Lacus Clyne...More than a God(dess) from the Machine (Gundam Seed)
Title: Lacus Clyne...More than a God(dess) from the Machine
Author: the Black Rose
Email: destinysblackrose@hotmail.com
Character: Lacus Clyne
Fandom: Gundam Seed
Word Count: 5,500
Spoilers: Episodes 1-50 of the Gundam Seed series; Drama CD manga #3
AN: Out of sheer arrogance or laziness, I wrote this in the form of an interview. Some may like it, some not. My pairing preference in this essay is obvious. I prefer Lacus with Athrun, but do not deny that Lacus has feelings for Kira. IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ THIS ESSAY, keep that in mind. Thanks to those of you who will take the time. Love, Rose
Edited to add: I included in the above AN the POV from which I see Lacus's character arc. Feel free to disagree with my opinion. I did not write this essay in order to CONVINCE non-AsuRaku fans to "convert". I merely wrote my essay on her character from my POV. No one can do any differently. A KiraRaku fan would be just as biased in his or her POV, the essay just would happen to have more people in fandom agreeing with that particular bias. As for the "integrity" of the essay, the integrity would only be lost if I was trying to pass this off as truth. It's not true. Nothing I say is true. It is merely a statement of my opinions and my viewpoints. ~Rose
PS - Most screencaps are from http://gundams.net
Lacus Clyne…
More than a
God(dess) from the machine
Reflections 2: Ok. So, you're the guinea pig that signed up for the Lacus Clyne essay from the Gundam Seed fandom. Why don't you tell us who you are.
Fanfiction Author: I'm what the heading says, a fanfiction author. I have written primarily for Gundam Wing, but have also written some fanfics in Gundam Seed fandom. I really have no more introduction than that other than I'm a glutton for punishment to sign up for these essays.
Reflections 2: Fair enough. So, let's get down to it. What was your first introduction to Lacus Clyne?
Fanfiction Author: My personal introduction to Lacus Clyne would have to be like most people's introduction: the picture in the opening sequence of Gundam Seed. She was pretty, with long pink hair and blue eyes - and floating semi-naked into the arms of one of the main (male) characters' arms: Kira Yamato. She had such a sweet smile on her face - like one of those people who manage to go through life and still at least appear to be innocent of the fact the world can be a nasty, evil sort of place.
I've been a Gundam Wing fan for five years, now, but don't know much about the Gundam franchise aside from that - or, at least, I didn't know much of anything at the time Gundam Seed first appeared on bittorrent sites as fansubs (before it was licensed in North America). I know a bit more,
now, but at the time, the fairly usual response is to instantly compare something new to the something you're familiar with. I instantly equated Lacus (and her pink hair) to Relena from Gundam Wing - one of my favorite characters.
But Lacus isn't Relena. So, this essay isn't going to be about that. They do have some similarities, but who knows…maybe that'll be another essay.
Reflections 2: Another essay? You should be careful what you promise. I happen to know these communities who thrive on beating encouraging writers like yourself to write essays about characters and relationships.
Fanfiction Author: *chuckles* Yes, I know.
Reflections 2: So, additional essays aside *jots down author's name beside a list of 100 essays*, what was your first impression of Lacus?
Fanfiction Author: My first impression of Lacus Clyne? I think I had a different first impression just because when I began watching the series (Gundam Seed), I was expecting her to have a leadership role at some point. My first impression of her was that she was very pretty. And she sings beautifully. I think that other people probably see her as a bit child-like at first. In episode 8 when she's "rescued" by the ArchAngel (the good guys' ship) she has her hopping, squawking toy called a haro or, by name, Mr. Pink (pink-chan in Japanese). She didn't seem to understand that telling the truth to the Earth Forces' soldiers - that she was the daughter of the PLANT Supreme Council Chairman (aka, the "enemy" head of state) - could have put her at risk. When Kira Yamato led her to her room, she complained that it was "lonely" and "no fun". She wanted to eat with the other people on board the ship.
She was naïve, she was friendly, she was compassionate, and she was generous. Lacus attempted to introduce herself to a girl about her age - dressed as a civilian on board the ArchAngel. The girl's name was Flay Allstar, and Flay happened to hate the genetically engineered
"Coordinators" who inhabited the PLANT space colonies. Lacus attempted, despite Flay's horrified reaction, to patiently explain that they were the same, civilians, so they could be friends. Flay refused to even shake Lacus's hand, but though most people would have been offended (I would think),
Lacus seemed only perplexed - showing compassion and generosity of spirit, I think. She did the same in her next conversation with Kira Yamato - she told him he was kind because that's the type of person he was - not because he was a Coordinator (and thus, a member of her 'race' as well).
Reflections 2: Hm, this is all getting a bit confusing. Perhaps you could give us 'newbies' a bit of background as to the conflict and 'set the scene' so we can understand a bit better what's going on.
Fanfiction Author: As long as Bandai doesn't mind…
Reflections 2: *laughs* Ok, the disclaimer - we don't own it, we're borrowing, not making any money, please don't sue.
Fanfiction Author: Thanks. So, the basic premise of Gundam Seed is (like most Gundam series), the people of Earth are at war with the people living on the space colonies. In this time period, the Cosmic Era, there exists 2 races of people: the Naturals, or those born naturally on Earth, and the Coordinators, those who were born naturally, but underwent genetic enhancement prior to their birth. The idea is that Naturals became 'jealous' or at the very least intolerant of such an aberration of nature, so the Coordinators moved out to space. At LaGrange point 5, there exists a new type of space colony settlement called "PLANT"; the PLANTs are hour-glass shaped space colonies, put into existence by monies paid by their sponsor nation. To keep the PLANT settlements dependent on their 'foster parent', they were forbidden to grow their own food. As conflicts and arguments arose between the PLANTs and the nations of Earth, the PLANT Supreme Council (led by Sigel Clyne, Lacus Clyne's father) decided to re-make the PLANT called "Junius 7" into an agrarian settlement that would grow food - thus making the PLANTs independent of Earth.
The Earth Alliance attacked this settlement on February 14, CE 70 (referred to as The Bloody Valentine) with nuclear weapons, killing more than 200,000 civilian Coordinators, and thus the war between Earth and Space began. For the record, the PLANTs' military is referred to as "Zaft", and is led by Patrick Zala - Sigel Clyne's friend.
Reflections 2: I think that makes sense.
Fanfiction Author: I'll try to explain things as they come up and since I'm pretty much having a dialogue with the "keyboard" anyway, I can always come back and edit. So, what's up next?
Reflections 2: I believe we're supposed to talk about Lacus Clyne's strengths.
