Let's Talk About RWBY Volume 8 Episode 7 - "War"
Oh boy. It’s the mid-season finale for RWBY’s eighth season. I don’t know that I can wait until February for the season to come back. If you haven’t watched the episode yet, this is your warning that there are spoilers ahead.
It's all out war in Atlas. Our heroes face an impossible problem. Where do they go from here?
Well, Salem’s army of Grimm sure is doing a number on Atlas’ army. Things are not going well and so Ironwood calls up Winter and the Ace Ops. They’ve arrested Jaune, Ren, and Yang, but have been given orders to drop a bomb off in Monstro and blow it up. Our three heroes can’t stand for this as Oscar is inside and they actually care about people. There’s some arguing where the Ace Ops try playing the moral high ground card, but the heroes quickly slap down their reverse to make things even more clear. They ask Winter if they can go and get Oscar and she gives them some time. Harriet isn’t happy about this in the least. I really do think that Winter is starting to see that Ironwood has clearly lost it and she’s going to side with the heroes more.
The big thing that happens at this moment is Ren changes. First, he actually speaks up and is siding with Jaune and Yang again. This makes me happy since he’s been at odds with everyone for a bit. However, he also seems to have unlocked a new level to his semblance where he can see people’s emotions or something like that. He can tell that none of the Ace Ops are terribly happy with their situation (least of all is Marrow). It will be interesting to see how this is used.
Then, we have Hazel beating the ever living crap out of Oscar and Ozpin. Well, Oscar asks Oz to trust him and starts talking. Oz hasn’t really been getting anywhere with trying to help Hazel realize that Salem is going to destroy the world and not save it. Oscar however, tells Hazel Jinn’s name and how to use the lamp. He says this is for him and not for Salem, so we’ll see what Hazel actually does with the information. Oh, we also learn that Hazel has killed Salem several times and eventually joined her because he couldn’t definitively end her.
Emerald listens in on this whole conversation and is really unsure about things. She goes to talk to Mercury who doesn’t think that Salem’s trying to destroy the world, but Tyrian explains that she is. According to him, Salem is “destruction incarnate.” I think Mercury might be questioning things as he goes on a mission to Vacuo with Tyrian, but I don’t think it’s going to change much.
The final section goes back to the group over at Schnee manor. Nora is still recovering and they’re trying to figure out what to do. Nora needs a doctor, but the Happy Huntresses need help protecting the people of Mantle. It’s a very difficult position. As they’re trying to figure things out, there’s a knock at the door. Seeing as how they’re in Atlas and wanted fugitives, it makes sense that the huntresses would be on edge and draw their weapons. Turns out it’s Klein! Klein was Weiss’ butler and caregiver who Jacque was stupid enough to fire. It’s a happy reunion made even happier when we discover that Whitley called him in. I have been so worried that Whitley would take after his father and just be an absolute jerk, but I guess I was wrong and I am 100% okay and happy with this. Klein goes to help Nora and a loud crash occurs outside the mansion. It’s Penny! What are the odds that Penny would crash here? The episode ends with her passing out and I’m not sure what to think or expect when the season picks back up.
AH!!!!! I just don’t know anything anymore!