Cowboy Bebop 1.4 Gateway Shuffle
While I've got qualms with the plot of this episode, it seems like this is where the show takes the first step to evolving. Valentine's story drifting in space serves as a b-plot that gets woven into the larger story. I wasn't immediately won over by her character in the first episode, but her whole bit every time a ship comes by makes her endearing because she's playful with a nice dose of spunk. My biggest laugh of the show so far is when Spike and Jet find Valentine.
But the actual plot of this episode feels like the weakest one of the show so far. Eco-terrorism almost always makes for poorly motivated, boring villains and while Mom is certainly a chilling presence, as an actual character she's really dumb. It's such a lazy and bad way to build conflict. Still, there are some great scenes here, like when Spike is trying to break open the device Valentine finds.
Cowboy Bebop 1.5 Ballad of Fallen Angels
So far, the show's happy-go-lucky spirit has been one of its most endearing qualities, so for the show to switch gears into something this dark and dramatic should be a turnoff, but in some ways it makes it work even better. There's a time for the fun action romps, but this isn't one of those times. Spike even knows it. When Jet tells him to walk away from this one, he agrees, but he knows he has to see it through.
There are two scenes in this episode that are breathtaking. The first is Spike entering the chapel. The lighting and use of color is astounding. The detail of animation for a TV show feels almost gratuitous for backgrounds that last mere seconds. And the song Rain is just perfect for the moment and adds that final bit of mood which makes the scene haunting and beautiful.
The second scene is Spike falling out the window. It's long, almost too long, but it gives us enough taste of Spike's past to give us a suggestion of what might be going on, but without just coming out and telling us. Maybe the show will fill in the blanks, but I kinda hope it doesn't. I think this might be the best episode of the show so far. Also, the last bit between Spike and Valentine is a great way to lighten the dark mood of the episode.