History TearJerker / LordElMelloiIICaseFiles

* Episode 7 touches on a significant ContinuitySnarl within the ''[[Franchise/FateSeries Fate]]'' {{multiverse}}: whether Servants summoned actually [[RippleEffectProofMemory remember their previous summoning experiences]] as collected in the Throne of Heroes. While most viewers (especially those coming from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'') may assume that this is indeed the case, the original ''[[VisualNovel/FateStayNight stay night]]'' / ''[[LightNovel/FateZero Zero]]'' timeline operates on the assumption [[ThatManIsDead that they cannot]].[[note]]For reference, in the visual novel's ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route, Archer sadly notes his experiences in the Fifth War will not bleed into his Counter-Guardian self, meaning the closure his Servant unit got during that war [[ShaggyDogStory will not affect his bitterness-laden original self]]. Admittedly, [[Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks the finale of the 2014 anime adaptation]] was a bit more ambiguous on this. Saber on the other hand remembered the 4th Holy Grail War by way of loophole as when she was summoned she was still alive as part of the exchange of her joining the Throne ''after'' she attained the Grail.[[/note]] This therefore introduces additional drama/tension in Waver's TragicDream of seeking to summon Iskandar again--in that [[AllForNothing despite all his efforts/angst]], the Iskandar/Alexander he might potentially meet may not even remember everything they went through after all.

** Waver has a dream of Okeanos, the sea at the end of the world that Iskandar sought out in life. As a soft piano arrangement of [[LightNovel/FateZero "You Are My King"]] plays he sees Iskandar waiting for him in the mist asking Waver to join him. Waver turns it down as he doesn't feel he is ready for it yet and still has to reach the point in his journey that he will be. As the mist begins to clear away Iskandar asks if he's enjoyed that journey so far. Waver breaks down crying in joy when he replies that yes it has, lapsing into his younger voice and calling Iskandar "Rider" once again.

** Much of this discrimination, as established earlier in ''LightNovel/FateZero'', was promoted by Kayneth's (their teacher's) own supremacist beliefs, which was subsequently hopped on by bullies from established families like Horus, Caimir and Amleth (who were shown to be the ones giving Waver most grief--further driving him to make his choice to jump into the Holy Grail War). Even kinder students like Winner, Melvin and Camus (because of the environment) were unable to do much beyond being individually friendlier to Waver himself.
** The extent of Amleth's crime was further revealed in that the feat by which he was promoted to Pride (i.e. the rank of achievement won by Svin through his own effort and El-Melloi II's teaching)--Projection Magic--was facilitated by using Camus's own magic in an experiment GoneHorriblyWrong (ending up with [[DreamCrushingHandicap her Magical Circuits damaged beyond repair]]). While this case would have not gone unaddressed by their teacher--Kayneth--it is established these all happened within the timeframe of ''LightNovel/FateZero'' (where he died), making Camus's tragedy an indirect casualty of Waver's involvement, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero to his horror]].

-->"Sorry, Rider. I wanted your wish to come true. I really wished that your wish would be granted. I really did. You’re always so impatient, always barging into places before you’re ready, making a mess, and then leaving. Shut up and wait for once, will you? Just laugh like you always do and watch me from a distance. [[ThePromise I promise I’ll get there one day]]. You can pat me on the back when I do, you idiot. A promise is a promise, even if no one believes me. I don’t even believe in myself. I know I don’t have the capacity to become a Heroic Spirit. [[Determinator But I will spend my life trying to reach you]]. Because I am your Master… and your subject… You are my king… And also… my friend…"

** The extent of Amleth's crime was further revealed in that the feat by which he was promoted to Pride (i.e. the rank of achievement won by Svin through his own effort and El-Melloi II's teaching)--Projection Magic--was facilitated by using Camus's own magic in an experiment GoneHorriblyWrong (ending up with [[DreamCrushingHandicap her Magical Circuits damaged beyong repair]]). While this case would have not gone unaddressed by their teacher--Kayneth--it is established these all happened within the timeframe of ''LightNovel/FateZero'' (where he died), making Camus's tragedy an indirect casualty of Waver's involvement, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero to his horror]].

