Episode 4 – Mechanical Marie

this may be Mechanical MaryBest episode so far, and not just because we see Mary in a pink nurse uniform role play Half the running time. Hilariously, this is Arthur’s father’s “secret weapon” locked in a metal briefcase, only used when a male family member becomes incapacitated due to illness. I don’t think seeing Mary in this rather suggestive outfit did much to lower Arthur’s fever – although maybe that was the point? As Mary straddled him, wiped the sweat off his bare chest, and held him closer, his body temperature likely rose a few degrees, along with adrenaline-induced tachycardia, causing his heart to beat faster. Well, we know that viruses don’t replicate easily at temperatures above normal body temperature, so maybe that’s what the treatment is for? Or is it that Old Zet is just an old pervert, so he leaves a string of potential illegitimate children everywhere to conspire against Arthur’s life?

It’s clear from this sequence just how indispensable Arthur now sees Mary. She was the only one he could show his vulnerable side to. A note to viewers – if you can be as vulnerable with your girl as Arthur is with Mary in this episode, she’s definitely a keeper. It takes a lot of trust in a relationship to allow oneself to accept the possibility of betrayal and emotional pain, and Arthur has experienced almost nothing else in his life. If only Mary didn’t have to lie to him and told him her true nature! Alas, he’s so willing to believe that his perfect woman is a robot that he’ll accept her bizarre explanation that she has a built-in forehead thermometer as a way to measure fever.

I do wonder, though, if the mansion lacks security. A few random people try to attack an ailing Arthur, but are stopped by Mary hilariously knocking him out. “Here’s the Zetes decoration for you,” mused Mary, who had just used a nearby vase. “Strong, durable, and perfect for beating.” I loved her deadpan wit. Maybe Mary and her real robot companion Mary 2 have exhausted the security budget?

The second half of the episode once again focuses on the creepy Noah, who is sent by Maynard to try to assassinate Arthur again, this time at a social event at school. Arthur is poisoned by a large amount of narcotics, affecting his vision and hearing, but Mary quickly steps in and fights off Noah on her own. However, she could use the few batteries Arthur gave her to make ends meet, but maybe not in the way he wanted. Thankfully, Marie 2 shows up and joins forces with the villain, although she gets beheaded in the process. I’m sure she’ll be fine next week. She even has a bigger role now in the extremely cute finale.

The two Maries’ defeat of Noah is satisfying and even quite graphic, although Marie’s high kicks are often jump-cut. His prodding leads Mary to solidify and express her feelings for Arthur, in an extremely sweet scene that, of course, he later dismisses as a “sweet dream.” Surely neither party denied their feelings for the other after this episode? Arthur is willing to protect the maid’s dignity even though he can’t even see or hear properly, he just knows someone is being mean to her and he can’t stand it. They make a lovely couple and I sincerely hope they enjoy a long and happy future together and Arthur doesn’t feel like he needs to constantly refill her AA batteries.

grade:

Mechanical Mary Currently live broadcast
Crunchy roll.