Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

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AmuroNT1
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

More fun commentary! Here we go...

I have to admit, I was a bit confused by Dearka's attitude shift after his capture, but I suppose it can be attributed to his being out of his element. When he's with his friends, he's the mellow bro type, but on his own he's a lot snarkier.

The Astray plot point I referred to in my last post was indeed how Kira survived the complete and total destruction of the Strike. If you don't want to bother with the manga...
Spoiler
Lowe, Astray's protagonist, was in the area and witnessed the Strike/Aegis deathmatch. After it ended, he went over to the Strike and cut open the cockpit to save the pilot, discovering that a blast shield had automatically lowered and protected Kira from the worst of it. Lowe then brought Kira to Malchio for medical attention, and he was put into a medical capsule and shipped off to Lacus because Malchio knew she was a friend. TBQH, this is another thing people gripe about with Seed, primarily the idea that a blast door would protect Kira while all the metal around him got slagged.
I don't think they ever give Malchio any real further elaboration. He just...is. His whole point is to be mysterious and wise, and he just plain knows stuff (like about SEED, and the thing in the Astray spoiler). Though it is important that both the Alliance and ZAFT respect him and often use him as a neutral third party for negotiation.

Flay's shift in character is kind of odd. She was the school queen-type at the start, but apparently nicer and friendlier than most of that type. Losing her beloved father made her go mad with grief for a while and she completely ignored that anyone around her could possibly have feelings or desires. Interacting with Kira slowly made her remember that, and now that he's gone and she's getting the brush-off for her terrible attitude the last few months, she's realizing exactly the gravity of her actions.

I do think it's a little odd that Miri took a stab at Dearka, but defended him when Flay pulled out a gun. Obviously she was grieving for Tolle and Dearka's cruel ribbing got to be too much, but it might just have been a reflexive lashing-out without any real murderous intent. When Flay pulls a gun and actually makes to murder the guy, Miri seems to snap out of it and realize that no matter how much of a prick he's been, killing him would be senseless eye-for-an-eye. Or maybe hearing Flay going on about Coordinators being scum made her realize that she was acting the exact same way, blaming someone for the killing when he might not even be the one who committed it.

I couldn't find "Obani", but it might be somehow connected to "Queen Kapiolani", a historical queen of Hawaii. It would fit in with the reference to Haumea.

With Murrue and Natarle we of course have the conflict between Nurture and Nature: Murrue is the captain, but she's more like a mother or a big sister to the crew, while Natarle is the firm disciplinarian. Throughout the show we see the clash in their ideals, but now that they're finally parting ways Natarle admits that Murrue achieved results with her kindness that all the military discipline in the world couldn't have reached. It may have been a case of "I just want you to know, even though we disagree, I still like you as a person", especially from Murrue's perspective. You kind of have to wonder how a person like her ended up in the military.

I think what happens with the Archangel can be looked at as a "solution" to the
"White Base Problem" of a civilian-run military vessel, when filtered through the Alliance leadership's Blue Cosmos attitude. They took the three people they thought they could get the most use out of (the ace pilot, the skilled subcommander, and the potential propaganda pawn), and left everyone else behind with in the base on standby orders with the specific intent that the Archangel have a front row seat for the "fireworks". It's rather crazy being willing to sacrifice their flagship AND the crew that handled it capably for the last few months simply because they treat Coordinators halfway decently, but a running theme in Cosmic Era is that racism isn't logical, as you'll see later on when Blue Cosmos members are so frothingly rabid about killing Coordinators that in order to do so, they perform actions that are atrocious from both an emotional and intellectual standpoint.

When they say Rau sounds like Flay's father (I think his name was George, BTW), it isn't just "Flay is under stress and assumes she hears her father's voice from Rau"; both men are played by the same voice actors (Toshihiko Seki and Mark Oliver).

The CYCLOPS System: When you need your popcorn popped right ****ing NOW.

As has been said, the Earth Alliance isn't a united group like past Gundam EF-standins, but rather a confederation of smaller groups. My thought is that it's rather like the Delian League, an alliance of Greek nation-states in the 400s BC. It was supposed to be an equal alliance, but Athens was the most powerful member, often used the navy for its own ends, and would swiftly and mercilessly deal with any rebellions or attempts to leave the league, to the point where some people have taken to calling it the Athenian Empire. I don't think I have to tell you that the Atlantic Federation is headed for some real pain because of this.

Fair warning, the Freedom's introduction marks a point where many people started denigrating Kira's abilities. The main problem is that its gimmick is having a bunch of guns all over its body, and this is often illustrated by stock footage of that "Full Burst" attack you saw at JOSH-A (though that's the only time he ever just sits in one place firing seemingly at random). We got to see a lot of creativity and cleverness on Kira's part with the Strike (just look at the desert arc), but the sentiment is that because they try to beat us over the head with "FREEDOM HAS LOTS OF GUNS!" it makes him look like a worse, or maybe just lazier, pilot from that point on.

Wait until you get to meet Yzak's mother. Two words: Ivy Valentine.

Looking forward to your review of the next five, and many more!
Sakuya: "Whatever. Stop lying and give up your schemes, now."
Yukari: (Which lies and schemes are she talking about? It's hard to keep track of them all...)

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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

AmuroNT1 wrote: For example, it obviously deals with the prototypes for the M1 Astray you see in the series, and there's a chapter where one of the three "Astray Girls" gets pilot data from protagonist Lowe Guele, explaining how Orb was able to make the M1s before the Archangel arrived.
Actually, she was sent just to find out more about the Natural use OS. The M1 Astray was already completed at that time sans the OS.

If i remembered correctly the manga version of Seed has an alternate take on how Kira came out of the damaged strike. Not sure if the blast door is mentioned, but apparently Kira stumbled out of the cockpit, walk a bit before collapsing but i think he saw malchio before he fell. The cockpit then burned up(or whatever you call it) after that. 1 of the MG Strike manual mentions that the blast door is there to protect the pilot.

Anyway Burke, if you are wondering how another character reappears, you may want to consult Seed Astray R vol 2 under the print section.

