Last Exile ep.15-16

September 23, 2004 | 9 Comments

Hmm, I guess it's been a while since I last saw a Last Exile episode. I was actually planning to write about these two episodes together with episode 17 in disc 5 but since the disc won't arrive until a week later, I figure I'll just do them now. Anyway, I must be suffering from long non-exposure syndrome because I don't find these two episodes to be as good as the previous ones. Maybe it's because I think that the whole 'Claus: the Big Stud' subplot is a big joke. In fact, I find it hilarious to see all of these characters fawning over a rather boring guy. So please excuse me if I make a couple of sarcastic comments about these two episodes as I recap them. I think that this plot appears because the writers have no clue as to which characters should be paired off together and therefore they simply tried every single combination imaginable.

Previously on Last Exile: Silvana got attacked by Urbanus, Tatiana revealed that the reason she pouts so much is because she had a tough life, and Lavie became jealous when she sees Claus playing footsie with Tatiana. Continuing with these themes, episode 15 shows Dio trying to tell Claus the truth about Alex and Claus' vanship. Claus, however, has a much more pressing issue on his hands and that is to keep all of his fangirls happy. Unfortunately for him, he's not doing a good job in this regard. Throughout the episode, Lavie is seen either pouting or crying her eyes out because she can't stand the fact that Claus lent Tatiana one of his clothes. At the same time, Tatiana has fallen for our young stud and tries to find a way to have more conversation with Claus without getting into Lavie's wrath. Alister, however, warns Tatiana not to interpret Claus' kindness as something more.

Dio eventually manages to show Claus a picture of Alex and Claus' vanship. Realising what Dio tries to suggest, Claus storms his way off to Alex's room to demand an explanation. Alex cuts through the chase and admits that he used to own that vanship and that he and Claus' father were the ones who had to deliver the peace pact between Anatoray and Disith. Having said that, both of them failed miserably. In fact, Alex's girlfriend as well as Claus and Lavie's fathers got lost inside the Grand Stream. Alex also adds that he'll never forget the face of the person whom he thinks is responsible for the tragedy: that of Maestro Delphine. Alex also explains that the war with the Guild will be meaningless unless the world can change and in order for this to happen, they need Exile. Meanwhile, Sophia receives a mail that tells her that she is needed back at the Anatoray Kingdom as its Princess.

Apparently the King, who just happens to be Sophia's father, has been making some risky decisions which could lead to an all out war between Anatoray and Disith. Because of this, she conveys her intention to Alex to return to Kingdom and asks his opinion about the idea. Alex, however, rudely tells her that she can make her own decision and he doesn't care whichever choice she eventually makes. Realising that Alex is still hung up on his dead ex-girlfriend, Sophia makes the decision to leave the ship. Before doing that, however, she sulks around the ship and eventually gets to meet Claus, who's in the middle of pondering about his own love life. Anyway, one thing leads to another and before they realise it, Sophia's lips land on Claus'. Apparently Sophia believes that nothing heals heartache better than kissing a teenage boy. The episode then ends with Claus looking as if he's a deer caught in a headlight.

Continuing from the previous episode, episode 16 begins with Sophia bidding goodbye to her Silvana crews as she climbs aboard another ship that takes her to the Anatoray Kingdom. Meanwhile, Mullin has an identity crisis and wonders what is he doing in Silvana doing cleaning job when he's supposed to be a Gunman. At the same time, the Arch Bishop and someone who looks like the main General are having a verbal fight about Disith in front of the Anatoray King. the Arch Bishop believes that Disith is in anguish because they just lost their country so he believes that it's better not to anger them. In fact, he believes that a peace can be delivered if Anatoray offers a helping hand to Disith people. The General, however, disagrees with the assessment and wants to eliminate Disith while it's still possible. The King agrees with the General and thinks that it's about time they eliminate Disith.

Back at Silvana, Tatiana for some God-knows-why reasons, decides to approach Mullin who's in the middle of play-acting as a Gunman with his broom. Mullin eventually tells Tatiana that he used to be a Gunman and that he's one of the lucky few because the likelihood of a Gunman to make it out alive is 3 out of 10. He then asks Tatiana if she wants to leave this ship with him but realises that the question comes out of nowhere. So he apologises profusely and leaves Tatiana alone. Meanwhile, Alex and the ship engineer are having a talk with one another. Alex thinks that the time is right to attack the Guild. Unknown to him, however, Tatiana overhears his conversation and decides to tell Claus that he should leave the ship with Lavie now before it's too late. At the same time, Sophia finally reaches the Anatoray Kingdom and is immediately interrogated by that twit excuse for a General about Silvana's attack on four Anatoray's ships.

Sophia answered that they had no choice but to attack since those ships attacked them first. She also wastes no time to tell her father that this is not the time for war. Her father in response tells her that as a father, he's happy with her thoughtfulness. However, as a ruler, he can't abide the fact that 'there is only enough water for one person', so to speak. He thinks that keeping that 'water' to one own's nation is the job of a ruler and he decides that Sophia failed at this. So he asks his soldier to punish Sophia by throwing her to jail. Because of this, the Arch Bishop, Maurice, decides to take matters into his own hands. He secretly visited the now imprisoned Sophia and tells her that he's always regarded Sophia as his own daughter but unfortunately, this is the last day he can do so. He asks Sophia to promise that she'll be a good ruler for Anatoray and to not put her heart only on a single man but to devote it for the entire citizens.

Meanwhile inside Silvana, Claus decides to twist that knife on Lavie's heart by telling her that the vanship she's been fixing thus far actually belongs to Alex, shocking the already heartbroken girl. Back at the Anatoray Kingdom, Disith decides to attack the Kingdom, surprising Anatoray in the process. Because of this, the King asks the Arch Bishop why the Pandora's canon is not used to attack the enemy. The Arch Bishop, however, asks the King to hand over his position to Sophia and the two end up killing each other. Meanwhile, Sophia realises that her father has ordered a soldier to execute her. Thankfully before that said soldier manages to do so, Vincent arrives to save her. Elsewhere inside a ship, Maestro Delphine giggles her way through as she watches the two countries destroying each other. Back inside Silvana, Lavie tells Claus that she refuses to leave the ship and that she doesn't like they way he doubts himself these days.

Impression:

I personally failed to see how the 'love' subplot in episode 15 is supposed to advance the storyline. If this element had been introduced earlier and in a believable way, as opposed to inserting it out of nowhere like in episode 15, I may have said otherwise. But as it is now, it feels unnecessary and forced. For example, I find Lavie's reaction to be over the top given the fact that in the previous episodes, she never indicated a romantic interest in Claus whatsoever. Top that with that kissing scene between Claus and Sophia and you have one messy episode here. The consequence of this sub-plot is such that the first half of episode 16 drags on a little bit. Thankfully towards the end it picks up again as the conflict between Anatoray and Disith reaches its fever pitch. It's amusing to see idiotic country leaders falling from their grace after making a decision that is based on their own greed and ego.

© memento 2003