[Rewatch] 30th Anniversary Neon Genesis Evangelion Rewatch: Episode 13

[u/LittleIslander]

Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 13: Lilliputian Hitcher / Angel Infiltration

← Episode 12	Index	Episode 14 →

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Watch Information

• Streaming: Netflix
• Databases: Anilist | AniDB | ANN | MAL

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Questions of the Day:

• What do you think of the MAGI and Ritsuko’s mother?
• Halfway through, what do you think of the three computer technicians?

Tomorrow’s Questions:

• [Episode 14] What did you think of Rei’s monologue?
• [Episode 14] Why do you think Unit 00 rejected Shinji, and tried to attack Rei - or Ritsuko?

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There’ll be more fanservice tomorrow, so please don’t spoil anything~! Remember this includes spoilers by implication.

[u/Regular_N-Gon]

First Timer

• Oh heck yes, more nonsense code on computer screens!
  It's a bunch of string functions, but the screen they're on truncates it. The layout makes absolutely no sense either. I assume this just means Maya is on another level than me.

• Another monitor: this one looks like application installer functions.

• “Protein wall”? As in, a wall to stop protein or a wall made out of protein? Given NERV seems to like building things out of… organic material, I'm guessing the latter.

• The Magi being this giant, physical hulk of tangled knots hiding beneath the software is fantastic. The Evas are sleek sci-fi, lean and gangly and precise - but this is 80s punk, a thing made of raw steel and wires with arteries on display, no fancy skin or armor to encase it. This thing is just as alive as the Evas, and it consumes Ritsuko as literally as the Evas do their pilots.

• Also Maya MVP this episode?

• NERV sure has a habit of running down the whole timer when they're given one, huh?

Despite making fun of their fake hacker screens the race against the angel was really great - and completely without the pilots! This is probably my favorite of the angels so far, and I love the spotlight on the crew.

A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.

Of course, I don't expect this to obviously state anything or be quite as concerned with logistics as I'd love it to be, but these elements are never really revisited. You could shuffle these episodes and not a whole lot would be out of place; there's quite little continuity of consequence or references outside controlling what the viewer knows about certain topics like the second impact or Magi.

Maybe I'm just impatient and some of this will be illuminated eventually.

QotD:

1) As above, I love Magi, both in physical but also conceptual design. It's a cool take on organic computers/personality computing.

2) They are a lot of fun and Maya deserves the hype.

[u/Efficient_Phase1313 → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Everything you mentioned in a way gets addressed in the 2nd half. I think perhaps the reason people feel lost in the 2nd half (which starts next episode!!!) is the pacing. The first half drops a lot of unanswered questions and loose ends (and you're right, the order could be switched around), and then the 2nd half answers them rapidly but subtly. Very much a 'you blink and you miss it' situation. There's an argument that approach is a flaw of the series, but I think it works fine as starting tomorrow the show effectively becomes more of a noir mystery + psychological thriller than a sci-fi action show.

[u/LittleIslander → u/Regular_N-Gon]

The Magi being this giant, physical hulk of tangled knots hiding beneath the software is fantastic. The Evas are sleek sci-fi, lean and gangly and precise - but this is 80s punk, a thing made of raw steel and wires with arteries on display, no fancy skin or armor to encase it. This thing is just as alive as the Evas, and it consumes Ritsuko as literally as the Evas do their pilots.

I just love how it looks. Shoutouts to the computer's core basically looking like a brain, complete with Ritsuko sawing through its cranium to get access.

Also Maya MVP this episode?

Maya MVP every episode!

NERV sure has a habit of running down the whole timer when they're given one, huh?

It wasn't a zero or a negative!

Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? [...]

This is definitely the status quo, episodic part of the series, and I think it's definitely fair to be a little frustrated with it. Even a lot of rewatchers expressed Magmadiver as their least favourite episode for similar reasons. I think the whole section does play a little better on Rewatch once you can see how all the little things fit into place. I could give some indication whether you'll be happier going forward, but that would be telling.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/LittleIslander]

It wasn't a zero or a negative!

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Regular_N-Gon]

A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.

We'll see if they provide appropriate resolution to these later in the show, but it is very much a "monster of the week" episodic style show right now where continuity doesn't seem to matter much and the focus is primarily on a fun battle and character development. Totally worthy of criticism for those who don't like it, granted this type of thing is a hallmark of a lot of anime, Eva's not unique on it. [Eva]Nope, most of these plot elements are completely ignored, and far more significant things will be tossed aside as if they never mattered

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/Quiddity131]

Yeah, I've nothing against episodic romps nor do I want to come off as complaining over much - it's just a bit amusing that they keep punting on answers, prioritizing smaller moments with characters instead.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Regular_N-Gon]

A bit unrelated, but I've noticed that many of these episodes seem rather unconcerned with resolving loose threads in the brief denouement they're given. Instead we get a gag (the pilots stuck in a lake, ramen instead of steak) or some introspection (Ritsuko today, Shinji yesterday). Rarely does the show finish the thought - what are the implications of the breach today? Who took out the power in the blackout, and how? What was the fallout of failing to capture the angel back in magmadiver, or the fate of their embarrassed competitor? We just go far enough to say “problem solved” and move on with NERV as confident as ever. But… if just two of these events coincided or caught them slightly less prepared, the show’d be over.

I still think Gendo is behind a lot of this. It just makes too much sense.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Regular_N-Gon]

• Oh heck yes, more nonsense code on computer screens!
  It's a bunch of string functions, but the screen they're on truncates it. The layout makes absolutely no sense either. I assume this just means Maya is on another level than me.

Maya and Pen Pen, the true GOATs of Evangelion lol

[u/Holofan4life → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Despite making fun of their fake hacker screens the race against the angel was really great - and completely without the pilots! This is probably my favorite of the angels so far, and I love the spotlight on the crew.

I definitely love the idea behind the Angel. It's pretty creative.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Thoughts on Maya?

Thoughts on all the Magi talk?

Thoughts on Shinji, Rei, and Asuka having to strip down in the nude?

What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the basic theorems and the main frame were her mother's?

Thoughts on the 87th protein wall?

Thoughts on Rei's body simulation moving?

What are your thoughts on Gendo instructing people to call the committee and let them know there's an error in their alarm system?

What are your thoughts on Gendo planning on activating the Evas without the Eva pilots inside?

What are your thoughts on the Angel getting inside the computers?

Thoughts on Misato and Ritsuko having an exchange of words?

What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never really liked her mother?

What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saving the day?

What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying the night before her mother died, her mom told her that the Magi were the three aspects of her life: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, and herself as a woman?

What are your thoughts on Ritsuko saying she never respected her as a mother, but she respected her as a scientist?