In Defense of Treize's Faults

 

 

Treize is in every way a romantic--he believes in lofty concepts such as nobility and honor, idealism, loyalty, and celebrates the human spirit above all else.  Which all amounts to he was born in entirely the wrong era.  Treize's ideals of true warriors, of passionately fought battles and the sanctity of human life have long since been discarded in making way for an age of technological warfare.  He is a rare man suffering under tremendous pressure to uphold his beliefs, and at times he breaks.  He is noble, tragic, proud, self-indulgent, and melodramatic, as flawed and human as a character possibly could be. 

 

From the beginning, what do we know about Treize?

 

Not much is known about Treize's family, where he came from and what relatives he might have.  All we know for certain is that his family at one time had connections to the Sanc monarchy (I once saw it listed that Duke Dermail was his uncle, but I don't remember if that is ever mentioned in the show, because I haven't seen it since.  If anyone knows for certain…?).  In all likelihood, we can assume that Treize grew up in a wealthy household, given his expensive tastes of opera and rose-scented bubble bath.

 

Though I think most people tend to think of Treize as being an excellent pilot, we rarely see him in actual combat.  I point of fact, I don't think I've ever seen him win a battle (except against the mobile dolls at the end of the series.  That by itself is some proof of his abilities).  However, as he is the leader of OZ Special Forces, it can also be assumed that he is of some considerable skill.

 

In Heero's Episode Zero section we see Treize at the age of seventeen, engaged in a battle with colonists.  When his soldiers are put at risk by young Heero's rocket launcher, he selflessly puts himself in front of the blast, saving his men (or women, since Noin was in there) with some degree of injury to himself.  It is during his recovery after this incident that he meets Leia Barton, daughter of the head of the Barton Foundation.  His daughter, Marimea, is born as a result, though it is uncertain what kind of relation Treize had to her.  However, because of her actions in Endless Waltz, it's fairly obvious that Marimea did not know her father well--or, at least, did not understand his ideals.

 

When the series opens Treize is the leader of OZ, the military force of the Romefeller Center (known as the Specials to the Alliance).  He is nothing if not a noble soldier, dedicated to his system of beliefs despite a changing and altogether contradictory era.

 

What exactly does Treize believe in?

 

Treize is an advocate of humanity.  If you want to know exactly what it is that makes the fellow tick, watch the episode where Heero meets him in Luxemburg Castle--he pretty much explains himself there.

 

The basis for Treize's idealism is the idea that man is able to "find himself" through heartfelt battle.  That is, there is nothing more beautiful or sacred than a man fighting passionately for his beliefs--which is most obviously seen on a battlefield.  The reason Treize is so adamantly against the mobile dolls is because they lack a man's soul: a robot cannot gain self-actualization by following its master's commands.  Likewise, a man cannot reach his own actualization by sending an inanimate object to battle for him.  Moble Dolls give rise to soulless wars, fought by cowardly and arrogant leaders who lack the dedication to fight themselves.

 

Treize's idea of the perfect soldier is someone who fights for their beliefs, without compromising morality--someone with strength, conviction, confidence, and great honor.  He praises all the laudable qualities of humanity. 

 

These ideals, however, place Treize in a class all his own.  As I've said, the future is not a world meant for men like Treize Kushranada--there are very few people that can come to understand what he's trying to do, let alone live their lives accordingly.  The few with the potential are possibly Zechs, Lady Une, and the Gundam pilots, as they each come close to his perfect ideal.  I don't believe, however, that Treize ever finds a match for the concept, even in himself.

 

Why did Treize create Epyon?

 

Since Treize believes that man can find his true purpose and self through the act of battle, it stands to reason that he has worked toward this goal personally throughout his own conflicts.  Progressing to the top of his class, becoming a soldier of OZ, taking over OZ--all of it was done so that he could reach a peace of mind within himself, his own self worth.  However, he admits to Heero in Luxemburg that he was never able to find the truth he so avidly fought for.  Despite all his fighting, all his belief, he is still not satisfied with himself, and whatever the future may hold for him.

 

This leads him to create Epyon.  Epyon, like the Zero System, has the ability to draw out its pilot's greatest ability, and with it his fears, his focus, and his meaning.  However, even with such an amazing machine, Treize was unable to uncover his life's meaning.  Because of this, it stands to reason that Treize actually has little self-confidence in himself.  He may believe strongly in his ideals of what a perfect soldier should be, but because he himself can’t reach that goal, he may rate himself poorly.  It must be terribly frustrating for him.

 

What is Treize trying to do?

 

Like everyone else, Treize is trying to create a world of peace (this in itself being a contradiction, as he believes in self-actualization through battle.  It’s likely that Trieze, though dedicated to his cause, never imagined himself as living through his own design).  In the beginning he builds his forces behind the Alliance’s back—then he strikes, bringing revolution to the world, and with it a new order.  He builds much of his strength on Earth not through domination, but by surrounding himself with respectful and loyal soldiers.  Treize is dynamic and inspiring, and it is easy for him to capture the admiration of the people.  Perhaps his ideal of rule at this time isn’t much different from that of those previous, but he carries out this order with nobility and respect. 

