Light manages to do what seemed undoable, he manages to remove his biggest threat, the most beloved character in the series, L.
26 Reviews
This is as good as it can get.
eldreddsouza11 April 2020
Best episode so far
junejoabdulsalam24 January 2019
This is the end
00Yasser22 October 2020
Ryuzaki as anime character is one of the best ever I think; his mind, his plans and his vision; actually in a battel between humans he will be the winner every time but what would he do to beat The man who fooled the Shinigami !!
Perfect
bekemgoeceri29 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best episodes of the entire season. Despite I already knew what was going to happen due to the Death Note mangas I read, it was nevertheless an intense episode. Particularly because they added the rain scene which made the farewell of L even more sad and dramatic. Perfect.
Goodbye, Friend.
babkevich_andrey27 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In short, L was sure till the end that light is Kira, he just couldn't figure out 2 things - how he kills and why he's doing this memory self-erasing thing. What's his goal? Now L knows How but doesn't know Why. He gets so desperate and goes up on the roof hearing the bells. He knows he's practically dead and light's won, and asking if light has ever been honest he's desperately asking why the hell light's doing this, why not just confess to L before killing him? But light is too dumb and arrogant, so he lies till the end only showing that he's Kira with his smile in front of dying L. Now L gets the confirmation that he was right all alone and now can rest in peace, because he knows that his legacy will be carried by others (Near and Mello) and Light will be dead or imprisoned soon. He deserved the rest. Still, the cops are as dumb as hell. L wants to check if the 13day rule is real and dies immediately, and they have never checked it themselves - convenient. They are waaaaaaaay too dumb. L died smiling because he knew he'll never see their dumb faces again (especially Matsuda's). Sorry. Still, tragic episode, love L, my mom likes Mello, but the plot sucks.
I understand the 9.5 rating now
lhbaker-287838 April 2022
And I understand why most people think the show can't pick itself back up after this episode. Will I agree with them, who knows? But I do know that I agree with them saying this was a shocking, thrilling, and sad episode, and for some the best episode of the series..... yet?
The Sound of "Silence"
MrPeterJohnson8 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
After two years of not watching "Death Note", I decided to pick up where I left off (episode 17) and continue to at least this episode. Much of the viewing so far has been exciting. This is due, in large part, to the way the show builds up to this episode.
Some of the writing is a little thinly conceived in spots, but the writers have a good sense of broader narrative movement. As an example of how thin the writing can be at times, every supporting character felt like a stock character. Even Misa, whose unabated affinity for Kira (read: Light) proves to be a unidimensional, yet overwhelming, motivation for her. Misa commits two fateful actions in order to serve Light: she gets Shinigami eyes to help find L's real name and she uses the Death Note to kill criminals as Light instructs her to do. Misa appears subservient to Light more so than she is to any law or moral code.
Subservience also seems to define Rem's protectiveness of Misa. When Rem realizes that Misa could be caught by authorities for the way she uses the Death Note, Rem realizes that she must sacrifice herself to save Misa. The fact that Light hinges his scheme to kill L and Watari on the subservience of Misa and Rem demonstrates Light's capacity for exploiting people's motivations to achieve what he wants.
This episode, "Silence", is shrouded in inevitability. Light's plan to kill L and protect himself, developed much earlier in the series, is realized here in horrific fashion. Every character impacted, sans Misa, becomes aware of their role in Light's perverse design.
L and Rem both confront their mortality. Rem at least has the privilege of knowing that her death will protect someone she cares for. L, however, understands that his death is more of tactical significance to Light. Both concede to how clever Light is, but that does not make their inevitable demise any easier for them to bear.
The show's writers try to provide L backstory before he dies, but this decision seems to arrive too late. The greatest value of L in this story has been his unparalleled capacity for deduction and the ways in which he uses that deduction to pursue Kira. L's loss is also a tremendous loss to the police force and their ability to bring Kira to justice. While humanizing L through backstory is a sound idea, the fact that it is placed in this episode and that it's presented in such abbreviated rendered L's past in sufficiently defined. When L dies, images that present his childhood feel as if they could use more emotional heft, or at least more emotional grounding. There is perhaps some sentimental value to seeing these images, though. Knowing that L was once as defenseless and vulnerable as anyone else provides shades of humanity to his character that are unseen through L's nonchalant, yet cerebral exterior. Even so, an image can't communicate the reality of his life during his childhood.
