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What are the emotional relationships within the Gundam Wing series?
Well, I for one was sick of the complete ambiguity surround the emotional relationships within Gundam Wing- so first things first: this is part of my quest to try and get it all straightened out so I can have a proper opinion which, to me, appears the truth. Bearing that in mind I have no answers for anybody except myself, and don't make any contention that other people are perfectly willing to look at my views and treat them with the disrespect that they may well deserve. If you do not agree with my views or opinions or conclusions of the Gundam Wing universe, that is fine- it promotes a region for intellectual discussion. If you should feel the need to flame me, please send all flames to aurien_n@hotmail.com.
Secondly, I am an active member of the yaoi community- that is the main part of my quest. I began to wonder if the 'signs' and 'indicators' that the pilots had homosexual relationships even existed. Essentially, I needed convincing one way or the other. I have, therefore, been as objective and unbiased as possible: I do not assume the pilots or any other characters to be homosexual or heterosexual from the outset. Frankly I am past caring whether they are gay or straight or bi or asexual, I just want closure!
Thirdly I am a gay guy- so if the idea of that disturbs you (and we live in a free world, so people are entitled to any opinions of me they wish) please feel free to leave.
Like I said, I am assuming nothing, regardless of what I would LIKE the pilots to be. I am being objective, and am trying to base what I see in the facts of the series.
I want answers, one way or another.
The only way I was going to get them was to sit down, watch GW in it's ORIGINAL Japanese audio track, cannoning the episodes (one after the other in the right order) and make notes. Believe it or not, when you make notes of things you would otherwise have forgotten, and you hear the pilots say what they said ORIGINALLY, a lot of ambiguity within Gundam Wing becomes clear.
At least it became clearer to me.
Like I said I have no answers for anyone except myself, but if anybody feels my logic trail answers their conundrums as well, good for you.
I will ask you to think of just a couple of thins- that nothing EVER happens (or doesn't happen) for a reason, and that watching GW for this report was like watching it for the first time, and I am still trying to get to grips with what I have found.
Alright then, let us begin.
Karl, December 2001.
These conclusions are taken from the subtitled Gundam Wing series (NOT the dub- one of the key things to remember is the dub is different from the original script, and along with it go different connotations). These conclusions are also drawn from entire episodes, not from singular incidences, which should make the outcome more accurate. They also draw on information from previous episodes, which would make the conclusions they draw fit in with what we already know about the characters, as told to use by the script writers.
There is, in fact, a lot more evidence around the characters than most would think- but most of it is forgotten unless notes are taken, and even more was lost in the dub. These are my conclusions, based as much as possible on common sense to explain what we see with regards to what we already know.
If you disagree, that is fine and I am glad to have given you some fodder for discussion.
Episode Overviews:
Conclusion for first 10 episodes
Original Cover of Endless Waltz (Japanese edition) shows Heero and Duo in each other's arms looking at the camera.
DVD covers show the pilots in the order Heero, Duo then the others. Heero and Relena are the main characters, and the DVD's are not in 'pilot order' either, as they go Heero, Duo, Quatre, Wufei Trowa, and pilot order goes Heero, Duo, Trowa, Quatre Wufei. Why are Duo and Heero together?
On all posters and related materials Heero and Duo are always together or next to each other, except when Heero and Relena are placed next to each other- in which case Heero is always holding Relena back protectively behind him.
These are all OFFICIAL pictures, released by Sunrise (they are NOT fan made, they are official, bone fide genuine Gundam Wing pictures):
Make of this what you will.
Heero has no issues about killing innocent civilians. He seems to have no emotional problem targeting the civilian shuttle at the beginning when he tried to get onto the earth. Relena discovers he is a soldier and is fascinated- she believes he is part of the Earth Forces, some sort of special agent on a secret mission. The proof for this is in the third episode where she demands to know why Sally Po has Heero tied down. Sally tells her it is because they are ‘unsure’ of him, and Relena suddenly says with realization ‘so he’s not part of the Alliance…’ therefore, up until that point, that must have been her presumption.
