Old Reliable / Destroy the Dark Tower

Sorry for the late review this time! Anyway, let's start.

• In a tundra, the Digimon Emperor orders the group of captured Gizamons and Gomamon to construct the area that he's in control. He whips one of the Gizamons, which Gomamon defends. Angered, he orders the other Gizamons to attack Gomamon and places Evil Rings on them. Satisfied with the result, the Emperor leaves. The wounded Gomamon gathers his strength to find the nearest TV Portal and sents SOS to Joe.

• Wormmon tries to give the Emperor a coat to warm him up but is rejected.

• Joe, noticing Gomamon's signal from his Digivice, declines his friends of going to the cram school with them today and heads of to save his partner.

• At the school, Cody declines Davis about going to the Digital World with the group, as he promised his grandfather to practice Kendo with him today. Kari runs into Davis, which he askes her to go to the Computer Room with him which she agrees. Davis is quite happy to spend some time alone with Kari but denies when she askes about it. His enthuasim goes down quickly when the rest of the team are already there, waiting for them.

• Yolei explains that the signal they recieve this time is from one of the black area, and that the areas controlled by the Digimon Emperor are quickly expanding.

• Davis sympathizes with Kari who's worrying about their friends in the Digital World. He informs Upamon that Cody won't be joining them today due to Kendo practice.

• Cody becomes anxious during the Kendo practice as he remembers Upamon. His grandfather notices that Cody's mind is not on the practice, and asks if there is anything that troubles his mind. Grandpa then tells Cody that both him and his weapon lack "flexibilty", like Cody's father. He then gives Cody fruit juice for relaxation (with a comical expression). Understanding his grandfather's words, Cody asks to end the practice so he could go and join his friends for their duty at the Digital World. Grandpa allows him, and adds that Cody should always remember to prioritize what's the most important for him at the moment, and to always trust in his own heart.

• Joe meets up with everyone at the Computer Lab. TK introduces him to the group (with Poromon's funny axpression). Joe announces that he'll go to the Digital World with them as he is worry about Gomamon's safety. Cody joins them in time before they leave, but is cut short when he tries to introduce himself to Joe.

• At the Digital World, Cody tries again with the introduction, but is again cut short when everyone starts to feel cold. Joe, being reliable as always, gives everyone his warming packets to warm them up.

• Yolei accidently drops her warming packet and finds Gomamon buried under the snow. They quickly dig him up. Joe and Gomamon have a small reunion, with Gomamon believes that Joe will definitely come. Armadillomon, being a bit angry with Cody from earlier, says that even if he send SOS Cody won't come. Gatomon tells him to stop being oversensitive.

• The group gives Joe the details about Control Spire that they'd known so far.

• As everyone wonders how to reach the Control Spire, Davis comes up with an idea of building a wooden sleight to cross the snowfield which they do.

• Wormmon inform the Emperor that the DigiDestined has now entered their domain. The Emperor sends out the Fridgimons to guard the Spire. As they're outnumbered, Joe suggests they rush pass the guards as destroying the Control Spire is their number one priority. The group agree with him. After dodging the avalanche and jumping across the abyss, Cody falls into the river but Gomamon saves him.

• At the nearby cave, the group decides to let Cody stays back and warms himself first, with Joe, Gomamon, and Armadillomon staying behind with him. Cody doesn't want to let everyone down, but others tell that he has to focus on his health first. The rest continue their mission of destroying the Control Spire. During this time, both Cody and Joe confess that they skipped Kendo Practice and Exam at the Cram School in order to come and help their partners.

• Unfortunately, the Digimon Emperor decides to attack Cody's group with a controlled Shellmon. Gomamon and Armadillomon (who Armor Digivolves into Digmon) engage in a fight with him.

• Seeing that Digmon is in trouble, Cody tries to approach, which Shellmon changes the target to him instead. Digmon manages to protect Cody in time. This action clearly touches Wormmon's heart.

• While Digmon easily destroys the Evil Ring, the nearby controlled Ebidramon quickly drags him into the river.

• At the Control Spire, Davis and Flamedramon handles the Fridgimons with ease. Trusting that Davis and Flamedramon can handle the Fridgimons, the rest focus on destroying the Control Spire. They succeed and the Fridgimons are released from the Emperor's control. This allows Gomamon to Digivolve into Ikkakumon and save Digmon. A bit of comical moment between Wormmon and the Digimon Emperor (who refers him as Ken).