More valuable in enriching L's character are the scenes in which L socializes with Light one last time. These present L's introspection as well as his softer nature. I refer first to the rooftop scene, in which L seems to acknowledge his fate and the feelings it conjures from within him. In addition, I refer to the scene on the stairs, in which L massages Light's feet.
There were notable formal choices made by the episode's filmmakers that reminded me of Brian de Palma's playful expressiveness. These choices compliment the mood of inevitability in the episode. Notable to me was the use of liturgical music when punctuating the episode's most dramatic moments, especially the internal monologue that closes the episode. (Some may also note Misa's haunting song as well). Also, the selective use of the color red stands out against the greens, greys, and blues that dominate the episode's color palette. The use of red is most notable toward the end of the episode, with special regard for its appearance during Light's closing internal monologue. Pacing is also much slower here than in previous episodes, allowing for a different kind of dialogue than the scheming and logistics that provides the show much of its substance.
With all of that said, I'm glad to be watching "Death Note" again after such a long time. The filmmakers of "Death Note" know how to deliver the larger plot developments in the story with intensity and flair.
Some of the writing is a little thinly conceived in spots, but the writers have a good sense of broader narrative movement. As an example of how thin the writing can be at times, every supporting character felt like a stock character. Even Misa, whose unabated affinity for Kira (read: Light) proves to be a unidimensional, yet overwhelming, motivation for her. Misa commits two fateful actions in order to serve Light: she gets Shinigami eyes to help find L's real name and she uses the Death Note to kill criminals as Light instructs her to do. Misa appears subservient to Light more so than she is to any law or moral code.
Subservience also seems to define Rem's protectiveness of Misa. When Rem realizes that Misa could be caught by authorities for the way she uses the Death Note, Rem realizes that she must sacrifice herself to save Misa. The fact that Light hinges his scheme to kill L and Watari on the subservience of Misa and Rem demonstrates Light's capacity for exploiting people's motivations to achieve what he wants.
This episode, "Silence", is shrouded in inevitability. Light's plan to kill L and protect himself, developed much earlier in the series, is realized here in horrific fashion. Every character impacted, sans Misa, becomes aware of their role in Light's perverse design.
L and Rem both confront their mortality. Rem at least has the privilege of knowing that her death will protect someone she cares for. L, however, understands that his death is more of tactical significance to Light. Both concede to how clever Light is, but that does not make their inevitable demise any easier for them to bear.
The show's writers try to provide L backstory before he dies, but this decision seems to arrive too late. The greatest value of L in this story has been his unparalleled capacity for deduction and the ways in which he uses that deduction to pursue Kira. L's loss is also a tremendous loss to the police force and their ability to bring Kira to justice. While humanizing L through backstory is a sound idea, the fact that it is placed in this episode and that it's presented in such abbreviated rendered L's past in sufficiently defined. When L dies, images that present his childhood feel as if they could use more emotional heft, or at least more emotional grounding. There is perhaps some sentimental value to seeing these images, though. Knowing that L was once as defenseless and vulnerable as anyone else provides shades of humanity to his character that are unseen through L's nonchalant, yet cerebral exterior. Even so, an image can't communicate the reality of his life during his childhood.
More valuable in enriching L's character are the scenes in which L socializes with Light one last time. These present L's introspection as well as his softer nature. I refer first to the rooftop scene, in which L seems to acknowledge his fate and the feelings it conjures from within him. In addition, I refer to the scene on the stairs, in which L massages Light's feet.
There were notable formal choices made by the episode's filmmakers that reminded me of Brian de Palma's playful expressiveness. These choices compliment the mood of inevitability in the episode. Notable to me was the use of liturgical music when punctuating the episode's most dramatic moments, especially the internal monologue that closes the episode. (Some may also note Misa's haunting song as well). Also, the selective use of the color red stands out against the greens, greys, and blues that dominate the episode's color palette. The use of red is most notable toward the end of the episode, with special regard for its appearance during Light's closing internal monologue. Pacing is also much slower here than in previous episodes, allowing for a different kind of dialogue than the scheming and logistics that provides the show much of its substance.
