Kinou Nani Tabeta/What Did You Eat Yesterday? - Episode 11 (Recap)
I am feeling sad because we are at the penultimate episode.
There is some talk about doing a sequel, but I don’t want any cast changes
unless it’s an emergency ( for example the emergency cast change for Shiro's dad), so I don’t know how I would feel if they
do it and only bring back half the cast.
Shiro asks his mom some things about her method. For example, he’s surprised that she doesn’t add salt and pepper to the tonkatsu.[I always salt and pepper mine, but she doesn't, so I'm going to try it without next time I make it.] She tells him to add water to the egg mixture to stretch the use of the egg to more pieces of meat. He smiles thinking that he learned his frugality from her.
He’s a little suspicious because she hasn’t been asking him any questions about the future or wanting him to settle down. He grouses a bit to himself when he finds out she is also making macaroni salad because no matter what he says about being older and not be able to eat as much, she always makes lots of food with a lot of carbs when he's there. They do have a sweet moment when she talks about how she loves sharing kitchen with him even though he isn’t a daughter. He looks at her with lots of love.
When they sit down to eat, he comments on how much he loves tonkatsu, but he hasn’t eaten it in awhile. His dad (played now by Tayama Ryosei because Shiga Kotaro had to be hospitalized) says the same thing. His mom says they hardly eat fried food with dad admitting that he can’t digest it as well anymore. Shiro is taken aback. All this time, he was only thinking that his mom was ignoring the fact that he can no longer eat the way he did when he was a teenager, but really they cook like this when he comes home as a treat for all of them.
When they finish, there are quite a lot of leftovers. [I wondered when I watched. Seemed like a lot of tonkatsu for three people. Especially, three people who can’t eat like they used to anymore.] Shiro’s mom jumps up to pack some of the food or Kenji. What follows is a hilarious silent interchange that I would gif if I knew how. She and her husband go back and forth, each silently trying to get the other to say something (we don’t know what yet) to Shiro. They are so obvious that Shiro notices.
Shiro tells him that Kohinata has asked them to have Christmas dinner with them, hurriedly assuring him that Gilbert will be in attendance as well. He’s actually thinking of inviting them over for Christmas dinner instead, so they can have their traditional meal. After all, it won’t take any more time to cook if they have people over.
Kenji is fine with it, but he’s concerned since Shiro was so against having company when he asked Yoshi and Tetsu over. Shiro seems embarrassed by his behavior then; he also asserts that he’s trying to save money at the end of year. Kohinata will want to eat out, and he always picks expensive places to eat. (Tell me about it Shiro. I have friends like that, too). Now this makes a lot more sense to Kenji, and he gets excited. He happily twirls about apartment thinking about the decorations they should put up.
At the law office the next day, Osamu is setting out decorations while Shino asks him about vacationing at a fancy hot spring resort. Their boss has been on a waiting list for awhile for this place, and there has been a last minute cancellation. Shino thinks that it must be grand to be in a lawyer family, but he quickly corrects her. He’s staying home with his wife and kids; his mother is going to resort without them.
We switch to a restaurant where his mother is having lunch with Shiro. She reminds him that she and her girlfriends plan trips together quite often. But he wonders whether traveling on the holiday is expensive. She jokes that she wants to show off a bit but also she needs to be able to tell Osamu and his family what a great time she is having, so they don’t worry about her being alone.
He admires her frugal and thoughtful planning, but it also makes him thoughtful about how she is looking out for her son while doing all of this.
We see him later jogging up the stairs to Kayoko’s apartment. He’s just about to knock on the door when their daughter, Michuri, bursts out in a bad attitude. She brightens up when she sees him and tells him her parents are in when he says her mom has some onions for him. She makes a face when she mentions her dad, so it shouldn't surprise us when we see her dad sitting at the table sulking.
While putting onions in a bag for him, Kayoko explains that her husband said things he shouldn’t and is now unhappy. But Tominaga wants to tell his side of story. He informs Shiro that their daughter has been dating the same guy since college. They’ve been together for 8 years and live nearby. Apparently, he asked her (again) about marriage, especially now that she’s 30. But she isn’t interested. She can’t think of a reason to get married, especially because they don’t want kids! He is so shocked and upset by this.
