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RWBY: “Lost” Explores Character Motives and Moving Moments

The sixth volume of RWBY continues after taking a break for Christmas and New Years. “Lost” appeared to be setting up some much needed development for Oscar, who vanished at the end of the last episode. But, the episode goes in a different direction, instead focusing on Jaune, and feels a little disjointed. Thankfully, it makes up for it, with the most tearjerking, yet, heartwarming moment in Volume 6.

First off, we get some long awaited development for Emerald and Mercury, better understanding Cinder’s lackeys. Emerald is emotionally dependent on Cinder, viewing her as a family member, convinced she will return for her. Mercury, however, is unsympathetic, believing Emerald only sees what she wants to. She is in denial about Cinder, who only craves power, and to her, they are disposable. Emerald gets mad and the two get into a fight.

Mercury angrily explains his father, Marcus Black, was an abusive man. He somehow stole his son’s Semblance with his own, and would only give it back when Mercury became an assassin. Stealing another person’s Semblance is certainly alarming, a concept yet to be explored. I wonder if we’ll learn what Mercury’s Semblance was, perhaps related to his legs. Regardless, Mercury surpassed and killed his father, but never got his Semblance back. He tells Emerald that he worked hard to grow strong and overcome his disability. Still, he remains an unsympathetic character, for he shows none towards others. He takes after his dad a lot more than he may realise.

Tyrian strides in to rattle the duo’s cages, now sporting a menacing, mechanical scorpion stinger. Tyrian mocks Mercury, figuring out he clings to pain and violence to feel strong. Tyrian uses reverse psychology to convince Emerald and Mercury to stay and follow their desires, or they will have to die. He also explains he and Doctor Watts are off to Atlas to stop Ironwood before he gets the idea to team up with Vacuo. Well, I guess we know who the main villains will be in Volume Seven.

In Argus, Team JNPR search for Oscar after Jaune nearly took his head off last episode. Jaune expresses a deep guilt for taking his rage out on the innocent farm boy. Jaune’s sister Saphron tries to cheer him up, suggesting he, Nora, and Ren become Huntsmen in Mistral. After she leaves, Nora and Ren then park Jaune on a bench whilst they fetch some coffee. Poor Jaune really has been terribly hard on himself lately, and struggles to be a good team leader. Luckily, destiny seems to want to guide him to where he needs to be.

Jaune is drawn into a park by an autumn leaf blowing in the wind, and there, in a secluded, snowy garden, he finds a statue dedicated to Pyrrha. Everything about this scene is just perfect. Beautifully shot, Jaune’s silent grief, and the song from Casey Williams immediately stirs up mournful tears. The statue of Pyrrha depicts her at her best, strong, kind, and at peace, dedicated to her memory. Ironically, the statue is on a pedestal – something which Pyrrha detested about how she was treated, driving her to go to Beacon.

Jaune is joined at the statue by a mysterious woman who sports Pyrrha’s green eyes and red hair (and her voice actress Jen Brown). Though the episode nor its credits divulge who this woman is, it is implied to be Pyrrha’s mother. She carries red lilies with her, which according to Greek mythology, symbolise motherhood and rebirth. One thing I wanted to see was Team JNPR meet Pyrrha’s parents, and this is a good substitute to what I imagined. Pyrrha’s mother explains the statue was built in Argus, because it was where Pyrrha trained before going to Beacon. She expresses joy that Pyrrha was surrounded by good friends, and gives a very knowing look to Jaune. Pyrrha’s mother and Jaune have a moment of serenity together, acknowledging that Pyrrha believed she had a responsibility as a Huntress.

Nora and Ren come looking for Jaune, only for Pyrrha’s mother to disappear, leaving the flowers behind. Some reviewers have suggested perhaps this woman was actually a hallucination, and it was Jaune to brought the flowers to the memorial. Nevertheless, this encounter allows Jaune to finally begin to move on with his grief. It is also even sadder seeing Nora and Ren get to express their grief, refusing to let Jaune beat himself up anymore. Sorry, I’m going to need a minute…anyone got a tissue?

Team JNPR together one last time. *sob!*

And it just occurred to me that Ren is walking around with his toes exposed. Doesn’t anyone know how to wear winter clothes in Remnant?

Everyone regroups outside Saphron and Terra’s house, finding Qrow passed out on the pavement. Team JNPR announce they will be going to Atlas with Team RWBY, though no one is surprised. As for Oscar, well, instead of wandering the streets pondering his existence, he is already inside the house safe and sound. Well that was a panic over nothing. Though, Oscar has got himself some swanky new clothes, a little reminiscent of Ozpin’s own getup. Through some insane animation, Team RWBY and Team JNPR attack hug Oscar into the house, glad he’s safe.

Oscar explains after some soul searching, he got some new duds and came back to make amends. It would’ve been nicer if his development happened onscreen though. Jaune and Oscar make up, Oscar deciding that he wants to help his friends out before he and Ozpin become one so to speak.

Qrow goes upstairs to sleep off his hangover, but an angry Ruby stops him. Qrow tells the gang that they have no plan, and the alternatives are zero. Jaune then suggests the rather radical idea of stealing an Atlas airship and flying it illegally into the country. Ah, the old Return of the Jedi “fly casual” trick. Naturally, everyone apart from Nora, thinks the plan is absurd. Plus there are like a hundred questions, and dangers, and things that go could go wrong. Yang asks how they would get onto the airship. Plus, who would fly the plane? How could they breach the base’s security? Wouldn’t they need clearance codes in order to fly into the Remnant equivalent of America?

Qrow objects to the zany idea, but Ruby surprises everyone by supporting Jaune. Qrow tries to reason with her, but Ruby silences him, tired of his resignation to failure. Hey, now, I hate to point out the elephant in the room, but Jaune’s plan is truly risky. Trying to steal and fly a military aircraft illegally into Atlas, whilst smuggling yourselves across too, would potentially be suicide. Plus, you’d have to get to the airfield, get the plane, fuel it, get someone who knows how to pilot it, and get from Argus to Atlas without detection. Sure, the Argus aerial tower is faulty, so that maybe one advantage, and Terra works on it. But, unless Ironwood got Qrow’s letter from the start of the volume, Team RWBY’s plan might get them arrested or killed. I’m just saying.

Then, there is Ruby’s response. She claims that they didn’t need adults to tell them what to do, or saving their butts. Oh, really? Qrow saved Ruby in Volume 4, and the only reason he was poisoned by Tyrian, was because she intervened in the battle. And, the group would have been killed by the Apathy mere days ago had Maria not told Ruby how to use her Silver Eyes.

Look, I understand where Ruby is coming from. Her family have not been very reliable or had much faith in her, and Ozpin turned out to be a liar. The only one on Ruby’s side is a blind old woman. In a way, Ruby is desperate and wants to make a move indepently. I supect Ruby will go down the old “get cocky and get hurt” path, but we’ll have to wait and see. And for now, her attitude and speech come off as a little hypocritical.

Final Grade: A

+ Everything about that scene with Jaune and Pyrrha’s statue.

+ Emerald and Mercury getting some screentime and growth.

– Despite the set up for Oscar running away and getting some development, there is no payoff and whatever troubles he was going through are resolved off screen.

– Jaune’s plan is incredibly risky, so why is Qrow being called out for disagreeing with the plan?

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About the author

Mark Russell