Code Geass R2 ep.02

April 13, 2008 | 45 Comments

Heh. Now, this is more like it. It's Geass at its over-the-top self. I think this is far better than when the show tries to go all philosophical or political like in the first episode. I also appreciate that the show attempts to explain the missing gap between episode 25 and the first episode of the new season right away. It'd have been a big mistake if they postpone it until later. We also get confirmation about the status of the Emperor as Geass user and what actually happened to some of the people who went missing after episode 25. Overall, this is a rather good follow-up to the first episode. And now that the Emperor is revealed as a Geass user, it's easy to see how everything connects to C.C and Marianne herself. Before I forget, I must say that while I was ready to pounce on Suzaku and call him a traitor, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he does have a plan to infiltrate the Britannia Kingdom. However, if he does have that plan, he better starts it soon because at the moment, I don't think he looks that favorable to Lelouch or his fellow Japanese.

Because there hasn't been any news from the first team which was sent into the building, a commander suggests that they send the 4th reconnaissance team. One of the team confirms the existence of hostile Knightmare frames so the commander sends the 7th special army division to attack them. Urabe feels that the attack is too powerful and thinks that they should retreat. Karen, however, think they should hold out just a little bit longer because Zero is still doing something with the structure around the area and they're supposed to be his backup. As she proceeds with the mission, Karen remembers how back then Suzaku and Lelouch shot at each other. Lelouch managed to destroy Suzaku's communication device but Suzaku kicked Lelouch and pointed his gun at Karen, telling her that she's Japanese and Lelouch is just using her. Back then, an upset Karen ran away from the place, allowing Suzaku to overpower Lelouch. After knocking him out, he brought Lelouch to the Britannia Emperor. The Emperor immediately recognized Lelouch as the former 17th heir. It was then that Suzaku made sure that Lelouch couldn't use his Geass.

In exchange for handing Lelouch, he asked the Emperor to make him one of the Knights. His request was granted so the Emperor approached Lelouch and used his geass to make Lelouch forget everything from Marianne, Nunnaly, and his role as Zero. An understandably unhappy Lelouch immediately thinks C.C was the one who granted his father Geass power. C.C, however, tells him that it wasn't her who gave the Emperor his power. As for Nunnaly's whereabouts, because the Black Knights were pretty much annihilated, she hasn't had the chance to look for Nunnaly despite her intention to do so. She, however, knows that Sayako ran away to the Chinese Federation with Diethard. She also thinks that Sayako doesn't know the true identity of Zero. As a result, she probably doesn't understand the importance of Nunnaly for Zero. Lelouch thinks that it is imperative that they figure out who gave Geass to the Emperor. This, however, reminds him that if he has a younger sister but not younger brother. Speaking of the devil, Rollo is looking around the complex when he encounters a bunch of soldiers, telling them that he's looking for his brother.

Just after Lelouch tells C.C that they can't use their current Knightmare Frame, a Sutherlands come to the area. Lelouch pretends that he's a student and manages to get the pilot out of the cockpit so he can geass him and take over the frame. Meanwhile, Carares is being informed by Gilbert that there are terrorist who have stolen one of his army's Knightmare Frame. Despite Gilbert's offer to take care of things, Careras decide to go to the battlefield himself. He claims that the spice of Chinese Food doesn't agree with his mouth besides, it'll be more fun 'hunting' people. What he meant by this is ordering his troops to shoot at some innocent Japanese who are still trapped inside the building. At the same time, Zero begins to direct the Black Knights using the Knightmare Frame he just acquired. Urabe admits that while Zero's true identity is that of student, the real thing is different. Inside the control room, Lelouch asks Karen to go to level 21 but she claims that she wants to be by his side and pulls out a gun. At the same time, the Emperor is in the middle of talking about that bait from area 11. Suzaku quickly realizes that the guy is talking about C.C.

