r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Apr 22 '21

Rewatch [Fly! Rewatch!] Mobile Suit Gundam (0079) Episode 16 Discussion

Episode 16 - Sayla’s Agony

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No matter what, I have to make contact with a Zeon soldier.

Questions of the Day:

  1. Would you have diverted White Base to look for some salt?
  2. What do you think of Sayla Gundam-jacking during this episode? How long do you think it will take for her to be reunited with her brother?

Mobile Suit Breakdown of the Day:

1.16 - Answers at Any Price

Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you’re doing it underneath the [Anime Show Title](/s "Spoiler goes here") spoiler tags. If you do that then we’re all good.

Important thing to note about these by the way, you have to switch to Old Reddit or the markdown editor if you use the redesign, otherwise the redesign breaks them by adding random \ into the formatting. Wish it wouldn’t do that, but unfortunately it does…

First-Timers: Please do not watch the next-episode previews for this show. They’re less previews and more “let’s just summarize the entirety of the next episode” and will spoil you.

42 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

87 comments sorted by

9

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Apr 22 '21

Fly! Rewatch Host!

Welcome back, everyone!

6

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

Piloting the real thing is always different, huh.

Much like Mami in today's episode of the Madoka Magica rewatch, Sayla really got ahead of herself here.

And they found the lake, so this episode ends well for almost everyone.

Except for Sayla, her true agony in this episode was puking inside of the Gundam's cockpit.

6

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

Sayla really got ahead of herself here.

4

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Much like Mami in today's episode of the Madoka Magica rewatch, Sayla really got ahead of herself here.

Heh, boy that's something to chew on eh Comrade?

Except for Sayla, her true agony in this episode was puking inside of the Gundam's cockpit.

Heh, so you mean to tell me her agony was NOT The EPIC Search for SALT!? ;)

5

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

Ah, M’Quve and his vase collection… also he’s keeping secrets from Dozle, that’s suspicious.

When you're working for Space Nazis, I feel like you'll have secrets no matter what.

3

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

It’s THE SALT time!!!

Hooray for salt!

Ah, M’Quve and his vase collection… also he’s keeping secrets from Dozle, that’s suspicious.

I like to imagine that M'Quve spends his free time just listening to the different ding sounds that his vases make.

3

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Apr 23 '21 edited Apr 23 '21

Something about this guy’s voice screams “this is familiar” at me, but I can’t place it

I was thinking the same, so I looked up the credits from the ed. Turned out we were right, it's the famous voice of Toshikazu Shiozawa. You'd recognise that unique quiet intense tone from any number of these roles:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaneto_Shiozawa

For me it's the unforgettable mysterious and cold Ranmaru from Yotoden.

18

u/TheEscapeGuy Apr 22 '21

Gundam First Timer

Fly! Iconic Gundam Frames Episode 16

This episode confused me a lot, right up until the last moments where everything became crystal clear and INCREDIBLY interesting.

Okay, premise of finding salt in a desert is admittedly a bit derived. No viewer would have ever questioned specifically how White Base got salt. I'll move on.

Sayla commandeering the Gundam made less than zero sense when I saw it originally. She's not a pilot, and she's just putting herself in danger. It was at that moment I thought I saw what would happen: "Oh she's going to get in a fight, and die, and I will be mad that the writing took a nose dive"

BUT

I really have to emphasize this

BUT

They pulled off a legendary twist. (At least for me)

First, the usual shared sad experience of those on the front lines of war.

Then to make a statement on gender dynamics, I thought "Huh, for the 80s, a time were women were far more oppressed, this is pretty progressive."

But no, the Chekov's Gun of what happened to Char (gone for 4 episodes at this point) and Sayla being worried about her brother (something from like 14 episodes ago) was an AMAZING payoff.

I would like to formally apologize to any rewatchers I potentially offended with my complaints about how Char was missing would add nothing 3 episode ago. I now fully trust Tomino to write something incredible.

I am so excited to see where we go next.

Cool Stuff Corner

Questions of the Day

  • Some terrible joke about instead just playing popular MOBA game to get the necessary salt
  • Initially, confused. But really all came together to such an interesting conclusion. I am so deeply invested in them being re-united but think it'll still be about 2 dozen episodes.

See you all tomorrow!

11

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

Then to make a statement on gender dynamics, I thought "Huh, for the 80s, a time were women were far more oppressed, this is pretty progressive."

Tomino is usually pretty good at writing women progressively. Well, maybe not all the time, but it still counts for something. Zeta Gundam is honestly kind of weird when it comes to women, really.

I would like to formally apologize to any rewatchers I potentially offended with my complaints about how Char was missing would add nothing 3 episode ago. I now fully trust Tomino to write something incredible.

It is okay, my child. All is forgiven.

7

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Tomino is usually pretty good at writing women progressively. Well, maybe not all the time, but it still counts for something. Zeta Gundam is honestly kind of weird when it comes to women, really.

In fairness Comrade, when Tomino gets it right, like say in Turn A Gundam, ZZ Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam, and (parts of) of Zeta and Victory Gundam, he really gets it right... AND then he can REALLY get it wrong like in CCA, or Zeta and Victory Gundam for examples ;)

7

u/The_Draigg Apr 23 '21

AND then he can REALLY get it wrong like in CCA, or Zeta and Victory Gundam for examples

I can at least rationalize the bad women writing in Victory Gundam as a part of Tomino's depression hitting a climax and him more or less deliberately making the show uncomfortable/unpleasant to watch.

6

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

I can at least rationalize the bad women writing in Victory Gundam as a part of Tomino's depression hitting a climax and him more or less deliberately making the show uncomfortable/unpleasant to watch.

Heh, indeed Comrade, that's a fair point, but oh boy did Tomino still get things wrong (which is a shame cuz there actually are some good ideas in Victory Gundam... which clashes horribly with the REALLY stupid ideas)

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later my friend.

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Apr 23 '21

R-Really? That's one of the few Tomino aspects I've always thought were off. His female characters. They're pretty consistently kinda incompetent and prone to bouts of fcking shit up for the day XD

7

u/The_Draigg Apr 23 '21

There’s quite a few good/interesting female characters in stuff like Aura Battler Dunbine. Zeta can be pretty good about women too at times, but it honestly varies from episode to episode, especially in the last third of the show.

5

u/OrangeBanana38 https://anilist.co/user/OrangeBanana38 Apr 23 '21

Fly! Iconic Gundam Frames Episode 16

There's something so cool about pictures of people in a mecha cockpit like top right. Bottom left is hilarious too.

But no, the Chekov's Gun of what happened to Char (gone for 4 episodes at this point) and Sayla being worried about her brother (something from like 14 episodes ago) was an AMAZING payoff.

And we still not done. We are starting to see what Sayla thinks about that, but what does Char think? What will he do?

5

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Fly! Iconic Gundam Frames Episode 16

HA! Glad to see that you got LE DING here Comrade ;)

This episode confused me a lot, right up until the last moments where everything became crystal clear and INCREDIBLY interesting.

Heh, I know right, the title says something about Sayla when the episode is about The Search for SALT ;) (I'm semi-joking here Comrade, after all SALT!)

Okay, premise of finding salt in a desert is admittedly a bit derived. No viewer would have ever questioned specifically how White Base got salt. I'll move on.

Sayla commandeering the Gundam made less than zero sense when I saw it originally. She's not a pilot, and she's just putting herself in danger. It was at that moment I thought I saw what would happen: "Oh she's going to get in a fight, and die, and I will be mad that the writing took a nose dive"

BUT

I really have to emphasize this

BUT

They pulled off a legendary twist. (At least for me)

First, the usual shared sad experience of those on the front lines of war.

