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I didn’t think I’d come back to this blog series, especially after my epic disappointment with this series when it ended. But after seeing what Volume 2 of RWBY had to offer I thought I’d jump back into the swing of things and finish what I started with these “RWBY Tuesday” breakdown blogs. First a little forewarning, these last blogs might seem jumbled before I go into Volume 2 later on. This is because I’ve done my best to rewrite them in a manner that may seem a bit more professional when it comes to an actual review. Originally the last blogs bashed the series for its weak payoff in the end so I’ve done my best to try to be as objective as possible. I wouldn’t call this a review but I wouldn’t call this series as being kind to RWBY Volume 1 either. So let’s see how far I can get this second go around about a series that some have said is about a lead female character that dresses up like a Lolita. Plus it is Octoberween after all. RWBY can fit that mold me thinks. I last left off on Episode 13 so let’s get back to it with the youtube video embed of Episode 14: Forever Fall Part 2. If you need a recap check here.

Our episode begins where episode 13 left off. Cardin has proceeded to beat down Jaune for refusing to douse Pyrrah with tree sap along with dousing him with tree sap instead. Cardin continues to taunt Jaune about trying to be a man but Jaune is content in taking the beating, knowing that his team will be safe. Just as Cardin is about to punch him again for his defiance, Jaune accidentally activates his aura power which completely heals himself of his injuries that he suffered by Cardin. Jaune is first amazed by his power only for Cardin decide he’s going to continue what he started. But before he could do that, the mother of all Ursa grim creatures appears out of nowhere startling everyone. At first the Ursa is about to attack but then smells the tree sap on Cardin’s chest. This causes it to attack Cardin only, leaving everyone else alone. The rest of team CRDL retreat into the woods as Jaune watches the giant Ursa stalk Cardin, knowing Cardin’s mace out of his hands. Seeing Cardin unarmed and cornered by the Ursa, Jaune is left to decide on what to do.

Elsewhere in the forest, Ruby hears the Ursa’s call and asks others in the group if they heard that. Immediately the remains of team CRDL rush by them as one of them screams about the giant Ursa. Yang stops one of them and demands where this Ursa is to which one of the team CRDL member’s says is just behind them. This causes Pyrrah to panic about Jaune which then causes Ruby to take action and order both Blake and Yang to find Professor Goodwitch. Pyrrah also orders the members of her team to follow them in case there are more Ursa about.

The next scene shows the giant Ursa beating Cardin as he does his best to stay alive. Ruby, Weiss and Pyrrah arrive at the scene just as the Ursa is about to land a killing blow to Cardin when suddenly Jaune blocks the Ursa’s attack with his shield. Cardin is amazed to see Jaune protecting him as is Pyrrah when Jaune is able to hold his own against the Ursa’s claw. Weiss prepares to jump into the fight but Pyrrah tells her to wait. We then see Jaune trying his best to attack the giant ursa with little success. He notices that his stamina meter is dropping to critical and decides to try one final attack against the ursa as the ursa itself does the same. Time begins to slow as we see both combatants swing their final blows that will hopefully kill one or the other. As this happens we see Pyrrah raise her arm in an odd fashion as if trying to cast something. In the end Jaune is able to deflect the ura’s attack and with one final swing of his sword decapitates the grim creature. As Pyrrah lowers her arm Ruby asks what exactly happened, Pyrrah explains that much like Ruby and her speed and Weiss with her glyph use, she has the power of polarity. As Pyrrah begins to leave the scene, Weiss ask where she is going along with Ruby chiming in that they have to tell the rest of the group what happen. Pyrrah instead suggests that instead of telling people they could just keep this event their little secret. Jaune then approaches Cardin and helps him up. Cardin tries to thank Jaune but Jaune instead tells Cardin to never mess with his team ever again.

The final scene of the episode finds Jaune and Pyrrah back at “their spot” where Jaune apologizes to her for being such a jerk before. Pyrrah says everything is fine and that the team misses their leader. She invites Jaune down for pancakes but Jaune instead asks if her offer to train him still stands. She smiles to herself as she then approaches Jaune and promptly pushes him down. Jaune is surprised by this move only to realize that this is the beginning of his first lesson. Que end credits with giant ursa background.

High Points:

End of the Jaune/Cardin conflict

Thank goodness that didn’t drag any longer than it was needed. As a vehicle for character grown in Jaune and his team, this was the weakest way to do it. Honestly it was almost too painful for me to watch. Chalk it up to personal bully experience or the lame set up for Cardin to have power over Jaune, this just wasn’t that entertaining to watch unfold which is all the more reason to be glad this story arch is finished.

More explanation of personal powers!

At first I thought “dust” was the means that gave hunters and huntresses their special abilities. As it turns out I was completely wrong and in fact it would seem that people who become hunters and huntress have these powers from the onset. It’s mentioned in this episode that Ruby has the ability of speed; Weiss has the ability to use glyph powers and that Pyrrah’s special ability makes her on par to Magneto to a degree. It’s interesting to learn that this is the case which makes me wonder how else these powers will come into play with others in the series.  

Low Points:

Typical after school special wrap up.

Seeing everything get resolved in the end, as much as it was gratifying, was done too nicely to make it meaningful. It was just too quick, too easy and by the numbers for it to have any gravity or conclusion to it. Aside from the fight itself everything else fit too well “by the numbers” that this situation could’ve been pulled straight from an after school special or any other anime where a secondary character had to overcome his inner weaknesses so he could take a stand, learn from his mistakes and make amends in the end. While it does sound good on paper, in practice we’ve seen this done all before. I’d be more interested if they took a darker tone with this situation where Jaune let the ursa kill Cardin while Pyrrah watched, forcing them to both re-evaluate their actions and motivations toward their skills, their team and each other. Sure it might seem more comic booky but it would’ve been a stark difference to what we got now.

What of Cardin and his team?

What’s not stopping them from reporting Jaune to Ozpin about both the ursa incident AND Jaune’s lies about faking his transcripts. Though Cardin is a bully and the thought that he was saved by Jaune may give him pause, I don’t see that being a strong enough reason to keep Jaune’s secret. Seeing how petty and mean Cardin can be I can still see him reporting Jaune just out of spite for saving him from the Ursa. He would not only get rid of Jaune from Beacon but also keep the embarrassment of his situation safe from others. I don’t see Cardin or team CRDL having any honor or respect for Jaune despite the fact he took the head off a giant Ursa. It might amaze Cardin but I don’t see it as the reason why he’d keep things quiet.

Odd point

Jaune should’ve ended his warning to Cardin with the word “bitch”. What? I’m only saying.

In the end I’m glad this episode is over, if only so that the series can move on and refocus on Ruby and team RWBY itself. At this point I should say here’s hoping for better in the final two episodes of Volume 1. I’m still debating if I’ll combine the last two episode breakdowns into one blog. I’ve had to do several rewrites to make it respectable but I’m not sure if it’s short enough to fit in the same blog. We’ll just have to see come next week in what I decided.

Any thoughts about this episode? Agree? Disagree? Undecided? Let me know in the comments! It’s good to be back!

Ta-ta

“N”