Recap: The core found in the previous episode leads the Yamato to an inactive warp gate.

Gee’s Thoughts: This was a relatively straightforward episode, with all of its subplots conveniently tying into each other. The technology found during the Yamato crew’s previous excursion shows them the existence of a warp gate built by some precursor alien race ages ago. Utilizing it would allow the Yamato to jump tens of thousands of light years, easily making up for the time lost due to previous interruptions. However, the last race to use this precursor-built warp gate was the Gamilans themselves, which leads to the question of why they abandoned it in the first place…

Speaking of the Gamilans, Domel is brought back to Gamilas to be tried for the supposed assassination of Lord Desler. While it’s patently obvious that the trial is a sham with political aims, it seems the Gamilan judiciary system has some kinks to work out, and Domel ends up being sentenced to death. It doesn’t help that his wife has been secretly harboring rebel freedom fighters. And hey, we get to see Melda again, so that’s a thing. Not sure what’s going to happen to her in the near future. If Gamilans treat all their fellow soldiers and generals as well as they’ve treated a war hero like Domel, I can’t imagine things are going to go well for her.

As for our heroes back at the warp gate, Sanada, Kodai, and Yuki get some bonding time, discussing the finer things in life, such as Yuki’s revealed past and Sanada’s relationship with Kodai’s brother, Mamoru Kodai. Indeed, Sanada, Mamoru, and Niimi were colleagues and friends prior to the Gamilan invasion, which explains a lot about Niimi’s attempt to bring Sanada over to her side of the coup as well as her vested interest in Kodai himself. Again, the theme of what makes a good soldier is brought up again, as we find out that Sanada was well aware of the true aims of Mamoru’s mission as a decoy to ensure the Iscandar probe landed safely. While Sanada couldn’t reveal the truth as a soldier, it makes us wonder once again about when is the proper time to buck orders and do what’s right. I’m sure some of the people who attempted to take over the Yamato in the previous episode thought they were doing the proper thing.

Also, apparently Yurisha, the Iscandarian who landed on Earth years prior happens to look exactly like Yuki. Also, she’s in the ship acting as some sort of comatose navigation system? Yeah, I dunno either, but at least it explains Misaki’s frequent possessions. Where this part of the plot will go, I have no clue but I have a feeling it will become rather important down the line.

And while it looks like Sanada decides to pull some sort of “suicide equals redemption” act, we are reminded that this eyebrow-less badass mothafucka is too damn awesome to go down just because of something as petty as neutron radiation. If nothing else, “Neutrons don’t pass through water easily” is quite possibly one of the nerdiest and badass post-survival one-liners I’ve heard in a while. With the truth aired out and the warp drive activated, things are looking up for the Yamato’s crew. Well, that would be the case if it weren’t for the fact that the Gamilans are well aware of the warp drive’s activation and seem to be sending their entire damn fleet for the Yamato. Looks like we’re in store for another riveting no-holds-barred scrape for survival.