Episode 18 Discussion?

[nayami.livejournal.com]

You know, I reached the point of my Geass watching where I crave discussion. Sadly I cannot convince any of my buddies to watch the series with me so I was hoping we could establish a regular episode commentary here. I'm most interested in 18 for now since a lot happened in a short span of time, and I thought it would fun to gather some opinions on the matter. I also think it might be fun to evaluate the paths of Lelouch and Suzaku. Surfing the Japanese fanart sites the other night, I encountered many pics comparing the boys' young and then older selves (Yay, my Geass fanart count is almost 700 now). So yeah let's toss up theories for anything and everything regarding the story so far.

Also, is this more of something I should try for after the subtitled versions are released?



My love for Suzaku grows as he continues his bull-headed drive to change Britannia from within. Watching him pursue his fight with Zero, even when he knew Britannia was firing missiles at their location, was so tragic. And Lelouch, who knows what an obstacle Suzaku is but can't bring himself to take the quickest route to dealing with him. I read on the anime blogs that Lelouch was going to geass Suzaku to save himself before the missiles hit. While this is probably true, I prefer the more optimistic view that Lelouch was also trying to save Suzaku in the process. Lelouch has still yet to show which is more important: his revenge or the only people who've ever represented family to him. I say this because he hasn't really been put to the test. This would be the first time, but the fact that both were in a life or death situation tilts the scale a bit. Then we have Suzaku, who doesn't know who Zero is. Someone said Zero was set on eliminating on the Lancelot pilot but was forced back to Lelouch when he learned it was Suzaku. So it remains to be seen whether Suzaku's steadfast devotion to his peace will override his loyalty to his friend once he learns who Zero is. The first picture drama has Lelouch calling Suzaku his worst enemy. While I fear this eventuality because I enjoy the relationship between the boys, I'm curious to see how it will come about. I would hope that the eventually end up working together, but it does not seem to be in Geass' nature.

On that note, I have this feeling either Suzaku or Lelouch might "die" in the break between the series. I foresee a vicious confrontation between the two over something akin to the typical rival/best friend battles.

Diethard scares the shit out of me, and I see him as causing a major problem for Lelouch in the near future. I think he might make another attempt to off Suzaku. I think if anyone takes him out of the picture, it will be Kallen. The two seem to have the greatest respect for Zero, but both have entirely different views of what Zero is. While Kallen wants the leader, Diethard wants the bloodthirsty revolutionist. Now that I've seen Kallen willing to risk everything for Zero, I wonder how she and Suzaku will fair during the island arc. Will she try to win over Suzaku as Zero tried?

I am really tired of any storyline with Nina. I already know it's going to be crappy so I don't care. Shirley, on the other hand, I'm interested in since she knows who Zero is and has knowledge he killed her father. I also fear they're going to butcher any potential Jeremiah had with his new form.

I've read mixed reviews about how Nunnally feels about Suzaku's new position so I'd like a consensus.

Comments

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I don't think he can have known Euphemia that well; how developed would either of their stances be at the time they last saw each other, considering their similar ages. I don't know.

He's definitely dorky. I bet Schneizel doesn't fall over into the bushes. Lol!

[verity-isle.livejournal.com]

10 year old Lelouch's stance was quite similar to Euphie and Suzaku's current stances. He also has the advantage of hearing Imperial Family News everywhere, probably, and knows her personality well enough to realize she's possibly unlike Clovis. (I would rant on the interesting that's LL and SZK's reactions on the Episode 16 Massacre + Resultant War, but it'd be OT)

I still want Schneizel to have dork points. ;_; It's just not the Britannian Royal Family without a few levels in dorkery. Sigh.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I still feel sad for Clovis. Hey he wasn't the world's best person by a long shot. He was callous, he was arrogant, he was vain and he was (like Lelouch) rather over theatrical and a terrible governor.

But he clearly had another side to him, because his sisters seem very fond of him and determined to avenge him. And the people who worked under him obviously had some admiration since the general who failed him was quite distressed at that failing - and didn't have to express his sadness to Clovis's coffin, because Clovis had died and there was hardly going to be any comeback in that private moment. Clovis was the product of the Family he was born into and it's competative nature, and the way he died was still nasty, no matter how you look at it.

It was said that Euphemia had been kept out of the public eye; I am still not sure how much Lelouch can be assumed to know about her at first (though I should think he'd know her stance by now for sure).

I think Schneizel is a secret geek, along with his buddy Lloyd. ^-^ Hence the techno gadgets. :DDD

[verity-isle.livejournal.com]

Clovis was the product of his environment, and his death was the first indication that Lelouch's interpretation of things isn't what it seems to be. I'm still feeling that the real tragedy in Geass' Revenge Tragedy is not how Lelouch would lose everything in the attempt, because that directly conflicts with the 'success story' statement, but in how his revenge could be ultimately misdirected and meaningless. How the truth behind his personal tragedy isn't what he thinks it is. Considering everything he went through and probably will go through, THAT would be a blow, and his reaction then would be interesting.

He did have the Ashfords. I'm not sure how much communication goes on between here and there, but they could've kept him updated. Plus, the fact that he recruits through the internet suggests he has unconventional web channels. Even if he uses Biglobe.

I WOULD LOVE THAT YES. If there not be dorkery, I'd love to see him walk past a Knighmare Frame under repair and suddenly spout off a gob of techspeak, freaking out everyone at the scene.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Lelouch doesn't really know anything about the circumstances around his mother's death. By the standards of the people around her and in the Royal Family, she may have been asking for it. A little child wouldn't know about the politics she might or might not have been involved in; Mom is Mom after all.

I have never persoanlly seen why any of the Royal children would be involved. I could see why they might have disliked her social status (or lack of it) or why they would try to remove her children, their rivals for the crown, but not her. I could see why another wife might have done it though, as an example.

Lelouch recruiting online is hilarious. XD My revenge/s> Japan needs you!

I can imagine that Cornelia is the wizard pilot but Schneizel doesn't actually care about piloting; it's all about the technology. XD That would indeed be funny! XD

[tatooine.livejournal.com]

Clovis is the Demyx of the Britannian Royal Family. :\

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Oh yes; and I think you should rant! XD We're deeply hiding inside the main thread, and it *is* discussion, so it's only just OT...or start another thread! XD There are people who haven't watch as far as 18 anyway, so more people could rant too. :DDD

[verity-isle.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should start another thread later on. WORK IS NOT FINISHED GRAHH.

My threads tend to fizzle, but hey, that's the spirit of discussion too.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

This thread is thriving though; maybe people are in the mood to talk! XDD

[verity-isle.livejournal.com]

I know. And judging from the post, the OP also seems to be interested in this subject. BUT I SEVERELY HAVE NO TIME ARRRGH.

Note : This is why you do not leave important translation work to the last minute while you translate manga.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Lol, as a person who always seems to end up leaving everything to the last oment, I understand that! XD