I finally got around to doing the commentary for this episode, and I'm only halfway done! Shame! Shame! i will get the rest done soon, but for now, you'll have to make do with only half of my nonsensicle drivel. Enjoy.

002: First indication here of Shinji's general lack of enhusiasm for piloting Eva. He's not the world's most motivated pilot, that's for sure.

004: Like the Eva's height, there really is no consistency to the charge on the internal batteries. They simply run out at whatever time the director feels would be the most dramatic. Exactly why Anno decided to include this battery restriction at all is best summed up by the following exchange, coincidentally about another giant robot creation:
Snake: You intentionally designed it with a weak point?
Otacon: It's not a weak point. I like to think of it as a character flaw.
People just aren't complete without some type of character flaw, don't you
think?
Couldn't have said it better myself!


009: Maybe the triggers are just a failsafe, to ensure that megatonnes of firepower doesn't accidentally go off as the pilot is thinking about their next move.

024: Misato's look here revealing her displeasure at Ritsuko's insightful comment. Misato is still riding the guilt trip she's on for being the one who's dragging the reluctant Shinji into all this. His silent acquiescence is only making it harder for her.

029: It's Shinji's prudish side, hard at work. He probobly couldn't sleep if he felt there was an unwashed dish in the sink! He's rather poignantly set Misato's place at the breakfast table. I wonder is this his own, silent little way of pleading for attendtion.

037: This whole scene really emphasisies the poor relationship between the two characters at this point. They haven't connected at all. Misato's seeming lack of interest in him, is contributing to Shinji's low regard for himself. He probobly feels he's just an Eva pilot to her.

041: Don't forget either that Ritsuko is deep in Gendou's council. Given Misato's previous childminding of Asuka, her arrival in Tyoko-3 mere days before Shinji's arrival, and her being the one to meet him, might not be as coincidental as it first appears. Gendou is the puppet master, and he may have been looking for some strings for Shinji! Conspiracy theories aside, I have actually heard grown women say pretty much these exact lines to each other when referencing adolesant boys. And given her genuinely friendly tone, maybe it's just a playful prod.

049: For the longest time, I thought these were computer banks at Ritsuko's office.

050: See that guy in the middle of the shot! That was me, all through school. What wouldn't I have given for a classroom of Shinji's so I could get some decent kip in the morning!

060: We had elected "class reps" in my school. However, their duties only included moaning about too much homework in school meetings and complaining that they were elected.
I love Kensuke's reaction here. So Otaku. Any other 14 year old caught playing with model planes and making machine gun noises would curl up and die at this point. Kensuke just looks up like he's been reading a book or something. The man clearly loves his work.

062: Sigh! It would appear that even in Toyko-3 itself the paperless office is still just a pipe dream. I wonder why the hell student's simply aren't emailed the daily printouts? Perhaps by 2015 email really has been made unusable by viagra and mortgage spam!

066: Angry, yes. But from the look on his face, I'd say he's been crying as well.

068: The sound here, along with the size of the bag, would indicate that it contains his laptop computer. How on earth these laptops are able to survive the such trauma at the hands of careless students like Touji shall forever remain one of Evangelion's greater mysteries.

073: Though we never see her, she really never leaves. Her presence will be felt again in later episodes.

075: The first indication here that Gendou runs a tight ship. I doubt anyone asks for time off in Nerv.

078: Something tells me Shinji has the volume on his walkman turned up really loud. He's probobly heartily sick of hearing about "the incident" and its morbid details morning after morning.

085: (After Reichu)I don't think he was. Given the empty classrooms shown in 082, it might be reasonable to suggest that they've lumped the remaining students into one or more classrooms. This might also explain the geriatric who's teaching them. Given the crisis, noone is probobly that concerned about their education. The teacher may have been pulled out of retirement to teach the class, as all the usual staff have fled along with the remaining students. These kids are only be here because... well, you know.

087: Let us also not forget that with more usable computers, comes web browsers, video games, email and messaging clients. The latter seems to have been included in these laptops at least. I think if these laptops were more advanced there's a good chance Nerv's supply of pilots might simply degenerate into internet obsessed, game playing, reclusive, slavering idiots. Much like ourselves.

092: Don't believe their pretty smiles Shinji! They're out to betray you like everyone else!

094: Why? Why does Shinji tell them? Maybe he's trying to impress them. Maybe he's trying to make friends. If I had to guess though, I'd say he simply tells them the truth, because not responding would be impolite, and lying would be just... well... wrong! Both Shinji's morals and sense of propriety are equally inflexible. Besides, what could possibly go awry!

095: Though this question could easily be asked at many points throughout the show, why the hell is Shinji using latin script, english words here? Is this solely for the benefit of internationalisation costs?

099: The life of a class rep is a solitary one it would seem, and thankless as well. I'd hate to be one.

100: Shinji is the only student in agreement with Hikari here. He's really uncomfortable in crowds. More so than anything else he'd really like everyone to sit down and leave him alone.

101: To be noted here is the different colour of Kensuke's laptop. I'd guess his hardware is a cut above the other students standard issue computers.

103: Hey they know his name! Has anyone actually tried to talk to him yet?

104: The attendtion Shinji's getting, is really galling Touji. It's no suprise really.

106: (After Mr. Tines)Not me man! I was with Shinji all the way! For the whole series I was waiting for him to do this to everyone else, and in a way, he did.

109: Touji is, in his own way, immediately apologetic here. He's not a sadist, and really is doing this relucantly.

110: Note that Shinji can still look Touji in the eye here. He doesn't know yet.

112: I think Shinji's is specifically responding to the news of Touji's sister here, rather than just being hit. The revelation that someone has been hurt because of his actions is deeply unsettling to Shinji. He's trying to alleviate his own guilt here I think, not simply make Touji feel guilty.

113: Either way he meant it, it really isn't good enough for Touji. He's not letting him off the hook.

115: Touji is waiting for the rest of his excuses. He won't get any.

116: Shinji simply can't look Touji in the eye now. It's unsurprising. The fate of Touji's sister is something Shinji never really forgets. He bottles the guilt away, but it's still there.

