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Part 2
And here we are at episode 2 (or 5 depending on your count) for MS Igloo Apocalypse 0079. We start off with Oliver May telling us of the current events of the world as the Zeon forces are not doing very well and have all but been pushed back to Side 3 and now are waiting to find out from which way the Federation will launch their strike: The fortress at A-Baoa-Qu or the moonbase at Granada as we hit the opening credits. Of course we know which way they went but for arguments sake’s let’s pretend we forgot for now.
We’re back and we see Oliver getting briefed on his unit’s next assignment – to test the usefulness and ability of the Mobile Pod Oggo, which is basically Zeon’s answer to the MS Ball. One thing that bothers Oliver is why they are testing it if the Oggo has already been put into Mass Production. The commander replies that it’s the final battle so they are putting anything and everything out into the field since there won’t be another fight should they lose. We’re then given the date: UC 0079.12.28 as we also learn via Oliver that the Zeon have determined that A-Baoa-Qu will be the target of the Federation and that every fleet is being called into defend it – including the 603 testing unit.
On the bridge of the Jotunheim we see Monique enter and she seems to think that given the large numbers here that they will be able to easily drive back the Federation fleet but the captain reminds her that the federation forces are much larger than the ones they have here. Down in the hanger we see the Oggo forces being prepared and outfitting for the fight as Oliver and Washiya look over and inspect the new machines. An alert then comes in as a mobile suit is heading in to land and it’s a Gelgoog none the less. Nice CGI of it flying in space and landing in the hanger. We’re now introduced to its pilot – Colonel Herbert von Kuspen who claims it’s now his ship much to the surprise of the crew. On the bridge he notes that he’s the highest ranking officer aboard the ship and then sates what the defense forces from A-Baoa-Qu wish for the 603 – that command of the 603 has been transferred to the Kuspen Combat battalion. Monique isn’t pleased with this and while she and the Colonel have a stare down Oliver asks about their current assignment as Kuspen notes that it will take place during actual combat and not just testing. Kuspen then notes that the new elite pilots have arrived – the ones who will make up for the losses at Solomon but as we see in the hanger the new pilots are mostly green rookies much to Kuspen’s annoyance. One of the kids steps forward and says that despite their inexperience they will fight with all the training they have for the sake of their homelands and their families. Kuspen asks the kid his name and we learn it’s Erwin Cadillac – Monique’s younger brother. Monique of course doesn’t know he’s there and when she enters the hanger to laugh at the Colonel she and her brother see each other and are shocked that they are both there.
We’re now taken to a fleet battle as we see Federation forces heading from Solomon to A-Baoa-Qu. Meanwhile we see the Jotunheim take on the last of its supplies and head for its assigned position as Monique and Erwin catch up with each other in the hanger area. She finally asks why he enlisted to which he answers that eventually he’d have to and he doesn’t understand why she can join the military and he can’t. They continue to snipe at each other but then stop and Monique said she wished he was able to stay behind and help take care of their mother while he notes he was surprised to be assigned to the same ship as her. They then promise each other they will do their best to help each other out in the upcoming fight although we can definitely see that Monique is a bit freaked out about what’s coming up for them. Looks like she’s being humanized a bit.
On the bridge – Kuspen gives the orders that a faction of the Kuspen Battalion will be deployed to Granada in case the federation forces choose to attack form there an engage them. The Captain question this noting that all scout reports indicate the federation is coming via A-Baoa-Qu. Kuspen says that’s why they’re sending a small fleet to Granada – the fleet will act at a distraction. We then learn that the forces responsible to pull this off will only be three Oggo’s – one being that of Erwin’s, much to Monique’s clear and obvious shock.
We then see as Erwin and his unit get prepared for launch and put into standby mode in their Oggo’s when Erwin ask if Oliver May is aboard. Oliver is surprised and asks if there is a problem with his machine but we then learn that Erwin has a bit of hero worship towards Oliver and he notes that he’s thankful that Oliver has watched out for his sister as she’s mentioned him in her letters home a few times. Geez…if this doesn’t hit you over the head with the romantic sub-plot between Oliver and Monique then I don’t know what does. The talk doesn’t last long as we see the Colony laser being fired as it wipes out a portion of the Federation as well as some of the Zeon fleet although the crew doesn’t know it as they speculate what it could be when the message comes in – enemy forces have been sighted.
Kuspen orders the Oggo’s to launch despite Monique’s objections that with the firing of the laser things could have changed. Kuspen says the orders are still in effect as the Oggo’s launch and head to meet the MS Ball’s from the Federation transports as Oliver orders the launch of the observation equipment. Kuspen then notices that the Federation pilots are rookies as well so it should be an even fight despite the Zeon being outnumbered 2 to 1. Things look good for the Oggo’s as they manage to take out 3 Balls quickly but an equipment failure on one of the Oggo’s cause it’s to be shot down shaking the other pilots. Erwin has frozen and doesn’t react despite Monique trying to get his head back into the fight as the remind Federation units move in for what they think is the easy kill. Her speech works as Erwin wakes up and fights off one ball while his wingman takes out the other only to be shot down at the same time himself leaving Erwin as the only Oggo pilot remaining. That’s when the final Ball gets the jump on him but a weapons malfunction saves Erwin from certain death. But the Feddie pilot doesn’t stop as now it’s a fist fight of sorts between the Ball and the Oggo as the bash, bang and beat at each other. Despite the Federation pilot being left behind. Erwin tries to reason with the pilot but he’s not listening at all but in the end Erwin gets through and the MS Ball pilot surrenders – much to Monique’s relief.
We then see Erwin heading towards the Jotunheim with the captured MS Ball in tow. Oliver notes that the test is officially over and that Erwin did well for which Erwin is glad to hear it. Suddenly two blasts go past the Jotunheim and strike the ball and the Oggo – killing the Federation pilot and Erwin. As the Federation Cruisers get closer they are in turn shot down by a Zeon Cruiser sent from Granada. Back on the bride of the Jotunheim Monique comes to terms that her brother is dead and has a complete breakdown while we hear Oliver’s final report of the Oggo but we see his own reaction to Monique’s breakdown. The episode ends with a very distraught Monique barely functioning standing in the hallway of the ship while Oliver seeing the outline of some sort of machine in his monitor and wonders what it is.
Nimrod’s thoughts: Definitely a more action packed episode and it was neat seeing the Oggo and MS Ball dogfight for a bit. The episode also carries on the theme of the test pilot person getting whacked at the end of the episode and one would think that by now the Zeon soldiers would know that being assignment to the 603 would be the kiss of death. We also get to see a bit more of the human side of the Monique Cadillac with her relationship with her brother, learning of her clear affection towards Oliver based upon her letters home and her subsequent breakdown at the end. Given what we saw right at the end I have to wonder if next time we’ll see a psycho Monique piloting whatever machine that Oliver saw at the end. With the One Year War basically coming to end next episode will be the last one and I suspect that we’ll be seeing a character or two not surviving their final mission.
