Some Thoughts on Robotech: The Masters.

Ending credits shot from Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross.

"The Masters Saga," adapted from Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, is widely seen as the weakest of Robotech's three chapters. I have yet to watch "The New Generation," so I'll withthold judgment for now. I will say that, while both "The Masters" and Southern Cross represent a clear step down from Macross, I still generally enjoyed both versions.


SOUTHERN CROSS: DOOMED FROM THE START:

Even cursory research into the background of Southern Cross shows that it was plagued with problems. Envisioned as a 52-episode series, it had exactly one stroke of luck: Gaining the "Super Dimension" title, which allowed the creators to position it as a successor to successful series, Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Super Dimension Century Orguss.

It ended up running a mere 23 episodes (with Robotech adding a 24th via clip show Dana's Story). Its first major blow came before it even began airing, when toy sponsor Popy rescinded its planned sponsorship. This meant that unlike other mech series, there was no accompanying toy line - and without that supplemental income, the ratings did not justify the show taking up a full year's airtime.

The series was cancelled with enough notice for the writers to create an ending - but the ending is more than a little abrupt, and the sudden rushed pacing of the final episodes stands in stark contrast to the rest of the series.

The series has a certain "action movie" energy to it.

AN ENERGETIC TALE THAT DOESN'T OVERSTAY ITS WELCOME:

There are advantages to the shortened episode count. While I enjoyed Southern Cross on its own terms, I don't think it could have sustained 52 episodes.

The characters are mostly shallow, more "types" than complex personalities. Only Jeanne, Andrzej, and Seifriet gain any real depth as the series moves on. As for the rest? Louis is "tech guy"; Charles is "the lady's man"; Bowie and Musica are the "earnest young lovers"; and so on. None of them are unlikable and none of them fail as characters within the confines of their types - but there really aren't a lot of layers. For a brisk 23 episodes, they're good enough company. Had the show managed its initially planned run, I suspect I'd have grown rather weary of them by Episode 30, never mind Episode 50.

Because the show only runs for 23 episodes, it never has a chance to wear out its welcome. It's fairly light in tone for the most part, with a brisk energy. Because it does end (albeit with a few dangling loose ends), there's none of the frustration that comes with an incomplete story. It's not the epic that Macross was, seeming more like the equivalent of a fun little action movie... but there is absolutely a place for fun action movies, so I don't feel inclined to complain about that.

The flowers in the ruins serve a very different purpose in Robotech.

SOUTHERN CROSS VS. ROBOTECH - "THE MASTERS":

Southern Cross saw a lot more changes for its Robotech version than Macross did. Because it's the middle piece of the series, the Robotech writers use elements of it as setup for the final Invid arc, with the Invid mentioned early and often throughout.

The most significant change is to the nature of the flowers in the ruins. In Southern Cross, the flowers are the Zor's source of energy. Robotech alters this, renaming the plant as "The Invid Flower of Life," a malevolent harbinger of an even worse alien invasion to come. Now the flowers are an infestation. The Masters don't want the plant, but rather the protoculture it is parasitically feeding on.

I think this works to the story's benefit, adding an extra layer of futility to this war. The Masters need the protoculture factory within the ruins of the SDF-1 - but that factory is already infested, with it entirely possible that its protoculture is unusable. Meanwhile, the humans are fighting and dying to fend off an invasion, not realizing that an even worse invasion is imminent. I think this adds something extra that was missing in Southern Cross.

Robotech also greatly improves the ending. Southern Cross's finale is rushed and unsatisfying. The story is concluded, but with a lot of loose ends. Robotech has the advantage of not actually ending here. What was a finale is transformed into groundwork for "The New Generation," with the final actions of this war directly leading to the next. This makes the loose ends less noticeable, because the full story is no longer intended to be resolved here.

Jeanne gets a reminder that war is deadly serious. Her
character arc is all but completely flattened out in Robotech.

CHARACTERS:

When I reviewed "The Macross Saga" and its parent series, I found the most striking difference the altered focus. Super Dimension Fortress Macross focused on its characters and themes, while Robotech was was intent on plot. Themes and characters were simplified for "The Macross Saga," something that was extremely noticeable viewing the two versions side-by-side.

