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

[nokiirat.livejournal.com]

there's one OST already out. check the tags.
the second OST comes out Sept 24.

[inksmears]

I did but didn't see it? Ah, well. Must've missed it. I'll find it, thanks!

And thank you~

[hzuki.livejournal.com]

Your definitely not alone ._.
Any series can only have so many plot holes before it gets ridiculous D:
Srsly, even with geass Lelouch can't just go "I'm your emperor now kthnx!"

[nokiirat.livejournal.com]

http://community.livejournal.com/code_geass/tag/music:ost

the first post. :)

[chirigami.livejournal.com]

I keep kind of going either way with my opinions on what transpired, but given how it is and that we there is still more yet to see I'm still deathly in love with this series.

I think the rumor mills kind of kept getting my hopes up - I did love the Anya/Nunnally twist that someone had spread around, as well as a few more really well thought out theories. So, seeing them not really come true was disappointing, 'cause sometimes they are actually better than what the creators actually give us. And a lot of what we got did seem to come out left field, and it was built up so much - like you mentioned, Marianne's death - and then... wow, that was it? But, it does add to the whole thing of Geass being a gift and a curse and Lelouch has seen that first hand with his rebellion and the deaths of people he loved. So, it even adds in his own parents - though, seriously.. Marianne to me was very whackadoodle o-O;

I guess I just don't put the series past anything because of how many directions it has gone and the wtfness abounds in every corner now. It at least hasn't hit the train wreck like so many other series, well to me anywho. But with anything, perhaps the ideas were well thought out, but the way it was presented and written could have been a lot better.

[stigmatize.livejournal.com]

Well, Taginuchi was basically forced to rewrite his vision for Geass by the producers. At this point I think he's basically saying 'FUCK YOU, I'M GOING TO SEE HOW MUCH I CAN GET AWAY WITH AND THEN GO HOME CRYING TO MY PILES OF MONEY'.

But really, if you were looking for a SERIOUS BUSINESS MECHA SHOW, you should've known to jump ship 25 episodes ago.

[powercorrupts.livejournal.com]

I think part of the fun of Geass is the absurdity. Geass started off as a serious mecha show with whacky hijinks, I guess a little akin to FMP in that regard. But by the point that it hit the Euphinator, I think the pearl of genuinely interesting serious mecha show plot had been completely devoured by the rest of the show.

In my opinion, Geass isn't really the show to watch if you're looking for a serious approach to the mecha genre. And while that's usually what some of us (myself for sure) prefer, it's great to have something as stupid and ridiculous as Geass. There are better ones out there that take themselves seriously. Geass is the show to watch if you want a show that doesn't know where or why it's going, but has every intent to do as much damage on the way there. Geass has always spent as much time making genocide laughable and ruining everyone else's shit as it has actually having a plot, so I don't find the latest plot turn that surprising.

In a way, Geass is the perfect troll show. Like a meme, it takes it's own ideas and then uses and abuses them to the point that they cease to be funny - and then keeps doing it until they become hilarious only in the absurdity of the action. Sure, the latest episode was stupid, but it was phenomenally, ridiculously, and incredibly stupid. And in surpassing the previous stupidity of every episode before it, it transcended stupidity and went straight to win.

Personally, I'm sure I'm just perpetuating the stereotype of the obnoxious "it's all for the lulz" geass fan, but I think that's really the best way to enjoy Geass. If you continue to look for the pearl of genuinely interesting mecha anime plot, you'll be here all day, and just end up disappointed that it got buried with the Euphinator, Nukezaku, and Emperocket. It's better to just go watch a serious show, and then for a nice break from being depressed by Tomino killing everyone, turn to Geass, which at least makes genocide funny.

[panoptics.livejournal.com]

The series has gone completely nuts, in my opinion, and I've chosen to stop following it as of Ep. 20. There are simply too many plotholes in this series and I strain to make any sense of this, even when I am following it. I really... can't think of anything else to say.

I just hope people start coming back from the dead toward the end of the series, or something...

[kirarakim.livejournal.com]

IAWTC well at least you explained why I watch Code Geass. I always enjoyed it because it was so over the top and ridiculous. And quite honestly that was the reason I watched R1 as well.

[panoptics.livejournal.com]

which at least makes genocide funny.

It's totally like a sitcom built off of George Carlin and Bill Hicks and so on, then, it seems, with the left-field train of thought of Miitch Hedberg, then. Nonsensical, war-themed, filled with weird-shit running jokes, sex... there's probably somewhere in the series who smokes grass or takes psychedelic mushrooms.

Not to mention, too often have I be reminded of Hicks while participaring in and/or reading some of the conversations on this comm... Ah, screw it, what am I talking about.

