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

SPOILERS

[gods-debris.livejournal.com]

I don't recall Lelouch ever using Geass on that old man, but his brother in the second season believes he has.

But look what I noticed:

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/isshoni/5145307540/) and (http://www.flickr.com/photos/isshoni/5145307572/)

They look like the same old guy? Is he the guy that Mao used his Geass on?

Re: SPOILERS

[cyber-chaos.livejournal.com]

If you're talking about the guy Mao confronts about selling weapons to the BLack Knights, I checked, and it's not the same old guy.

I am fairly convinced that he does Geass that old guy at some point in season one, though. I think it's a pretty quick clip.

[ambitiousgeek.livejournal.com]

The moment he move the King is my favourite part in the episode. And the quote "If the king doesn't move then his subjects won't follow." is just wonderful, it really brings out his character and what he does. He's not just a mastermind that moves the pieces (though yes, he does do that) but he also goes to the front lines himself and that just makes him a wonderful leader. <3 I'm in love again~~~. XD

Re: SPOILERS

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Is he the guy that he uses to get the Black Knight's trailer?

Re: SPOILERS

[cyber-chaos.livejournal.com]

That was my initial thought, actually. Can't say for sure, though.

[carlenne.livejournal.com]

Good point about Rivalz, I swear I never noticed that.

Lol, I can't help but cringe at the part when his phone rings while trying to escape the soldiers. Though I guess you couldn't expect Shirley to know what was happening at the other end. Not exactly your normal day's turn of events.

Love the scene with Lelouch and the king chess piece. The whole "If the king doesn't move then his subjects won't follow" line is one that really defines his character, along with "The only ones who should shoot, are those prepared to be shot" of course.

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

A couple of people have commented on how representative of Lelouch's morality the "If the king doesn't move..." line is.

An interesting point I haven't really seen mentioned before is that it demonstrates how Lelouch seems to only really see leadership in autocratic terms. The only real difference he sees between a good and bad leader is in how they use that power - he doesn't really consider other power structures. And it's definitely a perspective that shapes how Lelouch approaches leadership himself.

Re: SPOILERS

[grendelity.livejournal.com]

Just dropping in to add that it might be the man who makes the Zero mask. Maybe. I'm rusty, but that's my first reflex.

SPOILERS

[kiraya.livejournal.com]

I feel like in rewatching I'm picking up a lot of the little details I missed out on the first time 'round -- about Lelouch's character especially, the sort of state of mind he had before receiving Geass, but also about Suzaku (hints toward his self-devaluing with the gas mask thing, and then you get the first view of his little pronoun game when he switches from "boku" when talking to Lelouch to "jibun" when getting all martyr-complexy about shooting him). I even feel like I'm picking up more about Clovis, who I never paid much attention to and didn't really care about when he kicked the bucket, even after learning more about him from the supplementary materials.

And then you have the foreshadowing. Opening and ending aside, the "Do you want to run a corporation or something?" / "No way. Weird dreams like that will ruin your life" exchange between Rivalz and Lelouch is just... oh, Lulu, you have no idea. And I'd completely forgotten about the flash of the Emperor talking about the Ragnarok Connection.

[wabisuke.livejournal.com]

I think Rivalz was busy pushing his motorcycle along the street/down a ramp to catch up with Lelouch to help out or whatever and didn't see Lelouch climb up the truck and fall in. Truck would be gone long before he'd get all the way down from the elevated highway to the ground.

Re: SPOILERS

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

Someone should really keep track of Suzaku and the pronoun thing - I never really paid attention to that before (and I know very little about Japanese, so the implications completely escaped me), and it was only when I started rereading old analysis posts where people were mentioning it that I realised it might be kind of significant, at least in character terms.

Re: SPOILERS

[kusaja.livejournal.com]

I believe it's pretty much the only time the Emperor directly mentioned the Ragnarok Connection before R2, though several of his scenes in the first season do indicate that he's up to some sort of unspecified supernatural plan.

Re: SPOILERS

[spleener.livejournal.com]

Old man is the guy who made the original Zero mask, IIRC. Geassed to forget about making it/destroy all evidence.

