ext_132954 ([identity profile] nayami.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] code_geass2008-07-07 08:28 pm
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R2 Turn 13 Discusion: Karma

Wow, it's harder to get back on that horse than I thought. But I figure this is as good an episode as any to give it a shot. Some people told me they wanted me to go back to these, but as always if I'm duplicating posts, feel free to smack me. I assume the rules are still remembered? Good.



Oh Rolo rolo rolo. Do we love you or love to hate you? I suppose it's a matter of what you're after in a character. But Geass has never given us a straight choice. I won't get into the did or didn't he do it? That's been taken care of. Instead, let's analyze what has happened to the boy over the course of the series. It's been established that the boy who has only ever knew an assassin's life latched onto the love/life Lelouch promised. He protected him from Suzaku in 5, tried to get him to go back to his Ashford life pre-R2 Turn 1 in 7, he helped Lelouch turn against Villetta, he became incredibly protect of Lelouch's reputation/way of life in 11 and he's so so jealous of the girls in 12 (yes, I know this is interpretation but COME ON did you see his expression at the end of 12?). Turn 13 opens with him as delighted, bouncy and proud to be around his brother as ever. It's important that Rolo never refers to Lelouch as Lelouch but always as "nii-san." "Lelouch" represents his old mission. The last time we see him use it is when he is still questioning where he sides. Rolo has made his decision now. He is Lelouch's all the way. Let's not forget how he outright hisses at Villetta for sending Jeremiah after Lelouch and when she calls him on his action, his response is "Are you trying to separate me from my nii-san?" Yeah... that is not sanity. And it's perfectly likely that it is this loyalty that could result in him killing one he poses as a threat.

Why doesn't Lelouch keep a better eye on the boy who in the past has shown willingness to kill without orders? Suzaku in 5. Nobody knows for sure. I am not sure if it would be unfair to say that Lelouch, himself, doesn't comprehend the depth of Rolo's loyalty. Lelouch has said he is just using Rolo. Whether this fact is still true is harder to rule on. I would say Rolo is still loyal to the cult above all else, but his taking on Jeremiah displays a certain argument to that theory. Taking on Jeremiah would reveal his defection. But maybe Rolo thought he could take out Jeremiah without that being an issue.

Villetta. Where does she stand? Did she lead Jeremiah into a trap because she doesn't want to reveal that she's been compromised? What about her continued interest in Ougi? Why does she question why Rolo turned? Does she want to understand Lelouch's appeal? And I use Lelouch and not Zero here on purpose. Each has their own appeal.

Hey! Why the hell isn't Shirley in this yet? Come to think of it, people haven't had all that much to say about her aside from "bawwww". That's a shame. Because Shirley OWNED this episode. Shirley took a while to grow on me; her role as the love interest is a tough one to push on a silly yaoi fangirl. But when I realized where Shirley's love for Lelouch came from, from wanting to know why he was the way he was and just plain understand him, I was intrigued. Shirley wanted to know Lelouch. That's all she ever wanted. Her part in 12, when she is so happy to have the real Lelouch back and not the playboy, I fell in love with her all over again. When she shot Villetta to protect Lelouch, even when she knew he was Zero, the man responsible for her father's death, in S1, was when I loved her most. I was so frustrated at how her character was virtually a plot device for the rest of the season. I know it is argued she still is in R2, but I don't care. Shirley is beautiful. Struggling to decide whether she should tell Suzaku that Lelouch is Zero, struggling to figure out who's lying to her and who's telling the truth and just what the hell is going on and struggling to understand how she truly feels.

Some have argued Shirley's decision to side with Lelouch comes too suddenly after her attempt to tell Suzaku about Zero. I counter this. Shirley lost her nerve the second she saw Suzaku. She was trying to act as she thought she should and pretty much decided she'd rather act with her heart. Because that is how Shirley is. As some also pointed out, Shirley could have told Lelouch who killed her before she died but chose to spend that precious time finally telling him she loved him. Again, thinking with her heart. Adding to this is the fact that Lelouch showed how much he cared about her when she almost fell off the roof, pleading with her to stay with him, that he didn't want to lose anyone else. I think Shirley knew then, she could never betray him. Then once she realized that Suzaku was no longer on Lelouch's side, she knew what she had to do. She had to give him someone who would stand by him, no matter what. Now, that is beautiful love. I don't care if it sounds cliche. It's still beautiful and powerful. Watching Shirley full come to terms with the battle Lelouch is in the midst of, with being ready to join him, despite how Britannia views Lelouch is simply amazing. And I contend that Shirley, in her final moments, showed us just the type of character that makes Geass what it is.

