Zechs Merquise (who’s actually Milliardo Peacecraft) and Treize Khushrenada have been friends and comrades a long time. Their dual sense of honor has kept them equals, even though Treize has risen to a singular position of importance within the ranks of OZ. Now, though, the two men must part ways. Destiny being what it is, Zechs cannot remain on Earth with Treize and OZ any longer. The tug of his own path is too strong.

"Tallgeese Destroyed" is a curious episode. Proud and full of original, interesting ideas, it’s also strangely hollow and leaves us wanting more. Yes, I’m aware of the first rule of storytelling -- "always leave your audience wanting more" -- but in this case I didn’t feel as if we were given enough to satisfy our Gundam Wing hunger in any real, concrete way. Maybe this type of episode is to be expected every few weeks or so -- the filler episode. The bridge. Now that the action is shifting away from Earth and toward Outer Space, there are a number of shifts (or scene changes) which need to be made so that all the players are in the new forum. "Tallgeese Destroyed," while not being light on story, somehow feels like a cheat.

While the higher-ups in the Romefeller Foundation are entranced with both the performance ratings and the business prospects of their newly released Mobile Dolls, Treize worries that a war fought without human beings has nothing to do with honor. He’s also concerned that his friend Zechs will be court-martialed unless he promises to rejoin the fight against the five Gundams.

The Zechs hatchling emerges from its shell.

Zechs cannot do that, though, and is told that OZ will dispatch a huge force of 50 Aries suits and 20 Cancers to destroy him and the ship he’s hiding on. Treize notifies Zechs, tells him of OZ’s plan in the hopes his friend will escape with his life. The battle begins, Zechs lays waste to the enemy and winds up passed out on a sandy beach alongside the Tallgeese. During the battle his ever-present mask shatters -- as it crumbles, Zechs proclaims his friendship with Treize over.

Again (because I’ve said this before), Zechs motivation here is foggy at best. Sure, you can read into it if you want, but I prefer to let each episode stand on its own. Treize has taken a great risk to allow his friend a chance at survival. Right now, Zechs’ path isn’t entirely clear. It’s not a foregone conclusion that Zechs and Treize will square off against each other. Yet the Gundam Wing producers (and writers) tip their hand by having Zechs formally end his friendship with Treize. Maybe it’s the Japanese custom of formality -- for me, though, it feels forced and obvious. Maybe the problem here isn’t that we’re left wanting more, but that "Tallgeese Destroyed" left us knowing too much.

--Ross Brooks will destroy you. Which means he'll send you to a beautiful, sandy beach.

Past Gundam Wing Reviews

49: Final Victors
48: Take Off Into Confusion
47: Collision in Space
46: Milliardo's Decision
45: Signs of the Final Battle
44: Go Forth, Gundam Team
43: Target: Earth
42: Battleship Libra
41: Crossfire at Barge
40: A New Leader
39: Trowa Returns to the Battlefield
38: Relena Becomes Queen
37: Zero vs. Epyon
36: The Collapse of the Sanc Kingdom

17: Betrayed By Home, Faraway
16: The Sorrowful Battle
15: To the Battleground Antarctica
14: The Order to Destroy Zero One
13: Catherine's Tears
12: Bewildered Warriors
11: The Whereabouts of Happiness
10: Heero - Distracted by Defeat
9: Portrait of a Ruined Country
8: The Treize Assassination
7: Scenario of Bloodshed
6: Party Night
5: Relena's Secret
4: The Victorian Nightmare
3: Five Gundams Confirmed
2: Deathscythe
1: The Shooting Star She Saw

Gundam Wing, The Lonely Battlefield - anime - 6.28.

Talking Star Trek - tv - 6.28.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Movies - movies - 6.28.

The Week in Comics - comics - 6.28.