Oh here it comes...

[inksmears]

Okay. So. I'm a little behind everyone else, but I just finished watching episode 21 of R2. And... well...



I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, so stop now if you positively love everything about episode 21 and Code Geass. Okay? Okay.

So. I didn't like this episode. I didn't hate it but I definitely didn't like it. And I'm just kind of wondering if I'm alone in the "Eeehhhh." feeling after seeing this episode. Don't get me wrong, I love plot twists. But now they seem really... forced. Or like the writers pulled it out of their ass at the very last second because they realized they have a few more episodes left to explain everything.

I dunno. Maybe I got my hopes too high for season two or was expecting something entirely different. But the last few episodes have, at least to me, been kind of disappointing. The series seems to be going in a bad direction and/or trying to hard. I feel like it's trying less for story and depth and more for just pure mind fuckery. And while mind fuckery is cool, a series like Code Geass needs to be about something more than trying to give your audience a heart attack every episode. You know?

Anyone... some things that kinda got to me. Firstly, Marianne's death. I dunno about you, but I waited for a long time to find out the explanation to that one. And all we got was a brief explanation that was basically "lol Geass powerz". I was hoping for a little... more to it, I guess. I did like, however, the turn around at how Marianne was such a horrible mother. That was a neat twist at least. But her death, or lackthereof, was really lame. And then her "second death" at Lelouch caused was even lamer.

Secondly, Charles. After being the enemy for season one and almost the entire story of season 2, he's suddenly crusading for a world without lies and V.V. was the real bad guy? While I appreciated he didn't end up being a typical villain, his character ended up being lame considering all the build up we got for him. It's just that I hoped he would've played a bigger role in the series' end. Of course, we can launch into theories that he isn't really dead, but humor me.

Lastly, Schneizel. Okay, seriously. WTF Schneizel. Out of no where.

I love series with unexpected twists, but after awhile, there only needs to be so many before the series sticks with and follows through with said twists. And I feel Code Geass has kind of forgotten that. Comments? Thoughts? Flames? Spinzaku? Mainly just wondering if I'm alone in this feeling. Either way, I won't stop loving the series. I just want a good ending for something I enjoy so much.



I also have a question for you guys. Code Geass R2 OSTs. There are two of them coming out I believe? Does anyone happen to know the release dates for them? I'd appreciate it!

Comments

[susure.livejournal.com]

regardless of whether or not CG R2 or the series as a whole is full of crazy shit, it has a huge following for the reason that it still maintains a level of entertainment that people have come to expect (and in that regard, it doesn't disappoint). many admit that despite everything, they have chosen to suspend their disbelief and just enjoy it while it lasts (since the end is in sight).

if certain high-browed individuals (not implying the OP or any particular commenters) find that R2 has 'lost' some of the complexity or merits that attracted them in S1, i guess they are certainly free to drop. however, i believe that with only a few episodes left, they are doing themselves a disservice because the ending may be a pleasant surprise. i stress that, knowing code geass, a LOT can happen in four episodes. plus, we've come all this way, no?

[inksmears]

Wait... so because I'm not mindlessly watching the episodes without thinking too much about what I'm watching means I'm not enjoying it? Huh? Popular doesn't always mean its good and while something may not disappoint the masses, it can still disappoint on some level. I highly doubt there is some form of media out there that doesn't disappoint a single person.

I plan to see Code Geass through to the end. I AM enjoying the series, despite this. I love the series even if I don't like some of the things that have transpired. But I like to question and discussion everything about what I like, it's flaws and it's strengths. I don't really think that's wrong?

[susure.livejournal.com]

hey no. certainly that's not wrong. i was not suggesting that, nor calling out you out specifically. i didn't think your post was coming from someone who no longer enjoyed the series. but you said it yourself, you can't please everyone. i'm merely saying that some people who've begun to moan and groan about the "turn" code geass has taken (possibly in light of that article posted earlier, about concessions the director had to make) owe it to themselves to at least watch the last episodes before making up their minds, especially if they loved most of it.

though, i will also say that there's also nothing wrong with a "mindless" first watch of a series either, to get wrapped up in it and overlook some flaws. discussing everything to death often causes some of the magic to wear off really quickly.

