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Episode 6: Showdown in Tokyo-3/Rei II
This episode picks up right where the last exciting episode left off so I won't bother with an introduction. We'll just get right to the action! Shinji is being tortured by the beam from the 5th Angel but he manages to return to the NERV hangar where he is taken to receive medical care. Meanwhile, the 5th Angel continues to drill to the Geo-Front and only 10 hours are left till it reaches NERV Central. By studying the Angel's attack, NERV is able to conclude that close range attacks wont work because the particle beam it employs is too deadly and the AT Field is too hard to break through with conventional weapons. While Shinji is in the hospital and the 01 is injured, good old Captain Misato Katsuragi and Dr. Ritsuko Akagi decide to use a long distance sniper to destroy the Angel. Misato also mentions consulting the Magi supercomputers of which 2 approved her plan and one gave a conditional approval. Not having their own particle rifle, Misato goes to the Japanese Defence force and has EVA 00 (piloted by Rei) take the rifle on loan, promising to return it in as close to perfect condition as possible. In order for the rifle to pierce the Angel's AT field it needs a strong enough power source: namely, all the electricity in Tokyo! Shinji is visited by Rei in the hospital, who not only brings him news of the new mission, but a meal as well. He says he doesn't want to pilot EVA anymore and Rei says he should stay in the hospital because she could pilot 01. Realizing the danger she would put herself in, Shinji tells Rei that he will pilot EVA 01. At the mission briefing, Shinji is told he has to try to kill the Angel with his first shot or else he will have to wait to reload the overheated rifle. Rei's 00 will defend 01 while it takes it's sniper shot. Before the EVA's are launched, Shinji and Rei discuss their lives as pilots. Rei says she pilots EVA because she feels bonded to all people and because she has nothing else. As mission time comes around, she departs for her EVA and says "goodbye" to Shinji. As the battle begins, Shinji takes his shot at the Angel, whose one particle beams nullifies the attack. While Shinji reloads, the 5th Angel fires again and Rei uses a shield to block Shinji while he prepares for his next shot. After successfully destroying the Angel, Shinji goes to save Rei from her burning entry plug and burns his hands in much the same way that Gendo did. As he sees her wake up he begins to cry, telling her she shouldn't say she has nothing to live for and not to say goodbye, because it's too sad. Rei says she isn't sure what to say and when Shinji tells her just to smile, she does. This episode ended on a very poignant note. Rei has hinted at her true nature (feeling bonded to all life) and shows some emotion at the very end. For Shinji this was important, as he too shows his heart is alive and has found a way to care for someone, despite his "hedgehog's dilemma". The action sequences were well done and contributed to another overall strong episode. I just hope we find out who or what exactly Rei is soon, because I am thoroughly intrigued by her character so far.