Hokay, first things first: Anybody who had grievances over Cross Ange Episode 1 will probably have even more with this episode. How exactly? The very nature of how Embryo tries to break Ange. You think being detained and then anally probed was something? Well how about a God touching you in magical spots that either instantly sends a shock of intense pain through your body or puts you into such immense fits of pleasure that you cannot help but drop what you are doing to jack off? ‘Cuz that’s what Embryo did, putting a stop to Ange’s game of playing hard to get, which usually involves his murder. Granted it is within context of the show, finally showcasing his arrogance and what he will do to get what he wants, but sheesh. Just… VERY sheesh. Put it in your pipe and take a big drag of that Has-sheesh when it comes to some God attempting to domesticate the wild horse that is Ange.
This said, pretty great episode. While all that happens to Ange, it does not take up the brunt of the running time. Instead the focus is all on the supporting cast. They not only come to terms with past events but also do some awesome stuff that leads to things like… character and plot development. Momoka rescues Riza from more whippings by Racist Cripple Sister Princess (or RaCripSisPrin); Hilda and Rosalie confirm their love for their significant others (Ange and Chris respectively); Commander Jill finally comes to terms with how she messed up things with her connection to Embryo; and Salia figures out Embryo’s new objective and wonders how it affects her new lot in life. This is quite a set of big moments in this episode, as it allows these guys to finally come to terms with their feelings and how they want to act upon them.
Salia’s development is again the most pleasant surprise. She has always been reluctant about Ange and always wanting to live to the approval of those she admires. However, finding out Embryo’s reveal of wanting Ange as his bride and seeing how far he will go to have her brings out a rather surprising side to her I did not expect. She does not free Ange out of full altruism, but also out of selfishness because she does not want her new life to be taken away from her. It paints her as a rather tragic, albeit pathetic, figure, who took the easy way of gaining happiness instead of going through with Libertus. I love how despite their divergent paths, Salia and Ange have some twisted way of looking out for each other, topped off this episode by Ange knocking her out, saving her from a possible Embryo torture/titillation (or is “Tortillature”?) session.
Speaking of the torture session, it is subtle but it shows Ange has once again come a long way since the beginning. While it can be inferred from her interactions with Tusk and the rest that she can interact and live with others, it is solidified at the end of her torture session. Even with all she has gone through, she still has her limits, and subconsciously needs others. Thus, she calls out to the person closest to her, and hopes he can rescue her once again (I mean he’s done so twice already). Hopefully also, it is not a death flag for him, which is made even worse with him and Hilda talking about it in the next episode preview.
Either way, I get excite. I believe only four more episodes from here, and who knows where it will take us. Wherever it is, it is most definitely going to be interesting.
Rondo of Notes:
- Anybody notice how Ange got her ring. Pay special attention to this series of images. Oh my. On the other hand, that’s so Ange.
- Fukuda needs to do more 25 episode series. Anything longer will give him a chance to faff around or waste time with recap episodes.
- If I wasn’t so inclined to keep doing these weekly, I’d have just plug this good article about the episode instead.