Fanfiction Author: Ah yes. Well…You're not going to believe what all this girl can do. She can sing - she's a famous pop idol on the PLANTs. She can steal a Gundam - a Gundam is a highly advanced mobile suit (mech) - from the Zaft military. She can lead people. She can captain her own military space ship (also stolen from Zaft). She can manage the building of mobile suits.
Reflections 2: Can she cook?
Fanfiction Author: I'm betting not.
Reflections 2: Ok, so she has at least one weakness then. Any others?
Fanfiction Author: See, that's the interesting part. Lacus is, to some degree, she seems to play the role of deus ex machina (the God from the machine). What I mean by that term is she seemed to be a device, in some respects, perfectly placed to "resolve a hopeless situation" - or change the course of the plot. A perfect example is episode 36, one of my favorites, where she and Athrun have a conversation (at gunpoint) about why she stole the Gundam and gave it to the enemy. It is the subsequent exchange that sets Athrun on the path of turning his back on Zaft and the PLANTs to fight for an end to the war. Lacus was on the run at the time, hiding out from the new council chairman - Patrick Zala, aka Athrun's father. There was no reason for her to be hanging out in a concert hall, singing, other than she was needed to put Athrun on that path, and give Athrun the information that his friend Kira was still alive - and piloting the stolen Gundam.
The funny thing about that episode is that at the height of her role as a "God(dess) from the machine", it's when I think she first became a real character. She showed an emotion other than empathy and happiness. She showed us (and Athrun) that she had a backbone, and it was made
of steel.
"What is it you believe in? What is it you're fighting for now? Is it for that medal you received? Or your father's orders? Because if that is so, then you'll likely find yourself fighting Kira as his enemy again. And you'll be fighting me, too. So, if I am to be your enemy, then you may as well shoot me now, Athrun Zala, Soldier of Zaft!"
Reflections 2: Sounds like a powerful speech.
Fanfiction Author: It was. But just as powerful were her speeches to the people of PLANT, encouraging them to not continue the war - by way of her underground radio, and a small army of hackers.
"We must understand that the people of Earth are our brothers and sisters. We Coordinators haven't somehow evolved into another species. And even with the restructured marriage regulations, few children will be born into our world. What kind of highly evolved species can we be if
we're unable to build our own future? Let us set down our weapons, and find the path. What is it that we are seeking? And what is happiness? Can there be any real happiness for us in a future filled of continuous struggle and barren of the loved ones we have lost?"
Reflections 2: We still haven't heard about her weaknesses. She does have some?
Fanfiction Author: Of course she does. They're just not very apparent, I don't think. I think it requires some thought before people understand who Lacus really is. And I believe she's lonely on the inside, and her biggest weakness is that she doesn't show her true feelings very ften. She's kind and compassionate, she'll listen to other people and wants to help them through their pain. But, her pain is often sealed away, locked inside. The only glimpse we get is in episode 42, when she tells Kira her father had been killed - and she cries. She may be easily hurt, she may be too used to being lonely…but either way, she seems to lock away her true self and make the brave face all too often. It keeps her from being truly close to a person - at least on her side 'of the fence'. And yet, I believe inside of her is a fearful,lonely little girl who just wants to be loved.
Reflections 2: But, you said she's a famous pop idol? Isn't she well-loved and adored?
Fanfiction Author: That's all from a distance, though. It's not the same as being loved, truly loved by someone special.
Reflections 2: Ah. Romantically, you mean.
Fanfiction Author: Primarily, yes. She's well-loved by her followers and her fans, but the real person, I believe she feels very much alone and really wants that constant companion - that romantic love with someone special.
Reflections 2: Do you want to skip to the "Relationships" part and come back to the evolution since we're talking about love already?
Fanfiction Author: Nah. We can do the character evolution part if you want. You could probably run to Starbucks and back and I'll still be talking.
Reflections 2: Sounds like a good idea. Want anything?
Fanfiction Author: Sure. I'll have a venti peppermint mocha latte. Yes to the whipped cream.
And with that…
Little is known about Lacus's life prior to the age of 14 - when she first met her fiancé Athrun Zala. The very first (in terms of the timeline) occurrence is their meeting (Drama CD Manga #3). Lacus seemed happy to meet him and eager to find out when they would be married. Athrun, however,
disliked the fact that it was an arranged marriage - and would get flustered any time she mentioned things like their marriage or having children. He was amazed that she didn't seem upset to be marrying him - in the way that, she didn't seem bothered at all to be told by someone else what to do. Maybe he thought she was 'simple', but the only translation we have at this time is "Is she really this kind of person?"
My opinion is that, at fourteen, she was sheltered and a bit childish or child-like. She was amazed by Athrun's ability to fix her mechanical toy. She spoke in an idealistic fashion of their marriage, of what color their children's hair would be, etc. By the time we see her in episode 8 of the series, she hasn't changed all that much. Though she was a member of the Memorial troupe representation (those paying tribute to the 1 year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine), she didn't seem to fully grasp the war in terms of individuals. Lacus, I believe, saw the conflict from a higher level - which makes sense considering her father was a politician. She saw it as a very sad set of circumstances that, basically, couldn't be helped.
When she met Kira Yamato (episode 8), I believe that she saw, for the first time, a glimpse of how difficult, emotionally, it was for a soldier to fight and kill in this war. Kira was one of Athrun's best friends when they were younger, and they kept meeting on the battlefield as enemies. It was painful for both young men. Lacus began to see just how painful it was for the individuals caught up in this war, and she saw it again (episode 11), on the face of her fiancée. She tried to comfort him, then, but he turned away.
After episode 11, little, again, is heard from Lacus until episode 20 when Athrun returns home to visit her. She speaks to him of the war, and how many of her friends were joining the military. It seems to be really weighing on her mind. Then, after Kira and Athrun's big battle, Kira is
brought to Lacus to recover (Athrun believes he killed Kira), and it's shortly after that she begins her rebellion against her home.
It's not clear in the anime how much of this 'rebellion' was led by her father, and how much of it was led by Lacus herself. Soldiers within Zaft rebelled with the Clyne family and became known as the "Clyne Faction", but we see and hear Lacus's speeches - her running the operation. She was the one that 'gave' Kira the newly developed Gundam. Patrick Zala (who had been elected Chairman of the Supreme Council, un-seating Sigel Clyne), had Mr. Clyne hunted down and killed, but Lacus continued, and the support and protection of the Clyne Faction didn't seem to skip a beat. In the manga, I think Sigel Clyne is the one who originally led the Faction, but when he died, it was left to his daughter. I believe the anime makes it, at the very least, a joint venture between father and daughter.
This is where Lacus began to change things. Her speeches, her position, influenced people on PLANT. They began to question this constant escalation of war.
"Where did we want to go? What did we want? Even as I speak, we are losing our loved ones on the battlefield. How much longer must we live with such grief? We must end this conflict."
