The second episode, however, takes an entirely different approach. It focuses more on opening up the world and letting us into some of the potential drama that will develop further in the future. So how about this third episode? Will it be action-oriented like the first one? Or will it focus more on the thrill and drama like the second one?
RELATED: Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Episode 2 Review - The Forbidden Mobile Suit
Previously on Gundam: The Witch From Mercury
As mentioned above, the second episode of Gundam: The Witch From Mercury focuses more on the drama aspect of the story. Particularly about the suspicions regarding whether or not the Aerial is actually a Gundam Mobile Suit that should’ve been destroyed and banned decades ago. As a result, both Suletta and Aerial are put under confinement.
To set the record straight, a representative from Shin Sei Development Company (a company that claimed to develop the Aerial) has to appear in front of the leaders of the Benerit Group to explain the truth about Aerial. She is a masked woman with a prosthetic hand who bears an uncanny resemblance to Suletta’s mother that we’ve seen in the Prologue episode. Anyway, after a grueling back and forth, it is decided that Suletta and Guel will have a rematch. Should Suletta lose the duel, then she will be expelled, and Aerial will be destroyed.
Guel’s Pride
Guel Jeturk is not only the top duelist in the Academy, but he is also the eldest son of Vim Jeturk, the president of Jeturk Heavy Machinery and one of the most influential members of the Benerit Group. This means Guel’s defeat is not only his personal issue, but it is also a big embarrassment to his father and their company. So there’s an incredibly high pressure for him to win this rematch.
As for Suletta, she never wanted to be involved in all of this politics between the academy and the Benerit Group. She simply wants to lead a normal and fulfilling student life just like her peers. Thankfully, her mother, who is indeed the masked woman that we’ve seen in the previous episode, has protected her from the Benerit Group’s intervention. So the only thing left for Suletta to do is simply to go and fight Guel one more time.
RELATED: Meet The Staff Behind Gundam: Witch From Mercury
Vim Jeturk gives the latest mobile suit from his company to Guel. Not only that, he also installed an autonomous A.I. to help him during his fights. Suletta is admittedly struggling to fight this new and improved Guel. However, when she finally gains the upper hand, Guel decided to ditch the A.I., and fight Suletta with his own ability.
Extended Drama, Extended Fights
We posed a question at the beginning of this review on whether episode 3 will follow the action-packed first episode, or the drama-filled second episode. Well, the answer is apparently both. Episode 3 begins with a drama, and ends with a big fight. The drama may not be as fleshed out as the one in episode 2, but it is still quite enjoyable to watch. The fight may not be as thrilling as the one in episode 1, but it is still quite exciting to watch.
Therefore, by taking the best bits from both episode 1 and 2, episode 3 showcases a healthy mixture of drama that we assumed would be the backbone of the story going forward, while still presenting engaging and exciting fighting sequences. In a way, this episode acts as the climax for the short story arcs that was introduced in episode 1, and developed in episode 2. That is the reason why this is such an entertaining episode.
A Touch of Comedy
If there’s one thing that rarely exists in a major Gundam series, it has to be comedy. From the very first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam back in the 1970s, to the latest episode of Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan, there are barely any moments that can make you chuckle. There are light-hearted stories within this franchise, such as the 1994’s Mobile Fighter G Gundam, or the 2014’s Gundam Reconguista in G. However, comedy is not something that can be found in a more serious Gundam series.
At least that is the case until the third episode of Gundam: The Witch From Mercury comes along. There have been several surprising and unconventional moments in this new series, with the biggest one being Miorine proclaiming Suletta to be her new fiancée. But the most laugh-inducing moment has to be Guel’s proposal to Suletta at the end of episode 3. That is such a random moment that comes out of nowhere. You have no choice but to chuckle when you see it.
It’s unclear whether this will be a one-off event or whether this kind of comedic moments will occur more in this series. Whatever it might be, being able to laugh in a serious Gundam series is certainly a new and refreshing experience.
More: Gundam: Every Series And Where To Watch Them
