Ep 4. Master Milch's Appearance

Nodame Cantabile season 1 episode 4, titled "Master Milch's Appearance," follows the story of music students at a prestigious conservatory in Japan. The episode begins with a new addition to the faculty, European conductor and musical genius, Franz von Stresemann. He is highly respected by the faculty and has a reputation for being a perfectionist.

At the same time, main character Shinichi Chiaki is struggling with his own internal issues. He's been described as a musical genius but has a deep-seated fear of flying, which is holding him back from getting the opportunity of a lifetime - conducting a major orchestra in Europe. He's also been reluctantly tasked with teaching Nodame, a quirky and unorthodox pianist who is besotted with him.

The story takes a funny and eventful turn when Chiaki is roped into performing a duet with Stresemann during a school festival. This puts him and Nodame in direct competition with the two seasoned performers. The performance is a hit with the audience, but things get interesting when Stresemann discovers Nodame and is fascinated by her raw talent and eccentric personality.

Nodame, in typical fashion, becomes enamored with the older conductor and proceeds to follow him around like a puppy. Craziness ensues as Stresemann tries to distract her while she's supposed to be practicing for a competition.

Meanwhile, Chiaki is struggling with his own feelings of inadequacy when he realizes he's not the only musical genius in the room. Stresemann's appearance has thrown him off his game and he starts to lose his confidence. He confides in his friend and fellow student, Mine, who helps him realize that he's just as talented as Stresemann and encourages him to tap into his full potential.

The episode ends with a few curveballs - Chiaki's fear of flying comes to the forefront when he's given a chance to play in Europe, and he's torn between pursuing his dreams and facing his phobia. Nodame's obsession with Stresemann grows stronger, leading to some hilarious hijinks and unexpected revelations.

Overall, "Master Milch's Appearance" is a delightful and entertaining episode that showcases the talent and humor of the show's characters. The performances are top-notch, and the storyline is equal parts heartwarming and amusing. It's a must-watch for fans of classical music, romance, and comedy.