tempestuously (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tempestuously) wrote2008-04-29 11:49 am
tempestuously) wrote2008-04-29 11:49 am
R2 Episode 4 Essay: The Founding of Rome
Not posting this one to the main comm since I only have one subject of interest, and it has been discussed at length. This is just my take on it. I've been waiting for a chance to really dig into Lelouch in R2! So I am delighted to finally have one.
People have mentioned the staff finally can spell the name of the show right again so I want to give an extra shout out for that here. THE REBELLION IS BACK! I will also take this moment to acknowledge there are parts of this episode that don't involve Lelouch or Rollo. I am sad to say they held little interest for me. This includes most of the rescue scene. I did not get enough on Guilford to make much assessment of him at all, and I am biding my time to see what shall happen with Villetta. Anyone who wants to take on either of those topics and shed some light on them, it will be appreciated.
Back to the main event! First and foremost, I repeat my statement of last week that Lelouch is a bastard. I did have some concerns with how gullible Rollo was in agreeing to let Lelouch go on the condition that he would bring him C.C. Why do the people just never shoot the protagonist in the head? I like how nobody believed me when I suggested Rollo might have had geass from a young age and been used as a weapon. Seriously, the only reason I could guess that is that I write characters like him so I pick up on the signs of the conditioned killers. On one hand, I'm happy I guessed right. On the other, I like it better when Geass surprises me.
I really thought it was slick how Lelouch manipulated Rollo. Note, this does not mean that I didn't feel awful for the poor deprived child and think Lelouch should be kicked in the head. But the trap was smooth. I do not wish to absolve Lelouch for what he did or defend him. Too many people always try to defend a character's actions. As always, I only wish to rationalize for sake of understanding. I suspected from Turn 3, Lelouch had a great deal of resentment toward Rollo for replacing Nunnally, using her birthday and essentially using Lelouch to capture C.C. Rollo does show he knew full well what he was replacing with his response to Lelouch showing he remembers in Turn 3. So when Lelouch twisted the knife by playing to Rollo's very unstable emotions, I was not surprised. Lelouch has been seriously fucked up recently. He's out for a little blood. Not only that, he does need Rollo's power to have an advantage against his more powerful opponents; he said as much in his preview for Turn 3.
I have seen some things brought out about how this is a possible contradiction with Lelouch's words about not using people as pawns. Those that are fighting for his cause, innocent or willing to give up their lives for justice, yes. But Lelouch owes no such favors to Rollo, someone who was very close to killing him. And Lelouch has used opponents as his pawns, moving them in place to assure they complete the proper actions. So I fail to see the contradiction. Rollo is an opponent, and Lelouch is more driven than ever.
But I do hold true to Realms' point about Rollo not truly being a fake!Nunnally since the relationship between the two couldn't have quite been the same and since Rollo didn't need the same level of protection, it is likely amnesiac!Lelouch treated him more as an individual than a precious ideal. Thus, I am interested in Lelouch's monologue in the preview about Rollo, particularly "Don't forget you're just a fake Nunnally." I am quite sure something is going to happen to make Lelouch regret his decision. Also, "There was never any peace in Britannia. This is where you belong" is a nice play to "I would never lie to you." Lelouch is using the same heartfelt lines he once felt for or gave to the ones he loved to deceive Rollo. It's priceless! "A world where murderers exist isn't fit for Rollo" is also another knife to the gut since that's exactly what Rollo's grown up with. Lelouch, you are too good at playing to your opponents' weak points.
I also want to say that I'm glad some people are annoyed with Lelouch now. They have always been too quick to forgive him for some truly heinous actions. It's about time they realize the show's protagonist is not without his less adorable character flaws. We've known from the beginning that Lelouch has a serious vengeance complex and is not fond of letting things go. Rollo is getting the full brunt of that for now since he is the one within reach. Extra note, this does not make him Light. But Realms explains that better than I.
But this episode still loses points for Rollo stealing Suzaku's scene, embracing Knightmares, homohomo flashbacks during Lelouch's lies horrible lies (especially that one with the horse coming on to Lelouch ;;) and the cheesetastic "in the bathroom" excuse for where the boys are. Oh yes and Zero's entrance with the sakura petals. SAKURA PETALS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. We don't discuss the other thing.
Umm my brain has nothing else except for BRING ME TURN 5 NOW!
