Where I watch Episode 14 of Simoun
Jun. 14th, 2010 11:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cypsiman2This episode is mostly about Wapourif, Dominura, and Morinas. Aeru and Neviril spend their time on the reconnaissance mission that they were sent out on at the end of the last episode and they don't make much progress on that, so there's not too much to say about them.
Now, this is what there is to say about this episode; given the location of the newly discovered airbase, it is probably the case that the Archipelago and the Highlands are now in an alliance against the Simulacrum Theocracy. Dominura summons Wapourif into the church and proposes a sacrilegious course of action; take apart one of the Simoun to find out how it works. As far as Dominura is concerned, the fact that the Simoun have lost their absolute superiority is proof that they are not "Chariots of the Gods", only Machines that need to be studied to find their secrets.
Wapourif struggles with this decision throughout the episode, and confers with Morinas at several points throughout; there is a shower scene early on in which we find out that Wapourif and Floe were not lovers, Floe just told Wapourif to say that. As Dominura is telling Morinas about how both the Simoun and the Sibylla are meant to be sacred, untouchable, we get a scene between the captain of the Messis and Dominura; the captain's been doing her homework, and we find out some interesting details about Dominura. It seems that she's the only survivor of Choir Dextra, a Choir whose very existence has been vigorously denied. Choir Dextra was assembled for the specific purpose of forming the Emerald Ri Maarjon, but that didn't work out very well at all. And now Dominura works directly for the defense ministry, placing her above even the high priestesses.
We also get a scene of Wapourif flashing back to just after the first episode, when Amuria was killed after attempting the Emerald Ri Maarjon; apparently, Amuria's body was nowhere to be found, which is very curious, since given the way that the Simoun was mangled and broken, it shouldn't have been possible for her body to have gotten out.
Well, during the night Wapourif goes into the Sibylla room and kisses Morinas, showing that she's made her decision. Come the morning, Dominura goes to check the situation out, and according to Wapourif, she couldn't find out anything; yeah, there's the helical motors, yeah, there's the gem, yeah, there's the helix, but none of it tells her anything new about how the Simoun works. But, when Dominura comes in closer to the dismantled Simoun, she freaks.
She is just staring in abject horror at it, and Wapourif asks her what she sees, but as her scream of terror would indicate, she's in no condition to talk about it, and at the end of the episode, the proud and powerful Dominura has to be taken away, a look of pure shock etched on her face.
Well, I think that's a pretty good indication that the Simoun are not merely machines whose workings are unknown, but whether they truly are Chariots of the Gods, Devils, or something else entirely, who can say? And as for what Dominura saw...I imagine that it was the spirits of the Choir Dextra. But don't tell me whether I'm right or wrong, I want the full impact of the surprise unimpeded.
Now, this is what there is to say about this episode; given the location of the newly discovered airbase, it is probably the case that the Archipelago and the Highlands are now in an alliance against the Simulacrum Theocracy. Dominura summons Wapourif into the church and proposes a sacrilegious course of action; take apart one of the Simoun to find out how it works. As far as Dominura is concerned, the fact that the Simoun have lost their absolute superiority is proof that they are not "Chariots of the Gods", only Machines that need to be studied to find their secrets.
Wapourif struggles with this decision throughout the episode, and confers with Morinas at several points throughout; there is a shower scene early on in which we find out that Wapourif and Floe were not lovers, Floe just told Wapourif to say that. As Dominura is telling Morinas about how both the Simoun and the Sibylla are meant to be sacred, untouchable, we get a scene between the captain of the Messis and Dominura; the captain's been doing her homework, and we find out some interesting details about Dominura. It seems that she's the only survivor of Choir Dextra, a Choir whose very existence has been vigorously denied. Choir Dextra was assembled for the specific purpose of forming the Emerald Ri Maarjon, but that didn't work out very well at all. And now Dominura works directly for the defense ministry, placing her above even the high priestesses.
We also get a scene of Wapourif flashing back to just after the first episode, when Amuria was killed after attempting the Emerald Ri Maarjon; apparently, Amuria's body was nowhere to be found, which is very curious, since given the way that the Simoun was mangled and broken, it shouldn't have been possible for her body to have gotten out.
Well, during the night Wapourif goes into the Sibylla room and kisses Morinas, showing that she's made her decision. Come the morning, Dominura goes to check the situation out, and according to Wapourif, she couldn't find out anything; yeah, there's the helical motors, yeah, there's the gem, yeah, there's the helix, but none of it tells her anything new about how the Simoun works. But, when Dominura comes in closer to the dismantled Simoun, she freaks.
She is just staring in abject horror at it, and Wapourif asks her what she sees, but as her scream of terror would indicate, she's in no condition to talk about it, and at the end of the episode, the proud and powerful Dominura has to be taken away, a look of pure shock etched on her face.
Well, I think that's a pretty good indication that the Simoun are not merely machines whose workings are unknown, but whether they truly are Chariots of the Gods, Devils, or something else entirely, who can say? And as for what Dominura saw...I imagine that it was the spirits of the Choir Dextra. But don't tell me whether I'm right or wrong, I want the full impact of the surprise unimpeded.
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no subject
Date: 2010-06-14 09:23 pm (UTC)To me it's very much contrasting (and subverting) both Morinas and Wapourif as characters: Morinas, the least religious of all the sibyllae, is shown finding faith and growing into her role as a priestess, whilst Wapourif, one of the most devout characters, is shown struggling with and, to an extent, abandoning his faith with regard to both Morinas and the Simoun. (As you noticed, Morinas and the Simoun are very much used as allegories for one another.)
One subtle thing which I noticed after watching it once or twice: watch the use of light and shadow with respect to both characters. Morinas is shown progressively more illuminated, almost to the point of ethereality when she's sat beside the river; meanwhile, Wapourif is shown more and more in shadow as the episode progresses.
Why yes, I have been overthinking this. ;)
For what it's worth, both Wauf and Wapourif are very definitely male (voice and breasts, respectively, aside). The terminal "f" on the names is a key signifier in Simulacran society. (You can also tell by looking closely at the winged necklaces, although that's more subtle.)
no subject
Date: 2010-06-14 09:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-14 09:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-14 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-15 03:19 pm (UTC)beans, lots of beans, lots of beans, lots of beans
beans, lots of beans, lots of beans, lots of beans
Seriously though, this is one of the better ways to set up a cliffhanger. Rather than just the average "are they going to die?" or "will they kiss?" (In both cases probably not), it throws a curve-ball on one of the basic premises of the show.
I like the implication that these holy machines may actually be something closer to an eldritch abomination. Probably not, but that they would even suggest that is interesting.
Though I don't understand why looking at one is wrong, even if you do believe they are chariots of the gods. I believe there is a place for questioning and inquiry even in religion, "faith untested is a blade untempered".
no subject
Date: 2010-06-15 04:40 pm (UTC)