[winterfeuerwerk.livejournal.com]

I love the cellphone-part as well.
It's just hilarious... and damn it, why not? If you're carrying your cell around you'd better expect to be called xD
Never saw an omg-I'm-hiding-OMG-THEY-NOTICED-scene that was even close to this one's epicness.

One more spoiler, partly~

[winterfeuerwerk.livejournal.com]

I alwys loved this episode, no idea how many times I've watched it already.
There are always pieces I tend to forget... like for example how many important persons are already introduced in this, and how many conflicts are foreshadowed. It's a classic exposition, and a bloody good one as well.
Couldn't tell who has the best first appearance; I really love how Orange is quickly flagged as a strong and dominant fighter, how you see Viletta's confidence that is yet to crumble throughout the rest of the series, Lloyd and his awesomeness, or Diethard.
Oh, and I didn't remember Bartley was a general. As said above, I tend to forget details.


One thing I never noticed that amused me this time was Suzaku's code number - 404. Isn't that the number that always pops up on the "page not found"-messages?
Outing myself as hating Suzaku, oh well.

[seshiru-san.livejournal.com]

so what happened to the previous pilot they had lined up?
I think I remember reading somewhere, that Jeremiah was originally chosen to pilot the Lancelot. But then, Clovis gave the extermination order, and ended up being too busy with mowing down the Elevens. I'm not sure if that was ever confirmed, and I could easily be misremembering or misinterpreting things again. *shrugs*

I loved a lot of Lelouch's lines. A lot of them have already been mentioned, but I also liked his line about the nobles. "Their privileged lives just make them parasites."

Cell phone incident always annoyed me. I know I shouldn't be mad at Shirley for calling at the wrong moment, but that girl's got some of the worst timing ever. It's not always her fault, but it's still very irritating.

Oh, Lloyd! All he wants is some data and a chance to try out his super-cool new toy! Plus, it's always fun watching him verbally bitchslapping people. I love him~!

Re: One more spoiler, partly~

[kiraya.livejournal.com]

One thing I never noticed that amused me this time was Suzaku's code number - 404. Isn't that the number that always pops up on the "page not found"-messages?

It is. I didn't pay much attention to the number until you pointed it out, but since you did I'm also reminded that the number 4 is associated with death in Japan. Interesting on the hinting front, again.

SPOILERS

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Random observations (some of which have already been noted):

- Clovis so clearly fails at his job, but it's interesting that he talks about being disinherited for losing C.C. This is the first time, aside from Charles stripping Lelouch of his title after Suzaku brings him before him, that we have heard of this concept. And of course, Clovis, being the floof he is, panics and goes into mass slaughter mode.

- While on Clovis, Lelouch's anger toward his family is perfectly evident in the first scene of Lelouch seeing Clovis' image on the screen. I love this.

- I love how it was Tamaki's fault that the terrorist mission went badly because Tamaki messed up the plan. Ah, Tamaki, you were failing from Episode 1.

- I always note Lelouch's immediate reaction to the scores of people doing nothing after the accident because I think it shows aspects of him that gradually become more hidden under the Zero persona, so much to the point that many people only watching the series and not having access to the Drama CDs considered Lelouch a right bastard by the time S1 ended. But here, we see him infuriated that people refuse to do anything and jumping right into the fray. It's a good chance to witness the indifference of the Britannians but also how clearly Lelouch stands apart from him. It's also great contrast to his arrogance from his first scene with the chess match (I love how he predicted the time limit) and his place as a wealthy Britannian student among the oppressed Japanese. And then again, with him trying to protect C.C.

- I also love how well Lelouch seems to take the fall into the truck. Considering Lelouch's physique, he seriously should have broken something.

- Ah, the initial incarnation of bastard Jeremiah. I'm torn between this and Knight Jeremiah. But it's clear right off the bat that the only reason Jeremiah ever turned into a sympathetic character was the fan appeal. XD Also, the hot dynamic with Villetta makes me sad for how that turned out again. :(

- People have noted Suzaku's self-sacrificing with the mask. I personally want to know why C.C.'s chamber activated that second. Was it jostled from the various crashes? Why then? Plot convenience or did she do it herself upon closeness to both Lelouch and Suzaku. Remember, originally Suzaku was supposed to resonate with Geass as well.

