Lap 02 - Captain Falcon

This article is about the second episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime. For other uses, see Captain Falcon (disambiguation).

## Captain Falcon

### Episode

2

Captain Falcon is the 2nd episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

One month has passed since Ryu was awoken from cold sleep. The Mobile Task Force's machines are seen racing on the practice track, with Ryu Suzaku and Jack Levin practicing under Jody Summer's watch. Ryu messes up a turn, prompting Jack and the rest of the Task Force to go check on him. Despite Ryu's unconscious state, Jody scolds him on having lost to Jack.

At the Galaxy Police headquarters the next day, Dr. Clash fixes the Dragon Bird while engaging in a conversation with Jack. In response to Jack's complaints about Ryu and not getting "what Jody sees in him", Clash teasingly remarks that Jody is giving more attention to Ryu and calls Jack out on his fondness for Jody. In response, Jack gets embarrassed and kicks Clash's rear. This is interrupted by Mr. EAD running in to alert the other two that Jody has been summoned to John Tanaka's office. Jack expresses concern that she could be fired due to the accident Ryu endured from the previous night on the practice track.

The scene transitions to Tanaka's office. Dr. Stewart is also present as Jody assures Tanaka that Ryu just needs more time in order to prove himself. Tanaka's doubt is cut short as Jody becomes assertive and declares that she will take full responsibility from that point. Afterwards, Jody returns to tell Jack and Mr. EAD to call Ryu to the main room.

In the main room, Jody briefs her team on the situation. She explains that of the several areas where high profile criminals are kept, the fifth installation, Alcatrand, (on an unnamed planet) is where criminals go for cold sleep. Alcatrand's security footage depicts Black Shadow and his evil organization Dark Million breaking into into the prison 5 years prior to 2201. The security robots are overtaken by Dark Soldiers, leading to a successful revival and modification of the notorious criminal from Ryu's past, Zoda. Jody also states that Black Shadow's motivation is to take over the universe, which is why the Task Force must stop Dark Million from winning the prize money in F-Zero races. But as she looks to Ryu with a speck of hope, Jack doubts in Ryu's ability, calling him an "old relic" as Ryu leaves the room.

The scene changes to night as Ryu trains alone on the practice track again. Zoda's visage taunts him as he comes to a stop. It isn't long before Ryu runs the lap again and ends up falling asleep until the sun rises.

At the Falcon House, a popular cafe and resting place in Mute City, the owner, Bart Lemming, is washing dishes. He then greets Ryu and asks if he wants the usual order. As they talk about Ryu getting used to the city, Ryu says he had lived in it 150 years ago, referring to when it was simply New York. Behind him, a group of girls are having a conversation about Jack Levin, before Ryu turns and asks to confirm if he overheard them correctly. They confirm and then ask Ryu if he knows Jack, to which Ryu claims he doesn't really know him, only that the name 'rang a bell.' Slightly disappointed, they assume Ryu also isn't interested in F-Zero. One of the girls, Lucy Liberty, announces that she is going to the F-Zero race on the planet Nintese, and invites Ryu to come along. Bart also says he will attend, and explains F-Zero to Ryu as "a race of wits and ultimate skill" which is also "enjoyed by more than just the younger generation."

Framed photos of the legendary racer Captain Falcon line the walls of the establishment as Bart coincidentally says he himself was once a racer, until an accident on a hair pin turn due to counter steering too much. He then explains that counter steering is also an old driving technique, so modern machines are do not require it as much. Awed by his knowledge, the girls compliment Bart. However, he does remark that there are "bad people" in F-Zero, as a rather loud set of machines, piloted by members of the Bloody Chain, pass by the Falcon House. Lucy wonders if there are any "good pilots" that would help out with the situation.

Back at the Galaxy Police headquarters, Jody briefs the Task Force that the planet Nintese is the location of the next race. Ryu runs into the meeting room and demands to know why he wasn't called, to which Jody states the Task Force doubts his skill level at this point. Ryu then returns to the park by the Brooklyn bridge and recalls a memory of him and his girlfriend, Misaki Haruka, on a boat together, with Haruka feeding the seagulls. After the memory, the scene changes to Ryu driving in the Dragon Bird, passing by a bus with the girls from the Falcon House on it. All is well until the same gang from before also pass by, indicating a sign of trouble.

