Recap

A mysterious case of collapsing building is sweeping through the city, but it seems to have no link to Roidmude attacks. Meanwhile, Shinnosuke has issues with a journalist looking for the scoop on Kamen Rider.

Aqua’s Thoughts

Zigg and I are savvy enough at this point to know that Kamen Rider‘s monster-of-the-week based episodes rely around twists you can figure out quite easily if you pay enough attention, but the formula still works as far as the intended audience is concerned. Nevertheless, Drive seems to give viewers a surprising lack of material to work with, as it is reluctant to explain just how exactly the Roidmudes work. Each one of them has to feed on a certain something in order to evolve, and when they all evolve, bad stuff happens, but then why exactly does the show keep featuring Roidmudes that have already evolved? Doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose?Anyway, this week’s episode showed us that the monsters can rope in and equip human associates for their mutual benefit, yet aside from providing really the only surprise the episode’s set up would accommodate for, Drive doesn’t do a fat lot with this revelation. Both the villainous Hideo Kojima-lookalike and his fashion victim target are painstakingly dull and the last-minute ‘twist’ feels like a cop-out to artificially pad out the story over two episodes. It’s rather telling for a show that doesn’t really focus on any of its elements, be it character interactions or interesting mechanics, and as a result ends up feeling like a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Nevertheless, though nothing to write home about, this episode did have enough enjoyable bits to yield a generally positive impression. In spite of all its flaws in hindsight, Drive remains an entertaining show to watch, thanks to its solid action, over-the-top performances and endearing lead characters. It’s only upon tackling it from the same angles as Gaim that its shortcomings become evident, but the fact remains that as we speak, Drive is still part of the better half of the Kamen Rider legacy. After all, you can never judge a Kamen Rider show before the second Rider joins the fray.

Random Observations

• A lot more hilariously incompetent law enforcement this week, including witnesses randomly waltzing onto crime scenes and Shinnosuke assaulting the same witness without an arrest warrant. Don’t try this at home, kids!
• The token scene with Hayase was sort of pointless. Hayase is a decent candidate for the role of secondary Rider, though I get the feeling he’s too similar to Shinnosuke, both physically and personality-wise, to cut it. That mean the other obvious candidate, Chase, is the likelier.
• Gentaro called, he would like his unwieldy winch back.

Zigg’s Thoughts

It’s another minor but meaningful evolution for the Drive formula this week, as the writing team continue to come up with interesting ways to spin the monster-of-the-week mystery. I’m particularly encouraged by the tack they take this episode though, as it focuses more on the human side of the drama than wacky sci-fi twists. I particularly like the way that both of the photographers are made to look shifty in different ways. We suspect Hideo Kojima because, well, isn’t it obvious? And we suspect his counterpart because he’s just too much of a goody two shoes, and we’ve been conditioned to suspect the least likely candidate. The subsequent twist doesn’t feel like too much of a cop-out and brings an important new possibility to the Roidmudes.

The major issue that counterbalances that praise is the fact that this feels like an alarmingly bitty episode. It has trouble really getting going and that’s been a worrying recurring theme in Drive so far. It definitely has something to do wit the lack of character cohesion they’re bringing to the table. At seven episodes in the argument that we’re just getting to know them is losing credence fast, and I still don’t really feel a tangible connection to most of the members of the team, Shinnosuke included. The larger cast is a welcome attempt to make this more of an ensemble piece but the show has done a poor job of telling us who they are or why we should care about them. Without that, Drive can continue to entertain, but it’ll have trouble truly engaging.

Random Observations

• At episode seven, it’s no surprise to see them start to lay on the unsubtle hints about Chase’s true identity, likely as Proto-Drive. Second Riders normally show up around episodes 12-15 so yeah, I think we can all see where this is going.
• The jump cut to Kiriko driving was a genuinely laugh out loud moment for me.
• A lot of the plot of this episode revolves around trying to ‘get the scoop’ on Kamen Rider, despite the fact that SHINNOSUKE WEARS THE BELT AND BRACELET AND DRIVES THE CAR EVERYWHERE IN HIS CIVILIAN IDENTITY. I mean, I knwo some suspension if disbelief is required, but come on.