Impression:
OH. MY. FREAKING. GOD.
Do you have any idea how terrified I was as I watched this episode? The whole episode felt ominous, and I swore to god I was absolutely convinced that people were gonna die (I mean come on, thick fog, silence, the Hideauze/Whale Squid/Evolvers attacking and being massacred by Ledo and the gang dropping bombs and shit) and then we learned about the origins of the Hideauze/Whale Squids which just ripped my heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.
It turns out that the Hideauze are actually a new err… genetically evolved human species that are called the Evolvers. This research facility was so that they could figure out how to adapt living in Space and modifying the human genes due to the 5th Ice Age underway. However the human experiment of creating the Evolvers and research however was strongly opposed worldwide, but at the same time are supported by a handful of countries.
The Hideauze/Evolvers have unique qualities such as are able to breathe oxygen underwater and withstand the water pressure of the deep sea, and eventually adapted to the absolute zero vacuum in Space. Then, because the search for a new habitable planet would take at least dozens to hundreds of years and the standard lifetime that a human has is enough, they applied mechanical engineering the biology to evolve the human body so that it can adapt to the vacuum of space, astronomical distances and vast amount of time (which I believe is referring to one’s lifespan). The Hideauze/Whale Squids were identified as Symbiont that gets its nutrition support from the symbiont nanomachines that is described to be similar to photosynthesis but much more effective. It’s hard to say, but I think considering how messed up the experiments were, by merging the modified genes with the Symbiont, was basically a mutation that was identified as an ‘Evolution’ (only artificial, and man-made).
I believe the Continental Union is most likely what later turned into the Galactic Alliance of Humankind, and the Evolvers as the war between them escalated, the battle took place in space around the floating launch facilities- only sparked even further when the Evolvers discovered about the large-scale Wormhole Drive the Continental Union was working on that as a Self-Destruct function so that after they complete it, they will simultaneously destroy it and escape the Solar System, stranding them on Earth. The Evolvers made a resolve to attack and seize the Wormhole Drive for themselves so that they can spread the domain of the living to the unknown galaxies- however I don’t think actually mentioned whether the Evolvers ever did get their hands on the wormhole drive, but I imagine they either did or managed to go through at the same time as the Continental Union which led them to where they are now, and those who did not make it there or went along with them remained on Earth as we see in the present.
The most terrifying and depressing part of all of this is that the Galactic Alliance didn’t want anyone to know that these species were once Humans to begin with which brings me to my next point. As pointed out before, the Galactic Alliance is one fucked up organization. They not only erased the meaning of ‘co-existence’ in their dictionary, kept vital information and history from their military/people about the truth behind the origins of the Hideauze/Evolvers but also mercilessly got rid of those who were deemed ‘too weak/frail’ to survive and serve for them aka Survival of the Fittest. It’s a wonder how the Galactic Alliance wounded up with such twisted mindset and manipulating the philosophy of life itself, and their reasons behind it. One could probably say that it was so that they were able to manipulate and recruit the number of soldiers they so desperately needed in order to barely pull off a fight against the Hideauze/Evolvers, but regardless of that- it is still sickening.
So of course, Chamber who is a program made by the Galactic Alliance themselves not only first tried to keep the confidential documents from Ledo until he had figured out how to get around the ‘security’ system by claiming he presently is the top authority therefore has permission to access it. And then naturally, having heard truth in the documentary, Chamber figured that there is a possibility that the enemy created it to manipulate information because that’s what they want you to think. But (thankfully) Ledo doesn’t believe that and is shocked by this revelation since his entire life he thought the Hideauze were a lower form of life.
With that said, it is most likely the case that having seen the destruction the Hideauze/Evolvers had done to the Galactic Alliance, it is probably safe to say that even after all of those years when Ledo had entered the battle field- the war between the Galactic Alliance/Continental Union and the Evolvers was/is still on-going.
The only thing that I am wondering about is whether over time did the Evolvers eventually forget how to or perhaps were unable to communicate to begin with? I wonder this because, they I believe they have at least two… maybe three or more different forms. The first being the humanoid squid-like creature (which was ridiculously adorable and it broke my heart that Chamber killed her), the second being that shell shaped Hideauze, and the third being the same form as the Whale-Squids. Varying on their form, I question how they would communicate…. but I am probably just over-thinking this.
Another thing I can’t help but question now what was that mother-ship we saw in the first episode? It was fucking huge, shoots hyper beams- one would think it’s a battle ship/massive weapon of destruction, but now since we know the origins of this species, I wonder if is that like the “ultimate” form of the first Evolver? We did see during the Leader of the Evolvers Ryan Matsumoto’s speech and how his form was vastly different to how we last saw him. It would be interesting if it turned out that what we describe as the “Mother-ship” is actually his ultimate form.
I think the saddest part of this episode was when that precious Evolver we had seen only innocently inspecting Chamber only to be killed may have been the very same Elaine Matsumoto (who I believe might be either Ryan’s wife or daughter) we saw in the footage.
