Season 1, Episode 2: The Heart of a Fire Soldier
This episode introduces us to the “Rookie Fire Soldier Games,” and a new character, Arthur Boyle. The rival of Shinra, Arthur is instantly antagonistic towards him. The self appointed “Knight King,” Arthur uses his third generation fire abilities to create a plasma sword. He leans heavily on the “King Arthur”mythology calling his sword, Excalibur. Arthur doesn’t seem terrible bright and largely typical for a rival to the main character. Maki shows off some of her powers. She’s a former soldier with dangerous hand to hand combat skills. She’s single handily defeats Shinra and Arthur. Maki also can create “living” flame or at least that’s how the look.
Lieutenant Hinawa continues to be a hard ass, but I found it to be more reasonable for him to be that way than in the first episode. If everyone took this job too lightly they probably wouldn’t succeed. I think Hinawa will be the voice of reason in this series. He will be useful in keeping everyone in line. The team receives an emergency call. Captain Obi tells them that they shouldn’t show their weapons in public. Both, Shinra and Arthur disregard this rule. Obi sternly criticizes them for doing so. He informs them that it’s inappropriate for to do that in front of family members.
We are shown a new villain that seems to be responsible for the fires. Team 8 head into the building to find the Infernal sitting at a table. Arthur quietly “ends” his suffering. It’s a somber moment and shows the saddest involved with becoming an Infernal. The first episode would have given many the impression that all Infernals become violent and need to be “killed” in an epic show down. This episode reminded us that the Infernal are victims that deserve sympathy.
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