Rewatch: #05: Inside Job

Steel wrote:I think I’m going to have to bump all the dates to Sunday at this rate! Sorry for the mix-up, folks! I’ve been having weird headaches and last night I was in no proper condition to even start typing this up even though I saw the episode. My apologies! All future dates will be bumped down a day to Sundays just so you guys don’t end up waiting for nothing.

Hey, no worries. Sundays sound good to me! Just take care of yourself, okay?

Steel wrote:
I think the first observation I’m going to have to make for this episode is that we actually get some details on how planets become members of the Galactic Alliance. It’s like planets who aren’t part of the GA have heard about the GA, but have never taken the initiative to become members. It seems to me like the known galaxy is split up into three (or four) basic segments, at least where inhabited planets are concerned: planets that are part of the GA, planets that have heard of the GA but are not part of it (and these are planets that very little is known about), and planets that have never heard of the GA. The fourth can possibly be planets that have heard of the GA but don’t care for it. Planets that fall in the first category naturally include Capital Planet, Jo-Ad, Tangea, Bathyos, Rhizome (not sure if Tradeworld is considered part of the GA or not). A planet in the second category was up until this episode Gargantia. Planets in the third are like the Planet of the Lost (I don’t remember if it had a name), maybe Binipinardia, but I’ll have to rewatch “Downloaded” to make sure. The fourth could be planets like Raenok, and definitely Planet Z too, lol, but they can overlap with the second category too.

The details aren’t many. When Madame President asks the Rangers what they know about Gargantia, Buzz replies, “A planet shrouded in mystery, located at the edge of the galaxy; it remains cut off from the Alliance, the inhabitants have never been seen.” Well, it’s more details than we know for most planets. They’re on the edge of the galaxy! I like a little proper positioning in my star charts, thank you very much. Anyway...

Gargantia, although only described and not seen in this episode, appears to have quite a Spartan regime. They don’t give in to luxuries or comforts, according to Ambassador Major, and it’s hard to be served and tended to properly there. Perhaps their economy is dwindling? Or their ancestors passed on this appreciation for harshness and survival instead of capitalistic ease? Who knows. The impression I get is that maybe, seeing as Gargantia has a substantial sort of technology and the Ambassador seemed to specifically know that the GA has things they do not, that they probably learned of the GA’s existence through radio waves. And perhaps that might have influenced their “new thoughts” and their desire to become part of the GA; to get access to these wonders that the G promises.

Of course, that doesn’t sit well with some folks back home. Monumentus is disgusted by this treaty signing, feeling it’s like Gargantia is signing off its autonomy. He also states that he wishes to “preserve the sanctity of [their] heritage.” While terrorists do say similar things, playing on patriotic emotions, I think this sheds an interesting light on how Gargantia was like before Ambassador Major took charge, and I wouldn’t call the Gargantian Militants actual terrorists like Buzz does. They’re a small group of Gargantians (not very bright except for their leader) who think they’re doing the right thing in preserving their history. They’re not going about it the right way, but their intentions (despite the episode clearly making them seem like the villains) are nobler than they’re made out to be. To people who aren’t fond of progress and change, assuming a new lifestyle like what the GA offers is wrong—and might very well lead to them forgetting their original lifestyle as time passes. I also think that Gargantia must have been pretty military-based before the Ambassador, but that’s just the feeling I get from Monumentus and the others.

Also, not to sound like I’m being nit-picky, but all the Militants have dark purple skin. Only Ambassador Major has light purple skin. I also seem to remember (but I might be wrong) that in the episode “At Large on a Small Planet” that features Gargantia, all the “nobles” are light-skinned whereas all the “terrorists” are dark-skinned. The cynic in me doesn’t like the implications of this...

Anyway, trivia of the week! All Gargantians have “big-sounding” names to make up for their small sizes. Such a pun if I ever saw one. Also, the Ambassador’s full name is Ursona Major, which reminds me of the “Ursa Major” constellation. It translates to the “Great Bear” and is the most prominent northern constellation, containing the seven stars that form the Big Dipper. I find this has a double meaning, both as the Ambassador being the representative of Gargantia and also him saying that he’s considered “a giant” on Gargantia. He probably didn’t mean height-wise... he seems more rotund than most Gargantians, but he’s adorkable too, and likes the fine life.

I pretty much agree with all of that! I don't have a whole lot to say other than I'm sure that there are other planets shrouded in mystery or hidden from the GA's view that have either heard of the GA but don't wish to be part of it, or have never heard of it, period. Heck, the planet I made up for one of my OCs is kind of like that-surrounded in mystery and don't have any connection to the GA, yet the King and Queen are aware of the GA, and Star Command.

I like the Ambassador, too. He's funny. I would probably be a bit miffed at him in real life (I'm wary on politicians), but I like him. He's got a quick wit to him and he cares about his planet, for the most part. I also love the name-double meaning for the win!

Steel wrote:
OBSERVATIONS

STAR COMMAND

* I’m beginning to see a trend with Star Command not being as militaristic as it’s made out to be. Star Command always appeared to be a cross between a pan-galactic police force as well as the GA’s military and means of protection from outsides threats. And according to EEZ, the police is paramilitary, and they’re pretty strict and non-lax too. So Space Rangers fight crime as well as dabble in politics every now and then, all the while being put under taxing and rigorous training as well as missions. Given this, Star Command ought to be far stricter than it is portrayed. And in reality, it probably is. But in a kid’s show, you can’t bring much of that realism in. It’s almost a shame—at least to me it is. I would have loved to see more of how Star Command is really like. (Come to think of it, they were closer to that portrayal in “The Adventure Begins” than they were throughout the rest of the series. Huh.)

Steel wrote:
FUN STUFF

This episode shows us senators we don’t get to see often. I spotted two elephant-like senators, one pink, one blue and multi-limbed. One also looked oriental despite looking like a bird. I love discovering new races!

That was awesome. I loved the oriental bird the best!

1. I think it was somewhat understandable. I mean, Booster is like a big kid-naive and good-hearted, but he can be prone to having jealousy issues every now and then. I don't like how he acted at times, either, but it was semi-part of his character.
2. They kind of reminded me of Russians in a way-I guess because of their vernacular, and I think because Russia has had a history of trying to break away from dictatorship, just like the Ambassador is trying to break away from the old ways of Gargantia. Like I said, I like the Ambassador. The others...I have yet to form an opinion on them.
3. I guess the GA tries to negotiate with other planets they feel need protection or they feel could benefit them in some way. The planets who want to join can, and the others...well, that's a different story. It's kind of like how countries can negotiate when they want to work out some sort of deals. Like how France and the US function, for example. They benefit each other through giving each other things. I think that's how the GA does it. It's not exactly on topic here, but it works, methinks.
4. Hmm...I liked the opening intro, too. It's funny to see Buzz SPLAT against the wall. A bit painful, but funny. I like slapstick.
5. Booster acting a bit...childish in front of his elders with Flash-a bit disrespectful, if you ask me!