Summary

As the Archangel sinks due to damage from the Minerva‘s Tannhauser, Murrue orders that one of the main engines be detached and detonated to make it seem as though they were destroyed. Cagalli uses the Aile Strike Rouge to recover the Freedom Gundam‘s cockpit and rescue Kira. When the Archangel‘s engine explodes, Shinn flies back to the Minerva. A squad of AWACS DINNs search the ocean for signs of the Archangel or Freedom Gundam. Shinn lands in the hangar deck and is cheered on by the engineering crew. Lunamaria congratulates him for fighting so well, but he says all the thanks belong to Rey. Shinn walks over to Athrun, saying he’s taken revenge for both of them. Athrun grabs Shinn by the collar and tells him that Kira didn’t want to kill him. He asks Shinn if he’s proud of killing Kira, and Shinn says there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the defeat of a powerful enemy. Athrun punches Shinn and says there was no need for Kira to die. Shinn asks Athrun if he should’ve been the one to be shot down instead of Kira. Athrun says that Kira and the Archangel weren’t their enemies, but Rey says that they are because the Supreme Council says so. He says that there is a problem with Shinn’s attitude, but he thinks it was wrong of Athrun to reprimand him. At the Gibraltar base, maintenance crews work on various mobile suits, including the new mass production version of the GOUF Ignited. At a ZAFT space station, Yzak yells at several officers for taking the situation with Logos lightly. Durandal holds a press conference and says he won’t do something stupid like send soldiers after the members of Logos. He says his intention is to put an end to the system of constant war created by Logos. He says that Logos can’t make profit from a peaceful world, which is why they manipulate events to make people fight. Across the world, guerillas attack mansions belonging to Logos members, including Djibril. Several Logos members call Djibril and ask him for help because they’re under attack by guerilla mobs.

Cagalli and Miriallia bring food to Kira in the infirmary. Cagalli is glad that his injuries aren’t serious, but Kira laments the loss of the Freedom Gundam. On the next bed over, Neo tells Kira it serves him right to get shot down by the Impulse Gundam. He notes that Shinn is an aggressive and dedicated pilot who is constantly improving his skills. Murrue enters the infirmary and tells Kira that although the ship was damaged, she believes it can still reach Orb. Neo asks what’s going on now that ZAFT is their enemy, and what he’s supposed to do in Orb. He then asks Murrue what Mu means to her, and she answers that he was an important comrade who’s gone now. In space, Durandal and Meer board a shuttle to fly down to Earth, despite the objections of his aides. Durandal says that no one will follow someone who leads from the rear. On the shuttle, Durandal reads a report from Willard stating that the Archangel has not been found, but the Freedom Gundam was definitely destroyed. Later, the Minerva and a fleet of Vosgulov class subs arrive at Gibraltar. Arthur says he is proud to see the fleet gathered, and Talia comments that people can’t fight unless they have a cause to fight for. Shinn wonders what their next mission will be, and Rey figures it will be related to destroying Logos. Rey asks Shinn if he doesn’t want to fight Logos, but Shinn says that he does. He believes Durandal’s plan is the only way to end the war, and to carry out that plan, he will fight any enemy, no matter who they are. Once the ship docks, Meyrin relays a message to Talia that Shinn and Athrun have been ordered report to the base’s headquarters. Shinn and Athrun go to headquarters and meet with Durandal and Meer in a hangar. Shinn eagerly shakes hands with Durandal, but Athrun hesitates at first. Durandal says he’d like to speak at length with them, but he wants them to see something first. Several spotlights activate and shine down on two mobile suits, the Destiny Gundam and Legend Gundam. Durandal explains that they are ZAFT’s newest mobile suits and are more powerful than anything made before. He says that they will probably play an important role in upcoming battles, and when Athrun asks what he means, Durandal says the two Gundams are their new units. Shinn happily looks at the Destiny Gundam, but Athrun glares at Durandal.

Commentary

As expected, Kira survived the destruction of the Freedom Gundam by shutting down the nuclear reactor at the last second. Still, it’s rather convenient that the head and a small part of the torso survive when the rest of the suit explodes. It’s also no surprise that Shinn gloats about his victory, especially to Athrun. Athrun, believing that Kira is dead, responds by punching Shinn. Although Shinn did go too far with what he said, Rey does have a point in saying that Athrun is just injecting his personal feelings into the matter. Durandal comes down to Earth to give Shinn and Athrun new Gundams, and Shinn is star struck by Durandal and the Destiny Gundam. At this point, it looks like he’ll blindly follow the path that Athrun is questioning.

Overall Rating
3.5/5
Gundam SEED DESTINY Info


Director:
Mitsuo Fukuda

Writer(s):
Chiaki Morosawa
Hiroyuki Yoshino
Hiroshi Ohnogi
Kazuho Hyodo
Shigeru Morita
Natsuko Takahashi
Yuuichi Nomura

Mechanical Designer(s):
Kunio Okawara
Kimitoshi Yamane

Character Designer:
Hisashi Hirai

Musical Composer:
Toshihiko Sahashi

Format:
50 episodes; 1 TV special; 4 compilation movies

Airdates (Original):
Japan 10.09.2004 – 12.25.2005

Airdates (HD Remaster):
Japan 04.xx.2013 – 03.xx.2014

Video Release (SE):
Japan 05.26.2006 – 02.23.2007
U.S. 06.17.2008 – 01.13.2009

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