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

[John Biles]

On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 7:02 AM, Matthew Campbell <dayriff at gmail.com> 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.

Basically, they're under heavy time pressure; they don't have time to
consider options; they're also so worn out they aren't really in
optimal planning mode.

And basically, Rei has to become the 'Soul' of the new god they've
just created, to keep it from just rampaging mindlessly.

>
>>
>>>      "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.
>
> 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.
>

Yeah, exactly.  She won't be alone; a part of them is always with her.
 Which is why Shinji and Asuka eventually sail into the West, so to
speak, and eventually, all of them will be reunited.
>
>>>      "You have to try," Rei said.  "You will all become like me if you
>>> stay.  I will take the fall.  Go, go while you still can."
>>>
>>>      Misato touched her star to Rei's forehead.  There was a flash of
>>> light.  "There," she said softly. "Give her a piece of yourself, each
>>> of you.  So she won't have to be alone."
>>>
>>
>>       Dangit, Biles, you made me tear up here.
>>
>
> Yeah, this was pretty intense.  I liked it.

Thanks!

>
>>>      They each put a hand out and stacked them, Misato's on the bottom.
>>> Then Shinji said, "Until we meet again."  Then he took Asuka's hand
>>> and they walked onto the boat and sailed out to sea.
>>>
>>
>>       Sailing into the West, to the elven lands...
>>
>
> Though where Shinji and Asuka are going we have even less clue.  Out
> into space, into the Dreamlands, somewhere.  Hopefully they can find
> somewhere where they get to decide the new normal.
>
That's left to the reader's imagination.