The Bentenmaru has an actual crew? I mean beyond the people usually sitting in the bridge? That’s kindof like Seikai no Senki, isn’t it? The focus is entirely on the main bridge, while it’s assumed that the people who are working to keep the ship running are doing their jobs.
In any case, with this episode we’re introduced to the ghost ship. And so far, this has been some excellent mystery and the creators are very skillfully building up its secrets as the characters get closer and closer to it. It really piqued my interest of what the heck is up with that ship.
I also liked the process of getting there. this series was really in danger of turning into a lot of techno-babble, but they did q pretty good job here in explaining what went on and making things believable. The programmer in me also rejoiced when they suddenly showed the Serendipity’s identification code. I’ve had to struggle with these quite a few times myself.
There is one thing I missed. I might have looked over this in a few previous episodes, though, but why was Gruier trying to reach the ghost ship outside of her family’s influence again? There is so much going on in each episode that it’s easy to miss stuff and in my case I probably missed something very important.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I don’t think Gruier has actually explained the reason for finding the ship, or for why there was such cloak-and-dagger around delivering the info-chip. Given how capable the story is with all the other details (like identification codes!), I can only imagine that there’s some explanation, or that we’ll get it eventually. Otherwise, I’m left thinking that as far as the Bentenmaru is concerned, they’re getting paid, and if things turn bad, they’ll just turn tail and get the hell out.
Then again, I can forgive that when this series has such capable and intelligent women (and girls) in its cast.
Its not been explained yet though it looks like a power struggle within the royal family over sucession or perhaps foreign policy (since the princess putting on a uniform was such a significant symbol).
I have a theory. I think the younger sister is trying to destroy the Ghost Ship because it poses a risk to them politically if the people ever come out of their cryogenic stasis.
I think Gruier is more compassionate and wants to save the ship and its people.
That’s just a wild theory based on the line, “you know what we must do” spoken by the younger sister.
It also seems like the younger sister is a pawn in a larger struggle.
My take was the opposite, the younger sister is taking up arms against the empire and the older sister knows that would end their neutrality and independent status.
I think the younger sister has usurped the throne. The meaning of a member of the royal family wearing a uniform aboard a battleship is that she is declaring herself the ruler — which she does. She says “the ruler must lead from the battle’s front line.” So the palace struggle is between Grunhilde and Gruier (though there might be other factions as well).
Meh… tried to watch it, since you rated it excellent.
Yet still way way way too girly for me.
I really like this episode!! It makes me waku waku! XD
I can’t wait for them to reveal the whole story behind the Serenity and the Golden Ship!
And I remember that it was hinted that the is a whole crew on the ship (even though they are like ghost) in some previous episode! :O
Is the ghost ship a weapon that will determine the victor in a royal power struggle? Or is it the secrets that lie WITHIN the ship the ultimate prize – secrets Gruier wants to discover, but the monarchy wants destroyed? Both are interesting theories. Considering what we’ve seen of the ghost ship’s technology so far, destroying it will be tough, even for the Serenity flagship. I’m leaning more towards the secrets theory. Regardless, it was a majestic reveal.
This show has followed the nautical metaphors of 18th century wooden ships fairly well, so I’m calling the until-now-invisible crew the “marines” – in olden days (when I was a teenager) the marines had nothing to do with the working of the ship, but were called on to fight battles on land and from deck (sniping, gunning, boarding other ships etc) when the occasion arose.