It has been a little while since I’ve posted about an episode of Ergo Proxy, but this one deserves a little special attention. On one level, it continues the chain of “Vincent and Lil wander into the reach of some random Proxy, conflict ensues, Vincent triumphs” episodes, but the tone really stands out. I was about to write a comment on a review at Star Crossed, but it started growing out of hand, so I’ve opted to put one here instead.

Episode 19 is easily my favorite of Ergo Proxy so far. The premise was interesting, some fundamental truths were illuminated or cemented regarding the premise (every dome has one or more Proxies, when Proxies from different domes meet, they inevitably fight), and the pseudo-philosophical underpinning were served in a light-handed way.

Will B. Good is a Proxy modeled after Walt Disney. Rather than wander the wasteland or rule over some domed city as a tyrant, he has opted to create and maintain a cradle-to-grave amusement park. His customers (the people living in his city) are taken care of, pampered, and entertained from the day they are born to the day they die, all in a Disneyland-like saccharine world of theme park rides and cartoonish characters crafter for their amusement. It is much like Lil’s home city of Romdeau, where the goal seems to always be the ideal of the “good citizen.” Vincent wanted to be a good citizen, and beat himself up about every trait that didn’t fit this ideal. In Will’s dome, the ideal is the eternal smile; to be happy at all times. In both cities, anything that does not contribute to the ideal must be eliminated.

Pino performs admirably in her role as the light-hearted foil to the rest of this dark, brooding series. Will B. Good finally shows us a Proxy that knows his role in the world and doesn’t want to fight anymore. He seeks to find out Ergo Proxy’s weakness through Pino. The only thing she can think of is the pendant he keeps on a chain around his neck, but she refuses to admit anything to Mr. Good. Her loyalty to Vincent is unflappable.

Through guile and threat, Will is unable to gain an edge through Pino. He seems to think that the paradise he has made for himself (and his customers) will be destroyed if the Ergo Proxy were to arrive, and is resigned to the futility of such a confrontation, so he seeks to avoid the fight entirely. Pino, nice little autorave that she is, obliges and gets Vincent to change course. Will B. Good and his dome are given a new lease on life. What a sweet, charming little episode.