フェイト/ゼロ
Fate/Zero – 13

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Ryuunosuke and Caster arrive at their former hideout to discover it has been destroyed. Ryuunosuke weeps for the lost “art” of theirs, so Caster comforts him. The two end up talking about God and Ryuunosuke’s beliefs in what God is, including the fact that if God didn’t get enjoyment out of bloody slaughter, he wouldn’t make intestines the way they are. Caster sees Ryuunosuke’s beliefs that both praise and blaspheme are things God delights in, and is touched by Ryuunosuke’s faith in this day and age. As such, Caster decides to do even more than before and takes Ryuunosuke to the river to start casting a new spell.

Meanwhile, Waver has a dream of Rider during his life and then takes him into the city for shopping. Rider buys a game and is amused that Waver would be reading a book on Rider’s life as Alexander the Great when he’s standing right there. The two talk as they walk home, where Waver reveals his feelings of inadequacy as a Master. Rider tells Waver they are much alike in that they may be just dots on a map, but they have big dreams and work hard to achieve them. Rider speaks of his unfulfilled dream to see Okeanos, something Waver dreamed of. As such, Rider is happy to be Waver’s Servant.

Rider’s plans to get Waver to play a video game are thwarted when they sense Caster’s actions in the river. Saber and Iri also sense this and arrive at the riverbank moments before Rider and Waver do.  Rider proposes a truce in order to remove Caster, which Saber agrees to. Lancer arrives, at Rider’s request, as Caster has summoned a massive monster, which then envelops him.  As such, they have to get to Caster and his Nobel Phantasm before the monster can sustain itself by getting to the shore and starting to eat. Plans made, Rider launches in his chariot while Saber races across the water to attack and give Lancer a shot.

Thoughts/Review:

This episode was surprisingly chatty.  Ryuunosuke’s and Caster’s sick and twisted philosophy continues to show why Ryuunosuke was able to summon Caster. Their sick, mutual admiration society stuff was just freaky.

On the other side is Rider and Waver. I’ve always known that Rider respected Waver despite his shortcomings, and now I have a better understanding of why. They really are very similar in many ways in goals, ambitions, and the effort put in to see their dreams come to fruition.

I have to say that I got a good laugh out of Rider buying that video game, complete with console. *lol* The only thing that would have made that sweeter is if somehow, the game had been Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. ^_~  Too bad Rider didn’t get to talk Waver into playing before Caster’s actions started.

So, Lancer, Rider, and Saber are there to battle Caster. Is Archer lurking around, or is he just sitting tight?  I don’t expect Berserker to appear either since Kariya is in such poor health and needs to lay low until there’s only one other Servant left.

In the end, not what I expected, but an OK episode I guess. I’m looking forward to seeing Caster getting taken down.