GundamReviews

∀ Gundam Ep. 17: Dust Blow at the State’s Founding

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Summary

Keith leads a convoy of trucks through terrible thunder storms. His Moonrace passengers are frightened and think that lightning is some secret Militia weapon. Elsewhere, Dianna plays chess with Michael, and Guin constantly interferes with her moves. Lily mentions the Turn A being used to transport Moonrace technicians and asks Guin why it’s doing that if it’s his suit. Guin explains that it was his suit only when he commanded the Militia. However, he wants to find another mountain with hidden mobile suits to build up another force. Michael laughs at that, and Guin says he’s not just living off of his family name. Lily tells Guin she has a letter from Dianna, but she plays with him and refuses to hand it over. The letter is an invitation to a ceremony for the declaration of a Moonrace nation in the Sunbelt zone. At the Sunbelt zone, the Soleil and Almaiya are hit by torrential rain and high winds. Bruno and Jacop use their Gozzo suits to build a stage, but the wind knocks them around and blows the stage apart. Nearby, Teteth watches them with binoculars. The Dianna Counter soldiers freak out, and Kihel explains that the storm is natural and not a Militia weapon. A tornado approaches, and she explains to Harry and the others that it passes in a few minutes. Kihel leaves the bridge and tells Harry she wants to explain to everyone that the storms aren’t magic or weapons. Elsewhere, Gavane and his men Aims and John explore the area and see the Turn A being used as a bridge over a river. Keith explains that they are pioneers, and John says they are all Moonrace. Gavane decides to let them go if Loran can beat his custom Borjarnon. Loran reluctantly agrees, and they both get in their suits. Bruno and Jacop complain about how Dianna Counter treats them like idiots now that Corin is gone. They then hear loud noises and go and watch the fight.

As Gavane and Loran fight, Loran notices that the Turn A’s power levels are low. During the commotion, Bruno and Jacop steal a meat truck. Loran tries to chase them, but Gavane holds them back. Loran explains that the truck is important, and John says they can use Keith and the others as hostages. Lily drives up and asks Gavane if his men are abusing civilians. She calls him childish and says he is wasting time she could be spending with Guin. Loran chases the truck, but Bruno and Jacop drive into the forest and lose him. When they are a safe distance, they are shocked to discover spare mobile suit parts in the meat boxes. Teteth shows up with a bag of food and gives it to them. As they eat, she asks them to assassinate Dianna for her. She says if they do she can be an honored citizen and they could live peacefully on Earth. Influenced by her charms, they agree. As Guin and Dianna drive to the ceremony, he says he wants to talk to Harry and Miran to reopen negotiations, but Dianna says he should speak to Dianna directly. Guin tells her she has changed and seems more powerful now. As Bruno and Jacop carry Teteth with their Gozzos, Loran spots them and begins chasing them. They drop of Teteth and continue towards the Soleil. Kihel prepares for the ceremony and sees Jacop’s Gozzo and the Turn A approaching. Harry tells her to go back to the ship while he protects her. Jacop aims his railgun at Kihel’s shuttle, and Harry blasts him and blows up the railgun. Loran attacks a Sumo and twists its arm around to make it shoot at Bruno and blow up his railgun, forcing him and Jacop to retreat. Dianna tells Loran he should stop the battle, and he agrees. Teteth sees she will have to do the job herself. Guin asks Harry to let him meet with Dianna, but Harry says no. A storm begins, and Loran asks Teteth to come with him. When Guin speaks to him for a moment, Teteth vanishes.

Commentary

After the creepy death of Will Game, the thread about the Moonrace nation is picked up here with Kihel’s announcement. I wonder what Dianna would have done if she were back in her position as queen instead of Kihel. Gavane acts strangely in this episode, and I’m surprised he thought his Borjarnon could be a match for the Turn A. Had the Turn A been at full power and the match continued, Loran surely would have won. Bruno and Jacop return after a long absence, but they don’t seem to be doing so well. Also, like Will Game, they fall for well-endowed Teteth and her charms. Jacop comes surprisingly close to killing Kihel, if not for Harry’s quick action. I have to wonder about Guin though. What’s the point of negotiating with the Moonrace if they are declaring a nation away from Inglessa?

Overall Rating
4/5
∀ Gundam Info


Director:
Yoshiyuki Tomino

Writer(s):
Ichiro Okouchi
Ai Ota
Miya Asakawa
Katsuhiko Chiba
Tetsuko Takahashi
Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Jiro Takayama
Minoru Onoya

Mechanical Designer(s):
Syd Mead
Mahiro Maeda
Kunio Okawara
Takumi Sakura
Atsushi Shigeta

Character Designer:
Akira Yasuda

Musical Composer:
Yoko Kanno

Format:
50 episodes; 2 compilation movies

Airdates:
Japan 04.02.1999 – 04.14.2000

Theatrical Release:
Japan 02.09.2002 – 02.10.2002

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