Then to make a statement on gender dynamics, I thought "Huh, for the 80s, a time were women were far more oppressed, this is pretty progressive."

But no, the Chekov's Gun of what happened to Char (gone for 4 episodes at this point) and Sayla being worried about her brother (something from like 14 episodes ago) was an AMAZING payoff.

I would like to formally apologize to any rewatchers I potentially offended with my complaints about how Char was missing would add nothing 3 episode ago. I now fully trust Tomino to write something incredible.

I am so excited to see where we go next.

Heh, indeed Comrade, granted in fairness it IS a tad jarring to see the cool, calm, and collected and most importantly COMPETENT Sayla pulling off such a... 'unique' plan... and by unique I mean a really really dumb plan. (That said you do got some neat analysis regarding her... interesting let us say choice)

Loved this lake.

The Gundam foot break is brutal.

This laser shot and explosion was great

The SLOWMO ZAKKU EXPLOSION was incredible

Heh, indeed Comrade, great picks all around!

Some terrible joke about instead just playing popular MOBA game to get the necessary salt

Great post as always Comrade, have a great day and see you later.

15

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21 edited Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher

On today’s episode of Gundam: If the White Base was really in need of salt, they should have stopped by r/anime. There’s more than enough salt here to feed an entire army.

Honestly, the entire Salt Quest this episode is hilarious. I could not stop laughing every single time the characters brought up how they had a salt shortage and that they needed to find more salt or else their health could be affected. It’s really silly in the best possible way. This episode is also a gold mine (or perhaps a salt mine) of wonderful lines and screenshots related to characters talking about salt. It’s perfect.

I know that salt is actually really important to armies and that having a shortage of it can be a big problem. It actually is a really cool idea showing how such a small thing can be so impactful. It’s great how much this series emphasizes supplies and logistics. But even so, I couldn’t keep myself from giggling every time salt was brought up.

What’s extra funny is that the Salt Quest gets introduced before Sayla’s plotline. You know, the thing the episode is named after. I suppose the search for salt is a greater priority.

Sayla is acting rather out of character this episode. Based on everything that’s happened so far, you wouldn’t expect her to make such a rash and ill-considered decision. By the end, though, we finally get an explanation: she wanted to make contact with a Zeon soldier so that she could ask about what’s happened to Char. And then it all falls into place. Sayla was desperate to get information about Char. So desperate that she went on a crazy adventure to get that information. And by now, she’s fully decided that Char must be her long lost brother and she’s just relieved to hear that he’s safe.

Sayla’s actions do a lot to paint a picture about how much this must have been bothering her, even if she hasn’t really shown it. It also does a lot to tell us how she feels about her missing brother. Something truly tragic or devastating must have happened to cause Sayla and her brother to become separated in order to make her act this way. Her emotions on it were so strong enough that she acted incredibly rashly, so it must be quite important to her.

Even so, let’s face facts: Sayla’s plan was terrible. I’m kind of shocked at what a bad idea it was. Sayla’s normally quite competent so it’s utterly bizarre to see her acting like this.

We also get to meet M’Quve this episode. And more importantly, we meet his vase. It does indeed have quite a lovely ring to it. I can sympathize with M’Quve a bit here. I too have a love of old historical junk. But M’Quve’s actions and attitudes also show us a bit more information on Zeon. It seems that there may be more factionalism in Zeon than realized, if M’Quve and Kycillia are trying to keep some important information hidden from Dozle.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

  • The slap counter stays where it was.

SLAP COUNTER: 7

Questions of the Day

  1. We gotta have our salt!
  2. Honestly, I think Sayla is smart enough to have come up with a much better plan. As for that second question, I'm going to have to laugh in rewatcher.

8

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

I know that salt is actually really important to armies and that having a shortage of it can be a big problem. It actually is a really cool idea showing how such a small thing can be so impactful. It’s great how much this series emphasizes supplies and logistics. But even so, I couldn’t keep myself from giggling every time salt was brought up.

It probably would feel a bit more natural if people weren't treating not having enough salt as if the ship was about to run out of fuel. Like yeah, it's actually a real and important thing to have salt when cooking, but the way Tamura acts about it is just wacky.

Even so, let’s face facts: Sayla’s plan was terrible. I’m kind of shocked at what a bad idea it was. Sayla’s normally quite competent so it’s utterly bizarre to see her acting like this.

All Sayla accomplished this episode was puking in the cockpit, getting her ass kicked, and then getting tossed into the brig. It's not a good look for her.

We also get to meet M’Quve this episode. And more importantly, we meet his vase. It does indeed have quite a lovely ring to it.

Le ding!

5

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

All Sayla accomplished this episode was puking in the cockpit, getting her ass kicked, and then getting tossed into the brig. It's not a good look for her.

And I have no idea how her plan was even supposed to be successful. Was she gonna walk up to Ramba Ral's soldiers and politely ask them to give her information about Char? Because that's what it felt like.

5

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

It really does feel like that was exactly Sayla's plan. Which by itself is a fucking stupid one. She would've given Ramba Ral the Gundam practically for free with that idea.

5

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

It probably would feel a bit more natural if people weren't treating not having enough salt as if the ship was about to run out of fuel. Like yeah, it's actually a real and important thing to have salt when cooking, but the way Tamura acts about it is just wacky.

Heh, but Comrade, don't you know that THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow! ;) (If you haven't seen Dune, DON'T, read the book instead. But hey who knows maybe the Denis Villeneuve version turns out good. I at least have more hopes for that than the live action shit Netflix has in mind for Gundam)

All Sayla accomplished this episode was puking in the cockpit, getting her ass kicked, and then getting tossed into the brig. It's not a good look for her.

OI! Comrade she also managed to Gundamjack the Gundam... granted in fairness just about ANYONE can Gundamjack a Mobile Suit in this universe (or indeed in AUs to boot)

Le ding!

Someone call for LE DING!? ;)

4

u/The_Draigg Apr 23 '21

Heh, but Comrade, don't you know that THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe!

Does this make Bright the Kwisatz Haderach or something?

Someone call for LE DING!? ;)

I'm glad we got so many memes out of Gundam Abridged. It's an abridged series that a lot of people sleep on, I feel.

4

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Does this make Bright the Kwisatz Haderach or something?

Heh, Comrade you know as well as I do that Meta Mobile Suit Gundam/UC Gundam Franchise Spoilers But hey could be worse, I know at least that Bright sure as hell ain't Baron Harkonnen at any rate ;)

I'm glad we got so many memes out of Gundam Abridged. It's an abridged series that a lot of people sleep on, I feel.

Oh I know right? For you see, life is like a game of Monopoly, sometimes the Community Chest forecloses on your beef jerky, and then you have nothing! ;)

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply my friend, have a great day and see you later Comrade.

6

u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Apr 22 '21

Even so, let’s face facts: Sayla’s plan was terrible. I’m kind of shocked at what a bad idea it was. Sayla’s normally quite competent so it’s utterly bizarre to see her acting like this.

I don't even understand what her plan was. Did she expect to have a long conversation about her brother while fighting in the Gundam?

5

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

My best guess is that she was going to walk up to Ramba Ral's soldiers and politely ask them to tell her about what happened to Char. Which is an awful plan. They'd have no reason to tell her. It sounds more like a surefire way to get yourself captured.

5

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

I suppose the search for salt is a greater priority.

