2-22. Catastrophe/The Invid Connection.

The Zor city takes casualties during the battle.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Catastrophe.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Sept. 23, 1984. Writer: Jinzou Toriumi. Director: Mikio Suzuki.

Robotech: The Invid Connection.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 23, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

The final battle has begun, with Gen. Emerson leading the assault against the Zor. He's attempting to hold out until Supreme Commander Claude Leon begins his pincer attack from Gloire - but Claude has yet to launch his assault, an inaction that may well spell disaster.

Meanwhile, in the Zor ruins, Seifriet persuades Lana not to arrest Musica, pointing out the way the Zor flowers react to her presence. He tells Lana that this chamber is the key to everything. Before they can actually do anything, however, an enemy ship descends, intending to claim the flowers to restore the Zor fleet's bio-energy.

Seifriet warns off the ship by threatening the flowers. He then demands to speak with Zor leader Dess, to negotiate an end to the conflict. But Jeanne fears that Seifriet actually intends to get revenge on his former tormenters!


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

The final battle has begun, with Gen. Emerson leading the assault against the Robotech Masters. He's attempting to hold out until Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard begins his pincer attack from Earth - but Leonard has yet to launch his assault, an inaction that may well spell disaster.

Meanwhile, the 15th Squadron stands in the ruins of the SDF-1, in the midst of the protoculture factory sought first by the Zentraedi and now by the Masters... but it's too late, with the protoculture now infested with the Invid Flower of Life and expelling spores that will attract that deadly enemy.

Having regained his memories, Zor persuades Nova not to arrest Musica, whose absence from the Zor fleet will drive the enemy slowly but surely into disarray. Before they can actually do anything, however, an enemy ship descends to try to claim the protoculture, Invid flowers or no.

Zor is able to warn the ship off. He demands to speak with the Robotech Masters to negotiate an end to the conflict. But Dana fears that he actually intends to get revenge on his former tormenters!

The 15th Squadron braces itself for conflict
with aliens and humans alike.

CHARACTERS:

Seifriet knows full well that Jeanne tends to be led by her emotions. He tries to play on this when he says that all of his actions were to help Musica. But he forgets that Jeanne is also intuitive. She sees right through him, all too accurately predicting that his true goal is vengeance. She has empathy for his emotional turmoil, but her responsibility is to look after Musica and her squad.

In the "B" plot, Claude Leon informs Emerson about Bowie going AWOL with an alien prisoner. Emerson's response is more soldier than father - that Bowie will need to face punishment and take responsibility. Even Claude seems surprised; the way the scene plays out, it seems as if he meant to mitigate consequences.

The Emerson/Bowie material would work a lot better if the two characters had more interaction prior to this (that's true of their relationship across the entire series, actually), but it just about works in Southern Cross. Robotech's bizarre decision to make Emerson into Bowie's godfather rather than his father mutes much of the emotion. When Robotech's Bowie calls out to Emerson, "My friend!" - Well, I'll just say it's unintentionally a bit comical.

I'm still wondering why this change was made. My immediate instinct is that someone got nervous about a white father with a black son... except that "The Macross Saga" already featured one interracial romance between Roy and Claudia; "The Masters" features another between Bowie and Musica that is also inter-species. Why would an interracial father-and-son be a dealbreaker? And if that wasn't the reason, then what was? The only result of this change has been to generally weaken a thread that was already frayed due to the lack of screen time the two characters shared!

Ah, well.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Another clumsy recap for Southern Cross, though at this point I'm wondering if some of the problem stems from translation. There is a definite senseof the not-quite-there "jumble" that can come from an overly literal translation.

Robotech actually does pretty well by its voice over. The recap actually benefits from the addition of the Invid subplot, and the narration is reasonably restrained across the rest of the episode.

Advantage: Robotech.

Gen. Emerson negotiates. Southern Cross's Zor are more
convincing as negotiators than the Robotech Masters.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Zor Gives a Different Reason for Musica's Importance: Southern Cross's Seifriet gets a wavering Lana to give up on arresting Musica when he points out that the Zor flowers react to her proximity. Since Lana can observe this herself, it's reasonable for her to believe him. Robotech's Zor tells Nova that Musica's playing keeps the clones under the Masters' control, a control that will slip in Musica's absence. This isn't something Nova can verify, and it wouldn't change the advantages to arresting and questioning her. This doesn't make a nonsense out of Nova dropping the arrest, as she's already wavering, but it does weaken that decision to only the emotional appeals.

Emerson and the Supreme Commander: When Claude Leon informs Emerson that Bowie has gone AWOL, he seems to be trying to extend an olive branch, all but offering to mitigate the consequences. He's genuinely surprised when Emerson says that Bowie should face punishment. In Robotech, Emerson immediately protests that Bowie must have been brainwashed, and Anatole Leonard doesn't show the slightest sign of sympathy.

The Ultimatum: The Zor contact Claude to give him a deadline to abandon Gloire, their homeworld, in 48 hours. The substance of the scene is the same in Robotech, but the context is very different: Since the planet is Earth in Robotech, it's now a threat to destroy humanity's home world rather than an ultimatum to abandon the aliens' own home planet.

The Masters Are Less Cordial to Emerson than the Zor: The Zor try to convince Gen. Emerson that they wish to negotiate for a peaceful settlement. The Masters in Robotech do the same - but they drop the act very quickly, sneering about how "stupid" the humans are. Oh, and somehow Emerson and Marie are aware of the Invid, even though they were already off planet by the time any of the humans heard that name.

Zor's Ending Words: At the end of Southern Cross, Seifriet separates from the 15th Squadron in order to chase after the Zor leaders, specifically Dess, vowing to destroy them. Robotech changes Zor Prime's final words, with him now declaring that the Robotech Masters will obey him. This significantly muddles the nature of his personal agenda.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

I don't have much to say here. Both shows apply their incidentals perfectly adequately, and no musical moments really stand out to me.

Advantage: None.

Civilians desperately evacuate the city as the battle draws near.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

The difference in this case is slight. Southern Cross ends up benefiting from better characterizations for Jeanne and Seifriet, and for a slightly better (well, less weak) Emerson/Bowie strand.