Kayoko says they thought that if their daughter wanted to keep working with kids, now would be a good time because they could help, but she really doesn’t care either way as long as Michuri is happy. It looks like she really means it, but her husband is heartbroken. Kayoko apologizes for exposing Shiro to their parent drama.
He doesn't mind, but it makes him realize that all parents worry about their children no matter what.
Viewers can tell that these conversations with his boss and with his neighbors weigh heavily on Shiro's mind as he walks home. I know they would make me think about myself if I had just had an argument with my parents.
The food of course looks and tastes good, but Gilbert spends a lot of his time complaining . . . that he can’t and shouldn’t eat all of this but it soo good.
(I was rolling my eyes. I can’t believe they indulge him like this). Kohinata offers him the tuna salad and the clams and broccoli as lighter fare, but Shiro knows what he’s doing and puts an extra large piece of lasagna on Gilbert's plate. Shiro and Kenji share a conspiratorial laugh.
He chows. . . . and then when it looks like they have licked the lasagna pan clean, he complains about eating so much but still refuses to leave before having some of the dessert that Kohinata brought. Take a look at it. I wouldn't leave without a piece either! Qu'il Fait Bon is a real place. Take a look at the mouth watering pictures on the website in the link.
However, before that Shiro brings out a palate cleanser of an Earl Grey tea-flavored ice milk.
Jealous Gilbert can’t let anyone be, and because he thinks he has the wisdom of the ages (despite being the youngest person in the room), he warns Shiro against it, saying that his parents are shocked enough that he’s gay, but to bring home someone with a beard like Kenji will be even more of a shock. However, Shiro says that he knows this.
He starts getting emotional, talking about how he’s been thinking about his parents a lot, and how it must have been painful when they found out about him and blaming themselves for something they might have done wrong. He knows they want him to be happy, but he’s happier than they think and he wants them to see that. That’s why he wants to bring Kenji.
Kenji is crying.
I’m crying.
He says he wants this as long as Kenji is okay with it. Of course he is.
During the closing credits, we see some closure for both couples, and they couldn’t be more different. Kohinata and Gilbert are seen walking home with Gilbert being petulant. Okay, more so than usual. We know it is because he is jealous of Shiro and Kenji’s relationship, but poor Kohinata doesn’t have a clue. Gilbert accuses Shiro and Kenji of putting on a show (Pfft-you provoked it, Gilbert!) but really he’s mad that Kohinata cried (since he never cries in front of him), and that when he asks Kohinata for a ring, K genuinely doesn’t know what he’s talking about. (rolling my eyes not at Kohinata)
I really like the relationship that Shiro has with his parents even though it is far from perfect. Many people have said to me that they are surprised that he is at this age and is still "learning" about his parents, but I think this is only natural. We spend most of our lives really only being our parents' children. We often don't look at them as regular people outside of their relationship to us. So many times, I've heard people say how they've been surprised if they gone to some award ceremony or a retirement event or, worse, a memorial service for a parent only to learn all sorts of things about what their parents did in the community or how much other people loved them.
I also find his parents really funny and the situation so telling. They have gotten over the fact that he's gay. In fact, they are far more comfortable with it than Shiro is himself. I don't agree with Shiro that they will be shocked when they meet Kenji. They are just upset that Shiro hasn't brought him over and, from my opinion, more upset at how this must appear to Kenji as if Shiro isn't being serious. You can tell that Shiro is surprised at the level of his dad's anger as well as it's direction.
I do not understand the need for grandchildren. I never have. Nor do I understand this need for children to get married. I have two daughters and I want them to be happy. I don't care if they date or not or get married or not. I'm not anxious for grandchildren the way some of my friends and colleagues are. I don't get it. I'm like Kayoko. I'm not going to be upset if neither ever has children or if neither never gets married.