117: As with Misato, Shinji's silent acquiescence is making this even harder for Touji. If only the boy would fight back a little, he wouldn't feel like such a heel. If there's one thing Touji isn't, it's a bully.

121: Do you think she saw the whole thing?

123: Apart from two "Hai"'s and a few painful gasps, Rei's first words, are ones of duty. Duty, and a sense of it, is really key to her whole character I think. Duty to what and to whom, though? Now that's really what makes Rei so interesting.

125: To the Nerv-Cave!! I mean the geofront. Seriously though, how do the pilots get down to the cages so fast. The school must be kilometers from the city and kilometers above Central Dogma. That pole better be greased up good!

I will return to continue my ravings soon.... So just be patient!!

Originally posted on: 26-Apr-2005, 04:12 GMT

And now the conclusion. I seem to have written more comments for this episode than I thought I would. I wonder why? Anyway, on with the show.

129: Gendou and Fuyutsuki's presence in combat situations seems to be largely symbolic. They are after all, microbiologists by trade and not military tacticians. They do seem to be in charge of the day to day running of Nerv, but in combat situations they largely defer to Misato and the Bridge Rats, except where their intervention becomes nessesary due to ... special considerations.

131: A legitimate question to ask at this point, is why on earth Tokyo-3 is built directly above the Geofront. Talk about putting yourself in the line of fire! I suppose it's rather like those towns that spring up around military bases and silos. That and it makes for cracking good TV!

144~145: These people seem awfully relaxed, especially considering the events only three weeks ago. Perhaps Second Impact survivors are simply made of sterner stuff... except for Shinji.

146B: Is there anything Kensuke's camera can't do. It's also water resistant to higher plug depths as we'll see later!

148: (After Sharp-Kun) You know, I may just be dense, but I never really made this connection until it was pointed out to me on the boards. And I must have watched this episode three times by then. I always thought Shamshel was meant to resemble some giant shrimp or other pleocyematid.

151: The little chat between Hyuga and Misato here hinting at the generally informal atmosphere in the control center, at least when the icey region around Gendou is excluded. The senior staff do all seem to be on good terms with one another, although in Hyuga's case, chats with Misato have more subtle motives.

154: OK, I don't normally complain about Anime Physics(TM), but seriously, have Gainix ever even heard of the conservation of momentum? There's a reason nobody has done something like this you know.

161: (After Reichu) It is important to note though, that Shinji really has no idea why he's piloting Eva at this point. He seems to think the only reason is because he's the commanders son, rather than for any personal qualities he may possess. Clearly, no one has bothered to explain anything to him. They've simply shoved him into the cockpit and left him to draw his own conclusions.

162: Touji deep in thought here. Trying to stave off remorse I'd wager.

167: Kensuke really is observant, and quite the manipulator. He's spotted whats been eating Touji, i.e. guilt, and uses it quite effectively. Also this scene shows the number one reason for not wearing tracksuit pants. Thank heavens for flys.

185: I totally missed this, for the first like, five times through the series! Strangely enough though, I still attributed the Eva's feats to the mysterious AT-Field, so I must have copped it at some stage that AT-Field wasn't just referring to the giant octagonal barriers that appear from time to time.

188: Really? Where?

193: Where the hell is all the smoke coming from!? Are they using cannon powder in those shells?

194: Nobody ever gives Shinji a break.

196: I'd say there's also an element of "Well, I did like I was told, so it should be dead right?"

201: Confession. The first time I watched this episode, I though Kensuke was some kind of spy. He is after all the kid who knows too much.

207: Shinji is once again beset by his battle paralysis. Whatever skills have been drilled into him over the last three weeks, bravery is not one of them.

212: What a PR nightmare for Nerv. Their top super weapon, fleeing like a poltroon. They've only themselves to blame though!

219: Hey Shinji! You remember that one thing we said not to let happen? That one thing...

233: The size and weight of Eva is really emphasised by its slow sinking into the mountainside.

238: There are folds in the material covering Eva hands here. Is this stuff just rubber?

253: Maybe Shogoki fell on top of the enterance? It would seem the most plausable scenario.

255: Think Katsuragi, think! What would Dr. Brilliant do!?

260: You can tell Ibuki is quite boggled by Misato's bright idea. It's probobly the most stupid thing she's ever heard her say. Ritsuko is more used to it I reckon.

261: The old prostate's not what it used to be. On the other hand, maybe this is all part of (hushed tones)the senario!

264: This whole scene has to rate pretty highly on the Suspendtion-Of-Disbelief-O-Meter. First off, how is Nerv seemingly able to loop Eva's synaptic commands? How the hell did Touji and Kensuke climb up to the plug so fast? Why didn't all the LCL just spill out of the plug? And don't the two seem to accept breathing liquid awfully quickly? That said, it's worth it all just to get Touji especially, inside the plug during the following moments.

272: Let's not forget that Eva Unit-01 might be regarded as much more sentient than the other Eva's. It is after all inhabited by one of the few character that actually knows exactly what's going on.

275: Because Touji had to get into that plug. Destiny demands it! As do the ratings.

280: With Shinji being consumed by pain and teenage angst, and Kensuke overwrought with desire to keep filming, Touji really is the last sane man left in the cockpit.

282: The left shoulder plate seems to be the one that houses the prog knife. Which is odd considering all the pilots are righthanded. The right shoulder plate houses the diabolical spike launchers, which are only ever used once in combat. A spare prog knife, or extra batteries, would probobly have been a better investement methinks.

296: Now might be a good time to mention that in a creature the size of Eva, not only would muscles make straining noises, they'd also generate massive amounts of heat due to the incredible internal friction. It's a miracle the Eva's insides don't melt during extreme combat. Maybe they're equppied with heat sinks a la Battletech?

300: It's a great transition. It really emphasises the unision between pilot and Eva.

302: Maybe Touji and Kensuke really are feeling some of Eva's pain here? Or maybe they're just bracing against the impact.

308: Misato seems too p/oed with Shinji to even care about whether or not they're going to win.

313: Shinji's really in pain here. You can tell from the screaming.

