March 18, 2015
-
Massan Plot Summary - Week 25
# 145 It's 1949, and after half a year on the free market, Massan's whiskey is selling well because of its affordable price and great flavor. He even gets a radio interview, and everyone gathers around to listen to a nervous Massan talk about how Yoichi is the perfect place to make whiskey. The hit song Aoi Samyaku is played. Toshio says he wants to go back to Hiroshima to help Massan's father with the Kameyama family brewery from whence he came, and Hana says that she will be like Ellie and follow her husband anywhere. With Kazuma dead in the war, Hana is his only surviving child, and Morino declares that he will disown her if she goes to Hiroshima with her husband. Hana says ok, so disown me. On the day of departure, Toshio complains about all the years of trouble Massan has caused him. All of the memories flash back, and Massan adds that if Toshio had not come to Yoichi that he would not have met Hana. He thanks Toshio for all his help. Toshio breaks down in tears because he is overjoyed at the prospect of no longer being Massan's handler, or so he says. Toshio hands his official DOUKAH jacket to Satoru. There are hugs all around, and I need a hankie again. Susumu comes and wonders where his brother Morita is. Enter Morino with a travel bag. He is going with them. Gimme another hankie.
#146 Fast forward to 1961. It has been 12 years since Toshio went back to Hiroshima. Whiskey is selling well, and Massan continues researching how to improve his product. He has adopted Satoru, who has married Masako and has two children. Ellie gets a letter from Ema, who has been away in England for 12 years working at a publishing company. Ellie prays to her mother, Massan's parents and Morino to protect Emma during her journey. (Has Ellie taken up ancestor worship? ) Ellie seems a bit frail as she and Massan go out to welcome Ema back. Ema has photographer Mike in tow. Mike has been Ema's um, "life partner" for the past two years. Who needs a piece of paper nowadays? Massan and Ellie do their best to be polite and tell them that if they love each other, they should get properly married. Ema justifies living in sin with Mark by countering that Massan and Ellie have never had a ceremony. Ellie and Massan were never able to hold a formal ceremony because Ellie's MIL would not recognize Ellie as Massan's wife, but they did get the marriage license. Mr. Scenario writer, how dare you let Ema be so totally disrespectful to her parents? Ema says that Mike wants Massan's advice as to whether he should keep his stable job as a company photographer or go freelance. (Good grief, keep your job!) Massan is willing to give advice to a son in law, but not to a stranger. What kind of parent approves of this kind of arrangement? This time Ema approaches Ellie, and asks her to tell Mike about the things she has overcome, because he is interested in the international relationship. These "life partners" are really being pushy in an attempt to get their feet in the door. Replay the Christmas pudding scene where M&E first met. How romantic! Ellie tells them that even if they couldn't have a ceremony that they did get the paper. Ema tells her parents that they need to get their own house in order before criticizing her arrangement, and that they should have a proper ceremony even if they are in their 60's. Ema declares that no one has the right to stand in the way of her "life adventure." (Go ahead and smack her...) Ellie changes the subject and gets up for a pot of fresh tea. She has a dizzy spell (stress??) on the way and drops the teapot. No one suspects that Ellie is approaching her last days on earth.
#147 "Sukiyaki" (Ue wo Muite) by Kyu Sakamoto is playing on the radio. Ellie is at her regular doctor appointment and Mike is out taking pictures. Massan shows Ema plans for a new brewery to be built in either Sendai or Kansai. Ellie is late coming home, but everyone slows down when they get old. Massan tells Ema that she had better make things clear about her future with Mike, but Ema doesn't want to discuss it. Massan goes out to meet Ellie, who is doddering along the snowy riverbank road singing a song of farewell. Ellie tells him that she just got her anemia meds and that there is nothing else wrong with her. Over dinner Massan confronts the couple again. Ellie asks Mike what he loves about Ema, and he says he loves that she is always positive and ready to take on any challenge. Ema loves that Mike is serious about his dreams. (Oh my goodness, just like her parents!) Ellie is happy for them. Massan gives the couple a factory tour and Ema and Mark start frolicking in the snow, just as Massan and Ellie did in so many places so many years before. (Sniff!) Ellie and Massan do the "never let go of my hand" thing. (Sniff, sniff!!) Ellie's doctor stops by with some cookies, but her real reason is to inform Massan that Ellie is not long for this world. Ellie seems to know and is writing Massan her last letters full of thanks for their adventure together.
