It's good overall. Some things I was expecting didn't happen but in a good way perhaps as it will likely make the story more interesting. It's keeping with the more sombre and gritty mood.

Basically what happens is that Mika's Gundam runs low on power (or something, didn't quite pick up the technical term but maintenance guy forgot to do something) and the honourable old guy takes the opportunity to retreat. Jerkass enemy commander confirmed as dead and younger pilot was injured significantly. Honourable old guy was surprised to find out he's fighting children and believes that they were coerced. So far he's the only clearly honourable adult in the series.

Mika fought well. He's clearly used to a battlefield. It was an interesting fight because instead of his Gundam feeling overpowered it felt more like the opposite - ie that they won more because of Mika's piloting skills than anything else. I'm not sure if anybody has recognised it as a Gundam though. Looks like it'll take a lot of work to get it back to full operating condition. Unfortunately, because it ran out of power, there wasn't much they could do the stop the GCS adults returning, which felt annoying at the time but Orga is already planning to stage a real planned rebellion against them so my disappointment turned into turned into anticipation.

Mika doesn't say much but what he does say is generally significant and meaningful. It was very clearly highlighted that he can't read early in the episode (amusing in a way) but he's not bothered about it at all. He clearly trusts Orga completely but it's not like his world is limited to Orga either. My opinion of him is rising. Orga wasn't able to do much to prevent the adults returning but he knows that they either have to rebel properly now or they'll be killed (directly or indirectly). He handled the situation well and though he himself didn't fight or looks likely to get much real combat he acted like a commander should.

Aina is becoming more interesting too. As I said last week, I think she is interesting because she has a lot of growth potential - she has a long way to go but if she is developed well then she could become a compelling character who we see earning the right to be important and significant to the world rather than simply starting that way. We see both aspects of this here. She is still naive and has a lot to learn but she's also clearly capable - she has already guessed that it's possible that her father sold her out and doesn't want to return until she's sure one way or another. She was very shocked that the kids have "Whiskers" - I don't think she had any idea before. Also, it seems she has in the past given speeches on how the children of Mars are suffering - so while it's clear that she's been paying attention it also seems she hasn't realised just how bad it can get. She has a lot of sympathy for the kids but what will she do next? She has a reason not to return but does she have a reason to stay? If she stays how will she react to Orga's coup? I think she finds Mika to be a bit scary but at the same time I think she wants to (figuratively and maybe literally) give him and the other children a big comforting hug and support them.

Looking forwards to next episode. Looks like we're going to get Orga's coup and the return of Gjallarhorn.