Dragon Ball Super Episode 27
There’s a whole lot to love in this episode of Dragon Ball Super. To begin with, things start off in a positive direction as Vegeta drops the ultimate bombshell on everyone by turning Super Saiyan Blue like it’s no big deal. It’s also pretty awesome to see Goku acknowledge that Vegeta achieved Super Saiyan God form on his own through sheer determination and training, whereas Goku required the help of five other Saiyans to unlock that power. It’s a small distinction in their characters, but it’s all too fitting that Vegeta clawed and scraped to unlock this energy whereas Goku just did a prayer circle. Furthermore, once Vegeta turns on the fireworks, Frieza appears to be genuinely frightened at Vegeta’s demonstration of power in a way that he wasn’t with Goku. I daresay that it looks like Dragon Ball Super might have even allowed Vegeta to become stronger than Goku. He’s at least the better fighter at this point. The episode’s hearty Vegeta worship is an appreciated angle, but when it comes to the moment of actually annihilating Frieza, of course the honor is still given to Goku. I don’t care who pulls the trigger, gets the credit, or however the episode wants to spin it, but it’s pretty obvious that Vegeta is the one that beat Frieza here. If not for him, everyone would have perished last episode. It’s also a major deviation from the Resurrection ‘F’ source material, which has always paid off the show. “The Earth Explodes!?” doesn’t waste any time in demonstrating Vegeta’s bad-assery. In a matter of seconds Vegeta moves Goku out of harm’s way (by kicking him, of all things) and then richochets one of Frieza’s energy blasts right through Sorbet’s chest, killing him in the process. Why run the risk that he might become a life-endangering nuisance once more? Vegeta has no need for unnecessary variables and so Sorbet becomes history. The same slick, killer attitude is in place when Vegeta is seconds away from incinerating Frieza. His final words to him, “Your era has come to an end. You won’t be revived again,” is surprisingly poignant in how calculated it is. This is the end. I don’t think anyone watching this show thought that the Earth would actually stay destroyed—nor do I think the episode wants you to think that way—it’s just a cool, ambitious scene (although the series continuing on with Goku and company hopping through the universe, searching for the Super Dragon Balls to revive Earth with Frieza as a looming threat would still be a show I’d dig the hell out of). The show just as easily could have had Vegeta kill Frieza before powering up his Earth destroying blast, but this way you get to see the world go up in flames and the bad guy win for one perplexing second. Let them have their fun. Also, don’t expect this ability of Whis’ to “break” the show. Dragon Ball Super has churned out almost 100 episodes in Japan and this overpowered ability of Whis has never come up again. So try not to get too angry over it (besides, Jaco will arrest your ass). I also love Beerus experiencing self-loathing over the fact that he, a God of Destruction, actually helped prevent a planet from being annihilated. The Oracle Fish is going to get an earful of therapy once they head back home. Frieza perishes with a good chunk of time remaining and the episode does some nice work with basking in the aftermath of Earth’s safety. There’s a pretty adorable moment where Goku and Vegeta again bring up the idea of how working together might be the more efficient strategy, yet they both come to the conclusion that they have no interest in such an approach to fighting. It’s the one thing that they’re finally able to agree on. There’s also encouraging work done with how Gohan’s blunders in battle actually inspire him to pick up his game and get back to training. A less wussy Gohan is always a good thing. Finally, there’s a rather charming Easter egg where Trunks makes threats about slicing Frieza in half with a sword if he ever returns, with the gang all sharing a knowing laugh at how on the mark Trunks is regarding his Future, older self. Oh, and hey, Piccolo gets brought back to life. That guy’s cool, too. Read and download the full Den of Geek Special Edition magazine here!