OTHER MUSINGS:

The momentum from the previous episode continues. This episode features big action sequences and major plot turns. Even the Plot Armor of the named characters starts to falter, as we get the first major character death just in time to raise the stakes for the finale.

This is principally a plot-based episode. The characterizations still work - but except for Jeanne, Seifriet, and Emerson, the rest only get moments around the edges. The characters are serving the plot this time, whereas the previous two episodes had much of the plot arising from the characters acting according to their natures.

Another good episode, in any case. Fingers crossed that the finale manages to land!


Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Nightmare/Final Nightmare
Next Episode: Genesis/Catastrophe (not yet reviewed)

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2-21. Nightmare/Final Nightmare.

The squad finds the alien flowers in full bloom.
In Robotech, this is a harbinger of doom.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Nightmare.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Sept. 16, 1984. Writer: Tadashi Terada. Director: Noriyasu Kogawa.

Robotech: Final Nightmare.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 22, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

Lana has discovered that Jeanne and her squad have been sheltering Zor civilian Musica, who has fled with Bowie. Lana delivers an ultimatum: Jeanne will find Musica and return her for questioning immediately.

Jeanne interprets the order to her own advantage, directing her squad to perform a slow search even though she already knows where Bowie and Musica are going. The two lovers are making their way to the Zor ruins, where the flowers that are the source of the aliens' energy have reached full bloom.

Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Claude Leon orders a final assault against the Zor - while the Zor, increasingly desperate to replenish their energy, prepare an attack of their own...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

Nova has discovered that Dana and her squad have been sheltering alien civilian Musica, who has fled with Bowie. Nova delivers an ultimatum: Dana will find Musica and return her for questioning immediately.

Dana already knows where Bowie and Musica are going. The two lovers are making their way to the ruins of the SDF-1, where they first saw the Invid Flower of Life. But when they arrive, Musica is horrified to discover that the flower is in full bloom, sending out its spores that will call the Invid to Earth!

Meanwhile, the Robotech Masters, increasingly desperate to replenish their supply of protoculture, prepare an all-out assault on Earth - leaving Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard and Gen. Emerson rushing to intercept them in what seems sure to be the final battle of this war!

Bowie and Musica enjoy a moment of happiness.

CHARACTERS:

Nightmare reduces Bowie and Musica to plot devices. Musica, in particular, seems to spend the first few minutes tripping over... well, the ground. Fair enough to say that a life on a spaceship didn't exactly prepare her for running in the rain, but shouldn't there at least be some uneven terrain for her to trip over? I started to think that Bowie would legitimately make more progress by just carrying her.

There are good character moments for the rest of the cast, though. Jeanne is fiercely protective of Bowie and Musica, slow-walking her (implausibly assigned) search to give them time to get away. Andrzej, who has often argued against Jeanne's decisions, backs her up entirely. The only time he voices disapproval is when she labels Seifriet a coward, with him recognizing the mental torment Seifriet is going through (a good moment that, sadly, is completely changed for Robotech).

Gen. Emerson also gets an excellent scene, reacting nonverbally to Claude Leon's orders in a way that leaves no doubt that he sees these commands as disastrous. After the Act break, he sits in his office in the dark as he resolves to do his duty even if he doesn't think he and his troops will survive it - another scene that is, unfortunately, undermined in Robotech.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Southern Cross opens with another artless infodump that I suspect would leave any viewer who had missed key episodes even more confused than if it hadn't been there. Robotech does a much better job of organizing "the story so far."

As is often the case, Robotech ends up using too much narration in the episode itself. The wonderful scene with Emerson sitting in the dark? Robotech slathers voicd over on top of it, telling us what he's thinking when it's more interesting to interpret it from the visuals and music. Then, when the final battle begins, the narrator tells us that this battle will decide the fate of humanity... even though the rest of the episode has repeatedly emphasized that the Invid are coming and that this battle ultimately won't mean a thing.

Advantage: None. There's plenty of fault in both sets of narration.

Seifriet's memories return. Robotech's Zor recovers
some very different memories.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Elimination of a Freeze Frame: When Southern Cross's Bowie and Musica are fleeing, there's a sustained freeze frame/pullback at the end of their first scene, a moment that makes a strong visual impression. That freeze frame has been snipped from Robotech for no readily apparent reason. Since the cut is only about two seconds, it doesn't even particularly move them toward an extra advert.

Andrzej Understands Seifriet; Angelo Is Scornful to Zor: After Jeanne tears into Seifriet, Andrzej quietly tells her that she went too far given the man's current emotional state. Robotech's Angelo is - say it with me - much, much dumber than Southern Cross's Andrzej, and he just scornfully remarks that the squad is "better off without him."

The Invid Flower Is Poisoning the Protoculture: In Southern Cross, the flower is the source of the energy the Zor need to survive. That the Zor supplies of that flower are wilting to nothing is the reason they are so desperate. In Robotech, the flower is an infestation that has destroyed the protoculture belonging to the Robotech Masters, with them worried that it may have mutated the protoculture at the ruins of the SDF-1 as well.

The Zor Blame the Humans for Starting the War: As they plan an assault on Gloire, the Zor leaders mention that if they wipe the humans out, it is the enemy's own fault for being so aggressive - a callback to the early episodes, in which every major battle was started by the humans. In Robotech, they just shrug off the potential destruction of the human race on the grounds that the humans would be just as doomed when the Invid arrive.

Bowie and Musica Are Intercut with Battle Preparation: Near the Act break, Bowie and Musica ride on the hoverbike he stole, enjoying a moment of happiness that is intercut with preparations for battle. Southern Cross plays this out over romantic piano music, with the contrast of the music and visuals making for an effective moment. Robotech tries to do something similar, minus the piano music, contrasting voice-overs of Musica and Bowie reflecting on their happiness against military chatter. This isn't a bad effort on the part of the Robotech writers, but I think the original version is stronger.

The Supreme Commander's Orders: Southern Cross's Claude Leon orders Emerson to attack the enemy from one direction while the rest of his forces attack from Gloire. Robotech's Anatole Leonard is just reacting to the movements of the Robotech Masters, hurriedly scrambling forces while ordering Emerson not to withdraw, "no matter what."

