RWBY Volume 8 Chapter 6 Reaction - A Cinderella Story

[@billyhargrovedeservedsomuc183]

Emerald: was an orphan waiting for scraps Mercury: killed their parent for being abusive Cinder: “Why not both?”

[@aswd90]

True.

[@dominiquebyerd407]

FUSION

[@Purgers2]

This is a high quality comment.

[@CallieBlader]

i thought it was mercuries brother... am i remembering his back story wrong?

[@karimjrhabassi94]

@@CallieBlader no it was his dad

[@rubyrose7881]

Everyone else: *chaos and screams and nervousness fear everywhere* Robin and Qrow: *vibin in jail*

[@jojoecr7626]

Qrow just playing Bad luck charm on a harmonica vibin

[@manuelalejandrooviedorodrigues]

@@jojoecr7626 damm that IS a mood

[@chrisbanas1499]

Hopefully Robin and qrow get out a prison

[@deltanitros]

Free my nigga Qrow

[@chrisbanas1499]

@@jakepayne9707 maybe that's true but he care about his Ruby and yang surely he' be willing to help them before getting revenge

[@Sazenami]

I think my favorite part in all this backstory of Cinder is that it finally makes sense why she hates Ruby so deeply, beyond just beating her in a couple fights. We see that Ruby is literally everything Cinder would have wanted to be in the past. Supportive family, became a huntress early, overly optomistic, powerful inherently, and gets away with most anything she does. Cinder still trying to put her past to rest and feel she made the right choice, but Ruby shows her everything she could have been and WINS.

[@gamingwithtdcoco]

She's actually scared of Ruby

[@Tyrantlizard874]

You're both right, really

[@cross172]

My favorite part of Cinder’s backstory is the reveal that she was training to be a huntress. It’s interesting to think that she could’ve been a hero, had she not been pushed too far.

[@marqusmedina5983]

That’s my favorite part.

[@tobiasskorupa1649]

There is a reason why I like Good Cinder fanfictions.

[@Purgers2]

YO BUDDY 9:12 in the song it says "some hero's choose the wrong side" You just made me realize this. Holy crap haha good job I think that's a good point and that's a reference in the song

[@OpKingDimond]

i dont think she wanted to be a huntress to be good but to be one for the power and position

[@dominiquebyerd407]

*Hero starts playing*

[@hiagain1463]

Harriet: "Where's Penny?!" Me: "LOOK 6 FEET TO THE RIGHT, YOU HAVE A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW."

[@mizel.i]

I hate to admit but Salem is so good at being boss and general . The way she acts to Cinder, using of grimm river etc.

[@andreyandrov7810]

Indeed, I see people complain about how indirect she is with her tactics, but she has all the time in the world. Taking the patient method has proven much more efficient since it also gives her time to divide her enemies.

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

@@andreyandrov7810 The only problem is that Salem has been on Remnant for countless thousands of years, and her faction only started gaining traction in their quest for world domination when Cinder initiated her plans for the Fall of Beacon.

[@Elizabeth-go4kv]

@@andreyandrov7810 She's got the time to spare

[@chrisbanas1499]

Salem managed to took down a shield it got everyone surprised wide open no one see that coming

[@phobiawitch835]

@@TheGreater-ScopeVillain Actually, her plans have likely been forming for centuries, as she goes about to gather information about each relic and split people. For all we know, The Great War that led to the Color Naming was probably started by her as just another way to split everyone. And, as we saw in volume 6, about 50-70 years prior (or so I’m guessing based on Maria’s age) she was working to wipe out everyone with Silver Eyes. We only have met 3, and only 2 of them are still alive (Maria, who has no eyes, and Ruby, who is a target). Plus we don’t know how long she’s been experimenting with The Hound, which could be quite old given it’s sentient nature.

[@lalex9988]

Now the ‘You Atlas elites are all the same’ and ‘I refuse to starve’ comments from Cinder in Volume 7 makes sense

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Yup. "Poor writing", my foot!

[@BigFella117]

Cinder: “It took seven seasons for my characterization” Zuko: *that’s rough buddy* Edit: 26:10 Whale Grimm: “Finally, I’ve been floating for hours!”

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

Honestly, this might be my favourite episode of RWBY to date. Certainly my favourite of Volume 8 so far. I also believe that we are not done with Cinder's backstory yet; as amazing as it was for me, I think that we may still get more of it in the future. I actually have no issue with Cinder's backstory being pushed back this far. Not only has RT been able to learn from mistakes made over that period, but Cinder's backstory is depicted in better animation, and the relevant songs were able to have been sung by a much-improved Casey Lee Williams and her new band Ok Goodnight. Not to mention the fact that it also makes complete sense why her backstory first came while in Atlas, as that's where her trauma mainly comes from. And perhaps more importantly than all that, it also provides fuel to the plot point of Cinder's rapidly growing hatred of Salem and thus her future betrayal of Salem - the parallels between her slavemaster's treatment of her during her childhood to Salem's treatment of her currently is really well done, and provides further motivation and foreshadowing for Cinder to turn against Salem and seize all the power for herself. They couldn't have gone this route if they had just shoved her backstory in during Volume 4 and/or 5. So ultimately, the unexpected delays turned out for the best. Songs like "When It Falls", "All Things Must Die" and "Sacrifice" can be seen to convey Cinder's emotions after she started fully on her quest to absolute power - her anger, her hatred, and her malice towards humanity and the world of Remnant as a whole, and also to reinforce the idea that, as Miles Luna said about Cinder: "This woman will not be stopped." The as of yet unnamed song that played during Cinder's servitude at the Glass Unicorn tells of Cinder's feelings before then in the buildup to that state. Or rather, it shows the feelings of _other people_ towards her, and the physical and mental anguish that Cinder endures which in turn spawns those negative emotions in her as she is slowly broken over the course of her childhood, laying the groundwork for her subsequent development into an unyielding force of pure evil. And then the song that plays when she fights and kills Rhodes, "Awake", gives us some insight into Cinder at the time that she finally breaks (which happened when she was only about 13, too), casting away any remaining shred of morality and beginning her murderous campaign of “bloody evolution” and vengeance against the world. The betrayal that Cinder feels from the Huntsmen here leads back to points she makes in her speech to the world in Volume 3: *_”This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians. But are, in reality, nothing more than men. … Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honour and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither.”_* Here, Cinder is speaking from her own years of abuse; despite her experiences and instincts telling her no, she, as a ten-year-old child, chose to put her trust and safety in the hands of the Huntsmen, only to be betrayed and, in her view, shown the true ugliness of Huntsmen and humanity as a whole. This gives further context to Cinder’s hatred towards the world, the disdain with which she treats others with indiscriminately, and why she takes so much pleasure in the destruction, pain and misery that she causes others. Her experiences have warped her vision of humanity, leaving her with no room to trust and no room to care, instead viewing others not as people, but as though they are worthless, loathsome creatures, fit only to be ruled or intimidated or sent to die for her plans. Back in Volume 5, Jaune once asked Cinder how she could be so broken inside, to take so many lives and then come in and rub it in everyone’s faces like it’s something to be proud of… and to do it all with a smile. Now we know how, and Remnant will never be the same again because of it.

