"Brain Scratch" Review (Cowboy Bebop)

Hello everyone: hope you've all been keeping well given the circumstances. I usually don't like to go out unless I have to even under normal circumstances, so I'm pretty good at finding things to do inside. On that note, I've been wanting to review this last string of Cowboy Bebop episodes that make up the denouement of the series for a while; and that time is upon me. So, let's get this started and open up "Brain Scratch!"

After the opening theme, the title relates to a cult named Scratch; and the episode contains a plot thread going through multiple different TV stations that also relate to their leader's manifesto.

"We are controlling transmission."

Scratch's purpose is for their followers to have their consciousness uploaded online; with their physical bodies being seen as limitations. So, just imagine if the Heaven's Gate guy (no relation to the infamous flop film) wanted to enter the Matrix and you've got it.

The channel switches to CBC News, with its anchor Mark Rather reporting on the Scratch cult and their leader Londes; who are under investigation for kidnapping. Wouldn't be the first time, and I refer you to the previous paragraph on that one.

On the other extreme end of the spectrum, we have what appears to be a sort of "shockumentary" on the "Insane Order Scratch," complete with scare chords and a much grainier video quality. 

Still trust them more than the Daily Mail.

The channel then switches to a different pair of commentators, showing how Scratch's followers upload their minds through a new game console; which I just find amusing, as I do many works that try to predict what the future will be like. They can manipulate brainwaves even though it looks like the fusion of a Virtual Boy and a Jaguar CD. So, more than enough reason for me to stay away.

Though Londes was once a respected neuroscientist before he formed this cult, Dr. David Levinson dismisses the idea as "science fiction." I don't know about that: the only difference between that and "science fact" in my book is time.

The TV switches to another talk show, where the person being interviewed has had her face and voice obscured to protect their identity; but her son has been kidnapped by Scratch! There's even commercials, such as this one for an exercise machine with a built-in CD changer! Yes, we've had options in our exercise machines for that long; even with the mess of that horrible Peloton ad.

Now comes the main plot of this episode: it turns out that Faye Valentine, haunted by her past; has fallen in with the cult in an attempt to elude her debtors! The other crew members of the Bebop must find her before it's too late!

When Spike and Jet catch wind of this, they're disgusted; especially in Spike's case. To think people were mad about Trolls World Tour.

The TV switches back to an ad for the console from earlier, called the "Brain Dream!" It may be the main tool of the cult leader's plan, but it's still probably more reliable than Google Stadia.

Checking Dr. Londes' particulars, it turns out he also has a bounty of 38 million Wulongs on his head for murder!

Back with Faye, she runs into an ominous wall of monitors as Spike and Jet investigate on the surface; while Ed searches for Londes herself back on the Bebop. Spike even feigns interest while talking to one of Scratch's followers on the street! Jet also tries to talk to the last of Londes' surviving colleagues, but he seems unsure whether he's coping with senility or there for microwave cookery.

Spike's attempts to "join the migration" to find Londes are fruitless, but I just love the face Ed makes back on the ship during her search! Enjoy it while it lasts: next time will be a doozy.

Back on the TV, the program "Big Shot" comes on with Dr. Londes' bounty, but not much else. It turns out that tracking the doctor is a difficult task.

It also turns out that it's the last bounty, as the show has been canceled due to poor ratings! The female host, Judy; is so livid that she breaks character and demands to speak with her agent about this! Wouldn't be the first time, nor the last. 

All three searches are seemingly fruitless, but just then; Ed gets a call from Faye, who seems a bit worse for the wear as she claims she can pay her debts. This prompts Spike to continue his search on while Jet goes to get a Brain Dream console from a local toy store! Your mileage may very on whether or not that qualifies as "essential," but personally; I'm good with just ordering things online or direct from the eShop/PSN Store. That way, just need to make sure I have enough storage space. Probably getting the new Final Fantasy VII and Animal Crossing when I can, especially since I was just waiting for updates to go live on the latter. Also hearing good things about Doom Eternal.

Though Spike is skeptical about trying to use the game console to find Londes, Jet reassures him to keep searching while he picks it up; since he mentions it's a big-ticket item. Side note: I'm waiting to see what other people think of the PS5 and Xbox Series X first, but I am liking what I've seen and heard so far. The new "Dualsense" actually isn't as drastic a redesign as the infamous PS3 "boomerang" prototype, nor this "Toon Ray Dear" standee in the store spoofing both Tomb Raider and Jessica Rabbit at once. Hi, let me guess: Laura Craft?

Jet successfully procures the console, and with Ed's help; the two start diving in under the login and screen name "Marshall Banana." Not the weirdest screen name I've seen, but I do like this visual of Jet wearing the VR headset.

"All right, first we save Faye and get the bounty; then we see if this thing can run Half-Life: Alyx!"

As the screen is shown on Ed's monitor, I do love this part of Ein barking at it like our new puppy, Angel. 

"A Shiny Zamazenta for a Level 1-10 Yamper? That's absurd even for me!"

Thankfully, before Jet is lost; Ein bites his thigh, which allows him to tell Spike that the game system does impact the sympathetic nerves of the brain through a high frequency pulse; which he relays while tending his wounds. Figures the dog would help: those can be trained to detect anything from diseases to Terminators.

As Spike decides to finally "join the migration", Ein wears the headset while Ed and Jet continue trying to find Londes online! I just love this visual I've screencapped: again, enjoy this moment with the dog while it lasts.

Using another login and the screen name "Gina Szanboti," Ed is able to start cracking Scratch's code in more ways than one! As Ed's program starts peeling back the layers, Jet comes to a startling realization!

Elsewhere, Spike comes across a rundown building as Jet discovers that Londes was a complete fabrication! His history, his very person never existed! It was all data in cyberspace that operates from the location of Alles Valley Hospice! As Spike continues his investigation, Jet scoops up Ed to slip in by posing as family! I think they make a cute pair, the morally-ambiguous bounty hunter and a playful hacker.

As Spike finds Faye among the monitors, Jet and Ed are trying to bluff their way into the hospice! These two are just so wholesome here.

Jet and Ed are able to make it inside the hospice, and it turns out that Spike isn't the first bounty hunter that's come for Londes, as their remains can attest. This scene here as Spike stands in front of all the monitors is a fantastic piece of speculative fiction, with Londes' existentialism contrasting the more grounded Spike.

Of course, while Spike sees through the facade; Jet discovers that Londes' fabrication was indeed purely digital, finding the source of its signature in the hospital bed! Ed then gets to work on deactivating the signal.

Londes' essence starts trying to entrance Spike; and he responds in kind by shooting at the monitors! Given the difference between the two characters, I'm not surprised Spike is taking the Elvis route of dealing with Londes' words.

Moreover, once Spike starts turning Londes' own tactics against him; the doctor does not take it well. This gives Ed just enough time to deactivate Londes for good! It turns out the true nature of Londes was a comatose young man named Rosny Spanigen; and it was just a dream of his as the digital threat is shut down. We close on Spike and Faye reuniting, and Ed hoping that the young man's next dream is a good one. 

"Brain Scratch" is a mindbending cyberpunk fever dream, and a fantastic episode of one of my favorite series ever. The copy I used on Adult Swim's stream did a great job with remastering the animation and sound, and the story is a unique take on the idea of technology and television being portrayed with cultlike devotion. It's a speculative fiction concept that's endured for decades, and will likely continue to adapt to changes over time. The mystery at the center of this one also has a bittersweet ending to help set up for the show's end. I will discuss this more in my next review, and I hope you all are making sure to stay healthy over the past month. See you, space cowboy.