English Dub Review: Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! “Uses for Cloudy Quartz”
OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)
Melphie comes up with a strategy to stave off the attacking beasts with the excess magic she collected and Aristide’s help.
OUR TAKE
Okay, NOW they’re finally at Galbraith, which will probably be where the latter third of the season. It’s crazy to think we’re already at the end of the first two thirds, a couple months can really fly by. Much like this episode that is primarily about the group flying away from attacking flying beasts, and while it is exciting to see more action than usual, it’s more significant to see how Melphie is learning to adapt her knowledge of magic extraction for combat purposes, specifically using the magic she got from that monster fish last episode as a component to make an explosion spell, and makes use of Aristide’s own magic to complete. Of course, this now poses a bigger question that we likely won’t have time to fully address, but it’s still interesting that it’s now hanging in the air: now that Melphie is aware that her magic extraction can be used to make stronger bombs and destructive spells, will she keep that knowledge from others who may use it for less than good aims, or share it while focusing on her monster food preparation goals? Again, probably a bit too heavy for this series and at the very least it won’t be a big focus in this season, but it hints at some morally complex issues down the line that hopefully get picked up again at some point.
Beyond the concerning implications, this is also a nice and wholesome moment because it shows how Melphie and Aristide are growing closer as a couple AND better as a team. Aristide has the hunting skills that Melphie lacks, but Melphie has the technical skills with magic and biological knowledge of monsters that HE lacks. Like any good couple, they fill in the blind spots the other one has, and can now rely on one another in not just emotional matters, but also in the rush and chaos of combat. So often romance stories try to insist that two people are destined and meant for each other without having much to back that up other than their shared attractiveness and because the plot says so, but so far, I am inclined to agree that Melphie and Aristide really are meant to be together. But we have four more episodes left in this season for a reason, and those remaining four will likely be used to further test their bond and commitment to each other, so we’ll hope for more meaningful moments in the final act of this season starting next week.