Jeremiah. Now I will say that I think the "I killed all these people just to ask you a question, Lelouch" routine is a bit... contrived. But I can forgive because I love Jeremiah. Not Orange-kun. Jeremiah. And I do know that Jeremiah has always hated himself for not being able to protect Marianne. I also noticed that once he got to the mall and de-geassed Lelouch's soldiers, he did not kill them. He could have, but he didn't. I assume the men Jeremiah took out at Ashford attacked him first. Just like Sayoko. Jeremiah may have just plain been driven. He may still have a bit of his crazies from the end of S1. They never did explain how he got rid of his crazies. People have also questioned whether Jeremiah's loyalty is sincere. In this case, I'm leaning toward yes more than a double-ruse, but we'll see. My bigger question is did Jeremiah geass Shirley on purpose or was he just canceling out the general area prior to his arrival? Does Jeremiah still care about Villetta? V.V. saved Jeremiah's life; how does he think he will be able to help Lelouch if V.V. retaliates for his betrayal? Also, does Lelouch really trust Jeremiah now or is he using him as well?

And finally the boys. Always the boys. I admit when their scene first started, I was plenty irksome. They were so casual, albeit grumpysauruses, and when they laughed together after saving Shirley, I was dying for some inner looks into their heads. I got it a second after I complained, with Suzaku snarling at himself for smiling around Euphie's killer. Obviously the reason he reacted to this instance and not any of the other times he's smiled and toyed around Lelouch this season is because he wasn't faking it and it was a natural reaction. That made me love it! I loved how he hated it. I loved how later Shirley figures out that he doesn't want to forgive Lelouch. Lelouch too had his grr Suzaku grr moments, but of course they weren't as epic. I think it's because as much as Lelouch is FURIOUS with Suzaku, he still understands that Suzaku can be depended on to protect those he cares about. Just as Lelouch knew, after he got over his ZOMG NUNNALLY MINE moment, Nunnally was safer with Suzaku by her side, something he's always wanted. Nunnally has her knight. And as he says in this episode, Shirley should be safe with Suzaku. Still, it's apparent the loss of the friendship gets to him as much as Suzaku.

I was actually amazed with how honest Suzaku was with Shirley, telling her that he used to like Lelouch. He completely dropped his act and questions he couldn't lie about, he simply didn't answer. Maybe Suzaku is simply tired of lying; maybe he could tell Shirley already knew. By the way, I adore that part where Shirley smacks Suzaku to distract him from going off on his LELOUCH YOU'RE ZERO track. It's just so cute, and you can tell how much Suzaku wants to prove his suspicions, but he just can't hurt his friends. Again, this is why the ZOMG SUZAKU KILLED SHIRLEY theory is so retarded. If Suzaku placed destroying Zero over everything else, he would have ditched Shirley. All she did was tease him about staying, and he does. Because he's her friend, and as messed up as Suzaku has gotten amid everything he's gone through, his friends still matter to him. Does this scene hint toward future reconciliation? Who knows? It's Geass. But I've heard theories of a redemption/forgiveness theme... I'll leave it at that.

Damn, I almost forgot to put in here the awesome ending scene. I just about teared up when Lelouch tried to geass her to live. Lelouch, all that power, and he still can't protect those he cares about. It's just so heart-breaking to watch him lose someone else he cares about, and he knows it's his fault. He knows he brought her into this, despite doing everything in his power to keep her away from him. As others have said, it's Euphie all over again for him. He screwed up, and now he knows the true dangers of his double life, something he held onto exclusively for the sake of Ashford. Karma just won't allow people close to Lelouch to stay safe.