Relena is a naturally inquisitive and stubborn girl, and she spends all of the first three episodes trying to find out who and what Heero is.
When placed in school together, Heero is not in any position to kill any civilians who know too much about him. It would be too obvious. Relena asks him to go to her birthday party, and he declines. When asked why, he tells her it is because he will kill her. Perhaps this is reference to Heero not being so cool about killing innocent people- he is trying to warn this young lady that is she gets too involved with this, then she will be killed.
Relena follows Heero to the naval base- she has to know for sure. Like Heero, she rides on her emotions, and her curiosity and fascination about what he is trying to do gets the better of her. She knows Heero is killing people, but she believes it must be for a reason. Her beliefs tell her that he cannot just be a cold hearted killer. She is intrigued. Heero decides he gave her fair warning, and tries to shoot her. He fails at the last instant, when Duo shoots him in the arm. He only fails by chance though, his intention IS her destruction.
Relena, still believing Heero to be a special agent and, being a pacifist, concerned not only at his injuries but also perhaps anxious she has endangered his secret mission, immediately yells at Duo for hurting him, and tries to bandage his wounds.
Heero cannot understand why she is helping him. He begins to feel obligated to her- she helped him, and she is getting far too involved in something which will almost certainly cause her death.
Duo is also fascinated with Heero, but in a far more physical way. He is fascinated with him, and admires him. He comments on how incredibly Heero is. That is why he goes to hospital to try and break him out- he put him there, and he wants to know more. Relena goes there too to get her questions answered as well.
Duo breaks Heero out, and the two leave via the window. Heero does not know what to make of Duo- this is the second person who has surprised him by the lengths they are going to in order to help him, but Duo has gone even further than Relena. Heero decides too many people know him- his mission was secret, and in the first episode he covered up his face so he would not be seen. Too many people know him now- so he does not open his parachute, he has the intention of killing himself.
Relena screams at him not to kill himself.
Heero, who rides his emotions, hear's her, remembers how she helped him, and the fact that she is now far too involved in this to be left on her own. It’s because of him she is in danger (her ‘father’ is about to discover the true power of OZ) and his instant reaction is to remain alive to try and correct what he has done. She reminds him of his obligation to repay her (he also repays Duo for kindness later in the series) and he opens his parachute, which he instantly regrets.
The curse of riding your emotions.
He returns to Duo's hideout, and whilst will not thank Duo for helping him (Heero seems to have a hard time understanding why anybody, Duo or Relena, would want to help him) the GW themetune is played in the background.
The themetune's lyrics talk about love, until the middle section modulation, where they talk about understanding each other, before returning to love at the end modulation. When Quatre and Trowa meet each other, the lyrics are on the 'love' section, and when Duo dredges up their mobile suits, they are on the 'understanding' section, before returning to 'love' when Duo talks to Heero.
The lyrics are patently obvious in Japanese (although not obvious to non Japanese speakers), and would not be put there without some reason for doing so. Why choose a themetune of love whenever the pilots are together, but understanding when Relena appears (reference to the main title sequence).
Conclusions for episodes 1-3.
Heero and Duo are meant to have a relationship. The relationship is yet to be determined.
At present, on Duo's part, it is one of admiration for Heero. Heero seems confused, and so ignores Duo.
Heero and Relena are meant to have a relationship. The relationship is yet to be determined.
For Relena's part, Relena has many questions which she wants answered. Heero, again, seems confused.
Trowa and Quatre develop an instant understanding when stepping out of their Gundams to 'surrender'.
Wufei reveals a deep seated belief that women are weak humans- almost to the level of contempt. Coupled with his secret childhood marriage to a selected child, we can assume he thinks very little of women in general, and respects only men. Make of this what you will.
