Goblin Slayer - Episode 11 (Review)
By: Mithrandiel
Miss my previous review? You can find it here!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Summary
Following the discovery of numerous goblin tracks on the outskirts of Cow Girl's farm, Goblin Slayer has a grave realization: there's a massive, imminent goblin attack - and he doesn't have the means to defend the farm, or the ones he cares about. After he asks Cow Girl to flee (and she passionately declines), he turns to the only other resources he can think of: the adventurers guild.
He strides in and walks right up to Lancer, who has been largely indifferent to Goblin Slayer's adventures over the past few weeks. In typical Goblin Slayer fashion, he cuts right to the chase - asking for assistance in battling back an oncoming goblin horde. The adventurers that hear this respond with incredulity and laughter.
Why doesn't he just take care of them himself? Lancer appears to join them, but when he realizes the severity of Goblin Slayer's request, he offers his help in exchange for "a drink sometime". As Lancer agrees to help, the rest of his party joins in, which spurs other adventurers to lend their help as well. Soon enough, the adventurers guild announces that they are offering a 1 gold bounty for each goblin head delivered. Among the din and excitement, Goblin Slayer recognizes that he has more friends than he realizes as they all prepare for the goblin attack.
On the fields of battle, the adventurers clash with the goblins in a series of staged attacks, all orchestrated and organized by the Goblin Slayer. The goblins are outplayed at every turn, as the adventurers battle back the horde with minimal losses.
As things get more desperate, the Goblin Lord attempts to retreat, but is cut off by an intimidating Goblin Slayer - ready to make him pay for staging the attack in the first place!
Review
What a fantastic episode this week! The key scene was definitely the adventurers all stepping up to the plate for Goblin Slayer - the payoff of those "errand" episodes that helped sow seeds of trust and friendship among the various adventuring parties. Everyone from newbie adventurers to battle-hardened paladins arrived on the field of battle ready to lay down their lives for Goblin Slayer. It was a touching scene that carried a lot of emotional impact.
The action sequence was also a great payoff - we got to see Goblin Slayer employ his strategy and knowledge of the goblins' battle tactics in a different setting, and with a variety of different adventurers to boot. Seeing the Paladins in action was particularly entertaining.
While the majority of the episode is spent recruiting help and planning, the pacing feels great. The flow of the narrative makes sense, and is leading to a conclusion that should be satisfying for fans of the series while they wonder if a season 2 will eventually happen.
Speaking of the finale - it airs today! Stay tuned for our thoughts on the final act!
