We haven’t reached the last scene yet.

We begin where we left off last episode…

Touga: Even though you fancied yourself to be a prince, in the end you were just a girl. Despite what you may have hoped for, your hopes didn’t become reality. Well, this is a good chance for you to be a normal girl, isn’t it?

Anthy: Farewell, Tenjou-san.

And then we skip to the next day, when Utena’s playing hooky.

And this is the episode where Wakaba really proves her worth.

Wakaba: So, why’d you skip class today? Catch a cold? Let’s see…no fever. No swelling of the tonsils. Pulse is normal. My diagnosis is the common goof-off. By the way, where’s Himemiya-san?

Utena: Well…

Wakaba: Did you have a fight?

Utena: Sort of…

This is the only white rose frame for the majority of the episode, seemingly implying that when Anthy left, Utena’s desire to be a prince left with her.

Then Wakaba discovers a slash in Utena’s uniform.

Utena: Oh, that. I got a little careless.

Wakaba: Should I fix it for you?

Utena: No. It’s all right. I have another uniform.

This results in the first image…

Wakaba: The public really seems to like your new look. […] And it looks like you like that new uniform, too.

Utena: Yeah…it’s normal. From tomorrow on, I’ll just wear this.

And then Anthy appears, framed in red roses, perhaps just because Touga has her now, but there is an alternative interpretation…

Wakaba: Good morning!

Utena: Good morning, Himemiya.

Anthy: Good morning, Tenjou-san.

[…]

Utena: Have to be normal. Have to be normal…

And then Wakaba concludes that it must have been a fight (which, kinda?), but naturally, she just tries to cheer her up.

Then, we follow Anthy into her new life.

as basically a literal trophy wife

Touga: As you can see, the Rose Bride and I are engaged. Any questions?

Mickey: None.

Juri: How did you win?

Touga: You’re saying you don’t think that I won by pure skill?

Juri: You seem to prefer plots.

Touga: I played the part of the noble prince and rescued the lonely princess. That’s all.

Juri: A prince, huh?

Touga: The stories always end with the prince and princess together, right?

Juri: We haven’t reached the last scene yet.

Mickey: Exactly.

Juri tends to side with the girls that Touga’s manipulating over him (an impulse I tend to agree with). And since she’s not a part of the conversation, Anthy suggests she just wait outside, but Touga wants to have her with him at all times (except sometimes when he wants to focus on another girl).

and then he finds utena at lunch and creeps on her for a bit

Touga: Pardon me. Well, I’d heard the rumors, but it’s still a shock to see. That uniform really suits you. Say, would you like to eat out this Sunday? Without the Bride, of course.

Wakaba: Hold- hold it!

Touga: All right?

Wakaba: Come on, Utena! Tell him to buzz off!

Touga: What’s wrong? Why won’t you answer me?

Wakaba: Don’t touch her…Don’t touch my Utena-sama! If you don’t like it, then tell him!

Then, frustrated at Utena’s lack of responsiveness, Wakaba throws a glass of water (seemingly aimed at Touga)…

…but hits Anthy instead.

Wakaba: I-I’m sorry…but it’s your fault! You were just standing there in a daze. Utena’s this way because you had a fight with her, right? That’s right! It’s your faul-

because people blaming anthy for things she didn’t do is still a trigger for utena

And Wakaba just slaps her right back.

Wakaba: Well, so you can still react to some things!

Touga: You have such lively friends. Next time, the two of us should talk alone.

And then, Utena gives Anthy a handkerchief to dry herself off before she follows Touga away and it’s just too precious.

Utena: I want you to stop criticizing me.

Wakaba: Forget it! I won’t stop!

Utena: You…! You don’t understand anything…

Wakaba: I do understand! And I won’t…I won’t stop!

Because Wakaba wants to fight for “her” Utena even if Utena herself doesn’t.

Then Touga brings Anthy up to the student council room…to chat on the phone with his other girlfriends. And then he seemingly sets up a meeting with one of them.

Touga: Sorry, Anthy. Wait for me here, won’t you?

Anthy: Yes, sir.

and she’s lonely and misses utena

Meanwhile, Wakaba is still trying to get through to Utena, at a wall mural depicting a red rose frame – in this case, seemingly to indicate she’s trying to figure herself out.

Wakaba: Hold it right there! You can’t end this just by apologizing! It was the student council president, wasn’t it? It’s his fault you’re feeling so down. It’s his fault, isn’t it? I understand…no, the truth is I don’t understand anything. Like why are you wearing that uniform?

Utena: But this is normal, isn’t it?

Wakaba: No, it isn’t! Not being normal is normal for you! This sort of normal isn’t your sort of normal! Oh, that makes no sense!

Utena: (internally) My sort of normal…this sort of normal…

Wakaba: You’re holding it in again! I hate seeing what you’ve become! It’s like something was stolen from you and made you a coward! I don’t know what it is, but if you can get it back then get it! Take it back! Take it back! Normal for you means being cool!