Heero puts his confusion to one side regarding Duo- determining that he must fix his mobile suit in order to carry out his missions. Duo may have spent all his time trying to befriend him, and Heero does not know why- but this is more important. His missions are of vital importance, and must be continued no matter what. Duo's attempts at getting to know Heero while he is working are pointless, although Heero does, gently, try to make him see that he must fix his Gundam and wants nobody else touching it. He has not explained anything to anybody since. He also allows Duo to overhear his mission, and to make comment on it. He behaves far gentler to Duo than he has to any other character, although Duo just asks ‘why don’t you give up pretending to be human?’ implying he thinks Heero should be reciprocating, but Heero is not reacting to him the way he wants Heero to react.
Duo has obviously proved himself either non-threatening, or some sort of friend or ally. As Duo's mobile suit is just as powerful as his own, we cannot believe Duo is non-theatening, so the former must be the case.
Duo stays up late watching Heero work, presumably continuing to try and talk to him. We are not told what the conversation entails, but we can assume Heero will have given Duo some answers. It is obvious some kind of conversation happens- Duo goes to sleep far later than any of his workers, and would not stay up that late unless he had got something out of it. Duo eventually stops, due to fatique, and realising Heero is not going to quite work anytime soon and be normal friends. Being close seems to be what Duo wants, as he cannot believe after all his help Heero is still so distant from him.
Heero steals the parts to Duo's Gundam in order to fix his own. Heero is a soldier, and forced to complete his missions no matter what- although he does seem (over the course of the series) to develop an inability to kill civilians, even when the missions require it.
Before Duo realises what's happened, he continues praising Heero in the most awed of ways. When he finds out, though, he does, however, not even know Heero is on the same side as him, yet refers to him as a traitor. Considering Heero did not take up any help from Duo fixing his Gundam, we can only assume it is a betrayal of trust, or perhaps of some deeper feelings which the two formed during their talk.
Duo is far more understanding and sympathising to Heero and how he feels and the missions he carries out than Relena, who is far more concerned with what Heero is doing and why he is doing it. Duo wants to know Heero better, and is most angry at having his trust betrayed.
Conclusion:
Duo obviously has some ideas as to the relationship he and Heero should have, as he constantly works at Heero to try and make him agree to it. Heero, however, behaves as he does to all those around him- he is cold and distant, the mission comes before small talk.
Relenas thoughts turn clearly to the colonies and their alleged plots. She presumably suspects something about Heero. Her tone is almost spiteful, tasking him to carry out his threat to kill her- almost trying to spite him. She does, however, when she learns that OZ killed her father, begin to understand what it is that Heero is fighting against- and that he routinely risks death to do it (reference to his threat to kill her, and the shootout with Duo). She asks to see him- he is the only one who can help her get revenge on OZ. That is the most obvious answer- rather than developing an instant crush for no reason, it seems far more likely that Heero appears to have ‘answers’ she needs, and can offer her the payback she so desperately wants to give.
Dr. J tells her that Heero is actually a good hearted young boy, and Relena says that she already knew that. This is unlikely- it is more likely that Relena will refuse to believe the worst in someone so young- that he must have had good reason to do what he does- that is to say, that she believes in him. And why not? She believes in him enough to be able to help her get revenge on OZ.
Relena consistently, throughout the series, ricochets between being a ‘complete pacifist’ to wishing death on her enemies. It is likely that she would not even consider Heero to be a tool for her revenge- it is more likely she feels it is her all consuming curiosity and, now that her father is dead, a ‘right’ to be in his fight too.
Dr. J also describes Heero light heartedly as a 'rascal', it could be that Heero is in fact more of a deviant than we know of. Make of this what you will. Perhaps Heero does not always treat his missions (including the destruction of civilians) as seriously as he is told to. He also advises Relena that he is dedicated to his mission, despite being of good heart, and so that for her own safety, she is in too deep and she should keep away.
Dr. J recognises the determination and genuineness of Relena, he compares it to the same qualities in Heero (the two are symbols of Earth and Space respectively, and part of the plot of the story is that the two are more similar than either would admit, and both need to work together to solve the big problems), but also advises her to keep away from Heero- perhaps he knows something that she doesn't about his relations, that he does not form relations with girls, or he will do whatever it takes to carry out the mission. We do not know and cannot speculate. Perhaps the rest of the episodes will throw some light on the problem.
