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Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5 Review

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Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5 Review – Quick Summary

In Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5, “Blessings,” Touri launched his election-day speech through Malves, his proxy. Despite Malves’ unrelenting arrogance, the People of the Land responded warmly to a familiar formula: royalty pledging to support them and their dreams in a safe environment. Even the Adventurers responded well. Then Eins spoke for a few moment, and because he put his effort into speaking from the heart, he only widened his appeal. Finally, it was Lenessia’s turn to speak. What could she say to get the crowd on her side — so they would vote for her and the Round Table? And just what has Shiroe been up to — and will it help their chances at all?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5

Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5: Akatsuki is way more opinionated than she lets on.

Akatsuki sees a lot and keeps her own counsel! Capture from the Funimation stream.

For several seasons now, Shiroe had been taking Akatsuki with him to visit reclusive sage of Mirror Lake, Regan. Shiroe always treated the Sage with the utmost respect, and it was clear that Regan knew a ton about magic of all kinds.

I’d never really given it much thought, but if you’d asked me what Akatsuki thought about Regan, I would have said she had the same opinion as Shiroe. After all, she didn’t say anything different! Plus, she has such affection for Shiroe that I figured she just adopted his opinion of Regan.

What I had forgotten is how strong-willed and independent our little assassin really is. In this episode, as Shiroe talked about the People of the Land he intended to add to the Round Table, he introduced Regan. The crowd was amazed and there was widespread talk about how astonishing Regan was.

“So he really is a big shot,” Akatsuki said (12:45).

Regan should feel validated now!

Best in Show Moment for Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5

Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5: Eins harbored no ill will.

Eins didn’t hold any animosity towards Shiroe, any more than Shiroe did for him. Capture from the Funimation stream.

Setup: The Power of Speeches

The pivotal part of this episode was a pair of speeches. Growing up, I had watched the news. I’d seen tons of political speeches. Some were moving, some of them boring, but none of them stuck with me. To this day, about the only speech I remember is from the year I was born, and I only remember it because I’ve seen it reproduced. It was John F. Kennedy’s speech that kicked off the race to the moon.

“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard,” the president had said. Powerful stuff, but it was an isolated example.

I didn’t fully understand the power of speeches until I read Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. In Act III scene 2, Marc Anthony delivers a powerful speech that starts, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” It then went on to do work rhetorical magical that blew my college mind: It changed the phrase “honourable men” from praise to damning condemnation. Most importantly, Marc Anthony took the crowd with him. I finally understood the power of political speech.

In this episode, it was clear that both Touri and Lenessia understood that power, too. Touri, through Maldives and Eins, and Lenessia, along with Shiroe, poured their vision for Akiba into the words they spoke to the crowd.

Lenessia remembered Krusty.

Lenessia well understood the power of speeches. Even if a stray thought of Krusty distracted her! Capture from the Funimation stream.

The remarkable thing about these speeches? They were honest, and they were heart-felt. That really touched me, and not just because both properties are stunningly rare in these times. There was something else that really got to me — and earned the Best in Show designation.

Delivery: Two Parties, One Goal

Eins surprised me, and not for the first time in this episode. Remember back in episode 3, when Eins said he wanted a clandestine meeting with Shiroe? I figured Eins planned to offer some kind of deal to get Shiroe out of the way. But no! Eins wanted Shiroe to work for him as his strategist! It’s not that Eins hated Shiroe. Eins hadn’t decided to leave the Round Table out of disrespect or distrust. He seemed to honestly think he had chosen the right road, and he wanted Shiroe’s help on the way.

After Shiroe announced his plan to remake the Round Table, I figured Eins might be angry about that. Maybe angry enough to use the occasion of the stump speeches to plant some barbs. Instead, Eins did the opposite.

My favorite moment in this episode was when Eins said (05:56), “I guarantee that everyone will be busy because helping each other is quite difficult work. However, that’s exactly why we, each candidate, are trying to create the Akiba Government or the New Round Table Conference to help those who try to help each other.”

Then he turned to smile at Shiroe, who, looking a little relieved, smiled back.

Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table Episode 5: This is the kind of fight Shiroe can enjoy.

Shiroe didn’t want an ugly fight. He wanted what was best for Akiba. Capture from the Funimation stream.

It’s a simple thing: two men sharing a common goal, both thinking their way was the right way. What made it extraordinary? They respected each other enough to leave room for the possibility that the other was right. That’s a beautiful thing. It’s something I wish we’d see more often in real life. But until we do, I’ll have to be content with these fictional moments. They’re better than nothing!

What did you think of Isaac’s farewell message to Eins? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

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