code_geass ◾ R2 Episode 1 Discussion: Of Predators and Prey (Reply)

Huzzah. R2's out. Subs are out and even a discussion post is out. Though, I have always felt the best way to pump up a discussion post is to give it a head start. If I am double-posting, mods may beat me and delete. (Sorry, I see this more of a break-down/analysis than a basic reaction post.) I can't say I won't sob a little. Oh and warning LONG POST IS LONG. Aka I only recommend if you want ACTUAL discussion.

I could go on about the OP like everyone else but really all I'm interested in is Gino dragging off Suzaku for molestings, who the hell some of those characters are in the Britannia/Black Knights split, Lelouch switching from Geass eye to normal (please say sexy contacts are involved), Arthur making an OP go arthur and my never-ending whinery that if we're going to get horse-riding Lelouch in the OPs, I want to see horse-riding Lelouch in an actual episode. Oh and the transition of Lelouch doing his eye/hand pose to Zero is hot.

Moving onto to actual content, we are all disturbed by happy Lelouch yes? But what I'm more disturbed about is that Villetta thought she could jump out of a window and LAND ON LELOUCH and not you know BREAK EVERY BONE IN HIS FEEBLE BODY. So lucky it was Rivalz. Also, Lelouch's smoke trap is pink. Yeah. Some people hate the way Lelouch bitches in this episode; I love it, it shows the little bastard can never be content with a calm life. The Britannian royal blood craves conflict. And that is just the type of thing Rollo spends the entire episode trying to counter, with his shying Lelouch away from things that might take him back to his old ways. Does Rollo do this out of actual concern or because he is just another piece in the trap laid for Lelouch? One of my favorite scenes is the two in the elevator, where Lelouch is tapping his fingers anxiously on the side. Yes, his fingers are beautiful (he has a pianist's hands through and through), but I just love the idea that Lelouch *knows* something is wrong, and it drives him mad that he can't figure out what it is. Adding to this: chess. He's not playing it for money but "as a way to kill time." Because as we all know by now, chess is Lelouch's comfort. Almost his security blanket in a way. It's very d'aww. Lulu loev chess. The director has even referred to Lelouch twirling around his chess piece when he is nervous, as chess gives him a sense of control. I like these little idiosyncrasies.

I guess here's where I'm supposed to go into the brainwashing and bad Charles bad, but I want some more ground before I tackle that one. Still sure seems like the Emperor and the bunch (aka the Knights who say Bri) had no fear that those soldiers were actually going to kill Lelouch. I wonder if the Emperor even thought he was actually going to get C.C. or whether he just wants to play with his most interesting son some more. As Suzaku so aptly puts it, he won't let anyone else have Zero. This kill is his. I have loads of theories on this assertion, but as that whole brainwashing + more power for the Suzaku thing is kind of mushy in my head, I will share them once I have a better standing on our knight version 2 or rather knight version 1 rebooted. Still, entire end scene with knights was super hot. And creepy.

Back to people who aren't Britannia, so who told the remaining Black Knights about Zero? Kallen? C.C.? Epic bowing down knightmares in purple flames was epic but GZUH. Also, seeing as that whole mission was staged by C.C., either she caught onto the Emperor's plan or she's playing into it. The whole SAVE ZERO vs. KILL LELOUCH subplot here amused me. Onto that, did Kallen see what went down at the very end of the cave madness?

Also, here I shall fangirl. Sorry. Suzaku's declaration that he has no regrets about shooting Lelouch since he's his friend and Lelouch's response: "Is that your choice?" Now this sits odd with me because it's very apparent Suzaku is about to kill Lelouch. And Lelouch's automatic reaction to VERY PRESENT NEAR DEATH is "omg omg don't want to die have to do things have to protect nunnally dammit all to hell." We've seen this several times. Lelouch, for all his bravado and conviction, fears death without purpose. Yet, here he is all but *challenging* Suzaku to shoot him. And not afraid. In 25, Lelouch acted much the same but it's obvious that he truly believe Suzaku wouldn't fire on him. The entire time, he thought he could talk him down. There was no reason for fear. That scene, oh the reason was very very real indeed. So why that reaction? Is there more to that scene? Is someone else there? Is there a reason Lelouch cannot snarl and fight as he always does? Or does he just still not believe he's going to get shot? Let's not forget Lelouch's series of questions to the baron at the end: "Can friendship coexist with justice?" Special as always.

