Episode 23--The Crown [of] Thorns I: City in the Mist

[--The text of the title as seen on screen says "The Crown Thorns". Technically, therefore, that should be considered the correct title. I've included the [of] just for form's sake.]

Esther collapses in abject grief; Cain is unmoved. Oh well, I have other ways, he says, and walks away, leaving them behind.

William and Leon arrive and try to calm Esther, who's clutching Abel's body protectively. Let's leave here for now, says Leon, drawing her away, though she tries desperately to keep hold of him. They gaze at her compassionately as she sobs and struggles.

We see her curled up against a coffin surrounded with candles and roses, on which a wreath of red roses lies. She replays his last moments over and over in her mind. I killed you, she thinks. I'm so sorry…because I interfered, and I couldn't do anything…you saved my life, and I never even repaid you. I couldn't do anything then… and I can't do anything now…

On the Imperial ship bearing Ion to his mission, Asta tells him the news of Abel's death. What does this mean? What happened in Albion?--he demands. I have no details, she replies, only that he was killed in the line of duty. Ion orders that the ship change course and rush to Albion, but Asta says no, our mission is to negotiate with the Vatican, and we can't do anything in Albion that will help; we must stay on course for Rome. She adds --more gently-- that she shares his feelings, and that if she had wings she'd go to Albion this minute. We see the grief in her face as she wonders, tovarash, what happened there?

We see Cardinal Caterina in the vault where the red-haired woman lies [frozen? in suspended animation? Her face is perfect and unchanged despite the many, many long years of her death]; she gazes down at the beautiful cold face in sorrow. I'm sorry, she tells the late Lilith, but I need this for the one you love. Abel… A metal-capped black tube rises from the floor and Caterina takes it with her. We see her outside in a windy field; someone walks away carrying a metal case. "Take care," she says, and a familiar level voice replies, "Positive."

Petros and Paula have an audience with the Pope and Cardinal on board a Vatican airship; he thanks the Inquisitors for their work, and tells his sister when they're back in Rome he needs to discuss something with her. Discuss something?--she's surprised at his seriousness. [He even looks older.] Yes, he says, he's thought a lot about what he's seen and heard; he's not sure what he can do yet, but...she smiles (!!) and says she'll set aside time for him whenever he wishes. He asks if Esther is safely returned and hopes he'll see her. Petros and Paula shift uncomfortably…well, they say, she's in a church on the outskirts of Londinium; she says a priest she worked with fell in the line of duty. He died?--asks Alessandro sympathetically…

Vanessa reports to Virgil that the Autojaeger have been eliminated, the residential area is safe and the Pope has been seen safely off back to Rome. We're sealing the Ghetto, he says, we can't allow them to come in again. What are they? his sister asks. I don't know the details myself, I've only heard things from my predecessors, he says; but I believe they're the Orden, the enemy of the world. They think that will still move? It was hundreds of years ago when it flew, she says…Virgil completes the lockdown and rises. Take care of everyone, he says; I'm going to get the Star.

A brilliant sunset over Londinium…then the shadow of a huge ship falls over the city. Without warning it fires a blast that raises a huge shockwave, shaking the buildings, vaporizing pedestrians, sending buses tumbling through the street. On board, Cain surfaces from the bottom of what looks like a nutrient tank and is told that the Excalibur System has been activated. He's not very interested--too busy complaining about Isaak's shoddy repair job on his body last time. I thought we'd get through this quickly, sighs Cain, but that stubborn Abel damaged the rocket's control system, so I guess I'll have to take him with me after all. You're recovering 02? -- asks Isaak from his astonishing pentagram throne. Yes, with his memories I can access and control the rocket directly, says Cain; he should know the emergency code. Well, while you do that, I'll destroy this meddling town, smiles the Panzermagier, and quotes the Bible as he fires off another blast: "for behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven.." The dawn of the world to come, he says; we will purify this aged world with a pure white light…

Petros and Paula run thru the city, talking as they run--there's no information on the attack available, just confused stories of a blast of light in which people vanished. And this after what happened to Father Nightroad--do our enemies possess magical powers?--wonders Petros, and Paula tells him sharply that talk like that could get him investigated by his own division.

As people run through the streets in panic, William and Leon observe from a limo; William comments that they're trying to break into the palace and demand sanctuary, which is natural under such circumstances. He notes a familiar hooded and cloaked figure approaching the car and smiles: you made it, Hugue, he says. [It is indeed Sword Dancer, not seen since episode 10.] Hugue gazes in at them gravely, "Master," he says…

In the church outside Londinium, Virgil appeals to Esther. Lady, he says, the allies of Contra Mundi have appeared in the skies over the city, using an unknown weapon to kill many civilians. The people are in a panic. The Vatican and the government of Albion, and my Ghetto, have joined forces to respond. --But, huddled against the coffin, she gives no sign that she's heard him. Do you intend to lie there forever? he asks her; it betrays Abel's soul to give up his long battle with the Orden. Still no response. Virgil sighs. I intended to speak less formally, but now there's no time, he says, and taking her shoulders, lifts her away from the coffin. You have a duty to this country, Lady Esther, he says, you are the only legitimate heir to the throne.
She finally looks at him: "what… did you say?" He tells her that Crown Prince Gilbert, the Queen's son, was assassinated by Contra Mundi agents fifteen years ago; but the Prince, just before he died, secretly had his newborn daughter sent overseas to be raised in the safety of a convent. That was you, Sister Esther--no, Princess Esther. And your country needs your power now. He kneels; "Please help us," he says.

I have no power, she replies, desolate; I couldn't do anything...and then she hears a voice. I'm your friend. Father--? she asks in surprise; she clasps her hands in prayer, looks up as if asking his guidance. Father Nightroad, she whispers, and her face clears of pain. Let's go, she says.
Lowered onto the roof of the palace by a helicopter, she addresses the panicky citizens, telling them that chaos and riots are just what the enemy wants. They trick and manipulate us, using the fear in our own hearts to make us see others as enemies. But don't be swayed by their terrible invitation, she says; don't forget your feelings for each other. As the crowd calms, Mary Spencer looks at Virgil: "She can't be--?" Virgil smiles; yes, she is the Star of Hope, he says. Princess Esther, the next Queen of Albion.

And William grins: let's go! -- hits a button, and their limo (is it a Rolls-Royce?) suddenly extends jet wings, pushes engine nacelles from its stern and launches into the air. Onboard rocket engines, top speed 350 km/h! he proudly tells Leon, who looks utterly horrified as the rocket-Rolls zooms over the city. It has missiles, too, which William launches at the Orden's airship. Right on their heels arrives an Inquisition heavy cruiser, which also fires on the Orden craft, but it surrounds itself in an energy-sphere that repels the attack. The Panzermagier smiles. Let's play a little longer, he says…

...go on to Episode Twenty-Four, the series finale.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.