Code Geass R2 09
June 8th, 2008 by Shirukii
Shinkurou: Murasaki!
Murasaki: Shinkurou!
Oh wait, wrong show
Awesome episode, plenty of plot twists and mindgames going on and a lot of it was genuinely unexpected and surprising. What’s even more amazing is that this was a lead up episode, which are seldom more than the vomiting of paragraphs upon paragraphs of plot exposition dialogue into the viewers ears, yet it was presented in such a compelling way that I couldn’t help but enjoy it.
The Order of the Black Knights, OotBK (screw it, I’m going to abbreviate from now on), arrive in the Chinese Federation to a warm welcome and we’re treated to some background information on how it’s the most populated free nation not under Britannian rule. It’s political system is one where the figurehead, Tian Zi, is technically in power but is really manipulated by a board of directors from the shadows known as the Eunuchs.
The OotBK settle in, unloading all their shiny new weapons, apparently funded by the CG universe equivalent of India, with badass names, including a new airship named Ikaruga and Toudou’s upgrade, Zangetsu. Afterwards, Lulu starts on his plans that will ramp up to the destruction of Britannia, the foremost condition to be cleared being the capture of the Chinese Federation’s capital.
However, Lulu is one upped by his brother, the second prince, Schneizel, who organizes a marriage of convenience between the first prince and the Chinese Federation’s figurehead, Tian Zi. Not only does this constrict the time frame for Lulu’s plan, but it puts the OotBK in danger of being wiped out, offered as a wedding present of sorts to the Britannians in exchange for amnesty in their crusade as well as nobility status.
The Britannians waste no time in getting this marriage cemented, organizing a reception banquet to formally announce the engagement. The reception ends up being little more than a political dick waving competition where Britannian nobility eagerly show off their chattel, the first prince with the Tian Zi, Lloyd with Milly and perhaps the most surprising, Prince Schneizel with Nina.
The party is crashed when Kaguya shows up with Zero and Kallen in tow. In a room full of Britannians, they aren’t given a very hospitable welcome, but Prince Schneizel appreciates the boldness and orders the Chinese Federation guards to stand down and let them in. Suzaku quickly puts himself between Zero and the prince, preventing him from being geass’d, an expected move. Kaguya breaks the tension by engaging Suzaku in a little friendly chit chat, being cousins and the last of the great Kyoto families, which sets the mood for Zero’s challenge, he proposes a game of chess with Prince Schneizel, with the condition of handing over Suzaku should he win, and removing his mask in public, should Schneizel win.
Previously, Prince Schneizel was one of the few that Lulu couldn’t beat in chess, however that was nearly eight years ago and his skills have grown since then, the game ends up being a stalemate. But in an unexpected move, Schneizel takes a poke at Lulu’s pride and offers him victory, which is promptly turned down, not only costing him the win, but also giving Schneizel key insight into Lulu’s personality.
Suddenly, the game is interrupted by Nina, who had just been talking to Milly about how she’s changed, how she emulates Euphy’s sincerity and devotion in life and abhors people like Milly who are quick to offer verbal support, but cower behind their status when they’re truly needed. She rushes in brandishing a knife and charges at Zero screaming Euhpy’s name in a bid for vengeance, but is stopped dead in her tracks by Suzaku and Kallen.
The following day is the wedding ceremony, and surprisingly it is not Zero who is first to interrupt the proceedings, but Xingke Li, whose life was spared by Lian Zi in his youth, promising to free her into the outside world in return. Tearing through Chinese Federation guards, Li makes his way through, determined to uphold his promise to Lian Zi, who has not forgotten his pledge. However, the commotion Li raises serves only as a window of opportunity for Zero to make his move, swooping in and holding Lian Zi at gunpoint to the shock and disgust of everyone in the room…
The episode ends with a brief scene between Jeremiah Gottwald and V.V. in which Orange-kun boasts about being on the verge of acquiring such power that not even Zero nor C.C. could stand in his way.
Thoughts
As far as plot is concerned, I only have one complaint about this episode and that’s regarding Li’s motivation for working against the Chinese Federation. In a previous post I posited that it might have been a question of power mongering or perhaps that fighting the Chinese would have somehow been for the greater good. While the latter is somewhat true given that the Chinese turned out to be two timing bastards, it turned out to be his personal connection to Lian Zi that was his raison d’etre. I resent this because there’s no precedent or foreshadowing for it, while I like being surprised as much as the next guy when it comes to “WHAT A TWIST!” plot revelations, I’m more keen on being able to say “Oshi-, that makes perfect sense in retrospect”, rather than “Well shit, there was no way I could have seen that one coming”.
Anywho, enough about that, along with plot driving, there was quite a bit of character development as well. The KallenXLelouch relationship was set to take a leap forward, Kallen trying to get Lulu to admit that it was her testimony that brought him back to the front lines and Lulu haphazardly answering her by inviting her to return to Ashford once everything settles down. It’s too bad their raburabu moment was cut short by C.C., in an equally random manner, teleporting into the room ranting about the lack of tabasco sauce.