And Utena knows exactly what she needs to take back.

and then the prologue music starts up

Wakaba: And…and…! That uniform just isn’t right for you!

Utena: Forgive me, Wakaba. It hurt, didn’t it? When I slapped you in the dining hall. Sorry about that. I understand now. You’re totally right. This isn’t normal for me. I’m going to take back who I was.

and wakaba is crying, so she kisses her on the forehead

Utena is finally acting like a prince again (imitating her own prince), comforting a girl and just taking action. Because she’s finally decided that whether or not Touga is really her prince, she’s not content to merely be a “princess” like she did when she was young.

Touga: Did you want to talk with me alone? Then shall we eat out on Sunday?

Utena: Right now…

Touga: Don’t like to wait?

Utena: I want to go to the dueling forest!

FINALLY!

Then the Shadow Girls expound upon the theme of rejecting normalcy.

Girl A: Study normal subjects, find a normal job. Fall in love normally, get married normally. Have a normal family, have a normal life. But being normal has nothing to do with us!

Girl B: We’re tired of doing all the things we’ve done till now.

Both: Time for us to go back to being what’s normal for us. Do you know? Do you know? Do you know what that is?

and then they fly off in a spaceship. I told you they have a UFO plot!

But note how they highlight falling in love and getting married “normally”…

And speaking of not falling in love “normally”, Juri is the one who offers Utena a sword, not only lending her aid, but also taking a stand against heteronormativity. Mickey’s a nice kid, but he’d sooner duel Touga himself than offer to help Utena, because he’s still stuck on Anthy.

Juri: Use this. You’ll need it to properly set the last scene.

In this duel, we don’t get an opening “apocalypse” chorus, and the duel theme doesn’t even begin until well into the fight.

Touga: Why do you wish to duel with me again?

Utena: To take back something important to me.

Touga: I see. You want to take back your “self.” But I don’t feel like losing to you.

Significantly, Utena doesn’t bear a white rose in this duel (nor does Touga, for what it’s worth), but simply a pink one. This clearly displays that she needs to win back her princely self, the person who would fight for a girl in need without a second thought.

Touga: I know you realize this isn’t an ordinary sword. But did you know it can be used like this? Rose Bride! Abandon your body and protect the sword!

Anthy: Yes, sir.

And once again, the suggestive imagery is intentional here, with Touga using Anthy to protect his own power.

and this is another scene with the flashing lights

Touga: Well? Isn’t it beautiful? This is the power of the Rose Bride of Dios! Can you defeat this power?

Utena: I will! I will defeat it!

And then, for the first time, we get a glimpse of what’s going on in Anthy’s head.

Anthy: (internally) She can’t defeat Touga-sama. I pity her. I wonder if it will end quickly.

Utena’s definitely struggling, with her blade being cut by Touga’s as easily as the bamboo blade was cut in the first duel.

Then the song finally starts up.

There's the possibility to be anyone.
There's the possibility to be anything.
Except in the enclosed darkness called memory.
Except in the momentary flash of light called creation.
Except in the darkness, awaiting the light of tomorrow, in the theater.
Oh, dance! Ancient continental theater of the performers who wear the mask of time.
Oh, dance! Three of the seven wonders that you long for carried on the Galactic Railroad.
Like a star, like a firefly.
A flash and it's born, a flash and it fades.
Born and then gone, all of us.

The reference to the Galactic Railroad may be referring to the Milky Way (which is a common motif in the duel themes), but it’s also clearly alluding to Night on the Galactic Railroad, a Japanese children’s book (and later movie) that was obviously influential to Ikuhara’s work (it’s a major motif in his later anime Marwaru Penguindrum). The theme of self-sacrifice (even to the point of giving one’s life to save another) is strong, as well as various ideas of the afterlife.

Touga: Do you understand? This sword’s power? This is the power hidden within the Rose Bride. You fancied yourself her prince without even knowing about it? You don’t understand.

Utena: That doesn’t matter!

Anthy: (internally) There’s something strange about Tenjou-san. She could die. Why does she fight on?

Utena: Maybe I don’t know anything about Himemiya! But what I’m doing now is taking back what I used to be!

I mean, understanding Anthy’s role is certainly a good first step, and the desire to really understand her is another (and probably more than Touga ever did).

Anthy: (internally) It’s over, Tenjou-san. But I’ve seen this before. I know what this is. This is…this is…I know this! It’s like what happened that time.

She’s clearly remembering the same prince that saved Utena…and with that, she seemingly recalls her spirit from the sword, reducing its power significantly, and actually giving Utena a shot at winning.

And with that, Utena has finally reclaimed herself.

Utena: I’ve taken back what I was.

Then, Anthy greets her after the duel, but it’s not quite the same as the first time.

Notably, the duel theme persists through the end of the episode.

Anthy: I’ve been waiting for you, Utena-sama. I am the Rose Bride. From this day forward, I…

Utena: Himemiya, never mind that. Come on, let’s just go home.

these two

until next time