Code Geass Episode 1: Discussion!

[gods-debris.livejournal.com]

Sorry for posting this so early. I just know I will not have time all day on Thursday (well, technically where I am it is Thursday...). This isn't the normal for me--I'm your standard stay-at-home girlfriend at the moment--so this won't happen frequently. I'm so excited for this! I hope a lot of people participate. I'll check the comments Thursday night if I can talk my mother into letting me borrow her computer. :)

For those of you who haven't gotten the episode yet, check out the information I posted here. Anyways, onward!



Code Geass Episode 1: The Day The Evil God Was Born
We are reminded once again what happened to Japan and the power of Britannia—how they were able to invade and take over Japan with their new weapons called Knightmares, and how Japan was stripped of its culture and name; and renamed Area 11.



Once again we're thrown into the world of Code Geass with a melancholy Suzaku and a vengeful Lelouch!


How can you say no to that face?! (Lelouch's)

Lelouch always seems to carry himself in a different way from others. He's confident, charismatic and seems to know exactly what to say as far as speeches go. I feel we really get a taste for his character when Rival asks him why he moved his King first in the game of chess he had between the noble: "If the king doesn't move then his subjects won't follow."

While Rival and Lelouch are on their way back to school they're almost run over by Kallen who is part of the terrorist group against Britannia. I always somewhat felt that for a terrorist group they were awfully generous to swerve so they didn't hit them. I always imagined that a terrorist group on a mission would have no time to be merciful to those who got in the way of their plan, but it left a nice opening for Lelouch to run to the rescue and get caught up in the action.



You know, did Rival not see Lelouch climb onto the truck? Did he not see him fall into the opening on the top? Did he not see the truck drive away? If he saw all that, why does he stand around shortly after yelling for him and reminding him that they have to get back to school? C'mon, Rival. I know you're not that stupid!


There is so much win in these pictures... Anyone else happy for Spinzaku?

It's nice to see Lloyd doing what he does best which is sticking his nose into everybody's business while looking for data. I imagine him doing crazy silly things while yelling, "FOR SCIENCE!" In the end they didn't have a pilot for Lancelot... so what happened to the previous pilot they had lined up? Did I miss something?

Suzaku and Lelouch meet up again, but under interesting terms. Suzaku is now part of the Britannian army! It's nice to see that Suzaku is still putting others before him (covering Lelouch's face with his air mask when C.C.'s capsule opens up). Suzaku even ends up taking a bullet for Lelouch because he refuses to shoot him.



Also, you know, I love Shirley but there are times she can be pretty annoying. Could she have picked a better time to call? I guess it can't be expected to silence your phone when you are trying to dodge being caught. I like it because it's the human error. It makes Lelouch seem more human.



When Lelouch receives his power and uses it for the first time he seems surprised by his own actions. One of the many themes throughout this series is lies and the lies people tell. Lelouch tells us from that day on he's been lying to himself. I wonder what Lelouch is telling us this.



Lelouch, it's good to have you back.

Comments

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Introducing the very first Code Geass Points!
R1 Episode 1

