Since Volume 6 of RWBY began, fate has not been kind to Team RWBY. Their mentor is a colossal liar and abandoned them, their enemy is unkillable, and things are becoming increasingly bleak. Last episode did give our heroes a brief moment of hope. They reached Argus, reunited with Team JNPR, and met Jaune’s relatives. But, their goal to get to Atlas through the Argus military outpost immediately becomes a lost cause. Time for another downpour of misery to be dumped on our heroes.
Team RWBY find themselves unable to enter the Argus base, due to the Mistral-Atlas base being closed. The group are bothered by the hilarious guards, who resembles penguins, and speak in unison. When they get a good look at Weiss, the guards march off to fetch their commanding officer. We all hoped it would by Weiss’ older sister Winter, but Maria Calavera explains she may know the commander – as in they are arch enemies.
The guards return with their commander, the diminutive Caroline Cordobin, who has quite the Napoleon complex. Short in size and ultra-nationalistic in pride, Caroline poses an immediately hurdle for Team RWBY to overcome. Maria and Caroline butt heads, but Ruby steps in to try and negotiate safe passage to Atlas. Caroline boasts how important and great the military base is, and that Argus would not exist without the glory of the Kingdom of Atlas. You get the jist. Caroline seems convinced that the rest of the world is plotting to wage war against Atlas. You can thank Cinder for that misunderstanding.
Caroline addresses Weiss and promises to have her escorted home, but will refuse entry to her “friends of questionable character”, whilst glaring at Blake. Atlas doesn’t exactly have the best relationship with the Faunus, and Weiss’ own company treats them like slaves. Weiss gets mad, and Caroline quickly closes up shop. Considering how much Weiss has hinted at her unwillingness to return to her family, this door may be shut permanently.
Though Ruby reassures Weiss they won’t leave her, Qrow leaves to, what else, get drunk. With the plan gone, Nora suggests Ozpin could help. Here comes a meteorite’s worth of bad news. We jump to a little while later, where judging by Jaune punching a hole in the wall, they learnt the news about Ozpin and Salem. Needless to say, Jaune, Nora, and Ren are not happy with the information. Jaune flips out on Oscar, angry at the run-around Ozpin has been putting them through. He even suggests Oscar is just a persona for Ozpin, but Ruby shuts him down. Jaune does look rather guilty about attacking Oscar, since he isn’t to blame, but stomps upstairs with Nora and Ren behind. Cue a lot of door slamming.
While the gang go to get food, Ruby steps out into the Arc garden to get some quiet time. She finds Maria outside, and the remainder of the episode has them discussing their situation. Most importantly, they discuss the Silver Eyes. But, again, Ruby’s mother isn’t mentioned. Maria explains she was taught to master her eyes by her dad, but even his information was limited. Why? Because Salem has been exterminating the bloodlines of the Silver-Eyed Warriors. Maria also reveals her Semblances is based on enhanced senses and reflexes, which helped her to fight Grimm.
They have a first lessons of sorts on how to use the Silver Eyes. Ruby recalls what she wanted to do when she used her powers, Maria explaining their ability comes from the God of Light (as demonstrated in flashback). Though Ruby is gung-ho about using her abilities, Maria tells her the only way to test them would be against the Grimm. Ruby points that when she used her eyes at Haven, it reacted to Cinder, who is part Grimm. Though, our heroes are unaware of it at this point.
Weiss, Blake, and Yang return, looking rather frantic. They reveal to Ruby and Team JNPR that Oscar has gone missing. Jaune looks rather distressed by it. Hopefully, in the next episode, we’ll find Oscar safe and sound, and Vomit Boy can make up for getting antsy with the poor boy.
Overall, this is a good episode, meeting another eccentric old lady. Team JNPR’s reaction to the fallout came as sharp, heavy and heartbreaking. And now poor Oscar disappeared. Unfortunately, we won’t find out what happened to him until December 29th, as RWBY is going on a Christmas break.
Final Grade: B
+ If all of Atlas’ guards dress like penguins, then going there will be a lot more fun than expected.
+ More old lady rivalries!
+ Team JNPR’s reaction to Ozpin’s lies was a lot more subtle and heavier than I thought it would be.
What did you think of this episode of RWBY? Leave a comment below, or on our Twitter and Facebook feeds. RWBY can be watched on Rooster Teeth’s website, though this episode will be the last until December 29th cause Christmas!
