Episode 23 Discussion

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I'm aware it's probably too late to be doing this and I don't have near decent enough summaries to do this properly, but I'm all worked up and like to share my agony. Hoo boo is this going to be as manic as Lelouch. It's also mad long and semi-introspective. Oh and I'm doing this having only viewed the episode once. Ready go.



First, let's deal with a nickpickery issue of mine. I'm slightly less ruffled about it after reading a partial translation where Lelouch wonders if his geass power has diminished since Euphie originally tried to resist his order. He also proposes that it might have been the clashing of the order and Euphie's nature that led to the disruption. CC reveals nothing either way. Now why does this matter? First, let's explain it through my eyes and then I'll take a shot at Lelouch. I love Euphemia, and while I was fine with her dying for the sake of the story and Lelouch's descent, I hoped it would be semi-logical in that she had to die since she couldn't be stopped from killing and would probably never forgive herself for what she did or be redeemed in the eyes of her people. I think the first part also applies to why Lelouch felt he had to shoot her, with an addition of needing Euphemia dead so he could use her as an example of Britannia cruelty without having to worry about his mixed feelings. Euphemia always did tend to mess up his resolve. Love does that to you. What throws a real wrench into things is that if Euphemia could resist geass once more when dealing with Suzaku, who's to say she couldn't elsewise. Maybe shooting her down threw her off her game, and that Lelouch could have just wounded her instead of killing her. (He had no way of knowing this because he's never seen people resist geass once it's taken effect. Hell, he's made people cap themselves in the head or impale themselves upon his command.)

I'm giving the series the benefit of the doubt here and going with the geass was weakened because Euphemia was dying and because her love for Suzaku was so strong, meaning that same resolve wouldn't apply to other Japanese. But if we go with dying weakened the effect that means Suzaku also faces a future problem since his "live" geass could fail if he's wounded badly enough and truly wants to sacrifice himself. I don't see this happening, as I'm not sure there's anyone left that he would do this for. Possibly Nunnally. We will take on the whole Lelouch/Suzaku dynamic later. But suffice it to say, Suzaku's not going to be sacrificing himself for his former best friend. My main issue with weakening the geass is it comes dangerously close to making Euphemia's death pointless and while I could argue that heightens the tragedy, I think, without good reason, it stands a continuity error that overrules the dramatic/story significance. I understand its importance to show Suzaku she's under the influence of something, and I get that it would have been more fucked up to have her try to attack him while dying BUT this way it's almost a cop-out. Maybe I'm wrong. I want to be wrong. Someone prove me wrong. Because this is the first thing in geass to really get under my skin in a bad way.

Other than that distress, I enjoyed the episode. It gave me a queasy feeling in my stomach, but that's to be expected. It really freaked me out when Euphemia ran out of ammo and was searching around for some while happily chatting with Zero about killing the Japanese. Since she knows that's her brother, eep. And Zero shooting her -- Yes, I think it's important to point out that Lelouch seemed to go to explicit detail to have Zero shoot her. He could have killed her in Gawain or let Kallen do the deed, but instead wanted both the visual evidence and the responsibility of killing her. He wanted people to know Zero did it, much as he told them he killed Clovis. This literally sends chills down my spine at the calculation that went into this, the split second calculation decided upon realizing that he'd doomed Euphemia forever. I admit that like some, I am a little wonked out by the fact that it took one shot to the heart to do in the princess while a spray of bullet fire couldn't take out Mao. Where's that Britannia miracle medicine when you need it?