** To save everyone, El Melloi II/Waver had to [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim break her heart once again]], by a) emphasizing to her that despite the LoveEpiphany, [[LovingAShadow he can no longer return it]] for he has already devoted his life to [[LovedINotHonorMore honoring Iskandar's ideal]]; b) insisting that she finally move on and live in the present; and c) in wrapping up the case, informing her that she can no longer interact with the world of Clock Tower. The one sweet note in this is that in their parting, El Melloi II/Waver finally manages to give her [[PreciousPhoto a photo of him with her and Melvin]], as well as thanking her for their friendship in their youth. For the first time, Camus leaves [[WhenSheSmiles with a genuine smile on her face]]. Later on, as Waver hosts his Christmas movie night with his FamilyOfChoice, a photo of Camus taking a selfie with Waver is prominently displayed near the television.

** To save everyone, El Melloi II/Waver had to [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim break her heart once again]], by a) emphasizing to her that despite the LoveEpiphany, [[LovingAShadow he can no longer return it]] for he has already devoted his life to [[LovedINotHonorMore honoring Iskandar's ideal]]; b) insisting that she finally move on and live in the present; and c) in wrapping up the case, informing her that she can no longer interact with the world of Clock Tower. The one sweet note in this is that in their parting, El Melloi II/Waver finally manages to give her a photo of him with her and Melvin, as well as thanking her for their friendship in their youth. For the first time, Camus leaves [[WhenSheSmiles with a genuine smile on her face]].

* The New Year's Eve 2021 special episode (which involves Waver's batch reunion in the leadup to Christmas Eve) showcases to some extent the [[SlobsVersusSnobs bullying]], [[BigJerkOnCampus discrimination]] and [[TeensAreMonsters teenage sociopathy]] engendered in Clock Tower--which becomes the FreudianExcuse of the main perpetrator of the case: [[TheDogBitesBack Camus Peligor]]. The related trope of "wanting to recapture school GloryDays" is also significantly PlayedForDrama.[[note]][[MeaningfulReleaseDate Coincidentally]], this episode came out a day before the 20th anniversary special of ''Franchise/HarryPotter: [[MilestoneCelebration Return to Hogwarts]]''--the franchise this storyline is usually compared to apart from ''Literature/SherlockHoles'' (especially since it brutally [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructs]] the WizardingSchool premise).[[/note]]

** Then there's [[BrokernBird Camus]] herself. Despite having managed to find success in building up her own tech company, being [[ICouldaBeenAContender forced out of being a mage]] (not to mention being unable to address [[TheOneThatGotAway her lingering feelings for Waver]]--both for [[{{Determinator}} his idealism]] and [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe his kindness]]). Being a friend of Touko Aozaki (who [[BlueAndOrangeMorality despite her own way of empathy]], just makes her a ToxicFriendInfluence in this case) drove her into her main plot of trapping their batch in a LotusEaterMachine where they are forever in school.

** The reunion itself reveals how Waver's bullies became [{{Future Loser}}s for their part (Caimir stuck with a dead-end job, Horus becoming [[BoxedCrook a retained assassin]] not unlike Kiritsugu). Amleth, despite being publicly the organizer of the reunion (and [[VillainWithGoodPublicity the "most successful" publicly]], was revealed to be in much debt to Melvin and Camus--who were loaning him for his Projection research). Camus, in turn, reveals that she purposely kept him on that financial leash partly as {{Revenge}}.
**

*** Additional note: in the dream, Iskandar's reaction to finding out Waver has become a teacher is one of mild disbelief, surprise and genuine acceptance. His particular description of Waver, however, as someone who "wring(s) out words in a logical manner" is probably his approximation of Greek philosophers in his time--foremost among them being his own mentor, Aristotle. Iskandar, in effect, [[SoProudOfYou is recognizing Waver on the same level as the ancients who taught him]]--which must be the kind of highest compliment any other mage running on OlderIsBetter would die for.