Duo manages to get his mobile suit rebuilt, and meets Heero fighting at an airbase. Duo has not forgiven Heero, and believes Heero is not interested in getting to know each other- that they are going to have to fight. However, Heero saves Duo from an oncoming mobile suit. He has no reason, save for the fact that Duo dredged up his mobile suit, something which Heero would have found a way to do anyway. Perhaps it was to say sorry for dismantling his mobile suit- that they were now even. He does not have the same obligations to protect Duo as he does Relena- combined with the fact that Relena reminds him of the young girl he kills in EW (see the last episode, in which Heero gives exactly the same teddy bear to Relena- he would not do that for any other reason than he saw some similarities, that he is making up for past crimes). He protects Relena because it is not in his nature to kill, and because (later in the story) it becomes clear precisely how important Relena is- and also because Relena helped him when he was shot: he feels obligated to look after her (in all posters and pictures where the two are together, he appears in front of her protectively). He has no such obligations to Duo, but clearly bonding of some sort must have happened- otherwise why would he be reacting to him in this way, which is completely different to the way he treats everyone else?
Quatre wakes up in his room and finds Trowa leaving out of the front porch. It is implied from Quatre's longing to see him again that they spent a great deal of time together- and as Quatre seems to have woken up, and discovered Trowa missing, then looked out of the window and saw him heading away, it would not be too much of a leap of imagination to think that they may have spent the night together. He either knew he was missing, then saw him out of the window (in which case they spent the night together) or he happened to look out of the window and saw him leaving.
Conclusions:
Heero feels he owes Duo a price for double-crossing him, and now considers them both even. He obviously values Duo enough to want to pay him back for his problems, as he has no other reason to even consider worrying about him.
Relena finds herself in incredibly deep trouble- perhaps she should have listened to Heero's warnings. She determines to find Heero- he MUST help her strike back at OZ. She begins to form a mental image of Heero as some sort of saviour to her problems. A replacement for her father.
Duo is amazed that Heero helped him, and more than a little surprised. He vowes to 'get' Heero, but he obviously cares about Heero (considering the lengths he went to in order to try and befried him) too much to make this a genuine threat. Perhaps it would be more prudent to consider this a 'we will meet again' statement.
Quatre and Trowa spend the night together- possibly in the same room, but although strongly implied it is not conclusive.
Relena finally manages to catch up with Heero. He is busy deleting the school's record on him, in preparation for his leaving. He had already seen the party which was being organised, but, with something of a sigh, knows that he cannot be free to go enjoy himself, and forget about war for a moment.
Relena bursts in, and tells Heero she knows he is leaving to fight. Heero's instant reaction is to kill her, but he is stunned when she tells him how much she knows- including all about Dr. J. She also says killing her would make a great deal of commotion. She is right, and Heero knows it- his only choice is to indulge her in her dance, and once finished, will dispose of her- he admits it when she asks if he's still going to kill her, and he says in all honesty 'yes.'
However, he soon learns that Relena knows all about who killed her 'father'. Heero obviously would have been aware of the assassination, and when Relena tells him she is fighting with him, and is not trying to undermine him, he appears to be taken aback but also releaved and confused- he no longer has to kill her, but exactly what is she going to do? How is she going to fit into the war?
Trowa's deapseated fears and torments (Episode 0 mangas) are seen by Catherine Bloom in the circus, when she realises his eyes beg for death from her.
Duo stares laying at the moon, thinking wistfully about Heero. When asked, he says he is just thinking is Heero even appreciates the moon, but from an inner thought we learn he is in fact wondering what Heero is doing. He is spending his evening thinking about Heero.
OZ attack the party, and Heero, as a reflex of his kind heart, reaches out to save Relena- who has done so much and has such trust in him. This is directly against, however, what would be good for him in the long term. He cannot understand why he cannot bring himself to kill her- he knows it would be best, but he cannot kill an innocent girl, in cold blood, who has such faith and trust in him- and, it seems, needs him.
