Meer Campbell (ミーア・キャンベル Mīa Kyanberu?) is a fictional character from the anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
Personality & Character
Meer was an impostor to Lacus Clyne. After the events of SEED, Lacus disappeared from public life to look after orphaned children with Kira Yamato in Orb. Chairman Gilbert Durandal knew that Lacus' power of social influence surpasses his, with Lacus missing, he replaced the real Lacus with Meer. It was Durandal's intention to use Meer's entertainer talents to garner support for his cause and placate the public. Because Athrun Zala is close to Lacus, he quickly realized there's a difference in personality when meeting her double. Rather than hide the fact he replaced her, Durandal was truthful to Athrun that he needed Lacus' influence to maintain public order. Although he questioned Durandal's use of Lacus' image, Athrun tolerated the ruse as it helped with public morale. Secretly, Durandal intended to permanently replace Lacus with Meer.
Durandal realized he couldn't keep the ruse forever. He knew the real Lacus would eventually resurface and reclaim her identity. The truth would play a destructive effect on his Destiny Plan; Durandal dispatched agents to find the real Lacus to silence her. Ironically, it would be the reason why the real Lacus made her public return. Durandal's agents found Lacus and attempted to assassinate her. However, it was foiled by Kira and prompted her (along with her allies) to take action against Durandal. It was while reconnoitering their situation that Lacus realized she has been replaced. However, Lacus chose to remain hidden until Orb faced military action from ZAFT.
Before transforming into Lacus, Meer was an energetic black-haired freckled girl that dreamed about her big break to debut her song. In her own diary account, Meer was often complemented for sounding just like Lacus and idolized her. When agents approached her to become Lacus, she felt it was an opportunity to be recognized for her talents and become her idol. Although she admitted the circumstances are unusual, Meer was excited and motivated to become Lacus. Upon meeting Durandal, he convinced Meer that her role is to help the people through Lacus' image. Desperate for stardom and convinced her actions will help PLANT, Meer heartily immersed herself into the role. As the conflict between the Alliance and LOGOS progressed, Meer begins to realize the depth of her influence as her words can move the world. In her own account, none of her public announcements are prepared. She honestly spoke from her heart, calling for peace and resolution. However, Meer's world was in conflict when it came to her career, personal identity, and her feelings for Athrun.
Through a combination of Durandal's manipulation and her desperation to remain famous, Meer convinced herself she's now Lacus Clyne. The fame and idolization she received from her fans convinced her that despite they are loving her for being Lacus, the people's positive reaction was through her and not the real Lacus. Although she never developed a romantic relationship with Athrun, stories of Athrun's love for Lacus (in the events of SEED) made her enamored with him, even if it was pretend. When Meer realized Athrun's life was in danger because Durandal no longer deem him reliable, she tipped Athrun off in hopes to save his life. Athrun wanted Meer to escape with her, warning her own life will be eventually threatened. However, Meer couldn't give up being Lacus. Although Meer doesn't know all the complications and nuances of the times, she's aware she's a figurehead for Durandal and must continue to serve his interests to maintain her position. Unfortunately, her deception would be eventually exposed and cost her.
When Cagalli Yula Athha made a public announcement about ZAFT's military actions against Orb and Durandal's motives after the Battle of Onogoro, Meer intervened. Durandal thought he could use Lacus' influence to sway public opinion away from Cagalli, but the real Lacus made her return next to Cagalli. With Meer's identity in question from public opinion, she was hidden away until the coast was clear. Unfortunately, Meer was desperate to continue being Lacus and lured the real Lacus into a trap. When the real Lacus saw Meer, Lacus permitted Meer in taking her identity, but warned her that they will always be different people on the inside. Meer realized the error of her ways and intended to join Athrun's party. Unfortunately, a surviving gunman tried to kill Lacus and Meer intervened. Meer saved Lacus at the cost of her life. In her dying breath, Meer wanted people to remember her song and her life. She died apologizing to Lacus for her actions. Meer passed her diary and photo to the Archangel crew to learn about her life. Her death left a deep impact on Athrun and Lacus in particular. Overall, Meer was a misguided girl with the best intentions for humanity and wanted to make a difference. She was an unfortunate casualty of Durandal's machinations.