Suzaku... oh Suzaku how I cried for you, especially during the conversation with dying Euphemia about Ashford. You knew she was doomed, but you had to just keep fooling yourself. You are always fooling yourself. I don't care what others may say about how you and Lelouch don't understand each other, you're so damn alike. I was scared shitless when CC, fearing Suzaku would harm Lelouch, tried to take out Suzaku with Gawain. I think I was too busy going "Lelouch, you need to control your hell-bitch!" to even care that Lancelot was performing the impossible as usual and pwning both Gawain and Kallen. I think CC has a greater chance of harming Suzaku in the future than Lelouch, though I have no doubts that Suzaku is out for Lelouch's blood. Kallen... I think he's learned how to take her. She makes for good backup though. I really believe I would have been much more emotional toward the SuzuEuphie scenes if I wasn't SO pissed about the afore-mentioned issue. Still her death set against the Zero frenzy was so unsettling. It made me almost as uncomfortable as knowing that Lelouch planned out Zero's killing of Euphemia. Almost. I did like the symbolism of Suzaku leaving his father's watch with Euphemia, possibly a sign that he's going to stop this attitude of righteous atonement and just go for full throttle REVENGE. Again, Lelouch much? I really need to write a separate essay on Suzaku and how he's quite possibly a much larger threat than Lelouch ever could be because of both his abilities, his "live" geass and his devotion to his ideals over all else, something Lelouch continues to struggle with. Life really sucks for Suzaku.

Then we have the phone conversation at the end. Quite arguably the other most disturbing element of this episode because we all know how it will lead to and I'm fairly sure so do our Geass boys. Suzaku's forced casual attitude, while met with his driven eyes and hint of a deadly tone, matched against Lelouch's unavoidable friendly tone, while met with his preparations to rain down destruction on Britannia and knowledge that this will be the final time they speak this way. I think I felt my heart break when I heard Lelouch refer to Suzaku as a friend, even though he knows full well that's not the case. There is debate over whether Suzaku knows Lelouch is Zero when he calls. I think this is obvious since he deliberately calls on Euphemia's phone and wouldn't be discussing something so seemingly trivial with Lelouch at a time when he's got MURDER on the mind. That they are talking about hate seals the deal. As for why I believe Lelouch knows something is up is for mostly the same connection to Euphemia's cell and he can probably just tell from Suzaku's tone. Lelouch is not stupid. Now why he doesn't seem to care that Suzaku knows he killed Euphemia, I'm not certain. Is it explained by what Lelouch says about Suzaku after he hangs up? I just really want to know what he says. What most freaked me out about this scene is how the two act as if things are as they always were. Eternal liars those two. Truly twin stars if I ever saw them. And that really hurts. I do hope if either one dies, it's not the other one's fault because not only would that be cliched; it's just no damn fair.

With Sorrow, At Least. I forget how this title is officially written, but I've wondered about its meaning for some time. My instant connection is to Lelouch since that's where most of my thoughts usually go. In this way, I think the title symbolizes that Lelouch does what he does with sorrow. This could just be my speculation since the creators appear so fascinated with making him a devil, and this interpretation shows an emphasis on his still being conflicted. It could also mean at least Lelouch is closing to getting what he wants even if it involves sorrow for others. I find this the weaker interpretation of mine so I would like to hear others. I'm more willing to support the first since we get the scene of Lelouch telling Euphemia she was probably his first love, Lelouch's difficulty in telling Nunnally what happened to Euphemia and the scene of Lelouch accepting CC's comfort. This scene was so freakin' beautiful. Those scenes definitely do seem to emphasize Lelouch's trouble balancing his desires and his "soul" more or less. Or maybe I'm way off and someone says it. I don't know Japanese.

Random things that probably matter to other people so I'll mention them: Jeremiah coming out of his tube was 100 times the hot, I hate Kaguya (Maybe I'll like her later but I hate her now. I don't want that type of perkiness in my time of sorrow. Her infatuation with Zero also bothers me. And I think she's nuts. I'm sure others disagree so I'll say at least her speech was unique for the persona she displays), VV scares me, Shirley's storyline is once again boring me, Cornelia makes me cry, I don't like Villetta being here just to show the dark side of the rebels and Millay shouldn't let Nina play with Ganymede. Also, where's Schneizel?

Oh yeah, even if he was off his friggin' rocker, crazy-ass Zero was visually amazing at the end there. Taking out the stage wow. And CC and Marianne WTF man WTF?

And look we got to see Arthur one last time. I will never survive the wait for next season or the final two episodes or whatever we're getting. This is me screaming now.

Comments

I can't wait, either.

