hontou ni sou omou?

Lunamaria Hawke: For my efforts at Heaven’s Base, I got a medal! But since I was playing third fiddle with a hand-me-down Gundam, I was still behind Rey (who was awarded the same medal as me and inducted into FAITH) and Shinn (awarded the Nebula medal and inducted into FAITH). Then shocking news that Djibril had been sighted in Orb. Things came full ciricle, since our descent down to Earth after trying to break apart Junius 7, with the Minerva joining the attacking force. On his own authority, Shinn launched into battle.

Zyl: For a much better summary, see Omni who once again showed he has got the fastest draw in this town. Shinn has been such an evil boy that even now his subconscious is trying to tell him that through his dreams but these were promptly suppressed by Rey. I was a bit intrigued about the Athrun flashback that he had when presented with the FAITH badge. Perhaps Athrun’s mentoring hasn’t completely been a wasted effort?

No indications of any development of the Shinn x Lunamaria relationship. I don’t know whether to be relieved or not. But Shinn refuses to listen to her or Rey’s objections to him launching. Shinn ignores Lunamaria’s nagging (not the first time) so completely that sometimes I wonder how many years they’ve been married already. Again, Lunamaria doesn’t seem as keen to fight as Shinn. Curious behaviour for someone who blames Logos for Athrun and Meyrin’s ‘death’ . Shinn still harbours plenty of ill will towards Cagalli and Orb when he launched - so much for any budding regret at the start of the episode. And it’s also pretty obvious that Lunamaria can’t occupy a place in his heart like Mayu or Stellar so maybe he prefers dead girls. And one thing that still puzzles me is that Lunamaria is still in the Athrun’s Harem frame in the OP. If I think about it, she’d probably dump Shinn in a sec if Athrun and Meyrin came back with their side of the story.

This scene also had me tickled, right after when Gilbert teased Talia about her scary stony silence. In military protocol when I come from, when escorting a superior officer (including civilian superiors like the Permanent Secretary, Senior Parliamentary Secretary or Minister) the junior officer walks on the superior’s left and one pace behind. Which is what Gilbert is doing. Guess who wears the pants in the relationship, huh? :) Also when we say the “C.O.’s boss” or “C.O.’s C.O.” that means his wife rather than his higher echelon commander. Curiously the husband of a female C.O. is never referred to in this way. Talia is probably at the root of Gilbert’s motivations - “You were the one who taught me to always ‘Check the women and the money first,’ Colonel.” Aramaki’s words to his former mentor, Tonoda before busting him in the Ghost in the Shell manga. But at this point I can’t see the link between Talia, whatever this Destiny plan is and trying to unite PLANT and Earth in a new political arrangement through the Logos conflict. But what is clear is that Talia is becoming increasingly sullen and suspicious of Gilbert and his manipulation of Shinn. She already sees Rey as Gilbert’s man on the Minerva. What is unclear to me is if Lunamaria told her about the fake Lacus and this may be a crucial piece of information that sees the Minerva form a new Three Ships Alliance with the Eternal and Archangel.

A broader observation on the commanding role of women in GS/GSD. All the important ships are commanded by women. Talia Gladys for the Minerva. Murrue Ramius for Archangel. Cagalli for the Kusanagi. And of course, at the top of everything is the greatest political leader in the GS universe, Lacus Clyne who commands the Eternal and is leader of the Clyne Faction, dubbed the White Queen by Gilbert. Also the male leads of GS anchored themselves emotionally in the female cast. In the first half of GS, Kira with Fllay and Athrun with Lacus. And then, Kira finding his soulmate and spiritual bearings in Lacus. She also almost singlehandedly turned Athrun against his father while Cagalli stiffened that resolve and prevented him from blowing himself up with Justice. At this point, Lunamaria just doesn’t seem to have the clarity of vision or emotional strength to play the girlfriend role in redeeming Shinn. ~o~ cue ominous music ~o~

With all due respect to the Hyaku Shiki, the golden colour was just so gaudy that I couldn’t help but parody the above scene. (Cursor over the pics to see.)

It was a good episode for Cagalli despite her bawling again. While it was quite sickening to see Juna’s fawning at her return (which he probably assumed was to fight for and save his ass) and calling her “my honey” , his “megami” (goddess) and all that, but it was all worth it to see how sweetly she tricked him into confirming her identity and authority before ordering his arrest on grounds of treason. Before that, another great display of common sense from the senior Orb officer (Soga?) when he responded to Yuna’s “Why are they attacking after our announcement that Djibril isn’t in Orb?” with “That’s because they know it’s a lie.”

And it was also good to see Meyrin on her feet and with her hair still down.