While no ‘humans’ died this episode, I still feel very sad for all the Hideauze/Whale-Squids/Evolvers that was massacred by Ledo and the gang. I wonder what will happen now since we know that Hideauze/Whale-Squids/Evolvers will be aggressive if they are provoked or attacked…
Oh and last thing I wanted to say: let me have a moment to scream, “I TOLD YOU SO!” about the Ice Age theory. BECAUSE BOOM. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! *PROUD STANCE*
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This episode killed me… firstly, now that I’ve begun reading the manga and I’ve seen the manga sketches/depiction of Avalon (http://mangafox.me/manga/suisei_no_gargantia/v01/c001/8.html) the only thing I have to say is… it looks like what I imagine Hitler’s sketch book (if he had one) to look like. It’s clean… too clean. I find the ‘Galactic Alliance’ to be sinister and cold and we haven’t even seen them yet (in fact, I doubt we will… although it is still a possibility).
Secondly… WHY CHAMBER?! Why you kill cute Hideauze girl?! She was only trying to… well I don’t know what she was doing but it was cute! I found myself thinking ‘those ‘things’ in the Hideauze eggs look strangely anthropometric…’, but I quickly dismissed the idea and thought it foolish… how wrong I was. I did love Ledo’s face during the playing of that video though… Oh! And gotta love that dramatic scream at the end there! It was ‘nice’ to see that Ledo has actually become more human and he’s actually feeling remorse, something he know nothing about before coming to Earth.
And lastly, I eagerly await my Ledo x Amy reunion… I can only hope the Gen Urobuchi doesn’t kill one of them off before then… Anyway nice review! I’ve been refreshing the home page every five minutes waiting for it because this episode was so awesome xD
P.S, Chamber, you just lost like 100 awesome points for killing that ‘girl’… not cool…
// I find the ‘Galactic Alliance’ to be sinister and cold//
Oh yeah definitely. Remember that only after a certain amount of time spent serving the military they finally obtain a “Citizen Pass” to experience freedom and shit for a couple of weeks or months or something along the lines? That was only a hint of how fucked up they ways of ‘society’ were.
We humans are sick, foolish creatures… We should have listen to Amy and leave them alone. Also, this episode shows just how alien Chamber truly is and how surprise I am for him to ignore a direct order from Ledo, the highest ranking CO. I took for granted that Chamber can be trusted but could I have been wrong?
TQ
Well under ‘normal circumstances’ for Chamber, Ledo’s position is actually not the top authority, but Ledo finds the loophole of that because he is the only one around and there’s no form of way to communicate with anyone else that he can claim that title of authority to open the documents.
And it’s not that Chamber can’t be trusted, it is just the way he was programmed to be. The Galactic Alliance didn’t want anyone to get this confidential information, so of course they put that into his security system to prevent anyone except for Top Authorities to access it. Also Chamber is a program, a technology, not human- so naturally he wouldn’t be impacted by the video and will do what his programed instincts tell him to do.
//The only thing that I am wondering about is whether over time did the Evolvers eventually forget how to or perhaps were unable to communicate to begin with?//
Perhaps the human Evolvers were taken over by their Symbiont partners who fused with them, making the Symbiont dominant? Or these Hideauze on Earth are a totally separate species that were just created with human DNA? Either way, they still exhibit human traits during growth (I felt a massive pang of guilt when Chamber destroyed the human-looking Hideauze babies and the Hideauze girl ;_;)
Also, does anyone else think Ryan Matsumoto’s daughter looks similar to Amy, or is it just me?
//Perhaps the human Evolvers were taken over by their Symbiont partners who fused with them, making the Symbiont dominant?//
I could see that as they wound up completely losing their ‘humanity’ form and turn into monsters like this:
//Also, does anyone else think Ryan Matsumoto’s daughter looks similar to Amy, or is it just me?//
Trust me that you aren’t the only one. I’ve seen plenty of people remark the same thing. I too see a similarity, but not enough to make me go along with the theory that perhaps she might have been her ancestor.
It was kind of interesting how Chamber’s reaction to the situation is completely different from Ledo’s. When Chamber suggests retreat, Ledo keeps going. When Ledo orders not to kill the Hideauze girl, Chamber, well, went God Gundam (my fist is burning red).
Yeah, this heart wrenching feeling, definitely 100% Urobuchi-style.
this shit is so good!! Never though i’d get this involved in this series after episode 2
it made appreciate the previous 5-7 episodes more
though i’m worried about Ledo and Chamber’s bromance after the last blood bath
That was an amazing episode. The way it told its story was really well done, and its revelations really affected my thoughts on things, especially a heavy dose of skepticism toward the Galactic Alliance (with a slight bit of understanding for their reasons).
AHHHHHhhhh IT TURNED INTO SHIN SEKAI YORI MY HEAD HURTS * CRIES *
What happened to the hopeful story of youth ; A ;
WHO’S CHAMBER’S PROGRAMMER?! LET ME SEE HIM!!! BECAUSE THIS IS ALL HIS FAULT.
Chamber only did kidd Hideauze girl because it was the mission’s description (and he was totally programmed to follow a mission’s description from the moment he/it was born anyway). Plus, Ledo was just too slow on explaining things. LOL OKAY I’LL BE BLAMING LEDO ALL THE WAY. CHAMBER IS INNOCENT. HE’S MY CUTE LITTLE MECHA!!!
Seriously, This episode was a blast. I regretted watching it late. I do.
And to think that humans dying has already started BACK FROM EPISODE 1… I am sooooooo drained.