Glass Fleet 1: I don't see what everyone finds so amusing. There's nothing wrong with Gonzo Presents: Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Introduction and Themes
Let's look at the themes presented in this first episode: we have freedom vs. restraint, class struggle, religion, seeming, duality, tradition, gender oppression and the nature of aristocracy. Look at how diverse that thematic mix is considering how little time they had to cram it all in. Lets not forget how this show attempts to reflect on historical situations and the character work that lay down (briefly) in this episode.
So far, the themes of class struggle and the aristocracy have taken centre stage, but it's best for a show to be clear what its main theme is. True, they're tackling it in a fairly traditional manner, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
History: The greatest story
Historically, the vast majority of people in a society where oppressed by a tiny majority that exercised complete control over their lives, This was the way of life for most people and while they may not have liked their lot in life they tended to get on with things regardless. Meanwhile, those on the higher levels of society tended to be distanced (often literally, as in geographically) from those people who spent their whole lives working to make a civilisation run. They were the cogs in the machine, and the nobles at the top often saw them as less than people.
Class struggle: A theme for much of the human experience
Glass Fleet demonstrates that perfectly when we see how a simple wedding ceremony requires the labour of large numbers of men and how those who are being wed aren't affected by the suffering of the common man. Indeed, they don't even notice it. Of course, with all the work being done by the commoners the nobles led a lazy lifestyle where they weren't required to do any work themselves, which would led to them becoming overweight. Glass Fleet shows not only the effects on the diet of a noblemen, but we see how psychologically disinterested they are in the events that surround them, even a battle. This is because they know someone else will do all the hard work.
A smaller scale
Many ancient peoples didn't like in huge countries of course, they occupied a polis (which is Greek for 'city-state), a small area with it's own laws and army and trade. They would specialise in whatever was available locally, which we find perfectly replicated in Glass Fleet. The accuracy of this show is actually a little surprising, I must say its like a history lecture come to life, even if it's disguised in this fantasy sci-fi show.
Upon closer inspection
Of course, thats just an overview of the shows major themes, the really interesting stuff comes from digging below the surface.
For example, lets talk about Michel. The writers manage to use her to represent a wide variety of different thematic elements. To start with, shes a woman who has taken the guise of a man to lead a rebellion. We are of course reminded of she the classis shoujo manga heroine Oscar from the Rose of Versailles who was a clear inspiration for this figure. Bold, strong, flamboyant, selfless, cunning and a leader to her men, shes the perfect symbol for freedom.
Seeming
Thematically she manages to represent the concept of seeming better than any other character. She seems to be a man, but shes actually a women. She appears as a priest, but really shes a revolutionary figure!
Religion and Oppression
This last one is important, because religion and conformity and tradition where often used as tools to oppress and sate the people. As Marx said, religion is the opiate of the people. More over, those people in religious positions would benefit from keeping the people down and exploiting them because it gave them power, so its no surprise that religious persons were often connected with the ruling class. They were very useful in that respect because the word of God could not be challenged. It was absolute.
We see Michel as the figure of conformity, the tool of oppression. She even mentions tradition in the wedding ceremony. The priest-figure lodges no complaint about the suffering off those under the wedding ceremony. Through this, the creators have shown that religious persons were complicit in the exploitation of the people. Michel, however goes on throw off the garb of authority and aligns herself with the people. This is her true role.
Duality
As fascinating as Michel is, the possibility nevertheless remains that her maid, Sylua, is an equally interesting figure.
Rather than switching from one allegiance to another, as Michel does as when she changes outfits, Sylua manages to represent two conflicting ideas within one character.
At first glance shes a maid. A simple servant figure, traditional, obedient, repressed, loyal to the aristocracy, in short everything that Michel is not. Yet at the same time shes a fighter, a warrior for the rebellion, for the people. At first the audience is led to think that its a disguise, but towards the end of the conflict we see her grab the tea trolley and bring it onto the carriage. Upon seeing this the viewer may question why such a seemingly innocuous scene was placed in the middle of an attack. Upon further reflection it becomes clear that we see her grab the trolley because it shoes that she continues to accept that role as servant. Its part of her, just the same as the part of her thats trained in combat. Perhaps, by having both halves within her, she represents the possibility of reconciliation between the forces of aristocracy and the forces of the people?
I have much more to say, but Ill save it for subsequent episodes. I didn't even get a chance to touch on the beautifully ironic use of fireworks, which traditionally represent celebration but here this meaning is subverted by their message of surrender and defeat. It's really quite clever.