Southern Cross is a much simpler series, so most of its characters transition smoothly to Robotech. Marie, Nova, Bowie, Louis, and Sean are all but identical to their Southern Cross counterparts. Only two characters really suffer in the translation: Jeanne and Andrzej, both of whom are flattened from characters into mere "types" when they are transformed into Dana Sterling and Angelo.

Early episodes paint Jeanne as almost entirely irresponsible, and I'll admit that she aggravated me at the start. She was vain and frivolous, refusing to treat any situation seriously even after the start of the war. The first two episodes saw her repeatedly disobeying orders, only to be rewarded for it. Robotech dials this down. The first episode (not counting Dana's Story) is re-edited so that Dana is only arrested once, rather than Jeanne's twice, and so that she is following orders at the end rather than literally hijacking equipment to join the battle.

This makes Dana initially less irritating, but it also all but removes the main character's arc. Jeanne gets confronted with the seriousness of the situation in Episode Three. While her frivolous side never goes away, from that point she takes the war and the welfare of her people seriously... which is pretty much the starting point for Robotech's Dana Sterling. As a result, Dana becomes a static heroine, not particularly changing across the series, which also makes her seem more passive than Southern Cross's Jeanne.

But that's nothing compared to the series' treatment of her second-in-command! Southern Cross's Andrzej clashes with Jeanne early on, with it obvious that he finds her ill-suited to command. They share a quiet moment in Prelude, just before the squad's most dangerous early mission, after which she gains his respect. He remains willing to tell her when he disagrees with her, and he even pulls her up short when her emotions override her judgment. Still, from that point on, Andrzej is an ally.

Robotech's Angelo... Well, as I've said in several reviews, Angelo is an idiot. Andrzej's issues with Jeanne in Southern Cross are rooted in legitimate concerns about her command style, particularly her cavalier attitude toward orders. Angelo is a sneering sexist who seems to try to actively sabotage Dana on more than one occasion. Andrzej has a thoughtful side, recognizing Seifriet's inner torment and quietly criticizing Jeanne when anger leads to her going too far in tearing into him. Angelo is thoughtless, dismissively saying that the squad would be better off without Zor; if anything, he probably thinks Dana doesn't get angry enough!

The result is that one of Southern Cross's best characters is reduced to this series' answer to MASH's Frank Burns - a character who exists to be reliably wrong in every situation.

The Zor/The Robotech Masters plot against the humans.

OVERALL:

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross is a weaker series than Super Dimension Fortress Macross was. Many supporting characters are two dimensional, and the regulars enjoy impenetrable plot armor. Only a few regular characters die across the entire series, and all but one of those deaths happen in the final episode! Outside of that, everyone who dies is either a one-shot guest character or a glorified redshirt.

Even so, I found much to enjoy. Its tone is mostly light, which helps it to remain energetic. The writing is shallower than Macross, but the art and animation quality is a lot more consistent. And yes, the fact that it only lasts for 23 episodes means that it doesn't overstay its welcome.

Because it's a simpler series to start with, the Robotech version doesn't lose very much. Dana and Angelo are weaker, flatter characters than Jeanne and Andrzej, and the Robotech music cues interfere with the flow of some episodes. Still, the energetic tone remains intact, and certain plot elements created for Robotech make parts of the story more interesting. Critically, the ending works a lot better in Robotech, where it's used to pave the way for the next series, than it does in Southern Cross.

It's a flawed work in either version, and I'm not sure that Southern Cross would have been particularly improved had it gotten its originally intended 52 episodes. That said, if this really is as bad as Robotech gets, then that bodes well for the final arc.


Previous: The Macross Saga
Next: The New Generation

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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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2-19. 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
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2-12. Lost Memory/A New Recruit.

Seifriet recovers a lost memory, but he doesn't like what he sees.

Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: Lost Memory.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: July 8, 1984. Writer: Tomoko Kawasaki. Director: Mikio Suzuki.

Robotech: A New Recruit.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 9, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

Seifriet is assigned to Jeanne's squad, with Gen. Emerson hoping that working alongside those he previously fought will restore his memories of the Zor. Andrzej is less than pleased, and there's resentment from Eddie, a squad member whose brother was killed by Seifriet's red bioroid, but the rest of the squad accepts him readily enough. But when a few memories break through the alien blocks, Seifriet finds himself unable to accept his own actions.

