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Episode 2 - Gundam Meister
We start episode 2 with a quick rundown of how the world of Gundam 00 is setup. In 2307 the fossil fuels are running low to the point where another source of energy for the world is required. This new source turns out to be solar energy and is collected via a 50,000 KM system with three orbital elevators in three places around the world. Somewhere, the head of Al Gore is saying “See, I told you so!”
Each elevator is in control/command of one of the three major powers of the world. North and South America is under the flag of “Union”, The Human reform League made up of China, India and Russia and other Asian nations, the New European League, the AEU, which is made up of the European nations. The elevators themselves are also difficult to protect and also incredibly weak due to its long architecture. And this little background info ends with some mentioning of the rise of the new private army “Celestial Being” with their “Gundams”. Humanity is still very much divided even in the 24th century. I guess Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek lied to me about the 24th century. This is cool though because without this quick rundown of the factions and how the world is setup it can get confusing awfully fast. Good on the writers and directors for putting this in. We now hit the opening credits.
Back to the episode and we are still seeing the reaction from the various parts of the world to the declaration from Celestial Being. Ok, I know Louise and Saji are going to play a role at some point down the line but focusing of them now doesn’t make sense especially since we, the audience, don’t know jack about them other than being high school age people reacting to what the world sees. We see the reactions of the various leaders of the major groups of the world. The Human reform league is interested if the Gundam are indeed a part of forces that saved their Elevator. The AEU is trying to deal with the fact that their newest unit was outclassed by the Gundams and to cover up the fact that they have more units in their forces than they let on. The President of Union sees it more than Celestial Being trying to take over the world through the force and power of their Gundams.
Off to an un-named island where Lockton and Setsuna are stationed and they discuss, well more like Lockton discusses it while Setsuna just sits and silent, the announcement to the world. Wong Ryumi (site note – her name in her profile will be corrected by the time you read this) then shows up in her designer jungle clothes to inform the Gundam Pilots that it’s time for the next mission.
We head to a deserted highway where Graham Acre and Katagiri are plotting their next move. It looks as though there’s a special particle that Gundams use to block radar and other communication devices. It also looks as though Graham is becoming obsessed with the Gundams.
Off to space and the Ptolemaios where the other two Gundam pilots, Allelujah Haptism and Tieria Erde, prepare for the mission. On their way to the units Sumeragi passes them and wishes them luck. I think it’s cool that the Gundam are kept in a compartment on the ship and it must rotate said compartment in order for a launch the Gundam. Back on Earth and Setsuna and Lockton get ready to launch from the island their hiding out on. Neat thing as it seems the Gundams have an eye reader/scanner before they activate. No Gundam-jacking here, for the time being. Ohhh…as we see the Exia and Dynames get ready to launch, Haro says “GN particles dispersing”. So name we have a name for said particle.
We head over to one of the Human Reform Leagues satellites as they detect Kyrios and Virtue entering the atmosphere and heading for the island formally know ad Sri-Lanka. They link up with the Dynames and Exia and the mission is to go to this island to put a stop to the civil war that’s been going on there for centuries. The scene shifts to the island as we see the sides and their mechs fighting it out on the battlefield. As the Gundams approach the island, it seems that Setsuna is zoning out and having a bit of a Nam flashback as he sees the fighting taking place on the island and recalls the fighting in his own homeland. The Gundams break up as Setsuna takes off into the battle. We also learn that Haro can control the Dynames and pilot it while Lockton is using the sniper rifle. That’s neat and now I’m starting to get a “Wilson” vibe from Haro.
The Exia arrives and basically takes apart all the enemy units due to its speed over the “bulky” machines. Is it me or does the Exia’s shield look similar to the Turn-A’s? We get to see the Dynames take out the artillery platoon while covering the Exia. The Kyrios heads to the Human Reform League’s base on the island and takes it out. And hey, we get to see its robot form. The battle seems to finish off with the Virtue taking out what looks to be an aircraft carrier. The forces of the two sides retreat but not before we see Lockton become concern over Setsuna in the battle.
We head over to the JNN newsroom and it seems the reporters have made a discovery over whom the man in the Celestial Being broadcast was. Turns out to be Ioria Schuhenberg but what is odd is that he died over 200 years ago. The Gundams depart minus Exia who left earlier. Tieria questions why Setsuna was made a Gundam Pilot or as they call it “Gundam Meister”. Ooooo….friction among the ranks. The episode ends with the Exia on its own being confronted by a Flag unit piloted by Graham Acre.
Nimrod’s thoughts – That was a quick episode. Not much really happens yet we do know a few more things. It seems as though Setsuna may be mentally unstable. Perhaps he could go nuts down the line and turn on the other Gundams? Also, who is the leader of celestial being if Ioria Schuhenberg died 200 years ago? More questions than answers but its good since we’re only two episodes in. Can’t wait till next week.
