[FFML] Children of an Elder God Finale (Episode 24) COMPLETE

[David McMillan]

On 9/1/2010 8:02 AM, Matthew Campbell wrote:
> David McMillan wrote:
>> On 8/29/2010 11:08 PM, John Biles wrote:
>>
>>> 	Someone would have to stay behind to be its Soul, the master who
>>> controlled it and guided its madness in constructive ways, restrained
>>> its whims and kept it ready to protect mankind if new menaces arrived,
>>> without it destroying mankind in a dream of death.
>>>
>>
>> 	Oh, this is Not Good.
>>
>
> I have to say, it was kind of sudden.  I'm not even sure I understand
> exactly what happened to Rei.  She had to merge with the merged
> Evangelion and basically turn into another Great Old One to (sleep?) the
> ages away if I've got it right.  The thing is, usually in this series
> when there's a big decision being made, the characters are very good
> about laying out alternatives and considering their options.  "Can we
> trust the N2 generators?  Into the cave or lure him onto the surface?"
>
> I missed having a, "Can we destroy it instead?  Can we take turns
> maybe?  Can Touji teleport us in and visit you on weekends?"
> discussion.  Though I do think the results were narratively appropriate.

	I think they were a bit rushed for time to have that discussion -- 
ditto the idea of rotating or visiting, re: Rei's "go while you still can."
	Possibly Bailesu didn't quite convey the time crunch; the sense I got 
here was more of crushing exhaustion (which was entirely accurate) than 
a desperate scramble.  Or perhaps the Children's inherent understanding 
of the situation didn't quite come through, almost as if they *knew* how 
the argument was going to end, but were still human enough that they had 
to try arguing anyway.

>>
>>> 	"I...," Misato began.
>>>
>>> 	"I will do it," Rei said.  "I was made for this battle; the normal
>>> world has nothing for me, for I cannot be normal.  I am a hunter.
>>> Best I remain to hunt humanity's enemies.  And atone for my sins."
>>>
>>
>> 	Somebody needs to slap that girl with a Clue Bat.  She doesn't deserve
>> this, no matter what she thinks.
>>
>
> She doesn't deserve this, but she does have a few sins to atone for.  I
> did a massive reread of this series over the past couple of days, and
> it's pretty fresh in my mind how she left one classmate comatose for
> thinking about asking Shinji out.

	Rei back then didn't have a sense of right&wrong, though.  Atonement 
wouldn't have even been on her radar.  We can cut her some slack, I think.
	Certainly what happens to her here is a punishment out of proportion to 
her crimes.

> Still not sure if this is a good idea.  As I was reading the series and
> the true nature of the Great Old Ones became apparent, I remember
> thinking that their biggest problem was that they were all alone with no
> peers to talk to.  No wonder they were all crazy evil.  Well, I suppose
> that's what Rei getting a piece of everybody is supposed to solve.

	We can certainly hope.