Fate/Zero – 06 Review

Episode 6 – Night of Schemes

Good Morning Everyone! (or afternoon or night) =P

This episode essentially focuses on the exploration of Kirei’s character and gives us some direction as to how the battles might be spit up in this series.

In contrast to last episode’s high action and adrenaline pumping atmosphere, this episode takes the dialogue heavy approach and focuses on character and plot development.

Review

Ever since the start of the series, it was never made clear how the battles might have played out and who would end up fighting against whom. However, this episode has made it quite clear as to how things will most likely work for now.

• Kiritsugu –> Archibald
• Caster –> Saber
• Tokiomi & Kirei –> Caster
• Rider (?)
• Mato (?)

After the situation in this episode, we could assume that Archibald is dead and take him out of the equation, but I doubt he is really gone.

Who needs Magic?

This statement by Kiritsugu summed up the way of things in this episode:

“A free-fall from 150 meters… No magical barrier could have saved him from that”

I am no longer sure if this series is meant to be about the Mages or about technology. =P This episode was essentially a battle amongst humans with even Kerei participating in this theme. Guns, Bombs, Cars, Knives, we have everything, but where’s the magic that is meant to take place?

It is just a code not a rule of the war right?

The start of the episode had showed us Irisveil’s maniacal driving skills and I was so certain that magic is not the scariest thing in this series, technology is. If she had crashed the car both of them would probably be dead and that would be the end of the whole battle (unless Saber can fly). On a different note regarding Saber, was I the only one who was a tad annoyed by her sense of honor when she had stated her name so casually in the battle? I know it is only fair to state your name when your opponent has done the same thing, but since names hold a significant importance in this series, isn’t it a tad naive to be doing so since this is a war after all? Oh well, I guess this incident does portray her “pure” character trait.

Then we have the situation with Archibald. Because of the amount of time spent on introducing a new character as well as the relationship between them, I am pretty sure that Archibald and Lancer are still alive and kicking since we have not seen any proof to tell us otherwise. Although, I am glad for them to be alive, I would much rather have some plot progression with at least one of the characters dying off as I am getting tired of this immortality style of battle. Every time we think someone is dead, they come back alive and we realize that it was all a scheme (that would justify the epiosde title). That would be acceptable if the show were to span over 2 seasons, but this is not the case for this series and we are halfway through the season with little progression on that front. (Seems, like the series has a second season that will be out in April 2012)  Another thing with the scene with Archibald was that it had essentially eluded to the fact that outside forces and partners might be the key to gaining the upper hand in this Holy Grail War. (Then again, Kiritsugu could just nuke the whole place and win)

The worse thing about the bombing fiasco is the fact that bombs were actually used. What is wrong with Kiritsugu? It is starting to look more like a normal war instead of a mage war and I feel a tad cheated by this fact. I am not sure who I hate more, Kiritusgu’s constant distance from the actual battle or Achibald’s cowardice.

The Psychos

Damn, I really loved that Caster had kicked started off the episode. This is definitely the season for psychotic characters since they definitely know how to entertain and they have a way of making the scenes feel highly refreshing to watch. =D

Although the scene between Caster and Saber was short lived, I am glad that Caster is finally getting some prominence in this series. I am sure we would be seeing more of him soon since he has finally decided to take action and Kirei and Tokiomi would also be going after this pair of psychos.

I did wonder about one thing during the scene about Jean – how much of what Caster was saying as insanity and how much of it was the truth? Does Saber really look like this Jean person of whom he speaks of, or is it all Caster’s twisted mind at work? It would be fun to see them explore that fact a bit more.

Stirring Things Up

Before I get to talking about Archer’s meddling, Archer seriously needs to consider keeping his hair styled 24/7. He looked oddly normal and boring with his hair down and his attitude does not shine through as much without all the pompous accessories that he usually dons.

Now back to the meddling.

Did you guys find this part to be quite suggestive in a sexual manner? I thought that the framing was a bit odd especially when you couple it with the dialogue for that scene.

Archer has finally stirred things up between Kirei and Tokiomi and this might be the start of a huge fall out. Kirei’s objectives in this series has always been a mystery and now we know that he genuinely hasn’t a clue as to why he is even part of the war. Perhaps with Kirei finally finding the motivation to obtain what he wants, he would no longer act as a puppet controlled by Tokiomi and might do things his own way.

The fact that Kirei is obsessed with Kiritsugu was also reiterated in that scene through the way Kirei had singled Kiritsugu out whilst thinking about everyone’s motive.

Where’s my Rider?

Although this episode wasn’t terrible, it was definitely missing the Rider/Waver comedy.

This episode just proved to me that without Rider in the picture, things can get a tad flat and boring to watch. Hopefully Rider will be back together with Berserker in the next episode.

Episode Rating: 7/10

Overall, things are finally shaping up in this episode, and perhaps from here on out the episodes would start to place a bigger focus on the battles between the servants. I can’t wait to see more interaction between the servants.

-ra

P.S: What was with Tokiomi’s Archibald’s obsession with Lancer’s mole? He kept staring at it during that scene in the hotel. Was he upset that Lancer’s playboy tendencies suggests that Lancer might have a soft heart and thus would be unable to follow through with his actions of killing Saber?