So, from the last episode, where our heroes were in a cave, we return to our heroes, still in a cave.
The thing is, there’s a very good reason for it. Narsus correctly points out that, even if they rode out and actually made it to the capitol in time, they’d never be able to stop what’s happening, not to mention they’d likely get captured for their trouble. I really like how the episode shows it; while Arslan is our hero, he is still just one boy, and there are some things, like this siege, that are completely too big for him to do anything about. Its actually quite grim how Narsus pretty much says the city is doomed.
We see the Lusitanians continuing to just utterly demoralize and break down the city, while also fueling the fires for the slaves to revolt. They’ve also conned showing all the generals, nobles, and leaders they have killed and broken down. Its a very huge blow, and even causes the queen to break from her cold demeanor and show an actual emotion.
She’s distraught and worried over it all, but oddly, still doesn’t seem o worry or care about Arslan. Its very very odd and weird how neither the king or queen care even he slightest bit about their own son, and just focus on anything else. But it was curious seeing something get a rise out of her.
Speaking of rising…the slaves have officially begun revolting everywhere, and it only gets worse. Force brought down only causes more discontent and for the number of slaves ready to rise up to grow. They try locking up the rebelling slaves, but even then, its causing more chaos as now they need to face dangers from within and without the capitol.
One of the lords pleads for the queen to improve situations for slaves, try to help encourage them to remain loyal, but even that is met with complications. The Parsian culture has been founded on slavery, but now..its all coming apart. We get a small scene of night time raids, showing the army is not going to let up, putting more and more pressure on the Parsian forces. Its clearly only a matter of time.
Arslan and company remain, even as the city is wailed upon. Narsus has actually already come up with a plan. He will wait until Kharlan is with his own men, and then, with a smaller force, capture him, an force him to tell why he turned traitor and any other useful info on him. I don’t know how they plan to do so when they have 4 people, but its not a bad plan. However, it does mean they only can watch and wait.
Meanwhile, our minstrel friend is offered a job to escort the queen out of the capitol..or does he?
So, apparently, he was hired to escort a body double out of the capitol through the underground passages. Not sure why they got the most capable guy to do hat, but they found their path..and also found th enemy who were sneaking in the same way they were sneaking out.
And before you ask, yes it is that dark in the show. It made it hard to see much, but possibly that was due to seeing it during the day. Anyway, Silver Mask himself is there, and he quickly focuses on the queen. Once h finds out she’s not her, he just straight up bitch chokes her to death like apsycho, which makes Gieve very mad.
Luckily, Silver Mask is off doing other things, leaving his red shirts to take on Gieve. Who takes them all out like a knife through cheese, and in very dark lighting. Its really cool that Gieve has all these skills, but I’m wondering, is there anything he can’t do? He seems to be just…the best at everything…so why does e just bum around like he does?
In typical rpg fashion, Gieve loots the bodies, and decides to skip town since they are all so utterly boned. And boned they are. With Kharlan leading the enemy forces through the underground, a whole contingent gets a straight line to the palace, which they attack and destroy. They also free the captured slaves, who riot and open the gates, allowing all of the enemy troops to go in and take the capital.
It was overall rather spectacular how the capital fell,and it gives a big statement on the nature of slavery and its role here. Not only are our bloodthirsty enemies given a sympathetic goal, in some ways, Pars’s own sins have come back to bite them as the slaves revolt and insure the nation’s fall. Its dramatic, dark, and fascinating. Its also interesting seeing just how real things are in terms of Arslan’s part; without men and weapons, he is only a boy. In order to defeat his enemies, he’s going to have to raise an army, which I am excited to see. How many more people can Arslan get to his side, how much further will Lusitania push its conquest? I’m waning to see more of Arslan and his party acting, and now with the capital gone, it looks like that will continue. This series continued to live up to my expectations, now I’m waiting to see if it can exceed them.
Gieve kind of reminds me of Jae-ha from Akatsuki no Yona. I don’t know if you watched it, Savage, but Jae-ha plays the same kind of musical instrument, likes to mess around with girls, and is insanely powerful although he spends a large part of his life just lazing around.
What I want to know is why Gieve didn’t bother saving that woman. He definitely had enough time to catch up and save her, so why didn’t he? Maybe he decided she was doomed either way to die (be it here or later on by Lusitanian soldiers)? Or maybe he decided that she was no better than the terrible queen she served? (Although I doubt that.) Or maybe he simply reasoned that she’d slow him down?
Like you said, I definitely think Pars is getting what it deserves. The king is a tyrant and is finally reaping what he sowed. I was definitely on the slaves’ side while they revolted. That being said, the Lusitanians are kind of hypocritical as well, with their philosophy that “All men are equal, but we’re going to kill you pagan Parsians anyway.” I wonder how Arslan is going to move, whether he’s going to try defeating the Lusitanians or somehow trying to make peace with them. I also keep wondering if that slave boy is still alive and whether he’ll play a role.
I found a lot of similarities with this show and Akatsuki no Yona. Cute heroine losing their home (and possibly their family?), being accompanied by a bodyguard that uses a spear-type weapon, and having to form a group to reclaim their kingdom, while also realizing that their kingdom has probably done some wrong things? ……Pretty similar, but there’s a lot of differences too. But yeah if you’re liking this show, you should give Yona a shot…just putting that out there. #watchakatsukinoyona2015
ANYWAY. This show is definitely one of the favorites this season. Seeing Vahriz’s decapitated head on that plank broke my heart, but man have they got the brutality of war down pat. Lusitania really took a long time thinking about their plan, because it all went well. And I also am excited to see Arslan and his group in action. If I had known that I was going to enjoy this show so much, I would have taken it myself lol. But nah, you’re doing good, i have enough shows. :p
Also waiting for that slave child as well.