Episode 57 of Dragon Ball Z, first broadcast in Japan on August 8, 1990, settles the score between Vegeta and Zarbon: the rematch plays out in front of Krillin and Bulma, and this time the prince shows no mercy. In space, Goku learns firsthand what a hundred times Earth's gravity feels like. Funimation's uncut dub named it Gohan, the Hunted, a nod to the Dragon Ball Gohan is carrying; the Ocean/Saban version called it A Heavy Burden.
Summary
The magnetic storm has pushed the gravity machine on Goku's ship to a hundred G. Dangling from the ceiling by a cable, Goku cuts his hand trying to hold on while Dr. Brief, Oolong and Puar watch anxiously over the video link. He tries to free himself by firing a Kamehameha at the cable, but the blast comes right back down on him.
On Namek, Bulma is still swooning over Zarbon while Krillin tries to talk sense into her. Zarbon orders Vegeta to reveal where he hid the Dragon Balls; Frieza wants him alive. Vegeta goads him, tells him to transform right away and calls him ugly, striking the vain warrior's sorest nerve. The fight resumes; Krillin tries to slip away with Bulma, but Vegeta pins them down with a barrage without breaking off the duel. Remembering Frieza's one-hour deadline, Zarbon feels cornered and returns to his monstrous form, boasting that Vegeta is the first person to see it twice. Gohan, flying back with the recovered ball, senses the two powers and speeds up.
In space, Goku spins on the cable and uses the Kaio-ken to snap it, drags himself to the control panel and shuts off the gravity by hitting it with his chin. A Senzu Bean restores him, and he decides that from now on he will train at a hundred G, right after a snack.
The second Vegeta-Zarbon fight goes the opposite way from the first. The prince throws dirt in his opponent's eyes, strikes him from behind and knocks him into the water. Then he explains the secret: a Saiyan who survives a brush with death comes back stronger, and the beating did him good. Krillin realizes that this is how Goku kept improving after every loss. Zarbon charges anyway, but Vegeta pummels him and drives a fist into his stomach. Frieza's lieutenant begs for mercy and offers an alliance against his master; Vegeta answers with a blast that tears through him and hurls him into the lake. He then turns to Krillin and, threatening Bulma, takes his Dragon Ball. Convinced he now has everything, he flies off, while Krillin can only hope Gohan keeps the last ball out of reach.
Our take
The Zarbon rematch is the practical demonstration of a rule that will become central to the whole series: Saiyans grow stronger by surviving. The manga covers it in a few panels; the anime gives it room and a witness, Krillin, who finally connects the dots about Goku's growth. It is information the audience will carry for the rest of the series.
Vegeta, meanwhile, is at his villainous peak: dirty, cunning and ruthless toward anyone who begs. After Cui and Dodoria, Zarbon's death leaves Frieza without his trusted lieutenants. Goku's half is lighter, but it serves a purpose, reminding us how much he is growing while everyone on Namek waits for him.
Trivia
- Written by Takao Koyama, directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi, with animation supervision by Mitsuo Shindō. Ratings share: 21.1%.
- It adapts chapter 267 from page 10 onward and chapter 268.
- The magnetic storm and Goku's struggle with the runaway gravity are anime additions. In the manga, Zarbon also transforms immediately instead of fighting in his normal form first.
- During the final exchange, Zarbon's armor is suddenly intact and his cape is back, because the animators reused a clip from the first fight.
Did you know? After eating the Senzu Bean, Goku says goodbye and waves straight at the audience, breaking the fourth wall.