Ep 5. Demon

In Apollo Gauntlet season 1 episode 5, titled "Demon," light is shed on the series' lore as our main protagonist, Paul Cassidy, is pulled into a strange land where the rules of reality are simultaneously warped and nonexistent. Along for the ride are the characters he's met along his journey so far: a robot named the Alpha Omega Mechanism and a wizard, the mysterious Chuck.

As the trio traverse through the unfamiliar terrain, they encounter a village being held prisoner by a demon - who is revealed to be a former acquaintance of Chuck's. It turns out that the two wizards had a history, with Chuck being heavily involved in the process that ultimately turned the demon into a monster. The mission becomes twofold - not only must our heroes save the villagers from the demon's wrath, but Chuck must also face the guilt and shame that his past actions have brought upon him.

The episode is wrought with tension as Chuck and the demon finally confront each other, both with their own agendas. Cassidy and the Alpha Omega Mechanism are largely on the sidelines as the two wizards square off; however, their actions become crucial in the final moments of the episode. The demon proves to be a formidable opponent, and even with his powers weakened from his imprisonment, he is easily the strongest foe that the group has faced so far.

It's interesting to see Chuck's character receive some depth in this episode. He's largely been shrouded in mystery up until this point, so getting to understand his actions and motivations brings a new level of investment to his character. The demon, too, is intriguing in that he's not a completely mindless monster, but a creation that was born from the machinations of others. You can't help but root for our heroes, but there's a twinge of sympathy for the demon as well.

The episode is also visually stunning, with the grim and dark setting a perfect match for the foreboding tone. The fight scenes are memorable, with each character showcasing their own unique abilities. The demon is particularly impressive, with his grotesque design and powerful attacks.

One of the standout moments of the episode comes towards the end, as our heroes hastily try to escape from the collapsing village. As expected, it's a high-stakes escape sequence full of narrow escapes and witty quips. The dialogue is sharp and the voice acting is top-notch, making for a thrilling and entertaining sequence that caps off the episode on a high note.

Overall, "Demon" is a great episode that furthers the overarching story of Apollo Gauntlet while also giving some much-needed focus to Chuck and the demon. The animation is great, the action is exciting, and the story is engaging. It's a standout episode that leaves you eager for what comes next.