319: Therapy!? Toyko-3 does not know the meaning of the word! Let everyone bottle it up inside I say! What could possibly go wrong?

325: I think it's more that he still a frightened kid whos just escaped the maw of death by a hairs breath and has also felt his hands and bowels be seared molten by white hot tentacles. But fear of violence and of his capacity for it is also upsetting for him. Shinji really isn't cut out for all this. He should be arranging flowers in breakfast nooks, not risking life and limb in brutal combat.

327: This ball is lonely and neglected, like everyone else in the series. *sniffs*

329: "And you promise not to disclose in any way the things you have seen here today, Mr Aide?" "Why of course not sir! Perish the thought!"

330: If Touji felt bad before the entry plug, he's in the pits of penitency now.

338: Let's see.. 555.. Ah jeeze, that's gotta be phoney!

340: (After Incisivis) I sometimes think it might have been the other way around!


This is really a lot of fun you know. Once you get around to it. Must... do.... next....episode.... . Enjoy!

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 01:27 GMT

My God...if I only I had the skillz, time, and inititive to type that much.

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 02:23 GMT

Requisite editor's comments.

OMF wrote:002: First indication here of Shinji's general lack of enhusiasm for piloting Eva. He's not the world's most motivated pilot, that's for sure.

He's not the world's most motivated ANYTHING.

004: Like the Eva's height, there really is no consistency to the charge on the internal batteries. They simply run out at whatever time the director feels would be the most dramatic. Exactly why Anno decided to include this battery restriction at all is best summed up by the following exchange, coincidentally about another giant robot creation...

Because batteries are by their very nature limited? I'm not sure what point you're driving at here.

009: Maybe the triggers are just a failsafe, to ensure that megatonnes of firepower doesn't accidentally go off as the pilot is thinking about their next move.

EVA-02 depletes all of the positron rifle's ammo in #22, and without Asuka even touching the triggers. (Then, if there's any substance to my pet theory about this sequence...)

024: Misato's look here revealing her displeasure at Ritsuko's insightful comment. Misato is still riding the guilt trip she's on for being the one who's dragging the reluctant Shinji into all this. His silent acquiescence is only making it harder for her.

What about Misato here indicates that she feels guilty? I'm not sure how you're coming to this conclusion.

029: It's Shinji's prudish side, hard at work. He probobly couldn't sleep if he felt there was an unwashed dish in the sink! He's rather poignantly set Misato's place at the breakfast table. I wonder is this his own, silent little way of pleading for attendtion.

Or perhaps it's one way in which he can actually bring some order to his life... Take control.

037: This whole scene really emphasisies the poor relationship between the two characters at this point. They haven't connected at all. Misato's seeming lack of interest in him, is contributing to Shinji's low regard for himself. He probobly feels he's just an Eva pilot to her.

"Misato-san! You just think of me as a side-dish, don't you?"

041: Don't forget either that Ritsuko is deep in Gendou's council. Given Misato's previous childminding of Asuka, her arrival in Tyoko-3 mere days before Shinji's arrival, and her being the one to meet him, might not be as coincidental as it first appears.

Misato told us that she was the one who volunteered to pick Shinji up, though.

049: For the longest time, I thought these were computer banks at Ritsuko's office.

Hah-hah-hah! n00b!

050: See that guy in the middle of the shot! That was me, all through school. What wouldn't I have given for a classroom of Shinji's so I could get some decent kip in the morning!

"Kip"? I feel my vocabulary expanding.

Stupidly, I never even noticed the snoozing guy.

062: Sigh! It would appear that even in Toyko-3

TOKYO! TO-U-KYO-U! TO-KYO!

Sorry, I've just seen you mispell this one so many times, I felt it was my duty.

066: Angry, yes. But from the look on his face, I'd say he's been crying as well.

Awww... C'mere, Toji, let Reichu give you a hug...

068: The sound here, along with the size of the bag, would indicate that it contains his laptop computer. How on earth these laptops are able to survive the such trauma at the hands of careless students like Touji shall forever remain one of Evangelion's greater mysteries.

I never even thought of that... So the kids have to drag their laptops into school and plug them in every day? Ah, well, no biggy -- these days, it's common practice to lug your laptop around (if indeed you have one).

085: (After Reichu)I don't think he was. Given the empty classrooms shown in 082, it might be reasonable to suggest that they've lumped the remaining students into one or more classrooms. This might also explain the geriatric who's teaching them. Given the crisis, noone is probobly that concerned about their education. The teacher may have been pulled out of retirement to teach the class, as all the usual staff have fled along with the remaining students. These kids are only be here because... well, you know.

But isn't 2-A supposed to be comprised solely of '(whatever) level candidates'? I.e., they couldn't just lump a bunch of different classrooms together. Could just be another plot oversight, tho.

095: Though this question could easily be asked at many points throughout the show, why the hell is Shinji using latin script, english words here? Is this solely for the benefit of internationalisation costs?

Because English is "kuuru ando hippu".

099: The life of a class rep is a solitary one it would seem, and thankless as well. I'd hate to be one.

We see Hikari chatting with some girlfriends later, in the shelter.

109: Touji is, in his own way, immediately apologetic here. He's not a sadist, and really is doing this relucantly.

Certainly, it doesn't improve his mood any, even though he seemed to think it would.

110: Note that Shinji can still look Touji in the eye here. He doesn't know yet.

I think he's looking at Kensuke... (Toji is walking away, and would thus have his back to Shinji.)

121: Do you think she saw the whole thing?

Which reminds me -- were the MIBs who follow Shinji around on lunch break when this happened?

123: Apart from two "Hai"'s and a few painful gasps, Rei's first words, are ones of duty. Duty, and a sense of it, is really key to her whole character I think. Duty to what and to whom, though? Now that's really what makes Rei so interesting.

How so?

125: To the Nerv-Cave!! I mean the geofront. Seriously though, how do the pilots get down to the cages so fast. The school must be kilometers from the city and kilometers above Central Dogma. That pole better be greased up good!

The efficiency of Japanese mass transit!