[lulouch.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have watched the #23 three times and also visited many many Japanese Code Geass discussion site.
But the actual 24 and 25 will be on-aired in June and July. The Power of Geass gets more spooky and the story turns toward the second season.

[may-neuma.livejournal.com]

All I could say about this episode is WHOAAA... An all out war, people!!! And you took most of the words out of my mouth. These are the only ones left...

First off, no one can possibly not pity Suzaku much more than any other geass characters; and I was crying a river as I've never seen him that upset before. Imagine, if... he's ever to find out that ZERO == Lelouch. The girl that he loved is killed by his very best friend right in front of his eyes. And what if he is cornered by an unmasked Zero, will the Geass command kicks in? Forcing him to kill Zero in order to survive. Or will he resigns to his fate? Refusing to take Lelouch's life. Why does this cross my mind? Because if Euphemia could resist Geass even on her death bed because of her love for Suzaku, why can't Suzaku for lelouch? But there's still one big question. Will his love for Lelouch be enough to quell his anger and pain of betrayal? Just like what you've stated.

Secondly, I'm also curious as what V.V might be talking about with Suzaku? but why? Oh why? There was no changes on his face when he was talking on the phone with Lelouch? Just asked whether Lelouch's in school or not? Lelouch's ecpression's when he read the caller id's priceless XD And for a brief moment I played this infamous Ringu scene in my mind...

Lelouch: "Hello."
Creepy voice: "You'll die in seven days..."

And then, since Zero has declared the biggest war against Britannia, which inevitably, whether he wants it or not, Britannian sweeping time. The normal casualty of war! But just say that students on Ashford academy are forced to flee or at least take shelter, what will Lelouch do in order to not cause suspicion? Because it's pretty impossible for him not to hide unlike any other britannian and surely, gambling excuse won't work anymore. Moreover, will his ambition will drive even Nunnally away? Since one of his reasons for all this fighting is to create the world in which she can live happily. One thing that Lelouch's fail to see, that Nunnally isalready happy by living with him >.>

Next, I have this feeling that Nina will play quit a big role in the last two episodes or most likely in the second season as well. What with her scary inveation and faces? Milly should have locked her up and keep Nina for herself.

Cornelia's another story... I admire her strength and will even if the cause is something that changed her life for the worst. Orange-kun's super duper HOT! his appearance's the only fanservice element from this episode. And as for Villetta's scene I think it has its own reason. Since the spoilers that have been spreading around saying that she'll regain her memory. Can this encounter with the rebel cause it? You know, severe beatings to the head, adrenalin rush, and all.

And lastly, my image of kaguya has been shattered to pieces and I'm positive it'll never ever the same way again. What with her fangirl attitudes at that like that? Sometimes, I can't understand what Sunrise's smoking. They have shown calm and princess-like attitude from Kaguya? And just one meeting with Zero destroyed it all. I know that she's a big fan of Zero. But this only makes her in the same league with Diethard. And even so, he still can behave normally at times...

~ m a y ~

[nayami.livejournal.com]

With the whole Suzaku/Lelouch dynamic, for me, it has never been a matter of how strong friendship is for Suzaku but rather how it is for Lelouch. That friendship is the one thing he's maintained despite everything so I'm morbidly curious to see if he can actually be as cold as he imagines himself to be. Personally, I think he's lying to himself, but we'll see. Besides, if he tries to off Suzaku, Suzaku will SO kick his ass. Brilliant plan, Lulu, take on the guy who has the world's most overactive SURVIVAL mechanism.

I am extremely worried about what will happen with Nunnally since spoilers have hinted her no longer being able to sit aside idly. I don't know if this means she'll die or she's betray Lelouch. Either option is equally unpleasant.

My only compensation for Kaguya at all was the total rejection from Lelouch. Even without subtitles, I knew exactly what was going on in that scene.

[tatooine.livejournal.com]

What really irritates me about Kaguya is that they offed one sweet, happy princess and replaced her with another one. I wouldn't find Kaguya anywhere near as obnoxious if Euphie hadn't kicked the bucket five minutes before she the "I've been a fan since your debut!" speech.

