REVIEW: ‘My Happy Marriage’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “Promise”

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10, “Promise,” sets up the season’s final confrontation as Miyo (Reina Ueda, Trapezium) learns about Usui’s (Yûya Uchida, Honkai: Star Rail) history with her mother as she seeks out a way to save Kiyoka (Kaito Ishikawa, Negative Positive Angler). These revelations bring about the long-heralded change in her, fully awakening the Dream Sight.

This episode opens on a confusing note. One of Kiyoka’s shikigama (the paper figures he makes) transforms into what appears to be a miniature version of Kiyoka. It looks up to the heavens and vows to “see her through this.” It soon becomes clear that the ‘her’ in question is Miyo.

This opening is odd, as there has never been a hint that this kind of ability is in Kiyoka’s skill set. There has always been a certain degree of flexibility within the show’s spiritual abilities, allowing characters to perform minor feats that don’t feel directly related to their core powers, but this moment feels like a stretch. It comes across as a convenient way to help Miyo at the expense of a consistent approach to Kiyoka’s powers.

From here, My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 shifts to Miyo as she awakens from sleep. She is soon caught up on current events, learning that Kiyoka is imprisoned at the Army HQ. Despite everyone’s encouragement to rest, Miyo decides she has no choice but to go and save Kiyoka.

At first, she intends to head straight for where he is being held, but when she runs into the shikigama her mind is changed. The being points out to her that if she wishes to help Kiyoka, she needs to understand her powers and her opponent better. To do this, Miyo decides to head to the ancestral home of the Usubas, hoping to learn more from her grandfather.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 dives into the Usubas’ past.

The rest of the episode dives into the past. Thanks to Miyo’s grandfather, she comes to understand a bit more about her family and the history between her mom, Sumi (Noriko Hidaka, Final Fantasy VII Remake), and Usui. The biggest piece of information Miyo gets here is something that initially feels rather small. He tells her that her powers are rooted in her feelings and that her heart guides them.

This becomes important later in the day as Miyo heads to bed. Before going to sleep, she focuses on her mother and her desire to understand what she went through. When sleep comes, she is reunited with Sumi, taking a journey with her through memories of when Sumi was young and dealing with Usui.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10’s deep dive into the past contextualizes the brief snippets we’ve seen before, giving a clearer understanding of the two as they grew up. What is revealed in this sequence is a classic situation. It portrays two people who share childlike dreams but fall apart as they grow older.

The falling out between Sumi and Usui is excellently conceived. When they are young, Sumi has big dreams. Ones that Usui vows to help her obtain. However, as they grow older, Sumi finds she must set aside those dreams for the demands of life. Usui refuses to accept the changes, particularly as they force her to be separated from him.

The evolution of the pair’s relationship feels real and relatable. How the tangled webs of duty, dreams, and wants come together creates a compelling backstory for the unfolding drama of the present day. Usui’s hurt can be appreciated, but doesn’t try to make him forgivable.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 also takes a deeper look at Sumi.

Along with understanding the events that drive Usui, My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 central sequence also delivers the deepest look yet at Sumi. While Sumi and Miyo have a lot in common, there are some striking differences. Sumi is far more outspoken than her daughter, and she still shares the unwavering determination seen in Miyo.

This balance of similar yet different does a great job of linking the two while acknowledging the environmental differences that produced them. Sumi grew up in a place where she was supported and praised. Of course, she would be more outgoing than the abused Miyo. These traits combine to form a fascinating look at the “nature versus nurture” elements of human development.

The last moments of Miyo’s dream see her standing before a staircase. At the base of the staircase is her mother, and upon the stairs are numerous unidentified women wearing kitsune (fox) masks. These women seem to be the previous bearers of the Dream Sight. Realizing what is about to happen, a look of relief washes over Miyo as she ascends the stairs. At the top, Kiyoka awaits her beneath a tori gate and the two stand hand-in-hand as they look upon a gorgeous cherry blossom tree.

The visuals of the couple standing before the towering blossom tree framed within the gate are absolutely breathtaking. The grandeur of the tree is impressive, dwarfing the rest of the elements of the scene. Yet, Miyo and Kiyoka still feel like the central elements of the composition due to their placement. Thanks to the layout of the image, it looks like the tree is sprouting out of the couple. Assuming the tree is Miyo’s power, this would make its origin the love she shares with Kiyoka, which perfectly fits the narrative.

In the episode’s final scene, Miyo’s grandfather finds her in the morning standing under a cherry blossom tree in the yard. To his pleasant surprise, he can instantly sense a change in her. She has awakened and become the Madien of Dram Sight.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 delivers a compelling backstory as it sets up the final showdown. With Miyo’s powers now awake, it’s time to discover if Usui can actually bring Miyo to heel or if the timid serving girl will change the course of a nation.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 10 is streaming now on Netflix.

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