Actually, the school is just on the outskirts of Tokyo-3. I'll be posting a crappy map from the NGE RPG book eventually.

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 03:12 GMT

And the fun goes on and on and on and...

OMF wrote:129: Gendou and Fuyutsuki's presence in combat situations seems to be largely symbolic. They are after all, microbiologists by trade and not military tacticians.

Since when were they microbiologists?

They do seem to be in charge of the day to day running of Nerv, but in combat situations they largely defer to Misato and the Bridge Rats, except where their intervention becomes nessesary due to ... special considerations.

"Rats"?

131: A legitimate question to ask at this point, is why on earth Tokyo-3 is built directly above the Geofront. Talk about putting yourself in the line of fire! I suppose it's rather like those towns that spring up around military bases and silos. That and it makes for cracking good TV!

You know, I always thought the Ceiling City was the lamest. Idea. Ever.

144~145: These people seem awfully relaxed, especially considering the events only three weeks ago. Perhaps Second Impact survivors are simply made of sterner stuff... except for Shinji.

Well, whoever couldn't handle giant monster attacks already moved out. ;)

146B: Is there anything Kensuke's camera can't do. It's also water resistant to higher plug depths as we'll see later!

Eh? What makes you say it's water resistent?

148: (After Sharp-Kun) You know, I may just be dense, but I never really made this connection until it was pointed out to me on the boards. And I must have watched this episode three times by then. I always thought Shamshel was meant to resemble some giant shrimp or other pleocyematid.

Pleocyematid? I thought I was the only one around here who threw around words like that.

154: OK, I don't normally complain about Anime Physics(TM), but seriously, have Gainix ever even heard of the conservation of momentum? There's a reason nobody has done something like this you know.

Explain for the physics idiots?

161: (After Reichu) It is important to note though, that Shinji really has no idea why he's piloting Eva at this point. He seems to think the only reason is because he's the commanders son, rather than for any personal qualities he may possess. Clearly, no one has bothered to explain anything to him. They've simply shoved him into the cockpit and left him to draw his own conclusions.

Wait... What does that have to do with my comment?

167: Kensuke really is observant, and quite the manipulator. He's spotted whats been eating Touji, i.e. guilt, and uses it quite effectively. Also this scene shows the number one reason for not wearing tracksuit pants. Thank heavens for flys.

Nya? I don't get it. Please explain for poor, dense Reichu.

188: Really? Where?

Hell, you can even see in the thumbnails here EVA-01's jawpiece being colored orange and the little plates above the necks being blue. I don't see the green horn stripe, either.

193: Where the hell is all the smoke coming from!? Are they using cannon powder in those shells?

tv33 wrote:What Shinji is firing is probably some type of HE (high explosive) round, where the center of the shell is hollowed out and packed with explosives, which is why we see the big plumes of smoke.

194: Nobody ever gives Shinji a break.

That's because he sucks. ;)

196: I'd say there's also an element of "Well, I did like I was told, so it should be dead right?"

Yeah, a bit of anticipation there, as well.

201: Confession. The first time I watched this episode, I though Kensuke was some kind of spy. He is after all the kid who knows too much.

Thank goodness he wasn't! All we needed was Kensuke hitting on Shinji so that he could get into Nerv HQ.

207: Shinji is once again beset by his battle paralysis. Whatever skills have been drilled into him over the last three weeks, bravery is not one of them.

What's bravery got to do with it? More the ability to think and act rationally despite his rather understandable fear. Then again, maybe that's what bravery literally refers to? :smacks skull in hopes that brain will start working:

219: Hey Shinji! You remember that one thing we said not to let happen? That one thing...

What one thing?

238: There are folds in the material covering Eva hands here. Is this stuff just rubber?

Production drawings say that "the arms are covered by a reinforced plastic-like material (that doesn't wrinkle/crease)". Hmm, okay... I guess the hands are covered by a reinforced plastic-like material that DOES. :P

253: Maybe Shogoki fell on top of the enterance? It would seem the most plausable scenario.

Looking over the screenshots that gives hints to the relative positions of the Eva, Kensuke and Toji, and the torii, I don't think so. But I'm totally sure.

255: Think Katsuragi, think! What would Dr. Brilliant do!?

Who's Dr. Brilliant?

260: You can tell Ibuki is quite boggled by Misato's bright idea. It's probobly the most stupid thing she's ever heard her say. Ritsuko is more used to it I reckon.

261: The old prostate's not what it used to be. On the other hand, maybe this is all part of (hushed tones)the senario!

264: This whole scene has to rate pretty highly on the Suspendtion-Of-Disbelief-O-Meter.

That's a creative way of misspelling "suspension". ;)

272: Let's not forget that Eva Unit-01 might be regarded as much more sentient than the other Eva's. It is after all inhabited by one of the few character that actually knows exactly what's going on.

First off, how does this relate to the other comments here? Second, how do you define "sentient"?

280: With Shinji being consumed by pain and teenage angst, and Kensuke overwrought with desire to keep filming, Touji really is the last sane man left in the cockpit.

Actually, I think Kensuke's more overwrought with despair over having lost all of his 1337 footage.

282: The left shoulder plate seems to be the one that houses the prog knife.

"Seems"? :P

Which is odd considering all the pilots are righthanded.

Does it really make that much of a difference?

The right shoulder plate houses the diabolical spike launchers, which are only ever used once in combat.

The official name is actually "needle gun". Not very groovy, but there you have it.

A spare prog knife, or extra batteries, would probobly have been a better investement methinks.

I don't think an extra battery would have fit...

296: Now might be a good time to mention that in a creature the size of Eva, not only would muscles make straining noises, they'd also generate massive amounts of heat due to the incredible internal friction. It's a miracle the Eva's insides don't melt during extreme combat. Maybe they're equppied with heat sinks a la Battletech?

Well, the Evas are not exactly made out of matter as we know it. I dunno if Angel Stuff would respond differently to heat... Perhaps the better question would be why the pilots are not boiled alive without the aid of Ramiel's Heat Ray of Death?

300: It's a great transition. It really emphasises the unision between pilot and Eva.

