Even though alot of the episode is taken from things that have already happened, it is reordered with new dialogue that elaborates on the emotional motivations. I wouldn't say its simply a result of the producers running out of money. This is the best episode in my opinion because it is the most creative and best articulates Ikaru. And I really liked the return to the part where Ikaru is trapped with Minmay a nice representation.

The one thing you have to love about Macross is that humanity is full of idiots and their only saving grace is that the Zentradi is a species of even larger idiots. I love the Earth's government's refusal to resettling the Macross refugees because they didn't want to go through the process of reinstating their driver's licenses, library cards etc. I also love how the Zentradi want to attack the space ship because... They were fired on? It belonged to the Supervision (Salvation?) Army? Actually why are they attacking the ship again? I'm glad they stopped though so they can learn the mechanics of kissing, that's something every red (purple?) blooded Zentradi and 13 boy wants to know. Seriously though, this show had F-14s that turned into robots when I was young and it's not bad now that I found out that the F-14s weren't the main point of the show. I just love that it seems more nonsensical as I've gotten older. Although that's part of the charm of anime, it's all nonsensical. Five lions that become a robot? A boy that turns into a woman when hit with warm water? Giant robots piloted by 14 year olds?! By the power of Grayskull that's some weird stuff!