The Millionaire Detective: Balance Unlimited Episode 5 - A Review
(Photo Credits: Fuguo Keiji: Balance Unlimited Twitter page)
Since I started reviewing the series and got "nice" feedbacks from my friends, I decided to continue reviewing FKBU. I will also revisit the first three episodes and prepare one per chapter as soon as I rewatch them.
Episode 5 is titled: If Money be not thy Servant, it will be thy Master" (I forgot to add their Episode is also called Check).
President Alvarez of Polyadoll (a fictitious Central American country) arrived in Japan to secure loans and sign contracts related for the construction of a giant dam. As a result, he is now target of critics and unfortunately, terrorists who are opposed to the said construction (because towns will be moved elsewhere). The proposed area is considered a heritage site because of relics or artifacts found in the proposed construction site.
The First Division together with the MCPTF (serving as backup) was asked to provide security for the embassy during the visit. Both heads of said divisions met in the elevator; Yukihiro Kiyomizu assures Katsuhiro Takei that they will not cause any troubles during the said assignment. MCPTF also expressed concerns on the assignment while Cho wanted to report. Yukihiro wants him to take his leave of absence and to relax since he is due for retirement.
Daisuke Kambe went on leave and got to the Embassy as a guest to represent the Kambe Group in behalf of his grandmother (who was sick). President Alvarez and Kambe ate lunch together discussing the project, his belief that this project will bring progress to his country and the opposition he had to face. The President, after signing the contract, asked if Daisuke will take over the Group in the future which he said that he is not.
While in the kitchen, Ricardo (which turned to be the Terrorist in disguise) approached the Chef and asked if there was any package that arrived. The Chef brought him to the Pantry to retrieve the item (and killed him afterwards to avoid being discovered).
Ricardo approached the Head of Security to inform him on the security breach; which in turn brought the President and Daisuke inside the Panic Room. On the way to the room, Daisuke deployed his Srv-Bug as a precaution and it went directly to the embassy's server room. Ricardo unlocked the said room and closed it once they were inside. He took the only key in the room which trapped them inside.
While inside the Panic Room, they discovered they were trapped and unable to communicate outside. Daisuke accessed HEUSC to check what happened outside accessing the embassy's camera. Discovered that Ricardo was the culprit, he tried to override the system to no avail.
While checking video footages, they saw Ricardo hiding something in the cabinets. When the head of security opened that, it was discovered the briefcase containing VX nerve gas intended to kill them inside the room. Daisuke recognized the device that the Kambe group is manufacturing; asked HEUSC to retrieve the design but was denied access. HEUSC informed Daisuke that Suzue was on her way to the embassy. Unfortunately, she encountered an accident (avoiding hitting the cat in the street) which delayed her arrival.
MCPTF was alerted when members of the First Division entered the Embassy wearing vests; Haru was sternly warned not to make trouble. While running with the perimeter of the Embassy grounds, Haru and Kamei attempted to enter when the suspect Ricardo jumped out. They gave chase to the suspect until he got cornered at the edge. Ricardo threw the star shaped lock and committed suicide, promising that those who intends to destroy his town will die a painful death.
Haru and Kamei went back immediately and informed the rest of the team of the problem and mentioned the star shaped object thrown to the gutter. Saeki pointed out to the necklace worn by the Janitor . Realizing that this was the other key, Haru got it and ran towards the room.
While this was happening, Daisuke was soaking his coat and use it to delay the release of the nerve gas. After putting the coat above the briefcase; he was about to punch it when Haru opened the door. They immediately escaped the room in time.
After the incident, the whole MCPTF gathered outside the embassy. Haru asked as to why he was not able to use HEUSC which Daisuke did not answer. Suzue arrived in the embassy injured. It was found that the janitor created a back up key to use the Panic Room for some, ehem, naughty activities (to know what am I referring to, please go and watch it - sorry not telling it).
It was also discovered that the terrorist used a communication jamming device inside the truck parked at the embassy. While everyone was discussing the whole incident, Cho was inside and observing what was going on.
At the end of the episode, the team went back to Headquarters while Daisuke went back to his "bat cave". Kamei asked why did the terrorist targeted the president to which Haru replied that he does not want any more bloodshed.
Daisuke was looking at Chosuke's activity at the Forensic Department regarding the briefcase found in the embassy.
Comments:
The theme of this episode was Progress vs. Culture.
The "brat causing troubles" mentioned in the conversation between chiefs refers to Kato Haru.
There is some form of strained relationship between the First Division and MCPTF since they were told that it is not a picnic when Saeki was sharing her junk food stash and was told to stay out of trouble.
Chosuke may be old but he still wants to join the MCPTF in the assignment.
Despite being a scion of the Kambe group; it seems that he is not going to inherit the massive fortune (maybe there's another Kambe hidden somewhere perhaps?) in the future.
It seems that there are limits to what Daisuke can do; when he was giving instructions to HEUSC (AI cum Butler) to get information about the design of the device inside the briefcase and calling for help
The assassin (despite killing the chef) is only after President Alvarez. He clearly doesn't want other people to get hurt or killed.
At the end of the episode, Daisuke is looking keenly at the Cho in a separate spy cam. In my previous review, I mentioned that Daisuke has joined MPCTF for reasons the series has slowly been revealing. Chosuke may be the key to the mystery.
Daisuke somewhat lose his cool here.
Total Cost: Y 317,000,000.00 (speaking of costs, why is Suzue's injury not covered here? WTH).
The Funnies (not in particular order):
The Chief saying he's harmless to a lady subordinate. Me: Yeah, sure.
Chocolate and Chilli Potato Snacks. What a choice.
"Don't stain my clothes." - Kamei. "You're a cop aren't you?" Haru.
Mahoro Saeki fangirling over Daisuke wearing a Tux which startled both Haru and Kamei. (well everyone in the Daiharu ship did swoon over him as well).
The Utility guy is so bashful as in shy and silly bashful.
Although Kamei is tall, he can't carry Haru (also, it seems that Haru should go on a diet after this episode, lol) to climb the wall. Also, no running endurance?
The mystery deepens; looking forward to Episode Six here.