Incidentally, this cut will also be gratuitously mirrored later on...

302: Maybe Touji and Kensuke really are feeling some of Eva's pain here? Or maybe they're just bracing against the impact.

Cripes, you got me.

313: Shinji's really in pain here. You can tell from the screaming.

No, you think? ;)

319: Therapy!? Toyko-3 does not know the meaning of the word! Let everyone bottle it up inside I say! What could possibly go wrong?

NO! Having... "Bubsy"... flashbacks...!!! AARRRRGh.

Just ignore that, please.

325: I think it's more that he still a frightened kid whos just escaped the maw of death by a hairs breath and has also felt his hands and bowels be seared molten by white hot tentacles.

I dunno, I rather like Incisivis's suggestion...

But fear of violence and of his capacity for it is also upsetting for him. Shinji really isn't cut out for all this. He should be arranging flowers in breakfast nooks, not risking life and limb in brutal combat.

He would still hate his life, either way.

338: Let's see.. 555.. Ah jeeze, that's gotta be phoney!

Where'd you get the 555 from?

This is really a lot of fun you know. Once you get around to it. Must... do.... next....episode.... .

#04, or #05?

Enjoy!

[sinister voice]Oh, I do. I do...[/sinister voice]

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 05:09 GMT

Reichu wrote:"Misato-san! You just think of me as a side-dish, don't you?"

"No, I think of you as dessert"

Reichu wrote:Since when were they microbiologists?

Well, regardless of the details they are scientists not soldiers/career milllitary like say Misato.

Reichu wrote:Eh? What makes you say it's water resistent?

Well, it survives in the fluid filled entry plug, so it's LCL resistent so probably water resistent .

Reichu wrote:Explain for the physics idiots?

The guns are suspended from a rope. As soon as they start firing, they should start spinning like catherine wheels from the recoil.

Reichu wrote:Nya? I don't get it. Please explain for poor, dense Reichu.

Kensuke is wearing trousers with a fly, thus he doesn't have to partially pull them down like Touji does, who thus shows of his butt-crack in this shot.

Reichu wrote:Where'd you get the 555 from?

He's referring to the US convention that phone numbers in tv shows/film start with "555", and that no real phone-numbers are issued starting with this, hence avoiding accidentally giving out a real phone number leading to possible prank calls.

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 12:54 GMT

Mr. Nice wrote:Well, regardless of the details they are scientists not soldiers/career milllitary like say Misato.

The thing is, I don't think Gendo's vocation is EVER revealed.

Well, it survives in the fluid filled entry plug, so it's LCL resistent so probably water resistent .

What makes you say it survived the LCL?

Kensuke is wearing trousers with a fly, thus he doesn't have to partially pull them down like Touji does, who thus shows of his butt-crack in this shot.

Oh, durr, I was looking at the wrong cut. _

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 15:22 GMT

Reichu wrote:Because batteries are by their very nature limited? I'm not sure what point you're driving at here.

I meant why the Eva's have this weakness at all. I can't think of many other giant robots with such an obvious reliance on umbilical cable. The little Metal Gear Solid quote kind of explains why it was included. Most giant robots have some obvious weaknesses to make things more interesting. BTW( Snake and Otacon are referring to Metal Gear Rex. It turns out that Otacon, its chief engineer, designed Rex in such a way that if its arm mounted radar array ever became permentantly wrecked, the pilots cockpit would snap open, exposing Metal Gears delicate innards. All Snake has to do is fire 20+ stinger missiles at the raydome to get the cockpit to open.) This all has next to nothing to do with Evangelion but everything to do with Giant Robot shows.

Reichu wrote:What about Misato here indicates that she feels guilty? I'm not sure how you're coming to this conclusion.

Misato has felt sorry for Shinji since the start. That's obvious. And she's the person who is most visibly leading him into this. She's feeling guilty about her role in basically forcing someone who doesn't want to pilot into all this. If it's not obvious now, then her outburst in #04 172~176, set off by his declaration that he's only doing this for others, will show quite plainly how upset she is by this guilt. She's close to tears. It's been eating her up, and is probobly one of the reasons she hasn't connected with Shinji very much.

Reichu wrote:Or perhaps it's one way in which he can actually bring some order to his life... Take control.

He probobly just hates uncertainty and disorder. A Shinji the Prude appendice section perhaps?

Reichu wrote:"Misato-san! You just think of me as a side-dish, don't you?"

Oh man! If only we could make everyone get this. I think there will have to be an OKAZU section in the appendices somewhere

Reichu wrote:Misato told us that she was the one who volunteered to pick Shinji up, though.

That's true, and she did send him the outrageous photograph. Still, I do find it odd that Nerv's primary pilotsitter should arrive mere days before Shinji, transferred only after Rei's accident. Gendou does seem to know everything that's going on in Tkoy...Toyk... Tokyo-3 though. It wouldn't have been beyond him to set it all up you know. Then again, maybe I'm just overestimating the man.

Reichu wrote:TOKYO! TO-U-KYO-U! TO-KYO!

Yeah! What the hell have I been smoking!? I'm off to type it out, 100 times!!

Reichu wrote:But isn't 2-A supposed to be comprised solely of '(whatever) level candidates'? I.e., they couldn't just lump a bunch of different classrooms together. Could just be another plot oversight, tho.

I meant they've probobly lumped all candidates in 2-A,2-B,2-C,2-D etc all into one class, along with any candidates who might have been in the first or third forms.

Reichu wrote:Because English is "kuuru ando hippu".

Say what?

Reichu wrote:We see Hikari chatting with some girlfriends later, in the shelter.

Psycophants I say! Well in any case, being a rep is a tough job sometimes.

Reichu wrote:I think he's looking at Kensuke... (Toji is walking away, and would thus have his back to Shinji.)

I'd say it's Touji. He mightn't have walked away just yet. The shot is sandwiched between cuts of the two speaking to him, so it's hard to say either way. A duel to the death might be needed here!

Reichu wrote:Which reminds me -- were the MIBs who follow Shinji around on lunch break when this happened?

