So, yeah, call me Nostradamus, but I called it. As the description in the Spring listing says, bad bad things happen.But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The armies of Pars are all gathered, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the king himself, and of course, Arslan. At the ripe age of 14, he’s ready now for his firs major battle…but is anyone ready for this. It begins with Arslan noting his eagle has damp feathers, which means there are clouds coming. While he’s seen as being a worrywart, its later proven his worries are validated as a huge fog overtakes the landscape, hiding each army from one another.
However, most of the higher-ups in the army believe their victory is assured. They have a larger army and the advantage of knowing the terrain farmore, and their cavalry have never lost a battle. This doesn’t stop some from being cautious, like Arslan, and Darlyun (and I apologize for botching his name, I’ll learn it eventually), who advises a withdrawal. This naturally gets on the king’s badside, who calls him a coward, and is angry at his insubordination and pressing for retreat.
Here we finally get to see what kind of King Pars’ father is. He’s much more harsh, cold, and in control of the situation. Howeve, even as its clear he has a temper and is very brutal, he is at least fair. He punishes Daryun for his insubordinate behavior, but also allows him the chance to redeem himself in battle. We really do get some insight as to what kind of king he is, and more on Daryun, and his uncle (Arslan’s mentor). There’s also alot brought up in the discussion. How its possible the Lusitanians learned about the terrain, possibly by a runaway slave…like the one that kidnapped Arslan the previous episode. FORESHADOWING!!!
Well, as most people that “have a bad feeling about this”, they’re naturally right. When the Parsian army begins their might charge..they find something that apparently their scouts missed…..a very big something. A giant chasm which, despite their efforts, many soldiers fall into hors and all..and for those who survive the fall and their horses falling ontop of them…the entire area is smeared with oil, and with a few flame arrows they are set ablaze.
As the Parsian forces try to go around the hole, they come across a siege owed full or archers to slaughter them in the very narrow terrain. In basic terms, it was a trap, and a very effective one. I highly enjoy the strategy in how the Lusitanian forces have laid their trap to rout Pars, but it does leave certain questions. Was something at work to cause the huge fog, or was it that the fog was taken advantage of by the enemy? Anyway, things have gone from “we got this” to “we are so goddamn screwed” as the battle goes wild and all of Arslan’s guards are dead.
One thing I can’t stand is a show is someone who was trained to be a warrior, but then in a real dangerous situation they completely lose their crap and aren’t able to do anything. However, Arslan here shows that, while untested and scared and in a difficult situation, he does have the grit and mettle to fight. He manages to use a broken spearhead to kill his enemy’s horse, and in pitched battle, finally, kill his first man. He’s naturally traumatized, scared, horrified at everything that’s happened, and all the death; hovwever, this is a sign that he can do what is necessary and he’s able to hold his own as a warrior. He earned his first kill, even though he likely doesn’t feel proud of it.
He’s alone, and even the plucky group of lads who he spared in his past, who pledged their loyalty unto death…fulfill their oaths by dying as he passes by their bodies. As he’s here, vulnerable and alone, he calls out for help, only to find out; one of his father’s generals has betrayed them. I cannot recall if this is the one who had the reports on he enemy’s position; if so it would help explain how noone saw the huge gorge that so many soldiers died in. We don’t know his reasons, but suffice to say, things are only going to get worse.
But then, there’d Daryun He needs to be voiced by Crispin Freeman in the dub, because he’s a STORM OF MUTHAFUKKING LOYALTY!!!! He’s gone off on s own to rescue Arslan, cutting through so many soldiers and being a total badass. I’m very hyped to see how much more cool he is. I love badasses defined by their loyalty and skill and he looks like he’s going to prove himself even more. I have little doubt due to the story’s structure…and all the promos and the opening, he’s going to be Arslan’s main advisor once this battle has led to its inevitable conclusion.
So, overall, I liked this episode of Arslan. I found it sufficiently warlike, I like the characters and their dynamic, I like Arslan and how he’s been growing through all this madness. I am excited and so want to see how this battle will fall out. More badassness and warfare and loyaltyyyyy.