Dr. Stone: New World Episode 10 Review

Hello everyone. Welcome back to our Dr. Stone recaps! I have to say, the thing that hit me the most about this particular episode wasn’t anything that happened but rather realizing that this is the penultimate episode of the season. I’m already a little frustrated at the inevitable cliffhanger I see coming our way.

But also very interested in what’s going to happen next so I guess it worked!

How about you, Crow? Any opening thoughts before we dive into it?

This season has gone by fast – but I think we always say that, at least about the shows we enjoy! But I have to say it was great seeing Senku build a crystal radio receiver. I built one years ago and was shocked it didn’t need a battery! Nice to see Gen reacted in the same way. Aaannnddd… I’m already off on a tangent. Sorry. Please carry on!

Ok so just to get us back into it, as you may remember last week, Kohaku, Amaryllis and Ginro all got picked to be a part of the master’s harem and were heading off to the inner palace. The idea was that the secrets of the petrification ray were most likely there and these three would be able to infiltrate and investigate under the guise of concubines.

From the little we were told, it would seem that the inner palace was something akin to the one in the forbidden city. Not in architecture (unfortunately) but in concept.

Basically, the inner palace is a specific area complete with living quarters and all the amenities required for a full life and all of the Master’s concubines live there. They are guarded by warriors (we didn’t get into any information on whether they are eunuchs or not, however, they were certainly not immune to Amaryllis’ charms). Anyone else is barred from entry and infiltrating the inner palace is punishable by petrification and statue destruction. And of course, the ladies cannot leave either.

What do you think about the idea of an inner palace? Is there a reason they all end up in the same general structure? Practicality most likely. Still, it would be more interesting if all the concubines got split up into different spots in the city. It would give the master some variety!

I’m still wrapping my head around how the city’s laid out. Very curious about the one shot we got of Ibara stepping into what looked like the inner sanctum in the inner palace to kneel before a… what? A back-lit person behind a screen? I was beginning to think Ibara ran things and only pretended there was a master. You know, to throw the assassins off.

Anyways, as the infiltration team (those are the concubines) were heading to the inner palace the science team (the remaining gang) were busy sciencing. More specifically creating a small receiver earpiece which turned out to be simple but limited. Perfect for an earpiece though and Kohaku became the recipient and therefore the point of contact.

Crow, what do you think about this one-way communication? Kohaku can receive messages but for the most part, they don’t know if she heard or understood. They tested one message but that’s all. And she can’t relay anything back. Not easily. Would there have been a better way? Coded messages on tree trunks? Or is this the most subtle way and allows for much speedier (one-way) contact.

I loved the idea of a zero-power receiver. I mentioned a crystal radio earlier – to me, since I don’t understand the science, receiving and being able go hear radio transmissions without power is magic.

Also, as the father of a deaf son, I immediately thought they could just use sign language. Keep it simple – yes and no, for example. Those signs can be subtle and could be visible for quite a distance.

That was a bit of a trick question there because even the science team realized that it would be useful to have a way to receive messages from inside the inner palace. And so they created a basic electromagnet motor! Wait, that doesn’t solve the communication issue…let me explain. They created a roughly controlled mechanical rat that can zoom through the inner palace and carry small things.

In this case, Kohaku managed to capture it and send it back with a message. Unfortunately, as none of them can write, it was a Pictionary message which I never ideal. Especially when written in blood. Still, it was a pretty good idea, right Crow?

I agree! If the infiltration team is indoors when something goes wrong, the science team wouldn’t know. So, having a mechanical equivalent of a flare seems like a good idea.

Before we go back to the message, let’s talk just a bit about life in the inner palace. We didn’t see much and the team hasn’t been there for a long time so we only have a few details. It does seem like the chosen girls have to go through something like etiquette classes which…I guess is fine. The Master likes his ladies demure I suppose. And they also do have quite a few warriors and guards wandering around the place.

We saw the inside of a hut for a few seconds while Kohaku was writing the message and it was completely empty. I’m not sure if that’s due to the animation budget or if concubines really are supposed to sleep on the floor of empty huts.

The entire thing is a treetop village connected by high suspended walkways. It looks really cool. But it also looks almost impossible to properly guard. Just in this episode, the science team sends in a little rat machine without any issue. Kohaku has been jumping around all over the place and it’s clear that if she wanted to leave it wouldn’t be an issue.

Do you think there are security measures we haven’t seen yet, Crow? And what did you think of the guard with the magnificent muscles?

Also, do you think they know what Kohaku has been up to?

As a security professional myself, I had to manually set the “suspension of disbelief” button. You pointed out the main reasons. I tricked myself into saying that everyone is so terrified of Kirisame that everyone stays in line. If that’s the case, why so many warriors? Because dictators always want the trappings of power, and soldiers go along with that.

The guard with magnificent muscles made me laugh. Of course, I was thoroughly ticked off that he just destroyed a petrified person to show off his strength. But in his defense, I don’t think any of them know that petrification can be undone.

But then, that means they must think petrification is murder… So, maybe I don’t want to use the phrase “in his defense…” The way Amaryllis distracted him made me respect her even more. She had to be gagging inside, but she sold the illusion she was interested in his muscles.

I really don’t think they know what Kohaku’s up to – but I wouldn’t be surprised if Kirisame suspects something. We know that Mozu knows Kohaku is up to something, and that she’s way stronger than she pretends to be. It’ll be interesting to see that play out!

Ok so I’m going a bit back and forth in the episode. Here’s the actual plan as Senku designed it at the beginning of the episode. The infiltration team lays low and explores the inner palace trying to get as much information as possible about the place, the master and the petrification beam. Ultimately though, their goal is to isolate Kirisame and get her to use petrification by throwing that jug thing. At that point, the science team will swoop in with a drone (yes a drone) a snatch it out of midair.

The thing is, they have to actually construct that drone before the plan can proceed so timing is an issue here.

What do you think of this plan, Crow?

That’s a tough one. Senku gets points for creativity. To be honest, I hate to disagree with any of his plans, because he’s smarter than I am. But I have to wonder if just turning Kohaku lose against Kirisame might be safer? Once the petrification grenade’s in the air, it’s wildly dangerous!

The infiltration team have been making good use of their time in the meanwhile and Kohaku believes she discovered the remains of the space shuttle.

And she really did some pretty impressive observation and analysis there. The kingdom of science has rubbed off on her, don’t you think Crow?

It has! I love how the show presents her as both powerful and intelligent. She’s more fun to root for than a female version of Magma! That dude can barely reason his way through an open door.

And that brings us back to the bloody note. The one message the infiltration team thought was important enough to relay back to the science team. And kudos to Gen for figuring it out!

They found the platinum!

Potentially the key to undoing all the petrification in the world (manually and therefore very slowly but still). Things are picking up!

The scene of Senku and Gen figuring out the note is my favorite part of the episode. It was fun seeing Gen cut loose with his particular brand of intelligence!

It really was such a fun scene!