The Emperor takes Suzaku through what looks like a church, telling him that from all the Knights of the Rounds, he's the only one who's been here. Even Schneizel doesn't know about this place. Suzaku tells the guy that he's honoured but wonders why the Emperor has chosen him. The Emperor informs him that's because he's the only one who knows the true identity of Zero and about the presence of Geass. After a while, they arrive at that floating area that the Emperor often visits. Suzaku wonders if this place is a Shrine but the Emperor tells him that it's actually a weapon to destroy God called The Sword of Akasha. Back to Lelouch, he asks Karen what he wants to talk about, pointing out the fact that she abandoned Zero back in Kaminejima island. In response, Karen retorts that he has been deceiving her. Lelouch wonders if Karen wants to know if Zero was really her classmate or if she wants to know about Geass. As it turns out, Karen wants to know if he used Geass on her to twist her heart so she'll follow him. Lelouch simply laughs and tells her that her heart belongs only to her. This means, all of her loyalty to Zero and her yearning was also her own.

He tells her that it's okay for her to feel proud that she has chosen him (LOL. That's quite a confidence). He then grabs her gun and gives her the puppy dog eyes while asking if she doesn't believe him. She tells Lelouch that she wants to believe him that's why she became a slave (at the casino not as Lelouch's). She then backtracks by saying that the one that she believes is Zero and Lelouch is not him. He thinks that's fine but he wonders until when she plans on wearing that bunny costume. Karen immediately covers her breast, ordering Lelouch the pervert not to stare at her. He reminds her that the one who came to see Zero was her but she retorts that right now she's talking to Lelouch. Their banter ends when C.C informs him that a huge number of Britannian reinforcement has arrived. It seems Careras want to show off the power of Britannia to the Chinese Federation. Karen is worried about this but Lelouch puts his jacket on her and tells her that while escape is difficult, this will be his victory. Meanwhile, Britannian army informs Careras that secondary unit has completed their descent to the J Floor. That means there's only one escape route left for the Black Knights.

Careras wants to make sure that their main units have been placed there and once he receives confirmation about this, he declares that they can execute any terrorist that they find inside. Meanwhile, Lelouch asks C.C how she's doing with her bomb planting so she informs him it'll take less than 10 minutes. Their conversation, however, is interrupted when the Black Knights informs them that there's an enemy Knightmare nearby but then it disappears before picking them off one by one. Lelouch starts to panic, realising that at this rate, that Knightmare Frame will arrive there. Because of this, Urabe suggests that Zero escapes on his own since from the beginning the rest of them were just meant to be distraction. Meanwhile, two Black Knights are on their way to investigate a shortcut that gets anyone to this area. When they get there, however, they see a new Knightmare Frame (Vincent) descending from the lift. The analysis reveal that the new model is based on Lancelot but a Mass Production prototype. Lelouch thinks this is not the time to capture said frame so he orders the henchmen to destroy it. Before they can do so, however, the frame has disappeared.

As it turns out, this new frame is capable of moving at lightning speed. Just in a few seconds, it manages to dispatch the two Black Knights inside their normal Sutherland. A panicky Lelouch asks C.C if she's still not finished planting the bomb. C.C dismisses his fear, saying that there's nothing for him to worry about since Urabe and Karen are there with him. As soon as she said this, Vincent arrives in the area, causing Lelouch to wonder if it's piloted by Suzaku. Karen and Urabe tries to attack the frame but the frame simply uses its sword to slice their frame's arm before disappearing again. Before the frame can attack Lelouch's frame, however, Urabe intervenes and block the attack with his own frame. He tells Lelouch that it doesn't matter that his real identity is that of a student because when he speaks there's no falsehood in his words. Urabe then asks Karen to take care of Zero because he's their last hope. He then apologizes to Laksharta before making his frame committing seppuku, effectively causing a massive explosion. Despite this, Vincent is still standing with only minor damage. Just as Karen about to sacrifice herself, however, C.C informs them that the preparation is complete.

As he pressures the detonator, Lelouch assures Urabe that the moment that he's built will not be wasted. As soon as the button is pressed, several bomb destroys the pillar which holds the tower still. As the tower collapse, the remaining Black Knights lower themselves to the ground. Karen realises that by doing this, Britannian army who occupies the top level will be knocked down to the ground. Lelouch, however, corrects her by saying that's not the only thing. Cut to a shot of the Babel Tower falling towards Careras and his army. As the tower kills Careras, Lelouch remarks that getting rid of other escape routes was Careras' fault because it's similar to telling the enemy of Careras' real location. In the aftermath, Gilbert announces that under the Princess' order, he will take temporary control of the area. Upon finding out that the Princess in question is Cornelia, the army agrees to follow Gilbert's order. Just as he's about to give order to rescue the survivor, however, Zero suddenly appears on the TV screen. This is happening not only in Gilbert's control room but also all over Area 11's major TV screens, TV stations, and even mobile-based TV broadcast.

