Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 1 Episode 4 The First Battle
- October 26, 2014
Shirou Emiya, the protagonist, is still trying to come to grips with the fact that he was involuntarily dragged into the Holy Grail War. His Servant, Saber, is managing the situation with a bit more grace, but even she is getting frustrated with Shirou's lack of knowledge and experience.
Meanwhile, Rin Tohsaka, Shirou's classmate and fellow Master, is engaged in a battle of her own. Her Servant, Archer, has gone missing, and she suspects that he may be involved in a recent string of attacks on other Masters. Rin is determined to find Archer and figure out what's really going on.
The First Battle begins with Rin infiltrating a church, where she believes Archer is hiding. She's quickly confronted by another Master, who's also searching for Archer. The two engage in an intense battle, with Rin using her powerful magical abilities to gain the upper hand. Just as it looks like she's about to win, Archer himself appears on the scene and attacks both of them.
Archer is a complicated figure, and it's clear from the beginning of the episode that he's not entirely loyal to Rin. He seems to be toying with her at first, watching her fight from a distance and only intervening when necessary. As the battle progresses, however, it becomes increasingly clear that Archer has his own agenda. He's interested in Shirou, and seems to think that Rin is wasting her time with him.
While Rin is dealing with Archer, Shirou is having his own difficulties. Saber is trying to train him in the ways of combat, but he's having trouble mastering even the most basic techniques. He's understandably hesitant to fight, and seems to be relying on Saber to protect him rather than trying to learn to defend himself.
Their training is interrupted by the arrival of Caster, another Master who's aligned with the forces of darkness. Caster has a particularly powerful Servant, and Shirou and Saber are quickly overwhelmed by her attacks. It's clear that Shirou is going to have to step up his game if they're going to have any chance of survival.
As the episode progresses, Shirou and Saber begin to develop a stronger bond. They seem to be growing more comfortable with each other, and Shirou is starting to trust Saber's judgment. Meanwhile, Rin is trying to figure out where Archer's loyalties lie. She's beginning to suspect that he's not entirely committed to her cause, and is worried that he may be planning to betray her.
The First Battle ends on a cliffhanger, with Rin and Archer disappearing into the night and Shirou and Saber badly battered and bruised. It's clear that the Holy Grail War is heating up, and there are still many secrets and betrayals to come.
