Polyvinyl Crush

We’re nearing the end of the second season of Gundam 00, only 7 more episodes left. This past week’s episode was a good episode; it primarily sets up for what it likely the last arc of the series. Episode 18 was just filled with talking and sudden changes, although it really isn’t that sudden because there’s a 4 month gap between episode 17 and 18.

The episode starts off with a conference by the president of the Federation to the people about getting rid of the anti-government forces by giving the A-LAWS control of the Federation’s military. It also seems like Arthur Goodman didn’t die last episode and the 2nd Memento Mori was only damaged not destroyed. However that doesn’t last long because while the conference is going on, Celestial Being destroys the 2nd Memento Mori.

After the orbital elevator incident, Kataron’s forces have been dispersed and the A-LAWS have found and killed some of them with the use of the automations. Klaus, Shirin and Marina have made a hideout in the mountains with the children.

In the Ptolemaios, we find out that Marie has changed back to Soma Peries because of Sergei’s death. Allelujah is getting depressed because he swore to Sergei that he would not let Marie/Soma fight again, but Lockon tells him that he should try to understand why she wants to fight. Saji also wonders if Louise is the same by turning pain into hatred.

Meanwhile, Anew examines Setsuna’s wound and tells Sumeragi that the wound is blocking cell circulation and it’s completely different from what happened with Lasse. During the examination, Setsuna believes his Gundam is the trump card because the Innovators have no knowledge of the twin drive system.

Ribbons has a lengthy conversation with Wang Liu-Mei, who asks him what he plans to do now. Ribbons responds by telling her that humans don’t need to know. She says that all humans are going to become Innovators anyway, but Ribbons tells her that not everyone can become an Innovator, including her. Wang Liu-Mei leaves and Regene asks if it’s okay distancing her, he says that he no longer has any use for her. During the conversation, Regene seems bothered by Ribbons’ words.

On the A-LAWS’ ship, Louise is congratulating Andrei on his promotion to lieutenant. Revive and Healing then mock Andrei about killing his father in order to attain a promotion. Louise cannot believe that Andrei killed his own father. Revive and Healing continue to mock them, saying they’re a perfect match. A guy who killed his own father and a girl who wants to avenge her family. Andrei tells her that as a soldier they have to make decisions and hugs her. Louise wonders if she can shoot down Saji if the time comes.

The crew wonders why the A-LAWS have been able to track them all the time. Because of this they decide to execute a plan to capture Veda and plan to ask the Innovators. Meanwhile, Lyle and Anew are in a bed together in his room. She asks him about Neil, and Lyle tells her that he didn’t want to be compared to his perfect older brother and chose a different path. Lyle then asks Anew about her family but it doesn’t seem like she can remember and becomes sad. They embrace and kiss but then she opens her eyes to reveal that she is an Innovator. Her eyes lit up because Revive linked with her and finds out the location of the Ptolemaios.

Wang Liu-Mei starts to depart from the Innovators base but Regene is waiting for her with a piece of paper. She takes this and proceeds to fly towards the Ptolemaios. The A-LAWS prepare to launch an attack onto Celestial Being who also prepares for battle. Setsuna runs into Saji who is now determined to fight with Setsuna in the 0-Raiser and tells him that he will try to convince Louise to stop fighting. As Lyle launches, he tells Anew that he loves her out of no where.

While launching all the pilots say the names of things that are important to them.
Saji: Louise
Louise: Saji
Andrei: Mother
Soma: Colonel
Allelujah: Marie
Lyle: Anew
and then the last two just totally killed the moment.
Tieria: Veda
Setsuna: Gundam.

After the credits, soldiers have found Klaus, Shirin and Marina’s hideout. One of the children grabs a gun and points it at the soldiers but Marina covers the child up as a shot is fired. Wang Liu-Mei also is looking at the piece of paper that Regene gave her and tells her that she must deliver this to Celestial Being. The paper just has a bunch of letters and numbers written on it and she says that Veda is at this point and the episode ends.

Thoughts: Well, this totally was a set up episode for the next few episodes to come. The upcoming battle will likely be the 2nd to last I’d say. I thought the last scene was hilarious as it got all serious by having the pilot say the names of those they want to protect or those important to them. But then Tieria says Veda and it’s like “omg wtf haha freak” and then Setsuna says Gundam which is like “……”.

The whole Anew and Lyle relationship just popped out of no where. We were given like hidden hints about it from the ending by just seeing the arm then the hair color and jacket. I thought it was going to build up better than just “hey look they’re together now”. It also seems like Lyle knows or suspects that Anew is an Innovator. However it seems like Anew is like Tieria and doesn’t have knowledge of being an Innovator.

I feel like they have too many story lines going on in the series though. They resolved one with Sergei’s death but we still have Andrei vs Allelujah/Soma/Marie, as well as Hallelujah’s reappearance. There’s Louise and Saji, along with a love thing between the former 2 and Andrei.

There’s Anew’s story with the Innovators as well as Tieria’s. Sumeragi/Kathy/Billy’s story might need to be resolved as well. Setsuna’s conflict with Mr. Bushido and Ali Al-Salcheez as well as his story with Marina. The overall conflict with the Innovators and also Wang Liu-Mei’s role in the story. Nena Trinity is also another character who kind of has no place in the series at the moment either.

Although now that I think about it they may be able to resolve some of those stories pretty quickly in these next 7 episodes. I still don’t know who will be the main antagonist that Setsuna fights in the end. Would it be Ribbons, Ali or Mr. Bushido. tommy heavenly6’s Unlimited Sky is also heard again for the first since like episode 7.

-Momo-chan

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