All the action you were hoping for was frontloaded into the first 10mins. In Saiyan rage, he assaulted Black while Vegeta countered Zamasu. I loved the callback to DBZ when Trunks used Gohan’s Masenko technique! How exactly Trunks was able to hold his own against Super Saiyan Rose Black is a mystery. Fans disagree with my analysis and think that Trunks has achieved a new form. Yes, his gold aura is filled with blue similar to the Super Saiyan God. No, he is not a God. He has not done any of the training Goku and Vegeta did. The God form in not a raging burst of emotion, but a total control and focus of one’s ki. Yes, his pupils are missing, his footsteps leave crators, and his hair is extra spiky. No, he’s not the Legendary Super Saiyan. That was Broly. He only existed the movies and Vegeta recognized his power, whereas he made no mention of the legend as Trunks fought Black. Trunk’s appearance may have changed, but this just seems to be a greater output of energy at the Super Super Saiyan state (SSJ1.5). Again, I think blue is just a cool effect the animators included.
When Trunks is the last hero standing against the foes, he demands that Bulma take Goku and Vegeta to the past and figure out a way to stop Black and Zamasu…again. Didn’t we already retreat through time? What about the big bag a sensu beans? Didn’t they bring those along so that they could heal and keep fighting? Instead of eating a few to heal, Vegeta hands over the magic beans to Mai and the two strongest fighters in the universe run away…again.
In the present Kid Trunks has become very invested in the fate of his future counter-part. When he finds out his parents and Goku failed, he gets his best bud Goten and tries to go to the future himself. Bulma stops them, but it’s hard to read Vegeta’s reaction. He’s upset that Bulma has more faith in Goku than anyone else, but he should be proud of his son’s fighting spirit. Vegeta should’ve taken Kid Trunks with him but the Prince trains alone to defeat Black. Other DBZ main characters enter the stage as well. Chichi has been dumbed down from a spirited female martial artist and caring mother, to a clueless housewife. After an annoying reunion (and big meal) with Chichi and Gohan, Goku tries to think of a way to stop an opponent he’s lost to twice. I will mention when he hears his father’s story, Gohan suddenly realizes why Future Trunks came to the past again. He becomes visibly upset with himself and the situation, but doesn’t do anything about it…yet.
The answer to defeating the immortal Zamasu of the future comes from the past, the very distant past. No, not Dragonball Z, but the original Dragonball. I never expected to see this again, especially not twenty years later in a spinoff that seemed to have lost all touch with its roots. Much to my surprise, Piccolo suggests that if Goku cannot kill Zamasu, then he should use the EVIL CONTAINMENT WAVE! Super does a reanimated flashback to King Piccolo’s defeat, and the Pilaf Gang suddenly realize who Piccolo is (duh). I’m astounded. Goku is actually training with Master Roshi again! He’s learning a move from the silver age of martial arts shounen! HALLEJUAH!
The episode starts with an epic, then recaps the situation, brings a few characters up to speed, then ends with martial arts training. It’s taken four sagas and over sixty episodes to get here, but it looks like senile old Toriyama cleared out the cobwebs and is providing a decent action adventure plot. I liked that Trunks, Goten, and Gohan got some screen time, and are at least aware of the threat. Now they just need to take the next step and get involved. If Goku fails to imprison Zamasu with the Evil Containment wave, or Vegeta can’t kill Black, then it will be up to the saiyan sons to defeat these foes. They shouldn’t be sitting on the sidelines waiting for their turn. They should be training NOW so that when the time comes, they can fight beside their fathers. Super has made great leaps since its first doofy story arc, so I greater faith that this could actually happen at some point in the series. On the other hand, removing Black’s time ring (or cutting off his whole hand) may also defeat him, leaving the immortal Zamasu do deal with. Beerus and Whis went to Universe 10 again to request the Kaioshin take care of Zamasu. The Kaioshin master believes choosing Zamasu as an apprentice is the cause of all this trouble, so I think he may travel back in time to prevent himself from making that choice.
thefletchzone 