#148 Ellie finishes writing her last love letter to Massan. Later, Massan, who knows Ellie is not long for this world says that he wants to give her the wedding ceremony that they never had, and give Ema and Mark a good example as well. Ellie thinks its silly for a grandma to wear a wedding dress, but she agrees because everyone wants it for her. She has a private talk with Mike. He wants to marry Ema, but is indecisive as to whether to quit his stable job or go freelance, which is his dream. Ema has told him to quit, but he is afraid that he can't support her. Ellie tells Mark that Massan stuggled as well. Live is a challenge and an adventure not to be shied away from. Ema has enough fight for both of your dreams. Ellie goes out for some cookies and collapsed in the kitchen. The doctor puts her to bed for a few days, and on the way out tells the family to make Ellie's last days happy ones. Massan and Mark come in with the wedding dress that Ellie never had. The family urges her to get better so they can have the ceremony. Ellie wants to go for a walk outside. Ema and Mark see what a wonderful couple Massan and Ellie are, and Mark is inspired to finally propose. Ema runs to tell her parents, but Ellie collapses again before hearing the happy news.
#149 Ellie collapses while taking a walk in the snow. They told her not to go, but she insisted. She wakes up in bed surrounded by family and asks Ema what she was going to say. Ema wants to marry Mike and asks for her parents' blessings. Massan tells Mike to make Ema happy. The grandchildren tell Ellie to hurry up and get better for the wedding. Ellie asks for everyone to leave so she can talk to Massan alone. She gives him that last letter that she wrote for him and tells him to read it after she goes to heaven. She is happy that her adventure is continuing, and that it will continue even after her death. They talk about all their memories. Ellie tells Massan to stay with her. Massan tells her that she can't die before their own wedding ceremony as he looks at the pearly white dress hanging on the wall. Ellie says that she was happy enough signing her name at the Justice of the Peace. It was enough that they could give each other courage. Ellie thanks Massan for keeping his promise not to die before her, and asks him to marry her again in the next life. She tells him to see her off with a smile, and not to let go of her hand as she goes off on her new adventure. (T_T)
#150 Massan is broken up over Ellie's death and shuts himself up in his room for two days with pictures and memories, leaving the funeral preparations to Ema. He is finally able to open the letter that Ellie left him. It us full of nothing but thanks for marrying her and bringing her to Japan. She also tells him to continue his own adventure, and keep making delicious whiskey that will make the world smile. Massan's dream was whiskey, and Ellie's dream was Massan. Ellie says she doesn't know about the subtleties of whiskey, but to her Massan's was the most delicious. She tells him to take care of himself and remember to eat veggies with his meat and not to enjoy his own product too much. And he should remember to turn his laundry right side out. She tells him to remember her before going to sleep and to always tell her good night. She will hear him. She has sprayed the letter with her perfume. Massan goes out and fires up the pot stills. Fast forward to 1971. The bagpipes are playing for a ceremony to commemorate an award that Massan has received for his "Super Ellie Whiskey." There is a thimble design on the label in honor of the thimble that Ellie found in the plum pudding that during the Christmas party where they first met. Massan found the sixpence, and the superstition said that they were destined to be married. Massan sings Auld Lang Syne to himself. He goes to the grave and pours a couple of glasses of whiskey at the grave, has a drink with her and thanks her for everything. He hangs the thimble on the grave along with his sixpence. He hears Ellie calling him in his mind. Memories flood back again. Never let go of my hand! (T_T)
