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Episode
11: La Vie en Rose
Review by Chris June 27, 2000 As the colonies continue their course for the Moon, Cima's ships rendezvous with Delaz's. At Jaburo, a group of generals and politicians decide what to do about the Delaz fleet. They're not very concerned about a colony drop on the Moon. They believe they can destroy the Delaz fleet with the remaining forces from Konpeitoh and then slingshot the colonies around the Earth to avoid impact. In space, Gato joins the Axis Advance Fleet and meets with Hasler. The Axis Fleet has remained neutral, and the Federation Forces haven't attacked them. Hasler says he wishes he could help, and he gives Gato something to help him: a massive mobile armor named Neue Ziel. Gato looks at the Neue Ziel and comments that it's as if the spirit of Zeon had taken form. Elsewhere, the Albion docks with Anaheim's supply ship La Vie en Rose. Surprisingly, they find the ship under the command of a devious Federation Forces officer named Nakahha Nakato. Nakato tells them that General Kowen's orders have been rebuked, and the Albion will no longer pursue the Delaz fleet, nor will they be allowed to take the GP03. Nakato allows Synapse, Nina, and Kou to board La Vie en Rose to take a look at the GP03. On the ship, they are introduced to the designer of GP03, Lucette Audevie. Lucette would like Kou to pilot the GP03, but Nakato says he can't because the Gundam Development Project is temporarily suspended. Later, Nina sits alone in the cafeteria and is joined by Lucette. Lucette asks to borrow Kou, and Nina refuses. Elsewhere, Federation Forces ships suddenly come under attack from Gato's Neue Ziel. Kou takes a shower and receives a visit from Lucette. She shows him the specs of the GP03, which has two parts: a mobile suit, called Stamen, and a mobile armor weapons platform, called Orchis. Kou is now convinced and decides he will take the GP03. As Lucette leaves Kou's quarters, Nina walks by and Lucette tells her that Kou will pilot the GP03. Elsewhere, Cima contacts O'Sullivan and tells him to send energy to the colony mirrors if he wants to save the Moon. With the energy from Anaheim, the colony's thrusters then activate and change course for Earth. The Moon target was a feint to get the Federation ships to waste their fuel. Soon after the colony changes course, the Federation Forces ships begin to run out of fuel. Kou and Lucette sneak into the mobile suit factory and prepare to steal the GP03 when Nakato and his men show up. Nakato orders Kou and Lucette to surrender, and Lucette moves the platform they are on towards the Stamen. As Kou tries to float towards the cockpit, Nakato shoots at him, and Lucette jumps in front and takes the bullet. Nakato says Kou will be executed for theft and murdering a civilian, and he attempts to shoot Kou. Synapse, Paserov, Bate, Monsha and Adel show up with guns and stop Nakato and his men. Lucette talks to Nina as she dies and says she understands why Nina didn't want to use the GP03. After the One Year War, Nina and Gato were lovers, and she can't bear to see Kou and Gato fight. Lucette asks Nina to take care of the GP03 and dies from her wounds. The Albion then leaves La Vie en Rose with the stolen GP03. On the battlefield, Gato destroys the remaining Federation Forces ship and picks up a new enemy: Kou in the massive GP03 Orchis mobile armor. This episode is just packed with conspiracy (probably due to the fact that it's written by Ryosuke Takahashi). First, we have the mysterious group in Jaburo who seems to care only about their own political power. A colony drop on the Moon doesn't even bother them at all. Perhaps the Zeon are right about the Federation being cruel. There's also the devious Nakato, and from the way he acts, I'd wager he works for the conspiracy. The revelation about Nina and Gato being lovers is one big surprise. So now there's a love triangle of sorts between her, Kou and Gato. That's a very cliché idea, and they'd have to handle it very carefully if they want to pull it off the right way. We'll have to see what they do as the series concludes. Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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