Interestingly according to the manual of MG Freedom, nicol's death pushes his father over the edge, causing him to hand over data about N-Jammer Canceller over to ZAFT. It was apparently completed earlier but he & his team had refuse to had it over then.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Burke Rukes wrote:I should have had this review up sooner (like, yesterday), but got on a serious roll, and watched 10 episodes in a row, rather than 5.
Yeah, this is the beginning of the point where the "must see next episode NOW" kicks in. The first-run fans in Japan must have been going crazy. between episodes.
The Archangel's engines are repaired enough to get airborne, and Murrue Ramius orders an immediate takeoff to dodge ZAFT pursuit, and a message sent to Orb, hoping they'll be able to rescue Kira and Tolle, who are now MIA.
Worth hanging around to lok for Cagalli now, eh Natarle? ;)
Cagalli and a rescue party from Orb arrives on the island, finding the wreckage of the Aegis and Strike. The Strike seems to have more or less survived intact, but the inside of the cockpit looks -slagged-. How Kira could have possibly survived, who knows?
This is a rather cruel episode in terms of fan anticipation...with one hell of a payoff!
These poor kids just keep going around and around on this issue. They want the killing to stop, the war to end, but they just don't know -how-.
Yeah, they should just shut up and kiss already. :)
Flay hears the news and seems to be genuinely upset to learn Kira may be dead.
Flay now gets the payment for her decision to use Kira as a weapon. The weapon is lost, perhaps broken forever. She is unhappy and hurting about it, nonetheless. Maybe her feelings have changed since episode #12, ne?
Dearka's being escorted through the ship, and acts like a pig when he sees Miri crying. Ugh, he's turning into Yzak lite.
Dearka is trying to be tuff and blow off his POW status. Being on the sunny side of 20, he hasn't learned about the virtue of keeping silent instead of slinging attitude in a difficult situation.
And at the end of episode 31, on one of the PLANTs, at the home of Lacus Clyne... we find an injured, bandaged Kira waking up in a bed. How the heck did he get there?
Real princesses have social networks with lots of friends, who might find and recognize an injured pilot she talked about,and send him to her upon request. Kira is alive because 1) Strike is built like a Volvo; 2) he is a Coordinator and hard to kill; 3) read Astray manga volume 2! :D
. He's upset at having killed people, but Lacus assures him it's alright, because he was protecting people. Kira's still not sure what he should do or where he should go, though Lacus asks him, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could remain like this forever?" It would be nice, indeed, for them. (However, I think the plot has other plans. :P) Malchio brings up the vague "Seed" thing, saying because he's one of the "keepers of the Seed," he will know where he should be going and what he should be doing.
Behold the Pink Princess at work! As I said before, Lacus-hime has her own opinion of the war and what is being done, or not done, to end it. Now Athrun's friend, and current reluctant hero for the EAF, is in her hands. This is a golden opportunity for her, and she takes it. It probably also helps that Kira is a super-cute boy who rescued her from Archangel as well. :)
Conspiracies abound among the Earth Forces brass at Alaska base.
So, oh Macross fan, how do you like JOSH-A base now? :)
Who is Azrael and what does all this mean?
You will learn to curse that name by the time this story is finished!
Inside Alaska base, Ramius and the Archangel crew are told to remain on standby... and remain on standby... and remain on standby. For 5 days. ZAFT's Operation Spit Break is believed to be taking place at the Earth Forces' Panama spaceport, but the Archangel is ignored.
Ever get the feeling you're not popular? :D
Surprisingly, during this hearing, Natarle looks troubled. I think she actually feels sorry for Ramius.
Natarle knew this scene was coming. It's pin-the-blame-on-the-donkey time. Probably just as well that Kira wasn't on obard, there would have been an ugly scene or two when he was arrested.

At the end of the witch-hunt - er, I mean, the hearing - Sutherland orders the crew to return to their posts and wait for orders, except for Natarle, Mu and Flay, who are to be transferred. Flay's transfer is something of a surprise - but I guess not, considering she's the daughter of the late vice minister - and Sutherland points out her words and actions in joining the military, that she doesn't have to be on the front lines to be useful. Sounds like they were going to use her for propaganda purposes. And considering what happens in the following episodes... perhaps they're aware of her equally hateful anti-Coordinator stance, as well? Preserving not only a propaganda figure, the grieving-yet-patriotic daughter of a killed leader, and a useful member/tool for Blue Cosmos...?
Sai is trying to comfort grieving Miriella, but gets hassled by Flay for attention. Sai tells her that everyone is upset and depressed right now, and he's in no condition to comfort her - go find someone else. Ouch.
Sai gets to have the last word on it. Harsh, but if flay wanted sympathy from him, maybe she shouldn't have turned his life into a Country & Western song, ne?
Here comes Flay into the room to see what's going on. She sees Dearka... and a gun in a nearby desk drawer. In sickbay. What's a gun doing in there, seriously? Especially with an enemy prisoner in there? Well she grabs the gun and brandishes it at Dearka, saying "Coordinators all deserve to die!" and pulls the trigger... just as Miri jumps on her. I was jumping up and screaming "OH S#!T!!!," thinking for sure Miri would take a bullet and die! But she didn't, the bullet just kills a very dangerous and suspicious-looking light fixture. One moment, Miri is trying to kill Dearka with a knife, the next moment, she's stopping Flay from killing Dearka with a gun. I was utterly shocked - and baffled by Miri's actions. I guess when someone's angry and grieving and on edge, there's no rhyme or reason to the actions they can take... whew!
Awesome scene for drama! Dearka learns an important lesson about taunting emotionally unstable women; it's a bad idea!! Flay makes Miri-chan wake up to the idea of actually killing an unarmed man. Reason takes control from emotion in time to save Dearka from a real chump death. Flay still having a little trouble with the control issue here, Miri wins out, which is her own turning point.
Meanwhile, ZAFT is preparing for Operation Spit Break. Athrun is still recovering from his injuries, and Rau Le Crueset returns, complimenting him on taking out the Strike, and giving him some news. Athrun is to receive a medal and is being transferred to special forces (Yzak is very jealous, surprise, surprise) and will report directly to the National Defense Committee and his father.
It's good to be the hero, etc, etc. Athrun not so happy about it. Yzak needs to win more, if he wants nifty perks, ne?

On the political front, the Earth Alliance appears to have offered a peace or armistice proposal to PLANT, delivered by Reverend Malchio as an envoy via Councilman Clyne (good to see he still has a seat on the council, even if he's not in charge, he strikes me as a fairly decent guy). It's called the "Olbani package," for some reason, no idea who or what Olbani is. The PLANT council overall is unhappy with the proposal, though Clyne wants to act on it. Things just keep getting polarized on both sides of this war, with Coordinator fanatic Zala in charge of PLANT now, and shady goings-on among the Earth Forces' brass (that has yet to play out, but it can't be good).
In another scene with some surprising character development, Miriella goes to see Dearka in his cell, but starts to leave when he wakes up. They have a brief chat about Tolle's death, and he tells her he didn't do it. I really wonder why Miri would go to see him, after she tried to kill him earlier, for the way he treated her. Curiosity? Wanting to apologize for trying to fillet him?
Miri is a nice person, and means well, despite her grief and anger. Smiles and kind words don't come easily, here.
Archangel is transferred from the 8th Fleet to the Alaska Defense Force 5th Escort Group. Something really stinks here...
Archangel has been declared expendable, as an embarrassment to the Blue Cosmos-controlled war agenda. The rot goes all the way to the top, and it shows!
Athrun leaves Earth on a shuttle bound for the PLANTs, and his father orders the launch of Operation Spit Break. The target: Alaska JOSH-A Earth Forces' HQ base, and not the Panama spaceport as everyone (including most of the ZAFT military) expected.

From a strict military POV, the bait-and-switch gambit is a good plan. Gotcha, OMNI punks! Coming so soon after the ofering of a peace settlement though, the coup de main oculd make EAF stubborn about giving up, instead of capitulating in despair as officially hoped. Then again, is Patrick Zala truly hoping EAF will give up?
As Le Creuset is making his escape from the base, he encounters Flay. "Oh, my. This is interesting." Flay looks shocked - she hears her father's voice in Le Creuset's! She tries to shoot him, but he gut-punches her and takes her with him in his DINN out of the base. Okay, now I'm even -more- intrigued by what's up with Le Creuset! The mystery illness and drug, the seeming grudge against Patrick Zala, conspiring with this Azrael person, and now seemingly recognizing and kidnapping Flay! My initial reaction is that Le Creuset and Flay = Char and Sayla, but I could be totally wrong. Sooooo many questions, I can't wait to see the answers!
You're gonna have to wait a bit, the unerlying plot is just now being revealed.
Kira is shocked to see that this new Gundam is powered by a nuclear reactor, and is equipped with a N-Jammer Canceller, and four times the power of the Strike - no more battery drain problem! "Neither will alone... nor strength alone..." Well, it looks like Kira has both now! :D He takes off, quickly learning how fast the Freedom is, easily dispatching two GINNs in the blink of a beam saber flash (looks like he's going to actively avoid harming any pilots from now on, which is good), and sets off for Earth - passing Athrun's PLANT-bound shuttle.
The whole infiltration, goodbye, and launch sequence is mighty, with the soundtrack turnin' it up! And the winner of this round is...Lacus-hime! Kira, understanding that both sides are on a non-stop escalation course, decides to end it before Things Go Too Far. This is precisely the revelation Lacus wants, and thanks to being in the loop about developments, she has a shiny new Gundam for her white knight to take into battle. Freedom is made-to-order for his cause, a MS capable of fighting battalions at a time. The third faction of the story has just been formed!
Mu reaches a hangar, tells the troops to gather up the survivors and escape, and he takes off in a fighter and rejoins the Archangel. Unable to make radio contact due to all the N-Jammer and interference, he goes to the bridge and informs Murrue what's about to happen - the Cyclops System under the base will explode and leave a huge crater. They have to get out the area immediately. Murrue takes responsibility, using the justification that they've "fulfilled their orders" by defending the base, and orders a retreat.
Mu: Honey, we've been played.
Murrue: I don't think so! We're outta here!
Aren't they a great team? :)