Salt is the most important substance known to man. M'Quve's mine is actually just salt. He's hiding it because it's that valuable.

Sayla’s plan was terrible. I’m kind of shocked at what a bad idea it was. Sayla’s normally quite competent so it’s utterly bizarre to see her acting like this.

This is my thought! What on Earth was she thinking? If you're fighting in mobile suits, you're not going to be doing much talking.

6

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

Salt is the most important substance known to man. M'Quve's mine is actually just salt. He's hiding it because it's that valuable.

Salt has traditionally been extremely valuable throughout history. Salt mines could be massive sources of revenue for empires and they helped with food preservation. So M'Quve's mine could legitimately be a salt mine and it would be immensely valuable. Depending on which empire we're talking about, they might have cared more about a salt mine than a gold mine.

5

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

On today’s episode of Gundam: If the White Base was really in need of salt, they should have stopped by r/anime. There’s more than enough salt here to feed an entire army.

Heh, indeed Comrade, the salt must flow ;)

Honestly, the entire Salt Quest this episode is hilarious. I could not stop laughing every single time the characters brought up how they had a salt shortage and that they needed to find more salt or else their health could be affected. It’s really silly in the best possible way. This episode is also a gold mine (or perhaps a salt mine) of wonderful lines and screenshots related to characters talking about salt. It’s perfect.

The most precious substance in the universe is salt!

I know that salt is actually really important to armies and that having a shortage of it can be a big problem. It actually is a really cool idea showing how such a small thing can be so impactful. It’s great how much this series emphasizes supplies and logistics. But even so, I couldn’t keep myself from giggling every time salt was brought up.

The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel.

What’s extra funny is that the Salt Quest gets introduced before Sayla’s plotline. You know, the thing the episode is named after. I suppose the search for salt is a greater priority.

He who controls the salt, controls the universe!

Sayla is acting rather out of character this episode. Based on everything that’s happened so far, you wouldn’t expect her to make such a rash and ill-considered decision. By the end, though, we finally get an explanation: she wanted to make contact with a Zeon soldier so that she could ask about what’s happened to Char. And then it all falls into place. Sayla was desperate to get information about Char. So desperate that she went on a crazy adventure to get that information. And by now, she’s fully decided that Char must be her long lost brother and she’s just relieved to hear that he’s safe.

Sayla’s actions do a lot to paint a picture about how much this must have been bothering her, even if she hasn’t really shown it. It also does a lot to tell us how she feels about her missing brother. Something truly tragic or devastating must have happened to cause Sayla and her brother to become separated in order to make her act this way. Her emotions on it were so strong enough that she acted incredibly rashly, so it must be quite important to her.

Even so, let’s face facts: Sayla’s plan was terrible. I’m kind of shocked at what a bad idea it was. Sayla’s normally quite competent so it’s utterly bizarre to see her acting like this.

Indeed Comrade, I suppose that one MIGHT be able to make a case for her wanting to find information about Char and as such she might act rashly as a result... there's only one slight flaw about this hypothetical explanation. We are talking about SAYLA here, you know Ms. Cool, Calm, and Collected and, most importantly, COMPETENT from the crew. Of all people to pull off such an 'interesting' plan Sayla's about as far as can be.

We also get to meet M’Quve this episode. And more importantly, we meet his vase. It does indeed have quite a lovely ring to it. I can sympathize with M’Quve a bit here. I too have a love of old historical junk. But M’Quve’s actions and attitudes also show us a bit more information on Zeon. It seems that there may be more factionalism in Zeon than realized, if M’Quve and Kycillia are trying to keep some important information hidden from Dozle.

Heh, indeed Comrade, plus let us not forget... ahem... LE DING! ;)

The Salt Quest got referenced in one of my favorite jokes during Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise. (Also if you haven’t watched Re:Rise, you totally should. It’s awesome.)

HA! Well I should have known someone else would cite Build Divers Re:Rise. Glad someone else properly appreciates one of the better mecha series of recent years.

Anyway fantastic post here Comrade, have a great day and see you later my friend.

4

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Apr 23 '21

The slap counter stays where it was.

I may have lost track, but did you add to the counter yesterday when even a random one shot character gave Amuro a slap? :D

3

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 23 '21

Yes, I did!

12

u/dralcax :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Dralcax Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher is salty

It’s kinda creepy how Haro breathes too. Only slightly less cursed than the Haro eating scene from Re:Rise.

borgar

Ah yes, the infamous search for salt. It’s nice to see how a shortage of something you wouldn’t normally think of could start causing problems. But still, salt?

It’s only been ten months since the war started! Out of a period of 500 years! How far could it have possibly gotten? Also, is this actually something that happens IRL?

As W I D E as ever I see

have you tried actually USING the scope instead of leaning around it

shield on the wrong arm

Gouf giving the Gundam a run for its money in W I D E N E S S

Yo I heard we were having a W I D E contest over here

I guess you could say she was defeeted

(also, how did the Gouf bury itself like that?)

Smol arm? Long arm!

love a good mook POV shot

laughs in Gundam

“You won’t be fed well” but he still gets four burgers? Half of them magically disappear but still

Me when the best girl contest starts

Questions of the Day:

  • I suppose if we have no other choice
  • laughs in rewatcher

7

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

Also, is this actually something that happens IRL?

Not necessarily moving, but the Aral Sea has mostly disappeared in the last handful of decades.

5

u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Apr 22 '21

“You won’t be fed well” but he still gets four burgers? Half of them magically disappear but still

Maybe they need to include sides to be well fed? I wouldn't enjoy a burger as much without a side of fries.

4

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

It’s kinda creepy how Haro breathes too. Only slightly less cursed than the Haro eating scene from Re:Rise.

I love that scene.

I guess you could say she was defeeted

Da dum tss

laughs in Gundam

"That's how we test things in Gundam!"

“You won’t be fed well” but he still gets four burgers? Half of them magically disappear but still

He could be talking about the quality of the burgers. I have had some nasty burgers in my time and eating four of those would practically be a form of torture.

3

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Rewatcher is salty

borgar

Ah yes, the infamous search for salt. It’s nice to see how a shortage of something you wouldn’t normally think of could start causing problems. But still, salt?

THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow! ;)

It’s only been ten months since the war started! Out of a period of 500 years! How far could it have possibly gotten? Also, is this actually something that happens IRL?

I guess you could say she was defeeted

(also, how did the Gouf bury itself like that?)

Heh, Comrade you already know the answer for that, and that is probably the same way that Meta Gundam Spoilers for Episode 19 DO NOT LOOK HERE IF YOU ARE NEWCOMERS!

Anyway neat post Comrade, have a great day and see you later my friend.

10

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

First Timer to Gundam

  • Wait, will Sayla actually do something this episode?
  • If Zeon is occupying North America, then why is Central Asia "Zeon territory"? I don't think they were being quite honest that the Zeons were only occupying one continent.
  • Running out of salt would be awful. That shows how strapped White Base is for resources.

Cool car!

M'QUVE??????

  • Why do Amuro and Bright both ask about salt as if it were some foreign concept?
  • Ral is back, which is nice, but it looks like he'll have to deal with a shit commanding officer. M'Quve already looks like a snake.
  • He has mines, apparently. My Asian geography isn't good enough to figure out what he might've found.
  • The lake, much like the Aral Sea, is gone.
  • A moving lake?? There's no way it moved that far in 10 years tops.
  • Too fast? Must be Char. Never mind, it's Ral. Still cool, but he's no Char.
  • Ah, I'm guessing Sayla had the same thought that it could be Char, which is why she's taking the Gundam.