• Joe asks Gomamon to be the guardian of this area and tells him to always contact him whenever he needs help. Cody finally gets to finish his introduction to Joe. Kari comments Cody for him finishing what he had started, and everyone teases Cody that he has inherited Virtues from both Izzy and Joe.

• The Emperor asks Wormmon for his opinion about their next plan, something that Wormmon isn't exactly willing to answer.

• Back at the Real World, Joe suspects that there might be a Digi-egg with his crest somewhere in the Digital World and hopes that Cody get to inherit it. Cody proposes that everyone should visit his family sometimes. Kari and Davis quickly agree to his proposition, with a comical twist about Davis might eat all her and the Digimon's snack portion. Davis, in return, tell DemiVeemon to take it easy on his portion, earning a pout from his partner. Cody tells everyone to not worry, as there will be enough portions for everyone.

Analysis

• Camaraderie doesn't always exist in the Digital World as the Gizamons are willing to harm Gomamon to save their own hides. This, in a way, is connected to why the Digital World decided to allow more human children to become a partner to the Digimon.

• During this episode, Cody is having dilemma of being "Reliable". He wants to be reliable for both his grandfather and his team (like his late father), but finds that he is unable to make a good end to both priorities at the same time. Meeting with Joe allows him to clear up some doubt, but not all (yet). There is also the part about him wanting to "finish what he had started", and not wanting to be a burden to his team. All which factor in Reliability.

• By the way, I think Saban was right to choose "Reliability" over "Honesty" as the translation of Joe's crest.

• We're introduced to Cody's grandfather who is quite a cheerful person himself, despite being a supposedly strict individual as implied by Cody. (There are good reasons for this). Cody's grandfather tells him to be relaxed, try to see the world in more than black and white, and stay true to himself.

• Speaking of Black and White Morality, that's the theme of this season's villains.

• Joe is now a much more decisive person and provides the group advices and supports. Guess Tai's positive influence rubbed on him too.

• Not everything about Davis is his crush for Kari. He is empathetic, he is resourceful, and his friends and comrades trust in him. Trust is actually an important of Davis' characterization, especially for his bond with Veemon.

• We're given an important hint that Wormmon is not evil despite being on the Emperor's side.

• I guess it's a good time to talk about this topic here: Why Veemon, Hawkmon, and Armadillomon regress to In-Training form in the real world, while Patamon, Gatomon, and Wormmon are about to maintain their? Being sealed for so long meaning that they didn't have constant training or action to maintain even their Rookie form. Patamon, Gatomon (who naturally Digivolved to Champion by herself), and Wormmon all have experience fighting alongside their partner, although Wormmon himself has to regain the battle experience post Digimon Emperor Arc. There is also the fact that Armor Digivolution is like borrowing power from the 01's Virtues, limiting Veemon/Hawkmon/Armadillomon's growth, unlike Wormmon who fights as Stingmon , his natural Digivolution. Obtaining their Champion forms is a first step for building up their own strength, and in a away, stepping out of the 01's shadows and growing up as their own individuals, fighting with their own strength.

Dub Change/Differences

• The Emperor promises "rewards" (Evil Rings) for the Gizamons if they beat up Gomamon.

• Dialogues between Davis and Kari is mostly the same, with slight alteration that Davis claims to be studying French.

• Fruit Jelly is specified as Prune Juice in the Dub.

• Cody's grandfather's lesson is more about being reliable, but the meaning is still similar: "For you to be reliable for the others, you have to believe in yourself first".

• Upamon is quite hyperactive here.

• Armadillomon isn't as sarcastic to Cody as in the original.

• Joe gives Cody herbal tea instead of cold medicine.

• Joe points out to Cody that everyone has their one duty, and them staying being is for a reason, which they soon understand that they've to stall the Emperor so that the rest can focus on destroying the Spire.

• The Emperor asks Wormmon for Plan B which he replies "We could all become friends?".

• The last part is less about "snack portion" and more about DemiVeemon already being Davis partner.

Total: 98% faithful to the original

The next episode is quite a light-hearted one, but never the less, important for Yolei, Mimi, Hawkmon, Palmon, and the meaning of "Sincerity". With three more episodes, we're approaching the end of "Beginning" part of the Digimon Emperor Arc.

Previous/Other Analysis

• Episode 1

• Episode 2

• Episode 3

• Episode 4

• Episode 5 - Here