-5 points for Young Failouch can't climb a small hill
+ 4 points for Thanks, Young Suzaku!
+2 Creepy ominous and "hey wait you were here the whole time?" points for C.C.
-10 points for Sunrise, you bastards, you will never explain this
+2 Thanks for the intro, C.C.
+5 for OBLITERATE BRITANNIA FUCK YEAH
JIBUN WOOOO
+2 for I'M ON A HORSE!Lulu during the intro
-2 for proud nobleman being a dick
+4 for WHO IS THAT IN THE DOORWAY
+1 for Shirley being moe
+2 for Milly being Milly
-15 for Tamaki fucking up
-10 for Clovis not meaning a word he says
+2 for Rivalz calling Lelouch macabre
+2 for Clovis giving his speech from a party
-25 Fuck you nameless sycophant in the corner
-10 for Lrn2Drive Nagata
-100 for ANOTHER THING SUNRISE WON'T EXPLAIN - shiny C.C. mist around the truck
+3 for Heroic Lulu
-1 for C.C., finish your damn sentence
+1 for one-liner Rivalz
+5 for Thank you for not being a bloodthirsty terrorist, Kallen
+2 for the introduction of the red Knightmare
-10 "YOU FELLAS KNOW FULL WELL WHAT THIS BADASS MOTHER CAN DO" (English dub only)
+5 Jeremiah being badass
-7 Jeremiah being racist
+5 Lloyd being Lloyd
-10 Bloodthirsty asshole racist military guy being bloodthirsty asshole racist military guy
-5 Lelouch, why do you want to "climb out" when there's AN OPEN DOOR RIGHT BEHIND YOU?!
-5 Lelouch, using "obliterate Britannia" out of context makes no sense
+3 Thanks for the rescue, Suzaku, but it wasn't necessary
+3 C.C. grand intro
-20 Bloodthirsty asshole racist military guy being bloodthirsty asshole racist military guy
+10 Suzaku's noble self-sacrifice
-10 Suzaku's selfish, masturbatory self-sacrifice
+5 Nagata's noble self-sacrifice
-30 Fuck you Clovis, that really wasn't necessary
-5 Did you really need to shoot the baby?
-2 DAMMIT SHIRLEY (I mean you didn't know but dammit)
+3 C.C.'s temporary self-sacrifice
+2 Aww, he thinks of Nunnally in his last moment
+10 YESSSSSSS, C.C., LULU'S SAVIOR
-5 C.C. be honest, half of what you say makes no sense and means nothing
+50 Lelouch's entire crowning moment of awesome including "the only ones who should kill are those who are preapared to be killed" and "Lelouch vi Britannia commands you, all of you, DIE!"
+2 …Did I do that?Lulu
-2 Dammit stop doing monologues!
+5 Aww yeah, that smirk! Lelouch is here!

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Loved:

All the moment of Sunrise explaining NOTHING EVER. Except what you least want.

Also, DAMMIT THIS REMINDED ME HOW MUCH I WANTED TO SEE LELOUCH RIDE A HORSE IN THE ACTUAL SERIES. Damn you, horseback Lulu! Stop taunting me! :(

Lol the door behind him. I didn't even notice that.

You know, that "Destroy Britannia" actually doesn't make sense there. XD

So much vague and random C.C. I want to know what "my" means too.

This was awesome! I look forward to more. Also, do we have a final tally for the episode?

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Thanks!
We got to see a better Lulu-on-horse clip in the R2 opening (can't remember which one) where they actually went through the effort of animating him stopping the horse correctly. He's clearly pretty good at it. But we only see him on a horse for like TWO SECONDS in R2 episode 2! And it's not even moving! So...um, lengthy way of saying I agree, I want Lulu-on-horse footage.
I didn't notice the open-door thing the first time, but every subsequent watch-through I noticed, "Hey, didn't the door behind him pop open? How will that make it easier to climb out of the top of the truck? Just turn around!"
The subsequent line asking Suzaku why he doesn't just destroy Britannia has always sounded awkward to me...it makes no sense. He's asking a random foot soldier, in a casual manner, why he doesn't destroy the country he works for, out of the blue. "Why don't you fight back?" or "Why don't you resist their tyranny?" or similar (i.e. phrased better) would have been much more sensible and natural...but they wanted Suzaku to recognize the specific promise.
Technically the points are for characters, not for the episode itself, so each character has a running tally. The original Lost points - the style in which I am doing the Geass points - didn't have a tally because the guy wasn't serious enough about it; part of the fun is making the numbers almost arbitrary. But it's simple math, I suppose I could.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I think it would be fun to see how the character totals ended up after everything. XD

Also, have you seen the fanart Suzaku and Lelouch versions of those body-pillow covers? TERRIFYING.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

I have them saved on my computer. I'll tally them up later, probably at the season breaks.
No, I haven't. I saw a Suzaku-body-pillow fanart that I thought was really sexynifty but I haven't seen any for Lelouch (unfortunately). I really want a sexy Lelouch body pillow (I already have a non-sexy one).

