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Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, eps 17-20
More thoughts on Code Geass! After this, only 1 more post to go (until season 2 starts airing, of course!). I forgot to resize the images in Photoshop, so they're a little more grainy than usual. Once again, screenshots are taken from the anime blog Memento, which writes much better episode reflections than I do. Oh well.
The recaps always do a nice summary of the series thus far, reminding you of characters' motivations, even if you already remember everything. Lelouch has two goals: to find out who killed his mother, and to create a "nice" world for his sister Nanali to live in. Because she is blind and uses a wheelchair, the emperor considers her to be "weak" and worth less than others in society.
Lelouch's internal monologue as he watches Suzaku and Nanali chat: "If everything goes according to plan, there will be a day when I won't be around Nanali all the time." He's afraid of turning into Mao, and wants someone to protect her. This makes Lelouch very noble, in a way. He's willing to sacrifice everything, including his own mind, for Nanali.
Shirley is in her room, getting ready to go out. Her barrette slips from her fingers and bounces between two desks, where she finds a crumpled note. OMF, what does the note say?? Will Shirley re-figure out that Lelouch is Zero, that he erased all of her memories and killed her father? I think Shirley is a really interesting character, and I wish they would do a tad bit more with her thinking she's going crazy, etc. due to Lelouch having toyed with her mind.
Princess Euphenia (see icon!) is giving a press conference. Every time she's asked a political question by a reporter, her male attendant answers the question for her. Apparently, she is working on selecting a "knight" for herself.
The episode seems to be Euphenia's press event with an art museum, positioned against a mecha fight. Zero/Lelouch has gotten the Black Knights some really nice mechas, through a deal with some military people from Kyoto. Zero is working to free a man named Toudou, a Japanese terrorist who had been imprisoned by the Britannian government. Lelouch says that this is the man he has chosen as Nanali's knight, supposedly to protect her after Lelouch is incapacitated by his Geass power.
Of course, Suzaku attacks in his Lancelot mecha. The top of his mecha gets cut open during the battle, and the pod is exposed. Lelouch realizes that the pilot of Lancelot has been Suzaku all along. As Zero, he hesitates. This is an unexpected blow for him. OMF, ANGST!
At the museum opening, Euphenia and all the journalists can see that Suzaku, an Eleven, has been fighting for Britannia all along. Suzaku tries to keep fighting, even though his mecha has been cut open. Toudou removes the cover from the pod of his mecha, and asks Suzaku if he still plans to execute him. They have the same argument that Suzaku and Zero always have - whether its best to destroy the government, or change it from within.
Karen demands instructions from Zero, should she attack or not? Toudou and other terrorists instruct them to kill Suzaku. Lelouch yells for them to wait, while Lloyd tells Suzaku how to release a 4-pronged attack. Lelouch calls for his people to retreat, and, because the Britannian air force is moving in, they comply.
The spectating journalists make some racist comments about why Suzaku doesn't chase after them, and Euphenia defiantly names Suzaku as her "knight."
Zero won't come out of his mecha according to Karen, but the episode ends with him laughing maniacally, as CC watches from outside his machine. I wonder if this is how Mao started to go crazy.
Essentially, this episode seems to have served 3 purposes: Euphenia starts to overcome her racism towards the Japanese people, Lelouch learns that Suzaku pilots the Lancelot, and Suzaku accepts that Toudou is his enemy.
Episode 18
Zero is restructuring the Order of the Black Knights, naming people in charge of various factions, etc. He has no regard for the race or methods of the people he appoints, focusing only on results.
At the same time, Suzaku is being knighted by Euphenia, despite his Japanese ancestry.
Members of the Order of the Black Knights suggest that Suzaku be assassinated. As Zero is a symbol for the rebellious, Suzaku is now a symbol for "Elevens" wishing to pledge allegiance to Britannia. In private, CC tells Lelouch that this should be easy to solve: he should just use his Geass on Suzaku.
Cordelia and Euphenia bicker over Euphenia's having knighted Suzaku, and Eleven. Cordelia tells Euphenia that her wish to treat Elevens differently means that she desires to be Emperor.
Ashford Academy students are having a congratulatory party for Suzaku. Karen arrives at the party, looking very determined. WTF, they're not going to assassinate Suzaku right now, are they?? She is clutching a package in her hand, raising it, when Lelouch grabs her hand with an innocent expression on his face, telling her that Shirley is trying to get her attention. Karen leaves when Suzaku and Lelouch begin talking.
