Logic Fragments: Spending a Day with Satoshi Kon's 'Paranoia Agent'
True [to my word, I took notes](/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=22814222) like a madman all throughout watching all 13 episodes (not 6 hours as I had originally thought, or even 5.5 as advertised, but actually more like 4.75) and boy was I not disappointed. I'm with Variety's [Grady Hendrix] in thinking that [Paranoia Agent](http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/kon/paranoiaagent.html) is Kon's most ambitious and exciting project yet. It's twists and turns make it effortlessly absorbing, tirelessly innovative and genuinely unique. Here for your enjoyment are the highlights of my scribbling. As a word of warning, 'The Clue' gave me a cold on top of the stomach virus I've been slowly getting over for the past few days. I thought it was just the Junior Mints, but it looks like that tickle at the back of my throat will be with me for a few days to come. Ah well. Onward!
Pre-show: Prepubescent Kid: "Paranoia Agent looks kinda weird."
His Bandana-wearing Father: "Good!"
What the hell is [S.O.B.]? Only details: the cast and directed by Blake Edwards.
Episode 1: Lady in the trash is a clue
Parked on top of...510
The Internet is exciting and new...just like in PB ([Perfect Blue]) It's not the only thing that's melting
[Kawaii] is the disease or maybe just a symptom?
Episode 2: Figures that a showoff like Ichi would be a Yankee fan
Ichi can't be Shonen Bat
If Ichi is the fox, who is the rabbit?
Waitaminute, these kids watch the news?
What equals 1? Yuichi! Ichi!
Episode 3: New segue means something: watch for a kaleidoscope
Ghost is not in the machine, but the machine itself
More accurately, the addiction to the machine
Butterfly effect!
Episode 4: Family is perverse, not the family member/patriarch
OMG! Daddy, no!
Drugs are a Mcguffin?
There IS motivation.
Episode 5: Is ours a generation of multiple motivesor none?
Are all old people prophetic? Must talk to grandma more often.
Episode 6: Red eye on T-shirt is a clue.
Everyone is guilty. Everyone did it.
Apocalyptic Flood: Noah 2: Electric Boogaloo
Q: How exactly did the cops solve the first case?
A: It doesn't solve anything.
Episode 7: Megahertz should not be a clue
Praying for Shonen Bat is praying for masochistic relief.
Keep watching for kaleidoscopes
If I look at PA (Paranoia Agent) long enough, will I see all of Kon's film, past and future?
Is 13 a significant number?
Intermission: OK, why is this kid sitting RIGHT next to me?! This is a clue.
No, scratch that. THIS IS THE CLUE.
OK, this is just freaking me out: He's reading ([Lone Wolf and Cub] Vol. 1, which I was looking at earlier this week...wasn't it Wednesday?
TC (The Clue) is suddenly startled by my Junior Mints. Score one for Simon!
For Christ's sake, stop making ([Grendel] boring!
Episode 8: Why is the other cop (the less faithful one-Ikari) the center?
Suicide is slapstick but death isn't that funny
TC's laugh annoys me.
Are the 3 stooges already dead?
Episode 9: Was the Internet the source of the spread of the more pure/final form of Shonen Bat or just a red herring?
New segue: The world [IS] a vampire!
Shonen Bat no longer strikes his adherents but their external problems
Episode 10: Meta-clues!
Gay guy from episode 1
Monkey head should be a clue
Prophetic Vision is the first one that almost makes sense!
Episode 11: "That's just the way it is" doesn't work anymore
Shonen Bat makes sense but not logical sense
Paradigm shift
Don't forget about the black rabbit with the red eyes
Episode 12: No more prophecies?
Shonen Bat=next Maromi
Is that...it IS the old man!
Episode 13: Ooze from Episode 9?
Everything matters
Family=tradition=fail
Darkness=death=invisibility=voyeur death
Current paradigm shift similar to post-war?
Pre-Q&A: Prepubescent Thing 1: "And why do I need to know that?"
Prepubescent Thing 2: "Because we started at 1 o'clock. And it's now 6:30."
Prepubescent Thing 1: "Day or night?'
Q&A: Guy leading the Q&A has a smarmy tone