Emerson's Orders to Marie and Lt. Brown: The two versions have Gen. Emerson giving completely different instructions to Marie and Lt. Brown. In Southern Cross, he explicitly tells them that they are to fight to the last, with no retreat. In Robotech, he instead says that he expects both of them to come back alive.

Lana's Pursuit: When Jeanne discovers that Lana is following them, she orders Charles to lose her. Robotech changes this slightly, with it now Sean's idea to lose Nova, with Dana actually checking to see if he's sure he can manage that.

Musica Reacts to the Flower: In Southern Cross, Musica recognizes the flower's spores as "the same energy that we used to be bathed with," and she looks out on the sight of the flowers with wonder and a little bit of fear. In Robotech, her reaction is one of despair, as she recognizes the flower's spores mean they are "too late" and that the Invid will be coming.

Zor's Memories: The spores prompt the last of Seifriet's memories to fall into place, and he collapses as he recalls being captured and transformed by the Zor, all for the sake of finding these plants. That doesn't fit with Robotech's changed context; in the Americanized version, Zor collapses as he recalls the "original" Zor's death in an explosion (while studying protoculture, of course).

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

This one's a closer call than the last two episodes. Southern Cross benefits from a couple of standout musical moments: the romantic piano music as Bowie and Musica ride toward the ruins and the ethereal alien song as they observe the flowers. Robotech does well with its music, but there's nothing in it to match those two moments.

Advantage: Southern Cross.

The final battle begins.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Both versions of this episode are very good. I actually quite like some of the Robotech material, notably the way the writers are using these events to set up the Invid story. There's a wonderfully ominous quality to Musica's reactions when she sees the spores and realizes that it is, indeed, too late to prevent invasion.

Other changes leave me favoring the original version. Several character interactions are simplified for Robotech, notably those involving Gen. Emerson and his lieutenants and those involving Angelo - who, as ever, is written to be dumber and more belligerent than Southern Cross's Andrzej.

It's still a close call, though, and I'd rank both versions of this episode among the series' best.


OTHER MUSINGS:

Nightmare follows on directly from the previous installment, with Bowie and Musica on the run. Its "A" plot, with Lana assigning Jeanne's squad to find them, feels almost like its own story, but it is very effectively intercut with the lead up to the final assault.

I love the way the two strands progress together. There really doesn't seem to be much plot connection until the final ten minutes, but the Southern Cross episode uses its score to bind them. Robotech attempts something similar with internal monologues and dialogue and, while it isn't as strong as the original version, it still pulls off a similar effect. In both versions, this grants significance to an "A" plot that might have otherwise seemed like another installment of "Jeanne's/Dana's antics."

There's certainly no denying the episode's momentum. Nightmare moves, and it manages several memorable moments along the way. Finally, the visuals of the ruins filled with spores and flowers are gorgeous.


Overall Rating: 9/10.

Previous Episode: Daydream/Daydreamer
Next Episode: Catastrophe/The Invid Connection

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2-20. Daydream/Daydreamer.

Bowie is determined to protect Musica.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Daydream.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Sept. 9, 1984. Writer: Tadashi Terada. Director: Yoshihito Hata.

Robotech: Daydreamer.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 21, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

The 15th prepares to return home, but they have a problem: Musica. She's a Zor civilian and, as such, would be immediately subject to interrogation. But she also saved their lives and that, combined with Bowie's feelings for her, leaves them feeling obligated to protect her.

Jeanne and Charles stage a distraction when they land, and they successfully keep Lana from finding Musica. But their behavior draws Lana's suspicions, and it isn't long before she starts investigating in earnest.

Meanwhile, Seifriet's feelings of guilt and anger lead him to reckless action...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

The 15th prepares to return home, but they have a problem: Musica. She's an enemy civilian and, as such, would be immediately subject to interrogation. But she also saved their lives and that, combined with Bowie's feelings for her, leaves them feeling obligated to protect her.

Dana and Sean stage a distraction when they land, and they successfully keep Nova from finding Musica. But their behavior draws Nova's suspicions, and it isn't long before she starts investigating in earnest.

Meanwhile, Zor's feelings of guilt and anger lead him to reckless action...

Andrzej confronts Seifriet.

CHARACTERS:

This is a character-centric episode, so there is unsurprisingly a lot of good character material.

Jeanne is at her most emotional, protecting the two lovers above all else. When Lana confronts her, she could argue for her actions on logical grounds: Claude Leon's overzealous interrogation resulted in the death of the (entirely human) bioroid pilot who was captured before Seifriet. The same happening to Musica is a legitimate worry, particularly now that Claude has unopposed control, and that could cost them a valuable resource. Instead, Jeanne insults Lana as "hard-hearted" and insists that love is more important than the war (try telling that to the families of any of the dead).

But Jeanne's ability to make intuitive leaps is also spotlighted. When Musica sings a Zor legend about flowers of light, Jeanne connects that to the flowers that she, Bowie, and Seifriet saw earlier, a jump that seems poised to lead directly to the events of the final episodes.

Musica feels guilt on two counts: abandoning her sisters, whom we see taken to the prison sector for those whose identicals have gone; and the trouble she's causing for Jeanne and the 15th. Bowie sees only the woman he loves, and he tells Musica that it's important to remember that the war will eventually end.

Seifriet also feels guilt - along with a fair bit of anger. The Zor used him as a weapon against his own people. Now that his memories are restored, he is furious at the Zor, and at Andrzej for saving him when he intended to go out in a blaze of glory. Andrzej responds by decking him and chastising him for wanting to die "a hero" when so many of their comrades have simply died namelessly in the carnage of the war.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Both recaps are poor. Southern Cross's recap is merely clunky, however, while Robotech's narrator launching into a dizzyingly complex summary of all the backstory surrounding Zor Prime. How about just sticking to what's directly relevant to the episode? The Robotech episode also seems to think that we need narration over almost every scene transition, I guess because cutting from one location to another is confusing rather than something that occurs in practically every movie or television program ever made.

