Question about reactions to ep 6

[sumeragiskank.livejournal.com]

I seriously loved this episode and all of the great Lloyd and Suzaku moments in it. But I'm kinda scratching my head after reading some reactions to it that make no sense to me. I've not been very involved in Geass fandom and am rather shocked at some of the prevailing attitudes ^^;;;



I'm rather confused as to why everyone thinks Nunally has been brainwashed by Suzaku. After all, he's not the one who actually uses an evil brainwashing power to murder people. That's Lelouch. He's never used someone important to him as a political tool. Again, that's Lelouch. And if you want to argue that he used Lelouch, I think he had more than enough right to do so after Lelouch murdered Euphie and completely fucked over his country and plans for peace.

I'm glad to see Nunally taking some initiative and for them to develop her character more. I also am eagerly awaiting to see her reaction to learning Lelouch is Zero. I was glad she told him he was wrong. Because he is. And I do not think that, even as much as she loves her brother, she is going to take very kindly to the knowledge that he has been murdering people left and right and committing all sorts of atrocities all in her name. She'll likely be horrified and so far, no Britannian telling her has been a mercy. Lelouch has made this bed for himself and he seems awfully upset that now he has to lie in it. Poor baby. This is me feeling completely not sorry for him.

I like Lelouch as a character, but I hold no illusions that he's a nice person in the least. He puts selfish goals ahead of the plight of an entire nation of downtrodden people, nevermind lying to, manipulating, and using people who honestly care for him. Along with murdering family members and innocent people in cold blood and all of that. I don't think the ends ever justify the means, and while he had good intentions at some point - is he now going to fuck over Nunally for his own goals and ego or will he let her lead her own life - I think Lelouch's pretty far along on his trip to hell. I jiust don't understand why everything Suzaku does wrong is picked apart and held against him while Lelouch's various crimes, which are a much much much much longer list, are immediately forgiven. I understand that he's the main character and all, but I just can't give him that leeway and have to hold him to the same standards as every other character.

Comments

[arhel.livejournal.com]

Ah, good old Lelouch/Suzaku fanwars.

I'm not sure where the brainwashing comments are coming from. From what the Emperor says, Nunnally does not know about the Geass, or that Zero is Lelouch. Being frightened of a terrorist who, as far as you know, indiscriminately killed your half-siblings and could very well be out to kill you as well isn't that unreasonable of a reaction now, is it? Nowhere does Nunnally refuse Lelouch. She even prays to him for strength when facing down Zero. By keeping her in the dark through out Season 1, Lelouch set himself up for this scenario.

People forgive Lelouch a lot more than Suzaku because Lelouch is the protagonist. And because he's the ideal power trip wish fulfilment fantasy for geeks. I mean, don't you wish you were an exiled prince with a power that required no physical prowess, could command people you didn't like to die, have an angsty childhood so people would feel sorry for you, attractive girls falling all over you, ruthless yet vulnerable for more angst value, etc? How would Lelouch score on the Mary Sue litmus test, I wonder?

The difference is that Lelouch does get his comeuppance at times (though how it ultimately pans out is still up in the air). If he did not suffer setbacks or get karmic retribution for his actions, he would be just an annoying "perfect" character. So crap happens, and fans being fans have to find someone to blame.

I do not believe that Lelouch would screw over Nunnally. The one thing that did impress me in Ep 6 was how he backed off once he realized that she wanted something different from what he wanted. He's always been arrogant enough to assume that what he was doing was best for her sake, but is still able to be brought back down to reality when she denies it. That suggests that he might be able to lean away from the vengeance-driven trajectory, or at least is willing to broaden his views a little. We'll have to see next episode just what his soul searching turns up.

It is not that I am particularly fond of, or hate, either Suzaku or Lelouch. But objectively speaking Lelouch has chalked up way more bad karma than Suzaku, and the blind insistance from his fans that he has not (by bashing not only Suzaku but pretty much any character who does not agree with Lelouch) is getting old.