A tragic start to the episode, but it was able to bring closure as the episode went along.
That scene with the human debris kids in the very beginning really shows the horrifying truth of war and how, there was so much unnecessary death simply because of a few greedy individuals.
I'm glad that Masahiro and Akihiro had a proper goodbye and it allowed them to really bring closure there and for Akihiro to have be able to heal from this rather than to be shattered by it. Also, from Masahiro's comments, the A-V system leads to some very interesting effects upon death. However, I did like his promise to go to the afterlife first and check out for things before his brother got there. And that last scene of them grabbing each others hands, was bittersweet, but heartfelt. And Akhihiro is going to take the Gusion now in order to be closer to his brother's memory.
I am SO glad that some of the human debris kids survived and Orga gave them a home with Tekkadan. He knows how to talk to them and get to what's important to them. He tells them that they can have food, safety, and shelter and gives them the first praise they have probably heard in a very long time. It's a very sweet moment and once again shows how Orga knows what do with each branch of his men. Also, that scene with him and the Orc captain was awesome. He literally had the man squealing like a pig. He took his ship, all the mobile suits, and what was left of the kid slaves. He'd have probably done even more if he hadn't had the death of all his men on his heart at the moment.
I'm interested in why funerals seem to have become a thing of the past? I guess with all the poverty and war, it just became too much to have an actual ceremony. I liked Orga and Merribit's tete-a-tete, though I think she went a little far in suggesting that Orga doesn't feel the death of his comrades. I do find it interesting that he says the same thing that Mika said back in episode 2, about living in spite of the death. I wonder if that comes from something that happened in their collective pasts. The funeral itself was a short and somber affair, and it's interesting to see that all of the kids internalize their pain.
And this is seen nowhere as much as with Mika. Mika seems very cold throughout this episode, especially in that line in the beginning right before killing Kudal. He seems almost psychotic at that point. Kudal's line about him enjoying killing would have shaken many a Gundam protag, but Mika thinks about it an is basically "whatever".
It isn't until later when the energy had worn off that he's a lot more shaken by the statement, though you'd never know it from looking at his face. This is quite interesting for his character, since he's never been affected by his decision to kill before. I think it's the idea that he might actually enjoy killing that has shaken him, that as well as his own comrades deaths, he stores that all up inside him and doesn't let it show much.
However, Kudelia notices it and tries to give him comfort to which Mika responds with the now infamous kiss. I like how she's hot and bothered by it, but he's completely calm right after and continues to eat. I honestly think that he did it simply because of exactly as he said, she was cute at the time and he was thankful for what she was trying to do. Also, considering his reaction and how it came right after Naze's "advice" I don't think it's because Mika's romantically interested in her, but more so because of the moment itself, but I'm sure there will be plenty of speculation going around.
On the Gjallerhorn side of things, we see McGillis at his engagement party and we learn a few things about him, such as the fact that he's the bastard son of his father's mistress and was adopted into the family, but it looks like he's mostly being used as a tool to further the family's strength among the Seven Stars. Almiria is still a kid, and she's noticing that she still is in everyone's eyes and somewhere in the back of her head, she probably knows she's just a pawn in her family's politics. I don’t really approve of the Almiria and McGillis pairing, but you can see that it’s all political and both of them are playing parts to advance their families and neither really has a choice. McGillis, like any good Char clone, is a gentleman. Even in a situation that he can’t control, he will make any little girl feel like a respected lady.
However, knowing all this, I'm wondering what his plans are, and how this facade of a life affects him?
Well, next time it looks like we're going to a space colony and Nobliss is finally going to make his move. Fumitan is pretty much confirmed to be a traitor, but I wonder what she's going to do?