[chansonxchou.livejournal.com]

The phone scene really was disturbing... It seems Lelouch's way of 'friendship' just changed into something very dark. If I start talking about it now..I'm pretty sure I won't stop for a long time..But I really wish for those two to be happy..even though I know it's pretty much impossible.

But now, I guess Suzaku threw away his false mask now. I'm thinking this is Suzaku's real face. And everything else, his smiles, his ideals, were are all a mask. By throwing away his mask, he put away his past and stop dragging it around. It would have been a good thing...if Suzaku wasn't being revenge crazy.

Their conversation...Zero laughing...his last monolouge...it was all very...amazing and sad at the same time.

And yes, WHERE THE HELL DID SCHNEIZEL GO!? I WANT MY SCHNEIZAL-SAMA! Orange was too sexy. It isn't fair.

[halevy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've been feeling Suzaku has been holding back a lot. Like, way more than anyone would have thought.

I don't want him to be revenge-crazy, since he still has his military duties, right?

Gah. This isn't fair Suzaku. You're going to go batshit crazy on us.

[asdhjfbciwu3487.livejournal.com]

Hmm, interesting.

I don't really have much to add except that I really hope it wasn't the power of Euphemia's love for Suzaku that prevented her from acting upon the Geass order. It's really a matter of how cheesy it sounds, way too much like some shoujo manga tragedy. That bedside scene was really sad though. But then again, if I hadn't been trying to figure out what the hell just happened I probably would have been a lot sadder about it.

I don't know if the power of Lelouch's Geass is diminishing as he starts to lose control, because there isn't really anything to show that is the case. Our only example to go on in terms of the Geass' powers is Mao, and while his powers did get so out of control to the point it was always on, there wasn't really sign that its actual power diminished. But the Geass does affect different people in different ways apparently, so maybe that could be the case with Lelouch.

I about died with glee when Jeremiah came out of the tube. Orange ♥~

[halevy.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen this yet, but reading everything makes me tear up.

Cruel fates indeed. Lulu knows what needs to be done but I really feel he's killing himself as he brings others pain and sorrow. I really think he's going to die or have a near-death moment in season two. I wonder if Euphie will appear in his dreams and bring him on the edge of madness.

I knew Marianne was going to have a bigger role. I'm so happy in my pants right now.

Shirley's still being boring? I want her to do something dynamic. I get the nasty feeling another one of my favorite Geass girls is going to be used as a pawn for the second season and she'll probably die.

As for Kaguya, she gave me creeps since the OP sequences of episode one. I didn't like her poses, where she appears to be shrugging and in the second OP, she looks like she's saying, "WTF?" with her arms. She's a fangirl, all right. It scares me. I mean, I guess it's interesting, maybe she'll become a hindrance to Zero and become jealous because of C.C.'s relationship with Zero.

Ah, I'm four episodes behind. Damn school. Cannot wait to see. I strongly believe Sunrise has another pink-haired princess somewhere...

Beloved sister, we bid you good night.

Thank you for the summary. I can tell this is one downward spiral of sadness of an episode.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Like the above poster, I've not watched the episode yet since I prefer to watch subbed since my Japanese sucks but...

In 22 when Lelouch accidentally geassed Euphie, she also tried to fight it for a bit and it was the first time anyone ever did that I've seen. I think it makes sense if she was actually dying, the fact she doesn't want it would gain the upper hand. Probably if she hadn't died it would have returned full force. I don't think this really affects the geass placed on Suzaku, since he didn't fight the command to survive at all.

Personally, I had been expecting Euphie to die and for her to be killed by Lelouch in front of Suzaku since episode 18. It's just a too obvious set-up and with the break before 24+25, this would appear the perfect time. If one wants to compare to Seed, it was around this point in the storyline Nichol and Stellar died respectively. I didn't expect her to be accidentally geassed and to start machine gunning down Japanese destroying everything she had wanted to achieve though.

I think CC is not going to be so fast to kill Suzaku as there is something special about him too, just like Lelouch. She was spying on both of them in episode 01, and Suzaku keeps getting those weird black outs. Something is going on with that.