Here's another question. Do the MIBs follow just the pilots, or are they tailing ALL the candidates as well? If the latter is the case, then incidents like this would hardly call for intervention at all.

Reichu wrote:How so?

Do you mean her first words? Or why she's interesting?

Reichu wrote:Since when were they microbiologists?

What Mr Nice said. Also, didn't Fuyutsuki worked in some biology department, micro or otherwise. He was assigned to Gendou's surety, so I assume Gendou worked in the department as well. They both seem to have evolved into jacks of all trades though.

Reichu wrote:"Rats"?

The bridge "crew", "gang", "rats", "trio".... what is it people call them? I thought it was rats for some funny reason.

Reichu wrote:Eh? What makes you say it's water resistent?

What Mr Nice said.

Reichu wrote:Pleocyematid? I thought I was the only one around here who threw around words like that.

Pleocyematid? What the hell does that mean! (It's a fancy word for lobsters).

Reichu wrote:Explain for the physics idiots?

What Mr Nice said. Think of the bullets, as rocket exhaust.

Reichu wrote:Wait... What does that have to do with my comment?

Oh, I just thought it would look better before Dr Nick's unrelated LCL comment.

Reichu wrote:Nya? I don't get it. Please explain for poor, dense Reichu.

What Mr Nice said.

Reichu wrote:Hell, you can even see in the thumbnails here EVA-01's jawpiece being colored orange and the little plates above the necks being blue. I don't see the green horn stripe, either.

You might want to include this for colour blind ignoramuses like myself!

Reichu wrote:Thank goodness he wasn't! All we needed was Kensuke hitting on Shinji so that he could get into Nerv HQ.

I may have just spawned another Eva H-doujin horror. I take full responsibility...

Reichu wrote:What one thing?

The cable breaking! Possibly the worst thing that can happen to the Evas.

Reichu wrote:Looking over the screenshots that gives hints to the relative positions of the Eva, Kensuke and Toji, and the torii, I don't think so. But I'm totally sure.

Maybe the enterance is just a ways from the torii then.

Reichu wrote:Who's Dr. Brilliant?

Gigaaantoor!! Gigaaaanaaaantorrrrrr!!!!! Gigantor!!
Then again Jimmy Sparks was always the one with the remote control unit. Still I think Dr Bob Brilliant came up with his fair share of ingenious solutions. I think.

Reichu wrote:First off, how does this relate to the other comments here? Second, how do you define "sentient"?

Let me rephrase this one. Got some new ideas as well

272: It might be that Eva Unit-01 is a little more aware and in control of itself than the other Eva's. It's the only one that moves on its own after all. Maybe our heroine was good enough to not to synch with the two new people in the Eva, sparing them the agony of combat. On the other hand, didn't it take Rei nine months to synch with Zerogoki. Asuka seems to have taken a while too. Only Shinji displays an instant talent for synching, so maybe the others are only very dimly linked at this point, probobly below borderline.

HeWhoPostsStuuf's comment is best left at the end of all our meanderings though!

Reichu wrote:Does it really make that much of a difference?

I would have thought it was easier to draw the knife from the right pylon rather than reaching over to the left. Should... should we call them pylons? It does sound a lot better. Yeah! Change mine to say pylons!

Reichu wrote:The official name is actually "needle gun". Not very groovy, but there you have it.

It took me ages to come up with "diabolical spike launchers" so don't you dare go chaging that!!!! :E

Reichu wrote:I don't think an extra battery would have fit...

Aren't the batteries just stuffed in anywhere an everywhere across the armor, like on submarines?

Reichu wrote:I dunno, I rather like Incisivis's suggestion...

I was trying not to, but I'll let fly and edit this one anyway.

325: I think you're overanalysing this. Fear of violence and of his capacity for it is might be part of it, but basically Shinji is a scared kid who's just been through hell. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but a lot of people seem to be puzzled by the fact that he's crying here!? It's obvious why. He's a human being, and quite a gentle and caring one at that. It's a pity that so many see his qualities as negative for some reason. Shinji really isn't cut out for all this. He should be arranging flowers in breakfast nooks, not risking life and limb in brutal combat.

Reichu wrote:Where'd you get the 555 from?

What Mr Nice said. This is also a direct Chief Wiggam quote!

Reichu wrote:#04, or #05?

#04. #05 would be difficult as it isn't actually there yet, remember?

Magami No ER wrote:My God...if I only I had the skillz, time, and inititive to type that much.

It's easy! You just have to sacrafice friends, family, socal events, sleep, food and drink, the usual, no biggy. It's worth it though, because eventually it all becomes part of something greater.

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 18:59 GMT

OMF wrote:I meant why the Eva's have this weakness at all. I can't think of many other giant robots with such an obvious reliance on umbilical cable.

It actually makes some degree of sense, IMO. Evas require huge amounts of energy to move. Instead of bothering to feed them and let them produce this energy via metabolism, Nerv just pumps raw electricity into them (speculation on how this is utilized will become an appendix entry, someday), and this electricity has to come from somewhere. Hence the umbilical cable. I actually speculate that the early Evas were created with this handicap purposely (and that perhaps the S2 organ may have been intentionally 'engineered out') -- not to make them vulnerable in combat, but as a failsafe in case the usual restraining measures fail...

He probobly just hates uncertainty and disorder. A Shinji the Prude appendice section perhaps?

I dunno, to me it seems about as necessary as an "Asuka the Whiny Bitch" appendix. I.e., this sort of thing is self-evident. I might just be making crazy assumptions, though.

Oh man! If only we could make everyone get this. I think there will have to be an OKAZU section in the appendices somewhere

Not necessary. Whenever we get to EoE, we'll just insert a few explanatory comments when we get to the relevant line. Till then, it can just be an in-joke.

That's true, and she did send him the outrageous photograph. Still, I do find it odd that Nerv's primary pilotsitter should arrive mere days before Shinji, transferred only after Rei's accident. Gendou does seem to know everything that's going on in Tkoy...Toyk... Tokyo-3 though. It wouldn't have been beyond him to set it all up you know. Then again, maybe I'm just overestimating the man.

