A journey of transformation...or not?

The story saw him transform from foe to friend; from evil to good; from someone troubled to someone at peace. But...was his transformation convincing to you? I am of course, once again, talking about Gilbert.

Here is what I'm thinking. His start was pro-Alwine, tacit approval of injustice, enjoyment of showing off his swordsmanship, and overpowering younger boys. He was hypocritically criminal even as he exercized his knight code. Do you remember how he always tossed a sword at Robin because "he doesn't attack unarmed civilians"? That flimsy line I call an excuse to commit a crime, for what use is that sword to a boy like Robin anyway? It was made clear that Robin only narrowly escaped certain death at the hand of Gilbert by sheer luck (in the early episodes). In other words, Gilbert's giving a sword to the boy was never a courteous attempt to fight on equal grounds-- rather a justification to murder on grounds of self-defence. His code of honor was always empty words.

That was him before. But then skip forward to his transformation. How and when did he transform?

After his imprisonment in the castle? Nope. He only freed himself from loyalty to Alwine. No other changes made. He even said to Marian "I am no longer Alwine's dog. I am just a stray dog now." Same dog then, have it your way 😂

After the fall from the cliff? Nope. He remained the same spiteful person -- only crazier.

After the duel in the middle of the forest fire? That short scene of him and Robin appearing in negative colors as they realize in horror that the girls are kidnapped -- that short scene was only used as a cliff-hanger to finish ep 37 in suspense. As for 38, no trace or ripple effect of that scene whatsoever. The dog is still a being a dogged dog without a care in the world for his significant others.

After seeing Cleo and Marian tied up? Absolutely no. Look at his face and see craziness written all over. Even Robin said I have no choice but to kill him if I want to save the girls. Gilbert's obstinacy was a hindrance, so clearly seeing the girls bound up and subjugated had no transformational effect on him at all.

After Cleo and Marian got absorbed in that goo? The director wants us to believe so, but I don't buy it. Why care now all of a sudden for the girls? Weren't they in danger all this time while he turned a deaf ear? Is it the surreal danger now that shocked him out of his berserk mode? Is it because he got absorbed in that jelly too and experienced fear firsthand? What does his fear of death have to do with his transformation and begging Robin to forgive him? What did he suddenly realize in that moment that merited an apology to Robin? I find it all illogical and unconvincing. Suddenly he is up in space, peacefully holding hands and smiling to everyone, then they land on earth, bury the hatchet and his scar is gone. He finishes the scene with the exclamation "God!" As if he had been forgiven. Why? Why was he forgiven? How did he atone for his past sins? What selfless act did he perform or how did he mend his old ways? NO ANSWER.

Even in the very last episode, I saw no voluntary act of good will. He only did his master's bidding (the king). I watched his face carefully as he offered Robin to join the King's Knights, and something made me uneasy. I felt as if the jealousy and rivalry would spring up all over again. The so-called transformed Gilbert is just one who found a better master. No free will, no critical mind, no spontaneous acts of generosity or kindness, no loving or friendly exchanges with his circle of friends, like for instance I didn't see him apologize to the sister he wronged or to the knight comrades he aggressed. Even the Marian he was so crazy and ready to murder for, he simply let her go without a convincing rationale.

How on earth did he transform?! Please convince me.