So there's been quite a few posts in the last couple of pages on the subject of Sunrise's non-Gundam mecha show for this season, Cross Ange. As this series has generated some controversy over it's depiction of women while also drawing praise for being enjoyable trash I thought I'd add my thoughts to the matter.
In short, Cross Ange is not a good series. The show, despite it's ridiculous story and characters, is very bland. It doesn't feature interesting characters, or exciting action sequences or even cool robots. It doesn't do anything particularly well, and even the things it does that differentiate it from other titles (namely the ridiculous story and general trashiness) have been done better in other works.
What it does trade in is abuse and suffering, not only in terms of the fate of the protagonist, Ange, but in terms of all the 'oppressed' people in the series. You'd think that would make for a rather dark story, but the general goofiness of the way events are portrayed stops the show from becoming a dour, Urobochi-esque despair play. It's far more stupid than it is is serious, and the creators clearly know that as well which is why they ratchet up the melodrama wherever they can.
Ultimately, the only thing that differentiates this show from other pieces of trashy anime is how self-aware it is but that doesn't give the creators free reign to make a bad series. There are honestly plenty of far better trashy shows out there, this just happens to be one that's currently airing.
On a final note, with regards to the events of this week's episode, it's pretty disappointing that it looks like Ange will need some man to bail her out of her mess. Considering that her competence as a cold warrior was the only good part about the series it's a shame to see her so useless here.