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Episode 5: Rei, Beyond Her Heart/Rei I
Since the show is titled Evangelion and is about EVA's piloted by Rei and Shinji, it's necessary for the viewer to be able to relate or understand them. To this point Rei had been nothing more than a good visual design, without a personality. After watching this episode we don't learn more about Rei as much as we learn no one knows a lot about Rei except Gendo. But, therein lies the appeal of Rei's character: she is a true enigma. The episode begins with events occurring exactly 22 days ago. The orange Evangelion Unit 00 is being tested (with Rei as pilot) and suddenly it goes berserk. In the control room, Ritsuko and her staff cut the power supply but the EVA's internal battery keeps it going as it tries to break into the control room. The Entry Plug is ejected and Gendo fears for Rei's safety. He rushes into the test rooms and opens the burning hot tube with his bare hands in order to save Rei. As his hands become black from the serious wounds, he holds Rei in his arms and is thankful he saved her. We return to the present (in Evangelion that is) and Ritsuko and Misato discuss Rei Ayanami. She is the "first child", a 14 year old girl who pilots the EVA 00 but whose records have been erased. Ritsuko say sit is mental instability in Rei which caused the EVA 00 to malfunction and go out of control but also subtlety hints she might know the real reason for the accident with EVA 00. Ritsuko, Shinji and Misato then go over to the 4th Angel (which Shinji defeated in episode 3) and Ritsuko tells them the Angel is "601" which means it cannot be analyzed. After scanning the Angel she has found that it has a very similar molecular structure to humans. As Shinji looks around the research facility, he sees Gendo without his gloves on and notices the burns on his hands. Shinji asks Ritsuko why his father's hands are burned, Ritsuko explains Gendo saved Rei during the 00 accident and Shinji can't believe that Gendo would ever help anyone. Later, while in gym class, Shinji stares at Rei who is sitting alone and won't participate in the swimming the girls are doing. Toji and Kensuke taunt Shinji about have a crush on Rei but he says he is just worried about her and wonders why she is always alone. Toji and Kensuke say she has been that way since Grade 7 and she is just the type who it is hard to be friendly with. While testing his EVA later in the day, Shinji is surprised to see Rei excited about talking with Gendo. At dinnertime, Ritsuko comes over to eat with Misato, Shinji and Pen Pen. She is a bit mad she was called over on a night when Misato was cooking instead of Shinji however. Ritsuko gives Shinji his new NERV ID card and also gives him Rei's to drop off at her apartment. Shinji stares at Rei's card, and a severely intoxicated Misato begins to tease him about having feelings for Rei. The next morning, Shinji visits Rei's apartment and walks in when no one answers the door. He notices a pair of Gendo's glasses on her dresser and puts them on. Suddenly, Rei comes out of the shower, wearing only a towel and trips and falls on Shinji. The two star at each other, and then the naked Rei asks Shinji to get up and she takes off the glasses, seemingly a bit mad. Nervous, Shinji turns away whole she dresses and beings to stutter when he explains why he came over. As he is talking he realizes Rei has left and he catches up with her on the bus, though they sit at a distance from each other. When they finally arrive at NERV Central Shinji gives her the card and explains why he came to visit her. As they go down the escalator, Shinji asks Rei if she is scared about piloting EVA for his recalibration test that day and says he has no faith in his father. Hearing this, Rei slaps him and walks away. While putting on her plug suit (the EVA uniform), Rei remembers Gendo saving her and then heads off for her recalibration test. While in the test another Angel attacks, this one is shaped like a big diamond, and EVA 01 is sent to combat it. It begins to drill into the ground and when Shinji tries to stop it he is hit by a deadly beam, which begins to melt a hole in the EVA. This episode was excellently paced, balancing characterization with action. The glimpse into the shared past of Rei and Gendo was not only welcome but eye opening as well. It's obvious Gendo and Rei have a special relationship and I can't wait to learn the details. It seems we may also finally get to see Rei pilot her EVA and next episode promises to be the most action packed so far! This episode may have endeavored to answer a few questions about Rei, but all the answers led to more questions! And you know what? I wouldnt have it any other way.