Episode 15 –
While I personally loved this episode, I can’t help but notice a big flaw to this arc now that it is finally over. The flaw in question would be how the monstrocity that Caster was controlling didn’t feel terribly threatening at all. The whole point of this arc was to prevent Caster from ravaging the entire world, but the monster in question felt weak, or at least, didn’t feel dangerous. It didn’t really do much damage for something that was supposedly extremely dangerous, and was eventually contained by the other servants. This lack of a “threatening” aura is something I do wish the arc improved upon, because a non-threatening main antagonist isn’t good for building a climax.
Part of the blame for this flaw would probably be from how much of this arc was actually focused on characters other than Caster. We saw a face-off between Tokiomi and Kariya, a suspicious Kirei lurking in the shadows, as well as a high-energy dogfight in the air between Archer and Berserker. Between all that and this week’s focus on Saber and her Excalibur, there was little actual focus on Caster’s own schemes and plotting. The little destruction that Caster’s monster created didn’t really help either.
On the plus side, this focus on others did open up a new level of depth, complexity, and uncertainty to certain characters. There’s Kotomine Kirei, a seemingly detached man who is slowly falling under the influence of Gilgamesh, with the results being that we don’t know what he is trying to accomplish. He seems to be developing some strongly personal motivations in participating in the Grail war, and his enigmatic personality makes it difficult to ascertain what the significance of his actions are. Then there’s Gilgamesh, a man who also seems to be developing some strong motivations towards goals other than the Holy Grail. His relationships with the other Kings have become central to his actions, and his overpowering presence makes him a wildcard in this war. And then there’s Emiya Kiritsugu, whom seems to be dead set on taking advantage of the Caster situation to further his own goal; obtaining the Holy Grail. He will without a doubt continue to interfere in the “chivalrous” rivalry between Saber and Lancer, with potentially disastrous results in the future.
In the end, it seems that Caster was actually a plot device of sorts, where his presence in this series forced a ceasefire that allowed the main cast to interact with each other. The result is a complex web of character relationships and tensions, which undoubtedly laid the foundation for the climactic battles that are to come. This episode was definitely an ominous bit of foreshadowing with regards to future battles, where Saber’s use of her magnificent Holy Sword, Excalibur, signaled the end of the ceasefire and the resumption of the Holy Grail War. It’s a bit ironic that such a stunningly beautiful, overwhelming attack ended up as the flag that resumed this battle royale to the death, and future episodes promise to be even more overwhelming than what we saw here.
Overall Enjoyment: 3.8/5
P.S. I should also mention how I really appreciate how the storywriters attempted to add a sense of complexity to Caster’s persona. While we knew him to be a twisted murderer who tortured other people, this episode also showed that he too had dreams and goals in the past, embodied by the brief flashback to Joan of Arc. The brief flashback implies that Caster at one time had been a good man, but somewhere along his path he went astray, ending up as the twisted man he currently is.
And finally, The Sword of Promised Victory Yuki Kajiura version?!? I already can’t wait for the 2nd season’s OST 😀
Screenshots are later in the post.
Distant Paradise 
In Hindsight, I actually agree with you on the issue of Caster’s monster. When reading the novel you can just pump up it’s danger level with imagination, but it’s another thing to see it swing it’s tentacles so lazily. Granted, it was just looking for food and not really “fighting” the servants, but hell it could have moved more energetically. It’s a shame that they didn’t show Inonian Heatorinari vs Cuthulu monster either. It wasn’t described in the novel, but it would have been a sight to see. I’m surprised that an ARMY OF SERVANTS would be pushed to brink by that slow seeming monster. I mean each solider is a servant! D ranked yes, but a servant nonetheless.
Gilgamesh and Berserker’s high speed doge fight was really fun to watch though.
Yea, that’s one of the flaws of a novel to anime transition; you can write down in tremendous detail the ferocity of a monster, or the intimate feelings of people, but it’s much tougher to translate that into a visual form.
That being said, this episode did a fantastic job with Saber’s Excalibur. The episode somewhat subtly shows the burden that she holds on her mind, and a strong sense of sadness and nostalgia to her character. It’s something that would’ve been tough to pull off well, and for that ufotable, Kajiura, and Aoki Ei all deserve credit for.
But yea, the caveats that come with transitioning between mediums is an issue that I’m starting to become much more keenly aware of, especially after works such as To Aru Majutsu no Index and Accel World (and may apply to the upcoming Sword Art Online anime).
Gilles became mad after Jeanne of Arc’s death. You can see his anger towards the Holy Church in the previous episodes. It’s interesting to see that in the end, looks like he regreted what he was doing. That phrase “what have i….” was the best part of his death for me. Jeanne was his light in the middle of darkness, without her he become a madman. Too sad.