Advantage: Southern Cross. 

The Zor worry about dwindling energy, while the Robotech
Masters fret about the Invid Flower of Life.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

The Fake Injury: In Southern Cross, Charles distracts Lana's attention by being carried on a stretcher for a supposedly injured ankle. Robotech makes it even sillier by having Sean's feigned injury be to his big toe. A change for the stupid, as Sean's "big toe" lie couldn't have been better calculated to draw suspicion.

The Masters and the Flower of Life: The Zor leaders in Southern Cross are concerned about their low energy levels, which are giving rise to emotions and individuality in the younger generation. They need the flower on Gloire in order to replenish that energy source. In Robotech, the plant is now "the Invid Flower of Life," which infects the protoculture the Masters need, rendering it useless. This is a significant change in context that will almost certainly lead to further changes in the remaining episodes.

Bowie's Choice of Music: The squad meets in a bar, with Bowie playing the piano to everyone else's applause. When they call for an encore, Bowie obliges. In Southern Cross, he plays a piano version of Musica's song, which stirs up emotional responses from both Musica and Seifriet. In Robotech, he just plays a piano version of Minmei's It's Me, which has no direct link to the responses of the other characters.

Andrzej and Seifriet vs. Angelo and Zor: Seifriet is angry that Andrzej saves him from a hero's death... something that only happened in Southern Cross, which means that their confrontation is heavily rewritten in Robotech. The writers actually do a decent job of this, with Zor angry not at Angelo but at himself for surviving. But it can't help but be weaker than the original, though, and it wouldn't be necessary but for an entirely senseless change made by the previous episode.

Bowie Explains Musica's Feelings to Her: Southern Cross's Bowie responds well to Musica's guilt as he reassures her that she's neither an enemy nor an inconvenience. In Robotech, however, he decides to helpfully explain her own feelings to her. This, um, doesn't come across as the sensitive, romantic gesture that I think it's intended to be.

Musica's Song: Musica sings of the flower, prompting Jeanne/Dana to make the connection between her song and the flowers she saw in the cave. In Southern Cross, Musica is singing what she believes is just a legend with no basis in reality. In Robotech, with the flower now a harbinger of the Invid, she tells Dana that she hopes that isn't the flower she saw in the ruins of the SDF-1, as that flower is "often accompanied by great evil."

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

Southern Cross's score is beautifully used throughout, with incidentals very restrained and with Musica's songs used in ways that are emotionally effective while also pushing the story forward. Robotech also applies its music well - but those tracks are extremely well worn by now, which blunts the effectiveness considerably.

Advantage: Southern Cross.

Lana suspects that Jeanne's squad is hiding something.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

The Southern Cross episode is outstanding, a fine character piece that also does some important work in pushing the plot toward the finale. These virtues are also true of Robotech. However, the Americanized version suffers from changes, particularly to the excellent Andrzej/Seifriet confrontation. The corresponding Angelo/Zor argument is far less effective, which is almost entirely because of a pointless change made to the last episode.

This, combined with Robotech's ongoing problem with bad dialogue, makes the original version a considerably better viewing experience.


OTHER MUSINGS:

Daydream benefits from having the characters behave in ways that make sense for their situation. Every character gets at least something to do. Andrzej and Seifriet are furious at each other: Seifriet for being denied a hero's death that would have released him from his guilt; Andrzej at what he sees as Seifriet's disrespect to the many soldiers who have already died in this war. Bowie wants to protect Musica. Jeanne, carried away by emotion, wants to protect the lovers at least in part because they are lovers. Charles is up for a bit of scheming and mischief. The more analytical Louis sees the overall situation they've gotten themselves into and worries that they're in over their heads.

All of this is well-written. The external conflict, with Lana, is also well-structured, with her suspicions gradually building throughout. The Southern Cross version doesn't put a foot wrong. There are no battle scenes or explosions here - just very good character writing. The result may just be my favorite episode of the series.

The Robotech version is plagued by... well, Robotech dialogue. The odd clunky line doesn't hurt the action-heavy episodes, but that same issue can be lethal to character-based ones.

Dana's lines are particularly bad ("Now, you listen here!"), and she is written more two-dimensionally than Southern Cross's Jeanne is. It's still a good episode - but unlike Southern Cross, I do not consider this Robotech installment to be a great episode.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 10/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 7/10.

Previous Episode: Crisis/Crisis Point
Next Episode: Nightmare/Final Nightmare

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2-19. Crisis/Crisis Point.

Jeanne and her squadron attempt a desperate escape!

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Crisis.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Sept. 2, 1984. Writer: Tadashi Terada. Director: Mikio Suzuki.

Robotech: Crisis Point.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 20, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

Jeanne and the 15th squadron are prisoners of the Zor - but not for long. After Seifriet leaves his designated area, the Zor decide that the humans are too dangerous to be allowed to live. When Musica discovers this, she stages a daring rescue.

With Musica's help, the squad is able to rescue Seifriet, whose memories have been restored. They make their way back to their mechs. But with the Zor locking down the entire ship, Jeanne isn't sure how she's going to get her squad away and back to the safety of Gloire!


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

Dana and the 15th squadron are prisoners of the Robotech Masters - but not for long. After Zor leaves his designated area, the Masters decide that the humans are too dangerous to be allowed to live. When Musica discovers this, she stages a daring rescue.

With Musica's help, the squad is able to rescue Zor, whose memories of his prior life have been restored. They make their way back to their mechs. But with the Masters locking down the entire ship, Dana isn't sure how she's going to get her squad away and back to the safety of Earth!

Musica helps the humans against her own people.

CHARACTERS:

There's a scene that really captures the difference in characterization between Southern Cross's Andrzej and Robotech's Angelo. Just after escaping confinement, the squad comes to the control center of the ship. Andrzej argues that they should forego rescuing Seifriet and instead complete their mission by destroying the control center. Robotech's Angelo wants the same thing, but changes in dialogue shift the emphasis. Andrzej wants to do his duty; Angelo seems to just want to blow stuff up for the sake of it. Because while Andrzej is a soldier dedicated to duty, Angelo is mostly just an imbecile.