[the-sports-geek.livejournal.com]

The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart

That lyric fits just as well as the one you chose for this episode. I could wax poetic on how much I loved the episode from a lover of great television, but that doesn't do this justice. But, I'll try. What I loved was that there was so much going on here, with Euphie dying, Lelouch making sure everyone knew it was him who killed her, the return of Orange-kun, Viletta being mob meat, and Nina setting us up the bomb. If Season Two is as good as Season One, Code Geass is going to become at worst the Evangelion of this decade. At best, I don't even know. I think the ceiling is somewhere with Lost and Battlestar Galactica. It transcends anime in my book. And all that's while I understood 20-30 words of the entire episode. Can it be subs tiem now pleez?

The conversation with Lelouch and Suzaku was a great moment. I think Season Two is going to give us a more mature Suzaku. Losing Euphie is the loss of his innocent, idealistic view on the world. As well as any chance that he and Lelouch can be friends. I'm pretty sure that he knows Lelouch is Zero. And I'm 100 % sure that he wants to kill Lelouch. One of them is going to die next seaosn and there is no reconciliation.

It should be noted though, if you believe in signs through Winamp (and I do), after playing U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday", it spit out "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkle. That's all I have to hold onto for a happy ending. A random Winamp song choice. I want to see a happy ending, I really do... But, I'm a Detroit Lions fan. I'm used to disappointment.

[zalem.livejournal.com]

This episode was absolutely heartbreaking. For all sides too. For Lelouch, for Suzaku, for Euphie, for Cornelia....you just can't help but feel for them all. The part that had the biggest impact for me was that phone call at the end. I've watched that seem so many times now.

Here is the translation of that from animesuki:
http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=881078&postcount=1931

And here that last speech right after he blows crap up:
"Starting to laugh, Lelouch says that his hands are already dirty, so he doesn’t care if he has to face Suzaku. In fact, he welcomes it because they are friends. As the buildings of Tokyo are falling in front of him, Lelouch says that destruction is necessary before creation. He thinks that it’s okay to get rid of your heart if it gets in the way and feels that he can’t do anything but move forward now. - from Random Curiosity

It's just really terrible seeing what was once a really beautiful friendship utterly collapse beyond hope. I have no doubt V.V. told Suzaku about Lelouch and geass. And I bet he conveniently left out the "accident" part too in regards to Euphie's geassing. There was just something in Suzaku's tone in that conversation that was wrong and then the things he asked...yeah, just no doubt that he knows. Suzaku is throwing away all his old ideals and taking the path of revenge. He'll show no mercy towards Lelouch or Kallen. And now Lelouch himself is not holding back either. He's going to go at Suzaku with all he has now. No more hesitating. He's really serious now.

As for Euphie...the way I see it is even if the geass was a bit weakened because it was against her will, the fact is Lelouch saw it eventually completely take control. He has no reason to believe she can break it now. It was an absolute command. He knows the way geass works...with a command like that it won't end until she's dead or all the Japanese are dead. He knows he must take responsibility and take her out. And I truly think that the only reason she was able to fight it off at the end was because it was Suzaku and she was dying. I think if you threw some random Japanese people at her she might go all batshit insane again. I don't think Lelouch could take the chance to try to find out. Too many lives have been lost and too many more will be lost if she continues. He had to shoot her. Probably for the best anyway, even if she COULD fight off geass eventually she would be so horrified by what she did that I don't think she could live with herself. There would be no way to hide it from her. Everyone saw and it was even caught on tape. It's more merciful for her to die not knowing all that...

I also don't feel there is anything really cold or calculating about his shooting her. It was him taking responsibility for what he has done. I admire his courage to do so. It was extremely painful for him to make this choice...as we see in that seen where C.C. comforts him. He could have easily let someone else just smash her to bits, but he knew that he was the one responsible for this mess and he was the one that would have to clean it up. He had to do it in person. He felt no one else but him could kill her.