[@chloeswoveland3907]

Lol

[@chloeswoveland3907]

Oof

[@BigFella117]

@@TheGreater-ScopeVillain holy shit, that was well thought and well written. Very well said

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

@@BigFella117 Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.

[@quinintheclouds]

It's surprising to me how many reactors saw Salem say that to Cinder and went "What?? She isn't punishing her?" and I'm here like. This isn't a promotion. This IS the punishment. Salem's just drawing her back in so she can use her again and again. Textbook manipulation tactic -- be cruel, then be kind. Make the victim fear you and trust you. If you sense them pulling away, pull them back in with a moment of feigned understanding. Cinder's been abused her whole life, and abuse victims are especially vulnerable to this. Still not a huge Cinder fan, but I definitely empathize with her now. My parents used a shock collar on me for a bit (among other things), and yeah, that HURTS. But it's the moments in between the punishment that you allow yourself to breathe, and to hope. And that hope that maybe they'll stop hurting you is what keeps you alive, but it's also what makes it so hard to leave. But it's not a reprieve. It's filled with the constant terror of knowing more pain could come at any moment. It's the breath in between that lets you fill your lungs to scream. Salem tortured her, fake-apologized, and offered her everything she's ever wanted. She knows exactly what she's doing.

[@MAK3L_]

You're parents used a shock collar (among other things) on you? And I thought my life was bad. I am so sorry

[@lenatraceroxton1363]

I hope you're okay...

[@quinintheclouds]

@@MAK3L_ I have no idea how bad your life has been, but one person's suffering doesn't negate the suffering of others. You don't have to downplay anything. Saying you can't feel bad because someone has it worse is like saying you can't feel good because someone has it better. I'm sorry your life has had suffering in it

[@quinintheclouds]

@@lenatraceroxton1363 I am now! Moved out and living with friends, several states away from my parents. Abuse is an awful thing, and trauma can't be undone, but recovery is always possible. Thanks for being nice :)

[@kashv.k2797]

Yep. Manipulation is a....bad word

[@simplymad6283]

She's Ruby's foil to a T. She wanted the same thing as her but didn't get the happy ending.

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

Rhoses was a bright guy, giving someone being clearly abused a deadly weapon and not even trying to help via you know any of the probably numerous ways he could have legally helped her, since i doubt any kingdom is cool with shock collaring children into servitude

[@MrAuthor3DS]

@@MrSHADOWANGEL999 Part of me wonders why he couldn't just use his Huntsman authority to try the Madame. Another part wonders of that's because Atlas's society WAS that bad...

[@swingandamiss47]

I feel like Cinder hates Emerald because Emerald reminds her to much of her childhood

[@andrewaigalew]

I feel like Cinder will only be proud of Emerald when she finally lets go of her. When Emerald finally finds a reason to fight for herself, Cinder will appreciate her growth but it'll be too late.

[@azu6985]

just realized that in every outfit Cinder covers up that part of her neck. Huh.

[@mizel.i]

In her tournament outfit she isnt

[@raquelguerra-velascogarcia2653]

@@mizel.i I think she has it covered with some sort of choker..... Like the one she has with her V1 - 3 dress. Also, she may have used make-up

[@Snagaxela]

If memory serves, her neck is uncovered in her tournament outfit and her "infiltration" outfit from "dance dance infiltration".

[@VegetaLF7]

@@Snagaxela Fittingly both when she's pretending to be someone else. Whenever she's in "her" outfits, she covers the neck.

[@detectivechubbs]

@@Snagaxela they probably didn’t consider her backstory yet

[@YouAnd_OnlyYou]

And just like that, the second day of volume 8 comes out *swinging.*

[@doot_slayer]

You mean this has all been two days?

[@YouAnd_OnlyYou]

@@doot_slayer yup.

[@alexjd1278]

@@doot_slayer yeah i know right The whole volume is only 2 days so there aren't any breaks for the characters

[@Jordan-gp3mj]

That’s CRAZY lol. But understandable. « Our enemies aren’t going to sit around and wait for graduation day. They’re out there... »

[@colt1903]

"Cinder is the gift that keeps on giving, but the plot twist is nobody wants the gift." -MurderofBirds 2020 The most quotable thing you've ever said because damn, it's true!

[@AgentZ46]

Hey man I want it. I love this woman :p

[@foam3132]

@@AgentZ46 I like her, but post v3 she hasn't been anywhere near her best

[@colt1903]

@@foam3132 Which, arguably, is the point, but even then it has gone on for FAR TOO LONG...

[@foam3132]

@@colt1903 Tru

[@careywho560]

I like that Cinder's backstory made us understand her and have sympathy for her, but not feel the need to forgive her. She continued the cycle of anger and pain. Just because you can care about a villain doesn't mean that justifies her actions. She is a killer in the end. Beautiful!

[@tenofprime]

Indeed, she was unjustly treated and tormented both physically and mentally so you can understand how in a moment of panic and anger her choice to react that way made sense. It changes nothing about the fact that she is a killer and must be dealt with as such.