A shot of a warp gate pans out as it connects the buses to another location, prompting Lucy's excitement at the sight as the bus zooms into the next area. A view of Nintese's cityscape pans out as Lucy rambles about F-Zero in vivid detail, expressing absolute joy over going to an actual race, feeling the roar of the engines, and so on.

Meanwhile, the Task Force overhears a distress call on the police radio, calling for all units to draw attention to the Bloody Chain (albeit not mentioned directly by name and referred to as a street gang) attacking a shuttle bus in District D, Highway 325. Rather than assist, Jody reminds her teammates that winning races is their first priority, and suggests to let the local police handle the bus situation.

Ryu, however, is in pursuit of the gang as they fire rockets at the bus and cause it to lose control. Coming to a stop next to the bus as the Bloody Chain gang approaches, Ryu then emerges from his machine and announces that he is a member of the Mobile Task Force (despite the fact that the Task Force is a secret division of the Galaxy Police, and that this is not public knowledge until much later). The gang disregards Ryu's authority shortly before the Blue Falcon arrives on the scene. Captain Falcon emerges from his machine, striking fear into the Bloody Chain and sends them retreating, while the girls on the bus are overjoyed at the sight of Falcon. He simply smirks at Ryu and says "See you at the race," before driving off.

At the race, Lucy notes that she doesn't see Ryu or the Dragon Bird, but within moments, Ryu shows up to prove himself, to the surprise of Jody. As the race goes on, Jack and Ryu go head to head with each other until Captain Falcon comes up in the Blue Falcon. Jack uses his boost, but messes up the landing and ends up with his machine overturned. Falcon wins first place, with Ryu in second.

Jack is tended to for his injuries, but Jody slaps Ryu for disobeying her orders. Dr. Stewart also scolds him and says that Jack might be injured because of him. Jack, however, claims that he is fine and tosses a small cylindrical object at Jody for her to catch, while revealing that he intentionally sabotaged the Dragon Bird. Angered by this, Ryu knocks him down with a punch. The rest of the team is disappointed in Jack, but Jody says "it's just how Jack works."

At the hospital, Jody visits Jack, bringing a bouquet of flowers along. As she enters the room, the nurses who were clamoring over Jack leave, resulting in a conversation between the two Task Force members. Jody accuses Jack of allowing Ryu to win so his performance wouldn't risk her losing her job, but Jack disregards this and claims that he simply didn't want Falcon to win. Jody then tosses the cylindrical item, from before, back to Jack, and says it was part of the Astro Robin. She then thanks him for "giving Ryu confidence," and leaves, but Jack says he didn't do anything for Ryu and smiles while facing the window.

The scene then cuts to Ryu walking into the Galaxy Police headquarters. Lucy comes up from around the corner, to Ryu's surprise, and reveals that she is joining the Task Force with a smile and a salute.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack refers to someone as a cute girl. Ryu tells him to "get serious," and introduces Lucy as their new partner in the Mobile Task Force. Jack assures Ryu that he'll give her a proper welcome, but Ryu says that Lucy got herself into trouble, and that Zoda has appeared. Jack notes that the situation is bad. Ryu then announces the title of the next episode, and tells the viewer to use their heart and Boost Fire.

## Bart's F-Zero Classroom

In this Classroom segment, Bart talks about the "best" F-Zero pilot, Captain Falcon. Falcon's true identity is a mystery, which seems to be "the usual for a hero." Bart praises Falcon for his racing technique, commenting that "it takes a great pilot with a good technique to win an F-Zero race." Promoting the Falcon House, Bart invites the viewers to learn more about Captain Falcon there, adding that it is only 280 credits for coffee and 480 credits for breakfast.

## 4Kids English Dub Changes

* For the list of changes, see this page.