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Gundam Seed Destiny Episodes

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Episode 36: Athrun Escapes

Details

Original Air Date: June 18, 2005

The Synopsis

Dullindal describes the two new units in detail. Destiny was specifically designed to fit Shinn's growing strengths - and especially to accomodate his increase in speed. Dullindal explains that he doesn't want Shinn to feel limited by the Impulse's capabilities, and gave him a top-notch unit. He turns to Athrun and explains that his unit, the Legend, is equipped with the DRAGOON system - something which he feels Athrun of all people should be able to handle best. Dullindal noties Athrun's wary expression and asks if something is wrong. Athrun then questions Dullindal why they shot down the Archangel and the Freedom - they had the same ideals they did, to fight for peace. Dullindal turns and replies with another question: then why didn't they join our side to begin with? They had plenty of opportunity to do so..yet they didn't.
Athrun is surprised at these words. Dullindal explains that if only they had joined with ZAFT then everything would be okay. But the fact was that they hadn't, and as a powerful and potentially harmful force, he had ordered them shot down in order to eliminate the threat they posed.

Meanwhile, as Athrun digests Dullindal's words within the confines of his room, Rey pays Gil (Dullindal's informal nickname) a visit and discuss Athrun's recent behavior. Rey tells Dullindal that Athrun was useless as expected. Dullindal expresses his disappointment at the "waste of strength" - it was "too bad Athrun thought too much." Athrun could not simply follow orders like a puppet, attacking whomever Dullindal labeled as the enemy. He also still had a deep attachment to the Freedom and the Archangel. Dullindal wonders if it is because of the pilot, Kira Yamato. In any case, Dullindal says, Rey knows where Athrun is currently situated, and is to "take care of the matter."
During their discussion, Meer happens to overhear them. She finds a photo taken of the secret meeting between Athrun, Kira, Miriallia, and Cagalli way back when, and her eyes widen in shock. She hurries to Athrun and informs him that if he keeps his behavior up, such as not going to the hangar and working with his unit like that "Shinn kid" was, he was going to get into trouble. Athrun asks her what she's talking about, "accused of what?" Meer shares what she learned while overhearing the "Rey kid" speaking to the Chairman. Athrun suddenly realizes that Dullindal understands him very well - he can't simply be a puppet - and because of his inability to fit nicely into Dullindal's plans, he was going to be killed and done away with.
At that moment, the guards bang on Athrun's door, demanding to speak with him. Athrun jumps out the window, and lands a surprise-attack on the armed guards, taking them all down before offering a hand to Meer. The two of them run to the foot of a staircase outside in the pouring rain before Meer stops him and asks him why. Athrun explains that Dullindal can only have things his way, and nothing else. He wanted Athrun to be a mindless soldier fighting whatever Dullindal thought he should, but because Athrun had ideals that he believed in, Dullindal no longer had a use for him. Athrun warns Meer that it will be the same for her - Dullindal only needs Meer for so long, as Lacus and not as Meer, and when that time passes, she, too will die. Meer becomes frightened and refuses to acknowledge this. She tries to get Athrun to stay with her, her eyes wide and hysterical. Footsteps are heard, and after Athrun fails to convince Meer again, he is forced to leave or risk getting caught.

The guards have been given permission to shoot Athrun down if necessary.
Athrun arrives at Meyrin's room, silently closing the door behind him with a rifle in his hand. Meyrin is surprised, and asks what's wrong. Athrun covers her mouth and asks her to be silent, he only needs to get outside. Meyrin complies and tells him that he's a hunted man. Then the guards begin to bang on the door, asking if anyone's in there because they need to search. Athrun tells Meyrin to scream that she's being threatened with a gun after he gets out the window, but Meyrin has an idea of her own.
She drags Athrun to hide in the bathroom, wets her hair and puts on a bathrobe before answering the door with a surprised look on her face. Luna happened to be walking by when her sister opened the door to the surprised guards, and asks Meyrin what she is doing dreased like that. Meyrin replies that she was taking a shower but these guards kept on banging on the door to be let in. Luna glares at the guards, who seem taken aback, and tells them to go away there was no one there. She leaves after telling her sister to get properly dressed.
Meyrin closes the door with a sigh of relief, and Athrun comes out asking her why she did that. Meyrin tells him tearfully that she doesn't know. Athrun thanks her for her trouble and is about to leave when Meyrin grabs his ankle, stopping him. She tells gets to her computer and sets off some alarms on the other side of the base to distract most of the guards after them, and goes out to get a car. They drive to the hangars and are noticed by Rey, who was waiting in a supply truck.
They get to the hangars and Meyrin tells Athrun to hurry and escape before he gets himself killed. At that moment, Athrun senses Rey's presence and pushes Meyrin to safety as Rey shoots at them with a rifle. Athrun tells Rey to stop it - Meyrin's there - but Rey doesn't listen. Athrun rolls, avoiding Rey's bullets, and shoots the rifle from Rey's hands. Rey runs away as Athrun and Meyrin board one of the Ginns in the hangar.
Dullindal contacts the Minerva and informs Gladys that Athrun is escaping, though they don't know why, and must be stopped. Rey contacts Shinn and tells him to get ready in his new unit, and that they are going after the escaping spy. Shinn asks him why this is so important, and is shocked when Rey, who is boarding the Legend as he speaks, tells him that their target is Athrun Zala.

The Review

This is the turning point for Athrun - he finally makes his move in the game. The episode was more informative than entertaining, but every bit as interesting as the last episode. After all this time spend contemplating over what he should be fighting for, Athrun decides to return to his friends at the Archangel. We also get a deeper look into Dullindal's real intentions.
We will see how Meyrin will fit into this story.

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