ROJ Episode 12 Notes

RETURN OF JETMAN

"Know Your Enemy"
(Episode 12)
Production Notes
by Christopher Elam
© 2009-2010 Christopher Elam

 

Episode 12 - "Know Your Enemy" wrapped principal writing on May 6, 2003. The title (probably the best of the ROJ series) has a double-meaning which should be obvious after reading the episode. The operative phrase is "Know your enemy, know yourself," but going with that as the full title would have tipped my hand fairly early.

I'm quite happy with the way this episode turned out, though it was not universally beloved. It does sort of backpedal a little from the rather insane cliffhanger of the previous episode, but that was something I knew would happen ahead of time. I just felt all the elements managed to tie together in a completely satisfying way.

• The early revelation of Etsuko's plight was a tactical decision that didn't necessarily sit well with all readers. It was important to me to establish that something very strange was going on in this story, and the opening clearly threw the events of the previous episode into question. I think there was a sense of disappointment in some quarters that I didn't follow through on the radical promise of the cliffhanger, but...well, I'll deal with that later in these notes.
  
  
  
• I attempted to subtly place the flashback in the opening sequence into its proper place in continuity for Ep. 9. Here's a hint - would the real Etsuko have acted the way she did in Ken's bedroom? Especially after what had happened?
  
  
  
• Someone else was living Etsuko's life. - This "mental connection" twist on the standard imposter plotline turned out to be absolutely vital in making the episode work. It added an immediacy to the story that might have been lacking without it, and proved to be the key to the climax. Not too shabby when you realize it wasn't part of the original plan.
  
  
  
• The revelation that Gai (and Kei!) knew about Ken's duplicity in Episode 7 was bought in to ratchet up the almost unbearable level of tension among the remaining Jetmen.
  
  
  
• "I mean, what's a traitor, after all?"/"A traitor is a dirty motherfu..." - This exchange is based on a similar one in the martial arts films THOUSAND MILE ESCORT. And yes, its English dubbing defines "traitor" in just such colorful terms.
  
  
  
• The identity of "Grey Shrike" was created by Lewis for the original draft of Episode 5, as discussed in the notes for that episode. I chose to recycle it for the "evil" White Swan in this story because I felt it was a strong name and it reduced the possibility of confusing her with the real Etsuko.
  
  
  
• Neither the city of Sapporo nor Mt. Shokanbetsu (both on the island of Hokkaido) got enough attention in Japanese sci-fi, so I used them in incidental fashion.
  
  
  
• Chaos Pollux survived Ep. 11 and accompanied "White Swan" during her escape. As you can see, that didn't work out for him.
  
  
  
• Betrayal is a long-standing tradition among sentai villains, and Grey Shrike's felt logical after the events of Ep. 8. Her "link" to the real Etsuko also granted her ice powers, as seen here. Look, don't ask, just buy it. And yes, this scene revealed her TRUE identity if there was any doubt.
  
  
  
• The exploration of Etsuko's character, and her perceived culpability in Grey Shrike's actions, was what made this story special to me. She was one of the harder characters to nail down when the series started, so it was satisfying to reach the point here where I felt I understood her and everything that had happened with her.
  

  It's worth noting that it was an open question when work began on the ROJ revival whether she would really turn on her teammates or not. I just didn't know, and let the story flow as it would. I did at one point conceptualize her evil identity as the wholly alien "Ice Princess"/"Ice Queen" and envisioned how this might play out at the story's conclusion.
  

  I ultimately chose the route I did because I felt her potential motives for betraying not only her team but her planet were just too thin. She seemed too moral to make that choice, and I couldn't justify it. I hinted at this with her reactions in Ep. 5, by which time plans had become more fully formed for the "backstabbing" plot.
  
  
  

• Jet Cruiser is ROJ's answer to the "carrier ships" that were at one time a staple of the sentai series. An early example (and chief inspiration) is Battle Shark in BATTLE FEVER J, which both held Battle Fever Robo and launched from an underwater base.
  