[nayami.livejournal.com]

These ones were of the Knight of Zero and Emperor Lelouch. Lelouch should never be exposed in a sexy manner. He is just too skinny. |D I'm okay with him slightly stripping though.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Oh, is that the magazine scan where they're lying head-to-toe next to each other? With tons of wrinkles? That pic was pretty terrible.
If it's not that picture, do you happen to have a link or something?

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Ask and ye shall receive (http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=13683920). You will need to be a member to view it though. I recommend becoming a member anyway since some of the fanart there is gorgeous and it's well-organized.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much!
Oh yeah, I've heard of Pixiv. It actually let me see the picture without joining but I joined anyway.
If they were real (and the art was a bit better) I'd probably buy 'em just for the lulz. (Maybe not at over a hundred bucks a piece, which the official dakimakuras are when they first come out, but if I found 'em cheaper.) I actually like the Lulu one a lot. XD

[snowdevil-crow.livejournal.com]

THEY HAVE HIS LITTLE PANTIES. ♥♥♥♥

[nayami.livejournal.com]

ALWAYS STRIVE FOR ACCURACY. \o/

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

The panties are the heart of the bit. :D

hey, I know another two...

[welyn.livejournal.com]

http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=2564812

http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=2564879

such a meaningful addition /runs

Re: hey, I know another two...

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

:D Hooray! I love you guys. My GIS searches for Lelouch body pillow fanarts were fruitless.
Actually, I already have the Suzaku one...I have to admit I was not nearly as attracted to Suzaku before I saw that picture. I'd buy that body pillow so hard.
The Lulu one is so great, thank you again! I've actually seen an icon somebody made out of his face from it, and I've always wanted to see where the full picture came from. ...Man, I'd probably buy fifty of the Lulu body pillow if it ever came out, but I'm just ridiculously addicted.

[carlenne.livejournal.com]

So much vague and random C.C. I want to know what "my" means too.
I thought she just meant something like 'my future contractor' or something.

[ichinichinemasu.livejournal.com]

Oh man, this is made of win. ♥

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :D

[kusaja.livejournal.com]

This was a fun read, but...I actually like the monologues. ;)

And in retrospect, I tend to think that what C.C. says makes plenty of sense even if it's still rather vague and metaphorical.

After all, what does she actually want from Lelouch at this point (death) and what's supposed to be the cursed fate of all those who gain Geass (immortality, unless they find someone who gives them death)?

For all the jabs at Sunrise not explaining everything, I think those parts of the puzzle fit reasonably well after all.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

I thought the monologues were inappropriate in the first episode. Back before I knew or cared about these characters I didn't really want to sit and hear a big info-dump from them; even now, knowing and caring about the characters and the storylines, I find my attention kind of wandering a bit during the monologues because it feels like the writers are trying to cram in a little too much information and foreshadowing.
But it's just personal taste, really. I don't like vague riddles. I don't like long speeches. C.C.'s fit the atmosphere of the Geass contract granting "ceremony" so I don't think it was necessarily a poor choice, I just know I've watched this series three or four times through and I still barely get exactly what she's talking about.
But that wasn't meant to be a jab at Sunrise. I will mention them by name when I bitch about them doing things I don't like and not explaining things.

[kusaja.livejournal.com]

Indeed, that's a matter of personal preference. I like monologues when they reveal, if not at the time then in retrospect, something about the characters who are engaging in them. Like, say, about Lelouch and C.C. in this case.

I suppose, in a way, I actually think we could have used a few more monologues later in R2 in order to foreshadow or explain a couple of things that weren't addressed elsewhere in the story, such as what you've pointed out here (and many more things to come, I'm sure).

