Posted 27 April 2010 - 08:55 PM
It says something when the week's episode of Ariyoshi is more interesting than the week's Shukan. It's still hardly a programme that makes you F5 the tracker page like AKBingo, but this episode was rather interesting. They seem to be experimenting with a lot of different ideas and trying to find some kind of direction to take the programme.
I felt really sorry for Asuka. It was a bit risky actually, the whole thing relied on Asuka reacting as calmly and rationally as she did. I'm not convinced I would have acted quite as calmly as she did! Plus I found it a little hard to watch the events knowing that Asuka actually did think she was being bullied, and whilst it all ended happily-ever-after, it wasn't 'enjoyable' viewing. Still, it's nice to see an genuine scenario being portrayed after Shukan - their conversation just felt so forced and laboured because they knew they were in camera, the entire thing just felt fake... even the presence of Mayu failed to make the thing entertaining.
The gag got a bit old towards the end when they all started doing it though, it doesn't really have the same effect when the other people knows what you're doing. Still, this is an improvement. I'd like to see a few more of the Kenkyuusei being included in future.