We also get to see what’s become of Nina as of late, and really there hasn’t been much change in her mindset, hopelessly chasing after the ghost of Euphemia. While her speech to Milly bore some truth, it was needlessly harsh towards a person who was genuinely trying to comfort her, perhaps not willing to give up her life to do so, but who was showing genuine concern nonetheless. I’ve never liked Nina’s character, I suspect few do, I’m half hoping that Schneizel kills her off after she finishes building her nuke.
ORANGE-KUN! This one was pretty random. There’s much explaining to be done about how Jeremiah landed himself in a position to be conversing with V.V. about powers beyond the reach of C.C. and Zero. I’m glad to see him back though, for someone who’s been a joke character for much of the series, I must say, he’s look positively badass here.
Despite the relative goodness of this episode, next week is where it’s at, looking to be filled to the brim with action. If I’m not mistaken, the first shot is Kallen going head to head with Li and the second is unmistakably Suzaku getting owned by Toudou and his new Zangetsu Knightmare (It’s about time someone wises up, and goes after the flotation device). I’m a little wary of the upgrades that are going on though, God forbid we soon have Lancelot Freedom, Guren Wing MKII or Zengetsu Kai Custom running around.
FINALLY!
~ Shirukii ~
Post Script:
In response to Kabitzin pointing out that it is indeed an illegal move to put your own King in check, I went back and rewatched the match only to realize that that was the least of the problem with the game. Take a good look at the boards, the top being a shot from before the bottom, and notice that Lelouch magically gains three pieces. Not to mention that any players with half decent skill at chess would never have an endgame setup like the one we see here. lrn2chess Japan
28 Responses to “Code Geass R2 09”
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The only just war is the one you wage for a Loli-Empress and the chance to take her “outside.”
I hope Nina becomes the bestest suicide bomber there ever was, and make Hamas look like they are playing with fire crackers. Euphie Akbar!
Saeko Chiba FTW!
Orange! I continue to fight!
Cheeze-kun! I’d hit it!
Zero sure is greedy. Isn’t he satisfied with just one loli wife?
“Zero sure is greedy. Isn’t he satisfied with just one loli wife?”
is anyone ever?… the answer is no, and he better stop ortherwise there wont be anyone left for us…
“Shinkurou: Murasaki!
Murasaki: Shinkurou!
Oh wait, wrong show”
finally someone mentions this…
i was thinking the whole time that xing ke and tian zi’s relationship was so similar to shinkorou and murasaki’s…
Yeah. Kure-nai is going to be referenced everytime a “loli” is in a PURELY INNOCENT relationship with a older guy.
This episode was GREAT in developments. Regardless of them having to throw Xingke’s relationship with Tianzi at the last moment. I have to say Xingke is GAR…alright?
And with Jeremiah coming back…..
YES KEN NARITA IS BACK. I haven’t heard him in such along time. He’s on my top 3 best evil voices.
The KallenxLulu is getting really funny and C.C.’s deadpan reactions are always awesome.
…..damn I could have put this on my blog….oh right I have to finish episodes 7 and 8 :|
Hmm…….I definitely like the whole plot twist and how they set up for an epic fight next week. However, I thought Lulu’s tactic today was kinda too sudden and not well planned. I mean, Li doesn’t like the marriage thing so Lulu can coorporate with him to fight with Britania but he kinda did the opposite. Then again, he may have something on his sleeve, who know? What’s your thought, Shirukii? I’m all about Lulu x Kallen from the beginning so I really like all their cute moments that they shared. I’m sure that we gonna see bunch of bad-ass fights next week. As I remembered episode 11 of last season when Kallen went up against Suzaku was pretty awesome fight too.
Shouldn’t Li have been happy? His empress can hang out in Lulu’s harem with her best friend; plus she won’t be the hostage and Li won’t be the main villain. Win-win situation.
BTW, I thought you couldn’t put your king into check…
>>It’s too bad their raburabu moment was cut short by C.C.
DAMN HER! DAMN THAT GREEN-HEAD WOMAN!
>>I’m half hoping that Schneizel kills her off after she finishes building her nuke.
Oh yes, PLEASE!
>>I must say, he’s look positively badass here.
No I thought ORANGE-KUN looked gay
@ Crusader: Yea, definitely. I can’t wait until she blows herself to bits in futility, dying in the delusion that she has killed Zero. I’m calling it now.
@ totali: You’d hit Cheeze-kun before pizzabutt?!
@ Erilex: Can anyone be satisfied by merely one loli wife :3?
@ EvilDevil: Haha, took the words straight out of my mouth.
@ kaz3phyrous: It’s weird that other bloggers didn’t make the connection, it’s the very first thing i thought of when I saw that scene.
@ Avisch: Not necessarily, but the parallels run deeper than that. Not only is it a older guy + loli situation, like Murasaki, Lian Zi is a prisoner in her own home and Li is devoting his life to giving her freedom.
Slacker! Blog moar.
@ kenshin514: I don’t think Li would have agreed to Zero using her as a political tool, it’s no different from what she was just about to be forced into. Li probably will make no compromise in seeing that Lian Zi has complete freedom to do whatever she wants in the outside world, being alongside Zero is hardly freedom.