Skills & Abilities
History
Early Days
Little is known about Meer's past. However, she's a Coordinator from PLANT. A talented singer, Meer idolized Lacus Clyne and hoped she could be like her one day. Meer's voice was often complemented to sound just like Lacus and she hoped to debut with her song(s) one day. Meer would have her chance when Durandal searched for a doppelganger for Lacus.
After the events of SEED, Gilbert Durandal succeeded Patrick Zala as the PLANT Supreme Council Chairman and head of ZAFT's military. Durandal wanted to make the world a better place and had ambitions of enacting his Destiny Plan. In order to realize his goals, he would need great social influence and his wasn't great enough compared to Lacus Clyne. Unfortunately, Lacus disappeared after the first Alliance-PLANT War. Lacus secretly moved to Orb to be with Kira Yamato and be a caretaker for the orphaned children. Without the real Lacus, Durandal opted to find someone to take over Lacus' identity and loyally serve him.
Becoming Lacus Clyne
Meer is contacted by Chairman Gilbert Durandal, who asks her to pose as Lacus. After she accepts the job, Meer's face is surgically altered to look identical to Lacus; however, she does wear a different shaped hairclip. Meer also takes Lacus' image as a pop star further: singing more upbeat versions of her songs, more dancing, more revealing clothing, etc.
Since Lacus has greater political influence than he does, Durandal uses Meer to gain support for his policies. Meer believes in Durandal's ideals, furthers his agenda by impersonating Lacus. Meer believes that by impersonating Lacus, she will be loved by everyone.
While the people in PLANTs have noticed the drastic change in Lacus' (Meer) preferences like wearing a more revealing clothing and singing upbeat songs, none of them became suspicious that she is an impostor. However, Athrun Zala was able to see through her pretenses only by basing on the way she acted when they first met. On the other hand, Kira Yamato knew given that he was with Lacus the whole time and most of the other characters in the Three Ships Alliance knew she is not the real Lacus, especially since Lacus has been living with most of the senior members of the Three Ships Alliance in Orb, and later on board the Archangel. In The Edge (a manga series depicting Athrun's side of the story), Gilbert Durandal acknowledges to Athrun that Meer is an impostor.
Although Meer claims to be an avid fan of Lacus, she had little understanding of what she believed in and what she fought for thus allowing Durandal to easily manipulate her. Meer also has a crush on Athrun Zala whom she still thinks is Lacus' fianceé and uses this as an excuse to be close to him.
At first, Meer was a promising impersonator of Lacus. However she lost composure upon meeting Athrun as she ran towards him full of excitement.
Later, Athrun having been told already of what Meer is doing, Meer tells him her real name and she drags him to dinner. As they speak, Meer asks him about the speech she delivered. Athrun does not respond saddening her. Athrun feeling sorry, reassures her by saying she is almost identical to the real one which makes her face lit up with happiness. Athrun frankly tells her that it's not her but Lacus' "power" that the chairman needs. Meer replies that she doesn't mind if only it is for the moment because she could help the people by being Lacus as she was a nobody and is never needed by anyone.
As time passed, Meer already took the pretending way too seriously fearing that she would go back to her old life of being unwanted. This was shown when she became angry when no one greeted her when she arrived and when her manager said "It's the real one (Lacus)" who boarded the ship.
When he defects, Athrun attempts to convince her to escape Gibraltar with him, she refuses, claiming that she is Lacus and that she prefers to be Lacus.
Hiding
Meer's imposture is revealed to the general public by Lacus after the Battle of Onogoro, when the real Lacus interrupted Meer's TV news broadcast. Following this, Durandal sends Meer, along with her bodyguard Sarah into hiding at the lunar city of Copernicus. Ironically, the Archangel, after being assigned to Orb's 2nd Space Fleet, also lands on Copernicus with Lacus Clyne in tow. Sarah informs Meer of the Archangel's presence and tells her that the other one may be with them. Sarah then suggests that Meer (whom she addresses as Lacus) do something about it, and Meer accepts.