Other random things of note:

-CC and Marianne...agree, total WTF moment of the anime
-Kaguya is a really obnoxious Zero fan-girl. Ugh...but I LOVED Zero's rejection. LOL.
-Orange-kun is back! Finally!
-I have a feeling V.V. is a little bastard...he just gives me bad vibes

[zalem.livejournal.com]

Oh and I do realize that yes, maybe he did want to take credit for killing her in front of the Japanese. That way he would be honored as a "hero". That is cold. But I think that was not the driving force behind what he did.

[chansonxchou.livejournal.com]

Sorry for double post but..

Rough translation of Euphie's death scene.

Euphie: Suzaku...was..was the people happy with Japan..?

People: Kill Euphemia!!!!

Suzaku: ...Japan...Japan was a great success! *cry*
Euphie: Suzaku...go to school. I dropped out...but I want you to..continue.
Suzaku: No! It's not too late! You can come to Ashford School with me!
Euphie: Suzaku..I can't see your face..
Suzaku: Euphie no!!!!
Euphie: Suzaku...I'm happy I met you

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

People: Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!

*insert doctors trying to revives Euphie, Suzaku crying and yelling, doctors giving up, Suzaku crying, close up on the knight pin*

Cornelia: No...

*CM*


Suzaku: Euphie...I don't why you did that...
V.V.: Want me to tell you?
Suzaku; A child? Why in Avalon?
V.V. Nice to meet you, Kururugi Suzaku. I am V.V.
Suzaku: V.V.?



Rough translation of the phone conversation.

Lulu: Wha? Euphemia?! But...I don't know her..now wait..there is one
Suzaku: Lelouch..it's me
Lulu: Suzaku? What's wrong?
Suzaku: Are you at school?
Lulu: No, I'm heading back.
Suzaku: Oh..Ok. I called you because I wanted you to tell everyone something.
Lulu: What is it?

Suzaku: The sky..don't look the sky.
Lulu: Eh?
Suza: Lelouch, do you have someone you hate so much you want to kill the person?
Lulu: ...Yeah.

Suzaku: I've always thought I shouldn't think like that. If you don't go along with the rules, it's just murder. But...now..I am filled with hatred. I'm trying to fight to kill someone. *insert picture of Euphie with Suzaku's father's clock hung around her neck* Commiting murder...in the skies of Tokyo where everyone is. So...

Lulu: Hate the person. It's for Euphie. Besides..I have no intentions of backing down now.
Suzaku: For Nunnally?
Lulu: Yeah. I'm hanging up now.
Suzaku: Thanks Lelouch...
Lulu: No problem. We're friends right?
Suzaku: Ever since seven years ago
Lulu: Yeah. Bye
Suzaku: Yeah...Later

*hangs up. insert explosions*

Lulu: Suzaku. My hands have been dirtied for a long time now. *insert him putting on gloves omg sexy* But if you still are coming towards me, I don't care. *insert his famous hand to the temple i pwn pose* I'll greet you happily. Because we are 'friends'. Fufufufufu...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *during laughter all kinds of explosion and mass destruction. laughing fades out and overlapped with Lulu inner monolouge*

Maybe I was hoping since that day...All kinds of destruction and confusion. Yes...before creation..there is in need of destruction. And if for that my heart is in the way, I'll erase it. I now can only move forward. So.. *insert pic of Lulu smirking with one normal eye and another geass eye*

モザイク　カケラ～～～

Um...yeah. XD;

[mossygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the translations ... I haven't watched it and I already feel like my heart is breaking ;_; *okay, I'm being over-dramatic, but really now... sad stuff*

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't have that much to add either, speculation wise... except to comment on how beautifully directed that whole death scene sequence was. It's a shame they didn't show 22 and 23 as a double bill; I probably would have had a heart attack from the masterful emotional manipulation!

I was especially impressed by Cornelia; those two scenes that contrasted her grieving with her public face, her decision to return to command. Gilford looked worried. ;)

Who, though, is the man with the long black hair? He was in one scene...was I hallucinating? Did I imagine him? O_O

XD As you can imagine, I was super happy to see Orenji. XD That, my friends, was my episode highlight! lol. Poor Brittania, poor Black Knights; all that thunder stolen by Orenji falling out of his tube! LOL!