[@JJR93]

@@tenofprime I think we can agree above all how shitty and awful the Kingdom of Atlas is, how the wealthy nobility lord their wealth and power over the downtrodden. If this incident happened while they were traveling in Vale, a much more egalitarian Kingdom, I think their justice system would've showed some mercy and tried to rehabilitate Cinder, as a juvenile offender. But in Atlas, Cinder can expect a swift summary judgement & execution. She's an indentured servant and not a slave, but...she's brutalized so terribly I can't say I don't sympathize with a slave or servant revolting and killing their abusive master. The powers that be in Atlas won't see it that way, but other Kingdoms would.

[@Novice9241]

It’s a case of, ”I’m sorry that happened to you, but I can’t let you keep doing this?”

[@Tyrantlizard874]

You know that CRWBY is actively trying to improve when stuff like THIS happens. 👍

[@hopper8514]

Many stories try to put it in a more “forgive them” light but this one didn’t give me that at all, which is rare if you know me. It still showed her murdering people in a fit of rage.

[@FordGTmaniac]

I knew it, the Grimm arm Salem grafted onto Cinder wasn't meant to be a show of care and compassion, it was meant to control her. Cinder ripped off one leash only to have another one set in its place, and do you know what the best part is? Only Ruby can get rid of it.

[@jittercritter]

YUP! It would be crazy to get a scene of Cinder begging her to get rid of it, but o doubt that will happen lol

[@JJR93]

@@jittercritter Ruby burns it off and Yang stands before her to say "there is another way..." (won't happen but would make for decent fan fic)

[@julioelguapo5783]

Ruby is Cinder's worst enemy...BUT Ruby is also Cinder's only salvation, omfg

[@shadekeigarblacksky]

Now that's great!

[@illienlorem5318]

Thank god for the people who are finally starting to get the delicious intricacies of this show.

[@Rixec2]

Because Atlas ignored Mantle instead of patrolling it, that allowed the River of Grimm to get in close under their nose and then shoot up into the sky to infiltrate Atlas and take down the shields.

[@blackvial]

You think the Atlas Air Fleet would have seen that river coming even without patrols

[@Rixec2]

@@blackvial Perhaps, but the problem is Atlas gave up on Mantle, where the river was presumably heading. It didn't matter to them what happened to Mantle. Irony.

[@Brandon-gz9nx]

Man if only Atlas was in the upper atmosphere like Ironwood planned

[@Rixec2]

@@Brandon-gz9nx It's still a poorly conceived plan while he is breaking down from paranoia and PTSD. At best, it'd be a slight delay for Salem.

[@prince_youtube12345]

@@Brandon-gz9nx You and I are seeing eye to eye here.

[@tigrebleu7458]

Salem's playing Cinder like a talented musician plays his/her instrument after years of hard work.

[@jittercritter]

In volume 3, Cinder tells Emerald “know your place” and smacks her. I really love Cinder’s character. A lot of people seem to think she’s poorly written, but I think the direct opposite. Also it’s interesting that Cinder wanted to be a huntress, but circumstances and a lack of mental stability prevented her from doing so. Whereas Ruby wanted to be a huntress, and circumstances and leadership skills allowed her to, even before she was technically old enough. No wonder Cinder loathes her. She stands for everything that Cinder feels like she was robbed of. I also like the detail that Em and Neo were to the side, since they were the minions of minions, but Mercury has equal standing with Cinder now, so he knealt next to her in the lineup. Also that threat at the end was terrifying. Depending on who succeeds, the hound might take Cinder’s place completely. I find it somewhat ironic that she has to compete with a soulless wild animal for her job. That’s also classic manipulation tactics-hurting your victim, then offering “peace,” when in reality, all the abuser is offering is a chance to hurt again. I feel like it’s making us think our inside man will be Hazel, but it’s actually going to be Cinder or Emerald (or both). My ideal Cinder death would be dying for Emerald, if I’m being honest.

[@SylviiTea]

-Salem... the queen of manipulation! -I absolutely loved this episode! Since Cinder alludes to Cinderella, we all already knew her backstory... but seeing her twisted fairytale story played out gave depth & purpose to her character, and fleshed out why she is the way she is today. -Cinder definitely sees her self in both Emerald, a street rat, and Mercury, cast aside and abused by his “family”.

[@illienlorem5318]

"Since Cinder alludes to Cinderella, we all already knew her backstory..". That is about the most astute comment I have read on Cinder to this date, and probably the best one to be made.

[@Blazingstoke]

"She lost every fight that she was in..." Um...you want to tell Pyrrha that? (Or Amber, or Ozpin...)

[@blackvial]

Amber was a three on one fight so that doesn't count

[@phobiawitch835]

Ozpin was also an old man, essentially, so his reflexes were likely not as strong as they will be once he and Oscar fully become one (a younger body with thousands of yesrs of muscle memory). And Pyrrha has been fighting for some time at the point she reached Cinder, against Penny, the grimm and whitefang, the ordeal of starting the machine to transfer the maiden powers, and all of that would have taken a toll on her aura. Ozpin certainly didna deal to Cinder before that fight, which is why she was having some trouble until Pyrrha’s attack backfired and resulted in her aura breakinf.

[@phobiawitch835]

@blue We don’t know how much tome exactly passed between Pyrrha’s foght with Penny, and her going to get the powers. She was attacked by a Nevermore, as we saw, even if it didn’t hit her, there was that shockwave. Plus, something I forgot to note is the strain we saw her push herself through lifting the broken elevator. And I do still agree, because even with Ozpins age, in most cases he should have easily taken Cinder. I have to guess though that the first few minutes with Maiden Powers (or with ALL the powers) are when your powers still have the strength of the previous host. After that, they need a recharge of sorts to make it so the new host doesn’t get overwhelmed-hence the need for training, which Cinder had to endure for Volume 4. Penny hasn’t had that chance with the Winter Maiden powers, but it’s clear they aren’t as strong as when she first got them the night prior. And Raven, she has had an undisclosed amount of time to train hers, so we don’t know what happened when she first got them. There’s too many unknowns with the powers still, and with Ozpins fight

[@kenstorm707]

@blue Yeah, but see, Oz's magic has been getting weaker ever since he divided it among the Maidens. So Cinder managing to beat him isn't entirely implausible.