** Waver has a dream of Okeanos, the sea at the end of the world that Iskandar sought out in life. As a soft piano arrangement of [[LightNovel/FateZero "You Are My King"]] plays he sees Iskandar waiting for him in the mist asking Waver to join him. Waver turns it down as he doesn't feel he is ready for it yet and still has to reach the point in his journey that he will be. As the mist begins to clear away Iskandar asks if he's enjoyed that journey so far. Waver breaks down crying in joy when he replies that yes it has, lapsing into his younger voice and calling Iskandar "Rider" once again.

* Episode 7 touches on a significant ContinuitySnarl within the ''[[Franchise/FateSeries Fate]]'' {{multiverse}}: whether Servants summoned actually [[RippleEffectProofMemory remember their previous summoning experiences]] as collected in the Throne of Heroes. While most viewers (especially those coming from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'') may assume that this is indeed the case, the original ''[[VisualNovel/FateStayNight stay night]]'' / ''[[LightNovel/FateZero Zero]]'' timeline operates on the assumption [[ThatManIsDead that they cannot]].[[note]]For reference, in the visual novel's ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route, Archer sadly notes his experiences in the Fifth War will not bleed into his Counter-Guardian self, meaning the closure his Servant unit got during that war [[ShaggyDogStory will not affect his bitterness-laden original self]]. Admittedly, [[Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks the finale of the 2014 anime adaptation]] was a bit more ambiguous on this.[[/note]] This therefore introduces additional drama/tension in Waver's TragicDream of seeking to summon Iskandar again--in that [[AllForNothing despite all his efforts/angsts]], the Iskandar/Alexander he might potentially meet may not even remember everything they went through after all.

* Episode 7 touches on a significant ContinuitySnarl within the ''[[Franchise/FateSeries Fate]]'' {{multiverse}}: whether Servants summoned actually [[RippleEffectProofMemory remember their previous summoning experiences]] as collected in the Throne of Heroes. While most viewers (especially those coming from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'') may assume that this is indeed the case, the original ''[[VisualNovel/FateStayNight stay night]]'' / ''[[LightNovel/FateZero Zero]]'' timeline operates on the assumption [[ThatManIsDead that they cannot]].[[note]]For reference, in the visual novel's ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route, Archer sadly notes his experiences in the Fifth War will not bleed into his Counter-Guardian self, meaning the closure his Servant unit got during that war [[ShaggyDogStory will not affect his bitterness-laden original self]]. Admittedly, [[Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks the finale of the 2014 anime adaptation]] was a bit more ambiguous on this.[[/note]] This therefore introduces additional drama/tension in Waver's TragicDream of seeking to summon Iskandar again--in that [[AllForNothing despite all his efforts/angsts]], the Iskandar/Alexander he might potentially meet may not even remember everything they went through after all.

* Episode 7 touches on a significant ContinuitySnarl within the ''[[Franchise/FateSeries Fate]]'' {{multiverse}}: whether Servants summoned actually [[RippleEffectProofMemory remember their previous summoning experiences]] as collected in the Throne of Heroes. While most viewers (especially those coming from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'') may assume that this is indeed the case, the original ''[[VisualNovel/FateStayNight stay night]]'' / ''[[LightNovel/FateZero Zero]]'' timeline operates on the assumption [[ThatManIsDead that they cannot]].[[note]]For reference, in the visual novel's ''Unlimited Blade Works'' route, Archer sadly notes his experiences in the Fifth War will not bleed into his Counter-Guardian self, meaning the closure his Servant unit got during that war [[ShaggyDogStory will not affect his bitterness-laden original self]]. Admittedly, [[Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks the finale of the 2014 anime adaptation]] was a bit more ambiguous on this.[[/note]] This therefore introduces additional drama/tension in Waver's TragicDream of seeking to summon Iskandar again--in that [[AllForNothing despite all his efforts/angsts]] mean, the Iskandar/Alexander he might potentially meet may not even remember everything they went through after all.