Meanwhile, Claude Leon learns that Gloire is the Zor's homeworld. Despite Emerson's arguments, Claude decides that this makes peace all the more unlikely. He resolves to attack first - a fight that Emerson knows the humans can't possibly win...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

Zor is assigned to Dana's squad, with Gen. Emerson hoping that the half-Zentraedi Dana will be able to form a connection with him. The squad is hesitant to work alongside this former enemy, but the only active resistance comes from Eddie, a squad member whose brother was killed by Zor's red bioroid. But when Zor recovers some flashes of memory, he finds himself unable to accept his past actions.

Zor is able to remember that the Masters are here for Earth's protoculture. When Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard learns this, he decides that peace will be impossible. Anatole decides that the humans' only option is a pre-emptive strike - a fight that Emerson suspects they can't win...

Jeanne takes Seifriet on a date.

CHARACTERS:

Remember Jeanne's anger at Seifriet and her guilt at having lost men under her command? Well, the writers apparently don't. Last episode's Jeanne would have almost certainly protested Seifriet being assigned to her squad. In this episode, she's not only fine with it - She reacts like a high school girl with a crush. This is even more overt in Robotech, with Dana actually saying at one point that she thinks she's in love.

The episode does showcase Jeanne's intuitive nature. Her plan to restore Seifriet's memories includes taking him out on a date... which sounds silly at best and inappropriate at worst, but it turns out to be the right approach. The Zor anticipated the kind of direct questioning employed by Lana. But Jeanne stirs up emotions, which the mental blocks were not designed for.

Jeanne deals well with Seifriet's turmoil at the end. She tells him that the past is done, and that shutting himself away will ruin his future as well. This is an effective scene in Southern Cross, but far less so in Robotech. For a change, the problem's not really the dialogue, but the voice acting. Paul St. Peter's performance as Zor is mostly stiff but adequate... except in this scene, where his line readings become downright robotic.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Both episodes begin with a recap narration, which is unsurprisingly more bombastic in Robotech. There is no further narration in Southern Cross. There is a little narration in Robotech, but it isn't at all intrusive.

Advantage: None.

Seifriet battles his demons in the simulator. Robotech 
adds enough inner monologue for a radio play.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Sit-Ups: The episode opens with Jeanne doing sit-ups in the gym. She has completed twenty-three sit-ups when she's "saved" by Emerson's summons. But I guess twenty-three isn't heroic enough, so Robotech has Dana completing more than twice that number!

Emerson's Reasons for Assigning Zor to the 15th: In both versions, Gen. Emerson assigns the new recruit to the squad in hopes that serving with the people he had fought will bring memories to the surface. In Robotech, he has an additional reason. Because Dana is half-Zentraedi, he believes she is best equipped to work with the alien (who, in Robotech, is an alien clone and not a brainwashed human).

Dana's Squad Is More Resistant to the Assignment: A change for the better, in my opinion. While both versions have the squad expressing doubts, in Southern Cross the only serious objection comes from guest character Eddie, with the others (too) quickly accepting him. Robotech's squad is more resistant, with only Louis - who is overcome with curiosity about the alien technology - showing any direct friendliness. This helps to paper over the episode's single biggest flaw.

The Simulator: Southern Cross's Seifriet concentrates in silence while shooting targets in the simulator. Robotech doesn't do silence, so Zor has an internal monologue during the entire session ("Running out of time... One left."). As a result, a nicely animated and edited scene is transformed into a radio play with pictures.

A Memory: The Act break comes as Seifriet finally recovers a memory and collapses. In Southern Cross, he remembers the revelation from last episode - that Gloire is actually the Zor homeworld. Because of the changed context, that doesn't fit Robotech. What Zor remembers instead is that the Masters intend to conquer Earth for its protoculture. This change has a knock-on effect: Southern Cross's Claude Leon is jumping to conclusions when he orders his ill-advised attack, while Robotech's Anatole Leonard is simply reacting to Zor's exact words.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

The Southern Cross score is better suited to Jeanne's date with Seifriet at the amusement park. The Robotech music works better when Zor recovers snatches of his memory. It basically evens out.

Advantage: None.

Seifriet has a nightmarish vision.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Though Robotech does a decent job of making the squad's reactions to their new recruit a bit more realistic, the other changes are generally for the worse. Notably, Claude Leon's foolish pre-emptive strike becomes almost reasonable in Robotech, with Anatole simply reacting to Zor's declaration that the Masters will attack. At the same time, Gen. Emerson's pleas to find a peaceful solution go from sensible in Southern Cross to seeming naive in the Americanized version... something that I don't think was intended.


