Monday
Sep222008
Macross Frontier 22 - Tone Deaf
Monday, September 22, 2008 at 08:51PM
I have been meaning to praise Macross Frontier for it's recent intensity in the storytelling. These are quickly becoming some of my favorite characters this season, and they are developing at a pace not seen in more light hearted fair. But for some reason, this episode seemed off. It was more sinister, and the problem is there was nothing sinister about what was going on. I have no idea if it was deliberate or not. Let's see if we can figure it out together.
I told you something was different
So first off, the Frontier is trashed from the recent attacks. I like that part. These long term fleets usually take a pounding and no one notices. In this case, they are going to have to start shedding damage or face a crisis.
They call this area "Little New Orleans"
They are also not reacting to Ranka taking off for point unknown well.
That's a bit harsh
The only bright spot is this creates an idol gap, allowing Sheryl to make a bit of a comeback.
It's the sad eyes
To guarantee her comeback, the boys in R&D have been listening in, and they like what they see. In a sciencey way, of course.
Check out the protons on her!
Meanwhile, back at the ship, Ozma and Kathy bring news to the Macross Quarter (that's the SMS ship. This was the first time I realized it had a name) to explain the situation. No evidence, of course, but they make their case.
His bullet ridden, squishy remains
More revelations are forthcoming, as Ozma gets Ranka's letter telling him why she left.
I assume that's bad
Moving on, we return...wait, captain, you have something to tell us all?
Are we in confessional all of a sudden?
His news is kind of big, actually. SMS is being merged with the UN military, essentially taking away their autonomy. I hate when that happens.
Back to the science.
Gargling salt water might help with that
We've been briefed on the virus Sheryl has been dealing with, and now we see the side effect. Before it kills her, its toxins have turned her voice into a small scale version of Ranka's. They don't know why Ranka isn't sick as well, but we know that has a lot to do with whatever happened 11 years ago. Keep in mind, Alto knows none of this. Well, he didn't, until a mournful Klan spills the beams. Let's join The Young and the Restless, already in progress.
I know about your twin sister!
Here is the first point things get weird. The background music is all heart beating, deep bass rythems, basiclly psycho music. I don't think anyone is going to take a shower anytime soon. And notice how friggin dark the whole scene is. To top it off, Sheryl takes this moment to pass out on the floor. When she wakes up, she pretends everything is just fine, I pass out all the time, and Alto will have none of it. Sheryl sums it up like this.
Ya think?
So again with the Alto and the Sheryl sharing their innermost feeling and swearing to see each other through to the bitter end, all accompanied by the same scary music. Totally ruins the mood. I blame that for the follow off-color joke.
You're tasty, tasty courage
Meanwhile once again, and Kathy and Ozma are launching a plan. A plan by e-mail.
You've got Mutiny!
This plan is put into place mostly cause of this guy. He's crazy I tell you, CRAZY!
Mein Kamf!
Random tie in that becomes important later...
We come in peace - just kidding!
Now, we go back to Kathy's plan, now being executed. And it's a hell of a plan.
The cape helps
Unfortunately, this was all part THE plan, apparently.
Um, yea, predicted, I totally predicted it
Not everyone was ready for the pirate lifestyle. Klan stays behind, though she seems to support the idea.
She certainly is showing a lot of...heart...yea...Man Michael missed out
Two more late comers, one kind of surprising.
Shouldn't we have taken those with us?
Luca has been on board with Leon for awhile now, but Alto appears to be sticking around, probably because of Sheryl. And even if they are former comrades in arms, no one is playing nice.
Is it bad that I really wanted these to connect?
This sets up the classic father/son confrontation between Ozma and Alto. Not that they are related or anything, it's a classic literary device, not a literal interpretation. And Ozma starts it off with a dis.
But they did, he got the message and ignored...whatever
This leads to a scene that is either awesome or derivative.
Get my camera!
Unlike most samurai movies, they both come out of it alive. And unlike Top Gun, they both get a shot in, Alto looking a tad worse than Ozma.
It's only a flesh wound.
Despite surviving, Alto is not too happy with the outcome as the Macross Quarter jumps away to points unknown.
Regrets?
In the weasel move of putting a scene after the ending credits that caused me to forget about it in the draft of this post, we find out what Ranka's been up to, searching for the Vajra homeworld. And they found it.
Flashback! Recall the hit on Grace? How did that go?
Don't mess with a cyborg
We already know she's hearing voices (or AIs, they haven't explained that and probably never will) but now she's experiencing...other stuff.
