Episode one opens up on a large, well developed city. Obviously this city, Blue City, is well established and has numerous sky scrapers and highways.

We start with Mikey on his first (blind) date with Julia, and after she confirms her name is Julia, he immediately calls her Jamie. He jokes that if she “plays her cards right” he might call off his other dates for that night. I... I kind of believe this pompadour asshole has other dates lined up lol (but obviously he sticks with Julia).

Their commute is rudely interrupted by RD in Liger Zero as it takes a shortcut?? down the highway, followed immediately by the Peacekeeping Bureau (PKB), with Ciao in her Arosaurer and Deed in his Gorhecks. I... have many questions about how Gorhecks could even possibly hope to keep up with Liger Zero with those stubby little legs. It’s obviously struggling.

Ciao specifically says, “you outta know better than to ride your Zoid through sector 3″. Is this... area specifically off limits? I’d think just “keep your damn zoid off the highway” would be good enough reasoning to pursue him. Are other highway areas okay for Zoids? RD also questions why Ciao and Deed were in sector 3, though apparently that restriction doesn’t apply to the PKB. WHAT IS SECTOR 3?

Zero starts to act up as they continue down the highway, causing RD to scold it and say “I sure wish you’d listen, at least once in a while.” Sounds like this sort of thing isn’t uncommon when RD pilots Zero, but afaik it never really comes up again. I’m sure it’s supposed to relate to his growth as a pilot.

RD’s path is cut off by Gummie in his Gojulas Giga (Giggles is my fave Gojulas). Also to note, RD and the PKB know each other on a first name basis. It makes me wonder what sort of trouble or such RD has gotten into before that required intervention from the PKB.

RD escapes by letting Liger Zero parkour off the side of a building. The building takes NO DAMAGE from this multi-ton large mecha animal jumping off it. What are these buildings made of? lol What did the people inside the building think?

Did this happen so often that buildings were just made to be Zoid proof?

So RD escapes and Ciao offers to chase him, but Gummie says “RD got away fair and square this time.” What does that even mean?? They KNOW WHERE RD WORKS. They could easily catch him there! What is this relationship??

Gummie then gets word of a jewelry heist, but we switch to RD entering the Mach Storm headquarters. He is greeted warmly by Hop. RD unloads his bag of APPLES on the coffee table. Did he just... take Zero out to get APPLES? (Apples and bag disappear from the table a couple minutes later.)

RD brags about outfoxing the PKB and immediately gets scolded by Sweet who yells how “ONE DAY THEY’RE GOING TO CATCH YOU” for breaking the law, despite the fact that they could CATCH HIM ANYTIME BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHERE HE LIVES.

Sigma encourages Sweet to knock RD “down a few pegs” and then maybe “get together for dinner and a movie.” This never comes up again. Sigma never at anytime after this shows any interest in taking Sweet out on a date. It’s so... weird. (Note: In the Japanese version Sigma actually TALKS OVER Sweet lecturing RD at her desk, and also comments on himself as a Zi Fighter ((probably in comparison to RD?)), but I can’t understand what he’s saying specifically.)

Helmut responds with much attitude “Yeah, right, Sigma. Like that’ll ever happen.” and starts to walk away. Again so weird. Helmut is so hostile towards Sigma (and RD) when they’re being little shits, and I get that they’re annoying but it’s just so JARRING. He shuts Sigma down in the Japanese version too, but it’s not nearly with as much spiteful energy.

Helmut decides to head out to help round up a pack of wild Zoids near Stall Town. I like how this was not a pressing matter and is just sort of a casual decision he makes after going through some paperwork. Though RD wants to tag along on the exciting field assignment, Hop gives him a courier job. RD whines about it, but Helmut insists Liger Zero is best for doing the job fast. While leaving, Sigma takes a jab at RD saying “try not to get yourself lost this time”, meaning RD has probably gotten lost on prior jobs lol.

BTW Mach Storm’s hanger for their Zoids is HUGE and bizarrely EMPTY.

Where's the maintenance equipment? I don't think this is what Marie Kondo meant.

Sigma continues to revel in RD being stuck as the courier, but Helmut tells him it’s because they didn’t think that SIGMA was capable of being a COURIER. Which I mean, I get it. Boldguard has even stubbier legs than Gorhecks.

Mach Storm also has an unnecessarily long tunnel to exit the hanger. Is it... is it underground? (Command Wolf’s run cycle is so painful to watch.)

Mach Storm’s headquarters has a decent sized clock tower on top. Odd choice, but okay. RD goes onto the... railed roof? balcony? idk, to sulk (do your damn job?? it’s supposed to be done fast??) and finds Sweet doing laundry. Who- whose clothes are those? I want to believe she took on a laundry washing job for side cash because THOSE CLOTHES DON’T MATCH ANYTHING ANYONE THERE WEARS. Anyway Sweet lectures him about how the courier job is important too and how even she and Hop are important despite not being pilots yada yada...

Seriously, whose clothes are these??