OTHER MUSINGS:

I am disappointed that Jeanne's anger from the last episode is completely forgotten. That, along with the Southern Cross squad being ridiculously accepting of this situation, chip away a bit at my overall rating. I particularly wish that the most hostile squad member was one of the regulars instead of a guest character audiences can easily dismiss.

Other aspects of the story work well. As much as I wish Jeanne was more conflicted, I liked her intuitive interactions with Seifriet, and Seifriet himself emerges as a sympathetic character. I couldn't buy into the squad's rapid acceptance of him. What I did believe were his own reactions to his memories, as he moved from determination to find out what happened to feelings of denial, guilt, and self-loathing.

So... a bit of a mixed result. The episode goes by quickly, and there are some fine elements. But I can't help but feel that with a bit more script attention, this could have been a lot better.


Overall Rating: 5/10.

Previous Episode: Déjà Vu
Next Episode: Triple Mirror/Triumverate

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2-11. Déjà Vu.

Jeanne comes face-to-face with Seifriet, the
enemy pilot who's caused her so much trouble.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: July 1, 1984. Writer: Jinzô Toriumi. Director: Yasuo Hasegawa.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 8, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

Gen. Emerson orders that Seifriet, the captured Bioroid pilot, be moved to a military hospital and placed under Lana's direct supervision. As she questions Seifriet, he is able to remember that he was a second lieutenant on Aluce Base when the Zor attacked - but he can't recall anything that happened in between the attack and being found by Lana.

Charles notices the tight security in the hospital when he visits Marie. He finds out that "the red Bioroid" is being kept on the top floor and informs the squad. Jeanne declares that she has to see this prisoner with her own eyes - and for a change, Andrzej is in firm agreement in wanting answers from him.

They hatch a plan to infiltrate the hospital. But when Jeanne comes face to face with Seifriet, the prisoner is able to remember one thing - leading to a particularly upsetting revelation...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

Gen. Emerson orders that the captured Bioroid pilot be moved to a military hospital and placed under Nova's direct supervision. When she questions the prisoner, he is unable to remember anything beyond vague impressions of being in a battle. He tries to remember more, but the pain is too intense for him to bear.

Visiting Marie in the hospital, Sean finds out that the captured pilot is being kept on the top floor. Dana declares that she has to see this prisoner and get some answers from him. Angelo disagrees with her, as usual, but he goes along with her plan anyway.

They infiltrate the hospital easily enough. But when Dana comes face to face with her former enemy, she is surprised by just how human he seems...

Lana tries to help Seifriet regain his memory.

CHARACTERS:

Jeanne is increasingly tormented by nightmares. She feels guilty about Marie's injury, which occurred in the same battle as George's death. When she confronts Seifriet, all her guilt consolidates into a single source: the deaths of people under her command. Andrzej wants answers, but I think Jeanne's goal may actually be to confront and kill Seifriet. Even as Andrzej and her squad celebrate a successful operation, she remains shaken.

All of this is simplified in Robotech. There's no sense that Dana might be pursuing vigilante justice, and there's relatively little sense of any great mass of internalized guilt. As a result, her confrontation with Zor is less charged - which isn't helped by the changed context robbing the scene of its big reveal.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

Southern Cross opens with a quick recap of the situation given at the very start. The opening Robotech narration covers the same general ground, but I think it's better written. And while Robotech does feature a small amount of in-episode narration, it's not intrusive. As a result, for a rare change, I'm giving this category to the American version.

Advantage: Robotech.

The Zor leaders discuss their hopes for the spy they've planted.
In Robotech, the Masters have different goals. 

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

The Reason for the Spy: The episode opens with the alien leaders talking about the spy they've planted among the humans. Southern Cross's Zor race hopes for insight into human psychology and specific intelligence that will let them defeat the humans without harming Gloire's environment. The Robotech Masters are just waiting for their Zor clone to pinpoint the location of the protoculture. Also, while Southern Cross's Seifriet is a human who was brainwashed, Robotech's Zor is not, with the Masters even remarking on how stupid the humans are to believe that he might be.

