GATE: Season 1 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
Episode 19: Dangerous Sisters Overview In episode 19, “Dangerous Sisters” we witness the rise of Zolzal’s rule over the empire and the varied reactions to it. Of which range from praise from those who didn’t like the idea of submitting to Japan, to those who fear the direction his regime wishes to take. Characters & Story…
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Episode 19: Dangerous Sisters
Overview
In episode 19, “Dangerous Sisters” we witness the rise of Zolzal’s rule over the empire and the varied reactions to it. Of which range from praise from those who didn’t like the idea of submitting to Japan, to those who fear the direction his regime wishes to take.
Characters & Story (with Commentary)
Topic 1: The Rise of Zolzal (Zolzal, Tyuule, and Princess Pina)
With his father Emperor Mort currently out of action, but seemingly not dead, Zolzal has risen to power and among imprisoning pro-peace senators, he has begun the process of clamping down on the SDF’s movements, and has begun to set in motion how he will win the war. Which, due to Japan’s military might, they are forced to fight in less than honorable ways. For whether it is assassinations, ruining their reputation, or even employing goblins, it seems Zolzal is ready to throw every plan out there.
A problem for Princess Pina since she knows the full might of Japan and while Zolzal’s tactics may work for a little while, there is no guarantee they can continue in the long run and be successful. After all, between the jet plans, mortars, guns, and even better armor, the SDF could destroy the empire. Making for her leaning her brother Diabo would rather recruit soldiers from other countries than stay and fight alongside Pina even more troublesome. For now, it makes it so she has to convince both men to reconsider peace and calm down their ambitions. Something which isn’t likely to happen since Zolzal is drunk on power, and Tyuule’s influence, and Diabo still seems slighted for not becoming the crown prince.
Oh, and speaking of Tyuule, it seems that as much as Zolzal maybe the emperor, she may very well be the one running things. I say this because, it seems for his speech to maybe even laws, she is either writing or influencing Zolzal’s rule. Though, I must admit, I find it strange that Zolzal’s men treat her with any sort of respect or fear. Granted, Zolzal does treat her better in public than when we first met Tyuule, but with it being known she is a slave, much less a sex slave from a defeated nation, you’d think people wouldn’t respect her authority.
Topic 2: How The Empire Became Diverse (Rory & Mimoza)
As we drift back to Lelei’s storyline in Rondel, an interesting, and very noteworthy, tidbit is given. One which started with Rory asking why are there so many races, and then Mimoza, the one Lelei is trying to impress, taking 50 years to answer such a question. Now, to summarize, perhaps every 100 years the gate appears at Alnus and a race of beings, be them goblins or what have you, come through. The original people of the land however are elves.
Leading to the question which is pertinent right now, when is the gate closing? For, the way Mimoza explains it, the gate doesn’t stay open forever and it switches to different realms or dimensions each time. Which, for the SDF and Japan, is a major issue since a lot of their technology and supplies can’t currently be made in the Empire and, as of now, the resources required don’t exist. Something which I find strange isn’t noted as an issue when Itami hears about it, but maybe it could become a problem in the future. Hell, maybe it will be what leads to the end of the SDF in the region.
Topic 3: A Fight Between Sisters Almost Ends in Death (Lelei, Arpeggio, and Itami)
Since Lelei cameback to Rondel, one thing which has become apparent to everyone who knew her is that she has progressed greatly. For whether it is learning a foreign language, a different culture, or even adapting to their technology, she has become something worth talking about. Add in she took part in defeating a red dragon, and it makes her damn near legendary. Which, for Arpeggio, is embarrassing. After all, her little sister is almost a master, has done all these things and, by their customs, technically has a relationship with Itami[1]! So, to try to slow down her sister, she dumps something on Lelei’s head, thus ruining her current pursuit of a master title.
But with her doing something so drastic comes the two fighting in a match orchestrated by Rory. A fight which is rather entertaining, but almost ends in a fataility. Not by Arpeggio’s hand mind you, but rather an assassin. Someone who might have been sent by Zolzal who is extremely jealous of Lelei killing a red dragon and becoming a talk of the empire. Luckily for Lelei, however, a man named Grey Co Aldo saves her. Leading to Itami calling for a retreat, before this Pied Piper assassin shows up, and thus giving Arpeggio perhaps sometime to catch up to her sister.
Highlights
- Zolzal Fracturing The Kingdom
- Diabo’s Fight For Either Obtaining Supremacy or The Fall of the Empire
- A Fight Between Sisters
- The War Intensifies
- A Brief History on The Gate
Low Points
- No One Questions When The Gate May Close Again
On The Fence
- The Itami Harem
I really wish there was another season of GATE for the simple reason that I’d like them to actually bring the conflict to a conclusion. I know there are issues with the story, but I was enjoying it and it just kind of left me hanging and that kind of takes the rewatch fun out of it.
There needs to at least be a ova, if not a full movie. This was the first show I saw go past 12 episodes and I honestly could have been cool with it going on forever.
The first season kind of reminded me of Stargate and realisatically, I’d have happily sat through 10 seasons of this. It is just kind easy watching.
And, in retrospect, it strangely was able to balance all the genres it touched on. Yes, there was a bit of ecchi, but the sci-fi/ fantasy elements were on point. Also, it had these rather epic action scenes, especially with the Red Dragon. Not to forget quality character interaction, relationships, and growth.
I also loved the soundtrack at times. But yeah, the character interactions were what made the show really enjoyable. Even when the story didn’t quite word as well as it should the characters carried it for me.