Attack of the Clones Replicas?

My use of the word replica has increased tenfold this past week. ^^;

That sword is as tall as he is, how the fuck can he use it effectively?

Not to revoke my classification of Asch’s awesomeness or anything, but I think the guy does have a flaw: what’s up with his sudden change of heart? The guy had every reason to want to kill Luke, not only for Akzeriuth but for replacing him as the Fabre heir, and was in prime position to stab him; all of a sudden, Luke’s unconcious body is in his care and he even houses Luke’s conciousness inside his own due to the way their fonon frequencies are able to connect through fon slots. Upon further reflection, Asch hasn’t really been entirely hostile towards Luke, and since it was him who enabled their link to each other to be established, I would think Asch probably has some sort of plan for Luke later, perhaps because of Luke’s ability of creating a hyperressonance on his own (It still remains to be seen if Asch can do it as well, but he at least knows Luke can). Even so, to just give Luke some ominous words and cast him aside instead of dragging his body to fulfill whatever purposes does seem to raise questions about Asch’s exact feelings towards Luke: he doesn’t seem to blame (or finds it fruitless to otherwise) Jade for proposing the ideas that led to replica-Luke’s creation, so perhaps that extends to Luke as well seeing as it was not really his fault that he was created for the purpose Van wanted.

With Asch’s identity known to both Guy and Natalia, it creates strains on their current relationship between Asch, the original Luke who the two have known since childhood, and the replica-Luke whom they’ve come to know and care for the past 7 years. Natalia for one seems to quickly change loyalty and favor towards “the real Luke”, citing Guy’s concern for Luke as spoiling him despite Luke’s world shattering due to the revelation of his being, and wanting to care for Asch due to not being able to support him for 7 years, even going so far as to try and call him his actual name again. It’s understandable, but a bit cruel of her to want to suddenly jump onto the arm of the person she loved as a child while not wanting much more to do with the one who needs every bit of help as the other does. Guy’s loyalty, on the other hand, while very caring, does seem to raise some questions as to why he would choose the replica over the true one, as his conversation with Asch seems to imply that the two weren’t actually close friends as much as he and Luke are.

Mieu’s loyalty was pretty heartwarming too. Almost makes up for how annoying the little shit is…ALMOST…

There’s more information on fomicry revealed, namely that Jade proposed the ideas of fomicry (and subsequently the one who forbade it), as well as another part of Van’s plan: the replication of the destroyed town of Hod (mentioned in Yulia Jue’s prophecy during the first episode) as well as it’s inhabitants. Here’s something I don’t get: if Van wants to replicate Hod, then why destroy the Outer Lands? If they want to basically reconstruct Hod, wouldn’t it collapse once the Sephiroth’s holding the Outer Lands are destroyed as well? Doesn’t look like they can build it on the Qliphoth’s lands either, especially since the miasma there is so strong. Perhaps they’ll modify the replicas to correct this…but that wouldn’t really make them replicas would it? This could also mean that Van is the one mentioned in the same prophecy as well.

Also, ten bucks says Wyon is either Dist’s real name or real first name. Or his father. Or something.

Another thing worth mentioning is Jade’s inquiry with Spinoza about prototype replica’s of living things have some sort of fate in store for them, which I’m sure is most likely death at a short life span(Luke doesn’t have this problem due to him being Asch’s “perfect replica”). Later, Ion seems to be pretty depressed when Jade is reviewing the clues Spinoza left behind. Depressed about replicas, maybe?

Luke’s attitude change finally starts to take place and…it went really fast. o_o Just as fast as Asch decided not to kill him did Luke suddenly have a change of his actions, such as actually appreciating Mieu’s kindness, as well as beating himself up in front of Tear when she denounces him for wanting to rush into St. Binath. Let’s not forget that just an episode ago, the guy was constantly making excuses for his part in Akzeriuth’s destruction; the cooling period after finding out he’s a replica, boom, he’s almost completely different. Maybe there’s more to it in the game than the few minutes the episode focused onto it, but I would say that the change is welcomed for the time being (though, this also means there probably won’t be any more Mieu torment from now on T_T). We’ll have to wait and see what traits the new Luke takes and leaves from the old one. Hopefully, more of the latter.

PREVIEW

Looks like Luke and Tear do get to meet up with Guy as well as Jade and Anise, but it also looks like Natalia and Ion have broken away and Asch isn’t seen to be in view. A pissed-off Mohs also shows up again, with Legretta by his side. Perhaps he wasn’t aware of Van’s plan? And yay, more fighting!

Thanks for all of the support I received from my rallying cry, if I can get it to work, you can bet that I’ll have Episode 10’s entry in a few days or so (If I’m not lazy o.o). If not, well…at least I know for sure that I need a new PC. ^^;

Obligatory Anise Pic. There was a lack of moe-Anise this eppie, so you’ll have to deal with it being a preview shot and all. ^^;

-Jay