Suzaku is pulled from the celebration by Lloyd (his superior, who is now engaged to Millay Ashford, the president of the student council) to go with Euphenia and receive an ambassador. Zero instructs his Black Knights to capture Suzaku and the Lancelot alive.
Suzaku and Zero fight in their Knightmare Frames, with Zero luring Suzaku into being surrounded. Zero tells Suzaku that the reason Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Britannian Empire was because the Japanese Prime Minister was killed - the person who killed the PM took away the will of the people (remember, that person was Suzaku!).
Britannians order the use of missiles on the terrorists, and Suzaku gets the upper-hand by pointing a gun at Lelouch.
Suzaku is following orders given by Cordelia, ready to die to defeat Zero. Euphenia is livid, and defies orders, trying to stop Suzaku. Karen leaves her mecha and screams at Suzaku, revealing her status as Karen of the Student Council, begging for him to stop.
Zero's voice is dripping with contempt as he tells Suzaku to do what *he* wants, and to stop following orders. Euphenia's "older brother" appears in a floating mecha-thingy called the Avalon, and a desperate Lelouch opens his helmet to use the Geass on Suzaku. The Avalon opens fire.
Episode 19
Suzaku wakes up on the beach away from Lancelot, not able to remember anything. Zero is also alone on this island. Both are trying to figure out what's going on. Suzaku stumbles upon Karen bathing, and to his surprise, she holds up her clothing to shield her body - the uniform of the Black Knights. She charges at him with a knife, and he flips her, standing over her (yes, she is naked). Angrily, he calls her by her name, Karen Stadtfeld. She corrects him in a stern voice, using her Japanese name. Her voice sounds nothing like it does at Ashford Academy. Suzaku tells her that he will capture her.
Zero ponders what to do, and looks down from the cliff, realizing that Euphenia is standing right in front of him. He levels a gun at her, and she says, "Lelouch?" He is shocked, and she says, "You are Lelouch, right?"
Both teams (Lelouch/Euphie and Suzaku/Karen) search for food. I yawn.
All of the Black Knights are hanging out, trying to figure out what to do. CC tries to assert her authority, an one of the men accuse her of being nothing more than Zero's lover.
Suzaku tells Karen that she is much more energetic and charming than when she is in school (Yay for an anime male admiring a girl with agency more than a creepy, passive girl! I feel like this is a rarity.). Apparently, he admires her so much that he takes it upon himself to tell her to stop fighting with Zero, and leave the Order. She scoffs, and says, "I'm different. I'll show you how I can change this world." She vows to do anything to win. Suzaku tells her that he killed his father.
Lelouch and Euphenia look at the starry sky, and Euphenia laments that they can't return to earlier times, when they were sister and brother, and life was hopeful.
Suzaku tells Karen that he knows what happens when you use the "wrong" methods to achieve your goals - you're only left with "a sense of loss and regret." Karen asks him what meaning her brother's life had, and who gets to decide what's right or wrong.
Suzaku and Karen run into Euphenia and Zero. Zero claims Euphenia as his hostage. He asks for a hostage exchange, but then Karen is the one to put Suzaku into an armlock. Euphenia asks them to stop, and Karen barks at her, "you're just a doll princess who can't do anything by herself!" Go Karen! Suzaku breaks Karen's hold and stands in front of Euphenia, and suddenly the ground they're standing on....activates? And glows with the image of the Geass.
They sink into the ground, and are in the underground chamber being used by Lloyd, Schneiser (new prince), and Britannians. Zero runs for a mecha while Karen kicks ass. The mecha Zero is in is called Gawain, and the Britannians are a bit peeved. Zero tries to attack, but the Knightmare frame is apparently still incomplete. It does fly, though! Lelouch cackles maniacally. Suzaku is captured for insuborination, and Schneiser advises Euphenia to wait to free him.
In his mind, Zero says, "I'm sorry, Suzaku. You're the only one I didn't intend to use it [the Geass] on." It takes a flashback to what happened at the end of the last episode - Lelouch used his Geass, and commanded Suzaku, "Live!" Suzaku escaped when the blast went off, and that is why he is now detained, for disobeyed the orders to kill Zero.
Cordelia is skeptical when she is told about Suzaku's behavior. At the end of the episode, she's informed that Japanese troops are attacking Britannian forces.
Episode 20
A new player is leading the forces in their attack on Britannia. He used to serve in Suzaku's father's government.
Suzaku has a flashback to telling Euphenia that he has no right to being her knight. She tells him that her brother told her the disobeying of orders is nothing out of the ordinary. Euphenia asks him if being her knight is too troublesome, and Suzaku tells her that he killed his father.
