|
|
Episode 17: Fourth Children
This episode wasn't action packed, there were many quiet scenes of reflection but it is a testament to the quality of Evangelion that I still loved this episode. The episode opens with Misato in a dark room being questioned by SEELE about Shinji's encounter with the 12th Angel. Misato is Shinji's proxy because she believes that Shinji isn't in the condition to be questioned yet. SEELE focuses their questioning on the Angel's intentions and any mental contact it might have made with Shinji despite Misato's claims there is no evidence to support their theories. Of interesting note, SEELE says there hasn't been any systematic cooperation the Angels as of yet. When Misato leaves, Gendo tells SEELE that he is afraid that the Angels are getting smarter and SEELE notes that, "There's not much time left for us." While Toji visits his sister in the hospital (who we know was injured in EVA 01's initial sortie), NERV Central finds out that the 2nd Branch of NERV has vanished along with EVA 04 and the German S2 engine that was being installed. Upon learning this Misato says, "We're being forced to use things we don't understand" and glares over at Ritsuko who thinks to herself "Yes, things like the EVAs." The EVA Unit 03 is being sent over from the US and Misato is left to wonder if the dummy plug system will be used. In Central Dogma, Ritsuko and Gendo converse while Rei performs tests in her usual test tube. Ritsuko explains that the Rei Dummy Plug emulates a person's thinking patterns but that there are a few bugs to work out. Gendo says that as long as the EVA believes there is a pilot inside and synchronizes, that is good enough and he orders the Dummy Plug loaded in EVA 01 and 02. While staring at Rei in the tube, Gendo tells Ritsuko that "the core can be prepared for immediately" for the 4th Child (which would indicate NERV, not Marduk, chooses the children). Later, Misato is told by Ritsuko that the Fourth Child has been found and Misato is shocked to learn who the candidate is. In class, we see hints that Hikari has feelings for Toji and Toji is handed papers to give to Rei after school. Not knowing where her house is, Hikari offers to help Toji but he instead asks for Shinji's help, oblivious to the fact Hikari even offered. The two go to Rei's place and put the papers on her bed so she doesn't miss them. Toji tells Shinji that he's changed and become more giving and open than when Toji first beat him up. As the two clean up the mess in Rei's room, she walks in and blushes when Shinji tells her that they cleaned up the mess for her and thanks him. After the boys leave, Rei thinks to herself "Thank you. Words of gratitude, words I've never used, even with him" and looks at Gendo's glasses atop her dresser. While on a train, Gendo and Kouzou discuss the disappearance of the 2nd Branch of NERV and the EVA 04. Gendo says it is of no consequence to him and it only affects SEELE since their "scenario" is laid out by the Dead Sea Scrolls and this event was not predicted. Back at NERV Central, Misato tells Kaji that she believes the 4th Child was found too conveniently. Kaji tells her that the Marduk Institute does not exist and that NERV is the one pulling the strings. He also tells her to look under code 707 for more information, a code Misato recognizes as the one for choosing EVA pilots. Shinji appears; inadvertently interrupting the discussion between the two and Kaji takes Shinji out to talk. At first the two talk on a bench but then Kaji takes Shinji to a melon garden where Kaji has been growing melons. Kaji says he likes growing melons because he enjoys seeing something grow and the wonders it reveals to him. They switch the topic of the conversation to the pleasure and pain they've both felt in their lives and Kaji tells Shinji, "Being kind isn't a weakness." Later, during a synch test, Ritsuko finds that Shinji's synch test is lower and she is afraid combat with the 12th Angel affected him. The next day at school, Toji is surprisingly called to the Principal's office and is met by Ritsuko. Meanwhile, Shinji and Kensuke talk and Kensuke says he heard rumors about the EVA 03 being tested in Japan. He asks Shinji if he can be the new pilot but Shinji is more worried about where Toji is. Kensuke also mentions he heard rumors about the NERV 2nd Branch disappearing with EVA 04 but Shinji says Misato didn't tell him anything. Class soon resumes and Toji shows up later, seemingly more serious and resigned. After class Toji still seems despondent so Hikari offers to start making him lunch so he won't have to buy his own. In NERV, Asuka sneaks up on Kaji and sees the name of the 4th Child on his computer screen, a name, which angers her. As EVA 03 is lifted from the U.S and begins its voyage to Japan, Toji stands on the basketball court where he shoots a perfect shot. As this episode ends, there is no doubt that Toji is in fact the pilot of EVA 03. What makes this episode so dramatically effective is that it doesn't pretend that the audience is stupid; instead, they show how knowledge of the pilot's identity affects each character. Next episode Shinji will no doubt learn the true identity of the new EVA pilot, but this episode focused mainly on Toji and it's good to see growth in the supporting cast.