[
So the EA brass (or the Atlantic portion, anyway) are raving Blue Cosmos-following Coordinator haters. But why are they destroying their own allies?
This is basically the Titans' trap at Jaburo Base, with the jerk factor cubed. What you missed, Burke, is "the necessary sacrifice for the greater good." The JOSH-A personnel are all fallen heroes against the aberrant Coordinators, serving as the bait to lure ZAFT into a kill zone. ZAFT can't afor to trade man-for-man, and teh Cyclops System is going to arrange that.... It's a little hard on the Eurasian force acting as bait, but if they don't know there is no reason for them to retreat and give away the trap, ne?
Rau gets back to his command ship/sub/whatever, and orders Yzak to take down the Archangel and get through JOSH-A's main gate. He -knows- the Cyclops System is about to explode, and he's sending Yzak to his unknowing death? More and more conspiracies and questions on the part of this man!
Well, you could be generous and say that Yzak is being sent to sink the unsinkable ship, and stop Cyclops before it happens.... I doubt anyone is willing to go there, though. :)
Kira swoops down in the Freedom Gundam and disables it, saving the ship! Yay!
The rescue scene is Kira being the Big Damn Hero in a 100% badass way! 8) He conveniently blows the whistle, saving his comrades, the ungrateful Yzak, and a lot of others as well.
Archangel & company land somewhere nearby. Kira talks to the badly injured GINN pilot, who asks why he saved him. "Because I wanted to."
This is more or less the third faction's motive in a CNN sound bite. :)
Athrun arrives at ZAFT HQ in one of the PLANTs, which is in near chaos at the failure of Operation Spit Break, due to the total destruction of Alaska JOSH-A base and the destruction of about 80 percent of ZAFT's invasion force.
Ouch!! ZAFT really can't take that sort of defeat. The decisive battle Patrick Zala wanted sure was decisive.... SOmewhere the ghost of Admiral Yamamoto does a face-palm.
Athrun is met by a Commander Yuki, who tells him the news and says one of the new MS prototypes was stolen - with the help of Lacus Clyne. There's an ongoing investigation. Athrun is shocked.
Athrun just realized that there is a side to Lacus that he never saw until now... She was trying to tell him about it earlier, but he didn't understand. He didn't take action against the war he didn't like, but she did. Sense of heroism shrinking....
"I am fire. I am death. I am Hashmal."

"Discontent is the first step in the progress for a man or a nation." - Oscar Wilde
Burke Rukes
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Thanks as always, to everyone for your comments and replies and answers to (non-spoilery) questions and the like. This has been a really fun trip to share with you all so far. Oh, and to let the appropiriate repliers know, I will be careful with the opening credits for SEED Destiny when it starts (probably just skip them to avoid spoilers). I've also ordered the various Astray manga from Amazon and hope to read them soon, to ifll in the gaps, so to speak.

And now for my impressions and review of Episodes 36 thru 40. Wow... soooo much stuff happens in these episodes!

Chaos ensues at the ZAFT military headquarters, following the disaster at JOSH-A Alaska base. Chairman Zala is informed that some of the PLANT council members have stormed the meeting room, including Eileen Canaver (I assume she's the councilwoman who informed Clyne of the change of target a couple of episodes ago), demanding an explanation of what happened with Operation Spit Break. Clyne managed to escape, he and Lacus are both at large, pursued by the government. Zala claims that info regarding Spit Break's true target was somehow leaked out, blaming Clyne, since his daughter was aiding an "enemy spy." (However, I'm 90% certain that Le Creuset is who leaked this info to the Earth forces, via the mysterious Azrael, for his own agenda.) Zala orders all council members who were close to Clyne, including Canaver, to be "restrained." Oh joy, here comes the martial law. Sieg heil, Herr Zala? Ugh...

Athrun arrives at his father's office and learns all of this, and is told that his fiance Lacus is a traitor. He's ordered to take the new Justice Gundam and pursue the Freedom Gundam, to capture or destroy it, kill the pilot and anyone he comes in contact with. Athrun learns from Nicol's father that the new mobile suits have nuclear powerplants and N-Jammer Cancellers, and if the Earth Forces find out about this, they'll start using nuclear weapons themselves again, repeating the Bloody Valentine/Junius 7 massacre.

Athrun goes to Lacus's home, finds a Haro, and relives some memories of spending time with her. He sees her rose garden, remembering a clue of where she might be, and goes to a symphony hall where she first performed. Lacus is there, singign her song of peace. She tells Athrun that she helped Kira because he needed the power of the Freedom Gundam. Lacus asks Athrun what it is he's fighting for and believes in. If it's for following orders, medals, and other nonsense, then Kira will be Athrun's enemy again - as will she.

Before Athrun can reply, they're stormed by government agents who had been following him, expecting him to lead them to Lacus. However, ZAFT soldiers loyal to the Clynes gun down the government agents, and help Lacus escape. As she leaves, she tells Athrun that Kira is on Earth, adn he should go have a talk with him. With this knowledge - and his orders from his father - Athrun boards the new Justice Gundam and leaves for Earth.

On Earth, the Archangel crew is happy (and shocked) to see Kira alive. He tells them he's not with ZAFT or the Earth Forces, and that no one is allowed to touch or collect data from the Freedom Gundam in any way, or he'll fight them. Murrue Ramius agrees to his condition.

I have to pause a bit here to comment on the Freedom Gundam (since I forgot to in the post for eps 31-35), and this is all personal opinion. The Freedom looks pretty neat, it's a nice solid design, and its wing fin/cannon things are kinda cool. It vaguely reminds me of the Double X, which isn't a bad thing. However, one trend I've noticed in some (but not all) Gundam shows when it comes to the standard mid-season MS upgrade is also an upgrade in size/bulkiness, and it's not necessarily something I like. It started with the ZZ Gundam taking over from the Zeta (my all-time favorite Gundam) as the lead in ZZ, and I've never been a big fan of its design - it's bulky and has far too much kibble. We saw this again in X, with the aforementioned Double X replacing the X as the lead MS. It doesn't look bad, it's a pretty decent design, but it's bulkier and tends towards a bit more kibble than the X. But I prefer the original X's slender, sleeker design over the bulkier Double X. And the same goes for the Freedom. I've been trying to decide on a SEED or SEED Destiny MG model kit to add to my new little collection of Gundam models, but I don't have much space or money, so I want to get one to represent the Cosmic Era stuff. I have pics of Destiny's Impulse and Strike Freedom on the covers of the DVD sets sitting here beside me, and while they look good, honestly, they look like almost straight-up rehashes of the Strike and Freedom. So far, based on only seeing the first 40 episodes of SEED, my favorite is the Strike - the first and the slickest and leanest of the designs. However, I'm going to hold off on getting a kit until I get through all the CE era stuff - maybe something else will come along to change my mind until then. We now resume our regularly scheduled episode block review!

