Hi, all. I just finished watching this very heart-rending series, and when I checked out the old discussion thread, it was just an argument about subbing vs. liscensing. I'd love to get a real discussion going, but if the old argument comes back I'll be a bit brassed off.

First of all, I must admit I was a bit unstatisfied by the ending. What were the creators of the series trying to say? The scene where Rosette cries about being afraid to die reduced me to tears, and though she and Chrono have a peaceful look on their faces when they are found, I don't think it balances that. Did the writer want to say we're all afraid to die?

And, if we're all afraid to die, what about the message about salvation? In the end, neither Satella or her sister, Rosette or Joshua is really saved. Joshua lives, but his mind is irrevocably broken. Sister Kate, who is the head of Rosette's branch of the order, and judging from her dealings with the Council of Elders, a very influential nun, declares that she'll give up her faith, and the angel Remington gives up his wings to become a Sinner. I can't help but look at this as a very disheartening message that no one is saved by faith, or that God truly has no hand in saving the sufferings of mankind, especially since the very final scene has Aion still appearing to be alive and plotting against the Church on Earth.

I looked up the Prophecy of Fatima online. Here is a link for a synopsis and here is the Vatican's analysis including the actual text of Sister Lucia, the main recipient of the vision. It turns out that the Seven Apostles, including Joshua and Azmaria, are NOT at all included in the sealed third secret of the prophecy. The actual third part is a plea by Mary for the salvation of Russia (which occurred with the dissolution of the Soviet Union) and a warning about an assassination attempt on the Pope. (Which did actually happen, as is mentioned in the closing text of the last episode. It highly influenced Pope John Paul II's policy that led to the conversion of Russia and the fall of the Soviet Union.) So, what were the writers of the series then trying to say about Rosette and the other Apostles? Particularly since Azmaria is the only one that remains completely true to the faith; even Rosette is swayed by Aion's manipulations.

I'd love some thoughts on this.