Maybe I'm just impatient, but after the build-up at the end of the first disc, I was hoping for more show-and-tell in this second volume.  That's not to say that Volume 2 isn't entertaining, I just wasn't ready for the series to drop the questions surrounding Randel Oland that had been raised in Volume 1.  The tantalizing tidbits of information about the newest member of Squad Three were abandoned (hopefully only for the time being) in favor of exploring the division's role in the army and Alice Malvin's love life.

After learning some disturbing information about Randel and the supposedly nonexistent anti-tank division he belonged to, Alice's subordinate, Martis, pushes aside his suspicions regarding his comrade.  Randel seems harmless enough, and once Martis witnesses him talk down a jumper, he figures he can put off his questions until later.  There's quite a bit of story left to go, so hopefully he won't put those questions away permanently.  That creepy blue lantern Randel keeps handy has to have an explanation eventually.

For the rest of the disc, the series shifts gears, revealing some of the economic and political problems facing the group.  An abandoned baby, intercepted relief supplies, and a delivery mission beset by bandits and elements round out this installment of Pumpkin Scissors.  The group has their work cut out for them with the dark post-war atmosphere enveloping the country.  Famine and poverty run rampant, with no assistance from wealthy nobles, who are frightened of their own people and refuse to help in any way.  Common citizens are forced to abandon their own children or turn to crime and the black market to survive.  The members of Squad Three may mean well, but gaining the trust of the people they're attempting to help isn't easy.

The following episodes bring a little insight to the characters, and offers some explanation for Alice's extreme idealism.  She's so hotheaded and determined to make her squad a success, that she can be a little annoying.  She's so young, and tries so hard, though, that it's hard not to sympathize with her at the same time.  It's obvious that civilians don't trust the army, and it's hard for Alice to assure them that she really does want to help without sounding like an idealistic fool.  However, how can a person born of nobility help when she has little comprehension of the troubles the citizens are facing after such a devastating war?  Alice has a lot to prove.  Her family disapproves of her involvement in the army, and wants to marry her off to a respectable, wealthy man.  Her own peers in the army think her division is a joke.  She will have to work very hard to gain the trust of the people she's trying to help.  Small wonder Alice tries too hard!  Maybe if she relaxed a little and listened more to her not-so-noble subordinates, her job would go more smoothly.

Pumpkin Scissors isn't the first title I'd choose off the shelf.  Even though her predicament is understandable, Alice can be a bit overbearing.  I find Randel to be a far more intriguing character, but so far he mostly ends up as the basis for jokes.  Granted the comic relief surrounding him tends to be pretty funny, but I'm anxious to learn more about his character.  While this disc is entertaining enough, some of the episodes feel like filler.  The series has it's moments, though, and raises enough questions about Randel to keep me watching.  I'm curious to see how it will all turn out, and will definitely be checking out the next volume.

Details: Runtime 1:40, contains episodes 5-8.  Extras include clean opening and closing, dvd credits, and some previews.