Kira has a talk with the Archangel officers, where he learns about the EA forces' setup of Archangel, Eurasia and ZAFT, and he tells them that the PLANT leaders didn't know Alaska was the target, either. It's clear that both sides are being taken for a ride, and they have to decide their next move. Panama is out, since they're now deserters and they know what the EA brass pulled at JOSH-A. Kira tells them that they need to think about what they need to fight against. Murrue says she can't even remember why she's fighting anymore. Mu suggests they go back to the neutral nation of Orb. Sai and Kira also have a good talk, and Kira finds out Flay was transferred off the ship. It looks like these two are finally patching things up, and I'm happy for them.

This also marks a major transition point for our main cast of heroes, and that includes Athrun. This story is mainly Kira and Athrun's journey, about both of them caught up in horrible events and circumstances, forced to face some harsh realities, but somehow come through it and be both better people, and help make the world a better place. Well, the world isn't better yet, but I get the feeling it's starting in that direction. Kira and Athrun are on the same path, and will end up at the same place, though Athrun, being in the military for so long now, is a few steps behind Kira. But he'll get there, as we soon see. :D

So Archangel arrives at Orb's Onogoro Island and is given safe harbor yet again by Lord Uzumi Attha. Cagalli tackles Kira, in tears, chewing him out for making her think he's dead, but she's so ver happy to see him alive. I smiled big at this scene. Cagalli and Kira make quite a pair (and I don't mean romantically, ya pervs :P ). She also tells Kira about her finding Athrun on the Strike-n-Aegis-go-boom island, how torn up he was from believing he'd killed Kira. Cagalli and Kira have a serious heart to heart talk about Kira and Athrun's friendship/rivaly. Kira's really showing some maturity in this scene, how far he's come, particularly since coming so close to death at Athrun's hands recently.

Miriella brings a meal to Dearka, who's still in the brig. He wants to know what's going on and why a prisoner has to stay on a ship for so long. Miri doesn't know, all she can tell him is that they're now in Orb and no one's allowed to disembark. I'm still not sure what to make of this strange thing developing between Miri and Dearka. He mocks her, she tries to kill him, then she protects him, now she sees him regularly and brings him meals. Maybe she's making some small piece with Tolle's death, knowing Dearka isn't responsible, and maybe even taking some pity on him, even if he is an enemy? Hard to say.

Kira and the Archangel officers meet with Uzumi and Cagalli, learn that the Cyclops System took out 80% of ZAFT's attacking forces. So the Atlantic Federation EA brass got a 2-for-1 deal out of their weapon of mass destruction - cripping ZAFT as well as wiping out the Eurasian and unwanted elements in their own ranks. They're also pumping out the propaganda big-time, making it seem like ZAFT was responsible for the huge, kilometers-wide smoking crater that was JOSH-A and the countless civilian and military casualties. (Can you say "false flag operation"?) The anti-Coordinator war-drum beating is intensified.

The Atlantic Federation is also putting pressure on neutral nations, particularly Orb, saying anyone who doesn't join their fight against ZAFT is considered an enemy. Though it was obvious from Episode 1, here it's specifically pointed out that Orb welcomes both Naturals and Coordinators into its populace and doesn't discriminate. I say good for Orb! Unfortunately, their peaceful, prosperous, liberal paradise is about to get to get dragged into this senseless war. If I were living in that world, Orb is where I'd want to be. I don't care if it's doomed by outside militarism - if I could live in a good place like that, even for a short while, it would be worth it. :)

With the Atlantic Federation now posing a true threat to Orb, Uzumi finally decides to take a proactive position, ready to use force if necessary to bring the conflict to an end. He asks the Archangel crew to make their own choices whether they want to rejoin the Earth forces (yeah, right), or join Orb.

Meanwhile, ZAFT launches an attack on Panama, though they have very limited forces following the disaster in Alaska. Their objective is to destroy the mass driver at the spaceport to keep the Earth-bound forces trapped on the planet, since ZAFT already controls the other 2 Earth Alliance spaceports. The battle rages, with the EA forces deploying the 13th Autonomous Corps (BIG grin! First Gundam reference! :D ), which consists of their first mass-produced mobile suit, the GM-looking Strike Dagger! The Daggers seem okay at first, but they don't stand a chance against the far more experienced ZAFT pilots, including Yzak and his Duel Gundam. During the battle, ZAFT deploys a series of Gungnirs - a type of EMP weapon that disables all of the EA forces' electrical systems, but they do physical damage, too, and it manages to destroy the Panama spaceport's mass driver launch rail. Following this, the surviving EA forces try to surrender - and are massacred en masse by the ZAFT troops. Blood for blood... this is serious payback for what ZAFT suffered at JOSH-A. Blood for blood... and the futile, deadly cycle continues. :(

Le Creuset is still holding Flay Allster prisoner. Or something. She has a gun, and pulls it on him. Why does a prisoner have a gun? And is sitting in her captor's office He tells her she may be wearing a uniform, but she's no soldier. She's not fighting for justice or anything like that. What is going on here? More to come on this.

Back at Onogoro, Erica Simmons summons Kira and the gang to Morgenrote for a surprise. She's repaired the Strike Gundam, and installed the OS Kira wrote for the M1 Astrays, meaning a Normal pilot can use it. Cagalli wants to, but Mu La Flaga gets to be the Strike's new pilot. Yay Mu! I knew you'd get your mitts on some MS control stick someday! :D

Now that the mass driver has been taken out, the EA Forces' Lunar base will eventually run out of supplies. The EA brass & leadership are in a panic, and they pressure Orb to join the fight on their side (partly so they can get access to Orb's spaceport/mass driver), but Orb refuses. We now finally see the enigmatic Muruta Azrael, a slimy snake of a young man who offers to lead the EA's "negotiations" with Orb. He leads a fleet to Onogoro, carrying an ultimatum demanding the mass resignation of Orb's government and disarmament and disbandment of its military. We also meet the 3 pilots for the Earth Forces' new Gundams, a trio of punk slacker kids named Orgo (pilot of Calamity), Shani (pilot of Forbidden) and Clotho (pilot of Raider). An entire military full of trained, disciplined soldiers/pilots, and this is the best they could come up with?

Elsewhere, Athrun's scouting around on Earth in his new Justice Gundam, looking for Kira and the Freedom Gundam. He sees the crater that was JOSH-A in Alaska, and makes his way back to the island where he last faced Kira, finding the wreckage of his old Aegis. He encounters Reverend Malchio and the orphan kids on the island. I have a few questions here about Malchio. So far he's been a rather enigmatic character, but otherwise not that interesting, beyond his talk about "keepers of the Seed." But how did he get back to Earth so fast? Unless he left sooner than I thought sometime off-screen? I can't remember if he was there with Kira and Lacus and her father when informed about the Spit Break betrayal. And is he blind? He seems to have his eyes closed all the time. I'm not sure if Malchio is just supposed to be an incidental "Yoda" type character, there to be in the right place at the right time to say cryptic-yet-meaningful things and just help the heros along in their story, or if there's more to him, if he's part of the goings-on behind the scenes that we haven't seen yet (especially in light of him being a diplomatic envoy of sorts). Hmm...

