Instead of being two mini-episodes, this was a slightly longer, singular installment. The main focus was on Yor as she made a new aquaintance and, in turn, established a new social circle. The episode was very interesting and introduced Melinda Desmond, who seems like a fascinating character to me so far – potentially a promising antagonist. Let’s review Spy x Family episode 42 (AKA season 3 episode 5).
Note: FYI, the next Spy x Family post will probably cover several episodes so I can work on catching up faster and cover the whole bus-jacking incident, which I have already heard a bit about from other fans.
Episode 42: The Mommy-Friends Scheme
Episode Rating: 8/10
Yor went out shopping to get some snacks for Anya. However, she didn’t know where to find the tea-snacks Anya wanted. On her way out the townhomes, Yor encountered two older housewives and became extremely nervous about talking to them. In the end, she hurried away from them without asking for advice about shopping. This led to a key scene where Yor is walking around town thinking, “When I will be normal?”
This scene made me remember and appreciate the fact that Yor is indeed unusual. Anyone with her background might end up socially “abnormal” from the constant stress of having to provide for her brother and assassinate enemies for work – and that all started when Yor was a child herself. Some might speculate that Yor is on the autism spectrum since she has trouble with normal social interactions. However, I think it’s a setback more likely caused by a stressful or traumatic childhood. Symptoms of long term trauma can mimic certain symptoms of ASD, as I’ve recently learned from my psychology reading and interactions with fellow neurodivergent friends.
Regardless of whether she’s on the spectrum, it’s a stretch to consider Yor neurotypical. And that’s amazing. It’s one of the reasons I love this character so much. As someone who is also neurodivergent, I can empathize with her. Anyway, it’s great that Yor found some potential friends in this episode. Even though I doubt the good will of Melinda Desmond, I appreciated that she accepted Yor so readily into her cirlce. Few things are better for healing trauma than a supportive community. And if it’s not supportive, well, practice still makes progress. Talking to other women is good social practice.
Back on topic, let’s talk about how Yor met Melinda. First, Yor went to a department store to look for tea-snacks. Melinda Desmond, wife of the former Prime Minister of Ostania, was out shopping with her female bodyguard/servant. They were both carrying way too many parcels and boxes. When Melinda stumbled and started falling, Yor leaped into action. She caught Melinda and all the boxes with perfect, impossible agility, speed, and balance. She didn’t drop a single box. It was an insane moment.
Melinda didn’t introduce herself and Yor didn’t recognize her as a popular political figure. Though her identity was mysterious, her enthusiasm for Yor’s company was genuine, at least at that point, I think. Melinda convinced Yor to come play in a volleyball match with her team. Melinda and her circle of friends – mothers who lived in Berlint – did many activities, including this team sport. Yor had no idea how to play volleyball (neither would I), and had never played a team sport (neither have I, in any official sense). Sensing that volleyball was “normal”, Yor tried her best. She also looked very cute in her volleyball outfit. She’d look good in anything.
After the volleyball match, they went to a restaurant. Here Melinda introduced herself. Yor immediately realized that Melinda was the mother of Damien. She apologized for the fact that Anya had hit her son. Though Melinda initially acted like it was no big deal, her aura changed distinctly after that point in the conversation. Melinda’s face was so dark and weird at several points that I couldn’t read what she was thinking – only that it’s probably bad news. At any rate, Melinda stayed pleasant on the outside and gave Yor a ride home. Once she was home, Yor immediately talked to Loid about it.
Yor asked Loid if she could keep attending the mom’s group with Melinda. It was common until recently for wives to be largely dependent on their husbands for everything, including permission to do basic things like have a social life. Spy x Family is roughly based on the 1960s and 1970s, so it makes sense that Yor felt like she had to ask Loid’s permission. Still, it did irk me to see how little agency she seems to have. For his part, Loid was kind and encouraging. He readily encouraged Yor to get out more. It’s fortunate that Yor’s outings were in line with what he wanted.
(Side Note: I was kinda pissed off when I wrote the above paragraph, and I think I’m justified in that, but I also wanted to include a more wholesome note. It was very cute when Yor blushed as Loid smiled at her and validated her desire to get out. It’s likely that Yor has never been treated so well by a man in a position of authority. I’m glad she feels safe with Loid and I still ship the two of them.)
Yor’s talk with Shopkeeper also made it seem like Yor has no agency, needing permission from another man. However, this talk made slightly more sense because Shopkeeper is Yor’s employer and can tell her if her new social life would cause any problems for assassination missions. For now, Shopkeeper is fine with letting Yor do what she wants. He did, however, take careful note of the fact that Yor was now connected to Melinda, the wife of the leader of the Unity Party, Donovan Desmond. As usual, Shopkeeper is mysterious and unsettling.
Anya overheard Loid thinking that Yor befriending Melinda would be very useful to the mission. At that moment, Anya decided to compete with Yor to make friends with Damian and complete the mission first. In other words, while Anya endeavors to be friends with Damian, Yor will become better aquainted with Melinda. Who will succeed first? Anya declared it shobu, meaning battle, contest, or showdown.
Feeling inspired and motivated, Anya asked Becky for help at school the next day. Becky said she knew just the thing. A funny scene ensued playing on the shoujo manga trope of a girl colliding into a love interest while holding bread in her mouth. Per Becky’s advice, Anya tried crashing into Damian with a yakisoba bun in her mouth. Damian dodged the oncoming attack and insulted Anya, who looked like some kind of feral beast with the bread and noodles in her chops. Without thinking, Anya tossed the yakisoba bread right at Damian, who was now humorously covered in food.
I wish I had time and energy for a little more discussion, but that’s all I have in me for today. At this rate, it might take me until January or so to get caught up on Fall anime. Sorry for not staying up-to-date this season, but thanks for reading anyway! Take care of yourselves and sayonara until next time!
~Thanks for Reading~
Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants
Anime Rants 
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