02.07
God, just imagine if this episode aired on Mother's Day.
War has been declared. Sides have been shattered. Dresses have been ripped. Truly, we are at the breaking point. This episode is like a pinwheel that rips the sky with glorious hellfire. And I was expecting a breather with the cultural festival hook. But instead, I get Trigger’s version of the Eclipse (which will probably have that title taken by the eventual penultimate episode). What’s a better way to show your villain means business than a mass human sacrifice? Ragyo gets to do that while being a corporate executive and an alien ambassador. She makes me want to find out how she got to that position.
So, Satsuki’s mom is a real darling, ain’t she? Contrary to people saying there’s no foreshadowing in the series; Satsuki was definitely looking forward to going against her mother at the very moment she was mentioned. Like, you never see her being cordial to Ragyo. A few of her speeches are about overthrowing the incumbent command to craft her own world. And of course, there’s the bath scene from last week. Even with any of that aside, anybody who thought Satsuki had at least a soft spot for the woman was mad. Satsuki’s the eagle, who takes no shit from anyone and wants command over the highest nest on the tallest mountain.
However, Ragyo’s wish to cover everything from her view defies that notion. She wants Satsuki to be Mommy’s Little Soldier, doing her dirty work while she can sit in the background and commit to chit-chat with her fabric overlords. Even her Kefkaesque dress makes her look like the final villain waiting on her minions to do what needs to be done, but not knowing when to strike before they can. It goes into the idea of a chain of command, and how one wrong bend can lead to the rest of the link shattering. Frankly, I’m surprised as to how Harime hasn’t betrayed Ragyo already. What’s that connection linking those two together? How does Ragyo keep Harime from being a vicious predator to anyone who entertains her? Really, this is the episode that brings about as many questions as it does answers.
And in terms of answers, we know that Tsumugu has a grudge due to his sister dying. That will probably lead to something down the line, especially since his sister and Ryuko share the same hair style. We know that national conquest is on the list of REVOCS’ demands, with the damage done to Osaka only being a fraction of what could happen to other dissenting realms. They’re planning on covering the world not just with fabric, but with blood. To that, we ask another question: How will Ryuko and Nudist Beach stop that from happening? They’re a mere splinter on Ragyo’s finger.
Of course, the more cynical crowd knows Ryuko’s going to win. She’ll save some people. Perhaps some others will die, and that may or may not include Mako’s family. But in the end, she’ll rise triumphant. The real question lies in how. How do you pierce nigh-unbreakable cloth with a single scissor? It’s the stuff you see in works like Flash Gordon, where Flash has to stop one of Ming the Merciless’ plots. You know a happy ending or bittersweet ending will sprout, but you’re not watching for that. You’re watching for how the plot will zigzag as the action dazzles you off your seat. And Ryuko’s our Flash, while Ragyo’s the Ming (the latest shade of color to her outfit can attest to that).
And don’t mind the pun, but by the next episode, can the Ming stay the King?