[@ht82smash]

Oz was kicking her ass though. I don't think she beat him

[@Akash93621]

Back here again yall, and again, ofc, not surprised, his thumbnail/expression is ON POINT!

[@manosbouzoubouzou1386]

Really like the outfit change your majesty, but what brought it on?

[@mercuryblack5841]

@Qrow Branwen sure old man say hi to summer for us xd salem gonna win and you know it

[@rubyrose3055]

Isn't this cheating. Does this mean Salem knows everything the MC's have been doing

[@mouradkhdhaouria8987]

The password for the lamp is Gin!!! Now her Oscar go!!! 😢

[@goddesssalem4842]

@Raven Branwen Raven branwen , youre a coward woman, you tucked your tail between your legs and ran off leaving your family behind. Yang was right for once , because your afraid of Salem!!!!. You ain't stopping nothing woman

[@Hope-og3ei]

Finally, we reach the climax of midseason for RWBYV8 when we watch this murderer's tragic backstory, Arnold. Be prepared for the next one.

[@carm_ar]

The Fall of Atlas has begun. There's no way we're surviving this.

[@Min_e_midget876]

Depends on who dies

[@angeliquecheung574]

*Seeing the end* We’re screwed.

[@Yaboi-if8bw]

Did anyone notice that the sword cinder was using actually looks like one of her own dust swords?

[@smugzelda1687]

She uses the same sword in V 1-3 i believe

[@jdoggivjc]

What really got to me in Cinder's backstory is the life she's currently living is a life she never actually wanted. She just wanted to be free from her abusive foster family, but the way she went about it led her down a path she was never able to return from. Knowing for a long time she was based on Cinderella, we all knew her backstory was going to be tragic, but it was even more tragic than I even imagined.

[@SentaiYamaneko]

Rhodes has two major references. The first is the Colossus of Rhodes, related to his semblance. But the most significant reference is Rhodopis, the tale of an enslaved Greek girl who married the king of Egypt. This is considered to be the very first rendition of the tale of Cinderella.

[@mercuryblack]

Prepare your eardrums, guys 😄

[@Hope-og3ei]

Yeah, you are right. Our heartbeat is banging quickly like a drum from Jumanji.

[@nev.1]

Maybe dont use headphones for this one 😬

[@SeanCC]

This is one of the episodes I've been waiting almost a year to see Arnold's reaction and I'm going to be really disappointed if I don't have to buy new speakers tomorrow LOL

[@lillilpillow5141]

@@SeanCC time traveler lmao

[@SeanCC]

@@lillilpillow5141 heh, nothing so exotic. I'm actually the lead Crowds artist for the show.

[@Ramseas119]

saw this comment on a different reaction video, but Rhodes said "just a few more years and you'll be ready for the Huntsman exam" when he gave her the sword. based on her appearance, its possible that Cinder killed Rhodes when she was the same age as Ruby when she went to Beacon. would make for a fun little parallel between the two character's stories.

[@TheHeroOfMobius]

OK Goodnight's song "Awake" was actually released a month ago on their Under the Veil EP. It's well worth checking out and is a collective bop.

[@williamwoodruff1800]

The moment that EP went out I listened to it ten times over.

[@kevinmerz2036]

The song during the fight between Cinder and her mentor is actually Awake, a song by Casey's band, Ok Goodnight. It's such a banger.

[@matthewletexier]

He made a point to say that

[@kevinmerz2036]

@@matthewletexier Yes I'm just impatient and commented this before I finished the video, but I'm also too lazy to delete it.

[@NaomiTCOOKIES]

Thanks for this comment. I wanted to know the song name asap

[@tw_lostit]

I feel like cinder thinks that if she gives attention to emerald cinder will end up like Rhodes due to how similar cinder and emerald are so cinder knows how training emerald will end

[@erickamakeeaina1649]

What if Emerald kills Cinder and Cinder does the thing Rhodes did when she Stabbed him.

[@Lonii04]

@@erickamakeeaina1649 that would be really good

[@Honk4frogs]

I loove Salems writing this season. She knew exactly how far she could push cinder. She knew the perfect moment to act kind, just in time to prevent a defector. Thats what makes her different from cinders stepmother. Salem is far better at using people.

[@user-iu4fm5rb8i]

Millenias' worth of manipulation experience helps alot.

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Yup. Salem's pretty much a less interesting Bill Cypher: OP in all the right ways

[@sananaryon4061]

So fun fact, this was the first episode that made me geninly cry in this show. Just. Cinder a victim of child abuse who met someone who actually showed her love but not enough to actually get her out of it. Of course she lashes out, she was a child!

[@grimoireweiss6428]

In the immortal words of DEADPOOL and BENDER, "I think we can all agree that SH*T just went sideways in the most COLOSSAL way." And "WELP WERE BONED."

[@richardrojas9387]

The hound smelled Neo, Cinder and Esmerald. If they fail I think the hound will hunt them down, or will anyway

[@noocshere6671]

Esmerald lol😂 the name reminds me of that rat guy from Hotel Transylvania

[@richardrojas9387]

@@noocshere6671 🤣🤣🤣

[@laull530]

imagine if this hound is actually Roman Torchwick...cause Salem can turn a human into a Grimm but its just a theory

[@booklover4330]

This wasn't to justify her actions or for her to get redeem, but to show why she is the way she is, and it makes sense and I love it for it. In show: Cinder is an awful character, but damn, I love how she's written in the series. While I wish we would have gotten more stuff with Adam, and have my own thoughts on how he was killed, I just love what they've been doing with Cinder. A pretty interesting character, imo. (Note a character can be evil, you can even hate said character, but you can find the character interesting). Also: Thank you, Oscar! For pointing out the hypocrisy that is Hazel. Hazel blames Ozpin for his sister's death, and yet attacks Oscar, an innocent kid, to get to Ozpin. Though, I do like how Hazel explained things, still don't really get why he decided to join her. Damn it Harriet: The first thing you're worried about is where Penny is? Seriously, now? You have bigger fish to fry. Although, I just love Ironwood's expression when he sees the multiple Grimm, see what you get Ironwood, when you act the fool. (Note still love Ironwood even after everything). The song from the little we heard from it, was freaking awesome. Can't wait to hear the full version.

