Psycho Pass Re-Edit: Episode 4 [True Worth]

As per my new favorite norm, the episode is introduced by a monologue from Makishima. From him we hear how people have no trouble killing cows and chickens, but animals that can draw are considered tough to kill. Her proposes that this is in part due to their human resemblance, but moreso thanks to the fact that the idea something might have feelings tends to come with an increased amount of empathy. We see the deep workings of the Sybil System through the eyes of the villain, and the view is very. . .disturbing. He describes a world where absolute values are discarded not because they aren’t needed, but because they were considered too troublesome. The depictions of such things was interfered with as well, destroying much art and culture. People were never forced to face issues of morality or true agony. The world became one where people stagnated and were told what was acceptable to avoid pain and discomfort and then forced to adhere to it. Artists were approved, pieces were recommended. And the pain required to grow as people . . . ceased to exist. Akane and the team found that the dead girl sculpted in the middle of the fountain park was plasticized with the same material as the case from years before – The Specimen Case. It is the same case Kogami’s partner was killed during and the source of his fervid obsession since becoming an Enforcer. Ginoza tells him he’s off the case and the rest of the team think it’s a bad idea, since if anyone knows about the case it would be him. Akane goes to speak to Kogami who is rigorously physically training. Kogami admits he has a plan to be put back on the case and describes the kind of man his old subordinate used to be. He seemed to really like the man Sasayama was and want revenge for his murder. Because of that his hue went South and he became and Enforcer. The only hint he has is a blurry old photo of a man with the file name ‘Makishima’. Meanwhile the girls academy has had girls go missing, and we see Rikako with the unmoving and perfectly still body of Yoshika, one of the ones who went missing. We learn from a dialogue with Makishima that Rikako’s father was once an artist who painted vulgar images of girls in order to force humanity to confront the darkness within themselves. He was such a genuine and good man despite this that when the Psycho Pass system forced him outside of that role and helped humans grow healthier, he accepted the change with open arms. Despite that he felt genuinely, he still struggled on the inside and found himself addicted to stress relief drugs and eventually died. Rikako has never forgiven this. She has also never forgiven her father for what she views as ‘abandoning’ his duty. So her answer. . . is to make real girls into this ‘art’. Rikako explains her motivations to Makishima once the school becomes heavily investigated. The girls at the academy are chosen by her because they are all relics, antiques of an idea of womanhood that will be packaged and sold to people as a ‘good wife’ and ‘good mother’- a lady. Makishima says this perspective is interesting and dones a displeased look on his face, and in this rewatch I can grasp why. Rikako has no genuine motivation or message behind her pieces. She is killing because it is fun, imitating her father’s artwork because she felt he did not finish his duty. But she did not truly understand his duty or why he submitted to the Psycho Pass System, and because of that she fails to understand why Makishima’s silence may not be a good thing. Makishima, while misguided, was interested in the daughter of Rouichi Ouryou because he held a unique perspective that Makishima himself likely shares. The challenge of the mind is what opens us to true humanity, and Rikako has no meaning such as this. Her art is without meaning, a loud demanding grab for attention at her view of a silly academy. Her perspective is limited. Her meaning is null. Merely a poor attempt at revenge and a sadistic hand. The MWPSB  is going to Rikako’s school to investigate and don’t gather much- but Akane and Kogami together realize the connection between a famous artist and rikako. Rikako is found out and manage to escape thanks to Makishima, only for her to be abandoned in a dark place alone with a phone call. Makishima’s only words are from Tamora- “So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee: No, let them satisfy their lust on thee.” I think Makishima’s intellect has actually been EXPANDED.. . . and it’s hot. Anyway, rightfully so, Rikako is terrified.  The MWPSB is hot on her trail but that’s not her concern. . . Makishima’s new friend ends her life with a bear trap and a rifle, as she declares he’ll be discarded too. Makishima remarks he is more interested in the Enforcer who seems to have good information and instincts- and he’ll be his new toy to play with.

Oki