* Episode 6 has been mostly-lighthearted--what with Gray, Reines and Luvia in a girls' night out shopping. The very end of the episode kicks us into crisis, however, when it is revealed [[TragicKeepsake the relic fragment of Iskandar's cape]] was stolen--explicitly stated to be done by the people involved in Rail Zeppelin. Waver's interest in this case, understandably, just became ItsPersonal.

* TheStinger of Episode 3 has Reines informing Waver that [[ForegoneConclusion the Magus Association has already filled its two slots for participants in the next Holy Grail war]]. The opening seconds of Episode 4 has Gray listening in on her [[HeroicBSOD utterly miserable]] teacher lamenting that he will not be able to see Iskandar again or make his wish come true. Fortunately he manages to cheer himself up shortly afterward by drawing on Iskandar's words, but his reaction to having his hopes crushed is hard to watch.

** On a Fridge note: It appears that prior to being thrown back into the world of Clock Tower politics, Waver chose to be WalkingTheEarth and helping people along the way (albeit we really only see him within the countries Iskandar/Alexander formerly conquered. [[CallForward This puts his meeting with Shirou Emiya]] in the ''[[Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks [unlimited blade works] anime]]'' in a new light: when he was talking to Shirou about being a "hero of justice" (and cynically commenting about it), he knows exactly what it was like.

* TheStinger of Episode 3 has Reines informing Waver that [[ForgoneConclusion the Magus Association has already filled its two slots for participants in the next Holy Grail war]]. The opening seconds of Episode 4 has Gray listening in on her [[HeroicBSOD utterly miserable]] teacher lamenting that he will not be able to see Iskandar again or make his wish come true. Fortunately he manages to cheer himself up shortly afterward by drawing on Iskandar's words, but his reaction to having his hopes crushed is hard to watch.

* Episode 2: The murder mystery reveals that the murdered mage was not even murdered at all--but in fact was trying a botched attempt at immortality and had to be put down. While Gray puts the (now-monstrous) mage down with ease, Waver eventually quizzes his daughter (his former student who asked for his help) why she didn't even try to stop her father even if she most likely knew what he was doing. [[TheDogWasTheMastermind She simply sadly admits that her inaction]] (essentially leaving her father to self-destruct) was [[TheDogBitesBack her only way of freeing herself]] [[DomesticAbuse from his controlling environment]]. Waver immediately understands everything, walking away in melancholy--[[RevealShot then we cut to her and her maid]], [[HomoeroticSubtext warmly holding hands in relief]].

* Episode 1: Nearly every attempt Waver makes to do something good after the Fourth Holy Grail War lands him in trouble--with even a simple attempt at fixing someone's bike (who is rushing to buy medicine) through magic leading to him being kidnapped. His positive relief at finding Melvin and saving him (and subsequently convincing Reines of his intentions) is almost cathartic--[[MoodWhiplash at least]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfFunny until]] [[KickedUpstairs she promotes him as Lord El-Melloi against his ideas]].
* Episode 2: The murder mystery reveals that the murdered mage was not even murdered at all--but in fact was trying a botched attempt at immortality and had to be put down. While Gray puts the (now-monstrous) mage down with ease, Waver eventually quizzes his daughter (his former student who asked for his help) why she didn't even try to stop his father even if she most likely knew what he was doing in fact. [[TheDogWasTheMastermind She simply sadly admitted that her inaction]] (essentially leaving her father to self-destruct) was [[TheDogBitesBack her only way of freeing herself]] [[DomesticAbuse from his controlling environment]]. Waver immediately understands everything, walking away in melancholy--[[RevealShot then cuts to her and her maid]], [[HoYay warmly holding hands in relief]].

* Episode 1: Nearly every attempt Waver makes to do something good after the Fourth Holy Grail War lands him in trouble--with even a simple attempt at fixing someone's bike (who is rushing to buy medicine) through magic leading to him being kidnapped. His positive relief at finding Melvin and saving him (and subsequently convincing Reines of his intentions) is almost cathartic--[[MoodWhiplash at least]] [[CrowningMomentOfFunny until]] [[KickedUpstairs she promotes him as Lord El-Melloi against his ideas]].