Episode
                  40: A New Leader 
                  Airing Date
                  2000-04-28

            In the last action-packed episode, Heero Yuy surprised us all by 
            announcing his plans to kill his unrequited love, Relena Peacecraft. 
            Heero's twisted logic was that by killing Relena, he'd put an end to 
            the "fake peace" breaking out on Earth. He also hoped to expose the 
            hated Romefeller Foundation as the antagonistic, war-mongering group 
            that they really are. The truth is, Heero's plan isn't half bad. The 
            Romefeller Foundation is a bunch of narcissistic old men bent on 
            getting their way even if it means wiping out the space colonists 
            who are mostly innocent pawns. Where Heero's plan is flawed, 
            however, is that he's underestimating two things: 1) Relena's intent 
            to bring peace to both Earth and the five colonies and 2) how easily 
            those old men can be swayed by a pretty young girl wearing a tiara. 
            The title of this episode, "A New Leader," speaks of two different 
            groups and two very different leaders. Queen Relena is the first 
            leader. She's nearly assassinated during a speech to the entire 
            Foundation. Heero does his best John Wilkes Booth, aiming from high 
            atop a balcony seat, as Relena addresses the Romefeller fellas. Just 
            as he's about to pull the trigger, however, Relena issues a 
            declaration -- she calls for the withdrawal of all OZ weapons on 
            Earth. If there is to be a lasting peace, she claims, it must start 
            with Romefeller itself. The Foundation members are surprisingly 
            swayed and give the girl a standing O. Heero realizes that Relena 
            might be up to the task of taming OZ so he leaves the scene… but not 
            before Relena spots him aiming at her noggin. When these two meet 
            again, it should be a flammable reunion. 
            Duke Dermail, who saw the writing on the wall, flees to outer space 
            with a large OZ armada. Unfortunately for the old man, he runs into 
            an even bigger contingent of White Fang Mobile Dolls. The Duke's 
            ship is hit and Dermail's last resting place is somewhere between 
            Earth and the sun. His granddaughter Dorothy is heartbroken... until 
            she remembers that she's the one who sent him to his death. Wonder 
            if she's listed in the guy's will? Hmm. 

                  A sister and brother divided by war yet united by awful taste 
                  in clothes. 
            Just as Romefeller begins to turn all softy and gooey, though, White 
            Fang declares war on Earth. Then they introduce their new leader, 
            Milliardo Peacecraft, AKA Zechs Merquise. Poor Relena. On the day of 
            her biggest success, her own brother spoils the party. That's 
            sibling rivalry for you. 
            Where are the rest of the Gundam Boys, you ask? Chang Wufei, who's 
            trigger happy, attacks White Fang and winds up floating powerless in 
            space. Duo, Trowa and Quatre run into Howard, an old friend of 
            Duo's. Howard offers to act as supply mechanic for Gundam Sandrock 
            but it's clear Howie's got reasons for his generosity. Like everyone 
            else in the "Gundam Wings" universe, his politics are as important 
            as his blood. Which means that we're all in for an interesting ride. 
            Stay tuned -- the After Colony 195 Campaign Trail continues… 

            --Ross Brooks, who's voting for Relena cause she's a hot babe.