Review: RWBY Vol.8 “Risk”

Overview

The plot further intensifies when General Ironwood demands Penny with his Ultimatum broadcast that if she and Ruby’s friends don’t comply with whatever he wants, he’ll straight up blow-up Mantle with a bomb. Not to mention the fact that he’s sending out some drones to drop off the Bomb to further prove he isn’t bluffing and will set it off if things don’t go his way. It’s here when Marrow of all people finally takes a stand and says everything we’ve always wanted to say about their hypocritical batshit crazy Atlas general which is beautifully cathartic. But I think I’m more surprised at what happened next in regards to Winter Schnee who thankfully may have found a way out for both her and Marrow to defect, but it remains to be seen what outcome this will lead towards later on. Both teams within RWBY are at a loss for words on what to do in response to Ironwood’s broadcast and remain apprehensive in regards to Sending Penny to the Vault which is easily the biggest risk they could possibly take…

The rest of this episode leads to some emotional and private character moments and much to my surprise many of these scenes really sell the drama to each of their respective situations: Ren and Nora coming to terms with their feelings for one another and acknowledging their fuck-ups. While Ruby & Yang come to a unique conclusion about their long-lost dead mother Summer Rose’s possible fate after Team-A’s recent battle with The Hound. Meanwhile, as Qrow & Robyn continue to evade capture and get their weapons back, Robyn learns about what’s going on through Ironwood’s broadcast and how he’s transporting the bomb, with Robyn attempting to keep Qrow mentally grounded despite how vengeful he is and reminds him how he’s more willing to do the right thing than Clover ever did. But as the doors open, they’re shocked to see who’s at the other side which is quite a cliffhanger in itself.

But of course, this leads to a very suspenseful moment as whatever computer virus Watts remotely installed starts to take effect where everyone manages to anchor Penny and knock some sense into her for the time being and shockingly enough Emerald actually proves herself by helping them with Penny and gives an unexpected speech that they can’t just easily give up and that she’d be pissed that they disband as soon as she changed sides. Eventually, Ozpin takes over Oscar’s body and also admits to his fuck-ups during the events of Volume 6, and with everyone on the same page, The episode ends when Ruby and their teams decide to take the ultimate “Risk” and go to the entrance to Atlas Academy. While Watts, Cinder, and Neo just so happen to also be going…

Our Take

This episode was just full of confirming fan-theories ever since the Hound appeared. And giving us so many great moments between characters. Painful and terrifying at points, but in a good way that makes the proceedings emotionally compelling. When you think about it, Marrow’s defection speech hurts even more on a personal level because he’s a Faunus- in a society that especially treats the Faunus like second-class citizens, he’s one of the best fighters and has a huge amount of respect and power only to realize how flawed that power truly was.

I’m very curious to see what direction Nora’s character arc further goes in future volumes after this scene, to see what role the writers have planned for her to fill. It may sound like there’s romance in the air, but Nora’s arc isn’t resolved by Ren just validating her. She doesn’t suddenly forget that she’s having an identity crisis. She instead tells Ren that she needs to grow on her own and he respects that. I also appreciate the talk between Ruby and Yang, and how they both address their situation head-on rather than avoiding it altogether. And with Penny willing to give up her own life and surrendering the maiden powers to Ruby was an unexpected thing for her to say, but at least Penny knows who entrust the Maiden powers to in case something does happen.

Overall, I can’t wait to see all these separate storylines converge into one place with all the key-players heading to the vault for one reason or another. And with 3 episodes left, anything can happen at this point…