(I also loved Cecile tactfully guiding Lloyd out of the hospital room; those two aremore like Suzaku's Mummy and Daddy every episode! XD)

[tatooine.livejournal.com]

those two aremore like Suzaku's Mummy and Daddy every episode!

Watch out, Lloyd, you gonna get stabbed!

[tatooine.livejournal.com]

I think it was someone on GameFAQs who said that Euphie dropped a comment like "It's strange, I can't see you anymore" to Suzaku. If so, blind = can't tell Suzaku's Japanese or blind = disrupts the properties of light/visual orientation of the Geass.

If not, then true love conquers all.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I like the first one. If I can go with that, my rage and frustration can be averted. It's still shaky ground though.

[dc2004.livejournal.com]

Just had a thought I'd put forward about this episode. At the end where we see the buildings and settlement collapsing, do you think that the recent earthquake in Tokyo reflects this? (source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6492473.stm))

David.

[mossygirl.livejournal.com]

This sounds like it's the best/worst episode of Geass yet--best because of the amazing character action/interaction caused by the events, worst for making me feel so dang sad ;_; This makes waiting for the new episodes even harder ... of course, it insures that viewers won't lose interest in the show while we're waiting.

[piccu.livejournal.com]

o.O I'm so shocked at the moment. Really.
This was the best anime episode I've ever seen, it was so intense and dramatic.

I don't want to repeat what the others have said already so here's a list of my -more or less serious- speculations/predictions for the 2nd season lol:

1) Suzaku and Lulu are going mad, one of them is definitely going to die at the end of the story which may be after season 2
2) Nina will use her self-made Knightmare (at least I think it's one) frame to avenge Euphie
3) Suzaku will bind/has bound a contract with VV (I believe that Suzaku did it already before he called Lulu, btw has anyone played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines? there is woman who is also called VV = Velvet Velour ^.^)
4) Viletta/Chigusa will regain her memories and is going to kick those bastards' (who kicked in the door) asses
5) I think that Nunnaly will have a very important role in the 2nd season and I believe that she's going to make a decision against Lulu

[telepathic.livejournal.com]

I think that Nunnaly will have a very important role in the 2nd season and I believe that she's going to make a decision against Lulu.
Please nooooo! It'd break my heart. The whole reason why Lulu is being so murderous and wants to destroy Britania is to let Nunnaly live a peaceful life. If even she goes against him, what reason is there for Lelouch to live *tears*

[dollhouse--x.livejournal.com]

This episode totally made me love C.C. so much. The part when she was comforting Lulu was very heart wrenching. I agree that it was very sad when Suzaku was sitting by Euphie's side, but my emotions really escaped me then. It's sad, but I've seen it done so many times, the girl that's dying is kind hearted till the very end. I think I would have liked it more if Euphie hadn't suddenly went geass-immune and asked Suzaku to continue her Japanese killing quest or something and then kill himself. At least she should reveal something, just.. I wanted something more controversial to happen with her death, it's like she died for nothing -__-. Well, she did make Suzaku murderous.

And I guess it would only make sense if her love for Suzaku caused her to fend off geass for the momment. haha, doesn't that mean she didnt really love all those japanese people as much as we thought she did *shot* I mean.. something like her going blind and not being able to tell whether Suzaku was japanese or not, seems too trivial a reason. Besides, even if she thinks Suzaku=notJapanese=dont have to kill, she would still be in Geass mode and her irises should be lined red, but it went away. I think it something along the lines of, her love for Suzaku was what made Geass kind of go away, but she cannot see Suzaku's face or she would recongnize him as Japanese and the geass would probably come back or soemthing, so it was her mind subconsciously like distorting his face because her will to protect him is so strong.

Anywho, I absolutely loved the phonecall scene. Not so much disturbing rather than sad. I don't believe Lulu's gone mad, but he's pushing his better conscience and emotions away, in order to go forward without inhibitions. Suzaku well, I don't think he ever wanted to "not fight" in the first place, he really bugged me in the episodes earlier because he was constantly contradicting himself by telling Zero not to use violence but was killing so many people himeself for those he wanted to save. Euphie pour example. When it came down to it, he just sided with wherever his attachments lie. In the beginning Suzaku calls and asks whether Lulu is at school, so he can tell everyoen on the council to "not look at the sky". So I assumed that he doesn't know about Lulu yet. Just because he called from Euphie's phone, doesn't mean he knows its something significant to Lelouch, but then again, V.V. could have told him.