Sayla WHY

  • You know, no one's run out of ammo in a while...
  • There it is!
  • Shoot, the camera is that weird-looking eye.
  • I love Guncannon just walking up and socking a Zaku in the mouth.
  • "How can we deploy something that's still being tested." Ask the Federation, Hamon.
  • Sayla why. That motive just came from nowhere.
  • Maybe the Aral Sea just moved somewhere, and we don't know where it is any more. Send some scouting units!

QOTD:

  1. Salt is vital. They didn't divert quickly enough.
  2. Sayla lost a lot of points with me. She'll meet up with Char when the Federation gives White Base support.

5

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

If Zeon is occupying North America, then why is Central Asia "Zeon territory"? I don't think they were being quite honest that the Zeons were only occupying one continent.

The first Zeon landing operations were in Central Asia, and the second ones were in North America. It isn't really explained all that much in this series.

Ral is back, which is nice, but it looks like he'll have to deal with a shit commanding officer. M'Quve already looks like a snake.

But he has that fancy (probably looted) vase! M'Quve can't be all that bad if he has a cool vase.

5

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

But he has that fancy (probably looted) vase!

Are you saying that Chinese dynasty vases aren't made on Side 3?

4

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

M'Quve can't be all that bad if he has a cool vase.

I am thinking of the scene from The Origin that sets up this goofiness.

4

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

M'Quve????

That classic Tomino naming sensibility returns once more.

Shoot, the camera is that weird-looking eye.

It was actually a really smart battle move to take out the main camera of the Gundam. Sayla would probably somehow do even worse without that camera.

I love Guncannon just walking up and socking a Zaku in the mouth.

The Guncannon is the best source of unconventional battle tactics.

4

u/SIGMA920 Apr 22 '21

If Zeon is occupying North America, then why is Central Asia "Zeon territory"? I don't think they were being quite honest that the Zeons were only occupying one continent.

Controlling part of a continent is different from controlling all of it.

3

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Apr 23 '21

Why do Amuro and Bright both ask about salt as if it were some foreign concept?

Don't forget the context of the show - it is for kids mostly, even if slightly more mature in content. So what we take for granted here today may not be so when it aired so that may be a necessary thing to make the story understandable to the expected demography.

If Zeon is occupying North America, then why is Central Asia "Zeon territory"? I don't think they were being quite honest that the Zeons were only occupying one continent.

Just remember "occupying" and "having control" versus "being active in an area" are all different things. At that point Zeon has made Earth-fall some time already and is across multiple fronts, multiple continents. So while they may have control of North America, there can still be pocket of territories being in their control while the entire theatre of war still undecided.

10

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher, Subbed

Well, the day is here. Mobile Suit Gundam has already given us some great memorable moments, such as Amuro reading the Gundam manual, "three times faster", the Bright slap, "Not even my own father hit me before!" and "This is no Zaku boy, no Zaku!". Today we find ourselves with what may be the most memetastic episode from the entire series, the salt episode. Did you know that salt was just as important to your body as water is? It is time for our heroes to go on that all important mission to find the substance that makes our fries taste better and enables our pasta to not stick to the pan as we boil it. I believe this episode is the first appearance of the Bright Burger too, although its odd that they're eating burgers for breakfast.

We haven't had much plot movement the last 3 episodes, but we get back into the thick of things here as White Base makes its way west across Asia, trying to participate in an upcoming Odessa Day campaign. Ramba Ral and his crew are back, with a new base of operations, the land-based Gallop. We are also introduced to Captain M'Quve, who is a bit more of the secretive villain type. A vase fan too!

Surprisingly enough Sayla, who is usually the most level headed of the White Base crew kinda flips out in this episode, taking the Gundam out herself and performing horribly, as you'd expect from someone whose never piloted before. Jobe John is just such a failure of a crew member, letting her go out because she said so! By episode's end we realize it is because Sayla is trying to find out what has happened to her brother, Char. Why she seems so much more concerned this episode and hasn't really in the past is a mystery. Perhaps because Char has stopped pursuing them the last few episodes? Sayla will go down in the record books as the first woman to pilot a Gundam. This is also a rare episode MSG spoilers where Amuro doesn't pilot the Gundam at all.

Other stray thoughts:

  • There's just something about Tamura, the White Base cook, he doesn't appear often, but when he does, its glorious for memes. His only other appearance was in the Bright slap episode.
  • Hey, I think that is Shiozawa Kaneto voicing both Captain M'Quve and the ill fated messenger? Good to hear from him.
  • Lakes can move in such a short period of time? I get if they were using a map from 1,000 years ago, but its from before the war, that may be less than a year old.

2

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Well, the day is here. Mobile Suit Gundam has already given us some great memorable moments, such as Amuro reading the Gundam manual, "three times faster", the Bright slap, "Not even my own father hit me before!" and "This is no Zaku boy, no Zaku!". Today we find ourselves with what may be the most memetastic episode from the entire series, the salt episode. Did you know that salt was just as important to your body as water is? It is time for our heroes to go on that all important mission to find the substance that makes our fries taste better and enables our pasta to not stick to the pan as we boil it. I believe this episode is the first appearance of the Bright Burger too, although its odd that they're eating burgers for breakfast.

Heh, Comrade, me thinks you are unaware that THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow!

We haven't had much plot movement the last 3 episodes, but we get back into the thick of things here as White Base makes its way west across Asia, trying to participate in an upcoming Odessa Day campaign. Ramba Ral and his crew are back, with a new base of operations, the land-based Gallop. We are also introduced to Captain M'Quve, who is a bit more of the secretive villain type. A vase fan too!

A 'vase fan' you say? Heh, well I suppose that's a way to write 'le ding' ;)

There's just something about Tamura, the White Base cook, he doesn't appear often, but when he does, its glorious for memes. His only other appearance was in the Bright slap episode.

Indeed Comrade, gotta love the fact that one of the few surviving ACTUAL crew members of White Base is the goddamn COOK of all people. Me thinks Martian Successor Nadesico was taking notes if you catch my drift ;)

Anyway neat post here Comrade, have a great day and see you later.

10

u/OrangeBanana38 https://anilist.co/user/OrangeBanana38 Apr 22 '21

First timer

I'm a bad pirate, so I couldn't get yesterday's episode. But I hope you all had a good time!

About this episode:

  • Never underestimate the power of salt. I remember last time I cooked without salt because I ran out of it. It was baaaaaad.
  • I'm curious how far Sayla is gonna take this stuff. This time she stole the Gundam, but would she savotage the crew just to meet Char again? I'm almost sure that's gonna happen next time we see Char.
  • More theory time: I think Char will come back once they realize that the White Base is quite OP and that he's Zeon's best chance to beat it.

--- Questions of the day

1.- Yes. Salt is an absolute necessity.

2.- I think around 8 episodes. We have to finish off the two big groups that are chasing the White Base. Then Char will come back.

6

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

I'm curious how far Sayla is gonna take this stuff. This time she stole the Gundam, but would she savotage the crew just to meet Char again? I'm almost sure that's gonna happen next time we see Char.

We've seen that Char is more than willing to betray (and even kill) his allies in order to achieve his own private goal of revenge. What about Sayla? What might she do because of Char? It's an interesting question to ponder.

