Review by Chris

December 1, 2000

At the newly captured Luxembourg base, Zechs tells Noin that OZ should be given respect for liberating countries from the Alliance. He is informed that a plane from the Lake Victoria base will be landing shortly. He goes out to greet an injured Otto, who informs him that the Tallgeese is ready for combat. The Tallgeese's verniers allow it to be three times faster than an Aries, but it's maximum speed is unknown. Zechs thanks Otto for what he's done and sends him away for medical attention. He tells Noin that he's going to use the Tallgeese immediately when they attack the Alliance base in the Sanc Kingdom. Elsewhere, Heero and Duo play basketball at school. Nearby is an Alliance base. Duo makes a bet with Heero about who can destroy it first. Relena arrives, but Heero ignores her. Zechs' forces arrive at the Sanc Kingdom and begin attacking. Noin tells Zechs to be careful before departing on her Aries. Zechs launches in the Tallgeese and immediately is overtaken by the rough handling of it. As the battle ensues, he finds himself hesitating, even though he knows he could destroy the base. The base begins firing heavy duty laser cannons, and Zechs orders Noin and all the other soldiers to retreat. He flies towards the base and maximum speed. Suddenly he realizes he will die if he continues and breaks off.

On a plane, Treize and Lady Une discuss their next plans. In the desert, Quatre promises Rashid and the rest of the Maganac Corps that he won't leave them behind again. He is glad that he got to meet the Gundam pilots, though. At the circus, Trowa and Wufei brood over the fire while Catherine brings them food. Wufei doesn't believe that he can pilot the 'Nataku' any longer. In the Sanc Kingdom, Zechs recovers from the heart attack he had on the Tallgeese. He tells Noin that he believes the Gundams and Tallgeese were designed for the same people because they are meant for suicide missions. Otto overhears and believes he understands the Gundam pilots now. He steals the Tallgeese and tells Zechs that he's willing to lay down his life for Zechs. Relena thinks about how she wants to be near Heero. Nearby, the Alliance base is attacked by Duo. He believes that he's won the bet until Heero shows up and blasts a building that sets off a chain reaction. In the Sanc Kingdom, Otto slams the Tallgeese into the Alliance base and completely destroys it. Though he is dead, the Tallgeese is completely intact. Zechs enters the royal castle and confronts a portrait of his father. He removes his mask and says he is unfit to lead the Sanc Kingdom because of all the blood on his hands. However, he believes that Relena could lead the pacifist nation.

Another good episode, particularly with the Zechs storyline. Much like Char Aznable, Zechs' father was killed because of politics as well. The Tallgeese is certainly one fierce mobile suit if it can withstand a direct impact on the ground at such high speed. Otto says 'long live King Zechs' right before dying, which implies that he knows that Zechs is really Milliardo Peacecraft also. Zech's storyline is what holds the episode together, because the actions of the Gundam pilots really aren't that interesting this time around.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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