Ep 4. Foreign Negotiations

In Mobile Suit Gundam 00 season 1 episode 4, titled "Foreign Negotiations," the story revolves around negotiations between the HRL (Human Reform League) and the Union to call upon the Celestial Being's actions. The episode presents a critical moment in the diplomatic relations of the world with the Celestial Being's appearance in various parts of the world.

It all starts when the HRL and Union, two of the world's superpowers, begin to discuss how they can best handle the Celestial Being's actions. They know that the Celestial Being's existence can cause tension between them, which might lead to war, and they need to prevent that. Meanwhile, the Celestial Being's Gundam Meisters continue to intervene in various conflicts, destabilizing the status quo.

In this episode, the tension outside of the negotiation room is already building up, with the Union's military forces intercepting the Gundam Meisters, who are trying to intervene in a civil war in Africa. At the same time, the HRL is planning an attack on the Celestial Being's base in the Pacific Ocean. The situation is tense, and the stakes are high. The HRL is not willing to let the celestials continue to act without some kind of accountability.

The dialogue between the HRL and the Union representatives is the focus of the episode, mostly set in a conference room. They realize that even though they have different views, they both have a common aim of protecting their interests. On the other hand, Celestial Being intervenes in different parts of the globe with their advanced Gundams, carrying out their mission of eradicating any form of war.

The episode highlights the political and ideological divides between the multinational community. The Union sees the Celestial Being's actions as terrorist activities while the HRL sees it as an opportunity to eliminate their foes. Both members of the power alliances are consumed with their self-interest, which is hindering them from understanding the message of the Celestial Beings.

Furthermore, the negotiations bring to light the growing divide between the HRL'S chief negotiator, Patrick Colasour, and his team leader, Sergei Smirnov. While Patrick is quick to recommend action towards the Celestial Beings, Sergei looks at the bigger picture, and his ultimate goal is to avoid any war.

As the negotiations progress, the episode gives the audience a glimpse of characters outside of the conference room. We are introduced to a former Gundam engineer who worked on the Celestial Being's Gundams and is now working for the HRL. In contrast, Setsuna F. Seiei, one of the Gundam Meisters, has a conversation with Marina, the princess of Azadistan, who he met in the previous episode.

The climax occurs when the HRL Chief Negotiator, unable to wait any longer, requests his, go-ahead, to execute his plan, regardless of the negotiations' outcome. The Union's representative rejects the deal, complicating the negotiation further.

The episode ends with the Union launching a covert operation to capture a Gundam Meister while the HRL prepares to attack the Celestial Being's base. It sets up the next episode to be action-packed.

Overall, "Foreign Negotiations" plays a vital role in the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 storyline. It explores the motivations behind each faction's actions, showcasing their conflicting interests and aspirations. The episode demonstrates how communication is key in resolving conflicts and how lack of it can lead to an escalation of tensions. Moreover, the episode highlights that mobilizing resources towards the greater good is the only way to achieve ultimate harmony.