Well, this is interesting- I will start reviewing more episodes of the original Trigun; especially as someone who's decided to let someone else be the lab rat for the reboot. So let's open the first couple ones up. The first part of this story I have chosen to review is entitled "BDN," so let's get started.
The title of the first part comes from a massive luxury steamer train, which will be our setting for this two-parter. Before that, Vash is being thrown a party for his exploits in the previous episodes; with the townsfolk giving him food and spirits for warding off bandits.
After that, Vash falls asleep; and while I am glad that they got Johnny Yong Bosch back for Stampede, I still have to wonder why it took so long to just say it. Wouldn't be the first time an anticipated series was seen though less than ideal optics; even in recent memory.
The next day, it's time for Vash to go; and it's the maiden voyage of the BDN! Meryl and Milly are also hurriedly packing and trying to find a way to get on the train. This also attracts the attention of the kids he helped before; and less welcoming, a group of ominous transports. Also, one of the kids is called "Thomas," whose toy popgun he borrowed previously. OK, this episode walked into this one.
Of course, the engineers aren't really buying it's really him sleeping in the bulkheads. I may have my reservations about the reboot; but at least I know I can always enjoy this.
Anyway, Vash goes to visit the lavatory; when he has someone dropped on him from an air vent. Seeing the knife hidden in his overalls, Vash correctly deduces his attacker is a stowaway and an orphan. Though the kid himself is skeptical of his own alibi, Vash agrees to play along for now.
Elsewhere on the train, Meryl and Milly are undercover working the concession stand; and the dinner order is only slightly pricier than your typical Amtrak galley! Let's see Roberto try this and pull it off.
Vash hides the stowaway in his cabin, giving dinner to the "growing boy" who attacked him before. He is then incapacitated as the kid ducks back into a vent; heading towards the conductor's cabin. Outside, a group of bandits is set to make their move light up the night in 30 minutes time!
Right on cue, they're ambushed by the Badland Gang; who figuratively and literally light up the desert! Their leader is Brilliant Dynamites Neon; who gives the title of this episode multiple meanings! As they board the train, we find out the stowaway is named Kaite Trevesick; whose late father designed the train. Naturally, they want the train as retribution. They also attempt to attack Meryl and Milly as they're getting ready for bed- big mistake.
As they ready their next move, Vash has a brief dream about his surrogate mother Rem (we'll talk another time) before he starts moving around the vents. BD kills the conductors; and is using Kaite as leverage to try to get into the safe! Even when he's held at gunpoint; Kaite will not relent as Vash breaks into the cockpit from the outside! The two cling to the outside of the train as two of BD's goons are knocked out and thrown into a storage compartment. BD now has control of the train. To be continued, right now!
We enter the second half of this story, called "And Between the Wasteland and Sky." BD makes his next move on the captain, drawing a wire from his wrist! Elsewhere, Kaite and Vash are still incognito; and Vash conks the former on the head and demands thanks for being saved. Like a way of saying, "get a hold of yourself, mang!"
Anyway, if BD doesn't get the contents of the safe; he'll crash the train into the canyon! Well, the Eastwood Ravine is a good spot for it. Meanwhile, Meryl and Milly plot a countermeasure against the gangsters while hidden in a pantry.
Kaite laments telling the "Bad Lads" that his late father designed the train; as their relationship was strained before he died- He feels he cared more about the steamers than he did about him. Vash then states the fact of the matter- they need to stop the train; and Kaite is going to be the one to help him do it.
He then pulls out a copy of the blueprints his father made, softly remembering what he was told before they make their move. The first step is to take out some of the Bad Lads and get their weapons, and confront BD!
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| Basically every time I hear people un-ironically praising Stampede and their Vash. |
After leaving the above pictured note on one of the guards, BD decides to play along with Vash; and Vash is all too happy to indulge in his game.
Vash hands Kaite a pen with a comlink in it; so they can keep contact while they both split up. However, this ends up going pear-shaped when a couple guards come from outside the door! He shoots them both, but since there no veins or vital organs hit; he tends their wounds, much to Kaite's surprise. He himself has been hit, and I think his iconic red trench coat hiding the blood is a much better way of framing this than just having Knives pull an "A-Train" on the Nebraska brothers.
Making his way up the central stairway on the third floor, he takes down another guard; and with 7 minutes till final destination; they try to bottleneck Vash! Bad idea- be like trying to send all your units in a strategy title right into the line of fire.
As Vash continues eluding the Bad Lads, Kaite recalls his father's death and his own words. After remembering what Vash said to him, Kaite guides him to the service tunnel; where BD and the Bad Lads are waiting.
Kaite is captured, and BD draws a bead on Vash. but the other guards are defeated by two in their ranks: it's Meryl and Milly! They slipped into the Bad Lads' outfits in an earlier scene after incapacitating them. They also reveal their names as "Derringer Meryl" and "Stun Gun Milly!"
The train has almost reached its final destination, and BD tells his remaining followers to stand down- it's time for him and Vash to settle this!
Vash agrees to the duel on the condition BD stop the train should he win. BD agrees, and the two step out front for their duel! Until the day comes for a direct manga adaptation, I will relish every opportunity to relive the grit of this version. No matter who tries to claim otherwise, Stampede still just looks too clean to me.
Parts of the canyon start coming down on the train, but Vash and BD just shoot through it! Though a different stylistic approach than fellow anime Cowboy Bebop, it's definitely one that works in its own way.
Vash wins the duel, but his injuries from before open up again! BD congratulates him, but the e-brakes are jammed! The conductor orders a full stop of the engines; but then the steering is out! Kaite emerges with the schematics; and gives the crew instructions on how to stop the train!
The crew is reluctant to accept help, but Kaite insists; and Vash corroborates the directions from his comms pen from earlier. Kaite and the crew put on insulated suits, and Kaite activates the emergency stop from the lower levels of the train!
With only 800 yards to go, BD gives one last assist by slowing the train down with his own transport caravan! Kaite wakes up in the infirmary with Vash, with the former having sustained burns even with the protective gear. Vash also had his wounds tended to again, and the two witness the sunrise atop the train. We close on Kaite singing a song that's familiar to Vash; and we will touch on that again in the future.
Funny how what was meant as a small review to ease into 31 years of life turns into a much bigger project that takes a whole month to get out; but I did enjoy it either way. This won't be the last time I revisit the original Trigun this year either; with the 25th anniversary and ongoing discourse around the reboot. For now, "BND/And Between The Wasteland and Sky" is a great way to start off my look back at the series. I won't be going over every single episode; but much as I did with Cowboy Bebop; I will examine ones that stand out at me and are key to the overall story.
Now, I intend to not take so long with the next review; as I'm lining up a few candidates for my 700th post here. I may even do something for "Singles' Awareness Day;" depending on my mood. That will be all for now. Later.
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