Code Geass ep.08

November 24, 2006 | 25 Comments

This turns out to be an interesting episode which reveals that different factions have their own reasons and ways of approaching the current situation. Some are radical, others are totalitarian, while Zero seems to choose a wait and see approach and treats situations on a case by case basis. So far, however, his motivation seems kind of noble and actually lessened the gravity of Clovis' murder. After all, whether you like it or not, there would be some casualties in war. In Zero's case, however, he chose Clovis for a rather noble reason. It's remains to be seen if Zero will be able to keep up his good intention without turning into dictactor like Light from Death Note. So far, however, the writers of Code Geass seems to tackle Zero's ascend to power in a different manner. It's unfortunate, however, that the animation is not up to par this time around. It's quite noticeable that there are many reused frames featured in this episode.

The episode begins with a shot of Eleven residents living miserably in the ghetto while on top of them, a fast-track light train is carrying Shirley, Millay, and Nina out of Tokyo settlement. Shirley admits that this is the first time she's out of the settlement. As the train enters a tunnel, Nina is suddenly parallised by fear so Millay assures the girl that they're simply going to Britannia's tourist attraction so Nina can rest assured knowing that it won't be like the ghetto. Elsewhere, Karen and her rebel friends enter Zero's private vehicle and are surprised to see how lavish the place turns out to be. Zero invites them to enter since from now on, this will be their hiding place. When the rebel switch on a TV, they see a live report from Kawaguchi Lake convention centre hotel, where Japanese liberation front has taken hostage a few Britannian tourists. Karen quickly realises that among those who are captured are the members of the student council.

The news reported that the leader of the group is a man called Kusakabe. Upon seeing the news report, the leader of the Japanese liberation front, Toudou, calls Kusakabe an idiot. Rivalz who saw the news decides to contact Lelouch but since Lelouch is still acting as Zero, he decides to hang up the phone. At the same time, the Britannian army is reporting to Cornelia that their attempt to attack through air and water have failed. However, there is one more route that they'd like to try: a lifeline tunnel underneath the hotel. The plan is to send a few frames to destroy the foundation of the hotel. However, once the army lowered down a few Frames down the tunnel, they realise that their attempt is easily foiled by the Japanese army's large gun. In addition to this, Euphemia is apparently one of the hostages although her captors have yet to realise this. Meanwhile back in Ashford college, C.C is busy observing the girl who carves crosses into the wall.

While she observes the girl, C.C is talking to someone who is unseen, promising to do a good job next time. Having said that, she also points out that she's not a guardian. Meanwhile, Suzaku wonders if there is anything that he can do but unfortunately Lloyd tells him that Cornelia wouldn't leave an operation in the hand of an Eleven. Upon hearing this, Cecil wonders what's the point of someone working their way towards an Honorary Britannian title. Meanwhile, Lelouch is watching a TV featuring Shirley's father pleading his case to the mass media. Lelouch realises that if things keep going, Cornelia will attack without caring about the hostages. The strange thing is, Cornelia has not launched an attack up till now. One of the rebels then bring a box full of uniforms and points out that as cool as these uniforms are, they don't fit their resistance image. Zero, however, tells the guy that they are not resistance but ally of justice.

That night, Cecil realises that a few of the hostages are from the student council and therefore she wonders if the negotiation still continues. Suzaku tells her that since he's the man of an organisation, he needs to prioritise the need of the organisation before his own personal feelings. All of a sudden Suzaku notices a few terrorist holding a man at a gun point before pushing the man off the highest floor of the hotel. Suzaku is shocked about this and in the end can't contain his personal feelings in the matter. Later on, Kusakabe makes a broadcast informing Britannia that they'll kill one hostage every 30 minutes unless Britannia starts to respond to their demand. Because of this, Cornelia's advisors suggest that she starts freeing the woman and children first. Cornelia, however, refuses to do this because by doing this, they'll affirm that terrorism works. Their discussion then comes to a halt when a soldier informs them that Zero has contacted them.

As it turns out, Zero has stolen the 3rd TV station van and he is now heading towards the Britannian army. Inside the van, one of the rebels asks Karen what Zero meant when he said "justice" but Karen has no idea about this. Cornelia doesn't waste an opportunity to point her gun to avenge Clovis' death. She, however, comes to a halt when Zero asks her which one is more important: a dead Clovis or a Euphemia who is still alive. Much to Lelouch's delight, Cornelia is shocked upon hearing this. He remembers how Cornelia always dotes on Euphemia even when the two were little girls. This is why Cornelia finds herself unable to act in any capacity. While Cornelia is still conflicted, Zero informs her that he will save Euphemia. Cornelia doesn't understand what Zero is intending to do but regardless, she allows him to pass. As the van moves towards the hotel, Zero wonders if the Japanese liberation front will treat him as an ally or as a hindrance.

Either way, Zero believes that these guys are lured by the temptation of meeting him. After Zero enters the hotel, Cornelia orders Lloyd to send Lancelot to attack the hotel before the next hostage murder. Suzaku who wants to save everyone immediately agrees to do it. A strategy guide then explains to Suzaku his mission. He will move through the lifeline tunnel. Upon arriving there, he will destroy the basic foundation of the hotel, sinking the hotel to the lake. Once this happens, another unit will take care the rescue and the terrorist. As Suzaku is lowered through the hole, he remembers how Shirley at one point asked him to come with her to Kawaguchi lake but he had to turn it down since he has a job that day. Meanwhile, Nina the bigot manages to anger one of the Japanese army by calling one of them "Eleven" as he passes by. The man becomes angry and yells at Nina, telling the idiot that they are Japanese not Elevens.

