The fourth and final volume of Serial Experiments Lain, "Reset", brings the series to a spectacular close. You may have noticed that the score for content crept up with each subsequent volume. This is because as more is revealed, the series becomes more enjoyable. Another factor is that the ambient background noise slowly becomes more musical, possibly a symbol of enlightenment or refinement. The final episodes facilitate a heated climax and a smooth decline, so ending what was an incredibly well-paced story.

Episode 11, "Infornography", serves in part as a summary of important prior events in the series, and also explores those ideas further. What would the world be like if our bad memories could be erased, retaining only the good ones? Can we live without bodies if our thoughts remain? Can the real world and the wired world be bridged and become one? Lain becomes the rule and the exception.

Notice how Lain always appears to be above everything?	Oh God....

Episode 12, "Landscape", could be considered the climax of the story. Alice confronts Lain, believing Lain hates her. Here we learn just how special Lain's and Alice's relationship really is. Lain begins to understand something the wired's 'God' cannot, and this results in conflict. In this episode, we learn who Lain is and what she's done, and nearly everything makes sense. Now you can congratulate yourself for coming to an understanding.

Episode 13, "Ego", is the series' denouement. It also gives a whole new meaning to "master reset". Lain must come to terms with what she's done, and gains strength for her future. The idea presented in "Ego" is that of memories vs. existance. A person's existance being directly related to others' memories of him/her. Was there ever a God in the wired? What is Lain now? The series ends beautifully, in a meeting between Lain and a grown Alice.

Extras on the "Reset" volume include conceptual drawings, various commercials for the show, and a textless ending sequence.

Lain is not a series that can be understood through a single viewing, or even just a few viewings. It has layers upon layers, revealing a small amount each time you watch. In fact, the Episodes themselves are called layers. I bring this review to you after three viewings of the show, and I've gained a substantial amount of insight and knowledge this time around. By no means am I even close to understanding everything about Lain though, so you could say it has tremendous replay value. Every scene, every character, every sound, every moment, and even every frame of animation has its secrets to be revealed. Every element added to the show was done with deliberation. With each subsequent glance, the series becomes more beautiful.

I've enjoyed writing this review, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it.

Video Quality: A+
Audio Quality: A+
Presentation: A-
Content: A+
Overall: A+