- On that note, I never noticed that honorary Britannians weren't allowed weapons. I remembered they're not allowed cell phones either.

- I admit the phone call was one of the reasons I initially disliked Shirley, though I grew to love her toward the end of S1. XD

Stupid word count

[nayami.livejournal.com]

- I love the shift between horrified, innocent Lelouch at killing all the soldiers and the more jaded Lelouch that's all too happy to have a chance at his revenge. While we're at it, how did Lelouch even know that he had absolute power at this time? His contract was pretty darn vague. It just amuses me.

- Also, great insight into Cecille's perceptive abilities, which later come into play regarding Suzaku's true nature. I really wish Cecille got more screen time throughout the series. She really is awesome.

- One of my favorite things is how when Lelouch is in mortal peril, his immediate through is for his sister. She is the one thing he is afraid of leaving behind, and ultimately he has to do just that. It's rather tragic.

- Wow, I actually never knew the Ragnarok Connection was mentioned before R2. :o I'm guessing Lelouch getting the power and reawakening C.C. gave Charles confidence to began steps toward unleashing its power. Charles does spend a lot of time watching the progression of Lelouch's Geass, particularly later when Lelouch uses it to geass Euphie. Why is Lelouch's Geass potential so important to Marianne and Charles? I'll have to keep this in mind when those episodes return in R2.

- This is also the first time we get a really good view at how important Suzaku is to Lelouch, as we see that the idea that Britannia took him away from him is especially devastating and he keeps repeating it. I always felt that Lelouch's connection to Suzaku was the strong of the two, and I still do. Lelouch is arguably the second most important person in Lelouch's world just because of how much of an impact that childhood summer meant to him.

- I really miss the beauty of the Knightmares in ground combat. This episode really showcases how fluidly they move through jumps, turns and skates. I love the skating mechs. I was so disappointed to lose them in favor of the more Gundameque versions in R2, although I did have a soft spot for Lancelot's winged incarnations. But you really see how they are ideal for urban combat in a way few other mechs are ever designed to be. It gave them a uniqueness among the genre.

I think that's it for now. :|a

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I agree. He thought the car just crashed and drove off, which is why he questioned it being a "hit and run." Also, he is looking for Lelouch later.

Re: SPOILERS

[nayami.livejournal.com]

The dialogue foreshadowing is amazing!

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Also, for some dumb reason, I spent 20 minutes downloading this episode only to remember I HAVE THE FREAKING DVDS. orz

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Lelouch's resentment of the nobles, which has probably existed since childhood, is foreshadowed in an amazing way here. You even see it play out with Clovis, who just clings to his power or to those who can protect him and his way of being totally put out when interrupting in his basking in the people's attention.

Re: SPOILERS

[kiraya.livejournal.com]

I was intrigued by the disinheriting thing, too. It's something I hadn't noticed the first time around.

I absolutely agree on Lelouch's reaction to the accident and your assessment of it. Due to everything that happens later on, it's easy to forget that Lelouch does have those altruistic tendencies.

As far as the honorary Britannians thing... Listening to those restrictions, it really makes you wonder why they have the system in place at all, since it seems mere formality that distinguishes them from Numbers rather than any sort of benefits. On the other hand, though, that could just be because we're seeing a bunch of racists on the Britannian side who don't see a difference.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I'm paying more attention to the disinheriting thing after reading the CG novels and learning more about the rule Euphemia was going to invoke in order to pardon Zero of all his crimes. Basically, the novel (which should be taken with a grain of salt) says a royal can absolve their crimes (or I guess the crimes of another) at the price of their title. Since, Euphie tells Lelouch in that scene in the anime that she gave up that title, it fits in rather nicely.

I think it especially stands out to me because of all of the early and long-lasting Lelouch/Light comparisons.

The Numbers system is a complicated thing that one of my friends could always explain better than me by looking at it through the Britannian side, but I sort of view it as is technically a way of setting a field where people can advance through strength amid adversity and prove their worth. They aren't worth anything beforehand and much demonstrate their right to power. Being one of the chosen has always been Charles' kick. He likes it when people FIGHT.