Millay tries to calm down the situation by telling the man that they understand but the man is not happy unless Nina corrects what she said. Euphemia tries to act but her advisor suggests her not to do this. Eventually, however, Euphemia decides to help Nina so she stands up and asks the soldier to let her see their leader. Shen then identifies herself as the 3rd Britannia Princess, Euphemia Le Britannia. At the same time, Zero is in the middle of meeting Kusakabe who informs him that his intention is to let people know that Japanese are not dead yet. Upon hearing this, Zero calls Kusakabe and his ilk "Old-fashioned". While this happens, Suzaku is controlling Lancelot and facing the large gun belonging to the Japanese army. Elsewhere, Lelouch's little rebels are placing explosives all around the hotel. Back to Zero, he overhears the soldier outside the room telling his colleague that they've brought Euphemia to see their leader.

Before Kusakabe can strike him with his sword, Zero already uses his Geass power on the guy, ordering him to die. Not long after this Euphemia and the soldiers who accompany her hear gunshots inside the room. When they check inside, Zero asks them to calm down and claims that the men inside kill themselves after they realised that their actions are meaningless. Meanwhile, Suzaku easily dodges the attack from the Japanese army's gun thanks to Lancelot's agility and invincible shield. Back inside the hotel, Zero's little party manages to put Kusakabe's men under gun point. Inside the room, Zero tells Euphemia that he heard she's been inaugurated to become the vice governor-general. Euphemia claims that she's not happy about this. Upon hearing this, Zero wonders if it's because Clovis died. He then tells her that he killed Clovis as the guy begged for his life with his mouth. The same mouth that ordered the massacre of Elevens.

Euphemia wonders if this is why Zero killed her brother but Zero denies this and tells her that the reason is because Clovis is one of the Emperor's children. Zero then points a gun at Euphemia and tells her that come to think of it, Euphemia is also one of those children. At the same time, Suzaku manages to defeat the Japanese army and destroys the foundation of the hotel. As the hotel sinks into the Lake, Suzaku notices Zero in one of the rooms. Conversely, Zero also notices Suzaku and decides to detonate the entire hotel. Suzaku is depressed upon seeing the hotel destroyed beyond oblivion because he couldn't save the hostages. Much to everyone's surprise, Zero then appears on a boat and makes a public speech to the Britannians, asking them not to worry because everyone from the hotel has been saved and will be returned to them. The camera then shows shots of a few life rafters carrying the hostages including the student council members and Euphemia.

Zero then identifies himself and his group as the Order of Black Knights, claiming that they are allies of those who don't possess arms. He tells both the Elevens and Britannian that the hostage and murder of the Britannians by the Japanese liberation front was a cowardly act which holds no meaning. Because of this, Zero and his group punished them. The same thing can be said about Clovis, who ordered the massacre of Elevens. He does not deny the fact that he is fighting. However, he won't allow a one-sided attack on the weak people by the strong ones. Zero argues that they can only shoot those who are prepared to be shot. Because of this, he and his group will appear again when a powerful party attacks those without power. Even if this powerful party has power that exceeds his own. Upon hearing this, Karen wonders if this is what Zero meant by "Ally of Justice". Zero then concludes his speech by telling those who has power to fear him and those without to look for him. For they, the Black Knights, will judge the world.

Impression:

I realise that Euphemia likes to go incognito, but the Palace staff members must be one hell of a yes-men if they allow someone as important as her to go out without being escorted properly. Especially after her brother's murder. Having said that, by doing this Euphemia probably wants to show Zero that she wasn't intimidated by his action. And in a way, it's the same principle that Cornelia adheres to. By giving to the demand of the terrorist, the terrorist will assume that the country is an easy target. Once you open the floodgate, they will keep coming. However, when do you start the tough stance on terrorism and when do you end it? Especially when the lives of people who are important to you are at stake. Cornelia may have the heart of an ice but how about the family of the other hostages?

On the other hand, I'm quite impressed with the range of characterisation that is showed within the episode. I'm not sure if Lelouch was sincere when he delivered the speech but at the moment I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he started all of these because he feels that his mother and sister have became a victim due to their 'weaknesses'. It's only natural that he wants to protect them. Cornelia, despite her tough exterior turns out to have a weakness and that weakness is Euphemia. I think this is a loophole that Lelouch can exploit if he wants to. Especially since Euphemia, as I mentioned before, somehow manage to run around without proper protection. Suzaku actually came across same as always. I guess it's hard to do character development on him since he's basically just your average all around nice guy. Speaking of nice guys, props also go to Shirley for inviting Suzaku to the trip even though he ended up refusing the offer.

Ever since Suzaku enters the school, she's been the only person apart from Lelouch, who's not afraid of Suzaku's Eleven status. Millay and Rivalz came around eventually but that was because Lelouch asked them to befriend Suzaku. The rest, especially Nina are still bigoted towards Suzaku. Nina especially annoys me as she assumes the worst about a person just by looking at their race/status. I really think that if Lelouch and Suzaku are not careful, she could be one of their potential enemies in the future. In other note, I really want to know why C.C has been looking like she's either communicating telephathically or talking to herself. I seriously doubt that she has multiple personality disorder so at the moment I ruled out the possibility that she was talking to herself. I believe that she's a being who is capable of transmitting her thoughts to her kind without having to interface with them. It'll be ironic if her contract with Lelouch will require him to destroy humanity as a whole so that her species can live on.

Preview

On next week's episode: It's a recap. What a relief since next week will be a busy week for me.

© memento 2003