Review of Umizaru Ep 7

Ep 7: Hito wo Koroshita (I killed people)
O.A. 16 Aug 05
Ratings: 12.9%

Nagare is given orders by the HQ to fire warning shots at the unidentified ship and Ikezawa and Senzaki have to follow the instructions to do so. They are also hoping that the ship's crew do not retalliate or they might have to shoot directly at the ship. Meanwhile, Naoko is hospitalised due to the danger of a premature delivery and Kanna is sitting in the lobby watching the news while waiting for treatment to be completed. Shimokawa's daughter, Yui happens to view the news from an electrical applicance shop as she is returning home and feels worried for her father's safety.

After Ikezawa and Senzaki are done with the warning shots, they await in silence as to how the unidentified ship will react. Suddenly, shots from the ship hit Nagare and even break windows and make dents on the vessel. In the name of self-defence, Katsuta gives orders to fire direct shots at the ship. Ikezawa and Senzaki have to follow the instructions. Halfway through it, Senzaki tells Ikezawa to stop but he cannot do so without orders. Out of a sudden, the unidentified ship explodes in flames but it is not clear whether it explodes on its own or was hit by the bullets from Nagare. The ship sinks in no time which makes Ikezawa and Senzaki heave a sigh of relief.

When dawn arrives, investigation work begins but nothing of importance which could identify the sunk ship can be found. Senzaki happens to see a plastic glove and this increases his sense of guilt since this proves that someone was killed as a result of the bullets they fired.

Nagare returns to Yokohama and Senzaki hears the voice mail from Kanna about Naoko being hospitalised. He rushes to see Naoko with Ikezawa immediately. Ikezawa is relieved that nothing has happened to Naoko and the baby. Kanna starts to question why Ikezawa is not with Naoko when she needed him most. Senzaki tries to explain to Kanna about their mission but she says that she just cannot accept seeing how helpless Naoko was without her husband. Meanwhile, Naoko wakes up and is very happy to see Ikezawa. However, he tries to evade her loving gaze and says that he will return later after completing his work as he cannot bear seeing Naoko after killing someone with the shots he fired.

Shimokawa receives a phonecall from his ex-wife asking him to cancel the monthly meeting with Yui so that their daughter will not be reminded of the shooting incident she saw on TV. However, Yui has gone to the harbour base in the hope of seeing Shimokawa but to no avail.

Senzaki, Ikezawa, Shimokawa and Katsuta are summoned to the coast guard HQ for a questioning with regards to the incident. Shimokawa is waiting in the lobby while the three of them enter the meeting room.

Shimokawa happens to meet Yabuki who asks whether Shimokawa is still intending to stay as a diver. He hides the real reason for rejecting the promotion and simply tells Yabuki that he likes being on the frontline.

After Ikezawa and Senzaki return to Nagare, Katsuta hears from his superior that Nagare would have to be scrapped since it's the oldest vessel in the fleet and that there were too many damages as a result of this shooting incident. Meanwhile, Yoshioka makes up his mind to go to diving school and promises to return to Nagare when training is completed.

Kanna and Fuyushiba go for dinner together and he brings up the subject of them dating seriously. However, Kanna asks for more time which he agrees to. After they leave the restaurant, Kanna happens to see the footage of the shooting incident from the outdoor TV screen and decides to reject Fuyushiba's suggestion to send her home.

Kanna returns home and is in a daze about what she should do to her relationship with Senzaki. Suddenly, the doorbell rings and Senzaki has come to look for her. However, Senzaki tells her not to open the door as he cannot face her after killing someone. He says that he cannot continue to be with her and leaves while crying. Kanna finally makes up her mind and chases after Senzaki. She promises that she will stick with him regardless what happens and they embrace in the rain...

Meanwhile, Naoko senses that Ikezawa is very affected by the shooting incident and reassures him that she will be with him and that nothing will change regardless what he does. Ikezawa is so touched that he can only hug Naoko while crying...

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As I expected, the shooting scene is very well-done and the atmosphere is so tense that it keeps your attention for at least 10 minutes right in the beginning. However, the gloomy atmosphere makes this episode rather emotionally heavy as we have Senzaki and Ikezawa moping over the use of weapons and killing someone in the act of self-defence and Nagare is about to be scrapped soon. And things are going to get worse from the next episode where someone dies...

Well, I guess Kanna finally knows that between fear for Senzaki's safety and fear of not being able to stay with him, she is unable to bear the latter. I think there should not be any of those breakup scenes between these two again since the drama is nearing its end.