Ep 43. The Opening Door

The show Mobile Suit Gundam SEED HD Remaster season 1 episode 43 titled "The Opening Door" is an action-packed episode that revolves around the protagonists' efforts to destroy the Requiem Superweapon.

The episode begins with the Earth Alliance deploying a massive fleet to destroy the Archangel and eliminate the members of the resistance movement. However, the Archangel crew outmaneuvers them, and they are able to escape from this nasty ambush thankfully.

Meanwhile, the Minerva, led by Chairman Durandal, arrives at ZAFT's lunar base to carry out their final assault on the Earth. Captain Athrun and his team prepare for the intense battle ahead as the Earth Alliance's superweapon, the Requiem, sets its sights on the Lunar Base.

Throughout the episode, intense combat breaks out between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT. The pilots of the mobile suits in both factions show a lot of skill and tenacity. They really push themselves beyond their limits in order to defeat the enemy. The battle scenes are dynamic, fast-paced, and offer some of the best mecha combat of the whole season.

While all of this is going on, Lacus Clyne -- who has taken refuge at the Archangel with Kira -- decides to make her way to the lunar base to confront Durandal. Her mission is to convince him to abandon his plans to sacrifice lives and bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. But she isn't the only one with this idea; Chairman Durandal has been hinting about wanting peace too.

As expected, the Archangel crew is wary of Lacus' plan, but the stakes are high, and they have little choice but to trust in her. As Lacus heads towards the Lunar Base, Durandal and his team prepare to launch the final phase of their plan: Operation Ragnarok.

In this phase, ZAFT will launch a major counter-attack on the Earth that will ensure their victory. But the success of this plan hinges upon using the Requiem to destroy the Earth Alliance. The Archangel crew learns of these plans and decides to intercept the Superweapon before it can be fired.

The crew of the Archangel rushes to stop the Requiem – their mission is to control it and turn it against the enemy. They're up against Durandal's team in this intense episode, and the battle that ensues is superb.

Without revealing too much, the climax of the episode presents some of the most breath-taking moments of the series, the attention to detail, fluid animations, and the intricate maneuverings of both teams prove to be a visual spectacle, and the episode doesn't disappoint when it comes to staying true to the themes and ideas that the show wants to convey. It's easy to root for the main characters, even more so for those who were initially antagonistic but underwent drastic changes because of their experiences.

Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED HD Remaster season 1 episode 43 titled "The Opening Door" is an excellent episode that wraps up the first season of the series in grand fashion. The episode is packed with action, emotion, and some profound messaging. It's a must-watch for Gundam fans and even those who are curious about the mecha genre; it's an excellent example of why the genre has so many loyal fans around the world. The plot developments in this episode set up the stage for season two, which will dig deeper into the themes and characters that make this anime beloved.