Instead, he does the only thing he can do, and flies away. Relena asks him not to go- she knows too much about him, and she considers herself to be a friend, as well as desperately wanting to join forces to stop OZ. Are her motives selfish, wishing to avenge her father? Or are they about friendship for Heero?
Considering the cold shoulder she has got from Heero at all times up until now, it is probably mostly the latter- she needs Heero. Heero on the other hand is facing a crisis which he will learn to accept (see later episode, in which he cannot bring himself to kill Duo) he just cannot justify killing someone who has made 'contact' with him- the only person whom he could possibly consider a friend, even if they did force that position onto him.
Conclusion:
Heero has feelings of compassion for Relena, due to the faith and trust she has in him, and as such will automatically try and save her if a reflex is required. However, his good natured feelings are overshadowed by his own mind, in which Relena is a threat. She considers herself the only friend he has, and Heero recognises that she is indeed trying to reach him, as we have established for her own means and curiosity. He cannot hurt someone who thinks of him in such a way. We see this also in a later episode when he cannot bring himself to kill Duo.
Duo continues to think and dream about Heero. He does indeed admire him, and is thinking about their next meeting.
The similarities between Duo and Relena, with regards to Heero, are very clear. Neither can be killed, and both find him a fascinating conundrum. However, at this stage, their reasons are different: Relena considers herself a 'friend' to Heero, and wants to help him destroy OZ to avenge her father. Duo, however, admires Heero for his physical prowess and abilities- he has no more motive than simply wanting to get closer to Heero for the sake of it.
We only see this side of Heero after Dr. J has told us he is basically a kind boy- and we know he rides his emotions. His mission will not ALWAYS come first, because of his heart, and because of his emotional tidal wave (i.e. the 'reflex' save of Relena).
The pilots begin heading towards a meeting, which OZ has disinformed the public as having all the OZ officials in attendance. In reality, it is all of the Alliance's pacifists, the only people who stop war.
Heero, while loading his Gundam onto a plane, discovers Duo also on the plane loading his as well.
Instead of demanding Duo to leave, or threatening him, as he would have done earlier, Heero instead lets Duo continue as he pleases, much to the amazement of Duo. We can only assume this is an emotional development on the part of Heero- he realises Duo is an ally, even if he is still cold to him.
In the plane, Duo tells Heero of his plans to go back to outer space when the mission is completed. Heero stares at Duo for a good while, looking at his eyes, with an expression of what can only be called ambivalence- he seems to have wanted Duo to come along with him (otherwise he would have thrown him out), but also seems to be jealous of Duo's having plans, or to be more accurate, a life to go back to after the wars are over.
To further continue their relationship, Heero and Duo fight together when they arrive at the base, and work far better. This implies that during their flight, they bonded even more and became much closer. Heero seems to have a desire to have Duo 'around', perhaps as a friend or ally, make of it what you will, and Duo seems to enjoy being around Heero, whom he admires.
Trowa and Quatre also fight together, but Duo tries to strike out at Trowa. This proves the theory that just because their suits look alike, it does not mean the pilots instantly assume they are on the same side, so we must ask the question: what makes Heero and Duo different?
Heero does not think about Relena this whole episode, but Relena is shocked to hear on the news that Heero destroyed the Alliance Pacifists.
Heero cannot believe it either, his mission was faulted. Perhaps he is beginning to learn that missions are not always right, and one must try and call the shots as one sees fit?
Conclusion:
There is a dramatic development in the relationship between Duo and Heero: they move, in one episode, from tolerance to each other to a comradeship. However it is a comradeship overshadowed by Heero's jealousy and longing for Duo's way of life, and of Duo's admiration for Heero.
Trowa and Quatre continue to work together, although Trowa now appears far colder to Quatre. We can only assume Quatre works through this as their fighting continues, as by the end of the episode they seem friends again.
Wufei also finally meets the other Gundam pilots.
Heero and Duo have developed mutual 'reasons' to be around each other, and these reasons are clearly more self motivated, as oppose to Relena's reasons which are motivated by her circumstances and ambitions. Heero and Duo work together because they want to.