As a side note, I'm completely enchanted by the manga's approach to geassing Suzaku in that Lelouch first considers ordering him to stay on his side but at the last moment changes it to "live." I love the combination of game and canon elements. It makes for a very explorable scenario. Oh Lelouch, you just can't give up your ex-girlfriend.
People have mentioned the staff finally can spell the name of the show right again so I want to give an extra shout out for that here. THE REBELLION IS BACK! I will also take this moment to acknowledge there are parts of this episode that don't involve Lelouch or Rollo. I am sad to say they held little interest for me. This includes most of the rescue scene. I did not get enough on Guilford to make much assessment of him at all, and I am biding my time to see what shall happen with Villetta. Anyone who wants to take on either of those topics and shed some light on them, it will be appreciated.
Back to the main event! First and foremost, I repeat my statement of last week that Lelouch is a bastard. I did have some concerns with how gullible Rollo was in agreeing to let Lelouch go on the condition that he would bring him C.C. Why do the people just never shoot the protagonist in the head? I like how nobody believed me when I suggested Rollo might have had geass from a young age and been used as a weapon. Seriously, the only reason I could guess that is that I write characters like him so I pick up on the signs of the conditioned killers. On one hand, I'm happy I guessed right. On the other, I like it better when Geass surprises me.
I really thought it was slick how Lelouch manipulated Rollo. Note, this does not mean that I didn't feel awful for the poor deprived child and think Lelouch should be kicked in the head. But the trap was smooth. I do not wish to absolve Lelouch for what he did or defend him. Too many people always try to defend a character's actions. As always, I only wish to rationalize for sake of understanding. I suspected from Turn 3, Lelouch had a great deal of resentment toward Rollo for replacing Nunnally, using her birthday and essentially using Lelouch to capture C.C. Rollo does show he knew full well what he was replacing with his response to Lelouch showing he remembers in Turn 3. So when Lelouch twisted the knife by playing to Rollo's very unstable emotions, I was not surprised. Lelouch has been seriously fucked up recently. He's out for a little blood. Not only that, he does need Rollo's power to have an advantage against his more powerful opponents; he said as much in his preview for Turn 3.
I have seen some things brought out about how this is a possible contradiction with Lelouch's words about not using people as pawns. Those that are fighting for his cause, innocent or willing to give up their lives for justice, yes. But Lelouch owes no such favors to Rollo, someone who was very close to killing him. And Lelouch has used opponents as his pawns, moving them in place to assure they complete the proper actions. So I fail to see the contradiction. Rollo is an opponent, and Lelouch is more driven than ever.
But I do hold true to Realms' point about Rollo not truly being a fake!Nunnally since the relationship between the two couldn't have quite been the same and since Rollo didn't need the same level of protection, it is likely amnesiac!Lelouch treated him more as an individual than a precious ideal. Thus, I am interested in Lelouch's monologue in the preview about Rollo, particularly "Don't forget you're just a fake Nunnally." I am quite sure something is going to happen to make Lelouch regret his decision. Also, "There was never any peace in Britannia. This is where you belong" is a nice play to "I would never lie to you." Lelouch is using the same heartfelt lines he once felt for or gave to the ones he loved to deceive Rollo. It's priceless! "A world where murderers exist isn't fit for Rollo" is also another knife to the gut since that's exactly what Rollo's grown up with. Lelouch, you are too good at playing to your opponents' weak points.
I also want to say that I'm glad some people are annoyed with Lelouch now. They have always been too quick to forgive him for some truly heinous actions. It's about time they realize the show's protagonist is not without his less adorable character flaws. We've known from the beginning that Lelouch has a serious vengeance complex and is not fond of letting things go. Rollo is getting the full brunt of that for now since he is the one within reach. Extra note, this does not make him Light. But Realms explains that better than I.
But this episode still loses points for Rollo stealing Suzaku's scene, embracing Knightmares, homohomo flashbacks during Lelouch's lies horrible lies (especially that one with the horse coming on to Lelouch ;;) and the cheesetastic "in the bathroom" excuse for where the boys are. Oh yes and Zero's entrance with the sakura petals. SAKURA PETALS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. We don't discuss the other thing.
Umm my brain has nothing else except for BRING ME TURN 5 NOW!
As a side note, I'm completely enchanted by the manga's approach to geassing Suzaku in that Lelouch first considers ordering him to stay on his side but at the last moment changes it to "live." I love the combination of game and canon elements. It makes for a very explorable scenario. Oh Lelouch, you just can't give up your ex-girlfriend.