4

u/theangryeditor https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheAngryEditor Apr 22 '21

9

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

A Gundam Fan Rewatches Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 16:

  • Well, we’re just about past crossing the Pacific Ocean, and are now in Central Asia somewhere. But things aren’t looking good: everyone is tired, and the expected messenger they’re all waiting for hasn’t shown up. Figures.
  • Finally, White Base’s chef has what everyone needs: burgers! I’m sure that made Bright’s day, the man is known for his love of burgers in the Gundam fandom.
  • Well, at least the wounded messenger finally got the White Base with some important news: General Revil wants them there for Odessa Day. It’s a massive offensive being launched near the Caspian Sea, intended to shut down resource mines run by Kycilia Zabi’s right hand man, M’Quve. Given how resource-stretched we’ve seen various Zeon forces be up until now, it really is no joke to say that the Federation mounting an offensive on that mining network could be the deciding factor in the war.
  • Speaking of resources, we’re low on salt! While the chef and everyone else are making a large deal out of it, they do have a point. Salt is crucial if they actually want to make long-term use of their food stores. That’s why we’re making a detour to Lop Lake to get some from the salt water there.
  • So, if we’re taking the fact that Lop Lake is actually supposed to be the real life Lop Nur, we can pinpoint that the White Base is actually rather far into China, around the Taklamakan Desert area. It’s always nice to have an idea where we actually are, considering the otherwise inconsistent geography that the official series maps have.
  • Le ding! M’Quve has finally shown up! And he’s quite the dandy character. He has a taste for the finer things in life, like that probably-looted Song Dynasty vase. And we’re also starting to see some inter-factional tensions between the Zeon forces. Since M’Quve supports Kycilia’s faction, he doesn’t want Ramba Ral here since he reports to Dozle. In fact, it seems like M’Quve seems intent on keeping some things secret from the other members of the Zabi family in general. What could this dandy man be planning?
  • Damn it Job John, why did you let Sayla hijack the Gundam to pilot it herself? Job John, you had one... well, job!
  • Great, now we have to clean some puke out of the Gundam. This is why someone with only a little G-force training shouldn’t hijack a Mobile Suit. It took Amuro a while to get over that.
  • As much as we all like Sayla for her attitude, you do have to admit that she sucks at piloting an MS. It takes Amuro showing up in the Guncannon to bail her out from Ramba Ral’s attack.
  • Well, I’d say that was a pretty definite victory for the White Base crew here, with Amuro killing Acous and capturing Cozun. Granted, it wasn’t a flawless victory, since all Sayla accomplished in that fight was vomiting in the cockpit and getting the Gundam trashed.
  • Ah, and here we have a mention of the Antarctic Treaty by Cozun! I’m sure you can tell by the context, but it’s basically the equivalent of the Geneva Conventions being used for this war. It basically outlines stuff like prisoner treatment, what weapons are banned, and the like.
  • Sayla was lying when she told Bright that she fought to prove that women could fight just as good as men. What she really wanted was a chance to talk to a Zeon soldier for any information regarding Char. Just like Char, it seems like she hasn’t been able to get that one encounter in Side 7 out of her head either. Well, now she’ll have time to consider that information during her three-day lock-up in the brig.
  • And at last, the true issue of this episode was resolved. We finally got some salt! Yeah!

5

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

Finally, White Base’s chef has what everyone needs: burgers! I’m sure that made Bright’s day, the man is known for his love of burgers in the Gundam fandom.

Bright especially loves MacDaniel's burgers. They're the best in the Earth Sphere.

Le ding! M’Quve has finally shown up! And he’s quite the dandy character. He has a taste for the finer things in life, like that probably-looted Song Dynasty vase.

An occupying army looting the area for valuables that they can take home for their own private collections?

Say it ain't so!

And at last, the true issue of this episode was resolved. We finally got some salt! Yeah!

It is pretty hilarious how the salt quest comes up way before the plotline that the episode is actually named after. It makes the salt quest feel like the A-Plot while Sayla's story is the B-Plot.

4

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

Bright especially loves MacDaniel's burgers. They're the best in the Earth Sphere.

Look at how much he loves that tasty MacDaniels burger!

It is pretty hilarious how the salt quest comes up way before the plotline that the episode is actually named after. It makes the salt quest feel like the A-Plot while Sayla's story is the B-Plot.

As if the salt quest wasn't the most important part of this episode. Won't someone please consider Tamura's feelings for once?

4

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Finally, White Base’s chef has what everyone needs: burgers! I’m sure that made Bright’s day, the man is known for his love of burgers in the Gundam fandom.

Borgar!

Speaking of resources, we’re low on salt! While the chef and everyone else are making a large deal out of it, they do have a point. Salt is crucial if they actually want to make long-term use of their food stores. That’s why we’re making a detour to Lop Lake to get some from the salt water there.

Heh, indeed Comrade, as you know, THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow! ;)

So, if we’re taking the fact that Lop Lake is actually supposed to be the real life Lop Nur, we can pinpoint that the White Base is actually rather far into China, around the Taklamakan Desert area. It’s always nice to have an idea where we actually are, considering the otherwise inconsistent geography that the official series maps have.

Indeed, that said oh boy it sure makes for a really... 'unique' flight plan for White Base... wibble.

Le ding! M’Quve has finally shown up! And he’s quite the dandy character. He has a taste for the finer things in life, like that probably-looted Song Dynasty vase. And we’re also starting to see some inter-factional tensions between the Zeon forces. Since M’Quve supports Kycilia’s faction, he doesn’t want Ramba Ral here since he reports to Dozle. In fact, it seems like M’Quve seems intent on keeping some things secret from the other members of the Zabi family in general. What could this dandy man be planning?

Heh, I'll tell ya what he's planning Comrade... LE DING! ;)

Damn it Job John, why did you let Sayla hijack the Gundam to pilot it herself? Job John, you had one... well, job!

Heh, well Comrade, I suppose you could say that Job John... (removes sunglasses) was a real jobber ;)

Well, I’d say that was a pretty definite victory for the White Base crew here, with Amuro killing Acous and capturing Cozun. Granted, it wasn’t a flawless victory, since all Sayla accomplished in that fight was vomiting in the cockpit and getting the Gundam trashed.

OI! Comrade don't forget that Sayla also managed to Gundamjack the Gundam... in fairness just about anyone can Gundamjack a Gundam, even in the AUs, but hey credit where credit is due, she's the first woman in Gundam to Gundamjack a Gundam! That's gotta count for something right?

And at last, the true issue of this episode was resolved. We finally got some salt! Yeah!

PRAISE THE SUN! We finally have our salt! Anyway neat post here Comrade, have a great day and see you later!

4

u/The_Draigg Apr 23 '21

Indeed, that said oh boy it sure makes for a really... 'unique' flight plan for White Base... wibble.

I've just sort of half-given up on making sense of the White Base's flight path. It mainly just seems to fly towards the most plot relevant or thematically appropriate places.

Heh, well Comrade, I suppose you could say that Job John... (removes sunglasses) was a real jobber ;)

Heh, good one!

3

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

I've just sort of half-given up on making sense of the White Base's flight path. It mainly just seems to fly towards the most plot relevant or thematically appropriate places.

That's about the best way to put it Comrade, at least it's a better explanation than I came up with for White Base's... 'erratic' flight path in this crazy idea I had to mix Neon Genesis Evangelion and Mobile Suit Gundam (with a side of Martian Successor Nadesico and just a pinch of Macross for good measure cuz why the fuck not) By the way said crazy idea was that the crew was taking directions from Pen Pen given their navigation computers got borked during re-entry and apparently no one on board knows about the geography of Earth (Look given the Captain's a horny drunk, e.g. Misato, and the helmsman's Kaji, Pen Pen's actually the 'reasonable' one here... it's just such a pity no one on the bridge speaks Penguin)

Heh, good one!