This is a big episode for Musica. Her feelings for Bowie have overwhelmed her, and she tells her sisters that she wishes she could be alone sometimes instead of always with them. When she learns that Bowie and his squad are to be executed, she takes action - passing a point of no return with the Zor, though (at least in Southern Cross) she still wants to save her own people as well.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

After the recap, Southern Cross has an establishing shot of the aftermath of the battle before the camera moves to the Zor ship. It's an effective opening visual for the viewer to absorb with no words needed... but since Robotech doesn't do silence, the narrator talks over it, telling us about how the wreckage is "a grim reminder of the horrors of war." Yeah, thanks for that, Mr. Narrator. Where would we be if you left us to interpret visuals for ourselves?

Advantage: Southern Cross.

Seifriet has flashes of memory. So does Zor
in Robotech, but the meaning is very different.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

The Masters Talk About the Invid: While watching the humans bicker in their cell, the Zor leaders are bemused that they don't seem to realize their situation. In Robotech, the Masters talk about the Invid, discussing how their actions are saving the humans from the upcoming invasion just as much as they're saving themselves.

Zor's Memories Are of "the Protoculture Site": As Seifriet wanders in a daze, he sees flashes of memory from his time on Gloire, which Musica confirms when she finds him. In Robotech, Musica focuses on Zor remembering his visit to "the protoculture site" - the cave with the flowers - even though that scene is depicted in exactly none of these flashbacks.

Louis Explains the Plan in More Detail: The squad discovers Seifriet as his memories are being processed. Observing what's happening, Louis advises waiting until all his memories are restored before staging the rescue. This is the same in Robotech, except that Louis is far more detailed as he goes over the plan, to the point that I half-expected Spaceballs' Dark Helmet to appear and ask, "Everybody got that?"

The Alarm Becomes a Barrier Control: In Southern Cross, the control center features an alarm that can be sounded to alert the civilians to flee the ship. Robotech changes this to a "barrier control" that must be deactivated for Dana's squad to break free. This completely changes the context of Musica and Bowie running for that control. In Southern Cross, they want to save the Zor civilians; in Robotech, they're trying to make good their own escape.

Gen. Emerson's Orders: In Southern Cross, Emerson orders his forces to break off their attack in twenty more minutes. Robotech apparently decided this was too slack a deadline, tightening it to five minutes and making Dana's final escape a lot less likely than Jeanne's, which was pretty darn unlikely to start with!

Seifriet's Fate: When Seifriet announces that he'll delay the Zor and catch up, Andrzej clearly recognizes that he has no intention of doing so. As a result, while the others escape, Andrzej goes back to rescue him. Robotech's Angelo is way too dumb for that, so Zor now escapes on his own, and what had been Andrzej's mech is now explained away as Zor having brought "a change of clothes." Thus, a terrific character beat for Andrzej is tossed aside for no readily apparent reason.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

It's fair to say that many of Robotech's tracks feel overused by this point. It's still good music, so it usually isn't a problem when it's well-applied. But it feels more overused than usual in this episode, a sense that isn't helped by Robotech stuffing every non-dialogue scene with wall-to-wall music. Southern Cross allows several scenes to play without incidentals, which helps to vary the tone and increases the impact of the scenes that do rely on music.

Advantage: Southern Cross.

Zor guards apprehend Seifriet. 

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Southern Cross's Andrzej receives some excellent character moments, while Robotech's Angelo mainly comes across as violent and dumb. Robotech also overexplains certain plot elements, while other changes appear to have been made for no reason at all. The episode remains entertaining either way, but I definitely prefer the original version.


OTHER MUSINGS:

Crisis finishes up what has effectively been a three-parter surrounding the infiltration, exploration, and escape from the Zor mothership. Wonderland was the high point, with the characters' exploration of the alien environment being more interesting than the combat-heavy episodes on either side. Still, Crisis remains an entertaining installment. It offers choice character moments for Seifriet, Andrzej, and Musica, with action that is generally well-animated and fun to watch.

Robotech suffers from weaker characterization (as usual) and a few bizarre changes. In Robotech, this is the weakest of the three episodes, while I'd rate the Southern Cross version about even with Bio Psychers.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 7/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 6/10.

Previous Episode: Wonderland/Dana in Wonderland
Next Episode: Daydream/Daydreamer

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2-18. Wonderland/Dana in Wonderland.

Down the rabbit hole: Jeanne falls into an opening inside
the Zor ship and makes a startling discovery.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Wonderland.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Aug. 26, 1984. Writer: Jinzou Toriumi. Director: Yuusaku Satsukime.

Robotech: Dana in Wonderland.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 17, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

The Zor have re-established control of Seifriet, though only partially. He turns on the 15th, but he seems to be struggling. When he fires at them, his aim is wild. This gives the squad time to escape into the Zor ship, where they plan their next move.

They are cut off from any chance of backup, but they still have a mission. Camouflaging their mechs, they make their way into the city inside the ship, searching for a way to reach a control center. Through a series of misadventures and narrow escapes, they get a look at Zor society - one that prizes unity among its trios and that tries to purge all individual will!


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

The Robotech Masters have re-established control of Zor, though only partially. He turns on the 15th, but he seems to be struggling. When he fires at them, his aim is wild. This gives the squad time to escape into the alien ship, where they plan their next move.

They are cut off from any chance of backup, but they still have a mission. They make their way into the city inside the ship, searching for a way to reach a control center. Through a series of misadventures and narrow escapes, they get a look at this alien society - a society that has made individuality into its greatest crime!

Musica tries to protect Bowie from her own people.

CHARACTERS:

This is another episode that does well at balancing the cast. Jeanne gets the most attention, of course, and there's something appropriate about a character who is independent to a fault literally falling into a center that exists to correct the "flaw" of individuality.

The other characters also get their moments, and in ways that showcase who they are. Bowie and Musica reunite, their mutual bond evident as Louis watches over them with a sort of indulgent bemusement. Charles attempts to use his charm on a trio of Zor women and quickly discovers that this was a bad idea. Andrzej remains absolutely focused on the mission, filtering out all distractions. Even Seifriet gets his moment, as he struggles against the Zor control long enough for the others to get away. No character is simply "there" - They all get something to do.