[@xolotltolox7626]

I think you mean Cinder is an awful PERSON not an awful CHARACTER.

[@awesome8831]

The new episode that just released explains why he joined her

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Agreed. The villains have CERTAINLY gotten better recently. Ironwood in particular is dumb in a way that actually makes sense

[@themythmaker1248]

"[Cinder] is the gift that keeps on giving, but no one wants the gift." That's worth a like right there.

[@raymondf2213]

I saw apathy grimm mixed in. They would work well with other grimm. Enemies loose energy and willpower while nomal grimm do damage

[@benjaminlealiribarren3694]

This reflexion about Salem at the end make me think that sentence of the lost fable in the past (vol. 6, c3): "The hearts of men are easily swayed"

[@endedoge5]

Cinder's fight theme is from Casey's band Ok Goodnight, called Awake, and it's an absolute banger.

[@daltondoestheirbest]

How is it that this episode feels like an eternity ago but the Pyrrha statue feels just like yesterday.

[@yaboi5932]

🎶Atlas walls are falling down, falling down , falling down. Atlas walls are falling down we're all fucked🎶

[@mistressofdreams6031]

Pff

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Thanks, Ironwood.....

[@eggstremegoat]

Bruh i got so use to you singing the intro that when i hear the intro its self its sounds weird or doesn't sound right but when i hear you sing it, it sounds good

[@marinadiaz1762]

When Cinder was saying "With you I am nothing but with you I a everything" it reminded me of Catra and Shadow weaver and now I lowkey see Cinder as Catra and Emerald as Scorpia. of course a very different relationship... but the situation not so much.

[@MystieChan]

Me before watching this: man, last episode was stressful Me after watching this: man, I don't have words for what I am feeling right now.

[@codekisaro8030]

Me after watching chapter 7: so you think I have the patience to wait till February for the next episode

[@shingshongshamalama]

Arnold: "Oh it's like Greed from FMA." Me: "Oh it's like Armstrong. I mean Colossus. I mean something less nerdy. Fuck."

[@johnnygnoneeded]

Nice try, but this is all nerdy fun! Just go with it, embrace the inner geek! You'll need less therapy in the future! (;]D.

[@louiverse8892]

I never realized towards the end of the intro its Penny's silhouette turning from green to red after the Grim dragon appears. That gave me goosebumps knowing the context of what happened and what could happen

[@theuniqueone5453]

I think Cinder is secretly a firefly Faunus! It would explain the semblance, colour of her eyes, the miss-treatment. It shows a lot!!!

[@MAK3L_]

But nothing about her even says "faunus"

[@rubymack4914]

Hey if Illia could fit in as a human, it's not impossible, (Make-up is a beast and can hide anything,)

[@MAK3L_]

@@rubymack4914 ilia literally passed as human because of her skin color. Cinder doesn't have any faunus traits

[@g.r.4459]

Um, semblances aren't related to faunus traits I don't think, because Fiona, a lamb faunus, has a dimensional storage semblance, and last time I checked, I don't remember seeing any sheep with the ability to tear the fabric of space to make their own locker, there may be a mythological animal that resembles a sheep and has spatial powers. Eye colors aren't super unique unless you count Silver, and faunus are shown to have any possible eye color than just yellow even if it does seem very common, such as Adam's blue colored eye(s), Fiona has very pretty spring green colored eyes, and Illia's eyes changed colors, there mostly a ice blue I think. Finally, the mistreatment could come from anything, People can give any excuse for the reason on why they think they are better than others. In this case, it probably has to do with the fact that Cinder was from an orphanage in Mistral, so the other girls (her new "sisters") had a superioity complex about themselves compared to her. Also, we know the older woman (the adoptive "mother") only adopted her in the first place to do chores so obviously she isn't going to act like a decent human being much less like an actual mother to Cinder

[@MAK3L_]

@@g.r.4459 Thank You

[@buddyb3165]

This episode did something I never thought possible, made me feel something for Cinder other than pure hatred and annoyance. Hats off to you Rooster Teeth

[@Tyrantlizard874]

I prefer killing her off, but I'm still glad that they're waiting to do so ORGANICALLY, instead of shoehorning it like some parts of vol. 4&5 are guilty of

[@uniconwizardsb1122]

Salem had every tool she needed to breach through from the start: burrowing, flight, adaptability, nothing could’ve stopped her.

[@aresx3749]

Atlas is so incompetent... They have a shield yet they have nothing to protect them from underneath?

[@blackvial]

@@aresx3749 they never thought they would have to deal with burrowing grimm in the air

[@aresx3749]

@@blackvial They have ships. Bunch of ships yet they patrol only above atlas knowing there's a giant flying grimm-producing whale grimm outside. Where is their ships that patrols literally everywhere from Volume 7 Chapter 1?

[@nevermore7285]

@@aresx3749 Atlas is so high in the sky, they thought they only had to worry about air attacks. A river coming up from below the earth was not something they thought could happen.

[@Tyrantlizard874]

@@nevermore7285 And even if they did, there's still Ironwood's OCD to consider

[@JJR93]

The evil stepsisters are voiced by AmaLee, who is a singer herself and is known for doing English-language covers of Anime songs....I wonder if she sang the creepy lullaby, which is from the POV of the stepsisters?

[@JJR93]

AmaLee is also an anime voice actress most recently known for her role as the main female lead in Grimoire of Zero (Sentai Filmworks/HIDIVE).

[@brianb-t4v]

I mean she’s definitely a villain, but I’d have killed them a lot sooner than her if I was in that position. She waited years thinking if she just trained she could be free, and when it was set to happen it almost all got taken away, and she lashed out. I probably would have killed them the night I got the weapon.

[@BlueBerrySherry]

I see the possibility of Mama Schnee fighting next episode to protect her family and/or Whitley discovering his semblance

[@ht82smash]

Am I the only one that actually enjoyed this backstory?

[@jeffreyholmes9348]

Know you're not alone I actually like the backstory

[@ht82smash]

@@jeffreyholmes9348 But we can agree it was too short correct?