ZAFT's Carpentaria base is requesting a meeting with Orb, to offer an alliance and support, but Orb refuses. Lord Uzumi fears that if Orb takes a side, they'll end up being the next Panama disaster. The Orb government warns the people of the impending Earth Forces' invasion, starting evacuations. Murrue informs the Archangel crew of the situation, and says she no longer has any authority over them, since they're all deserters. They're free to make whatever decision they want - to stay on the Archangel and help defend Orb from invasion, or to disembark and get to safety. She thanks them all for their support until now, sticking by their "unreliable captain." I love this woman. She's capable (if inexperienced) and kind, cool-headed yet has her convictions, and respectably modest, never copping an attitude. I'd stay on her ship and ride with her into battle, to do what's right. Oh, and have I ever mentioned that she's hot? :P

The Archangel crew makes their personal decisions and gets ready for the attack. Kira promises Cagalli that he'll do everything he can to protect her nation and her family. He says this route is the hardest, but it's the right one. Miriella informs Dearka that he's free to go, giving him his pilot's suit, but Morgenroete has taken possession of his Buster Gundam. With Archangel now on its own, sided with Orb, there's no reason to keep him prisoner. Kuzzey decides to leave the ship, but is afraid he'll be thought of as a coward. Sai, however, supports Kuzzey's decision and promises to see him again when it's all over. Only 11 people end up leaving Archangel's crew. Murrue asks Mu why he's staying, and in a big "woo-hoo!" moment, he simply answers by taking her into his arms and kissing her! Yay, it's about time you crazy kids got together! (*secretly wishes I could be Mu, he gets his own Gundam -and- the awesome girl!* :P )

The time limit for the Earth Forces' ultimatum runs out, and they launch their attack on Onogoro Island. Azrael is pleased that Orb refused to surrender, and hopes they fight to the very end. At Reverend Malchio's church/orphanage, Athrun watches the news of the invasion, and gets kicked in the leg by an orphan who hates ZAFT, having lost his parents in their invasion of Victoria spaceport. It's a small moment, but an important one for Athrun, who sees first-hand the pain and anger caused to an innocent child by the very army he's been fighting for until now. He's been on the precipice of a huge change, fueled by his almost-killing of his friend, the actions of Lacus, and so much else going on around him. This little bit with this poor boy may seem like a small thing, but I see it as so much more - the straw breaking the camel's back, the camel being Athrun's fading loyalty to ZAFT and its cause.

The EA ocean ships bombard the island and launch lots of Strike Daggers, which meet resistance from Kira's Freedom, Mu's Strike, and a whole lot of M1 Astrays, including the 3 cute female test pilots we met earlier. Even Dearka gets his hands on the Buster and joins the fight to help defend Orb! Go Dearka! I used to despise you, now I'm starting to like you! Mu's doing superbly in the Strike, and helps the less combat experienced Astray girls. Kira also continues to take care not to kill anyone, using the Freedom's powerful array of beam weapons (it fires a rainbow of fruity flavors! :D ) to disarm or disable the Strike Daggers.

The EA forces also deploy their new Gundams, piloted by the slacker punk kids. What's that thing the evil doctor scientist types make them drink before they take off? Some sort of drug to enhance their natural abilities? They launch with orders to do anything they want, as long as they don't damage Morgenroete's facility and the mass driver. These three cause all kinds of chaos, apparently fueled by whatever drugs they were given, which seems to give them some sort of berserker rage. They spend as much time fighting and attacking each other as they do the Orb defenders. It's absolutely nuts! They simply go wild, causing chaos, but never doing anything effective. Their Gundams are pretty powerful, though - particularly the Forbidden, with its I-field like anti-beam shields, and the dogfight between them and Kira's Freedom and the others is intense, but nobody can seem to get an edge one way or the other. Kira seems to be almost overwhelmed, though - and is saved from a nasty shot by one of the junkie psycho punks at the last moment by the arrival of Athrun in the Justice Gundam!

It's an awesome tag-team effort as Kira and Athrun fight side by side against the berserker punk trio's Gundams. I love the Justice's backpack/flight module being able to serve as a remote attack drone! The punk kids start fighting each other again, but then they start having violent spasms of pain and are forced to retreat to their ship. Azrael likewise orders a withdrawl - he thinks his three pet Gundams and their whacked-out pilots are his key to victory, without them in the battlefield, there's no point in continuing for now.

The battle over for now, the Orb defenders catch their breath to lick their wounds and tend to the casualties. Kira confronts Athrun about his intentions, and Athrun tells him that he has no intention of fighting Kira and his friends, and that he's here to talk. The two land and exit their Gundams, standing face to face. Everyone's shocked to see Athrun, but Kira tells them Athrun is not an enemy. It's a quiet, awkward moment as the two face each other, unsure of what to say, until at last, Kira simply smiles and says hi. Athrun still seems hurt and conflicted, unsure of what to say, but in a heart-warming moment, Cagalli runs out and hugs them both tight, being very very happy to see them both.

Kira and Athrun have their first serious heart-to-heart talk about everything that's happend, and wehat they want. Kira's decided to fight, but only to stop the ones who are causing the fighting. Miriella overhears their conversation and learns that Athrun is the one who killed Tolle. She's upset when she hears this, but I get the impression that she's going to accept it and move on. Trying to stab Athrun with a knife (rather than Dearka) won't bring Tolle back. Later, Cagalli and Athrun have a talk, as well. Athrun isn't sure of what he's going to do yet, but he says he thinks he has an answer. As he says this, we see flashbacks to his recent meeting with his father. Maybe he's decided to confront Patrick Zala directly to stop the war from ZAFT's side? I hope so, this would help bring the war to an end, by stopping the one causing it... but facing his own father won't be easy. But Athrun's growing up fast now. I think it's time Athrun faced his father and told him he's wrong, to stop being his father's son and be his own man now.

Aboard the Earth Forces flagship, the slacker punk junkie trio are suffering some extremely painful withdrawl, being "punished" for their failure. Azrael finally says they've been punished enough, and it's time to resume the assault on Onogoro, with a warning that they'd better improve their performance. The junkies get their fix and sortie, the invasion is on again.

Athrun tells Kira the fight to defend Orb is hopeless, and he doesn't want Kira or anyone else to die. Surprisingly, Dearka agrees - it's the first time he and Athrun have agreed on something. It's amazing how much Dearka has changed in such a short time. I'm seriously starting to like this guy. :)

The invasion is turning into a disaster for Orb, though. Their mass-produced M1 Astrays are getting blown away, with the Forbidden, Raider and Calamity Gundam decimating the defense and causing their usual chaos. And what's up with that funky '70's sounding music? Is one of the psycho trio jamming out to music while he blows thing aways? Cagalli is having a hard time watching the battle with her father, and not being in it. Uzumi makes the difficult decision to abandon Onogoro Island, and orders everyone to gather at Kaguya spaceport for a retreat. The junkie trio go nuts and start arguing and attacking each other again, wasting energy until they run out and are forced to retreat. Their fighting against Orb's MS defense is still intense, yet still feels like all they can do is fight at a stalemate. The only useful hit/damage scored is by Athrun slicing up the Raider's wrecking ball/mace weapon with a beam saber.

Meanwhile, offshore in a ZAFT submarine, Le Creuset and Yzak have been watching the battle and developments and gathering intelligence on the new Gundams. And in a cabin, Flay sleeps... wearing a ZAFT uniform. Maybe she just needed a change of clothes, and this is all that's on-hand. Or has she switched sides...? I can't imagine she would, considering her burning hatred of Coordinators. Le Creuset decides to return to Carpentaria base. Yzak asks him about Flay - if she's a prisoner, why not treat her as one? Le Creuset says there's more to a war than just firing shots at each other. "I had been looking for a key, and now I've found that key. Or so I believe." More cryptic stuff from the mysterious masked man. What does he mean by her being a "key"? I'm starting to think this may not be a Char/Sayla thing, that maybe he simply recognized her as Vice Minister Allster's daughter and thought she'd be an important hostage. But she seemed to hear her father's voice when she met Le Creuset... there's still something else going on here, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I love this mysterious development! Here's hoping for a good payoff. :)

During this latest lull in the fighting, Uzumi informs the Archangel crew that the mastermind behind the actions taken by the Earth Forces is Muruta Azrael - who is also the leader of Blue Cosmos! With him firmly in control of the Earth Alliance military, and ZAFT and the PLANTs under the control of Coordinator radical Patrick Zala, the situation is very bad for everyone, especially neutral nations like the Orb Union.