Advantage: None.


NARRATION:

Both episodes open with a recap. Robotech again adds in mention of the Invid, emphasizing that the conflict the Masters and the humans can't have a true winner with this new threat on the way. The narration extends into the opening shot, which helps to cover up the episode cutting to it in mid-pan. On the whole, both the narration and the bridge into the episode proper are well done.

Advantage: Robotech.

Jeanne and her squad try to blend in among the Zor.
They're not very good at it.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Gloire's Moons Are Again Removed: The opening shot, after the recap, is of Gloire's two moons, before a pan to Gloire and the Zor ship. Robotech cuts in after the pan starts, with only the one moon shown.

Dana Gives Combat Instructions to Angelo: In Southern Cross, Seifriet wrestles against himself while confronting Jeanne and Andrzej. After firing several wild shots, Jeanne observes that the way he's fighting is strange. In Robotech, Dana instead tells Angelo to change to "battleoid mode" to fight Zor more effectively.

Bowie Wants to Avoid Involving the Zor Civilians: While Jeanne and her team are deciding what to do next, Bowie expresses a desire to keep the civilians out of it. Robotech removes this, cutting straight from Louis advising going to the center of the ship to the next scene.

The Supervisor's Reaction to the Humans' Escape: The squad splits up after a scuffle with some guards, and the episode cuts to a Zor supervisor learning that the humans escaped. In Southern Cross, the supervisor orders that surveillance be intensified. In Robotech, the supervisor threatens punishment for the guards' incompetence. Because he's a sci-fi villain after all, and that's what villains do.

The Chamber Jeanne/Dana Falls Into: Jeanne falls from a vehicle and down a proverbial rabbit hole into a confinement area. In Southern Cross, this area is for Zor who have lost their "identicals" and who are therefore no longer part of a trio. Robotech alters this, with Dana finding herself in a center for "purging and replacement" - basically a re-education camp for clones who have been found guilty of independent thought.

Advantage: None. Though there are a few changes, they don't impact the quality of the episode.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

This is another case where both episodes apply their scores well. No moments particularly stand out, but there are also no moments where the music becomes intrusive or jarring.

Advantage: None.

Louis is ensnared by a Zor trap!

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - NONE:

I can't really give one version a nod over the other. Aside from a few light trims, most of the changes made for Robotech are minor ones that were made to fit that series' continuity. Nothing is particularly disrupted by those changes, leaving the two versions on about equal footing. 


OTHER MUSINGS:

Some of the animation looks a bit blocky, with basic character movements like walking or running occasionally coming across as jagged. However, this is more than made up for by the creative artwork of the ship's interior, from sterile labs to an organic almost-forest. It's a good-looking episode overall, even with those visible problems involving character movement.

Given the title Wonderland, it's unsurprising that there are a few nods to Alice. Jeanne and the others drink substances and, while disguised as Zor, they are given bio-energy to consume (Louis has to stop Jeanne from gulping it up, because Jeanne has the impulse control of a five-year-old). Jeanne even falls through a hole and finds herself in another strange setting.

The pace is rapid, taking the heroes from one misadventure to the next, but it never comes across as rushed. It also gives us a decent look at Zor society - which, for the average civilian, looks like a case of being "comfortably oppressed." The citizens don't seem to want for much, but at the same time simple individual thought (or, in Southern Cross, having the misfortune to lose an "identical") is enough for them to be summarily arrested and confined.

Between the pacing, the glimpses of the alien culture, and the strong balance of the ensemble, I'd rank this as Southern Cross's best episode thus far. By the standards of this series, I think this one merits full marks.


Overall Rating: 10/10.

Previous Episode: Bio Psycher/Mind Games
Next Episode: Crisis/Crisis Point

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2-17. Bio Psycher/Mind Games.

The 15th squadron attempts to infiltrate
an enemy vessel while under heavy fire!

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Bio Psycher.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Aug. 19, 1984. Writer: Jinzou Toriumi. Director: Susumu Nagao.

Robotech: The Hunters.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 16, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

With Gen. Emerson's forces now established at Aluce Base, it's time for the next phase of the offensive. While Emerson's forces engage the enemy, Jeanne's 15th Squadron is assigned to infiltrate one of the Zor ships.

The plan appears on track for success. Emerson's ships are able to breach the hull of the main enemy ship, creating an opening for Jeanne. But out of that breach come the bio psychers - the new Zor mech designed to channel all the strengths of the Zor trinity!


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

With Gen. Emerson's forces now established at Moonbase Aluce, it's time for the next phase of the offensive against the Robotech Masters. While Emerson's forces engage the Masters, Dana Sterling's 15th Squadron is assigned to infiltrate one of their ships.

The plan appears on track for success. Emerson's ships are able to breach the hull, creating an opening for Dana. But out of that breach comes a new, more powerful mech: the Invid Fighter, designed to channel all the strengths of the Triumverate to counter the powerful foe that the Masters know is on its way.

The Masters believe that this battle will make an ideal test for their new design - and the appearance of these mechs seems poised to turn the tide of battle against the humans!

The eve of the battle gives the squadron
a little too much time to wait. And worry.

CHARACTERS:

Jeanne and Bowie are aligned in not wanting to kill humans who were captured and brainwashed by the Zor. However, once Jeanne realizes that the pilots of the bio psychers are Zor, her hesitance drops away. The Zor are the enemy, and she's trained and willing to kill the enemy.

Probably in part because of meeting Musica and in part because of his own nature, Bowie still wants to avoid killing. Seifriet is also informed by his experiences with the Zor, but those experiences push him in the opposite direction. He doesn't consider the brainwashed Bioroid pilot that he was to have been truly human; though he doesn't outright say so, he views killing those pilots as something almost akin to a kindness.