With all of that said, I'm glad to be watching "Death Note" again after such a long time. The filmmakers of "Death Note" know how to deliver the larger plot developments in the story with intensity and flair.
It should've ended here
DJ2_Freeman21 February 2022
Sad, tragic and Depressing
saadi-424221 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
L aka Ryuzaki was the heart and soul of this show. He knew since beginning that Light was Kira. The way he died without having the opportunity to reveal that crooked culprit and how he died, watching that evil smile of Light, was very depressing, tragic and disturbing to watch.
This episode also shows Light is truly an evil person. From day one, he acts like the master of life and death with no regards to everyone. It really bugs me that a character as devilish like this has such a strong fan base when there is nothing to appreciate (apart from his 150 IQ mind thanks to writers extreme blessing). He is apathic, evil, unlikable and fake af. Whats there to like? I really hope he finally meets his end as he deserves.
This episode also shows Light is truly an evil person. From day one, he acts like the master of life and death with no regards to everyone. It really bugs me that a character as devilish like this has such a strong fan base when there is nothing to appreciate (apart from his 150 IQ mind thanks to writers extreme blessing). He is apathic, evil, unlikable and fake af. Whats there to like? I really hope he finally meets his end as he deserves.
Silence is Golden!
mackinleymenezes18 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is well done
Killing off one of the best detectives in such a well thought out plan done in the best executable way possible is simply
...brilliant writing !!
After the second half not living up to the legacy of the show's brilliant writing,light's loss in the second half was purely childish and non-sensical ,it is like they wanted to get to the point without the proper logical build-up and conclusion to Light's downfall and death.. It is a good idea ..but the explanation of it and light's loss was so illogical in the second half But so far this episode is still perfect and well written without the context of the ending .
If death note ended here i would have given this show a perfect 10 ,it is still a memorable series but with a messed up ending.
After the second half not living up to the legacy of the show's brilliant writing,light's loss in the second half was purely childish and non-sensical ,it is like they wanted to get to the point without the proper logical build-up and conclusion to Light's downfall and death.. It is a good idea ..but the explanation of it and light's loss was so illogical in the second half But so far this episode is still perfect and well written without the context of the ending .
If death note ended here i would have given this show a perfect 10 ,it is still a memorable series but with a messed up ending.
"It'll be lonely, won't it?"
coasteraddict-1679622 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"You and I will be parting ways soon."
It's not easy to break down in condensed terms the perfection and beauty that is Death Note's "Silence." This is the episode where everything converges and the show reaches a climax that I never could have expected from the start.
From episode 2 onward, the Light vs L conflict has a white knuckle hold over the show, even in the Yotsuba arc. We've spent so much time watching the two plan against one another - this one is when the dominoes begin to fall, and most of the characters can do nothing but bear witness.
This episode uses foreshadowing and symbolism exceptionally well - the bell noises being a key example. The glimpse into L's childhood is simple but very revealing. With just a few wordless moments we begin to understand his close bond with Watari, making the episode's events hit even harder.
The sound design in this episode is outstanding. The creepy sound of the choir over Light's warped and distorted face definitely sets the mood. The use of silence itself is a recurring theme in this episode, best seen when L asks Light if he's ever truly been honest.
Speaking of, the rooftop conversation is a scene that is more or less perfect. The direction, the sound, the atmosphere, the subtext, all make for a scene that does an amazing job of showing us L give his last stand against the unstoppable force that is Light Yagami.
Finally, the end, and the 3 character deaths are all fantastically done. L's panic when Watari cries out is subtle but adds a lot. Even with L's death spoiled for me, my mouth hung slack in awe as he dropped to the floor and Light watched in amazement. Their final moments, hearing the bells, watching the devilish grin form on Light's face, is silent, and yet so much is spoken between them.