I don't really see much of a reason to blame all this on conspiracies. There is such a thing as "plot contrivances."

I meant they've probobly lumped all candidates in 2-A,2-B,2-C,2-D etc all into one class, along with any candidates who might have been in the first or third forms.

Then wouldn't we hear later on that "Class 2-A is comprised of candidates of varying eligibility", as opposed to all being the same level?

Say what?

Cool and hip.

I'd say it's Touji. He mightn't have walked away just yet. The shot is sandwiched between cuts of the two speaking to him, so it's hard to say either way. A duel to the death might be needed here!

Note the timing of "footsteps walking away".

Here's another question. Do the MIBs follow just the pilots, or are they tailing ALL the candidates as well? If the latter is the case, then incidents like this would hardly call for intervention at all.

Why?

Do you mean her first words? Or why she's interesting?

The latter.

What Mr Nice said. Also, didn't Fuyutsuki worked in some biology department, micro or otherwise. He was assigned to Gendou's surety, so I assume Gendou worked in the department as well. They both seem to have evolved into jacks of all trades though.

Metaphysical biology (whatever the hell that is).

If Gendo worked in the same department, then how come Kozo only met him after befriending Yui?

The bridge "crew", "gang", "rats", "trio".... what is it people call them? I thought it was rats for some funny reason.

Bunnies.

What Mr Nice said.(Re: camera)

What I said to Mr. Nice.

I may have just spawned another Eva H-doujin horror. I take full responsibility...

Either that, or a future doctoring of some "Girlfriend of Steel" screenshot.

The cable breaking! Possibly the worst thing that can happen to the Evas.

No, this is.

Maybe the enterance is just a ways from the torii then.

It seems to be at the bottom of the stairs leading to the tori. At the top, Kensuke and Toji made a left to watch the daikaijuu battle.

272: It might be that Eva Unit-01 is a little more aware and in control of itself than the other Eva's. It's the only one that moves on its own after all.

EVA-00?

Should... should we call them pylons? It does sound a lot better. Yeah! Change mine to say pylons!

Well, truth to tell, I've only seen them called "shoulder pylons" in a couple of Yamashita's writeups in "Sore o nasumono". It sounds a bit cooler than the alternatives, though (shoulder parts or shoulder plates).

Aren't the batteries just stuffed in anywhere an everywhere across the armor, like on submarines?

It was my guess that they were located in that rather sizeable mass on the Evas' backs.

Originally posted on: 28-Apr-2005, 08:27 GMT

Reichu wrote:"Kip"? I feel my vocabulary expanding.

Slightly old-fashioned slang in the UK. Meaning obvious from context.

OMF wrote: 282: The left shoulder plate seems to be the one that houses the prog knife. Which is odd considering all the pilots are righthanded.

It's easier to reach like that. Try it.

OMF wrote: Quote: Originally Posted by Reichu Because English is "kuuru ando hippu".

Say what? That's the result of English transphonemated into the Japanese syllabary, and then back again. Not as bad as some Engrish I've seen - the funniest being for something to do with French bakery ("World of Pain").

OMF wrote:Psycophants I say! Well in any case, being a rep is a tough job sometimes.

Only one p in sycophant. And not being pilots (yet) the girls are allowed to be relatively normal.

Reichu wrote:It was my guess that they were located in that rather sizeable mass on the Evas' backs.

Mine also. When we do see under other bits of armour, there's no sign of a distributed power system.

Originally posted on: 27-Apr-2005, 21:30 GMT

Reichu wrote:It actually makes some degree of sense, IMO.

Oh yeah! It makes perfect sense. I'm talking about why directors put in such weaknesses in giant robots at all. It's like depression or alcaholism in people or something. Character flaws.

Reichu wrote:I dunno, to me it seems about as necessary as an "Asuka the Whiny Bitch" appendix. I.e., this sort of thing is self-evident. I might just be making crazy assumptions, though.

Not necessary. Whenever we get to EoE, we'll just insert a few explanatory comments when we get to the relevant line. Till then, it can just be an in-joke.

I'm kidding about the appendix stuff. :E

Reichu wrote:I don't really see much of a reason to blame all this on conspiracies. There is such a thing as "plot contrivances."

But wouldn't it make Gendou sooooooo much more dastardly! Arranging for his own sons morbid "gentling" to keep him contented in Tokyo-3. Humour me.

Reichu wrote:Then wouldn't we hear later on that "Class 2-A is comprised of candidates of varying eligibility", as opposed to all being the same level?

I think that the only kids left in the school are candidiates. Everyone else had been moved, hence the lack of need for decent teaching standards. The teacher left too, so they drafted in a retired old guy living in the general area. that's my idea anyways.

Reichu wrote:Note the timing of "footsteps walking away".

I can't hear anything though. Then again I'm listening to a non renewal version. And if they're there in renewal, that must mean they wanted to them put in for a reason. I still think he's looking at Touji though. I'll change 110 to.

110: Note that Shinji can scowl insolently here. He doesn't know yet.

I reckon it's OK. His expression in 116 is less adversarial at any rate. I reckon it's the news of someone getting hurt that knocks it out of him.

Reichu wrote:Why?

Because MIBs have better things to do than intervene in teenage squabblings!

Reichu wrote:The latter.

She's dutiful you see. But to whom! At first it is to Gendou, but then it shifts to Shinji. It's quite a key plot point really. I'm just padding the comment with neat sounding generalities.

Reichu wrote:Metaphysical biology (whatever the hell that is).

If Gendo worked in the same department, then how come Kozo only met him after befriending Yui?

Well I'm fairly sure they were both biologists of some kind at any rate. So I suppose just drop the micro-part.

Reichu wrote:Bunnies.

The bridge bunnies it shall be then!

Mr. Tines wrote:It's easier to reach like that. Try it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Reichu It was my guess that they were located in that rather sizeable mass on the Evas' backs.

Mine also. When we do see under other bits of armour, there's no sign of a distributed power system. Alright! I really liked that comment, but I guess now I'm going to have to edit it. :thinks:


282: The Eva's left shoulder pylon is the one that houses the prog knife. This must be to accommidate all the righthanded pilots. The right shoulder pylon houses the diabolical spike launchers, which are only ever used once in combat. A spare prog knife, or extra batteries, would probobly have been a better investement methinks.

