Episode 5 (Spooky Boogie Case Conclusion)

In the first arc, we were given an overall presentation of the environment Psycho-Pass exists in. Introduction of characters, personalities, and social hierarchy were the primary goals within the shows beginning. However, it is now time to go further in, to pass the surface, and determine that which exists underneath, and motivates the story. So too is this true in Psycho-Pass. Herein we discuss more explicitly the effects of such advanced technology on this society, as well as philosophical ideas that support (and oppose) the implementation of said technology.

Episode 5 (Spooky Boogie Resolution)

We find our favorite unit of the CID in the midst of determining the murderer of famous avatar users on the net, by the request of Spooky Boogie, a fellow avatar of veritable popularity. Though this society is almost entirely engrossed by the use of technology, there still (as always) exists those who are not as concerned or knowledgeable on its intricacies. Cue Masaoka, our oldest member of the CID unit. We see an apparent divide between generations on the idea of now-household ideals and beliefs on the presence of the net, in which Akane claims that Masaoka is part of "an endangered species". The mindset of society has determined that since this tech is there, it should just be accepted without question; after all, why would it be detrimental? Therein, Masaoka suggests, lies the problem. Society is based around a number of constructs (language, currency, etc.), all of which are tools used to communicate and connect with others of our species (see: The Discosure of Inequality), but with the society that exists in Pyscho-Pass, the needs for these constructs are severely lessened by the presence of the Sibyll System's influence, so the question arises: Is this technology truly beneficial?

On the point of technology, we're giving more insight into the various amounts of tech which exist in this world. We're giving a glimpse of the procedures in investigating the house of Masatake Mido, the primary suspect of the murders. Infiltration is delegated once again to the drones, which are usually used for the majority of labor-intensive chores in the criminal department. Likewise, we also see the inclusion of body modification within the society, reminiscent of Molly from Neuromancer. From the artificial hand of Masaoka, to the "shutter-blind" eyes of Choe-Gu Sung, we see a number of body tech examples that are utilized in the fields or interests of the individuals. However, one of the more interesting discussions on the technology in within the society comes from that of the avatars in the net. When referring to the still-active avatars of individuals who have been murdered, the CID labels them as "ghost avatars" that imitate the dead (for instance,  Talisman and Melancholia). However, there are small nuances that can never truly be imitated, as seen in Kogami's realization that Spooky Boogie has also been murdered.

As stated before, there exists this dependence on these technological advances. What becomes even more uncanny is the idolization of these ideas. We see this at the end of the episode, during an interaction between the ghost avatars and their new handler, Masatake Mido. He essentially worships these three avatars, stating that they are entities "most close to Plato's 'idea'." This refers to Plato's theory of forms, which states that though the information experienced through sensation is important, the most influential and essential things that affect us are the non-material ideas and goals, entities that exist outside our realm of interaction on a physical level. Examples of this would be reasoning, morality, and truth, things that are immaterial but extremely important to our identity as social creatures. We see this idolization and devoutness turned on Mido, unfortunately, as the avatars are manipulated by Mido's own benefactor, Makishima himself. By turning them against him, Makishima exposes Mido's lack of personality, which allowed him to impersonate anyone else. This void consumes Mido, psychologically breaking him, and showing that Mido's identity was never stable (or formed, possibly) on its own, leaving him unable to function.

The episode ends with Akane's perception of Kogami throughout the case, which prompts Ginoza to enlighten her on Kogami's background within the CID: an Inspector demoted to Enforcer after the psychological effect of losing his old partner, Saseyama. This leaves us with an important question: Where is the line that, once crossed, one cannot recover one's PP?