Patlabor is a series that usually defies all of one's expectations: any given episode is completely different from the previous show. Sometimes that means we're in for a comedy, sometimes we're in for Maison Ikkoku, and sometimes the Second Unit throws us a curve ball with something completely serious and a little frightening. This evening, it is the latter.

"It's Called Amnesia" is from Patlabor: The New Files (that's the second OAV series). Its focus is Ohta, known to criminals and police alike as a "psycho cop." The episode opens with Ohta in a dream-like state, in which he is killing criminals that appear to be his friends. The dream is somewhat surreal (dig those chickens...), but the strangeness really begins when Ohta awakens to find his friends and fellows in the SV2 shot dead -- and he appears to be holding the murder weapon. To make matters worse, he can't remember who he is, what has happened, and who these corpses are (I hate it when that happens...).

I really enjoy when Patlabor tackles more serious issues, in this case Ohta's internalized rage. We really get to see a new side of the SV2's roughneck, as well as one of the other members of the group. The easy give-and-take between humor and commentary is highlighted in this episode, and to me, that is what makes Patlabor the quality series that it is. Ohta goes from the most punishing cop on the beat to a hunted criminal. Mamoru Oshii, the screenwriter for this episode, really was able to come up with an original story that allows one to take a step back and realize how the other side may feel.