[@jeffreyholmes9348]

@@ht82smash yeah but I personally think there's more to a story and I don't think they're done with her yet

[@deanjoyner1829]

I honestly dont think her mentor is dead 🤔

[@erickamakeeaina1649]

I loved it

[@shadekeigarblacksky]

Qrow's semblance really effed up Atlas XD

[@aceofspade2120]

Nobody seems to want to say it, so I will. I think you're bagging on Cinder FAR too much. As a character, Cinder makes perfect sense and has from day one. Cinder hasn't exactly failed all of the time. She organized the entire fall of Beacon and executed it. From Roman to Adam to the virus to finding and getting the Maiden powers to unleashing Kevin, she won. Beacon is still under Salem's control even now. The way she lost her fights were questionable at best. Ruby unleashed a rare super-powered Kekkei Genkai. Had she been told, they would have probably murdered Ruby beforehand just to be sure. Raven: Literally one of the best fighters around, also been a Maiden longer, and Salem fought her to a near-draw. She ambushed what she thought was a maiden and Raven perfectly except Raven was the Maiden. That's where things went off, she again acted on bad info. still nearly killed Raven until a sneak attack from behind. Beat an entire base of soldiers to get to the winter maiden, beat the hell out of Winter and Penny, and was only even slowed down by a fully-realized Winter Maiden temporarily overpowering her before her death. Was beating Penny, had the tactical advantage until she trusted in Emerald's semblance to help her. Had she just kept fighting her head to head, she wins that fight. Especially once Watts hacks her system, that's GGs at that point. Literally, they needed five more minutes to have the Winter Maiden powers too. And her backstory fits her perfectly. This is why she is power-hungry. When you've never had power your entire life, that you've never had freedom, you'll do ANYTHING to be free. And as a child that was abused for her entire life, mentally snapping and killing your abuser is everything

[@kingoftherevolution4855]

What I've been looking forward to since volume 3

[@davido.1233]

I get the impression that this is what Cinderella's story would be if it were set in the Star Trek mirror universe, where every day is a struggle for survival and everyone's mirror self isn't evil, just at their darkest point personified. It also kind of reminds me of Ventress's backstory from the Clone Wars.

[@johnnygnoneeded]

Good point made!

[@madtophatter1020]

I love Salem just casually parking her whale Grimm XD

[@squidney6267]

salem really said: find the winter maiden but make it a ✨race✨

[@dashingkevs3295]

I can see Cinder eventually turning to the good side ripping out her grim arm showing her resolve.

[@MrLuizilla]

Oh of course they named the guy with Colossus' powers "Rhodes"

[@gabirelmcmillan8886]

You've come a long way Arnold

[@williamts9422]

This episode just made everything about Cinder just click into place

[@MattHunX]

As harsh as it is, someone's past is only the REASON for how they are in their present, but NOT an EXCUSE. The two aren't the same.

[@Ultima72]

Cinder is kinda a Jedi Padawan turned Sith Lord, isn't she?

[@andrewaigalew]

Do not lecture me Rhodey Wan, I see through the lies of the Jedi!

[@blackvial]

She is not a sith Lord, more like a sith lackey

[@andrewaigalew]

@@blackvial So what Vader was to Palpatine then. And yeah, he was a badass and all but the Rule of Two is basically just for show if Palpatine has anything to say about it.

[@Ultima72]

@@andrewaigalew Rule of Two was just something bane invented, after that the Sith only got weaker. Vitiate's sith Empire and the sith triumvirate was the strongest the sith have ever been.

[@gryffindorgirl8442]

Oh! from Cinder’s backstory, the step mother and sisters are quite obvious but I think that the one huntsman who trained her (i can’t think of his name rn besides it starting w/ an “R”) is the “Prince Charming” and midnight is like when she had to leave him/run away from the ball.

[@mitrashailendra3817]

Y'know how Qrow is still on Atlas? Ironwood did not think this through.

[@cadenanderson4178]

Oof

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Yup. Evil Ironwood's whole thing is having tunnel vision to the point of seeming dumb

[@loganbrown7743]

My theory is that the huntsman guy wasn't actually going to take her in but possibly fake her death just judging by how he dropped his weapons and simply reached out his hand to put it on her head

[@donyx0604]

i saw on IG someone stated that cinder is what team RWBY could've been if none of them had anyone to support them. i dont remember the full reason but its something like how cinder was abused like weiss and blake,have temper problem like yang. i dont remember the similarity for ruby though. still i can see what that person was saying. its scary how some ppl went through the same stuff but those who have someone else supporting them managed to break free from being bad and those who have no one suffers

[@eslamvszombies1713]

Either it's the end reaction or Cinder became a psycho killer.

[@YouAnd_OnlyYou]

Looking at the reflection in his glasses, ima go with the latter.

[@quinintheclouds]

she hasn't exhibited any symptoms of psychosis (and psychosis doesn't mean evil or anything either). She has certainly become morally corrupt and cruel, so I wonder whether Oscar will be able to get through to her

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

@@quinintheclouds Interesting idea. I've theorised that Cinder may decide to forge a secret alliance with Oscar/Ozpin to take down Salem's faction from the inside, given the looks Cinder gave both him and Salem in the background of the throne room scene.

[@quinintheclouds]

@@TheGreater-ScopeVillain I doubt she'd be willing to work with Ozpin, but Oscar might be able to get through to her, seeing as they've both been TORTURED (Salem's blast was similarish to Cinder's electrocution). Idk if she'd ever help our protagonists, but I get the feeling she'll defect from Salem side note: if Oscar pretends to hate Ozpin maybe hazel and cinder would be more willing to listen XD

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

​@@quinintheclouds Perhaps. But I think that as much as Cinder despises Huntsmen, I think she would have no qualms with working with Ozpin if it means that she can defeat Salem. Cinder would even partner with _Ruby_ if it meant that Cinder could take down Salem, as Salem is really the only thing standing in Cinder's way of being the most powerful being on Remnant. For Cinder, there's nothing she won't do in order to get what she wants. As shown by her ordering Neo to put aside their vengeance against Ruby in order to focus on obtaining the Winter Maiden powers and the Relics, Cinder cares more about her goal of obtaining absolute power than she does about her revenge against Ruby, which to me proves that Cinder would gladly partner with Ozpin in order to use him against Salem. Besides, out of all the villains, Cinder is most likely the one who recognises that Salem does not have good intentions for any of them, especially given the flashbacks parallels during her torture by Salem suggesting that Cinder will betray Salem in a similar fashion, and the facial expressions she had towards both Salem and Ozpin implying that she might even agree with what Ozpin's saying about Salem's intentions. Plus, Cinder probably hates Salem more than anyone XD

[@jorgemathiasbenitezsaldiva8131]

"one thing goes down, the whole thing goes down" Me: they really need to work on that design flaw

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Same goes for all of Remnant, really

[@Jhakaro]

Never lose that passion man! The energy is infectious!

