Why Did Constantinople Get the Works?

We know them, we love them, they're The Turks [Final Fantasy VII].  Oh, sorry for another FF7 update, I just realized, haha.

The Turks are a specialized unit in Shinra under the direct jurisdiction of Heidegger (who is an unstoppable force of awesome).  Their primary purpose is to "recruit" members for SOLDIER, and if they need to use force to do so, so be it.

Their theme is here, for future reference:

That song obviously means the Turks mean business.  However, the members we meet in the Turks are all someone inept at what they do.  It's a little paradoxical: they're experts at getting the job done, but they're not so great at doing it efficiently.  For instance, Elena, a female member, can't seem to talk to Cloud's party without accidentally rattling off vital details of their plan, just as Reno is simply uncaring and apathetic towards anyone's plight.  He is known to not care at all for the Turks when off duty.

That being said, while the Turks mean business, the members we meet are decidedly human, and while they have to get the job done, they also have shreds of humanity and dignity in them, as evidenced when they team up with Cloud's party to save Elena and Yuffie, or when they are in a last ditch effort to save the citizens of Shinra.

But my ramblings aren't as important as the substance, so take a listen to this song.

This song depicts a kind of bitter, jaded, cynical outlook perfect for members such as Reno, and those he has an influence on such as Rude.  Even Tseng, who blatantly disregards Shinra's orders when it suits him.  This song is another example of a multifaceted song due to it really seeming like it could be a mocking condescension when sung smugly toward Cloud and the gang, or a real honest moment of admitted world-weariness, such as when Reno tells the group that he really has no interest in fighting them; that it's useless to do so.

I assure you that I'll have more in-depth posts for various members of the Turks to come (especially Reno, dude.  He's awesome), but this is a pretty good generalization for now.

Change We Can Believe In

Today is a pretty big day for America, I should venture.

Now I don't want to turn this into a political blog, because that's not what it's about.  I don't want to burn any bridges concerning something unrelated.

Let me just say... I think I trust this guy.  I feel good about this.

Now, while we're all in the political spirit, I want to divert from the path I was on yesterday (heroes) and look at one or two of Final Fantasy's favorite political leaders: Rufus Shinra and Cid Fabool IX

Rufus Shinra [FF7] - He was actually a difficult one to come up with for a song, but I think I have an idea.

I love love LOVE the idea of FFVII being a blend of rock and various other genres.  I think that Rufus' solo (if there were one, of course) should definitely be a majority of rock elements like rocks, electric drums, and the sort; as well as have a techno backing, electronica, whatever you'd like to call it.

The song that pops to mind most instantly is "It Will All Be Mine" sung by Giovanni in Pokemon, Live! (which, rest assured, will have a post in time, because I love it.)

And I'm sure I've lost some of you with that reference, so I'll post it here.

While doing research, I actually even thought of a title for his song.  It would be a song all about how he wants to rule with fear, and how he wants to herald in a new age of Midgar.  I dunno if people like Heidegger could get little extended solo lines within (because I LOVE Heidegger, hah), but I thought that it would be a neat little reference to his in-game battle if the song were titled "Dark Nation".  (The name of his battle hound).  I actually really liked this idea because it was both a really great allusion, and, well, I think it sums him up to a tee.

Agree?  Disagree?  Tell me!

Next!

Cid Fabool IX (FF9) - Being that he spends 3/4 of the game as either an oglop or a frog, it was hard to think of where he's driven enough to sing.  The verdict is that I don't think he merits a solo.  In his throughline in the game, he just never has a strong enough motivation.  Honestly, the only time we see him by himself, he's a frog trying to get a key from a monster (which is really funny... but songworthy?)

Instead, I'd make it a duet.  I was watching some FF9 footage on youtube the other day... 'cause that's just what I do, I guess (don't judge me!) and I actually thought that there was an incredibly powerful scene between Cid and his wife, Hilda, as Hilda finally agrees to turn Cid back into a human.  He gets on his knees and promises he'll never make mistakes again and that he loves her, and the sappy fool that I am was really touched.

I don't have as much in mind for this song in terms of instruments.  If I had to venture a guess, I think it'd begin when he's still a frog begging for her mercy, something slow and heartfelt, followed by a verse or bridge by Hilda.  The climax of the song, in my opinion, would be when Hilda turns Cid back into a human, in truly touching "Beauty and the Beast"-esque fashion, and they finish the song together in lavish harmony as they embrace at the end.  Standard stuff, I guess.  What'dya think?

While I didn't think of any instruments or lyrics or anything, I did end up coming up with some pretty terrible title ideas for the song in my brainstorming.  I warn you, these are awful, haha.  The first one I thought of was "Hilda Guard," the next one being "We Don't Need Mist to Fly." (I warned you...)

And with that, have a wonderful Inauguration Day, my fellow gamers!