Ep 6. We're the Same

In the sixth episode of the first season of Strike Witches, titled "We're the Same," viewers see a focus on Perrine H. Clostermann, a witch with a troubling history. Throughout the series thus far, Perrine has been shown to be haughty and disdainful towards others, but this episode delves into the root of her behavior.

Early on in the episode, Perrine's backstory is revealed through flashbacks to her childhood. Growing up in the midst of World War II, Perrine witnessed the devastation wrought by the Neuroi - the Hive's forces that the Strike Witches are fighting against. Her parents were killed in a Neuroi attack, leaving her with a deep-seated resentment towards their enemies. Perrine's hatred only grew over time, as she felt abandoned by her homeland of Gallia and increasingly ostracized for her impressive magical abilities.

In the present day, Perrine's animosity is still a defining trait. When her fellow witches are celebrating after a successful mission, she broods alone. Soon, though, she finds her solitude interrupted by the arrival of Eila Juutilainen and Sanya V. Litvyak, two witches from the Suomus Air Force. Eila and Sanya have been assigned to Perrine's unit, but despite their attempts to be friendly, Perrine rebuffs them. She sees them as foreigners who don't understand her pain and resent their relatively carefree attitudes.

As the episode progresses, Perrine is sent on a mission with Eila and Sanya. During their flight, they encounter a Neuroi and engage in battle. After this initial skirmish, Perrine is left behind as her comrades continue the chase. Alone, she reflects back on her childhood and seems to come to a realization that her anger is misplaced. When Eila and Sanya return to rescue her, Perrine opens up to them and admits that she has been wrong in pushing them away.

The climax of the episode sees all three witches fighting the Neuroi together. This time, Perrine is able to tap into her magical abilities in a new way, fueled by a sense of camaraderie rather than anger. With the support of her teammates, she is finally able to bring down the Neuroi and return to her unit a changed person.

Overall, "We're the Same" is a powerful episode that humanizes Perrine while also delivering some exciting action sequences. Fans of the series will appreciate the added depth to a character who has previously been one-dimensional, and the themes of forgiveness and empathy are sure to resonate with many viewers. Whether you're a diehard fan of Strike Witches or a newcomer to the series, this episode is definitely one worth watching.