Line #1 Heartwarming/Gankutsuou


1	* In episode 2, Peppo tries to persuade Theresa not to kill Albert, reasoning that there's still time until the deadline, and they won't get paid if she kills Albert. Even though Peppo was the one who lured Albert into the trap, she obviously liked him enough to try and buy him time. When Theresa threatens to burn her, Albert shows that he's got guts by telling her to use the red hot sword she's holding on him. Theresa taunts Albert, even telling him that she's going to brand him, and Peppo interferes, only to get knocked aside. Albert loses his temper and kicks Theresa in retaliation, yelling at her to leave Peppo alone.
2	* In episode 4, after the Count leaves Albert's residence, he is seen with Haydee who is quietly watching him as he is driving. He asks her if she thinks he is a terrible man, and she responds in the negative, assuring him that she will stay beside him, even if it means walking down the path to ruin. The Count points out that it is not them who will be ruined. That quiet moment between them, where he is not the charismatic, vengeful and dangerous Count, but a man deep in thought who is almost unsure of himself is really sweet, especially when it is shown where they were driving to: the cemetery, where the Count visits his father's grave - perhaps for the first time since he was imprisoned.
3	* In episode 8, Albert is depressed because he thinks that the Count is angry at him and ignoring him because he saw him with Madame Villefort in the previous episode. During a "game" in the Count's countryside villa, when he and the Count are alone together, he takes that moment to apologize, puzzling the Count. When he explains why, the Count is taken aback and bursts into genuine, amused laughter. In the Japanese dub, he's so startled that he can't help erupting into full blown laughter as if asking "You were worried about THAT?!". Whether it is in the English or original Japanese dub, it's clear the Count was completely caught off guard and taken by surprise that he couldn't help laughing, which is a joy to hear. One might even argue that this is the episode where the Count began to truly care for Albert and regard him as a person and a friend.
4	* In Episode 9, Albert collapses after drinking the poisoned water meant for Valentine from the Villefort table. The Count looks worried, perhaps even guilt stricken that Albert almost died thanks to the poison he had given Madame Villefort, and at one point sounds like he wants to tell Albert everything as he talks about feelings of hate and vengeance. Unfortunately, Albert is too dense to understand.
5	* "Your son said that he believes in his father." from episode 16.
6	* The moment Albert and Eugenie share after her performance and she discovers that he in fact did come in episode 12. Albert is just so adorkable with the grapes he brought her, and Eugenie remembering how he always gave her fruit instead of flowers growing up. It's tinged with [[TearJerker bittersweetness, it isn't until after their engagement is broken that Albert discovers that he loves her. Then her father forces him out.]]
7	* Near the end of episode 12, Albert is despondent, and crushed after being thrown out by Danglars' bodyguards. As he is about to leave, he catches sight of the Count who notices his distress. Albert runs into the Count's arms, and the Count looks genuinely concerned while holding him as he falls apart, and cries. The next scene shows the Count and Albert leaving the opera house together, with Albert holding onto him as he supports him.
8	* In episode 13, Haydee remembers how her father was killed and she and her mother were sold into slavery. Soon after, her mother dies - we aren't told how, but we can assume that it wasn't pretty, since before she dies she gives Haydee a knife to kill herself if her master dishonours her - and she's branded on her neck. When she meets her new buyer, she's angry and afraid, clutching her knife..and then her new master, who just so happens to be the Count, smiles, goes down on one knee, bows and kisses her hand, treating her like the princess she once was from that moment on.
9	* Near the end of episode 14, the Count convinces Albert to join him on a trip in space, and when the boy voices his feelings of helplessness, he counsels him with words of encouragement, reminding him to be strong, and keep his chin up. Given what happens in the following episodes, one can only feel that the Count was giving Albert that advice out of genuine concern because he knew that it would be the last time they would ever speak as friends.
10	* In episode 23, Haydee finds the Count struggling and in pain following his talk with Albert. She rushes to his side and urges him to take his medicine, but he refuses, telling her that he can no longer hold Gankutsuou back. Haydee refuses to give up on him, and confesses her love for him. Despite how callously he had treated her following her ruination of Fernand Mondego's presidential campaign, and him claiming that she was nothing more than a pawn, she still cared enough for him to remind him that he was not the demon he'd allowed to possess him. As she weeps in fear and pain, the Count gently holds her hand and kisses her on the forehead - whether it is to comfort her, or bid her farewell before Gankutsuou takes over, it is unclear, but the moment is both heartwarming and heartbreaking for it shows that despite his claiming that she was nothing more than a pawn, he did truly care for her.
11	* The penultimate episode: The Count truly realizes his love for Albert, even as he demands he be given his sword to finish him...but Albert refuses to give up on Edmond, showing him forgiveness and love. Edmond is at last able to give up his hatred, even at the cost of his life. He does telling Albert to remember his name was Edmond Dantes. Even Fernand is able to repent, rediscovering his love of Albert and throwing away his ambition to die with honor by the man he once called his best friend.

Context Heartwarming / Gankutsuou