Night of the End

This. More of this. This was what we needed and wanted, the joining of hands between ex-enemies, setting aside differences and banding together to fight for the greater good to stop the genocide. Regardless of the fact that Hange & co. Stand to be beneficiaries of the genocide.

Hange's speech was very needed to combat the pro genocide narratives floating around ever since episode 5. No, Erwin would not have supported Eren or the Yeagerists, and neither would anyone else from the SC. The Survey Corps fought for the freedom of humanity, not just the island, to seek understanding through dialogue and diplomacy.

'We haven't even had a chance to talk this over!!'

A line that is brought up once more when the opportunity to talk things out finally arrives and all sides of the conflict gather at the campfire before they go on to fight Eren. Really glad to see all character dynamics come into play here, which I bet many were waiting for this kind of moment. 'I'm the same as you' is one of the most ubiquitous phrases in the post-time-skip and it's obvious why. The only thing separating them was a wall preventing communication from being established, and it all came crumbling down when push came to shove and the world's fate was at stake. And that's exactly why it's so satisfying when they all band together, to bring forth that miracle of friendship Uri chose to believe in, culminating in an alliance of ex-enemies in order to save the world.

The colour palette this episode was vibrant and colourful, with the entire campfire scene being pretty well adapted. Although I'd very much rather have the facial expressions and flashbacks from the manga adapted, our S;G storyboarder showed us his creative vision which cleverly utilises background shots and negative space to craft visual imagery for the theme of "Getting out of the forest" which is ever so pertinent for this episode. Since dialogue episodes are kinda my thing, this one is a clear favourite of mine.

This episode really got to me from the very first scene! This episode shows the characters, facing what they have done and what they have to do! I Really liked Jean in this episode! Feel like he is underrated and he deserves these strong character moments. Yelena Even got some characterization! Once again AOT proves you dont need action to make a good episode.

It is dwelled with each character the regret and hatred for the reasons behind their original intentions. Yelena speaks out about everyones bad deeds, it proves that the focus for bloodshed will just bring bloodshed back. The battle between Marleyans and Eldians is pointless, saving everyone's life from Eren and the Rumbling is now the more targeted approach. Hange's speech on a pointless genocide reflects everyone they have lost in the past. Reiner completely full of regret.

Annie's personality was more accurate in this episode, still as stubborn as ever and the intention to get home with her father still being her main focus.

The new team move forward to try and save the world from Eren but run into problems at the docks. Floch looking like he's completely lost his mind, blinded by his own revolution.

Better than the last episode, not really any action but core story of loss, regret and understanding.

9.1/10.

A carefully weaven episode that starts of slow at first but this builds the growing tension. And the culmination is quite beautiful to behold. It is an episode without any action but it resounds ideologies, moral and ethical issues that echo 'freedom'.

The tone of this episode is gloomy and resumes the dark mood this season accustomed us so far. Several characters from different factions are united to defeat a greater threat, the tension from the previous seasons re-emerge, untold stories are revelaed. This is indeed a nicer episode with respect to the previous one, which broke the suspension of disbelief in more than an occasion. An episode that prepare us for the next (but not final) showdown of the last three episodes of the season.