[@foggytuesday101]

It was nice seeing Cinders backstory on how she ended up like this. However, as sweet as it was for Rhodes to train Cinders to be a huntress why didn’t he get like authorities or someone cause this young girl is clearly abused on the daily? Or couldn’t he have done something to get her out? He is huntsman, couldn’t he have gotten her out and maybe adopted her or find her a better home and still train her to be a huntress if he was able to visit her most days for seemingly years?

[@celestinapolicina7482]

Maybe there's no specific law against abuse there in Remnant. All they know is that woman owns Cinder and she can do whatever she wants with her, especially in Atlas where the gap of rich vs poor / faunus vs humans is freaking huge. And maybe as a huntsman, let alone a traveling one, doesnt want to have a kid with him along because the responsibility may be too big for him and its hella dangerous outside. All he can do or want to do is train her in secret so she can defend herself, be free, and/or become a huntress. And there's no need for any complications.

[@g.r.4459]

@@celestinapolicina7482 You have a point on the dangers of being a huntsmen, it is pointed out often that they don't have a super long life expectancy unless they retire and I doubt he managed to save up enough money to retire and support two people since he seems about 30 give or take 5 years

[@theycallmebad]

RWBY and co.: acting on behalf of the world. Harriet: Selfish. No, Harriet; you've got it backwards.

[@EtherealSky5594]

i sure hope the ace ops come to their senses

[@theycallmebad]

@@EtherealSky5594 Same here.

[@genquin]

That moment with the huntsman and Cinder,when the Huntsman pat her head reminded me of Naruto with Sasuke and Itachi 😮

[@Khjaden97]

Perhaps a symbol. Maybe the huntsman didn’t see Cynder as a daughter, but more like a little sister?

[@lazylulu9003]

Didn't Cinder did that to Pyrrah before her death?

[@genquin]

@@lazylulu9003 okay two things. One she brush her hand against Pyrrha cheek and second they were enemies this has more meaning to it a fight between brothers and a fight between mentor and student

[@jdoggivjc]

Someone else I watch was saying this is actually Mistral, considering she was picked up from an orphanage in a very Oscar-like setting. But, that being said, I thought this was Atlas as well, so who knows.

[@THEE_ADRIAN]

I mean I just throwing it out there. The last time we got background story of a “villain “ was Adams short and we know how that worked out for him...

[@Tyrantlizard874]

Agreed. Adam failed as a character because no real correlation existed between his White Fang status and his insanity. That being said, RT can still address that. Same goes for Cinder

[@Gisselle4529]

25:41 it looked like 2 towers went down. It’s kinda crazy that the ooze broke through & the worms just burrowed in. Those sentinels are MVP for Salem’s plan there.

[@AnonymouslyForgotten]

Cinder is just like abused woman running into another abusive relationship,believing it's better.

[@malachihoapili573]

The t about people like cinder is when they say they do it for money and power as there motive for what they do in reality it's fear in her case she's afraid that if she doesn't become more powerful she will be inslaved and just as helpless as before, and when Salem saw that she took advantage of her, a little girl who only wanted to be free from people like her step mother twisting her thoughts and making her into the monster she is now

[@skittles0238]

Ssoooooo... Did anyone else notice Salem's eyes grow a deeper red in the end of the episode? Has she always had that, or is it something special...

[@johnnygnoneeded]

When Salem shows her real emotions {passions}, her eyes do show brighter or deeper red. Remember Salem's rage seen when she didn't get the lamp at first? She literally destroyed her conference room! (;]D.

[@skittles0238]

@@johnnygnoneeded that is a great point. I assumed it was an emotional thing, I also kinda assumed it was like an awesome way of her taking control of one of the grim through her mind.. But your theory makes muuuchhh more sense lmfao.

[@artemisfowl7332]

Does anyone else think it's kinda cute how Salem pets tyrian. Its like the evil villain petting A cat as they monologue to the hero

[@waywardwatcher2053]

Theory: Ruby’s gonna make a sacrifice in the next chapter and then we’re gonna get a new OP. She’s either going to fall or jump into the grimm river and try to destroy it with her silver eyes. The OP ends with team RWBY falling into water before focusing on Ruby sinking to the bottom surrounded by grimm arms. And the last line is even “it’s worth it all to risk the fall and fight for everyone” (I may be paraphrasing) After that everything in the OP (unless I’m missing something) will have come to pass, so I think it may be likely that we get a new OP for the second half of volume eight

[@qaiqai0804]

OMG,is just like in the intro!

[@RE-dq4qf]

Your reactions to these episodes are better than the episodes themselves! Keep up the good work!

[@klsumed9922]

The lack of people recognising 'Awake' made me kinda sad ngl

[@Archangel444]

I know right? Casey's band should get more recognition. But no worries everyone will be confused as to where the song is when the soundtrack comes out.

[@williamwoodruff1800]

It hurts that people did not recognize it, but I guess we’re super fans for being the only ones who know about it? Haha

[@Caru_Is]

Finally the reaction xD I couldn't wait after seeing the episode thanks to my membership, i was so hipped for your rection x3 Also cant wait for the next one!

[@scarabmango]

Cinder's only problem with oppression is when she's not the one holding the whip. If she thought putting shock collars on Emerald, Mercury and Neo would get her one step closer to something she wanted, she would do it in a second.

[@oldsoldierveteranofthepsyc9568]

Did anyone notice the music playing as Cinder entered the hotel for the first time is same as the ballroom dance music at the Beacon Dance in V2c6&7?