"You sounded like Ryuzaki," Matsuda tells Light at the end, a grim warning of what's to come. When Light finally proclaims his victory, the episode leaves viewers in utter awe at what they've witnessed. This episode is something else completely. Its dialogue, imagery, twists, all of it, are outstanding. Arguably the show's magnum opus.
10/10.
It's not easy to break down in condensed terms the perfection and beauty that is Death Note's "Silence." This is the episode where everything converges and the show reaches a climax that I never could have expected from the start.
From episode 2 onward, the Light vs L conflict has a white knuckle hold over the show, even in the Yotsuba arc. We've spent so much time watching the two plan against one another - this one is when the dominoes begin to fall, and most of the characters can do nothing but bear witness.
This episode uses foreshadowing and symbolism exceptionally well - the bell noises being a key example. The glimpse into L's childhood is simple but very revealing. With just a few wordless moments we begin to understand his close bond with Watari, making the episode's events hit even harder.
The sound design in this episode is outstanding. The creepy sound of the choir over Light's warped and distorted face definitely sets the mood. The use of silence itself is a recurring theme in this episode, best seen when L asks Light if he's ever truly been honest.
Speaking of, the rooftop conversation is a scene that is more or less perfect. The direction, the sound, the atmosphere, the subtext, all make for a scene that does an amazing job of showing us L give his last stand against the unstoppable force that is Light Yagami.
Finally, the end, and the 3 character deaths are all fantastically done. L's panic when Watari cries out is subtle but adds a lot. Even with L's death spoiled for me, my mouth hung slack in awe as he dropped to the floor and Light watched in amazement. Their final moments, hearing the bells, watching the devilish grin form on Light's face, is silent, and yet so much is spoken between them.
"You sounded like Ryuzaki," Matsuda tells Light at the end, a grim warning of what's to come. When Light finally proclaims his victory, the episode leaves viewers in utter awe at what they've witnessed. This episode is something else completely. Its dialogue, imagery, twists, all of it, are outstanding. Arguably the show's magnum opus.
10/10.
Another masterpiece episode.
reb-warrior1 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Now that Light gets back his memories(last episode) which was also a climatic and masterpiece episode, things have come full circle for him and L.
L's death was beautiful and sad. Can death be beautiful? Yes, in fiction, anyways. There was some great artistry here. The flashbacks to L's childhood, L saying he could hear the bell. It was louder than usual. Which means he has always heard the bell. Which probably meant L always knew he would die young. Death was chasing him. Some great scenery when Light and L are on the rooftop, the way they looked at each other, and the sound of silence. Later, L keeled over and the slow-motion of his death, and his eyes closing, pure artistry. I was so sad and disappointed that L died. He was such an oddball lovable character. Now that dynamic between L and Light is gone.
A great shocking moment when Rem realized what Light's plan was.
Light and L on the rooftop in the rain gave off romantic vibes. It's weird given Light is the killer L is trying to catch. But there it is.
L never let go of his belief that Light was Kira. 10/10.
L's death was beautiful and sad. Can death be beautiful? Yes, in fiction, anyways. There was some great artistry here. The flashbacks to L's childhood, L saying he could hear the bell. It was louder than usual. Which means he has always heard the bell. Which probably meant L always knew he would die young. Death was chasing him. Some great scenery when Light and L are on the rooftop, the way they looked at each other, and the sound of silence. Later, L keeled over and the slow-motion of his death, and his eyes closing, pure artistry. I was so sad and disappointed that L died. He was such an oddball lovable character. Now that dynamic between L and Light is gone.
A great shocking moment when Rem realized what Light's plan was.
Light and L on the rooftop in the rain gave off romantic vibes. It's weird given Light is the killer L is trying to catch. But there it is.
L never let go of his belief that Light was Kira. 10/10.
Death note
mhoda-797151 February 2022
The end of when Death Note used to be good
kamrulahasan-5200428 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
" Silence " brings the first chapter of light's story to a close. When rim killed L, he saw Light smiling evilly. Realizing he was right in his deduction, he dies peacefully. Though it was saddest episode of the whole series , where 3 good characters died at the same time. And I wasn't realy prepared for the L's death man.!!
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