Ramius and the Archangel crew vow to continue to fight for peace as best it can. At the spaceport, the ship is being fitted with some kind of fancy energy boosters to launch it up into space, while an Orb ship, the Kusanagi, is being readied for launch on the mass driver, and loaded with M1 Astrays to take Orb's fight into space as well.

Athrun talks to Kira and Dearka as they're getting ready to leave. Athrun knows it's not right to just follow orders and kill enemies, but he doesn't know what to do to end the war (go stop your dad, Athrun!). Kira asks himi to come along, and they'll find the answer together. I'm happy to see that these two have made peace, finally fighting together on the same side, for the right reasons. Here's hoping their friendship can heal one day, too. :)

The Archangel takes off, heading up into space, riding through a weird, cool, sparkling light energy current thing. It's very pretty! The Kusanagi is about to launch, when the junkie trio shows up in their Gundams to stop their launch. Uzumi puts Cagalli aboard the Kusanagi with Colonel Kisaka, to carry on his hopes for peace, but she doesn't wantn to leave her father behind. As they force Cagalli to board, Uzumi gives his daughter a photo of herself and her brother Kira, together as babies with their mother! Cagalli's in confusion and anguish as the Kusanagi takes off, leaving her father behind at Kaguya spaceport, possibly to never see him again. Kira and Athrun protect the Kusanagi's launch from the junkie trio and hitch a ride as it escapes up into space.

As Uzumi watches his daughter and her friends escape into space, he says, "The seeds have flown. We've succeeded. We won't let Orb and this world fall into the hands of those bastards." Chilling and defiant last words! He then sets off a self-destruct system, blowing up Kaguya spaceport and its mass driver, much to Azrael's chagin and Cagalli's anguish.

It's good to know she and her father came to an understanding before the end...

A few miscellaneous notes & comments about these episodes:

It's really hit me these last few episodes that this series makes an excessive use of flashbacks (and not just the Nicol dying/Blitz blowing up scene). A lot of scenes, used all the time. Flashbacks can be an effective storytelling tool, but if I have one complaint about this series so far, is that the flashbacks are laid on a little too thick.

Ramius has a boobie jiggle! She hasn't had one in a while. It's not the Bridge Battle Boobie Bounce (tm) stock footage, she's in civvies. And looks good in them. :)

The M1 Astrays look really really cool in action! I absolutely love its design. It's become my 2nd favorite MS design in this series behind the Strike.

Ummm, where's Natarle? The last we saw of her was her on one of the submarines sneaking out of JOSH-A, overhearing the big evil plot/betrayal details.

Shocking, action packed, drama filled and fantastic episodes! 40 down, 10 left to go!
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Burke Rukes wrote:It's really hit me these last few episodes that this series makes an excessive use of flashbacks (and not just the Nicol dying/Blitz blowing up scene). A lot of scenes, used all the time. Flashbacks can be an effective storytelling tool, but if I have one complaint about this series so far, is that the flashbacks are laid on a little too thick.
Now you know why people have nicknamed the director Flashback 'Em All Fukuda, and it's not as a compliment. :lol: Prepare to see more of Nicol dying, and now that you've reached this point, a lot of flashbacks of Uzumi dying. It gets even worse in DESTINY, and you'll see these flashbacks repeated still even in that show.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Hey Burke, the Archangel was left in port and sacrificed because the EA had to put up enough resistance to lure a significant portion of the ZAFT forces in. As Le Creuset said, "The stronger the lock on a door, the greater the treasure that is thought to be behind it."

So you see, not an issue at all. The fact that the top brass could get rid of a crew which had embarrassed and offended them was just icing on the cake, not the actual reason.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

I'm probably the only gundam fan on the entire internet that didn't mind the many flashbacks. :lol:
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

DuelGundam2099 wrote:I'm probably the only gundam fan on the entire internet that didn't mind the many flashbacks. :lol:
O.o

You are definitely the only one in my experiences haha. We have found SEED's target audience!
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Izayuukan wrote:Hey Burke, the Archangel was left in port and sacrificed because the EA had to put up enough resistance to lure a significant portion of the ZAFT forces in. As Le Creuset said, "The stronger the lock on a door, the greater the treasure that is thought to be behind it."

So you see, not an issue at all. The fact that the top brass could get rid of a crew which had embarrassed and offended them was just icing on the cake, not the actual reason.
Ahhh, okay. I do remember that line of Le Creuset's and couldn't quite figure out what he was getting at. Now it makes sense, thanks! :)
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Burke Rukes wrote:Murrue asks Mu why he's staying, and in a big "woo-hoo!" moment, he simply answers by taking her into his arms and kissing her! Yay, it's about time you crazy kids got together! (*secretly wishes I could be Mu, he gets his own Gundam -and- the awesome girl!* :P )
Yeah, that was a major squee moment for me too even though I knew about it beforehand, seeing it happen was all the better. I only wish we could have seen the aftermath of when the bridge crew walked in on them.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

I'm really seeing enjoying someone watching SEED the first time, free of all the usual BS when discussing the series. I really hope you continue through with Destiny, Burke. It would nice to be a fresh take on a decent but seriously flawed series.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Y'know, instead of making comments on your post, I'm just gonna write text. :lol:

These parts of SEED was when the show finally stopped following First Gundam's every basic plot point and really came into it's own. I wished it had done this earlier but oh well. The interactions between the characters, the tone of the story, everything just gets really good. It's why I like reading your posts because I have to admit that a lot of the bitterness I feel over Destiny had started to leak into SEED and it's nice to be reminded that while SEED did have its flaws, there was a lot of good to be had.
In particular the scenes with Cagalli and Athrun after he thinks he killed Kira, the "witch-hunt" concerning the Archangel and Kira, the scene where Miri and Flay both try to kill Dearka, the results of Operation: Spit Break and the massacre at Panama, the heart-to-heart Kira and Athrun have and Murrue finally giving into Mu's charms, all great freakin' stuff. I especially liked the bit with Murrue and Mu. She's trying the last-ditch emotional defense but he's just too smooth.

Murrue: You know I really can't stand mobile armor pilots.
Mu: Well, it's a good thing I'm a mobile suit pilot now.

