Ep 19. Shadow of the Innovators

In Mobile Suit Gundam 00 season 2 episode 19, titled "Shadow of the Innovators," we join the Meisters as they continue their fight against the A-Laws and their corrupt leader, Ribbons Almark. The episode begins with a focus on Allelujah and Soma, who are still struggling to come to terms with their shared past as test subjects for the Super Soldier program. Their complicated feelings are thrown into even sharper relief when they come up against a new innovation in the form of the Innovade pilot, Bring Stabity.

Bring Stabity is a formidable opponent, piloting an incredibly advanced mobile suit that is able to split into multiple forms. He is also an Innovade, which means he has been bestowed with supernatural abilities that allow him to communicate and control quantum brainwaves. It quickly becomes clear that Bring Stabity is a force to be reckoned with, and the Meisters must work together if they hope to take him down.

Meanwhile, Setsuna continues to grapple with his own inner demons. He is haunted by memories of his traumatic past, and is struggling to reconcile his human side with his identity as a Gundam Meister. As he battles through his feelings, he is forced to confront the reality that Ribbons Almark, the man responsible for his trauma, is still alive and pulling the strings behind the A-Laws. Setsuna's personal struggles are woven seamlessly into the larger narrative of the episode, as the Meisters seek to take down Ribbons and bring peace to the world.

The action in "Shadow of the Innovators" is intense and fast-paced, with some stunning animation that showcases the sheer power of the mobile suits. There are some heart-stopping moments as our heroes face off against Bring Stabity, who proves to be a challenging and adaptive opponent. The episode also introduces some new and intriguing plot elements that hint at wider conspiracies and mysteries at work. As always with Mobile Suit Gundam 00, there is a strong emphasis on political intrigue and complex character relationships, making for a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Overall, "Shadow of the Innovators" is a strong entry in the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 canon. It advances the plot in meaningful ways, while continuing to develop the characters and themes that make the show so compelling. The animation is stunning, and the action sequences are some of the best yet. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and those new to the world of Gundam should definitely give this episode a watch.