Images: Kinema Citrus
What we’ve speculated would happen, did in fact happen, but that doesn’t make it any less painful.
I have no words in my vocabulary to accurately describe the flood of emotions I went through while watching the latest episode of My Happy Marriage Season 2. At this point, I feel like the title “My Happy Marriage” is a big fat scam – because where, oh where, is the happy marriage in this smorgasbord of pain and suffering? I'm catching myself wishing that the relaxed mood of episode 8 never went away.
Warning: major plot points ahead
My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 9, titled “Dream Tidings," is the depressive kicker that this show has been hinting at in its past entries. And although the many events leading up to this somewhat prepares you for what to expect, the impact of this dark episode is still heavy and incredibly palpable.
Betrayal upon betrayal, upon betrayal
Episode 9 immediately immerses you in the thick of things. Godo and the Anti-Grotesquerie Unit face off against a Grotesquerie, who seems to have the ability to repel elemental attacks. Godo defeats it nevertheless, and as they investigate its appearance, another group of Unit members discuss a recent leak of information at the military base.
This seemingly unassuming discussion immediately gives us the first betrayal of the episode. As they discuss what to do in the face of this threat, a fellow member reveals that he’s in cahoots with the Gifted Communion, and kills his fellow officers in cold blood. This proves that Usui already has his claws deep within the military rank, showing us that no matter what Kiyoka and Miyo do, he’s always been breathing right down their backs. Evident since, in the aftermath of the murders, Usui could be seen walking into the military base.
As the military, which includes Kiyoka and Kazushi, discovers a mysterious orb within the defeated Grotesquerie, it’s revealed that Usui has placed a barrier in the core that makes ordinary humans transform– a barrier that’s capable of repelling elemental attacks. Although they immediately start attempting to unravel its mysteries, the scene shifts to Miyo finding herself in a dream.
In the dream, Miyo witnesses Naoshi Usui infiltrating the Saimori house to convince Sumi to leave with him, in what we can assume to be their last meeting. Of course, Sumi refuses Usui’s invitation, even though he points out to her that everything he's been doing has been for Sumi, even going so far as to create the Gifted Communion to take over the world for her.
But Sumi sees it differently. Deep within her she’s foolishly convinced that Usui still has a shred of humanity in him, and that he can find something else to cherish so that he could live a new life with the Usuba family. Sumi doesn’t regret being married into the Saimori house because at the end of it, she gave birth to Miyo.
But it doesn’t seem that Usui really ever understood Sumi’s wishes for him, marking the second betrayal in the episode. Usui betrayed Sumi’s wishes by selfishly pursuing his greed for power. He interacts with Miyo in the dream and tells her that to him, Sumi was everything. His greatest regret was not being able to save Sumi. And now that she’s gone, he wants the world to be destroyed and run by those with Usuba family powers, mainly by Miyo herself. He posits that thanks to Miyo’s power, she too will have the ability to control people’s minds – a power that he believes Miyo will want sooner or later.
But of course Miyo refuses, because who would want that? Miyo standing up to Usui is a testament to the strength she had built up for herself throughout the series. And although it only shows through for a brief moment, it’s incredibly powerful to see Miyo be resolute in her convictions given that a season ago, things might have turned out differently.
We also find out that the minister of education is working with Usui for selfish reasons, marking a third betrayal; this time against the country and Prince Takaihito. It’s no surprise that the minister of education is just a nondescript, stereotypically corrupt government official who wants to become prime minister, but it doesn’t make it any less infuriating.
But what really got me was the fourth betrayal, and I think any fan of this show will agree.
Arata when I catch you Arata
Look, it’s not surprising that Arata betrayed Miyo and Kiyoka. Given the direction of his character this season, it’s clear that out of all of them, he was the easiest to fall under Naoshi Usui’s manipulative spell. It’s difficult to rationalise Arata’s decisions right now. The way he completely and utterly tore Miyo and Kiyoka apart was incredibly painful to see, and definitely unforgivable.
But I can’t help but try to find more meaning behind his actions. Maybe he isn't being manipulated at all, maybe he's going rogue and planning a long con that necessitated his acting this way. Maybe he’ll do away with Usui once he gets comfortable enough with Arata.
The maybes are still only that: theories, and a desire for a different route for Arata. We can’t ignore the brutality at which Arata revealed his betrayal. Seeing Kiyoka wounded and close to death was a moment that made me repeatedly look away from the screen while wiping the tears and snot off my face.
And when Kiyoka finally confesses his love to Miyo, it felt like a blinding punch in the gut. I wanted to shake the shoulders of whoever directed this episode so badly and scream “You said it was a happy marriage! Where’s the ‘happy’ marriage in all of this?!" Man, I just wanted Miyo and Kiyoka fluff, not Miyo and Kiyoka tragic angst.
This devastating event aside, you can’t help but wonder about what comes next. It seems like a hopeless situation now that Usui has finally revealed the extent of his control and power. With Kiyoka gone from Miyo’s side, how will Miyo face all of this without the encouragement of her husband-to-be? Well, let’s hope that the next episode answers our questions.
If you want to glean more information, look into missed details, or just read our thoughts on each episode, we’ve compiled a My Happy Marriage Season 2 review collection for your perusal!
