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The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16: Favorites – Quick Summary
In The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 episode 16, “Needs must when the devil drives. II,” the students decided to break curfew and play a game of daring. The game took second seat, though, as Veronica began questioning Chise about Philomela. What did Veronica want to know? Why was she so curious? And just what is her angle, anyway?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16: Favorites
Those who can utter an effective reprimand with an expression like this are the political equivalent of a strategic weapon. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I think it’s pretty clear that I have a low opinion of Philomela’s evil grandma. Yeah, sure, there are two sides to every story. But I think her story has two evil sides to it. The more we learn about her, the more convinced I am that this fictional world would be better off without her.
Which is why I so enjoyed my favorite quote this week. Apparently, the Sargants are a vassal of Veronica’s family, the Rickenbackers. When they were children, Philomela had been assigned to Veronica, and at one of Veronica’s birthday parties, Philomela had been a taste tester. Veronica’s birthday cake had been poisoned – and the results for Philomela were pretty appalling.
Later, evil grandma presented three new candidates to Veronica to chose as a replacement. Even as a child, Veronica had learned to adopt royal bearing – and she was really good at it. She said she didn’t want any of these boys. She wanted to keep Philomela, who was still recovering. Evil grandma objected.
“Lizbeth Sergeant,” Veronica said sweetly (08:24). “This isn’t a request.”
Seeing that evil visage twist in obedience was, I’m ashamed to say, very satisfying.
Favorite Moment from The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16
Philomela had no idea how to interpret what Veronica told her. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: A World with Poisoned Birthday Cakes
This episode shed some light on Veronica, didn’t it? I’d been half considering her to be a villain. After this episode? Hmmmm.
Seeing how she grew up in a household where intrigue was so prevalent that you can’t even trust a child’s birthday cake cast Veronica in a whole new light. Seeing her slap down the evil grandma wasn’t just my favorite quote. It showed that Veronica had become adept at command. She issued the order as if it weren’t just the most natural thing to do. It was also the most obvious thing to do.
Veronica found Philomela with her cheek showing damage from evil grandma’s slap. Philomela explained that it was punishment for not noticing the poison before eating it. Then – get this! – Philomela apologized that Veronica had to see that. The wounded Philomela apologized for being wounded!
A shared life experience with Philomela seemed to click with Veronica. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Smiling, tilting her head in sympathy, Veronica said something that I completely didn’t expect. She said (09:00), “You’re in a cage, too, aren’t you?”
Delivery: Veronica Seeks Allies Where She Can
Philomela didn’t know how to respond. Her confusion grew when Veronica said was in a similar position. Still smiling, Veronica took both of Philomela’s hands and said (09:10), “If you can’t escape your cage, it may as well be a nicer cage, right?” Then Veronica said she was choosing Philomela as her servant.
The idea of an aristocracy is tough for me to accept – as tough as the recent trend in the United States for the government to insert itself into family decisions about medical treatment or any of a who new series of decisions. I think we have a duty to seek freedom and support it for others. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Even in modern times, Veronica seemed to feel caged. I wonder if she sees an opportunity in Chise? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
But were I born into a situation like Veronica’s, I have to wonder if I’d have the courage to reach out to someone like Philomela. Or the wit to recognize the opportunity. Maintaining any kind of self respect – or even a sense of self – must take an enormous amount of effort. Even thinking about that makes me grateful for the freedoms I have remaining. And even more determined to push back against the attacks on those freedoms.
I might not have Chise’s reservoir of magical energy. But I can be pretty tenacious if I have to be. I wonder if that will be enough, in the final analysis?
What did you think of the reveal at the end? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mahou Tsukai no Yome Season 2 Part 2 • The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 – Episode 16 discussion
- Kvasir369: Ancient Magus Bride: Season 2 – Episode 16 Review
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 13 – Nothing venture, nothing have. I
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 14 – Nothing venture, nothing have. II
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Needs must when the devil drives. I
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 16: Needs must when the devil drives. II
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 17: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 18: Coming events cast their shadows before.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 19: Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 20: Even a worm will turn.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 21: A burnt child dreads the fire.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 22: Give a thief enough rope and he’ll hang himself.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 23: Of two evils choose the less.
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 24: The show must go on. I