Bowie's Remarks About Musica: Both versions see Bowie talking about the girl he met on the alien ship. In Southern Cross, he says to Jeanne that he can sense that she's not a bad person, which makes him believe that there are those among the Zor who could be reasoned with. Robotech bizarrely changes this to him speculating that, because he's sure that she's not a bad person, she therefore "isn't one of them." Because apparently all of the aliens must, by definition, be evil.

The Prisoner's Recollections: Southern Cross's Seifriet specifically recalls being a soldier assigned to Aluce Base. When Lana presses him for more information, he experiences a painful, nightmarish vision. Robotech can't have this be in silence, so the Zor clone narrates the entire vision before vowing to not try to to remember if the pain will just stop. I actually like that last part of the Robotech scene, but the unnarrated Southern Cross version is otherwise the more effective one.

Andrzej Supports Jeanne's Plan; Angelo Argues Against It: When Jeanne declares that she wants to see the Bioroid pilot, Andrzej agrees that he would also like some answers. Robotech's Angelo says the exact opposite, stating that they should keep their noses out of it. I have no idea why this change was made, save that Andrzej is a three-dimensional character while Angelo is more or less "the Frank Burns" of the show.

Dana Is Much Less Angry than Jeanne: Jeanne is bristling with anger during the confrontation with Seifriet. Dana doesn't show nearly as much emotion when she confronts the Zor clone, even when she blames him for the deaths of men under her command. In Robotech, she sounds downright friendly when he remembers Musica, encouraging him to remember more. Oh, and the half-alien Dana drops the following line: "You aliens are all alike! Um... unless the writers are trying to imply some hitherto-unseen self-hatred, I'm wondering if they just plain forgot about her origins.

The Ending: Southern Cross ends with Seifriet remembering something that shakes Jeanne to her core. Robotech's changed context doesn't allow for the same revelation, which blunts the effectiveness of the ending. It also makes it a bit of a head-scratcher why Dana is so shaken at the end of the episode.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

Both scores are well applied, with no moments that are noticeably more effective in either version.

Advantage: None.

Jeanne, in a rare contemplative mood.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

Robotech is hobbled by having to remove the big reveal. As a result, Southern Cross is able to hit harder. The Robotech episode is still good, but the episode's biggest punch has been taken away from it.


OTHER MUSINGS:

Déjà Vu is neatly divided into two halves. The first half is dominated by the ongoing arc: the plans of the Zor, Gen. Emerson's hopes to gain vital information from Seifriet, and Lana's attempts to help Seifriet to remember his past. These elements get more screen time in the first half than Jeanne and the 15th squadron do, though a couple of scenes do show her mounting feelings of guilt and frustration.

The second half transforms into a caper flick, with the 15th infiltrating the hospital. This is achieved a little too easily, playing out like something from a midseason A-Team episode, but it's still rather fun - though Jeanne's nurse's outfit looks less like a real nurse's uniform than like something picked out an adult specialty shop.

Just when the episode seems to be settling in as light entertainment, the confrontation between Jeanne and Seifriet sees the tone shift again. Their scene is emotional, with Jeanne left even more shaken than she's been throughout the episode. The contrast between the heavier emotional material and the lightheartedness of the big set piece is effective... though I can't say that the ending revelation was particularly hard to see coming.

As mentioned, Robotech's ending is defanged by having to remove the major revelation. Even so, relatively few changes were made to the rest of the episode, and the overall structure and the clash of tones still works - just not quite as well as in the original version.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 8/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 7/10.

Previous Episode: Outsider/The Outsiders
Next Episode: Lost Memory/A New Recruit

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2-08. Metal Fire.

A study of a captured bioroid yields disturbing implications.

Original Air Date - Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross: June 10, 1984. Writer: Hisato Shimogochi. Director: Yoshihito Hata.

Original Air Date - Robotech: May 3, 1985.
Story Editor: Steve Kramer. Supervising Director: Robert V. Barron.


PLOT - SOUTHERN CROSS

The Zor bioroid pilot captured by Jeanne dies, but his mech yields insights into the enemy. The bioroid's technology is such that it responds directly to nerve impulses, allowing the pilots to fight in their mechs as easily and instinctively as if they were their own bodies.