[inksmears]

I think part of the fun of Geass is the absurdity. Geass started off as a serious mecha show with whacky hijinks, I guess a little akin to FMP in that regard.

This.

That's why I loved the show in the first place. I'm not looking for "srz bzns" mecha show. I don't even LIKE mecha anime half the time! But I did like Code Geass (and still do) and I like balance between humor and serious plot. And while Geass had that at first, it seems to have strayed away from that, you know? The balance seems to be gone.

Haha, I suppose so. I like the lulz, I do and I enjoy watching the episodes. I guess I just want more depth sometimes as well. XD

[nayami.livejournal.com]

... What? When Geass started... Geass was something special. Even after Euphie. Just because fandom went crazy with memes doesn't mean that the show didn't stay with its serious/personal nature. R2 even had episodes that reminded us of this. Granted, the creators like going for the most showy/over-the-top scenes possible but that's how Lelouch has always been. Yes, I admit I have no idea WTF Geass is doing right now, and yes taking it seriously does hurt my head. But being told that that is not the way to watch the show... I think that is too much. Everyone should enjoy the show as they wish. If the majority of the fandom wants the "lulz," that's their thing. I think those of us that want to analyze and try to make sense of the insanity shouldn't be disregarded. And we can be a bit irked and confused that the really intriguing plot is being clouded.

I'm not here to fight so I'm not going to perpetuate this from this point. I just... I think it's important to remember some people enjoy taking Geass seriously, despite how much it fucks up sometimes.

[inksmears]

... D'oh.

Sorry, I fail. Thanks again. XD

[inksmears]

I totally agree with this too, actually.

[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?

[chickee1.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Although crack is fun. Baseless plot holes for the sake of crack and mind-fuckery don't make a good show. Those saying it's good because you can't take it seriously should try looking at geass without it's serious tones and see if that product is something worth watching.

I was LOLing with the rest of the fandom over the flying emperor, and I'm not overly worried over what happened, as I believe Lelouch doesn't want to be emperor, he's got another plan tucked away in there.

On that note, I found ep.21 quite serious along the lines of showing a parents role in a child's life. Lelouch's underlying reason for his actions is the abandonment by his parents. hitting them with 'Why didn't you stop the war in Japan' was tear worthy. I saw alot of character development there, which does account for his actions in killing his parents and destroying their dreams, but not what happeded after that.

Geass will redeem itself with a pretty Lelouch using his superior intellect plot, I'm sure!

[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?

[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.

[lavaliere]

And in surpassing the previous stupidity of every episode before it, it transcended stupidity and went straight to win.

ALL HAIL LELOUCH X SPINZAKU OTP

that is all

[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.

[celemna.livejournal.com]

I'm being totally serious when I say this but I take it completely serious and it makes perfect sense. I think everything eventually gets explained or is explained right then and there. I know most people don't think that way but I spend a lot of time going "huh....well" and figuring things out. I don't think it was lame how Marianne died- V.V. thought she was interferring and for the sake of their corrupted plan he tried to kill her (and because he's a jealous kinda guy when it comes to his family) she had made the pact but she'd never been given her powers till the end. It was cool to me because it basically says ANYA IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE MARIANNE MIND FUCKED HER. Charles actually is a villain to me- the world without lies is the world where everyone looks to him and his wife with insane gestures of constant appreciation despite anything they do. In theory the 'world without lies' sounds fun, but when properly explained it's a selfish goal just so he can be forever appreciated and endure as emperor. (Time stopping and everything) I don't think that's disappointing- it's a cult mentality thing and shows to me he was an ultimate evil that didn't want the best for the world but the best for himself. He grew up in a world where everyone killed each other and we see him as a scared child- of course he'd go after a selfish future of consistent praise and ruling. He was willing to give up everyone to do it. People compare Light to Lelouch but Charles is the one who seems more like Light- he'll sacrifice even loved ones because his goal and ruling is the most important thing of all. HE doesn't have to worry about others because it's for the good of everything.

About Schneizel- he isn't exactly emphasized forever but he is implied as being an important figure. Lelouch is afraid of him, he is constantly seen being better than Lelouch and often an implied rival. Had the Emporer never existed I would have assumed Schneizel to be the enemy from the beginning- he is the only one who never seemed to have good intentions other than his own. He plays the weakness of the Black Knights to turn them against Zero, he plays people and he is a bastard ( I love him though xD) so he isn't exactly emphasized but he didn't exactly come from nowhere before now. Maybe S1 was from no where but R2 has shown us plenty of Schneizel.

I admit my bias for you here and now- R2 is my favorite :')

[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.

[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.