Episode 8
Heero takes his mistake during the mission very much to heart, and when ordered
to go and deactivate the missiles seems quiet, miserable, and yet very
determined. Duo's inclination is obvious that he does not believe Heero
will succeed, and that they should leave- and only when Quatre reminds him that
Heero will also need a transport aeroplane does he think of it.
This would seem to imply that Duo is more than a
little uncertain with regards to Heero, he has taken in that Heero is cold to
him, and much as they have bonded, Duo still has considerable doubts. However he
is the only one who screams his concern when Heero simply stands, at the start
of the episode, and lets the enemies shoot at him.
Duo does, secretly, seem to believe that Heero will deactivate the missiles,
however 'it's all up to you now, Heero', but just will not let himself admit it
(I make reference to the continued 'contest' which Duo offers to end with Heero
in Episode 9) and when the missiles are deactivated, he is very congratulatory
to the Japanese boy.
Duo's final doubts in Heero's abilities and in his ability to save other
people's lives appear to have been set aside.
Wufei is beaten by Trieze in a sword fight- Wufei's beliefs are such that one is
a weak warrior if one is beaten, so he leaves the fight with the firm belief
that he is a failure, and not fit to be a Gundam pilot.
Quatre also refers to Heero as Duo's 'friend'.
Conclusion:
Heero and Duo have a bond, as previously established, but this episode
highlighted the faults within that bond- most notably Duo's lack of belief in
Heero (as he started off with admiration for him, this could only be the result
of Heero's cool behaviour and also of his mistake of killing the pacifists).
However Quatre refers to them as friends, and considering the two tended to
stick together, this would seem to be the case. Duo's faith in Heero is restored
at the end of the episode, and although it was not actually his doing, Heero
would have been more than aware whom arranged for the transport carrier for him.
We can only assume that their relationship and bond is strengthened.
Quatre also shows an innate ability to judge and have faith in those who deserve
it.
Episode 9
Heero and Duo attend school together, and appear to 'bunch up'. They both appear
on the same team in basketball, walk together, and take the same classes
together. Heero is a loner, and Duo, when telling him not to be so severe all
the time, mocks him by mimmicking 'yeah I know, leave me alone'. It is strange
that a loner like Heero would take someone this close.
Perhaps we would do better to interpret this as
Heero only asking Duo to leave him alone when it came to personal matters?
Duo also says that he knows he and Heero are after the same thing- and that the
first one to reach and destroy a base is the winner of this 'contest'. We can
only assume, therefore that since Duo has spoken before (episode 2) that Heero
is trying to out do him, that this refers to some intangible contest they have
going.
Duo also displays a tendancy to refer to the pair of them as 'we', together,
rather than separately. He also makes an effort to smile and wave at the girls
in the crowd, although he immediately follows this by saying 'You wouldn't stand
out so much if you smiled once in a while'. We could quite safely interpret
this, therefore, as Duo just trying to act normal.
When Relena arrives, Heero is shocked to see her, and Duo comments it is a very
unique girl who goes to such lengths to find the man trying to kill her. Relena
says she is glad (with heartfelt conviction) to see Heero again. How does
he know Heero is 'trying' to kill her and it was not just a one-off incident?
That she was not just, once, in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Later in the episode, she is talking to a photograph of her father, and says
that she needs Heero's 'support', at least until she gets over her father's
death. She also jocularly says that her father would not be surprised to hear
she had gone to these lengths to chase a guy.
It would appear therefore that the logic trail of believing Heero to be
something of an emotional replacement for her father is accurate, and also that
Relena wishes Heero to help her (she asks Heero to help her to learn to be
strong).
Heero continues to be confused- Relena re-entering his life is another dimension
which he did not need added to a mission which, in this episode, we learn is
suicide. The pilots are to keep on fighting until their deaths.
Wufei and Trowa also spend time together, Trowa forms an emotional connection
with Wufei, because he understands something of Wufei's pain.