Claude Leon, the supreme general, insists that the enemy are renegade humans who turned to space piracy and thus deserve no mercy. Jeanne is convinced that the pilots are actually humans who were captured by the Zor. The general refuses to even consider this, leaving a dejected Jeanne returning to her squad.

Then the Zor attack the city, specifically attempting to capture civilians. It's Jeanne's duty to fight back - but convinced that the enemy pilots are victims themselves, she finds herself unwilling to shoot to kill...


PLOT - ROBOTECH:

The pilot Dana captured dies, but his mech yields insights into the enemy. The fighter's technology is such that it responds directly to nerve impulses, allowing the pilots to fight in their mechs as easily and instinctively as if they were their own bodies.

Anatole Leonard, the supreme commander, insists that the enemy must be micronized Zentraedi - little more than androids in his view, deserving no mercy. Dana is certain the pilots are living beings. Anatole refuses to even consider this, leaving a dejected Dana returning to her squad.

Then the Masters' forces attack the city, specifically attempting to capture civilians. It's Dana's duty to fight back - but convinced that the enemy pilots are victims themselves, she finds herself unwilling to shoot to kill...

Jeanne wrestles with continuing to fight
pilots who are victims themselves.

CHARACTERS:

Tech-savvy Louis quickly figures out how the bioroid responds to human gestures. He also displays his analytical skills, bringing up data for those attacks against the enemy that were effective and in so doing, showing what attacks the enemy is most vulnerable to.

Jeanne's intelligence is more intuitive. Her instincts tell her that the pilots are not the alien clones they observed on the ship, but are instead captured humans. Unfortunately, since she can't back up her suspicions with hard data, she can't really articulate her point to command. Honestly, even if she had all the data in the world, I doubt Claude Leon would pay attention anyway.

Robotech remains effective at showing Louis's analytical abilities. Changes to the script, however, leave Dana's reactions a lot more muddled than Jeanne's, harming her characterization.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


NARRATION:

The Robotech episode opens with an extended recap of the previous episode. The narrator doesn't even pause for breath before pivoting to exposition, reminding us that the Masters have come to Earth for protoculture to keep their society from collapsing. Then, as we cut to Dana, he talks about Dana's internal conflict. But he's not done yet! When we cut to Musica aboard the Masters' ship, the narrator tells us about her (including her name), before expositing about the Masters some more when the action cuts to them.

Across the first six minutes of the episode, the narrator talks more than any of the characters do! It's pared back to a reasonable level after that, but it barely mattered. By the six-minute mark, I was actually laughing aloud at the incessant narration, and it overshadowed the rest of the Robotech version of the episode for me.

Advantage: Southern Cross

The alien Musica plays. In Robotech, she and her
"assistants" also hold a telepathic conversation.

CUTS AND ALTERATION:

Dana Frets About Her Mixed Heritage: Robotech's Dana Sterling is the daughter of Miriya, a Zentraedi, so she frets about continuing to fight aliens who might be related to her. The source of hesitation for Southern Cross's Jeanne is her intuitive certainty that the enemy pilots are humans and not aliens at all.

Musica and Her Function: In Southern Cross, the alien woman Bowie met in the last episode plays silently. Then two other young women, identical to her, enter, and she stops playing until they gesture for her to continue. All of this is wordless. In Robotech, the narrator informs us that Musica (the woman) plays for functional reasons, and that the two others are her assistants. Also, because Robotech remains utterly terrified of silence, they speak telepathically through the whole scene.

The Zor Worry About Their Noncombatants; the Masters Don't: In the first scene with the alien leaders, Southern Cross has them worrying about the noncombatants on their ship and expressing frustration at the humans' continued attacks. The Robotech Masters don't even mention the civilians.

The Masters Discuss the Invid: The Robotech Masters talk about how they've come to Earth for the protoculture before the real threat to both them and the humans arrives: The Invid. Thus, the writers begin setting up the third generation.

Acting Commander Andrzej: In both versions, Andrzej/Angelo is made acting commander of the squad while Jeanne/Dana attends the briefing. Southern Cross has an early scene in which Andrzej relieves the previous patrol. Charles attempts to sneak into a coffee house during the patrol, only to be stopped by Andrzej. Robotech moves the first part of the scene to the second half, combining it with Dana's return to the squad. The coffee shop bit is removed entirely.