This is also the first time we hear mention of how RD’s father told him about The Legendary Alpha Zoid and how RD is determined to find it. RD gives in and heads off to do the courier job and reminds Sweet to fill in forms for the Battle League matches. (Kinda weird because the Battle League is never really THAT significant within the plot aside from a way to just randomly have some Zoids battles. Mach Storm never seems to be excited about or really into battling within the league.)

Sweet gets back inside and Hop congratulates her on talking RD into doing the SIMPLE COURIER JOB.

RD goes down to a warehouse to pick up the package that he’s supposed to carry and a shady guy greets him. He immediately insults RD for being a kid and doubting he’s old enough to have a license to pilot Liger Zero. (Interesting that AGE is brought into it when later Matt discusses his desire to get his Zi Fighter License when he’s clearly MUCH younger than RD. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Shady guy expresses how he needs the package delivered pronto, which must be terribly important considering how long it took RD to decide to DO THE JOB. The address for the delivery is 1355 Tevlar Street, in Easy Town. RD confirms the address on the paper and then the shady guy takes the paper from him and POCKETS IT. Hope RD didn’t need it for reference or anything considering he’s gotten lost before. (Maybe it was just a receipt.) Shady guy says the package needs to be delivered in 3 hours.

As RD rushes off to make the delivery, we get a glimpse of Amy peaking out from behind the warehouse building.

Helmut checks back into base to inform Sweet that he and Sigma finished their job and are going to get some food. (Note: The monitors they use retract into the desks.) Hop asks Sweet if she’s heard anything from RD. Though she says she hasn’t, she also states she’d expect the PKB to contact them if RD had messed up.

Hop then tries to turn on their TV screen, but the remote won’t respond. (#BoomerProblems). He says he wanted to show Sweet a picture of the Alpha Zoid, which... it’s an urban legend so... how is there a picture?? Is it like pictures of Bigfoot? Anyway, Sweet fixes the remote and turns on the TV.

This dingus claims this Servo X-18 angle grinder can boost the power of Zoids and for some reason I have some doubts.

Sweet informs Hop that RD believes in the Alpha Zoid because “his dad told him about it when he was a kid” and Hop sheepishly responds “well, stranger things have happened”. What stranger things, Hop? How many other urban legends have been proven true in this timeline??

ZOIDS BATTLE starts on the TV and it’s Renegade Force (the sad Godos team) VS Black Impact (the GREY Blade Ligers). Sweet goes into FULL FANGIRL MODE over Black Impact. Apparently she REALLY likes Rastani, but I don’t think she ever goes this gaga over him at any other time during the series.

Black Impact absolutely mows down Renegade Force. RD watches the battle from Zero’s cockpit and comments on how he can’t stand Rastani because he’s so cool. He also mentions that Rastani has a rich sponsor. I always thought it was just Rastani’s family that was rich, but IDK. Apparently even the rich, pretty boy needs a sponsor. RD also calls Zero a “low-tech Zoid”, and he needs to STFU. Anyway RD thinks he could be the best Zi Fighter in the universe [if he had a better Zoid].

Back at the warehouse where RD picked up the goods, two henchmen are getting chewed out by their boss for letting RD take the package. He’s worried that RD may open the package and the shady guy from before assures him that won’t happen. And honestly... shady guy is right. The package actually contains the jewelry that was mentions stolen earlier in the episode. Boss thinks he’ll be the richest man ever on Planet Zi when the jewelry gets sold off and, no, sir. You might want to up your game a little. Pretty sure the Zoid thieves in episode 9 make more than you. (They mention their contact in Easy Town's name is Franco the Face? Fence? idk. Whatever.)

It turns out that the warehouse is bugged and Burton of Savage Hammer picked up on the discussion of the last paragraph. I wonder how Burton got the transmitter into the warehouse HQ? Maybe he bugs all the warehouses. He seems like the type. Sandra decides that she wants to steal the jewels from the jewelry thieves (meaning from RD). Burton assures her that stealing the jewels will be as easy as taking candy from a baby, which Sandra replies “and I adore candy~” ...okay, Sandra. Sure. I guess that’s a one-liner. (Honestly, the way Burton says "Yesss." in reply to Sandra is worse.)

Sandra asks Blake if he’ll help with their jewel heist. He agrees, but then Burton questions if, and seems very concerned that, RD is the courier. Sandra with terrifying accuracy throws a dart past Burton’s head before he can finish his question. Sandra is apparently good at darts. She tells Burton to take care of the jewels and leave RD to Blake, but... how is that going to work when RD HAS THE JEWELS?

I wonder how often she does this...

Back to RD who is VERY BORED, he complains about being “out of tunes” and ejects two ZIP discs from Zero’s console. Didn’t realize Zoids could play music, but here we are. As he continues to complain about his courier job, he gets attacked from behind, and finds that Blake in his Berserk Fury is challenging him. Obviously they know each other. Blake offers to let RD make the first move, but RD says he doesn’t have time to battle since he’s busy with a job, so Blake MAKES THE FIRST MOVE. (Pretty sure this is not the first time someone offers someone else to make the first move and then just attacks anyway.)