Euphie goes to offer her help to her brother, who tells her, "Just that attitude is enough." (Read: Just look pretty; you're a girl, we don't need your help!)
The Ashford Academy kids are bitching about Karen, Suzaku, and Lelouch being gone all the time. Shirley recalls reading the crumpled letter (I'd forgotten about that!), which apparently told her that Lelouch is Zero. She can't remember writing it, but she knows it's her handwriting.
Suzaku tells his military-buddies that he thinks Euphenia cares too much for him, which is why he can't be her knight. Euphenia opines in her museum gallery, saying that she knows she was meant to be a puppet vice-governor, but she wants to "do her best" anyway. She apologizes to the dead Clovis, saying she couldn't avenge him by killing Zero, couldn't save Nanali or Lelouch, and doesn't have the abilities of her siblings Cordelia and Schneizel. "All I do is get in their way." CRY ME A RIVER, KTHX.
Zero tells the Black Knights that he wants to ignore the "Japanese" attacking the Britannians, because he thinks it's really the Chinese Federation.
Nina, a student from Ashford Academy, tries to visit the Museum, but when she realizes Euphenia is inside, she tries to see her. Police surround her, Euphenia asks to see her inside. It's pretty clear that Nina is in love with Euphenia, and when Euphenia tries to tell her that she is nothing special, Nina disagrees.
When the leader of the "Japanese" operation realizes Suzaku is piloting the Lancelot toward them, he tries to ask him about an independent Japan, and why the son of the former PM would prevent that. Suzaku gives his usual schtick about the ends not justifying the means.
Euphenia demands the use of a private line to Suzaku, and professes her love for him. She asks him to please not hate himself. He says, no matter what, she shouldn't hate herself, and to remove records of his existence. He doesn't want his friends to be worried, and that they should be told that he transferred schools. She says, "Live!" and Suzaku's eyes go red, like they're being affected by the Geass.
CC and Zero arrive in a Knightmare Frame. Instead of killing Suzaku, Zero offers him more energy for his mecha, and they attack the Japanese/Chinese federation together. Britannia claims the glory, and Suzaku re-agrees to be Euphenia's knight.
OH YAY, HAPPINESS. Someone needs to die.
In all, these episodes lag a little bit, but it's clear that they're doing set-up for the last few episodes (WHICH ARE AMAZING, BY THE WAY). The end is nigh!
The recaps always do a nice summary of the series thus far, reminding you of characters' motivations, even if you already remember everything. Lelouch has two goals: to find out who killed his mother, and to create a "nice" world for his sister Nanali to live in. Because she is blind and uses a wheelchair, the emperor considers her to be "weak" and worth less than others in society.
Lelouch's internal monologue as he watches Suzaku and Nanali chat: "If everything goes according to plan, there will be a day when I won't be around Nanali all the time." He's afraid of turning into Mao, and wants someone to protect her. This makes Lelouch very noble, in a way. He's willing to sacrifice everything, including his own mind, for Nanali.
Shirley is in her room, getting ready to go out. Her barrette slips from her fingers and bounces between two desks, where she finds a crumpled note. OMF, what does the note say?? Will Shirley re-figure out that Lelouch is Zero, that he erased all of her memories and killed her father? I think Shirley is a really interesting character, and I wish they would do a tad bit more with her thinking she's going crazy, etc. due to Lelouch having toyed with her mind.
Princess Euphenia (see icon!) is giving a press conference. Every time she's asked a political question by a reporter, her male attendant answers the question for her. Apparently, she is working on selecting a "knight" for herself.
The episode seems to be Euphenia's press event with an art museum, positioned against a mecha fight. Zero/Lelouch has gotten the Black Knights some really nice mechas, through a deal with some military people from Kyoto. Zero is working to free a man named Toudou, a Japanese terrorist who had been imprisoned by the Britannian government. Lelouch says that this is the man he has chosen as Nanali's knight, supposedly to protect her after Lelouch is incapacitated by his Geass power.
Of course, Suzaku attacks in his Lancelot mecha. The top of his mecha gets cut open during the battle, and the pod is exposed. Lelouch realizes that the pilot of Lancelot has been Suzaku all along. As Zero, he hesitates. This is an unexpected blow for him. OMF, ANGST!
At the museum opening, Euphenia and all the journalists can see that Suzaku, an Eleven, has been fighting for Britannia all along. Suzaku tries to keep fighting, even though his mecha has been cut open. Toudou removes the cover from the pod of his mecha, and asks Suzaku if he still plans to execute him. They have the same argument that Suzaku and Zero always have - whether its best to destroy the government, or change it from within.
