GSD 27 front pic. No scarring. I found it really hilarous but then I also have an over-active imagination, egged on by that Fate/Stay Night doujin when Sakura wants to play dress-up on Shirouko. As for Athrun’s other suitors, I think Kira will easily own them with Strike Freedom. LOL.

I never really thought about it until you said it Zyl, but Cagalli’s character sure has been put on the backburner huh? I can understand she has only been in real leadership for under two years but one would think someone like Shinn wouldn’t affect her opinions on stately matters much. I also would have thought considering her “manly” personality that she wouldn’t have let the other politicans boss her around. Maybe during the time of peace, it took the edge off of Cagalli? Sad that only once another war has started and hit home for her that her old personality has finally come back (and so late in the game too). Only another 2-3 days until we’ll get to see how Cagalli has matured… hehe. *here’s hoping for something good*

Did that front picture for GSD 27 scar you that much to imagine Cagalli and Athrun’s wedding like THAT? How about Athrun’s other suitors? No Lunamaria coming down in her Red Zaku or Impulse to stop the wedding? Or Meer in that god-awful pink Zaku? LOL

Cagalli. It will good to see her get her mojo back after being hapless for almost the whole of GSD so far. Hated the way her character has been mauled. Hope she’ll knock some sense into Shinn! Afterall her decision to agree to Orb joining the EA treaty was also influenced by her encounter with Shinn’s “eyes of hatred”.

Had this really weird image of Cagalli wearing her military uniform for her wedding and making Athrun dress up all bridally. Then Kira swoops in on the wedding with Strike Wedding to snatch the “bride”. >_

On your 2nd part, interestingly enough, we’ll probably get to see how it plays out with ORB next episode (40). Unfortunately in real life I doubt any country has gundam-like mechs to defend itself, divided army or not. Considering how fast each battle is… my guess the “old order” (aka Jona’s group) will get thoroughly trashed while Cagalli’s group will use the battle to install her back in (of course protecting ORB as much as humanly possible). Also guessing whatever is left of Jona’s group will easily crumble once Cagalli’s back in charge (with a backbone to boot!).

About military obedience, there are practical problems when soldiers disobey (leaving aside the issue of illegal orders). Firstly, disobedience during actual hostilities leads to chaos, confusion and increased likelihood of yourself and your comrades getting killed. Disobedience actually needs a lot of planning, sounding out likely supporters among senior officers and commanders of fighting troops, getting fencesitters and opponents not to interfere.

Secondly, soldiers disobeying the orders of the proper authority (i.e. politicians like Jona Roma Saylan) need a source of political legitimacy. In Orb’s case, someone like Cagalli. Without that, supporters and fencesitters quickly lose their nerve and the old order can rally its supporters and reassert itself but now with an openly divided armed forces, leaving the situation for the country worse than before.