[@mikalnortuchiha1094]

a constant reminder about these so-called "innocent" people like the step-mother and step-sisters, it's their fault people like Cinder are turned into ruthless villains! they are the true monsters that created and gave life to other monsters! of course, if i know Salem, if she was planning to have Cinder fail again, it wouldn't surprise me if Salem was giving Cinder false hope just to punish her for insubordination! but hey, who knows? we'll just have to wait and see!

[@erickamakeeaina1649]

I wouldn't say it's there fault PER SAY Cinder turned out the way she did. Cinder is still in control of her own Choices and is still accountable for her actions But still, yes, they are awful and definitely played a part in what Cinder became

[@MirV7]

@@erickamakeeaina1649 they literally what made cinder become like that. What if they care for her like a family. Does she still gonna kill them? No bruh think use ur head. Not everyone born to be evil.

[@erickamakeeaina1649]

@@MirV7I should explain, I very much think there abuse is the reason Cinder turned evil. BUT, it was still her decision. A traumatic past isn't the same as brainwashing, you can still become a good person even if it's very hard. I will also clarify that I deeply sympathize with and View Cinder as a Tragic charachter

[@ht82smash]

"Cinder's theme" Casey Lee and OK Goodnight: That's cute If y'all didn't know, the second song is by Casey's band OK Goodnight.

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

Honestly, this might be my favourite episode of RWBY to date. Certainly my favourite of Volume 8 so far. I also believe that we are not done with Cinder's backstory yet; as amazing as it was for me, I think that we may still get more of it in the future. I actually have no issue with Cinder's backstory being pushed back this far. Not only has RT been able to learn from mistakes made over that period, but Cinder's backstory is depicted in better animation, and the relevant songs were able to have been sung by a much-improved Casey Lee Williams and her new band Ok Goodnight. Not to mention the fact that it also makes complete sense why her backstory first came while in Atlas, as that's where her trauma mainly comes from. And perhaps more importantly than all that, it also provides fuel to the plot point of Cinder's rapidly growing hatred of Salem and thus her future betrayal of Salem - the parallels between her slavemaster's treatment of her during her childhood to Salem's treatment of her currently is really well done, and provides further motivation and foreshadowing for Cinder to turn against Salem and seize all the power for herself. They couldn't have gone this route if they had just shoved her backstory in during Volume 4 and/or 5. So ultimately, the unexpected delays turned out for the best. Songs like "When It Falls", "All Things Must Die" and "Sacrifice" can be seen to convey Cinder's emotions after she started fully on her quest to absolute power - her anger, her hatred, and her malice towards humanity and the world of Remnant as a whole, and also to reinforce the idea that, as Miles Luna said about Cinder: "This woman will not be stopped." The as of yet unnamed song that played during Cinder's servitude at the Glass Unicorn tells of Cinder's feelings before then in the buildup to that state. Or rather, it shows the feelings of _other people_ towards her, and the physical and mental anguish that Cinder endures which in turn spawns those negative emotions in her as she is slowly broken over the course of her childhood, laying the groundwork for her subsequent development into an unyielding force of pure evil. And then the song that plays when she fights and kills Rhodes, "Awake", gives us some insight into Cinder at the time that she finally breaks (which happened when she was only about 13, too), casting away any remaining shred of morality and beginning her murderous campaign of “bloody evolution” and vengeance against the world. The betrayal that Cinder feels from the Huntsmen here leads back to points she makes in her speech to the world in Volume 3: *_”This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians. But are, in reality, nothing more than men. … Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honour and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither.”_* Here, Cinder is speaking from her own years of abuse; despite her experiences and instincts telling her no, she, as a ten-year-old child, chose to put her trust and safety in the hands of the Huntsmen, only to be betrayed and, in her view, shown the true ugliness of Huntsmen and humanity as a whole. This gives further context to Cinder’s hatred towards the world, the disdain with which she treats others with indiscriminately, and why she takes so much pleasure in the destruction, pain and misery that she causes others. Her experiences have warped her vision of humanity, leaving her with no room to trust and no room to care, instead viewing others not as people, but as though they are worthless, loathsome creatures, fit only to be ruled or intimidated or sent to die for her plans. Back in Volume 5, Jaune once asked Cinder how she could be so broken inside, to take so many lives and then come in and rub it in everyone’s faces like it’s something to be proud of… and to do it all with a smile. Now we know how, and Remnant will never be the same again because of it.

[@SpicyShark34]

Me who came back after watching new ep 7: I could now hear distant screams of terror and tears in the future...

[@BrattyRuby687]

Hey Arnold! I’m just here to give a little series suggestion for you! It’s like RWBY and RvB in the sense that it’s made by a bunch of animators on the internet so it shouldn’t be too different then what you do normally. Just respond to this comment if you want to know, and I’ll let you know! Keep up the good work!

[@bestspicemint2759]

Is it Meta Runner? You don't have to answer I just wanted to guess.

[@BrattyRuby687]

@@bestspicemint2759 Bingo!!! Nice to see another fan!!!

[@bestspicemint2759]

@@BrattyRuby687 ;) I've been feeling Glitch close the gap between themselves and Rooster Teeth for a while!

[@BrattyRuby687]

@@bestspicemint2759 Hopefully in a good way. I already have one toxic fandom on our hands. But hopefully they become RT in how successful they are! God knows Luke and Kevin deserve it.

[@bestspicemint2759]

@@BrattyRuby687 I actually hope the SMG4 crew stays a smaller company in the long run and focuses their time on a handful of projects.

[@denyceshupe6031]

REALIZATION MOMENT!! (maybe). Does anyone else notice that when Cinder has Rhodes' sword, and when he gives it to her later on, it kind of looks like the weapons Cinder uses in her fight against Raven at the end of Volume 5 when they're going after the Relic of Knowledge??? That's what it looks like to me, at least.

[@dusty0559]

Cinder lost every fight she's ever been in? Sure... *cries in Pyrrha*

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

Salem knows how people work, and she knows exactly how to use them for her methods

[@anonymousgamer5771]

Arnold = stress.exe

[@jojoecr7626]

I enjoy the little weekly pep talk at the beginning of every rwby reaction.