I actually really want to take up the light novels after seeing the deaths of Uryuu, and now, Caster. Both characters were deranged killers, yet there was also an underlying sense of complexity to their personas that became apparent in these past two episodes.
They both seemed to be trying to fill in for something that they were missing in their hearts, and it just so happened it manifested itself in a grotesque manner. As much as I disliked both characters, Urobuchi Gen seems to have written them to be more complex beasts than the anime gives credit for.
The beatific burden of the King’s Holy Sword they showed it marvelously. More so with the ost track going at the time makes the sense of awe we see in everyone observing let alone the acceptance that she is a king in Alexander.
I’d hesitate to say that Alexander sees her as a king. He acknowledges her as the bearer of the hopes of her people, but he doesn’t seem to like the notion of that embodying a “king”.
Then again, his definition of a king is one that is radically different from Saber and Gilgamesh’s thoughts on kingship, and that’s where the inherent friction lies.
Caster’s song theme tribute is specially tragic as fallen hero:
http://carlenne.livejournal.com/74011.html
A silent scream rose within the river water evaporating in an instant, as every single atom composing the body of the giant sea demon that had been the embodiment of terror were exposed to the scorching impact.
But in the center of the sea demon being completely burnt to cinders, within a fortress of bulky defiled flesh, Caster simply wordlessly watched over this moment of white blinding annihilation which had stolen his heart.
“…O, Oh…”
Yes – it was unmistakeably a light he had once seen in the distant past.
Had he not once been a knight who pursued and rode after this light?
The recollection, vivid and utterly unclouded, brought Gilles back to the distant past.
It was the light that shone through the stained-glass windows of the great cathedral, at the long-awaited coronation ceremony of King Charles. It was a white brilliance, a blessing of joy that wrapped around Jeanne and Gilles, who had attended as saviors and national heroes, together with the ars nova melody.
Aah, there’s no mistake – it was this light.
He could still remember it. Even now, after his fall into brutality, his entire body smeared with corruption, the memories of that day did not fade at all and remained carved into his heart.
Even if his end was stained with humiliation and revulsion, no matter how much he may be held in contempt – the glory in his past alone cannot be denied or overturned, for it was in his heart.
Something that even God or Fate will never be able to take away or violate…
Gilles de Rais was dumbstruck by the clarity of his own rapidly falling tears.
What was he confused with? Had he lost sight of something?
If he could just look back and admit it – wouldn’t that be enough?
“Just what have I…”
Before this murmur, directed at no one, left his mouth, all matter was brought into another world, annihilated by the white light.
Also the anime cut this scene of Gilgamesh:
Tonight, witnessing with his own eyes that incomparable light lead the thoughts of the primeval Heroic Spirit back to the distant past.
– Once upon a time, there was a man.
He was a foolish and ridiculous fellow whom, despite having a body made of mud and soil, set his heart to stand shoulder to shoulder with gods.
Of course, his hubris and disrespectful arrogance offended the gods in heaven. The man suffered divine retribution and lost his life.
Even to this day, the King of Heroes still couldn’t forget the way that he passed away with tears streaming down his face.
Why are you crying? The King of Heroes had asked. Could it be that, only now, you are regretting having taken my side?
It’s not that –
He had answered.
“Who would understand you after I die? Who else would march forward by your side? My friend… when I think that you will live on all alone henceforth, I can’t help but shed tears…”
Like so, when he saw that man taking his last breath, the incomparable king realized – the way that this man, who was human but wanted to surpass humanity, had lived, was even more precious and more brilliant than all the treasures he had collected.
His interest in Saber is a bit based on his love for Enkidu, not enough to respect her of course. Enkidu was his only equal.
Hrm, that’s an interesting thing you’ve pointed out there. I never thought that Gilgamesh was comparing Saber to his own best friend; it would be nice if we could see more of Enkidu in this series, though I guess it won’t happen for a while (if at all). Gilgamesh has had virtually no character development at all so far, and considering his pivotal role in the series, some backstory is very much needed.
As for Caster, well, I’m guessing the light novels covered much more about him via flashbacks and stuff, something I suspect was removed for the sake of time in this anime version.
I copy-pasted you the flashbacks 😛
It’s spoken plainly in the novel with that triggering his flashback. Of course, she’ll never be Enkidu (he makes clear he’s his only companion for eternity). She’s a treasure. Enkidu is beyond all the treasures. He mentions him a couple of times (as his only companion, now and forever. AWW).
His Fate/Zero tribute song (Crimson Eyes) is all about the loss of Enkidu and how he’s forever alone since then. Being tsundere and distant about his own sorrow (which is fitting).