Zero greets the citizen by telling them that he's back. He then turns his attention towards Britannians and those who are in power. He claims to be sad because war and discrimination are still brandished by those who are in power. Since nothing in the world that has changed, he has no choice but to come back. As long as the strong continue to opress the weak ones, he'll continue to fight. He then points out Carares as an example of someone who gets his well-deserved punishment. While Zero continues his speech, Gilbert's army manages to trace the source of the broadcast and it comes from none other than Chinese Federation's Consulate General. This causes Gilbert to wonder how they get there until he realizes that the group were inside the destroyed building and not far from it, is the Consulate General of the Chinese Federation. Gino, who believes that the real Zero is already dead thinks that this one is just an imposter. Suzaku, however, thinks this will turn into an international problem. Inside the Chinese Federation's building, Karen is in the middle of admiring Zero because he was able to kill the Governer General and figure out their escape route simultaneously.

Li Xingke turns out to be a fan of Zero as well because he quietly admires Zero's intelligence and boldness. Nina, on the other hand, can only grit her teeth as she angrily stares at the screen. Meanwhile, Zero announces the re-instatement of the United States of Japan, causing Li to wonder if it's okay for them to do this without the permission of the Chinese Emperor. Gaohai, however, reminds him that it's his decision so Li stops questioning it. Unknown to him, Gaohai is actually controlled by Zero as indicated by the red color around his eyes. While Suzaku thinks about "Japan", Villetta thinks that it's a country for terrorist. Zero then declares that from this very moment, the area where he does his broadcast becomes the United States of Japan. This is a country where race, belief, and religion do not matter. The only requirement is to fight for justice. Outside the Consulate-General, Li tries to reason with the Britannian army, reminding them that this is the Chinese Federation's territory. Vincent then arrives and from within it, Rollo comes out, saying that he wants the truth so he's come to kill Zero. As soon as he said this, he switch on his right eye and activates his geass.

Impression:

Urabe was right. Zero is their last hope. Whether they like it or not, Zero has the intelligence to lead them through to victory. It's hard not to admire his ability to kill the Governer general and to plot the escape route all within a few hours time. And it was all done while they're being attacked by countless Britannian army. Moving along, I wonder what the Emperor has in mind when he geassed Lelouch? Come to think of it, most people except him, Suzaku, Villetta, and Rollo seem to think that Zero is already dead. Because of this, I question the point of letting Lelouch stay alive. Does C.C really pose that much of a threat to him that he was willing to take a chance and use Lelouch to bait C.C? I supposed the Emperor think that in comparison to C.C, Lelouch does not pose much of a threat to his plan. It's also interesting to see him leading Suzaku to his secret hideout. Doesn't he care that a Japanese might find out the secret to his power?

Speaking of a plan, like I said earlier, I am trying to give Suzaku the benefit of the doubt. I'm trying to believe that he does have a plan because he now has risen up the ladder. He even knows secrets that Schneizel and Cornelia probably don't even know. As for Karen, it was amusing seeing her telling Lelouch that the one that she listens to is Zero and not Lelouch. It must be weird for her to admire him from afar all of these times only to find that the man behind the mask is a gaijin after all. Would she consider herself a traitor if she finds herself attracted to Lelouch? Speaking of inter-racial relationship, I am starting to notice that some Britannians do treat the Japanese people in respectful manner. For example, Gino and Anya don't seem to care that their new comrade is a Japanese. If anything, Gino seems terribly fond of Suzaku. It'll be a sad, sad day when both he and Anya have to go. Last but not least, am I the only one who noticed a hint of coldness in C.C's attitude? She doesn't seem to care if Urabe or Karen makes it out alive just as long as Lelouch is okay and the plan goes on.

Preview

On next week's episode: Back to school.

© memento 2003