Robotech simplifies this, particularly for Dana and Bowie. In Southern Cross, Jeanne and Bowie collaborate in turning off the combat links created in the previous episode so that they can avoid killing the Bioroid pilots. This element has been almost entirely removed from Robotech; and though Dana is upset when she sees the enemy pilots are humanoid, she still urges Bowie to fight back, reminding him of their training.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

The Robotech narrator now identifies the moonbase as "Moonbase Aluce" rather than "Moonbase Luna." I suppose it's nice that they're now using the Southern Cross designation, but it creates a direct continuity error given that previous episodes named the base "Luna."

Advantage: Southern Cross.

The Zor prepare to deploy their new weapon. In Robotech,
their purpose is to test it for when they face the Invid.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Shots Showing Two Moons Are Removed: Southern Cross's Gloire has two moons, with Aluce Base on one of them, and the episode has an establishing shot showing both moons. Since Robotech takes place on Earth, the part of this shot that shows two moons has been removed.

Pre-Battle Jitters: Southern Cross's Jeanne and Bowie worry that in the battle ahead, they'll end up killing people who are themselves victims; Seifriet speaks up to tell them that the people under Zor control are currently less than human and to admit that he still doubts himself. Robotech changes this so that they instead worry about not surviving the battle. Zor still makes a speech about being less than human while under the Masters' control, but he no longer expresses any self-doubt.

The Masters Discuss the Invid: With only a handful of episodes left in Southern Cross, Robotech works on building up the next enemy. As the Masters prepare for the human assault, they spend most of their time talking about the threat posed by "the Invid sensor nebula," which they clearly see as a far greater danger than the humans.

Jeanne and Bowie: The pre-battle conversation between Jeanne and Bowie has been completely rewritten for Robotech, and not for the better. The original version sees him fretting about killing captive humans. Jeanne suggests that the two of them turn off the links to the combat program prepared in the previous episode, so that they can carefully avoid fatal blows. Bowie tells her that he loves her (not romantically), and she hugs him before the attack begins. It's a good scene.

The Robotech version... isn't. In Robotech, Bowie's fear is prompted by meeting Zor, with him unable to see Zor's people as enemies. Dana blathers to him about how not actually wanting to kill makes them good soldiers before promising that they will both come back alive - which, given their impenetrable Plot Armor, I'm sure will prove true. With the "avoid killing" plot point removed and most of the emotional resonance, there's no longer any reason for this scene even to be there; they might as well have cut it for more ad time to sell toys.

The Masters Use the Battle to Test Their Invid Fighter: In Southern Cross, the bio psycher has been prepared specifically for the war against the humans. In Robotech, the Masters' real enemy is the Invid, with the humans seeming mainly to be an inconvenience. They decide to use the battle to test the capabilities of their new Invid fighter.

The Bioroid Pilots Receive Detailed Plans: In Southern Cross, after the bioroid pilots receive instructions to prepare for battle, they wordlessly get into their mechs and study their display screens in silence. Robotech doesn't do silence. There's extra chatter scattered throughout the episode, but it's most visible in this scene, as a mechanized voice fills in their battle plan while they watch the display screen. It goes without saying that the original version, without the voice, is more effective.

Jeanne Is Relieved the Pilots Aren't Human; Dana Is Horrified That They're Humanoid: In Southern Cross, Jeanne shoots the face plate off one of the bio-psychers, sending the pilot flying out into space. When she sees that the pilot is a Zor and not a brainwashed human, she is relieved. Robotech's Dana is horrified, though, realizing that the enemy pilots are "like Zor," clones who are under the Masters' control.

Bowie No Longer Reflects on Musica: In Southern Cross, Jeanne turns her combat link back on, telling Bowie that the enemies are Zor and not humans. Bowie starts to do the same, then stops. He thinks of Musica and decides that he doesn't want to kill Zor pilots any more than he wants to kill humans. Since the combat link subplot has been all but removed from Robotech, Bowie no longer has that moment of reflection.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

This is another action-heavy episode, which automatically favors Robotech. Robotech's tracks have been recycled so much that I find myself half-predicting which one will cue up next. That said, its music is stirring and exciting in a way that Southern Cross's combat music just isn't. Overused or not, Robotech's tracks easily win this category.

Advantage: Robotech.

Jeanne and Andrzej make it onto the enemy ship,
only to make a horrible discovery!

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Southern Cross's script offers some excellent character work for Jeanne, Bowie, and Seifriet, while also following up nicely on the combat program established in the previous episode. All of this is made simpler and shallower in Robotech, while the links to the last episode are all but gone.

Robotech's music gives a lift to the action scenes, and I am enjoying the way the Robotech scripts use the Masters' fear of the Invid to set up the next enemy as an "ultimate threat." But that isn't even close to enough to offset how much more interesting the main characters are in Southern Cross.


OTHER MUSINGS:

This episode is very entertaining, with good character moments and a second half that acts as a sustained, well-realized action set piece. The scene in which the 15th Squadron first encounters the Zor bio pyschers is memorable, with the new enemy mechs making an imposing initial impression. Too bad that impression isn't sustained.

After a couple minutes of being pinned down by the bio psychers, Jeanne and her squad not only turn the tide but start blasting through them with ease. I'm reminded of Game of Thrones' Sir Barristan Selmy, telling guards who are suddenly threatening him that "even now, I could cut through the five of you like carving a cake." By the end of the episode, that's about how much effort Jeanne's squad is expending to destroy these new "doomsday mechs."

It's hard to take them at all seriously after that. Even the Robotech episode lampshades this by having the Masters observe that the humans have discovered an inherent weakness (though it doesn't specify what that weakness might be).

It's still an energetic installment, and the characterizations are too well-scripted for me to rate this as anything other than a good episode. But if the bio psychers hadn't been neutered so quickly after their introduction, this would be one of the series' best.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 7/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 6/10.

Previous Episode: Hunter Killer/The Hunters
Next Episode: Wonderland/Dana in Wonderland

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2-16. Hunter Killer/The Hunters.

Louis beams with pride when he's asked to modify an
invention for training. He doesn't stay proud for long.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Hunter Killer.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Aug. 5, 1984. Writer: Tomoko Kawasaki. Director: Mikio Suzuki.

