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Episode 2 - The Power of AGE
Second episode and we’ll see if this continues with the idea that this Gundam series is more Super-robots and less Real-Robot.
We pick up right where we left off as the forces of the UE attack the outside of the colony with giant red rockets. They strike the colony and we learn that it’s very bad as the colony will be destroyed due to the damage from the attack. Can’t they even try to fix it? Talk about giving up early. The Deputy Commander Grodek suggests using the new battleship that happens to be also docked at the colony to help defend it with the Gundam. That’s makes sense I guess. We then learn that the damage to the colony is catastrophic and the colony has less than six hours until it’s destroyed. At this point the Commander Bruzar orders the battleship, called the Diva, to launch and help evacuate the colony.
We’re then taking to a intro like segment that explains how in the future people have moved to space colonies as the wars to control the parts of earth is now over and it was hoped to be an age of peace. Then the peace was lost when a colony was suddenly destroyed by an Unknown Enemy and how this would lead to a battle that would last over 100 years as we hit the opening credits. Is this how they’re trying to tie this timeline idea I’ve heard about the story?
Speaking of the opening, I haven’t much to say on it itself. The music doesn’t seem Gundam like but maybe that’s fine given the tone of the series.
And we’re back to the show as we see the damaged colony and an enemy mobile suit flies towards and observes the destruction. Back inside we see the command crew go over the damage to the colony and come up with a plan to save the citizens of the colony. Turns out the core of the colony is virtually self contained from the rest of the colony so the plan will be to send all the civilians and people there and then use the battleship to tow the people to safety from the colony. Interesting and unique idea, I’ll give them that.
As the evacuation is underway we see something that’s meant for the Gundam called the “AGE builder” that’s being sent to the Diva where the Gundam is also going to be sent. We then learn that Flit is being charged with taking the Gundam there despite his own brief hesitation. Just before he leaves Emily and Dique (flit’s pal) show up to get Flit to join them in the civilian evacuation but of course we know where Flit is going so he tells them to hurry for fear of them being left behind and departs in the Gundam. Emily not liking where this is going decides to follow and board the Diva and in the process drags Dique along as well. On his way to the ship, Flit encounters a girl that seems to be scared and away from the evacuation. Flit, inside the Gundam, tries to help her but she runs away so he gives chase in the Gundam and he doesn’t know why. Gee Flit, how would you react if a giant robot began to chase you when the colony was falling apart around you? Idiot.
Back with Emily and Dique, who is driving a car….WTF! Do twelve year olds in the future drive cars now? Anyway, the reach the entrance to the military hanger where the Diva is docked but some of the military guys, including a guy in a yellow uniform tells them to buzz off because they’re civilians and need to go to the civilian area. Finally, some logic. Once again, Emily doesn’t take well to that so she promptly sneaks in after the soldiers enter and hides while following them. Inside we learn that the guy in yellow is in fact the Captain Fonroid of the Diva and while he’s been told by the colony commander of the plan but he’s not going to follow it. He takes orders from Earth not some colony guy so they’re packing up the Diva and leaving. As the freight elevator they were on arrives at the bottom the door raises to reveal Grodek waiting there. Grodek informs the Captain of the plan but he of course repeats what he just said. Grodek then pulls a pistol and stuns the Captain’s escorts before taking him at gunpoint to his ship while Emily and Dique sneak into the hanger to board the Diva. I really don’t know what to say about that except it’s at least different from the usual punch and/or Bright slap.
Back in the colony and we learn that Bruzar is going to remain as he gives the excuse that someone must remain behind to make the final adjustments for the colony to be released but there’s a ”exclusive escape route for commanders only” and his underling buys it. We learn of course this is a lie and that Bruzar just intends to go down with his ship...er…colony. Man, that’s chick isn’t all that bright is she?
Back at the hanger as we see Emily and Dique arrive and meet up with her Grandfather, Vargus the main mechanic guy for the Gundam, there as they finish loading up the Age Builder. On the bridge of the Diva we see the crew from the Colony command enter only to find it completely empty. They then just promptly sit down in the various spots and decide that it’s up to them to launch the Diva if there’s no one else there to do it. We then learn that Grodek removed the bridge crew from the Diva and overwrote the computer system deleting their entries and making himself Captain. I guess Grodek has gone into business for himself.
We’re now with the Gundam as Flit finally catches up with the mysterious girl (who we learn is named Yurin) and convinces her that’s he’s there to help. Back outside as we see the UE mobile suit prepare and fire a second giant missile into the colony as Flit, Yurin and the Gundam make their way to the hanger which of course knocks them off their course. On the Diva, Grodek takes command of the vessel and orders the Diva to launch. When told the Gundam is not on board yet Grodek says that the Gundam will make its way to them as they are out of time. Ok, let’s be honest here - doesn’t the Diva look like something that will transform into a robot?
Back to Flit as he’s a bit lost in the under decks of the colony but Yurin uses some psychic ability to direct him and the Gundam out of the area, but she’s not an alien. Ok, so Flit is a combo of Amuro, Kamille and Setsuna does that mean Yurin is a copy of Tifa from Gundam X?
Outside the colony, the Diva spots the UE mobile suit that’s thought to be attacking the colony and prepares to attack it as the Gundam at the same time is blown out into space, thanks to Yurin’s directions, and it flies directly into the Ue unit and begins to engage it much to the surprise of the Diva crew. The battle itself isn’t good for the Gundam as its weapons cannot damage the enemy. That’s when we learn about what the AGE builder is and man, this is a doozey even by Sci-fi and anime standards. Turns out the Age builder takes the combat data from the AGE Gundam and creates, adapts and deploys new weapons and other parts for the Gundam as needed. And Flit designed this. Yep, that’s right – the machine is a breathing Dues Ex-Machina. But since Flit made it does that mean he’s even more a Gary-Stu as the fanfic writers say? Anyway back to the show as the Builder machine is activated and immediately spits out a new beam rifle, called the DOTs Rifle which is deployed in super robot style to Flit and the Gundam. As expected, one shot – one kill as the new weapon takes out the enemy unit. Everyone’s is happy at this until the alarm sounds as more enemy mobile suits appear with Yurin’s ominous claim that these are “different from the last one” as we see a brownish mobile suit leading the enemy units and the episode ends.
Nimrod’s Thoughts – Well, I think it’s safe to say that this is a Super Robot show now. That’s not saying it’s bad but it’s definitely wasn’t expected. If that’s the case then I say we should expect the Diva to do some sort of transformation at some point. On the AGE Builder front – the idea is neat but it’s definitely a dangerous road to go down. Why should we worry about them losing if this thing can always shoot out a new weapon/part to save the Gundam? This could get old very very fast.
