Aldnoah.Zero

Episode 18

For most of its run episode 18 seems like just an ordinary episode, one where gimmicky, Aldnoah-powered Kataprakts are taken down with clever tactics and the plot advances a bit. Its last pre-closer scene, however, shakes everything up. We have wondered for several episodes now where, exactly, Slaine's ambitions would lead, and now we know what his ultimate scheme is – and my, it's not only quite the doozy but also partly goes in a direction that I doubt anyone anticipated. And then there's the post-credits epilogue on top of that.

A few significant events go on before that, though. A selectively-edited Next Episode preview had put out the suggestion that Yuki might get offed in this episode, but though she is put in harm's way and does come out with a badly-damaged 'mech, the Earth-based battle scenario against the newest Vers Kataphrakt ends up just being another day at the office for Inaho and crew. This time Inaho is merely the spotter rather than the gunner, but that doesn't change the fact that his tactical guidance and Magic Eye (which it will hereafter be called!) is once again the key to victory, and once again a throwaway Vers Knight is taken down. Although the tactics seem sound and are a little interesting, the opponent-of-the-week format is wearing very thin. The writers seem to recognize that and are now making such scenes only small parts of the episodes rather than the features (as they more commonly were in the first season), though. That leaves more room for the space duel that Slaine has with Count Marylcian (which Inaho can, of course, watch from Earth with his Magic Eye), which naturally results in Slaine pulling a clever reversal, defeating Marylcian, and thus securing his assets. All nice and predictable, and with small bits of characterization thrown in, too, such as Lemrina making it clearer that she personally sympathizes with Slaine's goals, Yuki and Inaho actually having a bit of a dialogue, and Inaho and Inko also talking briefly, with the suggestion that Inaho is aware that Inko knows about what he did with Mazuurek. In other words, not much characterization for Inaho, but at least it's something.

Then the climactic scene happens, where Lemrina, posing as Asseylum, makes a pair of startling declarations to the Vers people. That she and Slaine would pass off Asseylum as taking Slaine as her consort is not too surprising, as it is the most logical path for Slaine to take to make an ultimate power grab. The second part of her declaration, though, is the unexpected twist: instead of trying to take over the Vers Empire proper and reform it from the top down, they are just going to chuck the whole corrupt, unbalanced system and make a new nation consisting of territories claimed on Earth and in its vicinity. As a path of least resistance this makes a certain amount of sense, as it does accomplish the dual purpose of providing a means to empower plebeian ranks and cut off the kind of classism and political infighting that Marylcian embodied. That should garner plenty of rank-and-file support. However, it also seems like a move all but certain to stir up a veritable civil war within the Vers Empire, and with the Earth forces proving recalcitrant and most of their pressure sure to fall on the new nation that Slaine and Lemrina are cooking up, that does not seem like a wise move. Or is that what Slaine is really after: forcing the Vers Empire to destroy itself with internecine fighting? While that seems out of line for someone so devoted to Asseylum, the possibility cannot be discounted anymore. It will also be interesting to see how the Earth forces react.

The epilogue cannot be ignored, either, so make doubly-sure you do not miss it. Will Lemrina take her opportunity to actually off Asseylum, or will blood prove thicker than water? Is that Asseylum finally waking up, and what wrench will that throw into the works? Strong technical merits throughout assure that all of the action and deliberations go off without a hitch.

So yeah, for all that this episode looked like was going to be ordinary, it ends by providing a heaping dish of food for thought and plenty anticipation for the next episode.

Rating: B

Aldnoah.Zero is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.