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A Breakdown of Episode 10

Welcome back everybody for yet another breakdown blog of episode 10 of RWBY. Last episode we were left with a decent cliffhanger with Weiss facing off with a Grim creature in the middle of Professor Port’s class. For some episode 9 was a bit of a downer given the action packed-ness we saw back in episode 8. So let’s see if there is at least some payoff with this cliffhanger resolution with episode 10 entitled The Badge and The Burden, pt.2.

We start of seeing Weiss in her usual outfit preparing to face off with whatever Professor Port had inside the crate. The rest of Team RWBY cheer Weiss on, though Weiss doesn’t appreciate Ruby’s offers of encouragement. The battle doesn’t go in Weiss’s favor as she faces off with a boar-like creature. Professor Port seems to be pulling a “Madden” as he breaks down the fight play by play. Ruby again tries to offer support and suggestions when Weiss is disarmed by the boar-like monster only for Weiss once again telling her to stay out of it. After regaining her weapon and using her dust magic skills, Weiss is finally able to defeat the monster much to the delight of Professor Port who proclaims that they are indeed in the presence of a mighty warrior. Upon dismissing class Weiss leaves in a huff making Jaune wonder what her problem is.

Ruby approaches Weiss in the hallway, asking her what’s the matter where upon Weiss reverses the question on Ruby, questioning why Ruby is acting like she is, that despite all that’s happened Ruby still acts like how she did back in the forest: like a child. She even goes as far as questioning Ruby as a leader. Ruby asks Weiss where “did all of this come from”, figuring that she and Weiss had settled things between them back in the emerald forest. Weiss then drops the hammer on Ruby by saying she should’ve been team leader given how she’s trained and studied for a leadership role and that Ozpin made a mistake in picking Ruby. This leaves Ruby heartbroken and full of self-doubt as Weiss leaves her alone. Ruby then runs into Ozpin himself who happened to notice the two girl’s “conversation.” Ruby takes that moment to ask Ozpin if he indeed make a mistake in choosing her over Weiss. Ozpin answers by saying “That remains to be seen.”

As Ruby is having her chat with Ozpin, Weiss happens to run into Professor Port and approaches him to tell him she really enjoyed his lecture. Port isn’t surprised given how he believes her to have the blood of a true huntress in her. Port notices that something is troubling Weiss and asks her to please share. She does by telling him that she thinks she should’ve been team leader of Team RWBY. After a brief pause Port answers with “That’s preposterous.”

Ruby and Weiss continue to have their chats with Ozpin and Port where each of them share a bit of knowledge to the girls. Ozpin’s chat was more akin of an emotional pick-me-up telling Ruby that at this time he doesn’t see his choice of Ruby being team leader a mistake. That she still has much to learn and that being a leader is more than just holding the title but leading by example. Ozpin ends their chat by suggesting that Ruby takes some time decide how she’ll carry her badge and her burden.

Port’s chat with Weiss starts off with him asserting his faith in Ozpin’s decision as well as telling Weiss off by reading her like a book when it comes to her arrogance as a warrior and her attitude on why things don’t go her way. Weiss of course takes offense to this only proving Port’s point to her. He goes even further by telling her that instead of focusing on the things she didn’t get, she should instead focus on what she has by being a better person. If not for herself but for the betterment of her team and thus by doing this she can show to the powers that be that she is truly exceptional huntress. Both Weiss and Ruby take a moment to consider what they’ve been told.

The scene ends with Weiss coming back to the dorm room, finding everyone asleep for the night including Ruby who fell asleep studying. She wakes up Ruby and asks her how she takes her coffee. Ruby is taken aback at Weiss’s question but quickly answers, which gives Weiss the opening she needs to tell Ruby that she now believes Ruby can be a great leader and re-affirm that she’s going to be the best team member she can be. Weiss ends their chat by leaving the dorm and telling Ruby that she’s always wanted bunk beds as a kid. Roll credits with Professor Port backdrop.

High points

 

Excellent cliffhanger/conflict resolution

I was afraid that the show would stretch out the conflict between Ruby and Weiss if only to create an artificial crisis for spread out the episode count. But instead Rooster Teeth was able to keep this issue contained in a two part episode. It not only shows the further character development between Ruby and Weiss but hopefully it’ll put to bed the possible friction when it comes to team cohesion.

 

Words of wisdom from Ozpin and Port

We haven’t heard much from Ozpin since his kept to his role as headmaster. Don’t get me wrong for I’m glad he did keep his distance in not showing any favoritism toward Ruby. Though he does hold a keen interest in Ruby he at least is helping her out when the moment merits it. It was also interesting to learn a little bit more about Professor Port and that perhaps he might be more than just a support character in the future.

 

Port’s epic burn

I know we’ve all been thinking about this when it comes to Weiss’s character. Professor Port’s chat with Weiss was pretty much spot on with everything I’ve always wanted to say that was negative when it came to Weiss. I just didn’t get the pleasure to say it to her face. But instead of it being your basic “burn” he actually offers knowledge for Weiss in being a better person/team member instead of her being what we’ve seen of her thus far. Hopefully this will sink in since it appears Weiss might hold Professor Port in some degree of respect.

Low points

 

Quick clothing change?

How did Weiss change her clothes so quickly? Is this going to be a thing when it comes to class combat? Instead of staying in their basic uniforms they have to change into their usual attire for combat? I can understand this if it was like before during the “emerald forest” test when they have a chance to change. Count this as a nitpick but I guess I’d rather see the girls fight in their school uniforms if it happens to be in this kind of instant combat setting.

Unlike other two parter episodes, I actually enjoyed the buildup and resolution that came about with this episode. It did create some tension within Team RWBY but it was also quickly resolved with some wise words and possible character development for the better. Professor Port shows to be more than just a typical archetype of a school professor and Ozpin is finally being a bit more hands on when it comes to Ruby. Plus it’s always nice to see a new Grimm creature and having an episode end on an emotional high note.

Not really any question moments in this episode and I asked most of my general question last episode. Though I am curious in exactly what kind of weapon both Ozpin and Port carry.

Instead we get to go into Episode 11 with a clean slate for the saga. Like before if you need to catch up you can always check out Rooster Teeth’s website or Crunchyroll for a complete episode listing. Till next time we’ll see where the series goes from here.

Any thoughts about this episode? Agree? Disagree? Undecided? Let me know in the comments!

Ta-ta

“N”