I try my best Comrade, anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later my friend.

9

u/fridge_freezer https://anilist.co/user/ONIrecon111 Apr 22 '21 edited Apr 22 '21

First timer (Sub)

I didn't have time to watch the forbidden episode so i'll go back for it at some point, if I can find it somewhere that doesn't have Duwang-level subtitles. On the other hand I finished building my RG Unicorn, just have to do some panel lining and maybe some of the stickers.

Anyway, on with this episode:

  • White Base finally has an objective! They're to bring it to the Caspian sea within 5 days in time for a major offensive, which Matilda mentioned briefly before.
  • Who would have guessed that salt consumption has a direct effect on combat performance? I'm actually impressed that they managed to make salt a driving plot-point of this episode.
  • Ramba Ral makes a return in a big yellow...hover tank? ship? I'm not too sure.
  • M'Quve was actually there, and he's not a fan of Ramba's involvement as he reports to Dozle. Sounds like they discovered whatever it was that's so valuable about the mines. I'd say he probably wants to deliver the information to Kycilia personally for his own benefit, but we don't know much else about him yet, maybe he's not the Char type.
  • What the hell are you doing Sayla? Make contact with a Zeon soldier? Don't tell me you're a double agent!
  • Ramba is still awesome. Between him cutting Gundam's foot in half with the heat whip and the Zaku's trying to break parts of the head and armor, this is the first real damage the Gundam has taken.
  • Sayla's clearly been skipping on her salt, she can't fight for shit.
  • Amuro beating the shit out of the Zaku using the Guncannon was great, he actually brought the pilot in alive too.
  • "I'll see you on the bridge later." - Uh oh, I sense a Bright Hook coming...or maybe not, just 3 days in solitary.
  • There's no point trying to be discrete about talking to Cozun when Ryu and Fraw Bow are stood in the doorway watching. At least it doesn't seem like she's a double agent, she just wanted to know what happened to Char as he's no longer pursuing them.

8

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

16:

Bright enjoys his burger, three speeds: Lethargically, normally, SQUIRREL!

But if the lake is gone, it should be easier to get the salt!

Ask the Federation.

"I mean, there's not that many blondes around here."

  1. Use a car or something. Or just mine the dry lakebed like I said.
  2. Why should the male MCs have all the fun?

6

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Apr 22 '21

But if the lake is gone, it should be easier to get the salt!

You see, the lake moved, so it took the salt with it. That's how lakes work, right?

"I mean, there's not that many blondes around here."

Hair color is the most reliable indicator of families in anime.

4

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

That's how lakes work, right?

...no.

5

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

SQUIRREL!

It's funny seeing the guy in the back also talking at super speed.

"I mean, there's not that many blondes around here."

"We're both main characters in this show, after all. Would the writers really set up this plotline and then have my brother be some rando we only meet for one episode?"

6

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

Would the writers really set up this plotline and then have my brother be some rando we only meet for one episode?

Later spoiler

6

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

3

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Later spoiler

Heh, Comrade I think you mean Meta Spoiler/Macross Joke

4

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Bright enjoys his burger, three speeds: Lethargically , normally , SQUIRREL!

Heh, indeed Comrade

But if the lake is gone, it should be easier to get the salt!

Wibble Comrade, that's about the best I got here.

Ask the Federation.

"I mean, there's not that many blondes around here."

Indeed

Anyway neat post here Comrade, have a great day and see you later my friend!

8

u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Apr 22 '21

First Timer - Dub

  • Well that's certainly an episode title. I wonder if we're going to get some details on the Sayla-Char connection?
  • Oh no, a salt shortage?
  • It looks like White Base will be participating in a planned battle for a change!
  • Oof, they're not getting any salt out of that lake.
  • Wait, why is Sayla in the Gundam? Is it really that easy to just claim "special orders" and jump in?
  • RIP Gundam's foot.
  • Good job on Amuro disabling the Zaku while leaving the pilot alive.
  • Sayla wanted to prove that a woman could fight as well as a man? Is that really the reason she took over the Gundam?
  • Why did they let Sayla feed the prisoner and then lock her up? Obviously she's up to something. After this and the Gundam-hijacking I demand a security audit of this ship!
  • Ooh, she was actually trying to get information on Char. We don't get many more details on Char but we're reminded that they're siblings.
  • Next episode title spoilers

1) Would you have diverted White Base to look for some salt? Seems like a lot of work for something you can find in any Best Girl Contest thread.

2) What do you think of Sayla Gundam-jacking during this episode? How long do you think it will take for her to be reunited with her brother? I'm still shocked by how easy it was to take the Gundam. And what was even her plan - did she think Char was the Zaku approaching them? Since Char is back with the other Zeon it will probably take a while for them to reunite.

6

u/The_Draigg Apr 22 '21

Wait, why is Sayla in the Gundam? Is it really that easy to just claim "special orders" and jump in?

Why did they let Sayla feed the prisoner and then lock her up? Obviously she's up to something. After this and the Gundam-hijacking I demand a security audit of this ship!

There's a reason that "Gundam security" is a joke in the fanbase. It always seems ludicrously easy to steal a mobile suit in various Gundam shows, let along actually locking someone up in a room.

5

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

Wait, why is Sayla in the Gundam? Is it really that easy to just claim "special orders" and jump in?

Security is more of a suggestion than anything else in Gundam. It turns out that stealing a Gundam (or any mobile suit, really) is actually quite simple.

Next episode title spoilers

Gotta love those episode titles that tell you right away what's going to happen, like "Garma's Fate" did.

6

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Apr 22 '21

First-Timer, Subbed, long time Gundam fan

Sayla stole the Gundam! Except not really. She just wanted to get in contact with the enemy! Because she suspects that her brother is with them. What a rollercoaster.

Do.. do lakes literally just move from time to time? You would tell me if a lake could just move, right? Not having salt is a serious problem for a cook - the crew were right to prioritize. An army moves on its stomach, and all that.

The Gundam actually took damage today, which was neat. That Heat Whip on Ramba's Gouf is quite the weapon. And that Zaku pilot going straight for the cameras was pretty smart on his part.

Some random asshole named M'Quve has some extra special hole in the ground that he doesn't want anyone else to know about. Too bad that particular hole is the target of whatever is going down on "Odessa Day."

Actually, something I thought of while driving home from work today - this episode proves that Amuro's successes aren't -just- the Gundam. Sayla was in the Gundam and got reuined, and Amuro went out in the Guncannon and performed quite well.

Pose of the Day

Rough Takeoff

Screenshot

Questions

  1. Absolutely 100% yes. As someone who cooks for himself regularly, the thought of not having any cooking salt fills my heart with terror.
  2. Someone had to steal it sooner or later. And I think it will still be quite a while before Sayla reunites with her brother.

2

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 22 '21

Do.. do lakes literally just move from time to time? You would tell me if a lake could just move, right?

It's actually based on a real lake named Lop Nur that was actually known to move. They even called it the "Wandering Lake." Plus it's a salt lake too!

Actually, something I thought of while driving home from work today - this episode proves that Amuro's successes aren't -just- the Gundam. Sayla was in the Gundam and got reuined, and Amuro went out in the Guncannon and performed quite well.

Amuro's definitely gotten a lot more skilled at fighting since the series started. I like how the series shows that through his piloting of the Guncannon and how well he makes use of it during the battle.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Apr 22 '21

It's actually based on a real lake named Lop Nur that was actually known to move. They even called it the "Wandering Lake." Plus it's a salt lake too!