Once again we have a very poignant episode concentrating on
the effect parents can and do have on their children through adulthood. We saw
Kenji’s estranged relationship with his dad in the last episode. In this one,
we go back to Shiro and his relationship with his parents, specifically what he
perceives they want from him and an opportunity to rethink what he believes to
be true.
We open with Shiro and his mother making my favorite
Japanese dish, tonkatsu. My mouth was salivating while watching them.
Shiro asks his mom some things about her method. For example, he’s surprised that she doesn’t add salt and pepper to the tonkatsu.[I always salt and pepper mine, but she doesn't, so I'm going to try it without next time I make it.] She tells him to add water to the egg mixture to stretch the use of the egg to more pieces of meat. He smiles thinking that he learned his frugality from her.
He’s a little suspicious because she hasn’t been asking him any questions about the future or wanting him to settle down. He grouses a bit to himself when he finds out she is also making macaroni salad because no matter what he says about being older and not be able to eat as much, she always makes lots of food with a lot of carbs when he's there. They do have a sweet moment when she talks about how she loves sharing kitchen with him even though he isn’t a daughter. He looks at her with lots of love.
When they sit down to eat, he comments on how much he loves tonkatsu, but he hasn’t eaten it in awhile. His dad (played now by Tayama Ryosei because Shiga Kotaro had to be hospitalized) says the same thing. His mom says they hardly eat fried food with dad admitting that he can’t digest it as well anymore. Shiro is taken aback. All this time, he was only thinking that his mom was ignoring the fact that he can no longer eat the way he did when he was a teenager, but really they cook like this when he comes home as a treat for all of them.
When they finish, there are quite a lot of leftovers. [I wondered when I watched. Seemed like a lot of tonkatsu for three people. Especially, three people who can’t eat like they used to anymore.] Shiro’s mom jumps up to pack some of the food or Kenji. What follows is a hilarious silent interchange that I would gif if I knew how. She and her husband go back and forth, each silently trying to get the other to say something (we don’t know what yet) to Shiro. They are so obvious that Shiro notices.
Finally, his mom says what she wants to say. She wants Shiro
to bring Kenji home for New Years. She doesn’t know why he hasn’t brought him to visit since they've lived together so long.
Shiro squirms with discomfort, trying to get them to
understand that his relationship isn’t like what they think of as being married.
Pfft, Shiro. I beg to differ.
This is definitely NOT the thing to say to placate his parents.
His dad starts yelling, asking if he’s just fooling around with Kenji. His mom gets really
upset, too, feeling like she’s failed because she thought she’d raised a
prudent son. His dad yells that he a disgrace. I love how they aren't upset about him being gay but are more upset when they think he isn't taking this obviously long-term relationship with Kenji seriously.
We go to the opening credit sequence and don't get to hear the fall out of his dinner with his
parents. Instead, we are back at the apartment with Shiro at his desk doing the
budget. Kenji comes in excited because he found some of their Christmas
decorations because it’s that time of year.
Shiro tells him that Kohinata has asked them to have Christmas dinner with them, hurriedly assuring him that Gilbert will be in attendance as well. He’s actually thinking of inviting them over for Christmas dinner instead, so they can have their traditional meal. After all, it won’t take any more time to cook if they have people over.
Kenji is fine with it, but he’s concerned since Shiro was so against having company when he asked Yoshi and Tetsu over. Shiro seems embarrassed by his behavior then; he also asserts that he’s trying to save money at the end of year. Kohinata will want to eat out, and he always picks expensive places to eat. (Tell me about it Shiro. I have friends like that, too). Now this makes a lot more sense to Kenji, and he gets excited. He happily twirls about apartment thinking about the decorations they should put up.
I love the way Shiro looks at him, so happy that he’s happy.
At the law office the next day, Osamu is setting out decorations while Shino asks him about vacationing at a fancy hot spring resort. Their boss has been on a waiting list for awhile for this place, and there has been a last minute cancellation. Shino thinks that it must be grand to be in a lawyer family, but he quickly corrects her. He’s staying home with his wife and kids; his mother is going to resort without them.