Conclusion:
Relena does look upon Heero as an object for support, and as a person who will
help her do what she wants to do. She also shows concern for him, or rather
shock, when she sees an explosion and knows Heero is at the heart of it. Heero's
way of life is in direct conflict with her own- this may be another point of
fascination.
Heero is beginning to be an obsession- almost a hobby, she continues following
him because she has pushed it this far and now has no reason to stop, if she
continues, however, she will get everything she wants: revenge against OZ, and a
'problem' [trying to figure out Heero] that will take her mind off of her grief
for her Father.
Her views have all the objectivity of a crush- she does not look upon Heero as a
person, but as a riddle, and more than that as a solution to her own problems.
Although this is not conclusive, but we shall bear it in mind for the next
section of the logic trail and see what develops.
Heero's views of Relena have not changed- he cannot kill her, because he knows
how much she values him, and how much she has done for him, and yet his life is
made a thousand times harder having her around. He also is uncomfortable having
Duo around him emotionally, but does not seek to lose him- when going to class,
it is Heero who is following Duo, not the other way around.
We can only assume Heero and Duo are now friends, although Heero would almost
certainly never look at it in that way, in exactly the same way he would never
look on himself as protecting Relena. Also I make reference to Duo's touching
Heero after the basketball match, Heero appears to have no problem with it
(implying perhaps he is used to it) and we must bear in mind the former logic
trail of Duo's physical admiration of Heero.
At this point, however, it would be inappropriate to assume anything between
them- Duo is still acting very much to try and pry further into Heero, and Heero
is still reacting far too severely.
Duo, however, is gaining far more insights into Heero 'I can through you, we're
both going after the same thing'- it seems that despite Heero still being cool,
perhaps as a product of the sum of his problems (of which Relena is undeniably a
part) Duo and Heero are forming a bond which both seem to work in.
We cannot be certain exactly what this 'thing' is that both of them are going
after- recognition as to which one is best is unlikely, as Duo is fully aware of
Heero's second-to-none talents. It is more likely to be a reference to the low
key competition which they seem to have running- which has, we can only assume,
now stopped.
Relena's fixation [that is the only accurate word] on Heero deepens, and Heero
and Duo move emotionally closer, this, it must be added, is done with no trigger
or reason, it is done simply because both characters do so.
Episode 10
Relena comments that Heero is leaving school to fight again, and says that she
too has her own battle to fight. Perhaps she has grown stronger since the last
episode (there is a large but indeterminate time gap between this episode and
the last, as OZ's plan could not be carried out overnight). Also her idealistic
view of Heero seems to be disproved- she does not idolise him but does view him
as someone whom she needs help from, and she considers them both on the same
side. The 'crush' theory will be put on the back burner for now.
Also, presumably in the time gap, Heero and Duo have grown much much closer. Duo
not only says goodbye to Heero, believing them both about to die, but Heero also
accepts the goodbye, with no expression of irritation or anger. We do not see
what happens next between them, presumably that is down to the imagination of
the viewer. However Heero's expression at this point is the blank expression we
have seen before in the series, which normally is broken by his saying a kind
word. The two may have now a far deeper and closer relationship than would want
to be put physically into the storyline for fear of complicating it even
further. The two definately have a relationship, but it is not givn any air
time.
Also, when Heero self detonates, Quatre's reaction is incredible- he bends
double with the pain from his heart, he must know how important and how true
Heero is, as this could be the only cause for such pain from someone whom you do
not even know.
Duo's reaction is one of immediate anger: 'All because they targeted the
colonies'- it sounds almost like a vow of revenge, not for stopping their
mission to destroy the Taurus mobile suits; why would he get so angry at that?
It seems more likely it is severe anger for what they have done to his friend,
Heero.
Trowa is the one closest to Heero, who picks him up and leaves.
Conclusion:
Relena thinks highly of Heero and knows that their destinies will involve both
of them in order to restore right to the world.
Heero and Duo's relationship becomes strong enough to warrant their being called
close. We, I don't believe, will ever be told anything stronger than this- but
their relationship is based far more on a mutual wish to be together than
Relena's wish to 'get things' from Heero.