Jeanne vs. Dana in Protesting the Supreme Commander: Jeanne at least tries to make a case when she argues, pointing out that she and her squad observed alien clones while on the ship. Dana merely protests that the pilots are "living beings" (which, last I checked, wouldn't actually contradict them being Zentraedi) before declaring Anatole to be a fool if he doesn't listen to her. I'm frankly a bit surprised she doesn't end up back in the brig for insubordination.

The Masters Use Added Technobabble: Both Southern Cross's Zor and the Robotech Masters make the same basic plan to deal with the humans: kidnap them and use the captives as bioroid pilots. Southern Cross keeps that simple and straightforward. Robotech inserts a bunch of extra technobabble, with the Masters planning to first subject their captives to "a xzylonic mental probe." No, not the mind probe!

Claude Blames Gen. Emerson for the Attack; Anatole Justifies His Decisions: The tag is completely different despite the same animations. In Southern Cross, Claude blames Emerson's "indecisiveness" for the attack even happening. In Robotech, Emerson is the one blaming Anatole, snapping that "negotiating couldn't have been worse than this." In interests of fairness, I think one Robotech addition to this scene is actually an improvement, with Anatole instructing that the kidnapped civilians be listed not as missing, but as casualties.

Advantage: Southern Cross.


INCIDENTAL MUSIC:

While each version uses its score well, I think Southern Cross is more effective overall. I will admit that I might be suffering a bit of fatigue from Robotech's music by this point, though: After 45 episodes, I can predict with relative accuracy which track will drop at which moment.

Advantage: Southern Cross.

The Zor attack the city in search of new bioroid pilots.

OVERALL ADVANTAGE - SOUTHERN CROSS:

The Robotech Masters come across as more desperate than the Zor, stuck in a course of action simply because they have no other hope for survival. This is an aspect of the Robotech version that I quite like. I also liked the addition of Anatole ordering the kidnapped citizens to be reported as casualties.

However, other changes are decidedly for the worse. Robotech attempts to make use of the Zentraedi backstory from The Macross Saga, but the continuity doesn't line up. The previous generation's epilogue arc indicated that a substantial minority of the aliens joined Khyron's rebellion, but most of them preferred to integrate with the humans. It would be simplicity itself to make a few side characters Zentraedi. Instead, every reference indicates that the Zentraedi were all enemies and they were all defeated.

That has already been annoying me. But this episode is even worse, suddenly indicating that the Zentraedi are androids. What? Dana, our main character, is half-Zentraedi; I somehow doubt she thinks of her mother as an android. Heck, her first scene in this episode has her hesitation to fight based on fear of potentially killing someone she's related to - so the Robotech script isn't even consistent within this one episode!

Combined with the ludicrous amount of narration in the first six minutes, this leaves me judging the Robotech version as not only worse than the original, but considerably worse.

Inside the Zor ship. I really like the visual design here.

OTHER MUSINGS:

Metal Fire provides a lot of exposition about the Zor. We learn how their bioroids work, and why they are able to operate their mechs so much more fluidly than the humans. Southern Cross also indicates that the pilots are captured humans, which presumably explains all the missing personnel from the moon attack. Finally, we get confirmation that the Zor do not view themselves as the aggressors in this conflict. This lines up well with the early episodes, in which every engagement was initiated by the humans.

In Southern Cross, this information is delivered efficiently, with the different threads working together: Jeanne grows increasingly certain that the pilots are human even as the Zor decide that their only way forward is to capture more humans. Jeanne's dilemma is effective: She doesn't want to kill humans who are themselves victims of their true enemy.

It's more muddled in Robotech. Dana is worried that she might be fighting relatives if their enemies are Zentraedi. But she's sure that the enemies aren't Zentraedi because they are living beings... which, somehow, no longer includes Zentraedi.

The final battle sees Jeanne making her first truly bad battlefield decisions. This make sense, because we understand why she's holding back. It doesn't work nearly as well in Robotech. When Angelo snarks that it doesn't matter who the pilots are, given that they're shooting at them, I don't get the impression that I'm supposed to be agreeing with him!

Usually, even with Robotech's ongoing issues with clunky dialogue, a good episode of the original show will mean a good episode of the American version. In this case, however, a pretty good Southern Cross is transformed into a mediocre - and somewhat frustrating - Robotech.


Overall Rating - Southern Cross: 7/10.

Overall Rating - Robotech: 5/10.

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