Ep 13. Wedding Day Blues

On this episode of Sailor Moon, titled "Wedding Day Blues," a wedding is taking place in the city and Usagi, Ami, and Rei are all excited to attend. Usagi, who is still nursing a broken heart after her recent breakup with her crush, Motoki, is hoping to find some happiness at the wedding. Meanwhile, a new enemy, Nephrite, is introduced. He aims to find the "Legendary Silver Crystal," an item that grants immense power, and he believes that the bride, Naru's mother, might possess it.

As the wedding begins, Naru realizes her mother is acting strangely. She sees her mother leaving the ceremony with Nephrite and, concerned, decides to follow them. Naru's mother shows Nephrite her precious jewelry collection, which includes an unnamed crystal. Nephrite immediately suspects that this is the Legendary Silver Crystal he has been searching for, and he tries to steal it. However, Naru's mother confronts him, and in the ensuing struggle, Nephrite accidentally kills her.

Usagi and the other Sailor Scouts, who had been enjoying the ceremony, sense the great malevolent energy coming from the scene of the troubled event and immediately transform to confront Nephrite, who has harvested the crystal. A battle ensues, and it is the Sailors' first time fighting Nephrite. He proves to be a challenging opponent, but with some quick thinking and teamwork, they are able to defeat him.

Despite the victory, the Scouts are devastated to discover that Naru's mother has passed away. They vow to protect the city's citizens against those who seek to harm them and their loved ones. Usagi takes the chance to comfort Naru during their dolorous moment; she thanks Usagi for always being there for her and causing her to feel solace in her hour of need. Ami and Rei also vow to help Usagi in her fight against the Dark Kingdom. They all imbibe the importance of their powers and the need to protect the world from evil.

As the episode closes, Usagi is seen, typing a love letter to someone. The viewer can deduce that it could be intended for Mamoru, the man she has unexpressed feelings for, but this idea is left unconfirmed. Even as she watches the sunset, her friends remind her that she has duties to protect the city as Sailor Moon, and she agrees never to abandon them in their time of need.

"Wedding Day Blues" is a crucial episode in Sailor Moon's story as it introduces Nephrite, one of the show's main antagonists, and reiterates the vital importance of Usagi's duty as Sailor Moon. Though the show is often thought of as being targeted towards a primarily younger audience, this episode deals with some mature themes such as death and loss. It allows for the characters to display their resolve and determination, despite their youth and inexperience, while also highlighting the heightened stakes they must contend with as they battle to protect their loved ones and their city from harm.

In conclusion, "Wedding Day Blues" is a great addition to Sailor Moon's first season. It has all the elements of a good episode — conflict, action, resolution, and character development. It shows the importance of defending what you believe in and those you love, no matter the cost. Fans of the show should definitely not miss this episode, and it stands as a testament to the quality of the series and why it has remained beloved by fans for years since its inception.