'Violet Evergarden'—Episode 3

This episode revolves around Violet going to school so that she can be the best Doll that she can be. What this segment really emphasizes is the fact that in this time period of the world, the people that are able to read or write is quite low, or is a privilege afforded to those who can afford it, as it was the case in our very own history. Beyond that, this is a profession that is completely dominated by women. In fact, as far as the show depicts it, only women are Dolls. At no point is there a reason given as to why this is the case, it is only down to speculation to fill in the answer ourselves.

My personal theory is, generally, women are easier to open up to from an emotional standpoint, especially at the time period that this show is depicting, which if we were to have a real life equivalent is the late 1800s or early 1900s. A time period where gender behaviour is far more regimented to what is appropriate for a man and a woman. In addition to the long standing notion of women being far more emotionally in tune when compared to a man, which allows for them to interpret emotion far better. Whether this is actually the case or not is left to be seen.

During this episode we see Violet make a friend during the time that she was going to class, Luculia. While we have seen different dimensions to war by way of Violet herself and Claudia, Luculia brings a different dimension in the form of her brother and the relationship she has with him. Her brother was a soldier in the war and was left as a cripple that suffers from PTSD, and finds some solace by drowning himself in alcohol.

Through this episode we get to see how Violet is struggling with interpreting other emotion, while Luculia is struggling with expressing her emotions. This creates an interesting dynamic that helps to balance itself out. So much so to the point that Violet managed to take the first step towards being a Doll as a result of the time the two of them spent together, and writing a letter on behalf of Luculia to her brother. The episode does not hold back, as we see the state that her brother is in, while adding to the effects of war is the guilt that he feels towards the loss of their parents. The letter perfectly captures the emotions Luculia is going through to the point that the brother is able to recover slightly and find some amount of peace in himself.

This letter is what earns Violet a passing grade in the class that makes her a true, trained Doll, and she really does earn it because she was initially failed for not being able to interpret emotion despite having the best technical skills in the class. There is actually a hint of One Punch Man that reminds me of this moment where they both excel technically only to falter mentally.

While there is a lot to digest in this episode, as is the usual case with this show, we are not smothered, instead we are given a few moments of humor courtesy of Cattleya and Benedict. The two of them have a great relationship with each other that is a joy to watch, as they could be cordial with each other at one moment only to get into a heated argument in the next, and the timing of this shift in dynamic is fantastic.

We got one of the most beautiful shots that overlook the city that they live in at sunset, and it was breathtaking to the point that you could have paused, taken a screenshot and hung up the screenshot on the wall as part of your house decoration.