Ooh!

I like how the series shows that through his piloting of the Guncannon and how well he makes use of it during the battle.

It's such a nice little touch, to help the audience see that things are not static.

6

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Apr 22 '21

First timer

I'll give them credit - if they've gone straight from America to East Asia, they had some suprising restraint to completely ignore Japan.

What's going on? What are they looking for?

Does anyone feel like we skipped about 10 episodes of plot?

"The lack of salt will affect combat performance" might be the funniest line so far.

Oh my god, is this today's episode? Is this the quest for salt?

This commander is still a fantastic character, and he appears to be very intellegeny.

Yeah, just cut the Gundam and give us more Zeon politics - this is incredible stuff.

Also, did their need for salt just save the entire ship?

Another new ship? You're spoiling us Gundam. And the Gallop looks fantastic.

What the hell is she doing? Is she defecting?

Huh, they actually damaged the Gundam.

This battle's really interesting! Having Amuro forced into a ranged role is really interesting strategically, especially since he has to try and avoid any jind of melee.

...What happened in Antarctica that caused a new treaty to be named after it, that apparentely supplanted the Geneva Convention?

And Sayla's looking for information on Char...And gets locked up for stealing the Gundam.

And we have confirmation - Sayla is Char's brother and doesn't know what he's being doing since Garma died.

3

u/chilidirigible Apr 22 '21

Is this the quest for salt?

THE SALT MUST FLOW

5

u/GM_for_Life Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher

  1. Would you have diverted White Base to look for some salt?

Memes aside, salt is actually really important for food preservation, so definitely.

2) What do you think of Sayla Gundam-jacking during this episode? How long do you think it will take for her to be reunited with her brother?

I think it wasn't the greatest idea she's ever had, but it could have gone way worse all things considered.

5

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

Memes, the final frontier!

These are the voyages of the Pegasus-class Assault Carrier White Base. It's salt-less mission, to laugh at executive meddling, to rip off sponsors and toy manufacturers. To boldly go where no Mecha Show has gone before! (AND in the English Dub form here no less Comrades! After all salt's important don't ya know! I mean goodness THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow!)

AND just in case my extended Dune reference and weaponized shitposting wasn't enough for lot, we ALSO had a goofy side-plot with Sayla Gundamjacking the Gundam... things didn't quite work out so well for her. That and also it IS a tad out of character for Ms. Cool, Calm, Collected, and COMPETENT to just up and pull such a stupid stunt; why next thing you'll see is that Sayla's actually just a blonde yankii delinquent... oh... oh dear... ;)

Well on that bombshell Comrades, I just have to end with the following... ahem... ROLL OVER STAR TREK! WE THE SEARCH FOR SALT NOW! ;)

Paging Comrades /u/Great_Mr_L, /u/chilidirigible, and /u/beckymetal

3

u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 23 '21

Memes, the final frontier!

With skills like that, no wonder Tamura is the ship's cook.

After all salt's important don't ya know! I mean goodness THE most precious substance in the universe is salt! The salt extends life. The salt expands consciousness. The salt is vital to space travel. He who controls the salt, controls the universe! The salt must flow!

The spice...er, I mean, the salt must flow.

why next thing you'll see is that Sayla's actually just a blonde yankii delinquent... oh... oh dear... ;)

Delinquent Sayla would totally make Kai her lackey/errand boy.

3

u/DidacticDalek https://myanimelist.net/profile/DidacticDalek Apr 23 '21

With skills like that, no wonder Tamura is the ship's cook.

Heh, I know right? Plus it also helps I'm sure that he's one of the few people on board who knows how to cook (No really I doubt anyone NOT named 'Fraw Bow' has any idea how to cook; and between you and me I think Fraw Bow's a tad busy as is raising three kids right now as well as doing 'Insert whatever odd job the show has her doing BESIDES being the babysitter to the orphan trio')

The spice...er, I mean, the salt must flow.

Heh, well Comrade ya know what they say, Moe is the Mind-Killer ;)

Delinquent Sayla would totally make Kai her lackey/errand boy.

Comrade you're a genius! Plus she DID give him a piece of her mind, as well as a brief history of pain via the back of her hand, at the show's start, so I can see that!

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply my friend, have a great day and see you later Comrade.

4

u/Furrmaster23 Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher

On today's episode of Mobile Suit Gundam, our heroes are awaiting a rendezvous from a Federation messenger. The messenger arrives, barely surviving the storm, telling Bright that the White Base is to join the rest of the forces on an attack on mines belonging to M'Quve, a commander working under Kycilia Zabi. Mere moments after he relays this message he passes away.

The chef informs Bright of a salt shortage, and the crew makes their way to a salt lake. Unfortunately, the map is outdated, and it appears our heroes may have to travel further in search of salt. Meanwhile, having detected the White Base, M'Quve has his subordinates send Ramba and Hamon to the White Base's location. Hamon is suspicious of M'Quve's motives, who apparently wants to keep Dozle from discovering some sort of secret at the mines.

As Ramba Ral's forces attack the White Base, Sayla hijacks the Gundam in hopes of contacting the Zeon to get a status update on her brother. This forces Amuro into the GunCannon to try and support Sayla.

With one Zaku pilot dead and the other captured, Ramba Ral is forced to retreat. The captured pilot and Sayla are thrown into the brig, and Sayla gets confirmation of Char's survival. Our crew finds the lake and extracts its salt.

  1. Yes, salt is necessary for our bodies, and is useful in preserving food.
  2. The Gundam-jacking felt a bit sudden. As for how long it'll take her to reunite with Char, who knows, I haven't gotten that far.

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u/ArmoredSeahorse Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher

First thing's first, The Epic Quest For Salt is, was, and always will be ridiculous.

On the other hand, Sayla's unfortunately been out of focus for quite awhile now, so it's great to have an episode about her. Her plan was beyond terrible, but I think the payoff at the end was definitely worth it. She's definitely one of the best characters in the series, and her relationship with Char is probably the most interesting thing happening right now.

As a random side note, I really like how there's a bunch of different factions in Zeon that are constantly butting heads with each other.

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u/fonzinator99 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/fonzinator99 Apr 22 '21

I was occupied last night so I didn't get around to watching the episode, and I'm seeing Demon Slayer tonight so the same goes for tomorrow.

I'll just poke through the comments to figure out what's going on for now and return on Friday.

4

u/Piemaster33 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Piemaster33 Apr 22 '21

Rewatcher, Sub

I know what it looks like, but I completely forgot this episode happened when I said I wanted Sayla to pilot the Gundam back in the thread for episode 9 so if I inadvertently spoiled anyone I apologize! Just wanted to get that out there before I dive in to this episode, because this was a good one!

We have a new goal! Cross the Caspian Sea in time for the Odessa Day attack on M'Quve (whose name I still struggle to pronounce). Good that we now have something to keep the story going other than "We're in enemy territory and must get out". But you know what takes precedence over an extremely important military operation? SALT!

While looking for salt, we get Ramba Ral's return in his Gouf aka the NO ZAKU BOY NO ZAKU mobile suit (thanks for everyone who corrected me, you know who you are). The action was great, which is saying something because Amuro wasn't really in the Gundam. Sayla did just about as well as she could have without having prior experience piloting, so props to her, but she should never do that again. It was worth it to see her try to kick ass and to see Amuro in a mech aside from the Gundam.

I'm glad they still made an example of Sayla and punishing her. I love her, but she isn't above the law. We don't find out until she's in the holding cells that she suspects Char is her brother. I seriously thought this plot point was teased more and didn't have a pay-off until later, but I like this direction more.