Patrick Zala and Rau Le Crueset (the bad guy) found her to be "troublesome", and sent people to kill her. She even gained the attention, and loyalty, of one of Zaft's greatest war heroes - believed to be dead - Andrew Waltfeldt. Waltfeldt, known as the Desert Tiger, was defeated in a battle with Kira Yamato, and lost someone very dear to him. He became Lacus's second in command of the (stolen) Zaft ship, the Eternal.
Reflections 2: *sipping Starbucks* Wait. So, the pink-haired pop idol stole a military ship? And commanded it?
Fanfiction Author: Yes. In fact, in one of the latter episodes (43?), Mwu LaFllaga, one of the Earth Alliance's top mobile suit pilots (before he defected with the ArchAngel crew), comments that he was impressed with "the pink princess" (how he referred to Lacus). She doesn't play the figurehead; she captains that ship. Probably not to the level of a soldier who has been trained for such a leadership position, but she does do it (it seems she was also in charge/at the helm of the ship named the Silver Wind). Personally, *I* think I was just as impressed as Mwu.
Unfortunately, Lacus's development pretty much stops here - at episode 42-ish. She has another moment, in episode 47, where she steps in and sends Kira and Athrun in both of their Gundams to stop the Earth forces' nuclear assault on the PLANTs. And that's when she made her mark on both sides
of the conflict - she protected her homeland, who had called her a traitor. She stopped the Earth forces' and asked them to consider what they were doing.
"Soldiers of the Earth forces, please cease your attack at once. Are you truly aware of the consequences of what you're about to do?"
In episode 8, Lacus was retrieved in a life pod by Kira Yamato, after a small 'disagreement' on board her civilian ship Silver Wind, with members of the Earth forces who wanted to inspect her ship. The other people on board lost their lives, but they got Lacus to the life pod and saved her. She told Kira that she didn't understand what was happening. She had let the Earth forces board, but they became angry when she had told them her ship's purpose (inspecting the site of the Junius 7 massacre), and the situation had gotten out of hand.
In episode 47, she stood on the bridge as captain of the Eternal, clearly in command. Her voice rang out to soldiers and leaders on both sides of the conflict. She prevented people from losing their lives, their homes. And she understood, probably better than most, exactly what was going on, and exactly what was at stake.
"The choice we're making may be one of evil as well. For we call for peace but with weapons in our hands. Never the less, allow us to break this chain of endless conflict. Give us strength."
Reflections 2: You sound rather adamant…
Fanfiction Author: I don't believe people give Lacus enough credit. She's often dismissed as a "Mary Sue", and that's not fair. Her character had growth, and a person can see it, they just have to look. Lacus didn't get nearly enough screen time, in my opinion.
Reflections 2: *moves a step back* Do you want your Starbucks? Will that help?
Fanfiction Author: Coffee in general, helps. But, I still like Lacus a lot.
Reflections 2: Ok, well, I know you've touched a bit on relationships throughout, but did you want to go over your opinions on Lacus Clyne's relationships?
Fanfiction Author: Everything we say is biased in one way or another. It's part of being human.
People close to Lacus Clyne would include her father, Sigel Clyne, her fiancé, Athrun Zala, her (I'm going to call him, her) crush, Kira Yamato, and then I'd like to include Martin DaCosta and Andrew Waltfeldt.
Reflections 2: Interesting choices.
Fanfiction Author: In terms of her father, we have no idea what her relationship was with Sigel Clyne. She was obviously sad when he was killed, and I believe that their relationship was fairly close, though it's not evident whether or not he was home much. In episode 20, Lacus asks Athrun
to stay for dinner, and her father would be coming home - and she says it like, or at least I got the impression that dad being home for dinner might not be a regular occurrence. It may be my mistaken impression, but in either case, I would assume that a family where the mother was absent (we presume dead), the father and daughter have a stronger bond. And she was very upset when her father was killed.
I'd like to save Athrun for last, so I'll go on to the 'crush', Kira Yamato. And this is where I differ from the majority of fans. I believe that she has some feelings for him. In the "special edition" footage, she tells Kira she "wants to be with him". She kisses him on the cheek in the episode where she gives him the Gundam. She asks him to come back to her when he leaves for the final battle. They're pictured naked on the intro scenes, they're pictured together (starting in ep 35) in the slides for the commercial break. Lacus cares for Kira. She has empathy for him, and tries to comfort him. And unlike Athrun, Kira lets her. Kira does not, however, love Lacus romantically, in my opinion. Kira had an intense and sexual relationship with Flay Allster, and, emotionally, he was tied up in knots over her until the end (he almost got himself killed in episode 48 when he hears Flay's voice - and promptly loses all sense of the battle). Since this isn't an essay about Kira, I will leave it at that.
Martin DaCosta is Waltfeldt's attaché, and, later, becomes Lacus's closest commander. He is the one that leads the group of Clyne Faction soldiers in protecting Lacus from Patrick Zala's assassins. He also effects, at Lacus's orders, Athrun's escape from being transported to a Zaft prison or
holding cell - when Patrick Zala had his son arrested. Though we don't see much interaction on a personal level between DaCosta and Lacus, considering how he basically acts like her personal attaché - once he joins the Clyne Faction - and we saw how close DaCosta and Waltfeldt were in approximately episodes 19
and 21 (taste-testing Waltfeldt's special coffee blends)…I'd say there's an unseen relationship, the possibility of which I find very interesting.
Andrew Waltfeldt was the famed "Desert Tiger", the Zaft commander based on Earth - in Africa - that was undefeated. Until he faced Kira Yamato. Kira "killed" Waltfeldt and Waltfeldt's romantic interest, Aisha, who refused to leave his side. The next time we hear from Waltfeldt is in episode 41, where a shadowy figure tells Patrick Zala (on the phone) that he'd pilot the Eternal for the new chairman - to "…repay your Excellency - for giving me new chance at life." His relationship with Lacus is not very clear, either. But the fact that a war hero, and one as well-respected as Waltfeldt, would 'answer' to Lacus, issue her orders and take command under her - that they coordinated the theft of the Eternal; and then his statement (in episode 42), when she arrives on board that "No worries. As long as you made it safely" (it didn't matter that she was late) - indicates there may be some sort of personal relationship as well. I don't believe it to be anything romantic, perhaps Waltfeldt plays somewhat of a surrogate father - we don't know. We do know that he's concerned about her personal safety and respects her enough to put himself under her command. It's another unexplored dynamic that I find interesting.
Reflections 2: I'm beginning to believe you think too much for your own good.
Fanfiction Author: It's probably why I'm so addicted to fanfiction. But, moving on…to my favorite relationship.
Reflections 2: Your opinion on her relationship with Athrun, you mean?
