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| A plea for asylum: The former Zentradi spies ask to stay on the Macross. |
Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Drop Out
Original Air Date - Macross: Mar. 27, 1983.
Written by: Hiroshi Ônogi. Directed by: Noboru Ishiguro, Ryô Yasumura.
Robotech: Reckless
Original Air Date - Robotech: Apr. 3, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.
PLOT - MACROSS:
After fending off the Zentradi attack, Hikaru is summoned to an official hearing. To his surprise, he learns that 23 Zentradi have requested asylum, led by former spies Loli, Warera, and Conda. They want to live on the Macross, where men and women interact freely and where Minmay sings her songs.
The request divides the ship's command officers, but it also leads to some soul searching by Hikaru and Misa. Humanity's only long-term path to survival rests in making peace. Misa hopes that the Zentradi defections might be the first step toward that end, leading her to prepare a request for Capt. Global...
PLOT - ROBOTECH:
After fending off the Zentraedi attack, Rick is summoned to an official hearing. To his surprise, he learns that 23 Zentraedi have requested asylum, led by former spies Rico, Bron, and Kondo. They want to live on the SDF-1, where men and women interact freely and where Minmei sings her songs.
The request divides the ship's command officers, but it also leads to some soul searching by Rick and Lisa. Humanity's only long-term path to survival rests in making peace. Lisa hopes that the Zentraedi defections might be the first step toward that end, leading her to prepare a request for Capt. Gloval...
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| Misa advocates for the defectors, while Hikaru is uncertain. |
CHARACTERS:
As usual, Macross's characters feel a bit sharper than Robotech's do, with more layers in their interactions. Hikaru's first instinct at seeing the Zentradi defectors is to respond with anger. Rick reacts more mildly, which makes his reversal later in the scene seem less meaningful. In both versions, Misa/Lisa is firmly on the defectors' side from the start, seizing on their presence as an opportunity that can't be ignored.
Both Macross and Robotech show the leads responding to this development with thoughtfulness and reflection. Think back to the first episode, in which Hikaru was a hothead and Misa was so brittle she was ready to snap at anyone for just about anything, and it's remarkable how much both characters have grown, and so gradually and naturally that the growth has mostly been invisible.
Advantage: Macross.
NARRATION:
Robotech features a bit more narration than Macross, but it doesn't drench it in narration. The only bit that annoyed me was near the beginning, when the episode cuts from Rick to show Khyron trying to stop the deserters. It's a standard cutaway; we really don't need the narrator to hold our hands through it.
On the other hand, there was one piece of added narration that I quite liked: The short bit of voice over at the very end pairs well with the visuals and is actually quite effective.
Advantage: None.
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| The defectors react to the sight of a broken Minmay doll. |
CUTS AND ALTERATIONS:
The Doll: An excellent early scene sees the Zentradi defectors emerging from their battle pods and finding a broken Minmay doll. The previous episode specifically showed that the Minmay doll the spies had brought back was precious to the defectors - and this identical doll on the Macross was destroyed thanks to their attack, which brings home what they've done to the human city. Macross keeps the focus on this realization. The Robotech episode instead shifts to them talking about saving themselves, which seriously undermines the moment.
Hikaru's Reaction to the Aliens vs. Rick's: Hikaru's initial reaction to the Zentradi defectors is to angrily reject them. This makes it more effective when Misa's words and his interactions with the aliens lead to him changing his mind. By contrast, Robotech's Rick is merely temporarily annoyed at the thought that "all is forgiven" before enthusiastically supporting their request.
Restaurant Musings, Curtailed: After the meeting, Hikaru and Misa walk through the wreckage of the city and end up at Minmay's family's restaurant. In Macross, they reflect on the overall situation, both with the war and with their respective feelings toward Minmay and Kaifun. This scene still exists in Robotech, but it's been noticeably shortened and is less effective as a result.
Ending: The only real improvement in Robotech, but it's a big one. The ending sees Misa making her request to Capt. Global, followed by a split screen shot that tracks both her and Hikaru as they barely miss each other while walking in different directions. I prefer the Robotech version of the entire sequence. Macross's Misa sounds too emotional when making her request. In Robotech, voice actress Melanie MacQueen keeps Lisa's tone measured and professional, which feels more in character. Robotech also layers contrasting inner monologues over the final shots of Rick and Lisa, showing the parallel directions of their thoughts. This, and some actual well-used ending narration, enhances what was already a strong ending.
Advantage: None.
INCIDENTAL MUSIC:
Both episodes do a good job with their respective scores, but I'm giving the edge to Macross for one specific moment. Hikaru stumbles across Minmay and Kaifun just in time to see them kiss. He arrives too late to see that the kiss was forced upon Minmay, and he leaves too early to notice her push Kaifun away. As he walks away, an instrumental version of the show's closing theme plays, and it keeps playing over the battle that follows.
Advantage: Macross.
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| Diverging paths: Hikaru and Misa just barely miss each other. Amazingly, this scene is even better in Robotech. |
OVERALL ADVANTAGE: MACROSS:
The difference is so minor that I'd almost mark them as even, particularly with Robotech having the better version of the ending scene. Still, this is a heavily character-based episode, and the characters just come across as more fully realized in Macross, whether it's Hikaru's more complex reaction to the defectors or the expanded Hikaru/Misa scene in the restaurant.
OTHER MUSINGS:
This episode ends up being memorable less for its big scenes than its small, reflective moments. The scene with the broken doll ranks among my favorites of the series, particularly in its Macross version, and I absolutely loved the conversation between Hikaru and Misa.
In story terms, it definitely adds some important bricks to the wall. But what stands out are the character moments, which make this a highly enjoyable 25 minutes.
Overall Rating: 8/10.
Previous Episode: Love Concert/Battle Hymn
Next Episode: Goodbye Girl/Showdown
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