The past comes back to haunt each of the characters in the sixth installment of the popular noir sci-fi adventure. In "Brain Scratch," Faye is drawn into an eerie cult that promises electronic immortality and an end to worldly cares. Director Shinichiro Watanabe juxtaposes flashy television graphics with gritty, gray reality, as Ed hacks a path to the truth. Next, Faye and Ed confront different yet linked pasts in "Hard Luck Woman." Ed (who turns out to be a girl) finds her long-lost father; Faye learns she can't go back to the world she knew before a devastating accident. The two-part epsiode "Real Folk Blues" returns to the saga of Julia, the woman Spike once loved, who appeared in "Jupiter Jazz" (episodes 12 and 13). The icy Vicious's attempt to take over the Red Dragon mob draws Spike and Julia into a deadly web of revenge. "Real Folk Blues" marks the end of Cowboy Bebop, arguably the most stylish and sophisticated anime series in recent years. This last adventure will leave viewers with the same sense of loss they experienced when the first Star Wars trilogy ended. Although no further television episodes are planned, a feature is in the works. Fans can look forward to seeing their favorite Space Cowboy in the not-too-distant future.
Not rated: suitable for ages 13 and up for nudity, violence, adult situations, and unflattering ethnic characterizations. --Charles Solomon
