elias who rescued me. So that was thanks to you, too.”

Rahab’s delight was familiar to me – the delight of a parent who sees their special needs child grow up and not only survive, but to find their place in the world and thrive. It’s not a finality. It’s the next plateau. Because now Rahab will feel a whole new set of hopes and expectations. But they’ll be built on a foundation of gratitude. That makes them easier to bear. 

Moments like this are why I watch this series.

What did you think of the conditions for using the shortcut? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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