My hands are tied
My body bruised, she’s got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
I was wrong—there is physical aftermath to the attack on Tuesday from last week’s episode. With burned hands, she’s unable to play guitar and the girls must improvise, selecting a new song at the last possible minute. Even worse than Tuesday’s physical condition, perhaps, are the conditions of their psyches—Tuesday has been off-kilter for a while now; Carole, out of frustration or stress or jealousy, is now the same.
The girls perform admirably, and despite Ertegun’s displeasure, they advance. It feels based on potential, and not just that—the authenticity they’re able to convey—because Pyotr was clearly the better performer.
But the winner of the semifinal round is only the first question that’s answered; divisions continue as the culprit of Tuesday’s attack is pursued, the duo grow apart, Angela accuses her manager of hurting Tuesday, further pushing her toward something extreme, certainly [1], and Cybelle’s obsession and anger at the split (in her mind) from Tuesday fully erupts. She’s identified as the attacker and escorted away, and in her complete obsession blames Tuesday for all that’s occurred.
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I’m waiting for you
Carole blames Tuesday, too, as for the first time her insecurities are coming to the surface. Unable to present her gift to Tuesday, she becomes upset, and goaded on by a judge that forces her to think about her parents, she pours harsh words into her partner. Tuesday responds by stating that while Carole has never had a home, she has one but is unwanted [2].
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give, and you give
And you give yourself away
Which is when the most unexpected thing of all happens—enforcers come to forcibly take Tuesday home, leaving the duo broken in all ways just one week from the finale. The obstacles are many and the days are few—the will of two young girls will be tested with the question of whether or not they’ll be able to go on, whether they have what it takes to make their dreams come true.
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait, without you
With or without you
With or without you [3]
—
[1] There’s a shot near the end of the episode that seems to convey that Katy has stolen Angela’s phone.
[2] I need help here…this dialogue is reminiscent of some show (not necessarily anime) where one character tells another that being an orphan is maybe easier than having to deal with parents that don’t want you.
[3] Here’s something I did call—knew that that this song was gonna get a title! And now two of my three favorites songs have been featured.
