Heroes we always hold in the highest regard because we feel they represent the best part of humanity, inspire us to be more than what we are so that we can become heroes ourselves. But sometimes there comes that terrible time when some completely dishonor that title and it makes us see them not as a hero but a complete stranger.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the show and it's a tragic one. It's also sort of the classic motif on the conflict between student versus mentor and the need to surpass them. You really feel for Bravestarr as he is facing the heartbreaking reality of seeing his mentor fallen from grace, as if he's been betrayed.
It's interesting how we see a contrast between Gingles from the past and now which is sad but it's true about most people. Gingles we see from the past use to be happy, wise, has friends, a promising career, pretty much everything. And now we see him in the present he's became dirty, bitter, tired, and old; it sort of represents how his sins have truly weighed down on him overtime.
Gingles we see part of the reason is not just his obsession with winning but really he's forgotten what victory is really all about. And after his loss he worst of all forgotten who he is when in one moment he threw it all away for his own pride.
Part of the other theme of the episode is about victory. Victory isn't really about being the winner but is really about honorable actions of a person and their strive to achieve. Gingles really did lose that sparing match not because he fell into the mud but because he cheated by drawing his weapon and shooting his opponent despite the fact he beat him fair and square. Cheating isn't winning it's the opposite because it's achieves nothing; Gingles deep down know it's but doesn't want to accept the truth because he's still obsessed with winning even though his streak has long ago ended.
The true hero in the story is Bravestarr because he's never forgotten who he is and know what victory really means. He has had his losses but those losses just made him want to strive harder and become even better at what he does, which is part of what made Bravestarr the hero he is today.
I really like the conflict at the end, I won't say who wins but lets just say true heroes are ones that never celebrate till victory has been strived for as much as achieved.
Rating: 4 stars
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