Karen demands instructions from Zero, should she attack or not? Toudou and other terrorists instruct them to kill Suzaku. Lelouch yells for them to wait, while Lloyd tells Suzaku how to release a 4-pronged attack. Lelouch calls for his people to retreat, and, because the Britannian air force is moving in, they comply.
The spectating journalists make some racist comments about why Suzaku doesn't chase after them, and Euphenia defiantly names Suzaku as her "knight."
Zero won't come out of his mecha according to Karen, but the episode ends with him laughing maniacally, as CC watches from outside his machine. I wonder if this is how Mao started to go crazy.
Essentially, this episode seems to have served 3 purposes: Euphenia starts to overcome her racism towards the Japanese people, Lelouch learns that Suzaku pilots the Lancelot, and Suzaku accepts that Toudou is his enemy.
Episode 18
Zero is restructuring the Order of the Black Knights, naming people in charge of various factions, etc. He has no regard for the race or methods of the people he appoints, focusing only on results.
At the same time, Suzaku is being knighted by Euphenia, despite his Japanese ancestry.
Members of the Order of the Black Knights suggest that Suzaku be assassinated. As Zero is a symbol for the rebellious, Suzaku is now a symbol for "Elevens" wishing to pledge allegiance to Britannia. In private, CC tells Lelouch that this should be easy to solve: he should just use his Geass on Suzaku.
Cordelia and Euphenia bicker over Euphenia's having knighted Suzaku, and Eleven. Cordelia tells Euphenia that her wish to treat Elevens differently means that she desires to be Emperor.
Ashford Academy students are having a congratulatory party for Suzaku. Karen arrives at the party, looking very determined. WTF, they're not going to assassinate Suzaku right now, are they?? She is clutching a package in her hand, raising it, when Lelouch grabs her hand with an innocent expression on his face, telling her that Shirley is trying to get her attention. Karen leaves when Suzaku and Lelouch begin talking.
Suzaku is pulled from the celebration by Lloyd (his superior, who is now engaged to Millay Ashford, the president of the student council) to go with Euphenia and receive an ambassador. Zero instructs his Black Knights to capture Suzaku and the Lancelot alive.
Suzaku and Zero fight in their Knightmare Frames, with Zero luring Suzaku into being surrounded. Zero tells Suzaku that the reason Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Britannian Empire was because the Japanese Prime Minister was killed - the person who killed the PM took away the will of the people (remember, that person was Suzaku!).
Britannians order the use of missiles on the terrorists, and Suzaku gets the upper-hand by pointing a gun at Lelouch.
Suzaku is following orders given by Cordelia, ready to die to defeat Zero. Euphenia is livid, and defies orders, trying to stop Suzaku. Karen leaves her mecha and screams at Suzaku, revealing her status as Karen of the Student Council, begging for him to stop.
Zero's voice is dripping with contempt as he tells Suzaku to do what *he* wants, and to stop following orders. Euphenia's "older brother" appears in a floating mecha-thingy called the Avalon, and a desperate Lelouch opens his helmet to use the Geass on Suzaku. The Avalon opens fire.
Episode 19
Suzaku wakes up on the beach away from Lancelot, not able to remember anything. Zero is also alone on this island. Both are trying to figure out what's going on. Suzaku stumbles upon Karen bathing, and to his surprise, she holds up her clothing to shield her body - the uniform of the Black Knights. She charges at him with a knife, and he flips her, standing over her (yes, she is naked). Angrily, he calls her by her name, Karen Stadtfeld. She corrects him in a stern voice, using her Japanese name. Her voice sounds nothing like it does at Ashford Academy. Suzaku tells her that he will capture her.
Zero ponders what to do, and looks down from the cliff, realizing that Euphenia is standing right in front of him. He levels a gun at her, and she says, "Lelouch?" He is shocked, and she says, "You are Lelouch, right?"
Both teams (Lelouch/Euphie and Suzaku/Karen) search for food. I yawn.
All of the Black Knights are hanging out, trying to figure out what to do. CC tries to assert her authority, an one of the men accuse her of being nothing more than Zero's lover.
Suzaku tells Karen that she is much more energetic and charming than when she is in school (Yay for an anime male admiring a girl with agency more than a creepy, passive girl! I feel like this is a rarity.). Apparently, he admires her so much that he takes it upon himself to tell her to stop fighting with Zero, and leave the Order. She scoffs, and says, "I'm different. I'll show you how I can change this world." She vows to do anything to win. Suzaku tells her that he killed his father.