Conclusions for first 10
episodes (1/5 of total logic trail):
Relena's attitudes towards Heero are very much self motivated. She looks on
Heero for support, as an instrument to aid her for revenge against OZ. She is a
naturally selfish girl (this is not derogatory, just fact- she is very self
motivated), and this was illustrated right at the start when she cannot
understand why her father does not spend more time with her. If indeed in the
future it should become clear logically that Heero and Relena are in a
relationship, unless this aspect of Relena changes such a relationship would not
last for long- she has no interests for Heero aside from trying to stop him
fighting (which is a contradiction in her character as she is the one who said
she was fighting 'with him'.) She also thinks she understands why Heero does
things, but is then shocked and dismayed when he acts upon those feelings- she
knows why he does the things he does but has no respect or admiration for them,
ironic considering she wants to learn them herself, she does not truly
appreciate Heero as a human being, or appreciate his emotions. She thinks highly
of Heero, but only in the most self concerned of ways.
Heero's attitudes towards Relena are very much that of confusion and shock. He
has a hard time understanding why it is that Relena will not leave him be, and
is frequently shocked whenever she arrives again in his life after he thinks he
has seen the last of her. He feels incapable of hurting or letting harm come to
Relena because of this amazement, and one could almost say, respect for someone
who could come this far just with sheer determination. He also feels strongly
obligated to her for helping him- and as we have seen, Heero always pays back
his obligations (when he saved Duo). He is, however, under no illusions that she
should not be in his life, she makes things harder- but he cannot kill her, and
all other methods have failed to dissuade her from interfering in a war that may
cost her dearly.
Heero's attitudes towards Duo are very contradictory- he has a distinct jealousy
and even irritation that Duo seems to have something to look forward to, and
that he can enjoy his life, even though he is on the same suicide mission that
Heero is. He is confused as to why Duo goes out of his way to befriend and help
him constantly, but he reacts to it by being inclined to spend increased time
with Duo. This gets to the stage firstly where Heero is cold to Duo whenever his
emotions or behaviour are brought up (see Episode 9) but develops to the stage
where both pilots can say good bye to each other, without Heero pulling any
faces or showing signs of irritation (episode 10). We can only assume Heero not
only tolerates Duo, but now appreciates and almost enjoys having him around- not
that it would affect his behaviour, after all, Heero is very dedicated to his
mission. He follows Duo around, and allows him to make excuses for him and
explains to him the problems with Relena. He trusts him, and Heero the
loner, Heero who needs nobody and goes off on his own without a goodbye is
choosing to have Duo around him, for no other reason than he wants it.
Duo's attitudes towards Heero are very much that of admiration. But he is also
aware of Heero's emotional limits, he seems under no illusions that he is lucky
if he gets a three word answer to any of his questions. He does, however,
persist at Heero, and as we established, is very awed by him in terms of his
physical abilities. We also know that by his sheer persistence, Duo does get
allowed into Heero's life. Heero even follows him around in school, and he makes
excuses for him to Relena- he also knows Heero is tried to kill Relena. We can
only conclude Heero has opened up to Duo and told him about Relena- otherwise
how would Duo he was 'trying' [present tense, implying ongoing situation] to
kill her? He was never told by her, and would not have found out any other way
other than Heero telling him the whole story. Duo also makes excuses to Relena
when she arrives in her car that they are 'going to class'- why would he make
excuses for Heero without knowing the whole story? Why is he protecting
Heero from her? Duo and Heero appear to share
secrets, and Duo is the only person to truly show Heero he understands him, and
have a strong bond together. They also have a mutual respect- reaching into
jealousy- for each other's life styles. They are attracted to each other. The
reader may make of this what they wish, but I believe it is fairly obvious, at
least up to this portion in the story, what the relationship between the two
characters is meant to be- it also explains the cover of Endless Waltz (shown at
the top). The two pilots are attracted to the opposite qualities in each
other- distinctly reminiscent of a 'yin and yang' relationship.
These relationships may change, and we must see how
they fit into the rest of the logic trail for the remaining 4/5 of the series.
