Have to say, I disagree with the take that Miorine's actions in the last episode are actually going to drive Suletta further into Prospera's clutches. I'm thinking on top of losing her sister and being betrayed by her bride, Suletta's also going to be abandoned by her mother.
At the current stage of Prospera's plan, Miorine is the more useful pawn and Miorine's co-operation is contingent on Prospera leaving Suletta out of her crazy revenge plan. With Miorine around to run Quiet Zero, and Aerial seemingly having reached the Permet Score she needs in that last duel, I think Prospera is done with Suletta and we'll soon probably see how little she actually cares for her outside of the role she played in her plans.
I'm thinking that's the logical progression for the story and the characters, because even in her positive relationships Suletta has continued to define herself by how useful she can be to others.
With all the people she feels compelled to work for out of the picture, she'll have to learn that she has value outside of what she can offer to other people and that she can pursue her own dreams and goals.
The Earth House crew sticking around and continuing to be her friends after everything that went down because they genuinely like her rather than because she's useful will probably be the big turning point for Suletta's character arc.
Considering that they went out of their way to emphasize how happy they were to have her back last episode, I think there's a good chance the Earth House kids will also be the ones to convince Suletta to not give up on Miorine even after all that's happened as well.
Banger episode this week! I loved every single minute. My only gripe was that it felt far too short. A pox on these weekly waits. Future binge watchers don't know how good they have it
Very much enjoyed the doubling down on QZ's destructive power and complete supremacy. No matter how many weapons/ships you have it doesn't matter because Aerial can just override them. It's a good establisher of stakes.
Mio burrito spotted. She is looking so rough here. Completely unsurprising she won't acknowledge Guel though. He had no sway on her even on her best days. Sorry, my guy. You lack Suletta's magic touch. Only she can play the Mio whisperer now
DEMI BARDING!! Big fan of that chonky suit after Asticassia ep so glad it's getting more use. I don't even care that I'm being manipulated into buying another kit. Secilia is a real one, glad she sat her butt down so the world didn't implode
This was a nice moment and gave Suletta closure on 4lan. He was someone she cared for, no matter how brief. That revelation about her list being Prospera's idea was a bit of a shocker tbh. I just thought she constructed it from the media she watched/read. The truth is way worse lmao. I guess it was meant to acclimate her to the school and therefore the dueling games for Aerial? Little did Prospera know that Suletta's dork charm would snare the heart of Delling's daughter immediately.
This was sudden but a joy to watch. I suppose Guel was tired of being Mio's ineffective secretary lol. But in all seriousness, this was sweet of him to arrange a duel so the lovebirds could be reunited. You've become a solid bro, Guel. Hope nothing dire happens to you.
Btw, I fully expect some fanfic authors to leap on a fencing au now. Pretty please?
This entire scene was so Utena I couldn't believe it. Well, actually the entire episode was littered with Utena but still. The baring of their mistakes. The acceptance of their faults. GOD this was so amazing.
I love how far Suletta has come in her development. Such an excellent change of mindset from viewing her time at Asticassia as a mistake to fully believing meeting Miorine was a blessing. She's so confident in her feelings
THEY'RE SOMEDAY TOGETHERINGGGG I see you Okouchi, giving us rabid Utena fans the good shit. This show is such a great homage in so many ways but this episode takes the cake! (Bit concerned that Suletta didn't verbally promise anything, just smiled fondly. Perhaps wistfully?)
This gave me such an unpleasant jumpscare though. The deliberate framing with Mio's bare legs followed by catastrophic bedhead freaked me out. I could have done without the Anthy reminder, thank you. Made such a sweet moment feel a bit horrific. I envy those who are oblivious to what I'm talking about
But this was so very sweet. I was getting misty-eyed. These babies have been through so much yet the truest thing is their love for each other. Their relationship remains the emotional core. Side note: Mio why are you the size of a housecat? Just how small was Notrette even
I'm glad I was correct in my read that Earth House doesn't truly blame Mio for Earth, only her staunch refusal to seek help. This was a nice little moment as was her brief words to Delling. Sleeping beauty certainly took his sweet time. I do wonder what he makes of this chaos?
