Death Note: "Renewal" Review
Not too much to review here as "Renewal" serves to mostly recap Death Note's major plot points so that it can move into its third and final act. We start on L's case files, every clue that has lead him to believe that Light Yagami is "Kira". It also serves as a reminder that we as an audience have just lost arguably the best character on the show. When the case file ends, we catch a glimpse of Light salting our wounds and deleting the data. Worse, the investigation force appoints Light as the new L.
In just a short time, Light moves in with Misa, becomes the new L, and tells Ryuk he will now create the brave new world he promised to. We are then treated to a very cool montage that spans five years. Light kills off every member of the Yotsuba group, L's American allies, and countless criminals. He's entered the police force and risen to power. Entire nations have declared themselves in support of Kira. Light has won the battle… for now.
The final minutes of the episode flash back to present day. L's computer counts down to zero and transmits a final communication, "L is dead." Roger, the caretaker of the Wammy House orphanage, receives the sad news. Roger then tells two young boys named Mello and Near the fate of the great detective. The episode ends with Mello's shocked and horrified expression. But one thing is clear… this battle isn't over yet.
Either way, it is impossible not to feel the vacuum left from L's absence. When a lonely nerdling spoiled the concept of L dying early on for me, I was stunned. How could Tsugumi Ohba kill off her most interesting character? What a horrible mistake. Was this a case of Lucas-itus or Wachowski syndrome? Was she destroying her once brilliant creation? At the time, I was pretty certain she was. The series promise from early on was a game of "cat and mouse" between Light and L. To end that game early and kill L was a tremendously ballsy and risky move. Will it be Death Note without him? The answer is yes… and no.
The case for no is an easy one. L was the Japanese Batman, an iconic master detective who was always a thousand steps ahead of the game. Would Light be as interesting if there wasn't a powerful blocking character in his way? And how tantalizing was it that L finally discovered the supernatural source of Kira's power? So much more could have been done, so many twists. And lets face it, L died like a punk. His melancholy rooftop/foot rub scenes spoke more of giving up than anything else. Bottom line, L had more to do. Lots more.
Now, the case for yes... Death Note CAN go on without him. First, L will never truly be gone. As his successors move in for revenge, the spirit of his character will never be lost. Second, have you ever hated Light Yagami more? The stakes have been raised to an all time high. Kira now rules the world unchallenged. So, if you hate Light, you gotta stay in the game to see him go down. And if I'm a betting man, he'll go down hard, crying like a baby. That's why I'll be tuning in. Stay tuned, next week we'll learn more about Near, Mello, and the hunt for "Kira".
In just a short time, Light moves in with Misa, becomes the new L, and tells Ryuk he will now create the brave new world he promised to. We are then treated to a very cool montage that spans five years. Light kills off every member of the Yotsuba group, L's American allies, and countless criminals. He's entered the police force and risen to power. Entire nations have declared themselves in support of Kira. Light has won the battle… for now.
The final minutes of the episode flash back to present day. L's computer counts down to zero and transmits a final communication, "L is dead." Roger, the caretaker of the Wammy House orphanage, receives the sad news. Roger then tells two young boys named Mello and Near the fate of the great detective. The episode ends with Mello's shocked and horrified expression. But one thing is clear… this battle isn't over yet.
- Adultswim.com
The bad guy wins...for now.
Either way, it is impossible not to feel the vacuum left from L's absence. When a lonely nerdling spoiled the concept of L dying early on for me, I was stunned. How could Tsugumi Ohba kill off her most interesting character? What a horrible mistake. Was this a case of Lucas-itus or Wachowski syndrome? Was she destroying her once brilliant creation? At the time, I was pretty certain she was. The series promise from early on was a game of "cat and mouse" between Light and L. To end that game early and kill L was a tremendously ballsy and risky move. Will it be Death Note without him? The answer is yes… and no.
The case for no is an easy one. L was the Japanese Batman, an iconic master detective who was always a thousand steps ahead of the game. Would Light be as interesting if there wasn't a powerful blocking character in his way? And how tantalizing was it that L finally discovered the supernatural source of Kira's power? So much more could have been done, so many twists. And lets face it, L died like a punk. His melancholy rooftop/foot rub scenes spoke more of giving up than anything else. Bottom line, L had more to do. Lots more.
Now, the case for yes... Death Note CAN go on without him. First, L will never truly be gone. As his successors move in for revenge, the spirit of his character will never be lost. Second, have you ever hated Light Yagami more? The stakes have been raised to an all time high. Kira now rules the world unchallenged. So, if you hate Light, you gotta stay in the game to see him go down. And if I'm a betting man, he'll go down hard, crying like a baby. That's why I'll be tuning in. Stay tuned, next week we'll learn more about Near, Mello, and the hunt for "Kira".
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