Fanfiction Author: *grins* How did you guess?
Reflections 2: I didn't. I checked the list and crossed everyone off except him.
Fanfiction Author: Cheater. Athrun and Lacus…Their relationship is…interesting, multi-faceted, and seems to go deeper than I think most people realize. I don't want to go into too much depth on their relationship, because that's a ship_manifesto essay I'm going to write next.
Athrun and Lacus reportedly were informed of their engagement to one another by their respective parents - when Athrun and Lacus were approximately 12 years old. We don't know how either 'felt' about it until they met at the age of 14. At that time, Athrun seemed surprised to be engaged to such a popular singer on PLANT, and though he didn't know Lacus, he seemed to be a bit upset that his parents had arranged Athrun's marriage. Lacus didn't express any dissatisfaction in the match. This also surprised Athrun (Drama CD Manga #3).
Also chronicled in the same manga, is the addition of Mr. Pink (Pink-chan). In meeting #2, having seen how much she loved a favorite, mechanical toy named Okapi, he made her a round, hopping "haro" that could learn words by being spoken to. Athrun taught it to say
Lacus's name before he gave it to her. She instantly fell in love with Mr. Pink (or pink-chan). In episode 10, she tells Kira that after she told Athrun how much she loved her haro, Athrun kept giving her another and another. In episode 8, when Athrun finds out that Lacus is missing, there's a haro in mid-assembly on his desk. In episode 20, when Athrun goes to visit Lacus, we see the crowd of haros following her around. And all the haros go with her to the Eternal - to 'help captain the ship', I suppose.
Lacus seems to be a sentimental person. She has a rose garden with flowers from the first symphony hall she ever played in. She keeps her childhood toy, Okapi. She does not go anywhere during the series without her pink haro that Athrun gave her. The only time she did seem to leave Mr.
Pink behind was just after she had 'given' the new Gundam (Freedom) to Kira - and was declared a traitor by Patrick Zala. Athrun went looking for her, and brought Mr. Pink along. She told him, "I was certain you would be the one to find him and bring him to me." (episode 36).
Their interaction in this episode (36), and the drama cd manga #3, shows a completely different relationship having evolved between the two. Lacus wasn't the naïve girl he remembered from when they were fourteen. She challenged him, challenged his ideals and his loyalties. And at the end of
it, when his own father's assassins showed up to kill her, Athrun protected her. And the words she spoke to him that day remained with him - throughout the rest of the series, and even into the sequel. Lacus became, in my opinion, Athrun's "moral compass". And his (translated) words in the Drama CD
manga #3 give voice to a deeper connection between them.
"Time goes by and everything changes…The relationship…You…And me as well…We can't turn back time… But I'll never forget your smile at that moment. That's why I believe in the way you chose (Drama CD manga #3)."
The 'relationship' between these two characters is very subtle. I like the quiet ways Athrun and Lacus show they care about one another, and I believe that their 'connection' isn't just about romance. It's a belief and a faith that they have in one another, a similarity of background, and the ability of both to rise above their circumstances and take on huge responsibilities during the war - as well as endure overwhelming changes in their lives. A lot of 'people' would have drifted, aimless, and that's what Lacus brought to the equation. Because Athrun was drifting after the death of his friend Nichol, and especially after believing he killed Kira. And Kira was drifting as well - in his ideals and in what he believed should be his role in the war. Whether it was intended or not, both boys found their feet and found their places as a direct result of their interactions with Lacus. Kira chose to go back and fight in the war. Athrun chose not to continue fighting with Zaft and find his own path - the right path.
She was a rallying point, an anchor - not just for Athrun, but for Kira and many others. She was a leader. And that's what I find so interesting about her. She was not only a leader for many, but she was a role model, and yet she was human as well. She cared for many people, she challenged those she believed in, she found the way to 'forgive' her enemies and love (in an unconditional sense) soldiers on both sides of the war. In episode 42, when the Eternal had just escaped and was way outmatched in weaponry, Lacus ordered Waltfeldt to try to avoid hitting the cockpits of the opposing Zaft forces. In episode 20, she told Athrun that the enemy he was fighting - she liked him. Instead of viewing Kira as an enemy to her fiancé, she understood Kira was still important to Athrun.
By the end of the series, she seems to care for or 'love' Kira but I truly believe she still loves Athrun as well. And I think that's symbolic of the role she was supposed to play - that she could love soldiers on both sides of the war, and could help the two young men find common ground, and remember their friendship. In a metaphoric sense, she could have done the same for Earth and PLANT as well.
I think that had she continued to play the role she began in episode 35, after the war, there wouldn't have been another conflict. But, that would have meant no sequel series and no new Gundams. And that's the tragedy for Lacus Clyne, in my opinion - that the sequel series didn't include her keeping that role. Instead, she gave all that up to live quietly...in a war orphanage (and with Kira). I suppose that's part of what makes her human, that she would choose her heart or desire to live peacefully - over her responsibility (in a way). But I think the fact that the universe did go back into chaos proves the point that she is needed in that
capacity…and will continue to suffer without her leadership.
Reflections 2: You seem very critical of the sequel.
Fanfiction Author: I was disappointed in the role she played in the sequel - at least, at first. She's involved now, which is a good thing.
Reflections 2: So, what keeps you writing and what keeps you interested in the character?
Fanfiction Author: Discovering Lacus's human side. Because she is so strong in the series, yet we get glimpses of her weakness - just not for very long, or in much depth. She doesn't 'emote' much. We get impressions of her feelings, like the way she looked at Kira in episode 8, and then quickly looks away like she's upset - or perhaps feels guilty. She does the same in the episode where she gives Kira the ring. She takes Kira aside, and Athrun is nearby. She glances at Athrun, then looks away and down with a pained expression - like a woman conflicted. But, other than concern, some
few, rare instances of tears, and then perhaps some amount of anger - we don't get to see much of what makes Lacus Clyne tick. I want to know more about who she is on the inside, and I want to see her open that part of herself to Athrun. That's what keeps me interested.
