The description of this episode describes the 15th's entry into a battle. However, even the title disproves the inaccurate plot description, in that this is the prelude to the battle, not the battle itself.
This episode is one of the best showcases of the interpersonal ties between Dana and others, as well as relationship subtleties in the command of the Southern Cross.
*SPOILERS BELOW* We see the backstabbing rivalry Commander Leonard applies toward Rolf Emerson, by changing Emerson's orders without his knowledge to turn the mission volunteer offer meant for the 15th into a full blown order without right to refuse.
We see the blossoming friendship between Dana and MP's Nova Satori, as Dana reveals a piece of her personality which people don't credit her for-- open friendliness and a desire to establish ties with people whom others would consider rivals or enemies. She's open-heart-ed and willing to let clashes between Nova's MP duties in previous arrests go without a grudge to form a bridge of real friendship. We see this again in her approach to Angelo, the xenophobic girl-hating Sargent who never holds back his criticism of Dana's leadership.
Even more subtle is the interplay around Dana, Bowie, and Emerson. We see Dana manipulate Bowie into an arrest so that he misses the mission and the easy shallow interpretation is that she does it from friendship to protect Bowie--who is a reluctant and lesser-qualified soldier at best--from harm in the upcoming mission. But even more subtle in this maneuver is her desire to protect her entire squad. She's a "tactical genius" after all. Dana knows that Bowie's heart isn't in his work, and she's not just protecting him, but safeguarding the integrity of her mission and her entire squad's safety by removing what could be a liability from her team. I feel this episode deserves a higher rating than I normally give to any Southern Cross generation, because of how many deeper undertones and character developments they managed to wedge into such a short period of time.
This episode is one of the best showcases of the interpersonal ties between Dana and others, as well as relationship subtleties in the command of the Southern Cross.
*SPOILERS BELOW* We see the backstabbing rivalry Commander Leonard applies toward Rolf Emerson, by changing Emerson's orders without his knowledge to turn the mission volunteer offer meant for the 15th into a full blown order without right to refuse.
We see the blossoming friendship between Dana and MP's Nova Satori, as Dana reveals a piece of her personality which people don't credit her for-- open friendliness and a desire to establish ties with people whom others would consider rivals or enemies. She's open-heart-ed and willing to let clashes between Nova's MP duties in previous arrests go without a grudge to form a bridge of real friendship. We see this again in her approach to Angelo, the xenophobic girl-hating Sargent who never holds back his criticism of Dana's leadership.
Even more subtle is the interplay around Dana, Bowie, and Emerson. We see Dana manipulate Bowie into an arrest so that he misses the mission and the easy shallow interpretation is that she does it from friendship to protect Bowie--who is a reluctant and lesser-qualified soldier at best--from harm in the upcoming mission. But even more subtle in this maneuver is her desire to protect her entire squad. She's a "tactical genius" after all. Dana knows that Bowie's heart isn't in his work, and she's not just protecting him, but safeguarding the integrity of her mission and her entire squad's safety by removing what could be a liability from her team. I feel this episode deserves a higher rating than I normally give to any Southern Cross generation, because of how many deeper undertones and character developments they managed to wedge into such a short period of time.
