(41) - Refrain

[mayoraasei]

(I watched Hiro's version of it this time, instead of waiting for Seed-Fansubs with theirs.)

This is a recap episode, and it's much better constructed the previous ones. It takes place between Athrun waking up on AA and Kira launching towards Eternal. The first half is narrated by Athrun. We get some insight into why he re-enlisted in ZAFT - he wanted to do something, he knew he had strength, and he wanted power to protect those important to him. It seems he also carries over a great sense of regret that he hadn't been able to do anything in the last war to stop his father.

The second half is narrated by Kira and we really don't learn anything we don't know already. Kira, as usual, is lamenting the losses of lives brought on by war. The recapping screenshots from the second half are almost an elegy for everyone who had died (or nearly died *ahem* Mwu and Kira) in GS and GSD. There are scenes of Fllay, Nicol and Mwu, and I think a sense of wanting to return to those times before everything was lost. Kira says that the two of them (Kira and Athrun) will protect the future that Lacus and Cagalli want to create. He says they will also try to release the world from its endless cycle of war breeding hatred breeding more war (Shinn).

I would have much preferred it if it was Shinn who narrated some parts of it...

As far as the opening song is concerned, Kira is at the centre again...what's with that? I thought Shinn was the main character?!