It's a bit of a double-edged sword though. I don't mind having more fodder for discussion and speculation, even after everything has been said and done.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

I like monologues when they reveal, if not at the time then in retrospect, something about the characters who are engaging in them. Like, say, about Lelouch and C.C. in this case.

Another personal preference difference, I suppose. I feel like I should be able to understand what the characters are saying for the most part even on my first watch-through. I don't mind foreshadowing, I don't mind things being thrown in that are far more meaningful on multiple watch-throughs. But I don't really like long riddles that make no sense until you see the entire show and then piece it together. Partially because if it makes no sense I tune out, and even if I don't, I don't really remember it a year (or more) later when I finally get my answer. (Also, length is important here: the occasional scene where Charles says one sentence about "the Ragnarok junction/connection" or "we're going to kill the gods" makes no sense to me, but it's short enough that I can remember that he said it when the answer finally comes many episodes later.)
I'm also not saying that monologues/speeches - even really long speeches - don't have a place. Sometimes I love them. I just dislike them when I don't understand them and find myself bored or distracted because this character has been talking for a while about something that's not going to make any sense until I see an episode aired months and months in the future.

[snowdevil-crow.livejournal.com]

-5 points for Young Failouch can't climb a small hill
+ 4 points for Thanks, Young Suzaku!
+2 Creepy ominous and "hey wait you were here the whole time?" points for C.C.
-10 points for Sunrise, you bastards, you will never explain this


LITTLELOUCH AND SUZAKU + STALKER CC. Best scene in the whole series, lol. And hey, they do explain it... in one of the sound dramas, I think? They had just returned a baby bird to its mother's nest.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

they do explain it... in one of the sound dramas, I think? They had just returned a baby bird to its mother's nest.

Wait, WHAT? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN. :O
Now we've turned to my invoked-far-less-often-on-this-comm "Goddamn you Bandai for not bringing over the supplemental materials/video games/R2 sound and picture dramas!" I thought I'd at least heard the gist of most of the R2 sound dramas but apparently I missed some.
So what, was C.C. keeping an eye on Lelouch, knowing that someday they would make a contract? Or was she doing it for Marianne, or because of her connection to Marianne and Charles? Lelouch and Suzaku both, maybe, since when it was written Suzaku also had a connection to Geass?

[snowdevil-crow.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was talking about what was going on in that field... well, they explained the CC one, too, and it was even in one of the sound dramas that was dubbed! The sunflower one is called "The End of Summer" or something like that, and it's basically about him and Suzaku returning a baby bird to its nest... then they hear an explosion or something and run across a field of sunflowers and climb a hill to see what's going on. It's got this cute little scene where Suzaku tells him "someday I'm going to help you become Emperor."

In the other one, LittleLelouch encounters CC when he's searching for Nunnally (who got lost - the title is "Missing Nunnally") and wonders if she's an assassin or a spy. She says "Don't worry. Someone just asked me to look out for you" or something to that effect, then disappears when he's distracted by the sound of Nunnally's laughter. So... they don't expressly say it, but yeah, pretty heavily implied that Marianne asked her to keep an eye on them.

What's never explained is how on earth she ever ended up with Clovis in a poison gas container.

[megalomaniageek.livejournal.com]

Oh. Well. I take it back, C.C.'s presence was explained (I thought I listened to all of the sound dramas, but actually now that I think of it I got interrupted part of the way into Nunnally Vanished and never went back...which makes me feel rather foolish because I've heard the really funny ones tons of times). 10 points returned to Sunrise, then. But they will lose so, so many more over the course of the show that this is just the tiniest drop in the bucket (also the points aren't serious, they're basically arbitrary beyond the +/- system).
I'm not as concerned about how or why Clovis captured her for experimentation. The thing with her watching Lelouch and Suzaku is just important to me because the show kind of needs to decide whether or not C.C. and Lelouch are united by fate or if there's a more parsimonious explanation (which, in this case, there is).