Guel's reservation about Suletta heading to QZ is understandable but as she says, it's her choice. And Mio won't let anyone else decide Suletta's fate as she did before. Her quick death glare at Guel was so funny. Mans can only slap himself into complaince. Even when not engaged to Mio, he still obeys like a loyal sidekick lmao
Didn't expect this quick Shaddiq convo. I like how he recognizes instantly that Mio is better because of Suletta. It's very in character for him to accept Suletta's importance in Mio's life without resentment. I am wondering at the deal Mio makes with him. What could he possibly do for her? Perhaps it's Earth-related
At first I thought this was the sweetest thing. I still think it's sweet, but I also find the phrasing incredibly... weird. Not 'I'll always love you?' 'Always be with you'? Instead 'I will always be attached to you'. Could be nothing but it still sounds vaguely ominous. And it's coded in the genetic sequence of her tomatoes all things. The hell were you doing Notrette? Nice nod to mythology here though. Anesidora is an epithet for Demeter, an agricultural goddess, and Pandora. And like Pandora, Notrette unwittingly released evil in the form of QZ and possibly collaborated with Prospera to upload Ericht's biometric signature.
Aww farmer wives on Earth please! Still don't like Suletta only smiles when Mio declares anything future related. I get the rudest feeling she's not making hard promises because she's too aware of the peril. They look so happy here, so imma ignore the danger signs and just bask in their affection.
Mio forcing aside her own fear to support Suletta was so good. She was so relieved when Suletta broke Permet 5 alive, bursting into tears afterward. It was rough for me to hear Suletta gasping in pain, so I can't imagine how Mio must've felt. I don't ever want to see people claim she doesn't love Suletta ever again
I have thoughts on Calibarn's design (Utena spoilers) and place in the plot, but for this review I'll just say it looks neat. I wish it was a bit more unique, but it makes sense they need it to resemble its sibling plus its obvious Vanadis roots. That boom broomstick is super cool though!
I enjoyed Prospera's muted reaction here. She's surprised by Calibarn but not intimidated or angry. I'm sure she has complete faith in Eri's ability to handle this hurdle and her daughter's commitment to the plan. She must know Eri loves Suletta, but assumes it ultimately won't change a thing. For now, at least.
You know, I expected Lauda to lose it but I didn't expect him to be this stupid lol. You can't even use the damn GUND format idiot, you really think you'll beat your brother? I can't believe I gave him even the slightest bit of credit. Easily the worst character in the show. I hope Guel crushes him (and he doesn't get Guel killed in the process)
Petra deserves better 2023!
Ah and Eri peeks her GUND ghost form out to say hello before clashing with Suletta. This is an incredible shot, love the visuals as always. If it goes full Utena as I suspect, we'll see Eri break/override Calibarn. The name of a holy sword bashing at the Gwitch Rose Gate doesn't bode well. What that means for Suletta is anyone's guess, but I have faith she'll live. I fully expect her to get assistance of some kind. After all, the show has been telling us all along that working together is far better than struggling alone!
The moment when Earth House wins the duel was ABSOLUTELY incredible! Yes everything Suletta and Ariel did leading up to that was amazing too, but there’s something so satisfying than Earth House winning by cobbling together the scraps of their mechs to make a standing cannon for Chu Chu.
Y'know, I think Earth House in general, and Nika Nanaura in particular, will have a pretty decent time in Super Robot Wars. Like yeah, on the one hand, none of those kids will want to get involved in an intrastellar war. On the other hand, however, they'll get to interact with a lot of peers their own age stuck in the same situation, they'll get to work with at least a few experienced engineers who can act as mentors, and they'll get to work with a variety of mecha they'd never have gotten a chance to otherwise; the experience alone will likely ensure they graduate as some of the best mechanics Asticassia has ever seen. So, I think they'll do okay making the best of things.
Miorine: [Pointing at the broken coffee machine.] So. Who broke it? I’m not mad, I just wanna know.
Suletta: …I did. I broke it.
Miorine: No. No you didn’t. Chuchu?
Chuchu: Don’t look at me. Look at Nuno.
Nuno: What?! I didn’t break it.
Chuchu: Huh, that’s weird. How’d you even know it was broken?
Nuno: Because it’s sitting right in front of us and it’s broken!
Chuchu: Suspicious.
Nuno: No it’s not!
Lilique: If it matters, probably not, but Ojelo was the last one to use it.
Ojelo: Liar! I don’t even drink that crap!
Aliya: Oh really? Then what were you doing by the coffee cart earlier?
Ojelo: I use wooden stirrers to push back my cuticles. Everyone knows that Aliya!
Nika: Okay let’s not fight. I broke it. Let me pay for it, Miorine.
Miorine: No. Who broke it?
Nuno: Miorine... Till’s been awfully quiet.
Till: ?
[Everyone starts arguing]
Miorine: [outside] I broke it. I burned my hand so I punched it. I predict 10 minutes from now they’ll be at each other’s throats with war paint on their faces and a pig on a stick. It was getting a bit too chummy here.