As Kira, Athrun, Lacus, and Meyrin Hawke go shopping, Meer's red Haro gives a note to Lacus saying that Meer is going to be killed (or as the letter says "I'm gonna be killed! -Meer"). Athrun and Meyrin say they believe that it is a trap, but Lacus decides to go anyway, since Meer asked for Lacus' help. The other three accompany Lacus to meet Meer.
Later events and death
Meer meets the others in an empty amphitheater surrounded by armed men waiting in ambush. She is surprised to see Athrun, whom she thought had died after he was branded a traitor. Meer clings to the belief that she is Lacus Clyne, as the real Lacus tries to calm her down, telling Meer that she is her own person with her own dreams, even if she looks and sounds like Lacus right now. Desperate, Meer threatens to shoot Lacus but is stopped by Athrun, who shoots the gun out of her hands.
Sarah, who is lying in wait, tries to shoot Lacus, but Kira's mechanical bird Torii (Birdy in the dubbed version) alerts Athrun to the threat. A heated gunfight then ensues, as Athrun takes down most of the armed men, and Sarah is seriously injured, when a grenade she throws is deflected back at her by Kira and Meyrin.
Mu La Flaga arrives in the ORB-01 Akatsuki after the firefight to evacuate them all. Kira asks Meer to go with them. She first hesitates but eventually accepts. However, she sees Sarah aiming for Lacus; Meer tries to warn off Lacus, but instead takes the bullet for Lacus, while running towards her, while Athrun and Kira then shoot and kill off Sarah.
Meer gives Lacus a picture of herself before her cosmetic surgery, and after begging her not to forget her songs and life with a sincere apology, saying she liked to meet them all properly she dies in a tearful Lacus' arms. Athrun carries Meer's dead body to the Archangel, where a brief but heartfelt funeral service is held for her in her honor. Later, Lacus and the others read Meer's personal diary about her life (with her voice-over again not reflecting what is written). Lacus tearfully promises Meer that she and her friends will never forget about her and her life. Meer is laid to rest with military honors.
Quote
| “ | Meer: He said, "I am in need of your power now... for the sake of PLANT." That's why..." Athrun: "It's not your power... but Lacus's that he needs." Meer: "That's true. But for now... No. It's not only now, isn't it? Lacus-san is always needed by everyone. She's always so strong, pretty, and gentle. Mia isn't needed by anyone. That's why it's okay even if it is just for now. As long as I can be of help to the Chairman and the people, in place of Lacus-san who is not here, I am happy to do so. |
” |
—Meer Campbell and Athrun Zala about Gilbert Dullindal and Lacus Clyne., Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, A Father's Spell | ||
| “ | Please remember...my song...And my life. | ” |
—Meer Campbell to Lacus Clyne., Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, The Song of Truth | ||
| “ | I would've liked to...meet you...properly. All of you. | ” |
—Meer Campbell, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, The Song of Truth | ||
| “ | I'm sorry... | ” |
—Meer Campbell's last words to Lacus Clyne,Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, The Song of Truth | ||
| “ | Please remember...my song...And my life.
Meer Campbell to Lacus Clyne.,Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny in Episode 46 |
” |
| “ | I would've liked to...meet you...properly. All of you.
Meer Campbell.,Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny in Episode 46 |
” |
| “ | I'm sorry...
Meer Campbell last word to Lacus Clyne,Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny in Episode 46 |
” |
Gallery
Notes & Trivia
- Meer's name has two meanings: Her name is Dutch for "lake" (as a counterpart to Lacus's name, which is Latin for "lake"), and it's also the phonetic spelling of the English word, "mirror". This shows a symbolic connection between Lacus and Meer through their appearances as well as suggest about Meer's impersonation of Lacus.
- Meer Campbell has known having a voice that sounds very similar to her idol's, Lacus Clyne. Reflecting this, both Meer Campbell and Lacus Clyne are voiced by Rie Tanaka[1] in the Japanese version and by Chantal Strand[2] in the English dub. Jillian Michaels provides the English singing voice of both as well and Stephanie Sheh provides the voice of Meer in NYAV Post dub.
- Meer's last name may be a reference to Miia (whose Japanese name is also ミーア), a member of an alien race known as the "Campbellians" from Chōdenji Robo Combattler V.
References
External links