"Is it weapons that are the cause of all this fighting? Or does the real cause lie within the human heart?" (episode 48)
"We really have no alternative do we? Because the fact is, the time has come for us to move forward." (episode 42)
"Possibly, we humans can exist without actually having to fight. But many of us have chosen to fight. For what reason? To protect something? Protect what? Ourselves? The future? If we kill people to protect ourselves and this future, then what sort of future is it? And what will we have become? There is no future for those who have died. And what of those who did the killing? Is happiness to be found in a future that is grasped with bloodstained hands? Is that the truth?" (episode 49)
"My name is Lacus Clyne. Although I am an enemy of Chairman Zala's because we imagine different futures for our people. I have no desire at all to fight against you. Please, let our ship go in peace. And once again, I beseech you all to think about what it is we're fighting against." (episode 42)
Author: the Black Rose
Email: destinysblackrose@hotmail.com
Character: Lacus Clyne
Fandom: Gundam Seed
Word Count: 5,500
Spoilers: Episodes 1-50 of the Gundam Seed series; Drama CD manga #3
AN: Out of sheer arrogance or laziness, I wrote this in the form of an interview. Some may like it, some not. My pairing preference in this essay is obvious. I prefer Lacus with Athrun, but do not deny that Lacus has feelings for Kira. IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ THIS ESSAY, keep that in mind. Thanks to those of you who will take the time. Love, Rose
Edited to add: I included in the above AN the POV from which I see Lacus's character arc. Feel free to disagree with my opinion. I did not write this essay in order to CONVINCE non-AsuRaku fans to "convert". I merely wrote my essay on her character from my POV. No one can do any differently. A KiraRaku fan would be just as biased in his or her POV, the essay just would happen to have more people in fandom agreeing with that particular bias. As for the "integrity" of the essay, the integrity would only be lost if I was trying to pass this off as truth. It's not true. Nothing I say is true. It is merely a statement of my opinions and my viewpoints. ~Rose
PS - Most screencaps are from http://gundams.net
Lacus Clyne…
More than a
God(dess) from the machine
Reflections 2: Ok. So, you're the guinea pig that signed up for the Lacus Clyne essay from the Gundam Seed fandom. Why don't you tell us who you are.
Fanfiction Author: I'm what the heading says, a fanfiction author. I have written primarily for Gundam Wing, but have also written some fanfics in Gundam Seed fandom. I really have no more introduction than that other than I'm a glutton for punishment to sign up for these essays.
Reflections 2: Fair enough. So, let's get down to it. What was your first introduction to Lacus Clyne?
Fanfiction Author: My personal introduction to Lacus Clyne would have to be like most people's introduction: the picture in the opening sequence of Gundam Seed. She was pretty, with long pink hair and blue eyes - and floating semi-naked into the arms of one of the main (male) characters' arms: Kira Yamato. She had such a sweet smile on her face - like one of those people who manage to go through life and still at least appear to be innocent of the fact the world can be a nasty, evil sort of place.
I've been a Gundam Wing fan for five years, now, but don't know much about the Gundam franchise aside from that - or, at least, I didn't know much of anything at the time Gundam Seed first appeared on bittorrent sites as fansubs (before it was licensed in North America). I know a bit more,
now, but at the time, the fairly usual response is to instantly compare something new to the something you're familiar with. I instantly equated Lacus (and her pink hair) to Relena from Gundam Wing - one of my favorite characters.
But Lacus isn't Relena. So, this essay isn't going to be about that. They do have some similarities, but who knows…maybe that'll be another essay.
Reflections 2: Another essay? You should be careful what you promise. I happen to know these communities who thrive on beating encouraging writers like yourself to write essays about characters and relationships.
Fanfiction Author: *chuckles* Yes, I know.
Reflections 2: So, additional essays aside *jots down author's name beside a list of 100 essays*, what was your first impression of Lacus?
Fanfiction Author: My first impression of Lacus Clyne? I think I had a different first impression just because when I began watching the series (Gundam Seed), I was expecting her to have a leadership role at some point. My first impression of her was that she was very pretty. And she sings beautifully. I think that other people probably see her as a bit child-like at first. In episode 8 when she's "rescued" by the ArchAngel (the good guys' ship) she has her hopping, squawking toy called a haro or, by name, Mr. Pink (pink-chan in Japanese). She didn't seem to understand that telling the truth to the Earth Forces' soldiers - that she was the daughter of the PLANT Supreme Council Chairman (aka, the "enemy" head of state) - could have put her at risk. When Kira Yamato led her to her room, she complained that it was "lonely" and "no fun". She wanted to eat with the other people on board the ship.
She was naïve, she was friendly, she was compassionate, and she was generous. Lacus attempted to introduce herself to a girl about her age - dressed as a civilian on board the ArchAngel. The girl's name was Flay Allstar, and Flay happened to hate the genetically engineered
"Coordinators" who inhabited the PLANT space colonies. Lacus attempted, despite Flay's horrified reaction, to patiently explain that they were the same, civilians, so they could be friends. Flay refused to even shake Lacus's hand, but though most people would have been offended (I would think),
Lacus seemed only perplexed - showing compassion and generosity of spirit, I think. She did the same in her next conversation with Kira Yamato - she told him he was kind because that's the type of person he was - not because he was a Coordinator (and thus, a member of her 'race' as well).
Reflections 2: Hm, this is all getting a bit confusing. Perhaps you could give us 'newbies' a bit of background as to the conflict and 'set the scene' so we can understand a bit better what's going on.
Fanfiction Author: As long as Bandai doesn't mind…
Reflections 2: *laughs* Ok, the disclaimer - we don't own it, we're borrowing, not making any money, please don't sue.
Fanfiction Author: Thanks. So, the basic premise of Gundam Seed is (like most Gundam series), the people of Earth are at war with the people living on the space colonies. In this time period, the Cosmic Era, there exists 2 races of people: the Naturals, or those born naturally on Earth, and the Coordinators, those who were born naturally, but underwent genetic enhancement prior to their birth. The idea is that Naturals became 'jealous' or at the very least intolerant of such an aberration of nature, so the Coordinators moved out to space. At LaGrange point 5, there exists a new type of space colony settlement called "PLANT"; the PLANTs are hour-glass shaped space colonies, put into existence by monies paid by their sponsor nation. To keep the PLANT settlements dependent on their 'foster parent', they were forbidden to grow their own food. As conflicts and arguments arose between the PLANTs and the nations of Earth, the PLANT Supreme Council (led by Sigel Clyne, Lacus Clyne's father) decided to re-make the PLANT called "Junius 7" into an agrarian settlement that would grow food - thus making the PLANTs independent of Earth.
The Earth Alliance attacked this settlement on February 14, CE 70 (referred to as The Bloody Valentine) with nuclear weapons, killing more than 200,000 civilian Coordinators, and thus the war between Earth and Space began. For the record, the PLANTs' military is referred to as "Zaft", and is led by Patrick Zala - Sigel Clyne's friend.
Reflections 2: I think that makes sense.
Fanfiction Author: I'll try to explain things as they come up and since I'm pretty much having a dialogue with the "keyboard" anyway, I can always come back and edit. So, what's up next?
Reflections 2: I believe we're supposed to talk about Lacus Clyne's strengths.
Fanfiction Author: Ah yes. Well…You're not going to believe what all this girl can do. She can sing - she's a famous pop idol on the PLANTs. She can steal a Gundam - a Gundam is a highly advanced mobile suit (mech) - from the Zaft military. She can lead people. She can captain her own military space ship (also stolen from Zaft). She can manage the building of mobile suits.