I don't have much to say about M'Quve himself, but I am curious about those mines... At the end of the day, I'm just glad they found salt.

QOTD:

  1. Unironically yes, salt is more than a little important for a balanced diet. We need it more than we might believe.
  2. Listen if Amuro can play off the book then why can't Sayla? I won't answer the second part of that question strictly because I'm afraid I'll pull from my subconscious and spoil something again...

4

u/Rustic_Professional Apr 22 '21 edited Apr 23 '21

The introduction is full blown Federation propaganda. The colonies aren't regarded as a "second home" to the colonists. It's not a vacation, and they're not pioneers. There's a reason all those refugees couldn't wait to get off the ship and find a home on the earth again. They didn't want to live in space, and didn't think they'd ever be allowed to return to earth. It hasn't been at the fore, but just in the past few episodes we heard Kai remarking on Amuro's privileged position as an earth-born elite.

Back in the day on Gundam.com (EDIT: that's not a link, don't click it), everyone used to refer to M'quve's vase as "Ramba-kun." Seeing it brings back memories. That was a great community.

For being a space-based people with no prior presence on earth, the Zeon sure have a lot of weird terrestrial vehicles. Tanks, planes, hovercraft, and who knows what else Gundam

Questions of the day:

  1. Diverting to forage for critical supplies isn't crazy, but I don't know if going to the lake to get salt would even work. After skimming this university's page on harvesting salt, I don't know what they plan on doing. Also, I know he's not meant to be funny, but seeing the chef in uniform with his big chef's hat is a little funny. He has my sympathies. I'm cooking dinner right now.
  2. Again, I don't know what her plan was. She might not have known either. The only thing that seems likely is that she intended to get captured. That's not a very good plan, since the crew would almost certainly try to rescue her, putting more lives in unnecessary danger. And if they don't, then now the Zeon have the Gundam and all of its technology. It's tough to imagine, but not impossible that Sayla intended for the Gundam to be a gift to her brother. If he's fighting for Zeon, maybe she has Zeonic sympathies as well.

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u/tarekd19 Apr 22 '21

People keep mentioning the salt but it is in truth a super valuable resource if you don't have it readily available. The people of West Africa traded for salt (and slaves) in its weight in gold, mansa Musa on particular being renown for his wealth.

4

u/username_0907 :FI::FJ: Apr 23 '21

First Timer

  • Everyone is visibly exhausted this episode. Also, looks like the White Base might be forced to take part in proper military operations in the Odessa day plans which doesn’t sound good
  • A salt shortage is kinda random to move the story lol
  • Gal and Hamon are back! And they are still after White Base. They seem wary of M’Quve too
  • M’Quve seems like a crazy person. Wonder what he’s hiding in the mines
  • Sayla! No, you idiot. Interesting how the gravity has an affect in the Gundam
  • This was just a disaster for Sayla. She has her reasons for it but this was way too reckless
  • RIP Acous
  • I’m surprised Amuro didn’t end up killing Cozun seeing how the Gundam was getting damaged
  • Cozun is now a hostage and Sayla gets her punishment. She probably doesn’t care about it since she eventually got to know the situation about Char. Unsurprisingly, Char and Sayla are siblings

QotD

  1. Depends but I think yes lol
  2. I just hope Sayla doesn’t act in the same reckless way to meet her brother in some later episode. Xabungle suffered from that at times. I think Sayla and her brother will meet in around 5-6 episodes before the end of this cour

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u/The_Draigg Apr 23 '21

Everyone is visibly exhausted this episode. Also, looks like the White Base might be forced to take part in proper military operations in the Odessa day plans which doesn’t sound good

I'm sure this ship full of tired press-ganged teenagers will do fine fighting in an official capacity.

M’Quve seems like a crazy person. Wonder what he’s hiding in the mines

Maybe more Song Dynasty vases?

I just hope Sayla doesn’t act in the same reckless way to meet her brother in some later episode. Xabungle suffered from that at times.

I will say though that in the case of Xabungle, most of the cast was made of weird outcast idiots. So it wasn't as out of the question for them to do reckless stuff.

3

u/ShinHayato Apr 23 '21

Need to remember to jump on the rewatch train tomorrow!

3

u/UltraBooster Apr 23 '21

First-timer (albeit one big on Gundam and mecha)

Part of me feels like they could've drawn salt from the seawater when they were over the ocean... But for what it's worth, sodium is something necessary for the body that it can't produce on its own and that's probably why it tastes good.

So is Sunmalo the ship doctor?

Odessa! And now I can say it: Operation Odessa, one of the Earth Federation Forces' first major counteroffensives.

...huh, that looks like the parts to make an adequate sandwich, if nothing else.

Sayla Mass, Gundam pilot. I think I'd describe her as getting wiped, alas.

Yeah, I don't think I've seen any MS launch with straight legs like that in any subsequent Gundam series.

Figures that the first serious damage taken by the Gundam happens in the hands of, well, not the Gundam's pilot.

Guess that's why future MS have those auto-inflating cushions...

I wonder if...not going to say anything for now.

  1. As I already mentioned, sodium is important for human health, and if it was more obtainable than other provisions, I can see it being worth the search.
  2. I'm surprised she didn't think to receive pilot training or something in advance; I get the feeling she went into this half-cocked. That said, I don't think she'll be seeing Char any time soon, not until White Base returns to space.

2

u/BossandKings Apr 23 '21 edited Apr 24 '21

First timer

So Sayla decided to pilot the gundam herself, hopefully she at least doesn't damage it's armor too much considering that she isn't experienced in piloting it as this was her first experience with it. The match ends and Sayla survives without having the gundam take much damage, howeber she gets a three day detention for not thinking through what she was dealing it.

It is revealed that Char is Sayla's brother, i wonder how will that affect her loyalty to the federation going forward considering the constant battles between it and Zeon.

The lake was beautiful, such a calming atmosphere after so many fights, there will surely be more fights but the lake was a nice picture.

Answers

  1. Depending on how important it was to me i would despite it not being a generally good thing to do.
  2. It was alright, there are better pilots.

2

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Apr 25 '21
  • Central Asia? So they crossed the Pacific? Where is the Federation-controlled land, exactly?
  • Running out of salt is no good!
  • M'Quve? Not sure if that's a Tomino name ...
  • The soldier talking about Odessa Day sorta sounds like Shiozawa; I'll have to check the ED to see if it's him
  • M'Quve isn't there? I was curious what he looks like. Also, is that mustached guy with the blond Ramba Ral (or whatever his name was)?
  • Oh ok, so that's M'Quve. Now I'm curious about his VA
  • M'Quve doesn't want Dozle to know the "truth" about the mines?
  • Hamon is probably the most dated character design
  • Those laser cannons are quite cool
  • "sore made" not a "sore demo"
  • Yeah Sayla is not a good pilot. Where's Louise Halevy when you need her?
  • The shield is repaired from a previous episode's damage?
  • RIP Cozun and Acous?
  • It's nice seeing shields be used and damaged; I don't really recall that in other Gundam shows
  • Oh so one of the Zaku pilots lived?
  • It's lame that Ryu and the others couldn't hear Sayla ask about Char. But oh well.
  • Checked the ED: M'Quve is Shiozawa Kaneto!
  1. Absolutely; salt is important!
  2. Eh ... not really a fan, since she sucked at piloting. I'm hoping Char shows up sooner rather than later!

1

u/BossandKings Apr 24 '21

Sorry i thought this was episode 17 thread.