The Geass cult breaks my brain, and I leave that to saner minds or I will get lost in my "Cornelia is so hot" mode. Um... so about them gods?

Oh and real quick OP notes:
-golden geass?
-schneizel? a bigger role in the works?
-where is suzaku during the montage? cecile and lloyd are there.
-what is with the parallelism of the Guren and the Lancelot? rivals? pairing?
-I love the ending sequence with Lelouch, Charles and Schneizel
-WHY THE HELL IS THIS MUSIC SO PERKY?
-i take this moment to quietly fangirl about the SuzaLulu picture in the ED nobody will notice if i put it here sssh.

I would also go yay maid but everyone and their dog loves the maid and /a/ will give her all the attention she needs. Go forth and prosper.

[identity profile] schizofragile.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
-WHY THE HELL IS THIS MUSIC SO PERKY?
Because in the end a deus-ex-machina will cure their hearts of hatred, like a god--

o wait.

[identity profile] lily-lily.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
-what is with the parallelism of the Guren and the Lancelot? rivals? pairing?

HO SNAP I WISH.
...No, not even I'm that deluded ~_~

[identity profile] realms-of-life.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
Well done with Rolo! XD I will not even try to poke at your analysis.

I do think Villetta sent Jeremiah away in order to protect herself and Ougi. For some reason, those two objectives became one in her head. Plus, there was no way she would betray Lelouch in front of Rolo. She knows very well what Rolo is capable of.

I attribute Lelouch not keeping a better eye on him to Lelouch’s own arrogance. He sincerely thinks Rolo is under control. I remember Lelouch being shocked at the idea of Ougi lying to him. My theory is that, once people become their allies, he – somehow- ends up counting on said loyalty – that actually, might be the way some of Lelouch’s strongest relationships are established: with alliances. And he is right, after all. Rolo is loyal to him, but maybe in a more psychotic way than he had expected. Maybe because Lelouch himself seems to be able to make sacrifices that Rolo is incapable of (ie. let the person he loves go) – that is, if we assume Rolo killed Shirley. If that’s true, than the fact that Rolo told Lelouch to give up on Nunnally for her own good is deliciously contradictory, touching and ironic.

I completely agree with you on Shirley. And I don’t think she has ever been a plot device. I still believe she was a character on her own and she stood for herself. And that the story would have had a completely different taste if it was not for her. But then again, I do believe Euphemia is a strong character too, even if the pink hair is a bit misleading. And yes, Shirley’s love for Lelouch is a beautiful, creepy, insane thing, even if a bit old fashioned. Contrary to the usual perception, I don’t think she was there to relate to Lelouch and nothing else. She does relate to other characters in a far more discreet way, but it is there and it is relevant, and her love for Lelouch raises very interesting questions about her own perceptions of the world, her ideals and herself. I think her teenage love, maturing in something more unique, is far more a point of reverence to her characterization than the other way around. And yes, Shirley is beautiful and very much a CG character in her final moments.

My bigger question is did Jeremiah geass Shirley on purpose or was he just canceling out the general area prior to his arrival? Does Jeremiah still care about Villetta? V.V. saved Jeremiah's life; how does he think he will be able to help Lelouch if V.V. retaliates for his betrayal? Also, does Lelouch really trust Jeremiah now or is he using him as well?

No, I don’t think it was on purpose/ Yes, he does care/ Damn, I have no idea/ And he totally trusts him, because you know, MARIANNE. XD

I just need to add I don’t think the Jeremiah plot was contrieved, but we already talked about that and this reply is epic as it is. XD I also need to squee at the fact that Jeremiah is the first character who ever calls him your Majesty. It seems that Jeremiah, silly Britannian that he is, is one of the characters that was able to read Lelouch’s intentions more deeply.

I love the fact that Lelouch succeeds so easily where Gino fails so much: at making Suzaku smile. It’s like they can’t break from the bad habit of being friends. I love that scene. I also love the look Lelouch gives him when he stops smiling, as if he knew exactly what was going on in Suzaku’s head and couldn’t blame me...much.