As far as Flay goes, I honestly think there was some coercion involved. She seems way too docile while she's with le Cruset. And the whole thing with him sounding like her dad kinda gets brushed aside I think. Add to that I was always a little confused on what he planned to do with her. He never actually says that he knows that she's the daughter of a high-ranking Earth Alliance official and
Spoiler
was his plan always to hand her back to the Alliance and the Dominion just turned out to be the first convenient opportunity?
The Freedom. You know, I really don't mind it that much but it's definitely a spam machine and I agree with the other guy, this is probably where some people started denigrating Kira's abilities as a pilot because the Freedom makes him about 90% unstoppable. For the other 10% see the SEED Druggies and... the final battle. As for the Druggies, here's some info on them and their mystery drug.
Gundam Wiki wrote:First Stage Extended humans had some biotechnological modification and were mentally conditioned to eliminate their sense of fear and increase aggression in combat; the subjects were mostly regular pilots who were given regular doses of the performance-enhancing drug Gamma Glipheptin. This drug had a negative effect on the pilots' mental stability and caused them to behave in undesirable ways during battle. It also had very brief duration, and as the effect wore off it left the pilots incapacitated with severe withdrawal symptoms, as their nervous systems began to collapse without regular doses. Their loyalty to the Alliance was guaranteed by their addiction to Gamma Glipheptin. The first-stage test subjects were Clotho Buer, Orga Sabnak and Shani Andras.
Cagalli's dad gets a lot of crap for being a "hippie" but I think if I was in his shoes, I'd do the same thing. On the one hand you have the Earth Alliance which you know just sacrificed a whole bunch of its own troops to kill the enemy and is being manipulated by Murata Azrael and Blue Cosmos. On the other hand, you know have radical Patrick Zala in control of the PLANTs and ZAFT and at the very least doesn't really want a peaceful end to the war. You know that Azrael/Earth Alliance just wants your mass driver to perpetuate the war (and Morganroete too) so I would definitely give them the One-Fingered Salute and tell the smeggers to get stuffed. Unfortunately Uzumi's sacrifice is kinda ruined by later... well you'll see. You already mentioned the flashbacks. Speaking of which, you really need to check out this video on the 'ole interwebz once you've seen both SEED and Destiny, about all the stock footage in both series. It's worth a few laughs. :D
So we finally get confirmation that Kira and Cagalli really are brother and sister, twins in fact. I have to wonder if this was really necessary considering
Spoiler
what happens at Mendel
is never really explained that well. There was more of a spark between Kira and Flay, more of a spark between Kira and Cagalli than between... um, I'll save that for later. Maybe Fukuda is a fan of Star Wars?
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

We have found SEED's target audience!
You also found Destiny's target audience. :P
decent but seriously flawed series.
:(
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

More commentary, so more commentary FOR the commentary!

Something I should have said last time: We should totally should have seen Kira's "death" coming, since Flay said she wanted to talk and he said they would after he got back. Total retirony there.

I totally agree with the sentiment about Gundam upgrades tending towards the bulky. Personally that's one reason I prefer Katoki's version of Wing Zero to Okawara's, in spite of all the griping about the "illogical" angel wing backpack.

The situation with Kira and Cagalli was explicitly stated to be a reference to Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, randomly.

I'm kind of surprised you didn't remark on Yzak's horrified reaction when his allies start killing the disabled Alliance pilots; it's probably the single most important moment for his character development in the whole series.

The three Alliance pilots have a couple of nicknames; the Japanese call them the Three Idiots or Baka Trio, while Americans call them "The Druggies". Which, I add, is not meant to be insulting. The boys have their fans, in large part I think as a middle finger to Fukuda. Long story short, in one interview he said that they did create backstories for them (namely, they were criminals who got their sentences commuted by volunteering for the Alliance's experiments), but that wasn't going to be used because (paraphrase from memory) "they're villains, who cares about their backstories?" Azrael also has something of a following, owing primarily to being voiced by the legendary Nobuyuki Hiyama, but like the fandom for most Gundam villains they acknowledge that these are bad guys but consider them more fun and interesting than the heroes.

Also, the funky 70s-style music is "Three Evil Weapons", the Druggies' theme song.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

AmuroNT1 wrote:Azrael also has something of a following, owing primarily to being voiced by the legendary Nobuyuki Hiyama, but like the fandom for most Gundam villains they acknowledge that these are bad guys but consider them more fun and interesting than the heroes.
.
Hmm, that's weird because I despise Azrael thoroughly.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Arbiter GUNDAM wrote: Hmm, that's weird because I despise Azrael thoroughly.
This is the internet; you can find a group who likes anything if you look hard enough.
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

AmuroNT1 wrote:I totally agree with the sentiment about Gundam upgrades tending towards the bulky. Personally that's one reason I prefer Katoki's version of Wing Zero to Okawara's, in spite of all the griping about the "illogical" angel wing backpack.
Thinking about it today, the V2 Gundam was also a bulked-up upgrade from the Victory, as well. :P
AmuroNT1 wrote:I'm kind of surprised you didn't remark on Yzak's horrified reaction when his allies start killing the disabled Alliance pilots; it's probably the single most important moment for his character development in the whole series.
Hmm, I must have missed it (quite easy for me to do, the way I'm watching this series, and having to constantly pause, back up, re-watch certain bits, and take lots of notes), I think I was so horrified seeing the massacre happening, that I thougth Yzak was in on it? I guess not.

As for the Druggies/Three Idiots, that is one big complaint I have about them - perhaps it's premature, but from what reading from you all, it's a valid one. The complaint is that they don't feel like real characters - they're caricatures, just generic, cwwwwazy bwaa-haa-haa, foaming at the mouth whackaloon villains. Aside from being enhanced slacker junkies with some serious anger management issues, we know nothing about them. Their motivations, what they want, why they're there, and particularly, any sense that they're -going- somewhere, other than just as very cheap "scary" (quotation marks are intentional, I don't find them scary at all) bad guys.

Oh, and thanks for the info on their background, Arbiter. Good to know, I guess, but they still feel like cheap caricatures, rather than fully realized characters, like the rest of the cast. Considering how rich and intriguing and captivating the personalities of most of the cast of this series is so far, the Druggies just feel like... over-hyped, over-used generic placeholders. "Insert Villain Here."
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Burke Rukes wrote:As for the Druggies/Three Idiots, that is one big complaint I have about them - perhaps it's premature, but from what reading from you all, it's a valid one. The complaint is that they don't feel like real characters - they're caricatures, just generic, cwwwwazy bwaa-haa-haa, foaming at the mouth whackaloon villains. Aside from being enhanced slacker junkies with some serious anger management issues, we know nothing about them. Their motivations, what they want, why they're there, and particularly, any sense that they're -going- somewhere, other than just as very cheap "scary" (quotation marks are intentional, I don't find them scary at all) bad guys.

Oh, and thanks for the info on their background, Arbiter. Good to know, I guess, but they still feel like cheap caricatures, rather than fully realized characters, like the rest of the cast. Considering how rich and intriguing and captivating the personalities of most of the cast of this series is so far, the Druggies just feel like... over-hyped, over-used generic placeholders. "Insert Villain Here."
This is part of why I'm very dissatisfied with the way Seed ended. I lost interest about the time Athrun got the Justice, but I felt it jumped the shark when they let Kira survive. The Druggie Trio (Mark I) was about as far from a credible threat as I can think of a group being. Like the Mobile Doll versions of Vayeate and Mercurius, on the face of it they should be great villains, but they just...aren't. The battles between Kira, Athrun, Dearka and the Druggie Trio just didn't have any of the drama or intensity of the battles between the original five Gundams (and their pilots), so it seems like they exist merely to be a distraction for Our Heroes. I also don't care for the way they emphasize both factions as being run by the more extreme elements; Seed is almost an incitement for revolution, if looked at from a certain point of view. Kira's world-view will also come to dominate the franchise for most of the decade, and I'm not wild about that, either -- the reformed Relena of Endless Waltz makes more sense to me than Kira. But YMMV, and you'll get the chance to form your own opinion.

Fortunately, high-tension battles will be back on the horizon shortly, but not because of the Druggie Trio, oh, no. Better foils are, thankfully, in the offing.