Reflections 2: Can she cook?
Fanfiction Author: I'm betting not.
Reflections 2: Ok, so she has at least one weakness then. Any others?
Fanfiction Author: See, that's the interesting part. Lacus is, to some degree, she seems to play the role of deus ex machina (the God from the machine). What I mean by that term is she seemed to be a device, in some respects, perfectly placed to "resolve a hopeless situation" - or change the course of the plot. A perfect example is episode 36, one of my favorites, where she and Athrun have a conversation (at gunpoint) about why she stole the Gundam and gave it to the enemy. It is the subsequent exchange that sets Athrun on the path of turning his back on Zaft and the PLANTs to fight for an end to the war. Lacus was on the run at the time, hiding out from the new council chairman - Patrick Zala, aka Athrun's father. There was no reason for her to be hanging out in a concert hall, singing, other than she was needed to put Athrun on that path, and give Athrun the information that his friend Kira was still alive - and piloting the stolen Gundam.
The funny thing about that episode is that at the height of her role as a "God(dess) from the machine", it's when I think she first became a real character. She showed an emotion other than empathy and happiness. She showed us (and Athrun) that she had a backbone, and it was made
of steel.
"What is it you believe in? What is it you're fighting for now? Is it for that medal you received? Or your father's orders? Because if that is so, then you'll likely find yourself fighting Kira as his enemy again. And you'll be fighting me, too. So, if I am to be your enemy, then you may as well shoot me now, Athrun Zala, Soldier of Zaft!"
Reflections 2: Sounds like a powerful speech.
Fanfiction Author: It was. But just as powerful were her speeches to the people of PLANT, encouraging them to not continue the war - by way of her underground radio, and a small army of hackers.
"We must understand that the people of Earth are our brothers and sisters. We Coordinators haven't somehow evolved into another species. And even with the restructured marriage regulations, few children will be born into our world. What kind of highly evolved species can we be if
we're unable to build our own future? Let us set down our weapons, and find the path. What is it that we are seeking? And what is happiness? Can there be any real happiness for us in a future filled of continuous struggle and barren of the loved ones we have lost?"
Reflections 2: We still haven't heard about her weaknesses. She does have some?
Fanfiction Author: Of course she does. They're just not very apparent, I don't think. I think it requires some thought before people understand who Lacus really is. And I believe she's lonely on the inside, and her biggest weakness is that she doesn't show her true feelings very ften. She's kind and compassionate, she'll listen to other people and wants to help them through their pain. But, her pain is often sealed away, locked inside. The only glimpse we get is in episode 42, when she tells Kira her father had been killed - and she cries. She may be easily hurt, she may be too used to being lonely…but either way, she seems to lock away her true self and make the brave face all too often. It keeps her from being truly close to a person - at least on her side 'of the fence'. And yet, I believe inside of her is a fearful,lonely little girl who just wants to be loved.
Reflections 2: But, you said she's a famous pop idol? Isn't she well-loved and adored?
Fanfiction Author: That's all from a distance, though. It's not the same as being loved, truly loved by someone special.
Reflections 2: Ah. Romantically, you mean.
Fanfiction Author: Primarily, yes. She's well-loved by her followers and her fans, but the real person, I believe she feels very much alone and really wants that constant companion - that romantic love with someone special.
Reflections 2: Do you want to skip to the "Relationships" part and come back to the evolution since we're talking about love already?
Fanfiction Author: Nah. We can do the character evolution part if you want. You could probably run to Starbucks and back and I'll still be talking.
Reflections 2: Sounds like a good idea. Want anything?
Fanfiction Author: Sure. I'll have a venti peppermint mocha latte. Yes to the whipped cream.
And with that…
Little is known about Lacus's life prior to the age of 14 - when she first met her fiancé Athrun Zala. The very first (in terms of the timeline) occurrence is their meeting (Drama CD Manga #3). Lacus seemed happy to meet him and eager to find out when they would be married. Athrun, however,
disliked the fact that it was an arranged marriage - and would get flustered any time she mentioned things like their marriage or having children. He was amazed that she didn't seem upset to be marrying him - in the way that, she didn't seem bothered at all to be told by someone else what to do. Maybe he thought she was 'simple', but the only translation we have at this time is "Is she really this kind of person?"
My opinion is that, at fourteen, she was sheltered and a bit childish or child-like. She was amazed by Athrun's ability to fix her mechanical toy. She spoke in an idealistic fashion of their marriage, of what color their children's hair would be, etc. By the time we see her in episode 8 of the series, she hasn't changed all that much. Though she was a member of the Memorial troupe representation (those paying tribute to the 1 year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine), she didn't seem to fully grasp the war in terms of individuals. Lacus, I believe, saw the conflict from a higher level - which makes sense considering her father was a politician. She saw it as a very sad set of circumstances that, basically, couldn't be helped.
When she met Kira Yamato (episode 8), I believe that she saw, for the first time, a glimpse of how difficult, emotionally, it was for a soldier to fight and kill in this war. Kira was one of Athrun's best friends when they were younger, and they kept meeting on the battlefield as enemies. It was painful for both young men. Lacus began to see just how painful it was for the individuals caught up in this war, and she saw it again (episode 11), on the face of her fiancée. She tried to comfort him, then, but he turned away.
After episode 11, little, again, is heard from Lacus until episode 20 when Athrun returns home to visit her. She speaks to him of the war, and how many of her friends were joining the military. It seems to be really weighing on her mind. Then, after Kira and Athrun's big battle, Kira is
brought to Lacus to recover (Athrun believes he killed Kira), and it's shortly after that she begins her rebellion against her home.
It's not clear in the anime how much of this 'rebellion' was led by her father, and how much of it was led by Lacus herself. Soldiers within Zaft rebelled with the Clyne family and became known as the "Clyne Faction", but we see and hear Lacus's speeches - her running the operation. She was the one that 'gave' Kira the newly developed Gundam. Patrick Zala (who had been elected Chairman of the Supreme Council, un-seating Sigel Clyne), had Mr. Clyne hunted down and killed, but Lacus continued, and the support and protection of the Clyne Faction didn't seem to skip a beat. In the manga, I think Sigel Clyne is the one who originally led the Faction, but when he died, it was left to his daughter. I believe the anime makes it, at the very least, a joint venture between father and daughter.
This is where Lacus began to change things. Her speeches, her position, influenced people on PLANT. They began to question this constant escalation of war.
"Where did we want to go? What did we want? Even as I speak, we are losing our loved ones on the battlefield. How much longer must we live with such grief? We must end this conflict."