We switch to a restaurant where his mother is having lunch with Shiro. She reminds him that she and her girlfriends plan trips together quite often. But he wonders whether traveling on the holiday is expensive. She jokes that she wants to show off a bit but also she needs to be able to tell Osamu and his family what a great time she is having, so they don’t worry about her being alone.
He admires her frugal and thoughtful planning, but it also makes him thoughtful about how she is looking out for her son while doing all of this.
We see him later jogging up the stairs to Kayoko’s apartment. He’s just about to knock on the door when their daughter, Michuri, bursts out in a bad attitude. She brightens up when she sees him and tells him her parents are in when he says her mom has some onions for him. She makes a face when she mentions her dad, so it shouldn't surprise us when we see her dad sitting at the table sulking.
While putting onions in a bag for him, Kayoko explains that her husband said things he shouldn’t and is now unhappy. But Tominaga wants to tell his side of story. He informs Shiro that their daughter has been dating the same guy since college. They’ve been together for 8 years and live nearby. Apparently, he asked her (again) about marriage, especially now that she’s 30. But she isn’t interested. She can’t think of a reason to get married, especially because they don’t want kids! He is so shocked and upset by this.
Kayoko says they thought that if their daughter wanted to keep working with kids, now would be a good time because they could help, but she really doesn’t care either way as long as Michuri is happy. It looks like she really means it, but her husband is heartbroken. Kayoko apologizes for exposing Shiro to their parent drama.
He doesn't mind, but it makes him realize that all parents worry about their children no matter what.
Viewers can tell that these conversations with his boss and with his neighbors weigh heavily on Shiro's mind as he walks home. I know they would make me think about myself if I had just had an argument with my parents.
The next scene has Shiro and Kenji doing the final
preparations for their Christmas dinner with
guests. Kenji sets the table, puts slippers out, and changes the towel
in the bathroom.
Shiro is in kitchen. He’s added a dish that he didn’t make last Christmas a combination of clams still in their shell and broccoli, and he added eggplant to the lasagna.
Right before their guests arrive, Kenji ducks
into the bedroom to put on his ring. When they arrive he welcomes them in, and
the next sequence is hilarious. He really wants them to see the ring, so when
Kohinata gives them the presents he holds each one with the ring obviously right
in front of Kohinata's face.
Kohinata doesn’t notice either time.
Gilbert comes pouty into apartment, making snarky comments about their décor. For a person who doesn't look like he washes very much and dresses like he shops where hiphop artists give away their old stuff, he's got a lot to say about things. Remind me guys, does he even work?
You can tell how I feel about Gilbert, so, I get a LOT of petty enjoyment out of Kenji’s gesture for him to take a seat, which puts the ring on prominent display,
and then when he uses the same hand to brush his bangs back, I laughed out loud.
Perfect effect for it puts Gilbert in a bit of a snit.
Shiro is in kitchen. He’s added a dish that he didn’t make last Christmas a combination of clams still in their shell and broccoli, and he added eggplant to the lasagna.
 |
| this shot is from later in the scene, but it's the best picture of the dish |
 |
| Attempt #1 |
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| Attempt #2 |
Gilbert comes pouty into apartment, making snarky comments about their décor. For a person who doesn't look like he washes very much and dresses like he shops where hiphop artists give away their old stuff, he's got a lot to say about things. Remind me guys, does he even work?
You can tell how I feel about Gilbert, so, I get a LOT of petty enjoyment out of Kenji’s gesture for him to take a seat, which puts the ring on prominent display,
and then when he uses the same hand to brush his bangs back, I laughed out loud.
Perfect effect for it puts Gilbert in a bit of a snit.
The food of course looks and tastes good, but Gilbert spends a lot of his time complaining . . . that he can’t and shouldn’t eat all of this but it soo good.
(I was rolling my eyes. I can’t believe they indulge him like this). Kohinata offers him the tuna salad and the clams and broccoli as lighter fare, but Shiro knows what he’s doing and puts an extra large piece of lasagna on Gilbert's plate. Shiro and Kenji share a conspiratorial laugh.