 

By the end I believe his views have changed a bit, but I’ll save that for a little later.

 

Why does Treize resign from Romefellar?

 

The Romefellar Foundation does not share Treize’s views.  They would rather exercise their power through force and subjugation, as proven when their military begins to operate in space.  Thus begins the project of the mobile dolls, a direct contradiction of everything Treize holds sacred.  And when he tries to protest their development, he is nearly forced into exile. 

 

Treize himself, however, gives very little resistance against Dermail’s decision.  Through the creation of the dolls he finally realizes exactly how little command he has over the events taking place.  No on in the Foundation would defend his ideals of humanity.  And even those that could possibly understand have been taken from him (at this point Zechs has turned against him, the Gundam Pilots are considered outlaws by those they sought to defend, and Lady Une is missing).  He has no support; he cannot even offer himself as a proper example.  It is Treize’s fundamental lack of confidence that drives him away from his duties. 

 

Why is meeting Heero "the greatest pleasure of [his] life"?

 

When Treize meets Heero at Luxemburg Castle, he is more or less at the end of confidence.  His ideals have been shattered, his power and respect broken.  Even though the Treize faction is continuing to fight on his behalf, he knows almost with certainty that none of those soldiers can come close to matching his perfect ideal.  His only hope now in having his believes validated is the Gundam pilots--and specifically Heero, who was so easily able to sacrifice himself for his goals, as Treize has always been prepare to do.  Meeting Heero is what shows that he wasn't wrong--that his "ideal soldier" can exist, which in effect gives meaning to the struggles he's gone through all this time.

 

However, Heero isn't exactly what Treize envisioned.  He gave Epyon to Heero in hopes that he would be able to find the absolution that he himself was unable to.  He tells Heero to use Epyon, and if he cannot find what he is looking for, they'll both kill themselves.  After all, Heero is Treize’s last hope.  If Heero cannot fulfill Treize’s vision, he’ll no longer have any reason to keep fighting.  But Heero—obviously—does not kill himself after returning to Treize with Epyon.  They never show what words are exchanged between the two when Heero regains consciousness, but Heero keeps Epyon and returns to the Sanc Kingdom, though he has not mastered the system.  Somehow, Treize was convinced out of suicide.  However, he still refrains from rejoining the fight until the formation of White Fang.

 

Why did Treize rejoin the fight?

 

Treize decides to take Relena’s place as the world sovereign after the declaration made by Zechs (or rather, Millardo) as the leader of White Fang.  At this point Zechs has declared all out war, showing the full breadth of his intentions.  Seeing his resolve and understanding the kind of battle that he is waging, Treize realizes that these are his ideals being put to the test—Zechs is fulfilling what he had hoped for all along.  They are two that understand what it is that will bring true peace, and therefore must take to the head for it to be played through.  Only someone as passionate and regal as Treize could have united the Earth Sphere in an all out, heart-felt battle.  He even betrays his own ideals by speaking about conquering and justice, all for the sake of an act that will bring about peace.  In the end, he and Zechs have become the same.  They both know that the only way to bring peace is to erase the will to battle in all people, and the only way to do that is by bringing to all people the misery and meaninglessness of war.  By mourning the death of their proud leader, the Earth will be able to throw away all desire to fight further. Or, this is probably what Treize believes.  He demonstrates this near the end of the series, when he is prepared to let Zechs kill him using the Lybra Cannon.  He wasn’t even interested in fighting the battle himself—he only wanted his death to prove as a symbol.

 

Why does Treize challenge Zechs to a duel?

 

As a test.  The Zechs that Treize used to know, so obsessed with honor and chivalry, may have accepted.  But Zechs refuses, saying that there is no need for chivalry in war.  This shows Treize that Zechs truly has abandoned his old ideals, and is dedicated to the battle they both know is necessary.  Treize even says, “Yes, that’s the right decision.”  He is testing to see if he and Zechs really are thinking the same.  Knowing that, he is able to sacrifice his life, knowing Zechs will carry out their design to its conclusion.

 

Why does Treize let Wufei kill him?

 

Honestly, I think the fact that Wufei killed Treize was a matter of convenience.  Treize has already demonstrated that he has little need of his life, and fights only to “see how beautiful the battle is,” as stated by Lady Une.  The fact that Wufei showed up to finish their old duel was merely chance, though a welcomed one.  It allowed Treize to die at the hands of someone who understood him, much the same way he offered his death to Heero. 

 

In conclusion

 

I thought there would be more to say about Treize, but the more I thought about it, the more he seemed easier to understand.  Treize was a good man living through an era that wasn’t mature enough to accept him.  He as outcasted, misunderstood, and in the end could only live and die beneath a false mask of righteousness.  The people of Earth and space will remember him as the strong leader that led an army to protect the Earth.  They won’t, however, remember him for his true self, for the love he had for all people.  Treize wanted true peace, and he was able to sacrifice every bit of himself for that purpose, making him a true matyr.