Patrick Zala and Rau Le Crueset (the bad guy) found her to be "troublesome", and sent people to kill her. She even gained the attention, and loyalty, of one of Zaft's greatest war heroes - believed to be dead - Andrew Waltfeldt. Waltfeldt, known as the Desert Tiger, was defeated in a battle with Kira Yamato, and lost someone very dear to him. He became Lacus's second in command of the (stolen) Zaft ship, the Eternal.
Reflections 2: *sipping Starbucks* Wait. So, the pink-haired pop idol stole a military ship? And commanded it?
Fanfiction Author: Yes. In fact, in one of the latter episodes (43?), Mwu LaFllaga, one of the Earth Alliance's top mobile suit pilots (before he defected with the ArchAngel crew), comments that he was impressed with "the pink princess" (how he referred to Lacus). She doesn't play the figurehead; she captains that ship. Probably not to the level of a soldier who has been trained for such a leadership position, but she does do it (it seems she was also in charge/at the helm of the ship named the Silver Wind). Personally, *I* think I was just as impressed as Mwu.
Unfortunately, Lacus's development pretty much stops here - at episode 42-ish. She has another moment, in episode 47, where she steps in and sends Kira and Athrun in both of their Gundams to stop the Earth forces' nuclear assault on the PLANTs. And that's when she made her mark on both sides
of the conflict - she protected her homeland, who had called her a traitor. She stopped the Earth forces' and asked them to consider what they were doing.
"Soldiers of the Earth forces, please cease your attack at once. Are you truly aware of the consequences of what you're about to do?"
In episode 8, Lacus was retrieved in a life pod by Kira Yamato, after a small 'disagreement' on board her civilian ship Silver Wind, with members of the Earth forces who wanted to inspect her ship. The other people on board lost their lives, but they got Lacus to the life pod and saved her. She told Kira that she didn't understand what was happening. She had let the Earth forces board, but they became angry when she had told them her ship's purpose (inspecting the site of the Junius 7 massacre), and the situation had gotten out of hand.
In episode 47, she stood on the bridge as captain of the Eternal, clearly in command. Her voice rang out to soldiers and leaders on both sides of the conflict. She prevented people from losing their lives, their homes. And she understood, probably better than most, exactly what was going on, and exactly what was at stake.
"The choice we're making may be one of evil as well. For we call for peace but with weapons in our hands. Never the less, allow us to break this chain of endless conflict. Give us strength."
Reflections 2: You sound rather adamant…
Fanfiction Author: I don't believe people give Lacus enough credit. She's often dismissed as a "Mary Sue", and that's not fair. Her character had growth, and a person can see it, they just have to look. Lacus didn't get nearly enough screen time, in my opinion.
Reflections 2: *moves a step back* Do you want your Starbucks? Will that help?
Fanfiction Author: Coffee in general, helps. But, I still like Lacus a lot.
Reflections 2: Ok, well, I know you've touched a bit on relationships throughout, but did you want to go over your opinions on Lacus Clyne's relationships?
Fanfiction Author: Everything we say is biased in one way or another. It's part of being human.
People close to Lacus Clyne would include her father, Sigel Clyne, her fiancé, Athrun Zala, her (I'm going to call him, her) crush, Kira Yamato, and then I'd like to include Martin DaCosta and Andrew Waltfeldt.
Reflections 2: Interesting choices.
Fanfiction Author: In terms of her father, we have no idea what her relationship was with Sigel Clyne. She was obviously sad when he was killed, and I believe that their relationship was fairly close, though it's not evident whether or not he was home much. In episode 20, Lacus asks Athrun
to stay for dinner, and her father would be coming home - and she says it like, or at least I got the impression that dad being home for dinner might not be a regular occurrence. It may be my mistaken impression, but in either case, I would assume that a family where the mother was absent (we presume dead), the father and daughter have a stronger bond. And she was very upset when her father was killed.
I'd like to save Athrun for last, so I'll go on to the 'crush', Kira Yamato. And this is where I differ from the majority of fans. I believe that she has some feelings for him. In the "special edition" footage, she tells Kira she "wants to be with him". She kisses him on the cheek in the episode where she gives him the Gundam. She asks him to come back to her when he leaves for the final battle. They're pictured naked on the intro scenes, they're pictured together (starting in ep 35) in the slides for the commercial break. Lacus cares for Kira. She has empathy for him, and tries to comfort him. And unlike Athrun, Kira lets her. Kira does not, however, love Lacus romantically, in my opinion. Kira had an intense and sexual relationship with Flay Allster, and, emotionally, he was tied up in knots over her until the end (he almost got himself killed in episode 48 when he hears Flay's voice - and promptly loses all sense of the battle). Since this isn't an essay about Kira, I will leave it at that.
Martin DaCosta is Waltfeldt's attaché, and, later, becomes Lacus's closest commander. He is the one that leads the group of Clyne Faction soldiers in protecting Lacus from Patrick Zala's assassins. He also effects, at Lacus's orders, Athrun's escape from being transported to a Zaft prison or
holding cell - when Patrick Zala had his son arrested. Though we don't see much interaction on a personal level between DaCosta and Lacus, considering how he basically acts like her personal attaché - once he joins the Clyne Faction - and we saw how close DaCosta and Waltfeldt were in approximately episodes 19
and 21 (taste-testing Waltfeldt's special coffee blends)…I'd say there's an unseen relationship, the possibility of which I find very interesting.
Andrew Waltfeldt was the famed "Desert Tiger", the Zaft commander based on Earth - in Africa - that was undefeated. Until he faced Kira Yamato. Kira "killed" Waltfeldt and Waltfeldt's romantic interest, Aisha, who refused to leave his side. The next time we hear from Waltfeldt is in episode 41, where a shadowy figure tells Patrick Zala (on the phone) that he'd pilot the Eternal for the new chairman - to "…repay your Excellency - for giving me new chance at life." His relationship with Lacus is not very clear, either. But the fact that a war hero, and one as well-respected as Waltfeldt, would 'answer' to Lacus, issue her orders and take command under her - that they coordinated the theft of the Eternal; and then his statement (in episode 42), when she arrives on board that "No worries. As long as you made it safely" (it didn't matter that she was late) - indicates there may be some sort of personal relationship as well. I don't believe it to be anything romantic, perhaps Waltfeldt plays somewhat of a surrogate father - we don't know. We do know that he's concerned about her personal safety and respects her enough to put himself under her command. It's another unexplored dynamic that I find interesting.
Reflections 2: I'm beginning to believe you think too much for your own good.
Fanfiction Author: It's probably why I'm so addicted to fanfiction. But, moving on…to my favorite relationship.
Reflections 2: Your opinion on her relationship with Athrun, you mean?
Fanfiction Author: *grins* How did you guess?