RD avoids his attack and makes a run for it. They come upon a rocky terrain. RD banks right around a medium-sized cliffside, and for some reason Blake... goes left?? So of course Blake loses sight of Liger Zero and RD promptly takes the opportunity to pounce on him from above. He grounds the Fury for a moment and continues on his path to Easy Town.

IN EASY TOWN (which looks like a modern? Old West town) the pickup guy is waiting at the town entrance for RD to arrive, implying that he’s late. Amy walks up to him to ask who he’s waiting for and uses her sex appeal to cozy up to the man. Honestly, Amy’s motivations are the most mysterious in this whole series. The guy says he’s waiting for a package and that it’s “hush, hush” and Amy just proclaims that she loves secrets.

Doesn't look so easy for whatever died up on that sign post.

RD is still evading Berserk Fury and offers to battle Blake AFTER he finishes his delivery. Easy Town finally comes into view on his screen, so he picks up the pace as Blake continues to fire from behind. Hope Blake’s laser/beam blasts don’t actually REACH EASY TOWN considering how often he misses RD lol.

Burton suddenly fires upon RD from the sky with his Lord Gale, knocking Liger Zero to the side. He’s tired of watching Blake fail, which is interesting considering how nervous he was earlier at the Savage Hammer’s HQ. Perhaps he’s not afraid of RD but is concerned because of the connections between Savage Hammer and Mach Storm? Idk, it’s never explained well.

Burton and Blake argue over who’s going to take down RD (dunno why RD doesn’t just run off while they argue lol). Blake pulls out Berserk Fury’s claws and Burton confirms what fandom has always known: that they’re called egg beaters.

Burton demands RD hand over the package, and claims that RD isn’t anything like his father was. So somehow Burton knew RD’s father. RD attacks Burton, Burton evades RD, Blake attacks RD, RD evades Blake, THE JEWELS FLY FROM ZERO’S STORAGE COMPARTMENT. RD decides to finish the battle and runs for what seems like forever to charge up his “LASER CLAW ATTACK” and he breaks Lord Gale’s weapon.

As Burton’s controls start to go on the fritz, RD finally notices the bunches of sparkly jewels that are littering the ground. Blake claims the jewels are his, but RD states that they’re still his cargo and still need to be delivered! (See, shady boss? You had nothing to worry about.)

Liger Zero leaning in for a closer look is kinda cute.

Before they can continue their battle, the PKB show up. (Arosaurer has a REALLY strange slo-mo looking run cycle. Gorhecks is “running” with its front legs IN THE AIR. HELP.) Burton and Blake make a hasty retreat. The PKB stop RD from pursuing them.

Gummie informs RD that his cargo was stolen goods while poor Ciao and Deed scour the desert ground for the spilled jewelry by themselves. Apparently Amy tipped off the PKB (the shady thieves are terrible at being secretive), but all Gummie says was that the girl had a sweet voice. RD is just pissed off because he wants to get paid for the job, even though it’s highly unlikely that would ever happen.

Back at Mach Storm, Sweet is absolutely thrilled to try on some of the jewelry that was rescued. Why the jewelry was given to MACH STORM to watch instead of staying with the PKB or going back to the jewelry store is beyond me. She claims they must be worth millions. I hope they’re all made of zirconium. Hop tells her to enjoy them while she can, because the rightful owner will be coming by to pick them up.

Helmut asks who the tipster was, but Hop doesn’t know. Sigma says he “heard she sounded real hot.” Suddenly Amy walks in and sounds surprised to see that the jewels are still there. Apparently they’re her reward for tipping off the PKB. Amy grabs the jewels from Sweet and turns around and leaves. Hop comments on how Amy was the tipster (duh) and Helmut and Sigma both HIDE BEHIND THEIR READING MATERIAL IN FEAR as Sweet grows increasingly angry. Why is Sweet angry? Does she have a grudge against Amy?? Is the grudge so well known that that’s why Helmut and Sigma pulled back in fear?? It never comes up again.

Teenage girls are TOO SCARY.

Night has fallen over Blue City and RD takes a stroll downtown. He comes upon a crowd getting exited to watch a Zoid battle on a large screen over the street. (Some guy comments about how he wants to see the Vipers VS Black Impact, but that’s not what this battle is.) Mikey and Julia are there too and Julia is excited to see “Rasteenee”.

Rastani is being interviewed by Lilian. Rastani says, “winning has nothing to do with my chiseled good looks” and “I spend an hour in front of a mirror practicing my victory speeches.” Clearly a worthy and honorable man.

(Mikey has a bet on Rastani winning.)

Round 3 of the Zoids Battles (no clever name there) is about to begin. It’s Black Impact VS the Dark Assassins. The crowd gets fired up and RD starts to walk away. Before he gets too far, a cry of disappointment sweeps over the crowd. He runs back to see the broadcast and is shocked to see Black Impact has been defeated.

In Rastani’s greatest line ever he asks, “Did someone get the number of that... bus?”

The mysterious Dark Spiner stands in victory.