About Suzaku dropping her act around Shirley: I love that conversation, and the previous one, because this episode has Shirley vibes all over the place. The characters are speaking with their emotions. Most facts, most perceptions, are felt even if unsaid, and that’s the kind of communication they are having at that point. Body language and looks: when Shirley tells him “I like Lulu. Don’t you like him, Suzaku?”, Suzaku immediately realizes what she means and he can’t be nothing but sincere. It’s really awesome.

And yes to all, especially how awesome Clamp is. I was embarrassingly happy with the last pic. XD

Okay, that was way too huge. I missed your entries so much. Thank you for coming back.

[identity profile] lulu-quality.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
I really enjoyed reading what you said about Shirley. One thing I think is really important to point out about her relationship with Lelouch is that she was asking for anything in return. Lelouch's relationships with the other characters all involve them wanting something back from him, Kallen with her need for a Lelouch as a leader, C.C. with her contract, Diethard with the want for a messiah, etc. However, Shirley was the one who loved him unconditionally. This is going to make life oh-so-much more painful for Lelouch. His almighty power wasn't even able to save the life of someone he loved. And I think he's going to take this pain out on others around him as a result.

One thing I'm curious about is how everyone will act as a result of her death since she was really the link between multiple factions (as a student at Ashford, a friend of Kallen's and Nunnally's, and a repeat victim of the Geass). Also, her death is definitely going to take the focus away from the school life: Millay graduated, Nunnally's governor-general, Kallen's captured, Sayoko was taken away for rehabilitation, Rolo is God knows where, etc. The only one left is Rivalz, really.

On Rolo, his actions reflect those of a young child, don't they? After all, when I see Rolo display his obsessiveness over Lelouch, it's more like a kid selfishly holding onto his favorite toy, unwilling to share it with anyone else. He never really had a childhood; that was destroyed by the Cult and his training to be an assassin. Now that he's going through this turmoil of new emotions, Rolo doesn't really know how to deal with them. And the way he's acting on these feelings is twisted and convoluted as a result of suppressing them for so long. Rolo's not an evil person. I feel pity for him, but I know he must die because of these devastating actions. I still wonder what's in his locket, though.

Note: I haven't read any spoilers apart from those in the magazines those don't count >_> , so no random spoilers of doom, por favor.

[identity profile] isuzuchan44.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I agree entirely with everything said about Shirley -

"Shirley is beautiful."

So simple, yet so true. She is, and not just on the outside. She's very human. She has flaws and she feels pain. She's not perfect, but her heart is strong.

I loved the Jeremiah in this episode too. (My friend and I are always going around yelling "ORENJI KUUUN" but we both do love him to death) KAfhskggha Jeremiah/Marianne new OTP please. ;___; But I do get the feeling Lelouch is using him...

And I also get the feeling Lelouch is, in a moment of crazy nonsense, going to believe Suzaku killed Shirley. Because he trusted Suzaku with her life, and Suzaku ended up letting her die...no matter how indirectly.

Ugh, angst!Suzaku is getting on my nerves this season, though.

And a last note, your post was lovely. Good read.

[identity profile] fujiappletan.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
Yeeees to everything you wrote. I started tearing up on your paragraph about Shirley's love. ;___;

I think Jeremiah's pretty... true? But only because I want him to be, I wouldn't put it under the uhm plot to have him not be as loyal as I hope.

[identity profile] ex-serah.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Just wow.

I have one thing to say...

You are amazing. THANK YOU, This is excatly what I wanted to read.

[identity profile] klingon-jedi.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Great thoughts. I love your analysis of Shirley, as it echoes my own to a tee (except I liked her from the get go). The Shirley/Mao arc was among my favorites of the series. So I was also so frustrated at how they seemingly dropped her storyline, right as it was getting great. You're right that it was totally her episode, and I think that's why everyone's so, "baawwww". It's going to be interesting to see how this affects Lelouch. Hopefully, Sunrise won't end up trivializing it.

