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June 29, 2005
Gundam Seed Destiny episode 36 (review)
I apologize for not having my usual slate of images. The page I normally pull from is running behind in terms of episodes.
This episode was ***FINALLY*** a moving point for Athrun. As a Kira fan, I've been generally happy with his development and Shinn's development, but Athrun has been kind of up and down. As one of the main characters from Seed, I expected his role to be pivotal from episode 1. And to some degree, he has been a pivotal character... with his piloting of the Gouf near the beginning to the arrival as a member of Faith. Originally, Athrun was the veteran figure with questions of his own that I expected.
Yet, his piloting skills have generally consisted of flying around yelling "Kira!" in battles and having hard times with bit pilots. His logic has been inconsistant in his internal conflicts with the way the war has been going: as a person who participated in the events of Jachin Due, he has been in a key position to see how the events of this time are so similar and different and to realize who is fighting for what. He has generally shown little sign of the skills that made him an ace in the previous war, and he has not used the influence he had with the other pilots and personnel to any great effect.
For that reason it was good to see Athrun grown a spine and ask questions of the chairman. It was clear to see from the beginning that Athrun was beginning to realize that the Chairman was not being completely honest and that Kira and the AA group might have good reasons for distrusting him.
It's also good to see that the Chairman realizes this and goes to work ensuring that Athrun is kept under wraps. Athrun is no dummy though, and he starts to attempt his escape. The discussion with Meer where Athrun tries to convince her that she will eventually be discarded/killed and she refuses to go was a sad one, one that I think will lead to tragedy for the faux Lacus.
The bit with Meyrin came out of nowhere. I realize that they had a few moments with her, but nothing that would make me think she would essentially turn on ZAFT. It will be interesting to see if she turns out to be a romantic interest, a good friend, or the next victim of a beam attack on the GOUF that Athrun is piloting.
The wording with Rey talking about Kira being alive was sort of nebulous. Because my Japanese skills are not up to snuff, I couldn't tell if he literally meant that he knew Kira was alive or rather that he was alive in Athrun's mind and heart and thus would never be expunged. If it is the former, this has interesting implications for the Newtype-Kira theory.
I guess the question will remain into next episode: will Shinn become a full pawn/pull an Anakin and fall under the Chairman's "spell" or will be be the good person he is capable of being. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I can see the former. This is what makes Destiny so interesting: we don't know what the Chairman is up to or even if he is "evil" per se, nor do we know who will turn out to be "bad" in the end. The Chairman can explain much of his actions reasonably, yet there is always a sort of bad taste-undercurrent to his actions.
Will Shinn/Rey shoot down Athrun? Will Athrun make it to Orb/Archangel? Will Meyrin survive through the next episode? I guess we'll have to see in episode 37.
Posted by Drylnn at June 29, 2005 12:03 AM