[inksmears]

Ah, I see what you meant now. Sorry for misunderstanding you! I can agree to that. I'd definitely hate to stop in the middle of the series. I wanna see how it ends no matter what! But I'm still going to moan and groan about some things, too. XD

Touché! I think I did that with the first season. Perhaps why I liked it better?

[lavaliere]

But I like to question and discussion everything about what I like, it's flaws and it's strengths. I don't really think that's wrong?

I think, the problem with doing that for Geass is that while it embraces political, historical, social, and psychological concepts which are relevant to the world today, it also eats them one by one, regurgitates it all back up, then repeats the process only after adding a good dose of fuschia sprinkles and fabulous beforehand. Numerous times.

Ask as many people who are fans or critics of the series as you want, but I think (and I stress "I think", I can't speak for everyone, obviously) a lot of them will give you a similar answer. Geass just screws with the concepts mostly for the sake of the shock/lulz/entertainment factor. Sunrise is known for being rather troll-ish with its plot lines while maintaining the facade of a socially progressive fiction (Gundam 00, I'm looking at you), and the fact that the writer had to rewrite his series half way through probably didn't help much either.

Feel free to try and analyze Geass, but I think it'll be just killing your brain a bit. My opinion is that the best way to enjoy Geass is to just sit back and enjoy it as the roller coaster/train wreck it is.

[susure.livejournal.com]

IAWTC. i think this is very well exemplified by koda's blog. she does her fair share of analysis but also knows when to lul and chalk it up to geass bein' geass.

[lavaliere]

Koda (insert her LJ name here, 'cause I forget) takes a very practical approach to Geass, methinks. And her Schnitzel obsession makes me laugh.

[susure.livejournal.com]

miasmacloud *insert*

and code trainwreck (http://trainwreck.ggkthx.org) for those who don't know her blog's URL (koda is the group leader of gg).

[inksmears]

I agree and yet I don't at the same time. Because while Code Geass is ridiculous and all that like everyone is saying, I still think you should be able to look at things like it somewhat seriously. To an extent anyway. A part of me also thinks a lot of the crakish stuff has been blown way out of proportion by the fandom, too. Not that that influences the series at all, but maybe that's why most people would/are telling me not to take stuff seriously. To each their own, I guess?

Or maybe the real problem is that I have never experienced a Sunrise anime before. XD

[lavaliere]

The stuff "blown out of proportion" is also the stuff that the Japanese fandom seems to get the most kick out of. And what they like is what the writers/producers will play off of to make money. Because when it comes down to it, that is the real intention of Code Geass. To make money for it's creators.

[inksmears]

I didn't know writers/producers for big name companies/series browsed that stuff in Japan? Though it sounds similar to what happened with Avatar and it's fandom, so I guess.

I think rainbow_cnxn said it best in that Code Geass just has everything thrown together to try and appeal to everyone, obviously for the money.

[susure.livejournal.com]

if code geass ends in a manner similar to avatar, -i- will be the one moaning and groaning.

[inksmears]

Hahahaha! I highly doubt Code Geass will get a warm, snuggly, happily ever after. XD

[eikomakimachi.livejournal.com]

I agree... I haven't watched 46 chapters to give up now... and I'm in hope that in those 4 chapter something is going to happen... because what happened in ep. 21 could very well be the last episode but we still have time for more plot twist that actually put everything in order... or not.

Plus, part of me like Geass for it's nonsense :P. And Spinzakus and Failouchs for the win.

[eikomakimachi.livejournal.com]

Besides... what is fandom without plot holes? I bet many fanartists and fanfic writers are having material enough to create "answers" for those plot wholes.

[klingon-jedi.livejournal.com]

*Applauds* Well said.