Another thing is that Lulu asked if Suzaku was doing this for "Euphie's" sake. Am I just dumb? Because I really don't think Suzaku knows that Lulu and Euphie are related (wait does he know that Lulu is royalty? did I miss soemthing?) , why would Lulu use such a term of endearment?

I really can't wait for 24 and 25 >< !

[chansonxchou.livejournal.com]

Suzaku does know Lulu is royalty. Since he knows 7 years ago, Lulu and Nunnally was sent as hostages. We know he knows in..I think episode 6, the cat episode, when Suzaku tells Lulu that they shouldn't be together during school because someone might find out Lulu was actually a prince.

[hikari-cyhan.livejournal.com]

This is all I have to say:

[lunaneko.livejournal.com]

Wow, was "United States of Japan" a fansubbers joke or its for real???

Cause I died laughing...

[dollhouse--x.livejournal.com]

Omg, same.

Accompanied with that really really flamboyant pose, Lulu's declaration wasn't very easy to take seriously >>.

[strike-akabane.livejournal.com]

Ok, I know this might be a stupid question, but could it be possible that Euphie went blind because she was about to die and not because of the geass or anything? That's what I thought when she said that...Your body gets weak when you die so...yeah.

[rebeleleven.livejournal.com]

Wow... Best episode of Geass for a while! XD Euphie's death, C.C hugging Lelouch, Suzaku avenging Euphie, Cornelia being depressed, and Lelouch making his resolve. Just... wow.

Come to think of it, there is a parallel between this episode and the first one. At the end of Episode 1, Lelouch smirks as his enemies die in front of him. At the end of this episode, he smirks as his enemies are being attacked. xD

[telepathic.livejournal.com]

Marianne?? WTF?! Wasn't she killed, or was she? The whole reason why Lelouch left Britania and abandoned his identify, vowing to destroy the empire was because of his mother's death. And now you're telling me she's still alive and is apparantly responsible for lelouch's geass power, which led him to be a psychotic murderer???

Does Suzaku have a geass power now? He met VV. If he does, he better not try to use that to kill Lelouch, it'd break my heart.

[rosegirl18.livejournal.com]

Wait wait wait...is Marianne supposed to know CC or something? Because it sounded like CC was recalling on past events when she said "Marianne."

GAHHH this series is so good it makes me go crazy as soon as an episode starts.

But it's making me more crazy when they tell me the next one's gonna start two months later.

AND WHO THE HELL IS VV?!?!!

[norikosama.livejournal.com]

Urgh,damn that episode 23.I felt like I had watched an M.Night Shaymalan movie at the end of it.Uh,I love Night's movies,always want more at the end...

Well,C.C. can talk to Marianne because C.C. isn't from Earth and can probably talk to the dead using one of her alien powers or something.
And I do believe Suzaku gets a Geass,probably from that damn kid.V.V.'s like the new Ageha Squad leader after giving that kind of Geass to Suzaku.Uh,weird inside Eureka 7 joke...but the answer to what kind of Geass he gave to Suzaku is somewhere in the discussions on the Code Geass comm.Yes I will not tell you.I'm too pissed off to even mention it.
Suzaku freaking gets everything!Lancelot,Euphie,a wing pack,the ability to attend an all-Britannian school,Honarary Britannianship,being Euphie's knight,martial arts skills...it really seems like the only thing he doesn't get is Arthur's love.
Hoorah for Arthur for defying the power.

And there is a possibility that his Geass could kill Lelouch,although not directly.

[honou-no-izumi.livejournal.com]

XDDDDD All out war...
And I can almost imagine the 300 joke in this... despite I did not watch that movie...

This is Sparta~~~~~~~ :DDDDD
No~~ This is Britannia~ LOLX