Highlights
- Episode 3 of Metallic Rouge delves into the underlying tension between Rouge and Naomi, revealing their dynamic and lack of freedom.
- The conflict in this episode should have been more present from the beginning, as it adds depth to Rouge's character and provides motivation for the mission.
- The plight of the Neans in the show shares surface-level similarities with Blade Runner's Replicants, but lacks effective conveyance and falls into clichés.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Metallic Rouge, Episode 3, "Marginal City," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The first two episodes of Metallic Rouge introduced viewers to androids, cooler androids that transform, and smatterings of lore - all orbiting themes of bigotry and exploitation. Episode 3 offers the first hints of the larger story that these elements are building towards, but despite some interesting ideas, it continues to stand in the shadow of sci-fi stories that have come before it.
Last week, Rouge and Naomi rode to Wellstown but were interrupted by a convoy of mercenaries, a detour into some woods, and another fight with large militarized robots. After arriving safely in town, Rouge and Naomi get to work on tracking their next target, Phantom Verde, but before they get far, an argument splits up the duo.
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Metallic Rouge Addresses The Elephant in the Room
Arguments between main characters can sometimes be silly because, depending on what function the disagreement serves in the plot, it can feel forced. Yet the disagreement between Rouge and Naomi, while certainly silly, is strangely effective at peeling back some layers of their dynamic, revealing the underlying tension.
She was mad because Naomi gave the chocolate in her bag to the kids on the bus while she was sleeping. Her outburst comes off as childish - and the performance conveys this intentionally - but it quickly becomes clear that what she's actually upset about is her lack of freedom. Naomi responds to Rouge's complaints harshly, reminding her that in the eyes of Aletheia, she's nothing but a "tool."
Thus begins a rift that lasts for the remainder of the episode and which will likely persist. It's a compelling start, but the biggest issue with this conflict is that it should have been more present from the beginning. The series has been predicated on Rouge hunting her own kind, a task she has performed rather uncritically from the perspective of the audience until this very moment.
Save for the somber tone of Episode 1's fight, it's not like Rouge looked particularly conflicted about killing Viola. On one hand, it effectively paints Rouge as a naive protagonist who has only considered the implications of her actions until it personally affects her in selfish ways. This presents an opportunity for her to mature as a protagonist.
On the other hand, it emphasizes something that the first two episodes were lacking: a motivation to care about this mission and what it means to the protagonist. The trailers imply that Rouge's internal conflict will be a centerpiece of the narrative, but it has taken a bit too long for the story to give us something to sink our teeth into. At the very least, the rest of the episode is a step in the right direction.
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Humans, Neans, and the Right To Fight Back
Rouge witnesses the hardships of the Neans firsthand and an appeal is made to her by Juval, a child-like Nean at the head of the Council of Free Neans. With her ability to blend into humanity and be received as an equal, she has the potential to be a symbol, something she has never really considered herself.
A lot of fans have been comparing Metallic Rouge's approach to the plight of Neans to Blade Runner's Replicants, from exploitative slave labor to Rouge functioning like the titular Blade Runners. What communities the Neans have been allowed to create have been segregated from human society, and efforts to bridge the gap between the two have fallen on deaf ears.
For as many surface-level similarities as there are, there are some key differences. Nectar and its value to both humans and Neans is a factor, but more essential to the themes is the Asimov Code, which prevents Neans from being able to harm humans. There can't be a true rebellion as is common in stories like this, because the oppressed are literally incapable.
It's a simple narrative device, but it serves to stress the importance of the Immortal Nine and Rouge because it means they are the only ones who can fight. Furthermore, they can pass as humans, giving them an immense privilege. What they decide to do with their power is infinitely more significant when viewed through this lens. To be truly free is to be capable of violence and violence can be the pain inflicted on others, but it can also be in the service of protecting people.
These are some cool ideas, but admittedly, there's a difference between what can be interpreted versus what is conveyed effectively by the text. A lot of the scenes meant to evoke strong sympathy towards the plight of the Neans can fall flat, usually because it's all rather cliché. It's a pastiche of sci-fi oppression themeing, hence the comparison to something far more provocative, like Blade Runner.
Episode 3 is enjoyable enough, but it just goes to show how lackluster the two previous episodes were in garnering investment in what could be a very entertaining exploration of this sci-fi world. Shows like this are at their best when they instill the viewer with a sense of wanderlust, often achieved through visuals or just a great soundtrack, and Metallic Rouge just doesn't. Until it becomes clear where these themes are headed, it's a hard show to recommend.
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