I read something about the original plans for Code Geass R2...

[doctorcasey.livejournal.com]

Once upon a time, I read that in the original version of R2, Shirley was supposed to live the whole way through and eventually start a relationship with Lelouch. The final episodes of the series centered around the Black Knights HeadQuarters being invaded by Britannia, so Lelouch decides to consumnate the relationship during the final moments available to him; there was a lengthy and fairly explicit sex scene planned between Lelouch and Shirley in the final episode. Suzaku breaks into the room and stabs Lelouch from behind while they're in the middle of intercourse, however, slaying his best friend during his happiest moments (Shirley breaks down in tears afterwards, a role that was recycled with Nunnally in the officially-aired R2).

Does anyone know if what I read is true? I love R2 the way it is, but I have to admit this would have been an interesting ending and I'd have liked to see the fandom's response to it.

Comments

[drakyndra.livejournal.com]

There'd be a knock-on effect for later episodes through - because of the earlier introductory and the China arc took up a big part of the series, things like the Ragnarok arc and Marianne being alive still got less episodes than originally planned for. I have seen someone argue the plot gets back onto the original plans once Rolo dies.

[lavaliere]

As much of a Rolo fan as I am, I have to agree. They spent so much time of the lead up and even on Rolo's death scene that it really cramped up space for the actual overall plot regarding Charles and Marianne. Everything after Rolo's death was really rushed (and lmao just the QUALITY of episode 21 & 20...). I'm willing to bet that if the time slot hadn't been changed, we wouldn't have seen Rolo in the role he had, but rather as something else as per CLAMP's original design for him (as a half-brother to Lelouch and Nunnally, probably one of the random siblings we see that are later put on the bus. i mean, FLEIJA'D). What's more, we wouldn't have gotten the focus on everything before hand that took 19 freaking episodes to develop........