Turn A Gundam Staff, Production, and Episode Analyses – Episode #17 “Dust Blow at the State’s Founding”

Turn A Gundam‘s seventeenth episode was broadcast on Fuji TV on July 30, 1999.

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Following the recap, we’re treated with a bit of a transitionary reprieve to set up for next episode’s pivotal moment(s).

A storm rages as Keith escorts a group of Moonrace engineers, presumably en route to Guin’s villa. The Moonrace returnees are deathly terrified of the thunderstorm raging about, comparing it to that of a mobile suit’s beam weapons. Keith assures them that it is simply a natural part of Earth’s climate and not a secret weapon developed by the Militia. A similar situation occurs at the Soleil, where the crewmembers are terrified and presume the lightning is a curse planted by the Milia. Kihel (as “Dianna”) lets her Earthling knowledge shine in this moment as she aims to put their minds at ease. This is all a direct callout to the original Mobile Suit Gundam! When the White Base and pursuing Zeon forces encounter lightning, they both presume that it’s a new weapon developed by the other side.

At the villa Guin bargains with Colonel Michael, claiming that if the Militia entrust the newly earthed Mountain Cycle to him he’ll be able to build up their forces faster than ever before. A slew of letters arrive under Dianna Soreil’s name—invitations to a ceremony to announce a sovereign Moonrace state in the Sunbelt region. Dianna (as “Kihel”) wonders if this was an idea by Kihel herself or if it was something Miran and the others forced upon her.

While scouting about, the Suicide Squad come across Loran, Keith, and co. Gavane stops them in their tracks, questioning if they have any Moonrace in their convoy. In an effort to hide the engineers’ identities, Keith claims that they’re all simply workers that are trying to build a bread factory. Gavane, in the spur of the moment, decides to duel Loran and if he wins then they’ll leave the travelers alone. In the midst of the duel, Bruno and Jacop—who have been in low spirits and are lurking around—spot one of the trucks disguised as a food vehicle and hijack it. Lily Borjarno then comes out of nowhere (no, really…) to interrupt the duel, ashamed at the antics of the Suicide Squad and disparages them for harassing civilians. Loran uses this opportunity to give chase to the stolen truck but loses track of them.

Bruno and Jacop take a moment to relax but soon learn that the food truck is actually filled with spare mobile suit parts. They don’t care to take it back to the Soleil since they’re always treated like low-level trash by the elites there. Teteth then appears out of nowhere and Bruno recognizes her; she gives the duo some food for their troubles. She reveals to them that she came to Earth on a secret mission to assassinate Dianna Soreil, because if she can pull off such a feat she’ll be granted honorary citizen status. It’s worth noting that we the audience don’t know if she’s telling the truth or not. She uses her feminine wiles again to convince the two to join in on her cause. Loran eventually spots the group and thinks they have kidnapped Teteth, so he gives even further chase. Bruno, Jacop, and Teteth split up as the chase commences. Jacop leads Loran to the Soleil and the Royal Guard gets involved in the little skirmish. In the midst of the chaos, Jacop attempts to fire at Kihels (“Dianna”) envoy but is stopped by both Harry and Loran. He flees as his mobile suit takes damage, refusing to reconvene with Teteth in embarrassment of his failure.

Guin and Dianna (as “Kihel”) arrive at the Soleil because they want to meet with Dianna Soreil but are forced to leave as well, because of the grave infighting situation which just occurred; a Moonrace soldier has just tried to take Dianna’s life, after all.

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