Rev. Malchio, BTW, is in fact blind -- but can clearly "see" people and events quite well. The comparison to Yoda is rather apt.
Zeonista
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Burke Rukes wrote: (However, I'm 90% certain that Le Creuset is who leaked this info to the Earth forces, via the mysterious Azrael, for his own agenda.)
I am also 90% certain you are correct. Rau and Azrael both have their reasons for escalating things, as you will discover.
Athrun learns from Nicol's father that the new mobile suits have nuclear powerplants and N-Jammer Cancellers, and if the Earth Forces find out about this, they'll start using nuclear weapons themselves again, repeating the Bloody Valentine/Junius 7 massacre.
I'm not sure why this is a big deal. Freedom and Justice are nuclear powered, not nuclear armed. Where's the violation? Not that violations matter too much after that Cyclops incident....
Athrun goes to Lacus's home, finds a Haro, and relives some memories of spending time with her. He sees her rose garden, remembering a clue of where she might be, and goes to a symphony hall where she first performed. Lacus is there, singing her song of peace. She tells Athrun that she helped Kira because he needed the power of the Freedom Gundam. Lacus asks Athrun what it is he's fighting for and believes in. If it's for following orders, medals, and other nonsense, then Kira will be Athrun's enemy again - as will she.
Athrun finally uses his Man-given smarts, and finds Lacus, who really goes to town on his motivation. She already has Kira on her side, now to get Athrun to see the light and join up.
The Freedom looks pretty neat, it's a nice solid design, and its wing fin/cannon things are kinda cool. It vaguely reminds me of the Double X, which isn't a bad thing. However, one trend I've noticed in some (but not all) Gundam shows when it comes to the standard mid-season MS upgrade is also an upgrade in size/bulkiness, and it's not necessarily something I like. It started with the ZZ Gundam taking over from the Zeta (my all-time favorite Gundam) as the lead in ZZ, and I've never been a big fan of its design - it's bulky and has far too much kibble. And the same goes for the Freedom.
So I take it you'd prefer Zeta Plus over S Gundam any day? :D Freedom is bigger and bulkier than Strike because it needs to be. The nuclear plant and N-Jammer canceller need room, as do all the guns.So, we get heroic burly here. However, Strike is still an excellent Gundam, and you will be able to see one again before too long, as well as the MP version, Orb's M1 Astray. I think you would also like the Red Frame and Blue Frame Astrays from the manga.
Kira tells them that they need to think about what they need to fight against. Murrue says she can't even remember why she's fighting anymore. Mu suggests they go back to the neutral nation of Orb.
Kira gets another big hero moment, as he recruits the Archangel crew to the new third faction. From now on he, Lacus, and Cagalli are more or less calling the shots for it. Amuro had to wait until CCA to get this level of action!
Miriella brings a meal to Dearka, who's still in the brig. He wants to know what's going on and why a prisoner has to stay on a ship for so long. Miri doesn't know, all she can tell him is that they're now in Orb and no one's allowed to disembark. I'm still not sure what to make of this strange thing developing between Miri and Dearka.
Hey, Kira can't be the only one on Archangel trying to overcome differences and befriend current/former enemies, right?
The Atlantic Federation is also putting pressure on neutral nations, particularly Orb, saying anyone who doesn't join their fight against ZAFT is considered an enemy.
Yes, they can choose a side...or have a side chosen for them.
Meanwhile, ZAFT launches an attack on Panama, though they have very limited forces following the disaster in Alaska. Their objective is to destroy the mass driver at the spaceport to keep the Earth-bound forces trapped on the planet, since ZAFT already controls the other 2 Earth Alliance spaceports. The battle rages, with the EA forces deploying the 13th Autonomous Corps (BIG grin! First Gundam reference! :D ), which consists of their first mass-produced mobile suit, the GM-looking Strike Dagger! The Daggers seem okay at first, but they don't stand a chance against the far more experienced ZAFT pilots, including Yzak and his Duel Gundam.
The OMNI pilots face the same hurdle the EFSF pilots faced in MSG, mastering the enemy's preferred weapon in order to defeat them. There is a stiff learning curve, but those who survive will be mighty...
Following this, the surviving EA forces try to surrender - and are massacred en masse by the ZAFT troops. Blood for blood... this is serious payback for what ZAFT suffered at JOSH-A. Blood for blood...
This is the sort of thing ex-Chairman Clyne was hoping to avoid. ZAFT has lost the moral high ground, and now it's a contest to see which side can batter the other into abject defeat first, with PLANTS' survival as a nation on the line. Yzak at least acknowledges that he and the other ZAFT soldiers have erred. Maybe hope for him yet, eh?
We now finally see the enigmatic Muruta Azrael, a slimy snake of a young man who offers to lead the EA's "negotiations" with Orb. He leads a fleet to Onogoro, carrying an ultimatum demanding the mass resignation of Orb's government and disarmament and disbandment of its military. We also meet the 3 pilots for the Earth Forces' new Gundams, a trio of punk slacker kids named Orgo (pilot of Calamity), Shani (pilot of Forbidden) and Clotho (pilot of Raider). An entire military full of trained, disciplined soldiers/pilots, and this is the best they could come up with?
Get ready to hate Azrael with a passion, both him and his blasphemous name. The three pilots don't look like much out of combat, but put them in the cockpit and they are ready to go!
The Archangel crew makes their personal decisions and gets ready for the attack. Kira promises Cagalli that he'll do everything he can to protect her nation and her family. He says this route is the hardest, but it's the right one.
Truer words never spoken here....
Kuzzey decides to leave the ship, but is afraid he'll be thought of as a coward. Sai, however, supports Kuzzey's decision and promises to see him again when it's all over.
Probably he felt like Maurice Rose at the Alamo, but in this kind of situation only willing hand are required. Sai is a good friend about it.
Murrue asks Mu why he's staying, and in a big "woo-hoo!" moment, he simply answers by taking her into his arms and kissing her!
Mu volunteers for commander's snugglebunny duty! The reaction of the returning bridge crew is hilarious. :)
It's a small moment, but an important one for Athrun, who sees first-hand the pain and anger caused to an innocent child by the very army he's been fighting for until now. He's been on the precipice of a huge change, fueled by his almost-killing of his friend, the actions of Lacus, and so much else going on around him. This little bit with this poor boy may seem like a small thing, but I see it as so much more - the straw breaking the camel's back, the camel being Athrun's fading loyalty to ZAFT and its cause.
Great job on realizing Athrun's tipping point! He is ready to fight for the Right, now.
Kira also continues to take care not to kill anyone, using the Freedom's powerful array of beam weapons (it fires a rainbow of fruity flavors! :D ) to disarm or disable the Strike Daggers.
This is the beginning of Kira's non-lethal way of defeating the enemy by putting all of their MS in for repairs, thereby crushing their repair & supply units! :lol:
Athrun tells Kira the fight to defend Orb is hopeless, and he doesn't want Kira or anyone else to die. Surprisingly, Dearka agrees - it's the first time he and Athrun have agreed on something. It's amazing how much Dearka has changed in such a short time. I'm seriously starting to like this guy. :)
Dearka has the shortest turn-around of any of the ZAFT characters. He sees the situation, believes it, accepts it, and follows through. In this he is ahead of Atthrun and Yzak.
Le Creuset decides to return to Carpentaria base. Yzak asks him about Flay - if she's a prisoner, why not treat her as one? Le Creuset says there's more to a war than just firing shots at each other. "I had been looking for a key, and now I've found that key. Or so I believe."
There is sort of an explanation here, but this is not the time to give it. This sub-plot is one that didn't seem to resolve itself well.
Flashbacks can be an effective storytelling tool, but if I have one complaint about this series so far, is that the flashbacks are laid on a little too thick.
That understates it a lot for SEED anime, right everybody? :)
Last edited by Zeonista on Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"I am fire. I am death. I am Hashmal."

"Discontent is the first step in the progress for a man or a nation." - Oscar Wilde
Zeonista
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Re: Burke's First Impressions of Gundam Seed!

Oops, double-post, fixed it.
"I am fire. I am death. I am Hashmal."

"Discontent is the first step in the progress for a man or a nation." - Oscar Wilde
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