@ Kabitzin: See my response to kenshin514 about Li, and my post script about chess.
@ blissmo: WHAT?! Orange-kun was looking absolutely FABULOUS there! We should all strive to be like him.
I’m kind of disappointed that Nina got so much screen time as I feel no sympathy for her at all.
Also, Orange-kun is coming back. I don’t know if I should be glad or not, but lets hope that he makes a worthwhile contribution to the storyline.
Finally, that last part with Lelouch and the kidnapping surprised me. His laugh was just too evil — I was like, “is this really Lelouch?” Man, what happened?
Oh well, looking forward to having all of this explained.
Regarding the illegal chess move. Scheizel is just proving that since they are Britannian, they make the rules.
And, oh, there is never a purely innocent relationship between a man and a loli :p
“His laugh was just too evil — I was like, “is this really Lelouch?” Man, what happened?”
he got to steal a new loli wife, thats what happen…
>>> http://animearimasu.animeblogger.net/image/CodeGeassR2/09CodeGeassR2Marriage.jpg
Nice cap!
>>> his personal connection to Lian Zi that was his raison d’etre. I resent this because there’s no precedent or foreshadowing for it
Lian Zi is the Mao of R2
>>> I’ve never liked Nina’s character, I suspect few do
I like Nina. Wait, let me rephrase that. I like Psycho-Nina! Whenever she shows up, the words “Uso da…” keep running through my mind.
VV seems to think that Lulu knows about the Thought Elevator. He never appeared to give the ruins a second glance. It was Suzaku who noticed something peculiar about the place, even though he’s too dense to figure out why.
Upstairs….
“Lian Zi is the Mao of R2”
—-What do u really mean?A joke?
Excellent PS on chess. The extra pieces are easily explained: Rollo must be around somewhere! The chess match reminds me of Yugi-Oh where the characters just make up whatever rules they want. Are you ready to ch-ch-ch-chess?!
I loved how Nina decided to K.I.S.S. this time by using a knife instead of a nuke that doesn’t work. Too bad for her the knife didn’t work either.
Code Geass is suddenly less gay and more pedo.
One episode shows all the Loli in the series, what else do you want? OMG Shirukii, how could you missing one Loli, Anya, in those pics?
One thing I was wonder if they are planning to end Code Geass in this season and that mean the second half of this season should be about:
-the reason why Lulu’s Mother, Marianne, has been murdered by his father. (well, most likely she learned something that she shouldn’t have learned)
-what was the last thing Marianne asked C.C. to seek for Lulu in the first episode of the first season.
-what was the secret that C.C. hold in her hand that is much more important than Zero’s head to the Emperor?
P.S. Is there a rule that you can retreat your king when you are about to win?
dawm
well lets recap
the black knights get an island and a bunch of new toys
kallenXlulu advances
Schneizel mindfucks lulu twice (the marrige and the chess)
and the chinesse dude revolts
Great episode next week is going to rule
and hopefully nina will die
Haven’t seen this ep yet, but from the look on the screencap, perhaps Lulu’s hand was covering some pieces? The hand has room to cover an extra 2, on top of the one he is obviously grasping. Maybe 3 at a stretch
EUPHEMIA-SAMA NO KATAKI!
That was probably the best part of the episode for me, I always knew that Nina was crazy, and I was wondering if Table-Girl had really reformed; there must be something wrong with me if I find it so damn hilarious ;). This show wouldn’t be half as funny without oddities such as Llyod, Nina and especially gay-for-Zero Diethard.
>>> “Lian Zi is the Mao of R2”
>>> —-What do u really mean?A joke?
Bah. Sleep deprivation strikes again. I really meant “Xing ke is…etc”
That is, a false-nemesis that’s supposed to create tension but only annoys viewers because he’s not the real enemy so obviously Lulu isn’t going to lose to him.
Also, coughing-up-blood means he’s already dead. So everything concerning him from the beginning of this ep to when he finally kamikazes his knightmare to redeem his honor and save the empress (and possibly Lulu and/or Karen as well)… that’ll all be useless filler.
>>> This show wouldn’t be half as funny without oddities such as…
Who on this show isn’t the embodiment of some freak personality trait, really? I guess Rivalz, but his name is stupid so he doesn’t count.
Forgot to add, Nina is one crazy racist psychopath bitch. I seriously hope she dies.
Well….cheeze-kun is already a hugging pillow…..
Haven’t got time to watch the ep yet, will catch up later, don’t forget Kurenai, etc. That is all. ^^
Has Zero used his Geass on Nina yet? I cant remember…maybe ive had my memory erased by the Emperor
Finally had some time, good ep, plent of stuff going on as you said.
Nina, Nina, Nina…*shrughs* Here’s hoping she blows up along with the nuke trying to blow up Zero who turns out not to be there after all etc. etc.
I thought about pausing to see if I could follow the chess game, but I decided to keep my suspension of disbelief at a somewhat more acceptable level. ^^
It’s Yuuichi and Ayu! …I love lolis.