Then we have the hands. Oh we've seen clutching hands in Geass many a time. The first episode started out with as much. We get it again on the rooftop during Arthur's antics. It returns in R2's OP in many incarnations: Lelouch reaching for Nunnally, C.C. and Lelouch near the end. There's Rollo trying to catch Lelouch from falling. Now why I bring this up is: Lelouch flashes back to it. Lelouch's mind is very selective when he flashes back to things. And there is usually an importance to the visuals. What are we missing here? We can also toss in Rollo's locket for wtfery. Is it connected to Nunnally? Can we say the Emperor has her? The ED speaks to V.V.'s connection with the Emperor. The ED also speaks to Rollo's duality. I think it would be cool if V.V. were Rollo, but now I'm kinda interested in a male Meer hybrid. One who is used for a role, possibly changes sides, but, and here's why I used hybrid, is much more than meets the eye. There is a connection between Rollo and the Geass. While Lost Colors probably isn't the best reference, that he bests a Geass within it is still worth considering.

I guess we can also touch upon Lelouch disliking Zero and all that encompasses. Hee. Ok, that's done. We all know the new governor-general is a dead man so who cares. Oh I forgot, Lelouch getting face-planted into the chess board = FRIGGIN' AWESOME. For some reason, that scene reminded me of Realm's AU fic where Lelouch goes a-chess-playin' and bites off more than he can chew. Yeah yeah white queen is C.C. Little argument there. Speaking of C.C., she practically stole the show near the end. I loved when she freaked out the soldiers after getting up from being shot. And her whole reference to the "accomplices" thing. She wants so much for Lelouch to remember that much. Hmm, is C.C. after the Emperor as well since he's after her? Also, Lelouch caught her! The knightmare holding out its hand to Lelouch was cheesy but still great. As was her almost gentle approach at bringing him back -- he had to make the final decision before she could do anything. He had to want his fate of conflict back. Hence, why the kiss only comes after his call for power.

Ah, the kiss. I do not hold true that it seals memories completely. If brain-washing was afoot, there is some shakiness there. Perhaps it seals the Geass? But wait Lelouch still had the Geass in his confrontation with Suzaku AFTER the kiss. Does it seal memories of the contract? Possibly more likely. I imagine it would be hard to summon a power if you don't know you have it. But again, isn't the Geass supposed to be permanent now? It appears to be so in the next episode, and Lelouch retained it throughout the end of this one, despite his orders being fulfilled. (Note, having the soldiers shoot each other this time was nifty.) Continuity error or more than meets the eye? This issue is probably my only real one with the episode, and the one I want resolved most quickly. I dislike anything that undermines Euphie's sacrifice. On-again off-again Geass is cheating.

Purple flames? LOL. Where the hell do you get purple flames? And Zero must be a manifestation of all Lelouch's eccentricities because those poses what the hell. Do you even look at yourself, Lelouch? Seriously? The music was EPIC and cheesetastic but you can't admit it wasn't fun. For all of its crack and WTF, Geass is always fun.

Nah, I'm not doing the ED. I am feverish, and people have discussed it to hell. We know the basics. Wings? No wings? Fake wings? Two wings? Cornelia? Nunnally? SUZAKU IS HOT. and lelouch is going to put his eye out with that thing.

Topics best left undiscussed: Ashford (we love you but no), Chinese sector (... why?), god Britannia is messed up in the head sometimes and... Kaguya.

All in all, we all know this was mostly entertaining fluff. Real season starts with episode two. But hey Geass is Geass so like I've been telling people: OMG OMG GEASS IS BACK YAY GEASS I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL I JUST WATCHED UM YAY GEASS. My biggest want for next episode is to see how Lelouch reacts to Rollo now. And a preview from the original streaming suggests we might learn a bit more about Suzaku and the Emperor and their... dealings. Wait wait we also have Jeremiah in the OP and mysterious librarian next to Guilford to round up the discussion.

End note: I love all. You bash and I spam you with cat macros. That said, have at it, peoples.