I always say that these telemarketing call centre fraudster organizations are pure filth and scum of the Earth, and think of them in such terms. Just because in post-industrial/deindustrialized first world countries, like in the U.S. and some other Western states, there has been a transition to a finance-based and consumer, service sector economy. And as such these "white collar" jobs in offices, the ubiquity and familiarity of retail and customer service desks, makes it all appear like something very relatable and accessible, even entry-level, which most people in the country would feel familiar enough with and be supple material to be molded for. Because it seems like a boring ordinary phone and desk job, that's when these illegitimate "companies" (which are in reality mafia and cartel-like criminal organizations) sink their hooks in. Some genuinely may not know the full extent of what they're doing and that they're now employed and weaponized by an organization of complete thieves, but some know it from the start and embrace their role.
I've had so many calls from these bastards over the years, both on the landline and cellphone (across multiple different cellphones), based in the country, based overseas, posing as every conceivable title and occupation. Of course I've never given them any money or lost any, but what about the more easily duped? The old people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The children who are maybe just told to press a series of buttons, record an electronic voice signature, or read off their parents' bills and financial statements all the sensitive information. A few months ago they targeted my parents in a fake jury duty scam, posing as police and threatening them with fake arrest warrants. They are also wise and sharp so didn't lose a cent or give any private information over, but they had had some identity-related publicly-traded information probably leaked or sold by a third party and obtained online, to make it seem more authentic. And were more aggressive than normal. So the experience left my folks, especially my mother, somewhat frazzled.
So I've long been a proponent and advocate of saying these organizations should be treated no differently than any mafia syndicate, drug traffickers, etc., hunted down, and exterminated. The people involved could be arrested or killed/drop dead, for all I care. But what I love about this series, anime, and media/art in general, is that all those being my pre-existing prejudices, I could still sympathize with and root for this character on an individual level, and see her plight. And I think that's such a beautiful and powerful thing. It's why I don't actually believe in good and evil and reject it as a concept. Because in reality everyone has their own cross to bear, their own struggle, and their own individual motivations for doing what they do. Sometimes they may too know and fully accept and recognize that they are doing "harm", either to specific other people or just to "the world" at large by their actions and activities, but they view it as a "necessary evil" in service of a greater good. That was the case for this character too, I believe.
It's certainly not difficult to understand why any person who felt any love or loyalty to their own child would place their welfare, thriving, and happiness over whether some strangers get fleeced or not. I would probably do the same if I were in the same position and saw no more desirable option, while at the same time hoping people like her/me would get shot dead in the abstract sense or especially if I were on the receiving end as a victim. It's complicated! Life is the most complicated matter of all and this series is all about it.
I'm glad that she died in the end though. Not because I bear any ill will toward her character in-universe, and not because I think that would be a better outcome for her still alive daughter, because it won't be (even if the original father is amazing, nothing psychologically and emotionally can ever replace the void of a missing parent; especially one fatally/permanently removed from the picture). No, what I mean is that I'm specifically glad that that fall high up outdoors from the ledge of a multi-story building onto solid hard concrete was shown to have likely cracked her skull and killed her. Because it'd just start to be too nonsensical and outlandish any other way. So from a meta writing perspective I'm glad they went with that, and it should mitigate some of the complaints following early episodes of the series from fans that the series was somehow potentially afraid to kill off even its one-time minor characters.
And unlike the previous episode when the person who died was a significantly older gentleman who had had years of recurring health issues, but had lived a full life and mentally seemed fulfilled and content with accepting his fate as a rite of passage, this was a much younger woman and a tragic sudden premature death. She was ripped away from the midst of life and her role as a parental caregiver to a small child where she was needed most. It's a much less "neat" death and end. So there can be no doubt and ambiguity now that the series is too apprehensive of doing so even when it leaves a character dead filled with regrets and unfinished business. |