He chows. . . . and then when it looks like they have licked the lasagna pan clean, he complains about eating so much but still refuses to leave before having some of the dessert that Kohinata brought. Take a look at it. I wouldn't leave without a piece either! Qu'il Fait Bon is a real place. Take a look at the mouth watering pictures on the website in the link.
However, before that Shiro brings out a palate cleanser of an Earl Grey tea-flavored ice milk.
When Shiro explains how easy it is to make this (this is the recipe of the episode), Kohinata
says he will make it since it’s the perfect thing to eat in front of tv on New
Years. This gives Gilbert an idea. Why not have a New years party here with
Shiro and Kenji. Good grief. He complains about the food and the apartment and then
invites himself over for a party?!?!
Anyway, this makes both Shiro and Kenji uncomfortable. Kenji tries to excuse them, saying he’s not sure of what Shiro is going to do, but Shiro butts in. He tells them all that he’s thinking of bringing Kenji home to meet his parents. Everyone is shocked, especially Kenji.
Anyway, this makes both Shiro and Kenji uncomfortable. Kenji tries to excuse them, saying he’s not sure of what Shiro is going to do, but Shiro butts in. He tells them all that he’s thinking of bringing Kenji home to meet his parents. Everyone is shocked, especially Kenji.
Jealous Gilbert can’t let anyone be, and because he thinks he has the wisdom of the ages (despite being the youngest person in the room), he warns Shiro against it, saying that his parents are shocked enough that he’s gay, but to bring home someone with a beard like Kenji will be even more of a shock. However, Shiro says that he knows this.
He starts getting emotional, talking about how he’s been thinking about his parents a lot, and how it must have been painful when they found out about him and blaming themselves for something they might have done wrong. He knows they want him to be happy, but he’s happier than they think and he wants them to see that. That’s why he wants to bring Kenji.
Kenji is crying.
Kohinata is crying.
I’m crying.
He says he wants this as long as Kenji is okay with it. Of course he is.
During the closing credits, we see some closure for both couples, and they couldn’t be more different. Kohinata and Gilbert are seen walking home with Gilbert being petulant. Okay, more so than usual. We know it is because he is jealous of Shiro and Kenji’s relationship, but poor Kohinata doesn’t have a clue. Gilbert accuses Shiro and Kenji of putting on a show (Pfft-you provoked it, Gilbert!) but really he’s mad that Kohinata cried (since he never cries in front of him), and that when he asks Kohinata for a ring, K genuinely doesn’t know what he’s talking about. (rolling my eyes not at Kohinata)
On the other hand, Kenji is in his room putting his ring
away. While he’s carefully wiping it clean, Shiro is on the phone with his
mother telling her that he and Kenji will be coming for New Years. He is
genuinely smiling at this, and I think the burden of the decision process has
been lifted, so he is pleased. How can he not be when the people he loves most
in the world are now so happy? I am as excited about this New Year’s dinner as
Kenji is.
Comments
I really like the relationship that Shiro has with his parents even though it is far from perfect. Many people have said to me that they are surprised that he is at this age and is still "learning" about his parents, but I think this is only natural. We spend most of our lives really only being our parents' children. We often don't look at them as regular people outside of their relationship to us. So many times, I've heard people say how they've been surprised if they gone to some award ceremony or a retirement event or, worse, a memorial service for a parent only to learn all sorts of things about what their parents did in the community or how much other people loved them.
I also find his parents really funny and the situation so telling. They have gotten over the fact that he's gay. In fact, they are far more comfortable with it than Shiro is himself. I don't agree with Shiro that they will be shocked when they meet Kenji. They are just upset that Shiro hasn't brought him over and, from my opinion, more upset at how this must appear to Kenji as if Shiro isn't being serious. You can tell that Shiro is surprised at the level of his dad's anger as well as it's direction.
I do not understand the need for grandchildren. I never have. Nor do I understand this need for children to get married. I have two daughters and I want them to be happy. I don't care if they date or not or get married or not. I'm not anxious for grandchildren the way some of my friends and colleagues are. I don't get it. I'm like Kayoko. I'm not going to be upset if neither ever has children or if neither never gets married.