"Love is amazing power"

[identity profile] rainbow-cnxn.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, I've missed these! ♥

Agree wholeheartedly about Rolo. I would say that Lelouch tries to keep a pretty good eye on Rolo but fails simply because he can't be everywhere and do everything, especially with him riding R2's emotional roller coaster. It seems that his defenses against Rolo pretty much consist of himself, and his plan is something along the lines of "string him along, and don't fuck up". I don't think he trusts anyone else to be able to contain Rolo like he can, and setting someone to that mission would probably cost them their lives. And the stakes are too high that he simply can't entrust that responsibility to anyone else. In short, I don't think it's Lelouch underestimating Rolo as much as his trying to make the best of a bad situation. Also, have we even seen how he feels about the Cult except as his "employer" of sorts?

Regarding Villetta, I'm unconvinced that she knows the answers to any of those questions, either. To me, it looked more like she went, "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. I don't know what to do. Oh god please stop fighting and try to salvage what's left of this clusterfuck." Pretty much just a tactic to buy time for her to think.

We've talked about Shirley, so I'll leave that alone.

As for Jeremiah, we know awfully little about him, and I think it's still too early for me to begin speculating about it. But I do get the vibe that he is genuine about wanting to serve Marianne.

The boys were awesome. Agree with everything you said. For a few seconds, it felt like season one again--not only for the honest, light-hearted atmosphere but also for these conversations whose messages were contained in all that was left unsaid. And of course, the body language. So miserable, the both of them, to have to keep up this hatred.

Personally, if I thought my best friend deliberately sabotaged my dream plan, killed my princess in front of me, and then dragged her name through the mud (whose story I had to accept, by the way, because the powers that be needed to cover up geass), my righteous anger wouldn't just magically subside. The only explanation I can think of is that Suzaku doesn't actually think that Lelouch (despite being Zero) could have deliberately done such a thing. He believes that there must be something more to the story, and that's why he keeps on desiring an answer--a complete story, a different story--from Zero. Despite what he said in the cave, he doesn't believe that Lelouch will betray everything. He still has some amount of faith in Lelouch, no matter how hard he fights it.

It was hard to watch the end scene not only because of Shirley but because of how Lelouch is so goddamn genuine and for once is not hiding behind a mask. And there is something beautiful with the raw curtness of the commands "Live!" and now "Don't die!"

[identity profile] carlemb.livejournal.com 2008-07-08 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
My first comment on LJ!

Thank you very much for all the stuff you wrote about Shirley, she's one of my favourite characters. With this latest episode, I'm inclined to think that Shirley was to Lelouch as Euphemia was to Suzaku. A person who loved him and accepted him no matter what, understood him, and who would have been able to be a source of great support but for her life being cut tragically short.

Personally I think Rolo was an idiot for killing Shirley, not only for the obvious reasons, but because she was probably the only person who would have been able to help Rolo and Lelouch's relationship last long-term. If she'd been able to be by Lulu's side like she wanted to be that is... I mean, she was always getting on at him about the gambling, so using his fake little brother and then tossing him aside like a rag? Totally not on. She understood how Rolo felt about Lelouch as evidenced by the scene shortly before she got shot when she was talking to Rolo, so she would have been able to be a good influence on Lulu to treat Rolo better (with actual sincerity that is).



[identity profile] amayasuki.livejournal.com 2008-07-09 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I like some of your points, and I agree, Shirley deserved more love. It was sweet how she spent her last moments telling Lelouch thous things. With the Jeremiah bit, I disagree about the two soldiers in the mall. I think he didn't kill them because he knew they were acting against him under the power of LeLouch's Geass, and thus weren't protecting Lelouch on their own will. Sayako and the guards at school however, were acting on their own will, and thus had made the conscious decision to protect Lelouch, and idea which at the time probably disgusted Jeremiah.

Just as Lelouch knew, after he got over his ZOMG NUNNALLY MINE moment, Nunnally was safer with Suzaku by her side, something he's always wanted.
XD el oh el at that part, I love the way you said it.

Agreed; the end was very sad...

Suzu x Kallen pairing? *x___x nooooo*

[identity profile] snoozy.livejournal.com 2008-10-13 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Late to the party {lawl} but just wanted to say that the points about Shirley were great. Totally agree with everything.