Good theories and analysis in this thread. Nothing to add on that front.
Think my only hope for the volume based on what we saw in the trailer is that we don't go jumping between JN_R and RWBY/Ozcarpin/Qrow too much and stick to a single narrative thread. Last two volumes had way too many split narratives and I don't want to be constantly checking in with what JN_R is doing. They're far less important than the Relic and its journey with its guardians and while its nice to see them every so often, it's just not necessary. There are so many characters to keep track of, letting JN_R's story rest is a good idea.
Actually, I think that if JNR are just escorting survivors to nearby help it would be the perfect time to let them fall to the wayside a bit. Watching a bunch of randoms trudging through snow and panicking about Grimm isn't really my idea of a good time - maybe show one instance of JNR working together to protect people but other then that let us just assume they're getting them to safety.
At the end, when RWBYQO and JNR are in places with signal, they can call and let us know 'we arrived, we lost a few people, we'll meet you in Atlas' or whatever.
That’s a good alternative.
I'd like to see about 2 JNR scene's(well, segues really, as the first I'd like to skirt over approximately what they've been doing since separating, while the second would be a personal mission) throughout the volume, perhaps one an episode long; a fight and Renora moment with Jaune reflecting, and a scene showing them meet Pyrrha's family(if RWBY don't meet up beforehand).
1) While it's very possible Emerald is getting that speech from Salem, it's pretty much a given that it would be more suited to Cinder for what she wrought in her arrogance. And that makes me wonder if Cinder has left her faction high and dry, letting them take the fall for her plotting. Which would also explain Salem's even more aggravated mood, her "child" has ran away and left her playmates behind. Oh I wouldn't want to be in Cinder' shoes when Salem finds her, it won't be pretty, not at all.
2) It definitely could be a previous incarnation of Ozpin, and that whole scene reminded me of the lyrics in "Sacrifice":
"Show them gods and deities,
Blind and keep the people on their knees."
Seems pretty self-explanatory to me. Could we be seeing the man behind the curtain at long last? We'll find out in due time, I'm sure.
3) I've heard plenty of theories about the Old Woman. I had a crazy theory that she's Raven's mother, who spends the season nettling Yang over how much she acts like Raven, much to the firecracker's discontent. But, that's probably not even remotely true, and I'll be shocked if it is.
Though the latest one I've hard is she's actually a spy for Atlas, and she'll be the one who helps them enter the insular kingdom. Those goggles she wears might not be just for sight, it could be advanced spy tech, we'll see I guess.
4) Somehow I doubt that's any of Team JNPR with the Madam and her underlings. My bet is it's actually Cinder, looking for any info on where a certain silver-eyed girl has vanished. Along with a notorious bandit leader. Seems to me she's going AWOL and doing her own things, much like Adam. Though she can't hide from Salem for long, no sirree.
As for Team JNPR, they probably got separated after the trainwreck and are helping the survivors. Getting them to safety will clearly come first, after that can they seek to reconnect with Team RWBY.
5) I'd say he'll be despairing more over how much trouble Ozpin is getting him into, he's already run away from his only family and going to who knows where to do who knows what, and who knows if he'll even come back alive once it's all over.
6) Remember what happened a scene before, Oscar collapsed on the ground before reaching out to Ruby. That happens when Ozpin relinquishes control for one reason for another, and I'm betting it's after Ozpin explained why he had to cause the trainwreck ie "I did what I had to do," and then forced Oscar into the forefront so he wouldn't have to deal with their ire himself. So for all Team RWBY knows, Team JNPR and countless innocents are dead, all because Ozpin deemed it necessary to protect the Relic at all costs. And I daresay Oscar is more pleading with Ruby to help him and believe in him, since she's the one he trusts the most.
That 6th theory might actually be plausible.
Edit: But a massive no for the Raven’s mom theory. Just a big fat no.
Not out of racism, (heck, I myself am black) but because their skin colors/races are different, so it wouldn’t make sense.
Glitchee123z wrote: …
Edit: But a massive no for the Raven’s mom theory. Just a big fat no.
Not out of racism, (heck, I myself am black) but because their skin colors/races are different, so it wouldn’t make sense.
Agreed, although I would add that Raven and Qrow were adopted by the tribe after being Orphan's... so it isn't her mom, if it was an adoptive parent they would still be with the tribe... It could be Weiss's Abuela/great Aunt though(still doubtful, but at least the scarf would make sense).
Hah, I really didn't think it was true, I merely put it out just to suggest another possibility instead of simply agreeing to the "She's a SEW" or "She's the Winter Maiden" theories. But we'll find out either way in November, or sometime during the Volume, can't wait. ^_^
I’m more excited for the intro.