Suisei no Gargantia - 11

'Ruler of Terror'

This episode of Suisei no Gargantia heralds the official return of Commander Kugel, bringing along with it rapid developments in the face of its conclusion. Though I have my suspicions Kugel may not be the person running the show...

My parents told me not to trust people with beards...

... and he seems to have established a cult similar to the Galactic Alliance. Ledo immediately yields without question to the superior figure of authority, giving no pause for rational thoughts. Of course, Flange’s fleet is now in a dire predicament, having no choice but to assimilate, due to the fact they do not possess firepower with the sufficiency to match Kugel. So in a rather symbolic gesture of submission, Flange kneels, and is reluctantly indoctrinated into the cult (along with the entire fleet).

Art Fail: Those two in the back look like Slender

Kugel comes across as a divine figure, invoking fear by remaining unknown, while using his Machine Caliber, Striker, as a formidable front for his image. Everyone is at the mercy of his overwhelming supremacy, having no choice but to bow before him, and live under an authoritarian rule. Hypothetically, Ledo could’ve pursued a similar route, which even he cursed for not considering at all. Still, a real contrast is shown in the methodology each took individually, with Ledo opting to interact peacefully with the Gargantians, and Kugel establishing a reign of terror. This is further reflected in their Machine Calibers, with Chambers being passive, and Striker being aggressive. Indeed, the likelihood of a clash between Ledo and Kugel is invariably heightened, since the protagonist’s antithesis has been presented.

'He's more machine now than man. Twisted and evil.'- Obi-Wan-Kenobi

As the episode progresses, we find Ledo occasionally questioning what it means to live in a society—and consequently indirectly questioning Kugel’s actions as well. Despite his militaristic instincts, fact remains that he’s definitely been changed as a result of his time on the Gargantia. For the most part, this series has mostly focused upon Ledo’s growth as a character, as well as his progression into adulthood.

'The Hideauze... they're humans!!!'

The defining moment of this week’s episode results from Kugel admitting he knew of the Hideauze’s secret, along with his subsequent definition of the Hideauze as being formerly human. And it’s key to note because what’s lost beneath all this “Hideauze aren’t really human anymore” talk, is the fact that theoretically, the society that Kugel’s trying to make doesn’t make them anymore human either. 

Herpy Derp Derp, Derpy Derp Herp

Kugel and the Galactic Alliance members may be trying to create the ideal society, but forcing people to live in a society where stability, and cost-benefit efficiency is valued over the happiness of the majority… the society in itself lacks any feature which would arguably define it as being human. In essence, the Galactic Alliance is an organization of humans, which look and act human, but are really robots underneath that exterior. In that context, they’re arguably no more human than the Hideauze at this point. I guess that’s why we have the Gargantians and those living on Earth taking a big part of the series’ spotlight though, because looking at things realistically, only they possess human qualities having been unaffected by the conflict.  Perhaps I’m taking things for granted too much, with Kugel and Ledo originating from a militarized background. However, by denying their own feelings and that of others around them, they are entirely discarding an aspect which distinguishes us from machines, that is our emotions, and abstract, creative capacity to solve problems that fall outside intellect.

The Eye of Sauron sees all...

Across various forums, I have noticed people discussing the literal translation of Kugel’s plans, between ‘Missionary Work’ and ‘Major Awareness Strategy’. I’d just like to highlight the extreme variation between the two, with Missionary Work describing a passive approach to conversion, and Major Awareness Strategy being a plan to set an example to the majority by annihilating a small proportion. In any case, Major Awareness Strategy will lead to the more exciting end, since Ledo will have to choose between following Kugel, and annihilating the Gargantia, or saving the Gargantia, but antagonizing Kugel. A storm is brewing, and come the next episode of Gargantia, I can't wait to see what resolution Ledo comes to.

I don't like to imagine what will happen to these people...