Lelouch and Euphenia look at the starry sky, and Euphenia laments that they can't return to earlier times, when they were sister and brother, and life was hopeful.
Suzaku tells Karen that he knows what happens when you use the "wrong" methods to achieve your goals - you're only left with "a sense of loss and regret." Karen asks him what meaning her brother's life had, and who gets to decide what's right or wrong.
Suzaku and Karen run into Euphenia and Zero. Zero claims Euphenia as his hostage. He asks for a hostage exchange, but then Karen is the one to put Suzaku into an armlock. Euphenia asks them to stop, and Karen barks at her, "you're just a doll princess who can't do anything by herself!" Go Karen! Suzaku breaks Karen's hold and stands in front of Euphenia, and suddenly the ground they're standing on....activates? And glows with the image of the Geass.
They sink into the ground, and are in the underground chamber being used by Lloyd, Schneiser (new prince), and Britannians. Zero runs for a mecha while Karen kicks ass. The mecha Zero is in is called Gawain, and the Britannians are a bit peeved. Zero tries to attack, but the Knightmare frame is apparently still incomplete. It does fly, though! Lelouch cackles maniacally. Suzaku is captured for insuborination, and Schneiser advises Euphenia to wait to free him.
In his mind, Zero says, "I'm sorry, Suzaku. You're the only one I didn't intend to use it [the Geass] on." It takes a flashback to what happened at the end of the last episode - Lelouch used his Geass, and commanded Suzaku, "Live!" Suzaku escaped when the blast went off, and that is why he is now detained, for disobeyed the orders to kill Zero.
Cordelia is skeptical when she is told about Suzaku's behavior. At the end of the episode, she's informed that Japanese troops are attacking Britannian forces.
Episode 20
A new player is leading the forces in their attack on Britannia. He used to serve in Suzaku's father's government.
Suzaku has a flashback to telling Euphenia that he has no right to being her knight. She tells him that her brother told her the disobeying of orders is nothing out of the ordinary. Euphenia asks him if being her knight is too troublesome, and Suzaku tells her that he killed his father.
Euphie goes to offer her help to her brother, who tells her, "Just that attitude is enough." (Read: Just look pretty; you're a girl, we don't need your help!)
The Ashford Academy kids are bitching about Karen, Suzaku, and Lelouch being gone all the time. Shirley recalls reading the crumpled letter (I'd forgotten about that!), which apparently told her that Lelouch is Zero. She can't remember writing it, but she knows it's her handwriting.
Suzaku tells his military-buddies that he thinks Euphenia cares too much for him, which is why he can't be her knight. Euphenia opines in her museum gallery, saying that she knows she was meant to be a puppet vice-governor, but she wants to "do her best" anyway. She apologizes to the dead Clovis, saying she couldn't avenge him by killing Zero, couldn't save Nanali or Lelouch, and doesn't have the abilities of her siblings Cordelia and Schneizel. "All I do is get in their way." CRY ME A RIVER, KTHX.
Zero tells the Black Knights that he wants to ignore the "Japanese" attacking the Britannians, because he thinks it's really the Chinese Federation.
Nina, a student from Ashford Academy, tries to visit the Museum, but when she realizes Euphenia is inside, she tries to see her. Police surround her, Euphenia asks to see her inside. It's pretty clear that Nina is in love with Euphenia, and when Euphenia tries to tell her that she is nothing special, Nina disagrees.
When the leader of the "Japanese" operation realizes Suzaku is piloting the Lancelot toward them, he tries to ask him about an independent Japan, and why the son of the former PM would prevent that. Suzaku gives his usual schtick about the ends not justifying the means.
Euphenia demands the use of a private line to Suzaku, and professes her love for him. She asks him to please not hate himself. He says, no matter what, she shouldn't hate herself, and to remove records of his existence. He doesn't want his friends to be worried, and that they should be told that he transferred schools. She says, "Live!" and Suzaku's eyes go red, like they're being affected by the Geass.
CC and Zero arrive in a Knightmare Frame. Instead of killing Suzaku, Zero offers him more energy for his mecha, and they attack the Japanese/Chinese federation together. Britannia claims the glory, and Suzaku re-agrees to be Euphenia's knight.
OH YAY, HAPPINESS. Someone needs to die.
In all, these episodes lag a little bit, but it's clear that they're doing set-up for the last few episodes (WHICH ARE AMAZING, BY THE WAY). The end is nigh!