The True Functions of Holy and Meteor

by Brian Maniscalco 

Jason Golec made some good points in his editorial "Yet Another Defense Of Final Fantasy VII's Absurdly Controversial Ending". However, towards the end of his editorial he produces a whole paragraph of blatantly off base commentary:

Another complaint is the interaction between Holy and Meteor. Holy was supposed to stop Meteor, according to our poor, uninformed characters, right? Instead, it actually amplified it to help it destroy Midgar. Now, why would the Earth use something like Holy to amplify something like Meteor, which was apparently intended to destroy the planet? If you ask why the Weapons didn't attack Sephiroth, then ask why they didn't try to prevent Holy, either; both served the same purpose. It wasn't as if Meteor was flying at the planet at massive speeds. What, was it going to nudge Earth to death? Perhaps it was going to politely ask the planet to roll into the sun? No, Meteor had the exact same purpose that Holy and the Weapons did: to eliminate threats to the planet. You'll notice that it headed straight for where everything else head ... Midgar. Which means Earth was never in any danger of getting obliterated. Only mankind.

Let's go through it, point by incorrect point.

1. Instead, [Holy] actually amplified [Meteor] to help it destroy Midgar.

I would think if two forces such as Holy and Meteor conjoined to obliterate Midgar, they would do just that, and thoroughly. In the last scene of the ending, we see Midgar, definately worse for the wear, but its basic structure still largely intact (see picture). Holy clearly protects Midgar- and the planet- from Meteor. What about the damage Midgar takes as Holy wards off Meteor, you ask? I would presume that's from Meteor's gravitational pull.

2. ...the Weapons didn't attack Sephiroth...

Not that they could, given the magical barrier Sephiroth erected around the crater. By the time it was destroyed, two Weapons had already been knocked out. The remaining one, Ultimate Weapon, actually does hover above the crater, its hands pointing downward while crackling with energy as if preparing to strike, when chased in Disc 3. Emerald Weapon and Ruby Weapon were added to the American version for an extra challenge, a bonus; they don't factor into the equation.

3. ...[the Weapons] didn't try to prevent Holy, either...

Of course not. They worked for a common goal: to protect the planet. It's a moot point regardless. The Weapons wouldn't be included in the ending for the same reason that Yuffie and Vincent weren't; alternative ending scenes based on the accomplishments of the gamer were not included by the programmers.

4. It wasn't as if Meteor was flying at the planet at massive speeds. What, was it going to nudge Earth to death? Perhaps it was going to politely ask the planet to roll into the sun?

The above is an attempt to refute the notion that Meteor was a threat to the planet. Had Holy not stopped it cold (with the Lifestream's help), Meteor would have continued on its course and bored a hole into the planet. Speed is irrelevant. It was mentioned numerous times that Meteor was the ultimate black magic, with the ability to deal the planet a serious injury.

5. No, Meteor had the exact same purpose that Holy and the Weapons did: to eliminate threats to the planet.

Meteor was summoned by Sephiroth to seriously damage the planet, prompting it to issue forth massive quantities of lifestream energy (similar to the crater at the North Pole), leaving it vulnerable to a hostile takeover from Sephiroth. I don't think a force with the intentions of eliminating the planet's threats would produce such an effect, any more than a doctor would attempt to cure a patient's malady by disembowling him.

6. Which means Earth was never in any danger of getting obliterated. Only mankind.

Clearly, the Earth was in great danger due to Meteor.