  
  
• Poseidon Base, Skyforce's headquarters in the Pacific Ocean, is a tribute to "Center Neptune" from the BATTLE OF THE PLANETS cartoon series. It was first alluded to in the previous episode.
  
  
  
• There was considerable debate on precisely what form Victory Fighter/Victory Icarus (christened by Lewis) would take. Originally, the plan called for what were termed "capsule fighters", or perhaps smaller robots akin to the ones featured in KAKURANGER. It was eventually decided to go for a concept similar to Phoenix Fighter, which it was replacing in the continuity anyway. Victory Icarus being regarded as sleeker and doing martial arts moves was inspired by the aforementioned KAKURANGER mecha, as well as some well-placed MASKMAN references.
  
  
  
• Somewhat tellingly, only Ken dismisses the notion out of hand that Grey Shrike is not really Etsuko at all.
  
  
  
• Etsuko's escape might have been a lot more explicit and/or brutal had I been feeling particularly feisty when I wrote it. As it stands, it dabbled in both aspects in a way that might shock some people. This sequence is also the first time that any of the Jetmen display their powers out of their special costumes. Etsuko using hers to "disguise" herself was a very unusual touch, but one I liked.
  
  
  
• Miira's intent to build the suspicion and dislike between Ken and Kei back in Ep. 8 paid off in the end, as they are still contentious even in Jet Cruiser's cockpit.
  
  
  
• Ken's doubts about assuming the leadership of the team were expressed in Ep. 9, so his offer to resign felt like a natural conclusion (even if it isn't accepted).
  
  
  
• "Turbo Lasers" either comes from STAR WARS or TURBORANGER. Take your pick.
  
  
  
• "Victory Fighter - TAKE OFF!" - This command was inspired by a similar one in GODZILLA VS. DESTROYER.
  
  
  
• Victory Icarus' control globes were drawn from similar devices found in the robot Daireno in GOSEI SENTAI DAIRANGER.
  
  
  
• I didn't really expect anyone to believe a block of ice would hold Lord Xenotos for any length of time. His breaking free just comes quicker than Miira probably hoped. His decision to take his marbles (and Hedes) and go home points up his conflict over the situation. He could have taken a side and then turned on his ally, but he doesn't. He just leaves.
  
  
  
• After a flurry of activity and explanations, Miira's ace in the hole regarding that tricky mental connection comes into play during the finale. I am kind of proud of this, as it heightens the danger for the heroes and serves as a logical explanation why Miira would keep Etsuko alive.
  
  
  
• Green Wyvern's powers were not created specifically to resolve this problem, but they were literally too perfect to resist here. So Kei got to be a hero, and Etsuko got a glimpse into what makes Kei tick in the bargain. As seen later in the story, this is the genesis of them burying the hatchet and possibly becoming friends.
  
  
  
• Reiko & Gohan finally make their relationship a romantic one. Reiko's smoking habit, a minor subplot, is quietly tabled in passing. I wonder how many people noticed?
  
  
  
• The revelation that Ken had proposed to "Etsuko" puts a different spin on his thoughts and actions in this episode. A special source of pride for me is that I didn't go for the easy way out and have Ken and Etsuko end up back in love with everything forgiven. It's not that nice and neat.
  
  
  
• Toranza is still understandably bitter over the events of Episode 8. His Agony Cap (OK, yes, a dunce cap) was something that Lewis felt would be particularly amusing. He was right.
  
  
  
• A problem that arose in writing Episode 12 was that it demanded that Miira be killed off at the end. This was a problem because I sort of needed her for subsequent episodes, yet there was no logical way to keep her around. Re-enter Red Kestrel from Episode 5, or at least a reasonable facsimile created via some mumbo jumbo. Her role is to fill the void left by Miira's absence. It didn't hurt that her reappearance made for a suitably compelling ending
  

 

© Christopher Elam.