Now I understand why the first episode felt so underwhelming to me: I just didn’t care about any of the characters. Normally I really like the “lots of talking”-series, but something didn’t quite work with me. Now, I realize that those first episodes were like some random stranger coming up and starting to quote Shakespeare for more than an hour: why should we care? I mean, even Mouryou no Hako didn’t immediately start with its incredibly long dialogues, but first created a hook with that fantastic first episode of its. So yeah, now I understand. This was by far the best episode of Fate/Zero so far and significantly increased my opinion of it.
Nearly the entire episode was just one big monologue of Rider. And it was glorious. I mean, the best character of the series just got even better when he explained exactly why he’s in the tournament, and what he thinks a king should be. It clashed wonderfully with Saber, and interestingly used the way in which Saber has been so timid for a king in a way that I really did not expect. The decision to include Archer made things even better, because now we have this drinking talk between three people who couldn’t be any more different from each other. I also love how everyone’s master just stood around, not knowing what to do in this situation.
But oh my god, it’s been a while since we had an episode that put so much emphasis on well written dialogue that worked so well outside of Hyouge Mono. I really began to fear that my tastes changed a bit after such an absence of series that would dare it. Especially after how Shaft hi-jacked this genre with shows as Denpa-Onna and moved it from well written dialogue to just random blabber that doesn’t go anywhere. With this episode, it’s great to see that the “lots of talking”-genre still is alive.
Rating: *** (Awesome)
For a moment I thought this was going to be boring but things heated up in every aspect. Everything is better with Rider.
When Gen Urobuchi asked what Nasu wants to see in Fate/Zero, both him and Takeuchi Takashi replied pretty much in unison that F/Z needs to be about “Saber being bullied by the other kings”. This was the episode of the first season that I was looking forward to most, and it sure as hell delivered, both in speeches and in Awesomeness. The progression of Saber’s facial expressions as Rider continued speaking was also magnificent.
Now, as a kicker, let’s imagine for a moment how Ionioi Hetairoi would look if it was DEEN animating this. I’m really glad we have ufotable at the job.
Yup…despite the many cuts that they did for the tv series (thanks to broadcasting restriction rules anyway), they’ve to cut what actually a full 30 mins ep into 22 mins but still manage to deliver the main points across, since there’s no way to split this parts into 2 eps considering of its content. Well, I still going to import the bd anyway to watch all those full long ver detail^-^
Plus, finally I’m happy to see “Ionioi Hetaroi” (Rider’s strongest noble phantasm) being animated^-^
What a wonderful job! This episode was the one I was afraid the most that they may screw up, turning into a boring episode, but they did a great job.
Rider turned into one of the best characters of the story. Usually those kind of characters are just noisy, but it’s always interesting or funny to watch him.
And that noble phantasm! Such a great exhibition, It’s really overpowered. It makes me wonder if the Fate/Stay Night heroes together could even beat it.
Maybe I’m being biased since fate is one of my favorite story, but I think Fate/Zero is doing one of the best adaptations I have ever seen.
GOOSEBUMPS!
At minute 17:18…
I could almost swear that the fellow is an adult version of Waver.
He looks a little out of place among all those soldiers, he even seems to have a necktie 😀 He still looks great nevertheless.
Maybe he is Waver. Since that place had all of Rider retainers, maybe it works the same way as the heroes, which could be summoned from any timeline. It’s just an assumption though. Would be pretty interesting if that was him!
Here’s a pic of a grown up Waver:
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100806012255/typemoon/images/thumb/b/b9/Melloi2.png/200px-Melloi2.png
Chances are, it’s him. At least, it’s certain they want to make us think so.
Well hello there adult Waver!
I like!
Ransom: i am trying so hard to not spoil, all i will say is that you may be on too something…
P.S. read the Fate Zero novels 😛
Like psgels said, this episode was glorious! Although I’m wondering if Assassin is really dead this time, or if it’s another trick. Plus, it would be very dumb to send Assassin to this place like that without any knowledge of the opponent’s Grand Phantasm. So I think assassin’s still in the game…
@imredjimmy: Well, I can answer that question, but I don’t know if it’ll count to spoiler…so I suggest to wait for next week anyway. And the reason for sending out assasin to..is in the cut parts of the anime cuz of the broadcasting time constraint, but the whole un-cut 30+ mins of the eps will be available in the bd ver anyway.
So there will be a Director’s cut of all the eps? +7min footage per episode? That’s awesome! Where did you get that from?
It’s stated by one of the staff at the tipe-moon realtime cafe before the showcase of ep 11 & ufotable also confirm this, as you can see at yaraon blog. Beside at the beginning of the BD release confirmed, they also said already that the whole BD Box is going to contain all the cut scenes+censored scenes(the one with caster,etc)+extra+bla3x…kind of merchandise anyway^-^
Also, I think I understand what you said at the beginning of the entry psgels. Most of us who had been expecting F/Z had already read F/SN (the visual novel) so we were aware of the personality, background, motivation and future of the characters, no wonder you didn’t liked the first episode too much.
Alexander’s conviction really impressed me. What awesomeness.
As I was watching the Iskander is this episode it reminded me so much of Greed from Full Metal Alchemist. Perhaps they were both based off Alexander the Great.
Oi oi! Rider really shrunk Saber down to size. Geeez!
I easily picked this as my best of the anime season, but this episode reallly stepped up the epicness.
I remember when Psgels complained about Saber being made the underdog, but since I haven’t watched/read fate/stay night I can say Saber’s ass was intellectually handed to her. To add vinegar to injury, Goldy geniunely laughed her off then encouraged (mocked?) her before leaving.
And that noble phantasm!! With no one to tell tokiomi, what was the point? (oh, there’s goldy)
Kotomine still saw the NP through assasin’s eyes before he died.
Oh. well, that turns out fine.
I thought the “discussion” was a little unfair. Filibusters always are, and it’s not as if the loudest voice is necessarily the most valid. I for one look forwards to Saber’s rebuttal to Rider some time in the near future. She is a heroic spirit after all, I doubt her convictions concerning the true role of a king are so lightly held so as to shatter from a single counterargument. The king who silently sacrifices everything for her people’s salvation, or the king who inspires his people to great aspiration with the grandness of his life. I wonder whose conviction will be greater in the end?
You’re right. Writers jobbed Saber in this episode, as if she was a little girl who never heard of such arguments during her mortal life.
However this episode did highlight the two major moralities: the modern or herd morality versus ancient or master morality. The herd thinks in negative traits: sacrifice, humble, meek, obedient, i.e., other centered or otherworldly virtues; the master thinks in affirmative traits: conquest, confidence, brave, commanding, I.e., self centered or this-worldly virtues.
Alexander epitomizes the master morality of Hellenic Greeks whereas Arthur epitomizes the herd morality of the Judeo-Christian religion.
I believe it was Rider’s speech and policy congruent to Saber’s past dealings at the round table that had her so mind-blown in this episode.
Within the Legend of Arthur, Arthur’s knights and subsidiaries show a lot of doubt towards many of his decisions. There is also a considerable amount of dissent towards the end of the tale.
What I’m saying is… Saber is already in doubt.
And this is why I like this series as a story: The writers still develop characters whom are legendary within literary and genuine history.
However, I don’t really see Rider developing much at all. He is actually my least favourite servant character. His life and ideals are just way too unrealistic in comparison – ‘to never stray from the path’ – sorta thing.
Anyways, can’t wait for Berserker’s story to emerge.
Gilgamesh’s explanation of why he wants the grail cracks me up.
I aint seen it, but it’s a treasure, therefore it must be mine.