Baby Shower continues the excellent story being told in Born to the Blade. This third episode does indeed feature a baby shower that is political not friendly. Baby Shower focuses on character interaction and builds on the subtleties of episode two, Fault Lines.
TL;DR
Baby Shower is another enjoyable entry in the saga of Born to the Blade. Recommended.
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From the Publisher
This is the third episode in the first season of Born to the Blade, an eleven-episode serial from Serial Box. This episode is written by Cassandra Khaw.
In the Warder’s Circle of Twaa-Fei, the truth is a game, and nothing can be taken at face value. Not even friendship. Warder Ojo Kante and aspiring warder Kris Denn strike an alliance that surprises them both with its swiftness and magnitude, while Ojo’s gregarious nephew Adechike plies a bond with the young Kris. Junior Warder Bellona Avitus is trying to emerge from the shadow of her cruel superior, the Mertikan empire’s Warder Lavinia Junius, by throwing a baby shower for Warder Penelope Krykos. Penelope, a fierce battlemistress, has little interest in the gaudy affair, but she too will seek advantage where it is offered. And Lavinia’s junior, Cassia, welcomes home her exuberantly boastful lover, Anton, another quick friend for Kris. Meanwhile, the Warders and their juniors are all furiously working schemes, and Oda no Michiko is feeling more torn than ever between her imperial duty and the demands of her ancestor, the Golden Lord, slain by Lavinia’s own hand.
Story
Baby Shower deals with the fallout from Penelope’s revelation and Ojo’s seemingly until now unexplored feelings towards her. Kris continues to deepen ties with Quloo but advances no further upon their journey to become a warder. Michiko puts in brief appearances and is conflicted between duty to Mertika and her homeland of Kakute.
Ojo is square in this episode’s sights, and that’s wonderful. He continues to be the most interesting character, and his sense of loss at Penelope’s departure breaks the heart but doesn’t stop him from his duties. Hardly any action or magic appears here, but the interpersonal dynamics become increasingly clear. In particular, Lavinia’s cruelty is on display and makes her the Cruella De Vil of Born to the Blade. Except, you know, with a sword and much crueler. I loved the verbal fencing which she initiates.
Writing
Cassandra Khaw penned episode three, and it flows well with the other two in the series. If I were more familiar with each author’s work, maybe I could differentiate between each installment. But as of now, each episode maintains the same level of quality throughout. In this episode, the titular baby shower stood out. I liked the description of the…exhibits? Performance art? Whatever you want to call it, I thought it made a tense party much more interesting.
Conclusion
Episode three gives us more insight into the characters and hints at mysteries that will hopefully pop up soon. The episode advances Ojo’s plot while incrementally moving the others forward. I enjoyed the interaction between characters here and am ready for episode four. Baby Shower is another satisfying addition to the Born to the Blade serial.