Where I watch Episode 8 of Simoun

[cypsiman2]

Show of hands, all those who thought that the Plumbum Highland's 'peace conference' was going to be just a cover? Everyone? Even before one of the Plumbum priestesses started discretely signaling their warship? Yep, but even so, I wasn't quite expecting that.

First thing I want to mention though, is the quality of the world building that happened in this episode; the thing about the Highland Priestesses mostly coming from the border with the Simoun Theocracy as the reason for their bilingual status, the discussion of the notion that Tempus Spatium and Animus being off-shoots of a much older faith... the writers are definitely showing their work when it comes to this sort of setting and society.

We also get some more of Mamiina's backstory, where her village is under attack and the other Sibylla refuse to use the Simoun as weapons, but Mamiina won't have any of that. Prior to this, she was rejected by the other Sibylla for not being of the right family line, something they think that Tempus Spatium would not approve of. Funny, a god disapproving of the people you already don't like and look down upon; how often does THAT happen?

But the real meat of the episode lies in the whole 'escorting Priestess Angulus' plot. First thing to mention is that when Angulus is being introduced to all the members of Choir Tempest, she says everyone's names but Aeeru, who really doesn't want to drop it. Later on we see Limone going through a Plumbum dictionary, but we don't get the significance of this until a bit later, but I mention now for a reason. Then the inevitable betrayal happens; Angulus pulls a gun and takes Kaimu hostage, and at first it seems that she's planning to hijack one of the Simoun, but the real plan is a bit more deadly.

Yep, for the Plumbum people, this was a suicide mission; the representatives and other priestesses shoot themselves, and Angulus sets of a bomb to destroy the bay and all the Simoun inside it, and as she does she screams out "Aeeru!". Aeeru is quite confused as to why Angulus would choose then to say her name, but Limone rushes up and explains that she looked it up; in the Plumbum Highland language, "Aeeru" means The Love of God. Overwhelmed, Aeeru falls to her knees.

Neviril shows up, and in a touching scene declares that while she and Aeeru are very different people, they do have one thing in common, and she declares that they will be a pair. Unfortunately, they first have to resolve the whole "Choir Tempest" being disbanded thing, but with the other two Choirs having lost their Simoun, they should have a chance. Silver linings, I guess.

Comments

[the-sun-is-up.livejournal.com]

That moment when Angulas screams "A! E! RU!" and then blows herself up ranks as one of my favorite scenes in this series. It just gives me the shivers.

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I mean...I'm still processing just what it all means, for the characters and the setting and the narrative. Pretty heavy stuff.

[junglefowl26.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I like how even a character like Mamiina is given a compelling reason for her actions.

Peace conferences never go right in fiction, do they?

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

Well, a peace conference going right would mark the end of conflict, and no conflict means no story. So it's not that surprising.

[junglefowl26.livejournal.com]

Oh, I understand. Still, can make things a tad predictable.

[oneplusme.livejournal.com]

This was the episode where I absolutely fell in love with Neviril. The scene where she walks across the flight deck just makes her seem so commandingly regal... It's at that point that we finally see why the other sibyllae might be prepared to follow her as they do.

And yes, it also starts to show that Simulacrum really isn't that wonderful a place if you're not noble-born. Mamiina does at least have a reason for that chip on her shoulder. It's also good to see a series in which the characters' religions really do affect their lives and perspectives rather than just being decorative background.

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

Regal...yes, that's definitely the word that I'd use to describe Neviril in that scene.

Yeah, the last couple of episodes have definitely been playing up this class-divide issue. But I was already feeling pretty suspect about Simulacrum to begin with; unless they can come up with a good reason for why they're hoarding the Simoun to themselves, I'm going to keep an eye on the rulers, that's for sure.