OK. I still think extra batteries could have been stashed in the pylon. You'd be amazed at where these things can go! Please don't make me kill it.

Originally posted on: 28-Apr-2005, 00:09 GMT

Time for some late-night additions:

014 (after Soluzar): Well, in Stratos 4 the Meteor Sweeper pilots used to practice their sharp-shooting skills at a normal rifle-range, which is not very plausible either - I mean, how does it help you to fire a big-a** homing missile any more accurately?

--

I must say that the "dumbass n00b" part in 051 is painfully stupid, but I still don't want to remove it. So unless someone else complains about it, it can stay there for all I care.

About 054: does anyone know where this part about some random chick looking too much like Nadia comes from? Not that I doubt what AA is saying, but I'm asking this because we should avoid things like "I read it somewhere" as much as we can. (BTW, I see Achtung has joined our crew. Smashing.)

060: Shin-seiki's name missing here? By the way, I'm not sure how we should handle this, but the appendix linked here might need a some kind of disclaimer or something - after all, there seems to be wild variation among these Freudian interpretations. From Wikipedia NGE-entry:

There have been many hypotheses on the nature of the relations between the characters: popular theories are that Shinji, Rei, and Asuka represent the Ego, Superego and Id; that Rei and Asuka represent the Thanatos and Eros drives in Shinji's psyche; or that Gendo, Shinji, and Rei represent the three parts of the Christian Trinity.

And Reichu, didn't I cook up a revised, less stupid comment for 065?


Too tired, will continue tomorrow.

Originally posted on: 28-Apr-2005, 21:50 GMT

Dr. Nick wrote:I must say that the "dumbass n00b" part in 051 is painfully stupid, but I still don't want to remove it. So unless someone else complains about it, it can stay there for all I care.

Haven't heard any complaints yet!

About 054: does anyone know where this part about some random chick looking too much like Nadia comes from? Not that I doubt what AA is saying, but I'm asking this because we should avoid things like "I read it somewhere" as much as we can.

Actually, I do know where that came from (the NGE vs. Nadia page Shin-seiki mentioned in episode #02). Will add a linkie later.

(BTW, I see Achtung has joined our crew. Smashing.)

Although the crazy Spaniard has not said nearly enough yet.

060: Shin-seiki's name missing here?

Ah, right, dur. That's what happens when I shift multi-paragraph comments around absent-mindedly.

By the way, I'm not sure how we should handle this, but the appendix linked here might need a some kind of disclaimer or something - after all, there seems to be wild variation among these Freudian interpretations.

Cripes, with this sort of stuff, almost any interpretation is fair game... It's pretty dangerous territory, come to think of it.

And Reichu, didn't I cook up a revised, less stupid comment for 065?

Did you? I need to go through your e-mails a bit more thoroughly anyway. ;

Originally posted on: 28-Apr-2005, 22:25 GMT

Dr. Nick wrote:I must say that the "dumbass n00b" part in 051 is painfully stupid, but I still don't want to remove it. So unless someone else complains about it, it can stay there for all I care.

Dr. Nick, as the originator of the comment, I'd like you to be aware that I was, at that time taking a "scattergun" approach to commenting, and that I do acknowledge that my joke was pretty gosh-darn boneheaded.

You can safely wield your axe without fear of damaging my ego. It was a truly awful joke, motivated only by the fact that there is sometimes relatively little to say about the early episodes.K. I still think extra batteries could have been stashed in the pylon.

OMF wrote:K. I still think extra batteries could have been stashed in the pylon. You'd be amazed at where these things can go! Please don't make me kill it.

Think of the size of the Eva. Think of the size of the battery. Think how much mass could be added to the battery by filling the pylon. Not much? Right. It wouldn't be worth their while IMHO. You'd give the eva 5:03 active time, instead of 5:00. Big whoop.

Originally posted on: 29-Apr-2005, 00:57 GMT

Soluzar wrote:It was a truly awful joke, motivated only by the fact that there is sometimes relatively little to say about the early episodes.

And for that same reason it shall stay where it is. For now.

Think of the size of the Eva. Think of the size of the battery. Think how much mass could be added to the battery by filling the pylon. Not much? Right. It wouldn't be worth their while IMHO. You'd give the eva 5:03 active time, instead of 5:00. Big whoop.

Unless I'm horribly wrong, they did use pylon-attached extra batteries in ep. #11.


And now, the actual edits:

084: From Kiyone's collection of nitpicks:

In the original sketches for the classroom, shown in the Evangelion sourcebook, the "blackboard" was originally going to be a white Liquid Crystal Display with the words appearing in black! (This would have been similar to the "blackboard" as seen in the opening theme song sequence to the first episode of Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, but that one was in colour.) In the end, they just went with a regular green blackboard.

(The "sourcebook" refers to Newtype 100% Collection.)

I'll leave it to Reichu to decide how quotes like this should be incorporated into the commentary - Kiyone is a forum member here, but not personally interested in joining the project. My suggestion is that normal direct commenting (name-colon-comment) should be reserved for "registered" crew members, whereas random comments coming from other people / sources would be normally quote-formatted (= in brown italics) or indirectly quoted (as in cut 272). I'm probably just repeating the obvious, but I think we should have a uniform system regarding quoting too.

190 (after Hexon): Right now, Lovecraft is spinning in his grave like a dervish on ecstasy.

227: Let's not forget Law of Anime #2:

Law of Differentiated Gravitation
Whenever someone or something jumps, is thrown, or otherwise is rendered airborn, gravity is reduced by a factor of 4.

151: typo - missing "s" in "Those guy_ in the orange uniforms must really be slacking off"
288: typo - "Bloodcurdling Cries Of Rhe Damned"

Now, onto episode #04!

Originally posted on: 29-Apr-2005, 14:06 GMT

Transferred to the Commentary forums.

Originally posted on: 12-Oct-2005, 00:28 GMT