Beyond Goodbye – Season 1 Episode 6 Recap & Review

Beyond Fate and Chance

Episode 6 of Beyond Goodbye begins with Saeko rushing through the rain and trying to get dry. She winds up on the very corner of the shop that Kazuma happens to be standing on, as it becomes clear this is a flashback. This is before Yusuke’s death. Yusuke heads over without an umbrella, deciding he just wants to keep Saeko company but without the chivalry of bringing her something to keep her dry. Instead, he tries to make her laugh and smile by dancing in the rain.

Miki shows to pick up Kazuma, but just before they part ways, Kazuma hands over an umbrella and some rain boots. This explains why he recognized her. And it’s also the turning point for Kazuma too, deciding to go for the surgery after all.

Saeko still has that umbrella and the pair of wellies too, but Kazu is struggling. He finds himself short of breath heading to the station but of course, he and Saeko wind up together again as they explore Yusuke’s hometown.

The pair spend some time exploring all the local hangout spots, including the park, shrine and the restaurant. Through all of this, Miki does some research and finds out about Yusuke and the accident out on the mountain trail. She pays her respects at the spot he passed, and finds Kazu has been here already, given the metal coffee cup from earlier in the series is there.

The pair snap a photo together up by the wind turbines, and they send it over to Kengo. When he opens the message and sees the photo, he puts it down… just as Miki shows up and notices his phone on the counter. She spots the two of them together and suspects the worst. It’s hard not to feel bad for her, especially as Kazuma has just pranced about without regard for Miki’s feelings.

Anyway, Miki shows up at the station to see Saeko. Miki introduces herself and pleads with Saeko to stop what she’s doing. She knows that Saeko and Kazu are getting closer together, but Saeko turns it around and claims this is not what’s happening. Saeko reassures her that there’s nothing romantic between her and Kazu. (They just hug closely and hold hands sometimes, no biggie).

Saeko then lashes out at Miki, telling her she won’t back down and will continue to see Kazuma whether she likes it or not. Saeko tries to explain the situation away, claiming that she’s torn up and wanting to continue clinging to any hope of Yusuke still being there.

“What did I do to deserve all of this?” Miki says, and breaks down crying on the platform. She bemoans what this has become and Saeko apologizes for her part in it.

Kazuma is struggling though and he heads back to the hospital after experiencing some heart issues. When he leaves, he bumps into Saeko in the street again. Her heel is broken and he offers her a ride on his back. They walk back together and at home, on the sofa, Saeko grabs Kzuma and brings him in close. And then, we get it. The cheating. The pair kiss and the show plays emotionally stirring, sentimental music for some reason.

The pair kiss for a while before sitting in silence together. When the umbrella by the door falls over, Saeko realizes where she recognized him from before – and that stems from the moments at the start of the episode. As for Kazu, he thinks over that same time period and believes that he’s now living two lives.

The Episode Review

Well, this show is officially cooked. We finally get the dreaded moment that Saeko and Kazuma kiss and in doing so, the show’s emotional music absolutely condones the cheating it seems. I’m not sure who thought that was a good idea, but the scenes prior to this on the platform with Saeko and Miki, as the latter begs her not to destroy their marriage, just takes on a whole new dimension.

Sure, you could explain away Saeko’s actions as her grieving and seeing parts of Yusuke inside Kazuma but whatever way you slice it, this is still cheating and the amount of time Kazu and Saeko are spending together, while Miki is left to pick up the pieces, just feels really disingenuous.

It doesn’t help that Miki’s tearful pleas on the platform are followed up by her playing the victim in this scene, and even explains that this relationship is not sexual. And then 10 minutes later, she’s got her tongue down Kazu’s throat.

Hopefully there will be some consequences for Kazuma and Saeko’s actions, because otherwise this will one will be beyond saving.