Reflections 2: I didn't. I checked the list and crossed everyone off except him.
Fanfiction Author: Cheater. Athrun and Lacus…Their relationship is…interesting, multi-faceted, and seems to go deeper than I think most people realize. I don't want to go into too much depth on their relationship, because that's a ship_manifesto essay I'm going to write next.
Athrun and Lacus reportedly were informed of their engagement to one another by their respective parents - when Athrun and Lacus were approximately 12 years old. We don't know how either 'felt' about it until they met at the age of 14. At that time, Athrun seemed surprised to be engaged to such a popular singer on PLANT, and though he didn't know Lacus, he seemed to be a bit upset that his parents had arranged Athrun's marriage. Lacus didn't express any dissatisfaction in the match. This also surprised Athrun (Drama CD Manga #3).
Also chronicled in the same manga, is the addition of Mr. Pink (Pink-chan). In meeting #2, having seen how much she loved a favorite, mechanical toy named Okapi, he made her a round, hopping "haro" that could learn words by being spoken to. Athrun taught it to say
Lacus's name before he gave it to her. She instantly fell in love with Mr. Pink (or pink-chan). In episode 10, she tells Kira that after she told Athrun how much she loved her haro, Athrun kept giving her another and another. In episode 8, when Athrun finds out that Lacus is missing, there's a haro in mid-assembly on his desk. In episode 20, when Athrun goes to visit Lacus, we see the crowd of haros following her around. And all the haros go with her to the Eternal - to 'help captain the ship', I suppose.
Lacus seems to be a sentimental person. She has a rose garden with flowers from the first symphony hall she ever played in. She keeps her childhood toy, Okapi. She does not go anywhere during the series without her pink haro that Athrun gave her. The only time she did seem to leave Mr.
Pink behind was just after she had 'given' the new Gundam (Freedom) to Kira - and was declared a traitor by Patrick Zala. Athrun went looking for her, and brought Mr. Pink along. She told him, "I was certain you would be the one to find him and bring him to me." (episode 36).
Their interaction in this episode (36), and the drama cd manga #3, shows a completely different relationship having evolved between the two. Lacus wasn't the naïve girl he remembered from when they were fourteen. She challenged him, challenged his ideals and his loyalties. And at the end of
it, when his own father's assassins showed up to kill her, Athrun protected her. And the words she spoke to him that day remained with him - throughout the rest of the series, and even into the sequel. Lacus became, in my opinion, Athrun's "moral compass". And his (translated) words in the Drama CD
manga #3 give voice to a deeper connection between them.
"Time goes by and everything changes…The relationship…You…And me as well…We can't turn back time… But I'll never forget your smile at that moment. That's why I believe in the way you chose (Drama CD manga #3)."
The 'relationship' between these two characters is very subtle. I like the quiet ways Athrun and Lacus show they care about one another, and I believe that their 'connection' isn't just about romance. It's a belief and a faith that they have in one another, a similarity of background, and the ability of both to rise above their circumstances and take on huge responsibilities during the war - as well as endure overwhelming changes in their lives. A lot of 'people' would have drifted, aimless, and that's what Lacus brought to the equation. Because Athrun was drifting after the death of his friend Nichol, and especially after believing he killed Kira. And Kira was drifting as well - in his ideals and in what he believed should be his role in the war. Whether it was intended or not, both boys found their feet and found their places as a direct result of their interactions with Lacus. Kira chose to go back and fight in the war. Athrun chose not to continue fighting with Zaft and find his own path - the right path.
She was a rallying point, an anchor - not just for Athrun, but for Kira and many others. She was a leader. And that's what I find so interesting about her. She was not only a leader for many, but she was a role model, and yet she was human as well. She cared for many people, she challenged those she believed in, she found the way to 'forgive' her enemies and love (in an unconditional sense) soldiers on both sides of the war. In episode 42, when the Eternal had just escaped and was way outmatched in weaponry, Lacus ordered Waltfeldt to try to avoid hitting the cockpits of the opposing Zaft forces. In episode 20, she told Athrun that the enemy he was fighting - she liked him. Instead of viewing Kira as an enemy to her fiancé, she understood Kira was still important to Athrun.
By the end of the series, she seems to care for or 'love' Kira but I truly believe she still loves Athrun as well. And I think that's symbolic of the role she was supposed to play - that she could love soldiers on both sides of the war, and could help the two young men find common ground, and remember their friendship. In a metaphoric sense, she could have done the same for Earth and PLANT as well.
I think that had she continued to play the role she began in episode 35, after the war, there wouldn't have been another conflict. But, that would have meant no sequel series and no new Gundams. And that's the tragedy for Lacus Clyne, in my opinion - that the sequel series didn't include her keeping that role. Instead, she gave all that up to live quietly...in a war orphanage (and with Kira). I suppose that's part of what makes her human, that she would choose her heart or desire to live peacefully - over her responsibility (in a way). But I think the fact that the universe did go back into chaos proves the point that she is needed in that
capacity…and will continue to suffer without her leadership.
Reflections 2: You seem very critical of the sequel.
Fanfiction Author: I was disappointed in the role she played in the sequel - at least, at first. She's involved now, which is a good thing.
Reflections 2: So, what keeps you writing and what keeps you interested in the character?
Fanfiction Author: Discovering Lacus's human side. Because she is so strong in the series, yet we get glimpses of her weakness - just not for very long, or in much depth. She doesn't 'emote' much. We get impressions of her feelings, like the way she looked at Kira in episode 8, and then quickly looks away like she's upset - or perhaps feels guilty. She does the same in the episode where she gives Kira the ring. She takes Kira aside, and Athrun is nearby. She glances at Athrun, then looks away and down with a pained expression - like a woman conflicted. But, other than concern, some
few, rare instances of tears, and then perhaps some amount of anger - we don't get to see much of what makes Lacus Clyne tick. I want to know more about who she is on the inside, and I want to see her open that part of herself to Athrun. That's what keeps me interested.
"Is it weapons that are the cause of all this fighting? Or does the real cause lie within the human heart?" (episode 48)
"We really have no alternative do we? Because the fact is, the time has come for us to move forward." (episode 42)
"Possibly, we humans can exist without actually having to fight. But many of us have chosen to fight. For what reason? To protect something? Protect what? Ourselves? The future? If we kill people to protect ourselves and this future, then what sort of future is it? And what will we have become? There is no future for those who have died. And what of those who did the killing? Is happiness to be found in a future that is grasped with bloodstained hands? Is that the truth?" (episode 49)
"My name is Lacus Clyne. Although I am an enemy of Chairman Zala's because we imagine different futures for our people. I have no desire at all to fight against you. Please, let our ship go in peace. And once again, I beseech you all to think about what it is we're fighting against." (episode 42)