Robotech: The Hunters.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 15, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

To reach Aluce Base, Gen. Emerson's forces must pass near the region of space occupies by the Zor. Emerson hopes to traverse this area without the Zor noticing, and he appears to get his wish - only to find the aliens preparing a trap near their lunar destination.

Meanwhile, Louis has invented a device that vastly improves his performance on a flight simulator game. This attracts the notice of two senior officers, who recruit him to modify his device for use in training simulations. But after completing his work, Louis learns that his invention will be used for more than just training...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

To reach Moonbase Luna, Gen. Emerson's forces must pass near the edge of a nebula that is uncomfortably close to the Robotech Masters. Emerson hopes to traverse this area without the enemy noticing, and he appears to get his wish - only to find the aliens preparing a trap near their lunar destination.

Meanwhile, Louis has invented a device that vastly improves his performance on a flight simulator game. This attracts the notice of two senior officers, who recruit him to modify his device for use in training simulations. But after completing his work, Louis learns that his invention will be used for more than just training...

Emerson hopes to avoid battle by sneaking past the Zor.

CHARACTERS:

Gen. Emerson shows both prudence and strength as a commander. When the Zor appear not to notice the humans as they pass near their ships, a subordinate urges a surprise attack. Emerson rebuffs this, reminding the younger man that their mission is to reinforce the base. Unspoken but clear is that getting killed in space will make that mission a failure. However, when battle becomes unavoidable, Emerson doesn't hesitate to engage the enemy and is quick to come up with a solution to their dilemma.

At least, all of that is true in Southern Cross. Most of it is still true in Robotech. However, the Robotech episode tacks in some dialogue with a subordinate urging Emerson to action when the Robotech Masters attack, which makes the general look a lot less decisive.

The episode's other strand shines a spotlight on Louis. We already know that he likes to tinker. Here, he explains to Jeanne why he's so interested in machines, talking about how machines are able to offset man's inherent limitations. He dreams of inventing something that will enable humanity to reach its full potential, and Jeanne is impressed at his romantic ideals. It's a key scene, because it shows all the reasons why he's so appalled when he discovers the true purpose for which his invention is being deployed.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Southern Cross's opening narration is the usual recap, focusing on Gen. Emerson's mission to expand the human forces at Aluce Base and the Zor's plans to stop him. Robotech's narration shifts focus entirely, placing the emphasis on setting up the Invid Invasion for the third arc. It's an understandable change, but it does mean that relatively little groundwork is laid for those who might have missed the previous episode.

Advantage: Southern Cross.

Jeanne tests Louis's invention.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

The Nebula: To reach Aluce Base, Gen. Emerson's forces pass through a zone controlled by the Zor. Robotech slightly alters this by having them pass through the edge of a nebula to reach Moonbase Luna.

Added Technobabble: When Louis describes the way the game works in Southern Cross, what he says is technical but still basically straightforward. Robotech decides to go the full Star Trek, with Louis descending into a soup of Technobabble that I suspect is mostly gibberish.

The Odds of Breaking Through the Enemy: When the Zor spring their trap in Southern Cross, Gen. Emerson first tries to just break through without engaging. He asks what the odds are, and is told there's a 51% chance of success. Robotech's writers must have decided that wasn't dramatic enough, as the American show changes this to a 20% chance. This actually hurts Emerson's characterization. In Southern Cross, he has a basically even chance of getting his forces out of danger by just flying through, making it a sensible order to give. In Robotech, his odds are slim, making his order seem desperate.

Sean Has Suspicions: Both episodes come back from commercial to a scene in which Charles/Sean talks about Louis's game. Robotech changes the conversation slightly. Unlike Charles, Sean voices suspicions that Major Cromwell's plans for the device may go beyond a mere training simulation. I actually like this change. Combined with a slight change of emphasis when Cromwell first asked to use the device, it more strongly foreshadows the ending. It also fits with Sean's background, given that he was the 15th squadron's original commander before he was busted back to private; even in peacetime, he would have had some experience dealing with interdepartmental politics, and he'd know to be wary of others' motives.

Lt. Brown's Reasons for Joining the Mission: Lt. Brown announces that he'll be joining the 15th Squadron for the next phase of the Supreme Commander's plan. In Southern Cross, he wants to support Gen. Emerson. Robotech alters the dialogue so that he wants to prove his bravery to the general - which makes it sound less like personal loyalty and more as if he's angling for a promotion. I prefer the Southern Cross version.

Bad Dialogue Ruins a Major Reveal: Robotech continues its ongoing struggle with dialogue that sounds either juvenile or clunky or both. This is particularly noticeable in the dramatic reveal of how Louis's invention is being applied. The Southern Cross scene is quite strong, with effective moments for Jeanne, Louis, Bowie, Seifriet, and Andrzej. In Robotech, almost every line lands with a thud, ruining the episode's major scene.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

This is an action-heavy episode, and Southern Cross's "battle music" isn't particularly impressive. That makes it little surprise that Robotech wins this category. Most noticeably, Robotech uses one of its tracks to very strong effect when Louis's game is demonstrated just before a cut back to the battle, musically connecting the two scenes more smoothly than the same transition in the original verison.

Advantage: Robotech.

Caught in a Zor trap, Gen. Emerson tries a desperate tactic.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Robotech suffers from some of the clunkiest dialogue the show has delivered in a while, which really harms the episode's most emotional moment. Emerson's character is also made to look weaker, thanks to dialogue from his subordinates making it appear that he's hesitant instead of decisive.


OTHER MUSINGS:

The Southern Cross episode is quite good. The "A" and "B" plots have no immediate impact on each other, but both strands are well-presented and enjoyable. The episode also moves along at a pace that's fast without feeling rushed. The Southern Cross writers know to slow down for a good character scene between Jeanne and Louis, while also finding time to show Bowie worrying about his father (or godfather, in Robotech) while at the same time pretending not to worry.

The Robotech version remains watchable. The fast pace is built into this one, and the Robotech music benefits the action scenes. But the dialogue problems make Robotech noticeably worse in this instance, resulting in one of the weakest episodes of the Americanized show in a while.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 7/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 5/10.

Previous Episode: Love Story/Love Song
Next Episode: Bio Psycher/Mind Games

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