GATE: Season 1 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
Episode 8: Japan, Beyond the Gate Overview The members of the SDF return to Japan and are almost immediately faced with inquisition and a possible threat. As for who is the one against them? Well… Characters & Story (with Commentary) Topic 1: Welcome to Japan! – Itami and Pina Upon coming to the other side of…
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Episode 8: Japan, Beyond the Gate
Overview
The members of the SDF return to Japan and are almost immediately faced with inquisition and a possible threat. As for who is the one against them? Well…
Characters & Story (with Commentary)
Topic 1: Welcome to Japan! – Itami and Pina
Upon coming to the other side of the gate, it seems everyone from Pina’s world is in shock and awe. Though perhaps no one is more shocked than one of Itami’s subordinates. If only because she learns, thanks to Komakado, from Intel HQ, that her leader pretty much was ranked at the bottom of the barrel for most of his military career.
That anecdote aside, for a short while Pina and Itami are separated for Pina needs to speak with the advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister, Shirayuri Reiko, about the people Japan has been holding who invaded them. Which, as with damn near every negotiation thus far, leads to a very amicable discussion in which it seems both sides get the desired goal and Pina’s side pretty much gets a bargain.
Topic 2: Now About Those 150 Refugees That Died – Itami, Rory, Tuka, and Lelei
As Princess Pina deals with negotiations, Itami finds himself dealing with a hawk of a politician named Kouhara Mizuki. Someone who seemingly wants an admittance of guilt for the 150 lost lives of the refugees who died during the fight against the red dragon. Unfortunately for her though, there is no real backing for her sought out damnation.
Itami, alongside someone else, pretty much paint the picture that their survival, considering the strength of the dragon’s scales, was a miracle; Tuka and Lelei support that pretty much the SDF did the best they can do; and then Rory steps to the microphone. Now, being that Rory looks like a child, naturally she is addressed as one. Leading Rory to when Rory speaks to Kouhara like she is a child, and also calling her stupid, it becomes quite insulting. Though, to Rory’s point, considering how many Itami and the SDF saved, in comparison to how many died, considering the odds, all of what Rory said was true. The damning of the SDF, and the military, by those who sit comfortably, is unjust and stupid for they weren’t on the frontlines making tough decisions and putting their lives on the line.
Though what really gets Kouhara to shut up is the reveal that despite thinking Rory was a child, she is actually over 960 years old [1], and Tuka is 165. Making it so, as much as she tried to put Rory in her place about respecting her elders, it was Kouhara who needed to learn such a lesson.
Topic 3: Decoys and Itami’s Surprise – Itami
For reasons not fully disclosed, trickery is used as Itami and the rest of the familiar cast go toward Tokyo. As for what is revealed? Komakado says it seems two suspects are leaking their whereabouts and, with one person trying to steal Rory’s weapon, and some organization cutting power to the subway system, it seems someone may truly be out to stop them. Again though, no names are given, and despite the Americans, French, and Chinese intently watching as Itami, and the others, were answering Diet member Kouhara’s questions, no implication of them being involved was given.
So we end things with them going, on foot, to one of the oddest of places. Said place being: Itami’s ex-wife’s apartment. Which, of course, leads to near universal shock for the idea of Itami being married seems to not make sense to anyone.
Final Thoughts
With this show having 24 episodes, I fully expect that as light as the show has been, it may take a dark turn sooner or later. For damn near every time we saw a foreign head of state on this program, it is like the tone of the show dramatically shifted. And between the possibility of people wanting to experiment on Tuka, Rory, or even learn about the magic Lelei wields, I can strongly see foreign nations loom over Japan demanding a piece of the pie and time with these foreigners. For, lest we forget, in the past there was issue with Japan having almost exclusive rights to the potentially abundant resources of the other world, and that issue was never resolved.
Things To Note
[1]: Per Lelei, Rory was once human but upon becoming a demigod she stopped physically aging. So now, around the time she hits 1000, she will become a first spirit and eventually become a god. As for Tuka, she is currently 165 and being that she is a rare fairy type of elf, she will likely be close to immortal. Lastly, when it comes to Lelei herself, she is but 15 and her life expectancy is around 70 or so.
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.