Gundam SEED Destiny 19
Okay, trying out a new standard format on how I’ll blog series. I’ll have three screencaps from the episode plus a short blur of whatever I felt about the episode being blogged. All the screencaps and more thorough review will be found if the extended entry link is clicked. This way, you won’t have to load 92384 pictures on the front page plus not have to scroll down through crap you don’t want to read 
I’m of differencing opinions on Gundam SEED Destiny 19. At times it was pretty good while at other times it was a total let down. With an apparent change in animation style, GSD 19 has the crew of Minerva finally getting some shore leave while running into some new and old companions as the war between EA and ZAFT continues.
Once again, I think I’ll be following my new outline for GSD and break down the important parts into sections.
BOING~!
Mia/Meer Campbell re-makes her appearance proving that if you have a killer body, decent voice, and can impersonate someone more famous one can pretty much get away with anything! The continual butching of “Shizukana Yoru ni” and horrific stage props (PINK ZAKU!?) has me constantly banging my head against the table at how Meer can ruin Lacus’ career. It’s pitiful no one really notices just how different Meer is from Lacus, all just thinking “Lacus’” change is for the better. Argh. If you think about it, Meer is doing a horrible job impersonating Lacus Clyne on-and-off stage. The image change is one example, while her er… total gun-ho-ness towards Athrun is another. Lacus is pretty refined and well-mattered which Meer doesn’t even bother to try to do; I mean as soon as she knew Athrun was around, she ran to him like a love-sick schoolgirl! I just keep shaking my head at how easily people can get fooled in the Gundam SEED universe. I’ll admit as viewers, we know more about certain things than the characters themselves but still…
Cunning Leader or Collector of all things Beautiful?
Gilbert Durandal, the man should be feared and respected at the same time. I have to hand it to him on how he can play so many people perfectly without breaking a sweat. We know he’s banging Taria Gladis already, but seems like like the Chairman has a “special” relationship with Rey too. The fact the animation made Rey look a lot girlish than normal made Rey’s love(?) for Chairman all the more apparent, especially when he goes into a flying hug to the Chairman. If that isn’t enough, one can’t forget the scene where Durandal easily charms Lunamaria and Shinn (WTF, he *blushed*!?) like it was the most normal thing to do. Then also add in the fact the Chairman has TM Revolution’s character also under his command… damn, Durandal has one heck of a potential harem going for him!
Seriously though, the Chairman is one cunning man. Towards the end of the episode where he ask Athrun if he knows the whereabouts of the Archangel and Lacus Clyne, it was just SCREAMING Durandal had other motives than the ones he told Athurn. I’m actually surprised Athrun didn’t pick up on this as he seems to be one of the more level-headed characters in GSD. Then again, Athrun can be a little off as he almost kept giving away that Meer wasn’t Lacus; 3/4 of his lines were basically “ah.. er… yea…” or “M.. Mee.. Meer…?” Ever the tactful one right Athrun?
Lego… er.. Logos, they’re not just building toys anymore!
Durandal’s reveal of another group behind the scenes was somewhat shocking. It was already hinted in previous episodes (right before the colony crash), but nice to have a name to them other than “Evil Shadow Guys.” Seems like just as SEARRS from Mai-HiME has been around since the beginning of time, so has Logos as they’re the ones constantly working behind the scenes to insure there will be wars and profit to be made. Now that we have our main badguys, should be easy right? Just band together and destory them! …right.
BTW, that makes.. how many different “groups” now? ZAFT, ORB, EA, Blue Cosmos, Zala Faction, Clyne Faction(?), Logos, and the Archangel (I guess 3-ship alliance?). Personally, I’m just waiting for the Athrun Zal Fan Faction to start. Their sole mission will be to ensure Athrun Zala belongs only to them and not girls like Cagalli
Sister Cat Fighting (aka Hawk sisters rock!)
Loved the short scene of Meirin and Lunamaria “fighting” for Athrun’s attention. Meirin “accidentally” falling and being saved by Athrun was classic, and her fake yell was just terrific. Also loved how easily jealous Lunamaria visually became during her sister’s flirting attempt, and later on when Meer comes to take Athrun. The best, however, has to be Athrun himself for not really noticing all three girls coming after him! I’m not saying he’s totally clueless, as he has already hinted he knows about Lunamaria’s crush on him and it’s pretty obvious about Meer but he doesn’t do much to stop them at all. I’m curious to see how Athrun will handle all three (well, four since he really only loves Cagalli as of current) women a-la harem-genre style. Should be for a fun ride if nothing else!
Snap! We get screentime too!
Miriallia Haww does her two minute cameo, unfortunately speaking no lines yet! I think she would know that Meer is not Lacus as Miriallia had this “wth are they doing” kind of look while photographing Meer’s concert. If nothing else, I’m pretty positive she has met Lacus once or twice in the first season and could tell the difference between the two… heck, ANYONE given five minutes to meet either Meer or Lacus should be able to tell the difference! Beside Miriallia’s short cameo, the three gundam pilots for Phantom Pain do their little scout mission while discussing their future. Loved how they simply put it as, “To kill or be killed” as their only way of life. I’m guessing much like the three pilots of gundams for the EA from the previous season, they were born only to fight. Kind of sad really, since one has to love Stella for her… naive and love of the sea?
Mixed feelings for this episode has left me somewhat “er” for Gundam SEED Destiny right now. I was hoping for more plot movement and seeing more of the original crew in the next episode but looks like it’ll be devoted to Shinn and how he coped with his sister’s death. Not really looking forward to the episode 
. but then the 2nd half was quite good and gives us an idea on why the wars still continue.was seriously shocked by that. so now we have a mysterious organization in the works as well.
).
Comment by Rahzel
March 1, 2005 @ 4:25 am
Actually I just have a request. I was wondering if you would be willing possibly to make screencaps of Rey for me from this episode. Especially from the scene with him and Gil. If not…it’s totally cool. Thanks for your time.