Golion Episodes 8-13

 

After the introductory arc, we have episodes 8-13 that feature Sadak before Prince Sincline (Lotor) arrives. Rewatching these episodes makes me think of Galra's For the Evulz MO. We get a good idea of Galra's depraved activities. There are times they do come up with something good. However, some of their plans seem to just gloat in "Look at me! I'm evil!" 

Episode 8 

This episode quickly debuts after Princess Fala replaces Takashi. Come on, the ending sequence already gave it off! The episode starts off with Fala trying to get used to things. Isamu is training Fala to become a better pilot. Fala still has a LOT TO LEARN about piloting the Blue Lion. Yes, it's really easy to look down at Fala early on. Fala's not in the same league as Chizuru of Combattler V and Megumi from Voltes V. However, it doesn't mean Fala can be underestimated! 

The episode features some obvious foreshadows. Bambara is a villain and Hysteria foreshadows it. Honerva wasn't too pleased that her one-time victory in killing Takashi -- was getting undone. Isamu shows some trademarks copied over from Juzo in Combattler V and Ippei from Voltes V. Isamu's pretty distrustful but it works in his favor. Bambara was a Galran agent. It's freaky how dangerous cobras make it. It doesn't help but four-five years can be a lot of time. Golion's artwork exceeds the 1970s quality. Bambara turns out to be a Galran Beast Fighter. 

Episode 9

The tragedy of Earth's demise doesn't stop there. In fact, it's explored in later episodes. This is going to be darker so be forewarned. This episode has Tyuyoshi help an Earth woman -- who claims to have escaped Emperor Daibazaal's forces. It's difficult to escape Castle Galra. The woman says she's from Earth. This is one tragic story indeed! 

This episode shows Tsuyoshi's soft heart -- underneath that tough exterior. It turns out that the female spy. Lisa (the spy) and her brother were duped by Daibazaal's evil. It's easy to see people fall victim to Galra's lies. It's also here that we discover Galra can modify people into becoming Beast Fighters. Yes, the Beast Fighter of the week, Gagarl, is HER VERY OWN BROTHER. It's possible that Bambara voluntarily became a Beast Fighter. This gets sadder because the Golion team had no choice but to destroy the Beast Fighter. The Beast Fighter had no conscience anymore.

The Lion Voltron episode had Lisa's counterpart Twyla return to her planet. However, Lisa ends up COMMITTING SUICIDE. I really feel that this episode shows how cruel Galra can be.

Episode 10 

Honerva cooks up a deliciously evil scheme. Honerva uses a white lion (actually a Beast Fighter named Lian) to bait Fala. The plan is to get Fala to believe the white lion has her late mother's spirit. Vulnerabilities have to be exploited. I don't blame Fala for getting duped. After all, Fala's still starting to fight Galra on the front lines. It gets interesting how Akira shows his vibes similar to Hyoma in Combattler V and Kenichi in Voltes V. 

I saw Lion Voltron first before Combattler V. This episode reminds me of the lionlike Beast Fighters unleashed in Combattler V. Both Honerva and Janera from Combattler V are skilled sorcerous bitches. I was amazed that Fala's "crucifixion" wasn't edited out of Lion Voltron. This episode has four out of five Golion team members captured. Fortunately, Akira's leadership skills save the day. Isamu's impulsiveness is also his downfall here. 

Episode 11 

Yes, it's raining red and it's really raining blood. Galra comes up with some extremely crazy schemes. The aim is to get the Golion team to surrender their mecha. It's some strange evil magic that causes fires here and there. The Lion Voltron version has edited out a lot of deaths. There's a scene of a man who proclaims a bad omen -- getting killed by fire. The episode shows how Galra plays dirty for the sake of playing dirty. People get rounded up hoping to use them as hostages. A typical kidnap-for-ransom. The Golion team must SURRENDER in place of the hostages. Not that Galra intends to keep their promises. After all, Galra shows signs of just wanting to be EEEEVVVVVVIIIILLLL.

The episode has a scene where a girl gets separated from their mother. Spoilers: Unlike most episodes -- the mother/daughter tandem manages to reunite. I guess the one who shot the mother wasn't so good in shooting! Villains tend to have lousy aim for a reason. Super Sentai would keep giving the audience villains who have BAD AIMING! Hiroshi also has a plan showing Galra's probably close to Stupid Evil in many ways. Come on, can't they recognize a disguise? Also, Sadak could've ordered the deaths of the Golion team instead. 

The Beast Fighter Buffallon was used mostly for backup. I guess that's how Beast Fighters were meant to be. To be just there as a last resolve. 

Episode 12 

This has to be one of the most disturbing episodes. Lion Voltron had a few edits but the cannibalism can't be completely edited. This episode has Daibazaal celebrate his 500th birthday (which may just be 50 in Galran years). Time moves slower in the Great Dark Nebula than in our solar system! Planet Jarre (which looks like Jupiter) gets enslaved. Galra's For the Evulz MO is at work. Jarrean slaves are forced to harsh working conditions and fed executed traitors. The Galran royalty seems only more interested in being For the Evulz. 

This episode shows some dilemmas. Akira is being put in a tight spot. It's a good thing Akira is given a moment of weakness. A slave from Planet Jarre escapes hoping to ask help from the Golion team. However, going to Planet Jarre is easier said than done. Would Golion risk it all? Spoilers: They did. The Golion team crashes at Daibazaal's birthday party. Also spoilers: Tabor the viceroy of Jarre is MURDERED out of spite. Daibazaal is shown enjoying wickedness for the sake of it. Daibazaal has certain slaves to be executed in a game of slaughter. Fortunately, we didn't see a single Jarrean slave massacred. We also have the Twin Titans sent to deal with Golion as the emperor flees away. 

There are also some interesting deleted scenes. The Galran soldiers are shown to be enslaving Jarrean women. I assume the women of Jarre are also bald. The Galran soldiers are bald as well. Did they get attracted to the Jarre women because both are bald? Kissing the woman against their will? There are really some serious sexual harassment scenes there! 

Episode 13

The security of Super Robot Anime bases can be questionable at times. Honerva disguises herself as Fala's Aunt Elena -- who I assume is Fala's MATERNAL aunt. Fala has the same face as her mother. This episode has Honerva introduce her art of disguise. Honerva ambushes Elena's carriage and assume the former's identity.

Raible's observation skills are there. This is a typical episode where a protagonist fails to see the obvious. It's because Honerva's disguise is anything but paper-thin. However, Elena's fear of Platt and the space mice is something. Honerva has a fear of mice. Honerva carries her cat Jaga around for that reason. The fact Jaga showed up can confirm that the "Elena" they see is none other than Honerva. The mice detect Honerva's essence too. Honerva also murders two castle guards. The Beast Fighter is simply known as Infiltrator. 

Fortunately, Elena makes it to the end. Fala missing her aunt adds layers to her character. The Galrans  might be poor personification of wickedness. However, the Golion team adds their weaknesses to make them more relatable.