Planets get her HOT
So some sort of plan seems to be in play, I think we have at least three factions all headed for a showdown, and the romantic pairings seem all sewn up. Which of course means everything gets messed up next week. Enjoy!
I told you something was different
So first off, the Frontier is trashed from the recent attacks. I like that part. These long term fleets usually take a pounding and no one notices. In this case, they are going to have to start shedding damage or face a crisis.
They call this area "Little New Orleans"
They are also not reacting to Ranka taking off for point unknown well.
That's a bit harsh
The only bright spot is this creates an idol gap, allowing Sheryl to make a bit of a comeback.
It's the sad eyes
To guarantee her comeback, the boys in R&D have been listening in, and they like what they see. In a sciencey way, of course.
Check out the protons on her!
Meanwhile, back at the ship, Ozma and Kathy bring news to the Macross Quarter (that's the SMS ship. This was the first time I realized it had a name) to explain the situation. No evidence, of course, but they make their case.
His bullet ridden, squishy remains
More revelations are forthcoming, as Ozma gets Ranka's letter telling him why she left.
I assume that's bad
Moving on, we return...wait, captain, you have something to tell us all?
Are we in confessional all of a sudden?
His news is kind of big, actually. SMS is being merged with the UN military, essentially taking away their autonomy. I hate when that happens.
Back to the science.
Gargling salt water might help with that
We've been briefed on the virus Sheryl has been dealing with, and now we see the side effect. Before it kills her, its toxins have turned her voice into a small scale version of Ranka's. They don't know why Ranka isn't sick as well, but we know that has a lot to do with whatever happened 11 years ago. Keep in mind, Alto knows none of this. Well, he didn't, until a mournful Klan spills the beams. Let's join The Young and the Restless, already in progress.
I know about your twin sister!
Here is the first point things get weird. The background music is all heart beating, deep bass rythems, basiclly psycho music. I don't think anyone is going to take a shower anytime soon. And notice how friggin dark the whole scene is. To top it off, Sheryl takes this moment to pass out on the floor. When she wakes up, she pretends everything is just fine, I pass out all the time, and Alto will have none of it. Sheryl sums it up like this.
Ya think?
So again with the Alto and the Sheryl sharing their innermost feeling and swearing to see each other through to the bitter end, all accompanied by the same scary music. Totally ruins the mood. I blame that for the follow off-color joke.
You're tasty, tasty courage
Meanwhile once again, and Kathy and Ozma are launching a plan. A plan by e-mail.
You've got Mutiny!
This plan is put into place mostly cause of this guy. He's crazy I tell you, CRAZY!
Mein Kamf!
Random tie in that becomes important later...
We come in peace - just kidding!
Now, we go back to Kathy's plan, now being executed. And it's a hell of a plan.
The cape helps
Unfortunately, this was all part THE plan, apparently.
Um, yea, predicted, I totally predicted it
Not everyone was ready for the pirate lifestyle. Klan stays behind, though she seems to support the idea.
She certainly is showing a lot of...heart...yea...Man Michael missed out
Two more late comers, one kind of surprising.
Shouldn't we have taken those with us?
Luca has been on board with Leon for awhile now, but Alto appears to be sticking around, probably because of Sheryl. And even if they are former comrades in arms, no one is playing nice.
Is it bad that I really wanted these to connect?
This sets up the classic father/son confrontation between Ozma and Alto. Not that they are related or anything, it's a classic literary device, not a literal interpretation. And Ozma starts it off with a dis.
But they did, he got the message and ignored...whatever
This leads to a scene that is either awesome or derivative.
Get my camera!
Unlike most samurai movies, they both come out of it alive. And unlike Top Gun, they both get a shot in, Alto looking a tad worse than Ozma.
It's only a flesh wound.
Despite surviving, Alto is not too happy with the outcome as the Macross Quarter jumps away to points unknown.
Regrets?
In the weasel move of putting a scene after the ending credits that caused me to forget about it in the draft of this post, we find out what Ranka's been up to, searching for the Vajra homeworld. And they found it.
Flashback! Recall the hit on Grace? How did that go?
Don't mess with a cyborg
We already know she's hearing voices (or AIs, they haven't explained that and probably never will) but now she's experiencing...other stuff.
Planets get her HOT
So some sort of plan seems to be in play, I think we have at least three factions all headed for a showdown, and the romantic pairings seem all sewn up. Which of course means everything gets messed up next week. Enjoy!
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