Even though the parallels to Misa Misa and Ray Penber are abundant and screaming in the little mind control Mexican stand-off (CC even dresses like Misa!), I’m going to resist ever urge within me and lay off the comparisons to DEATH NOTE. You Anime Vice lunatics get the point.
I have to imagine that the dubbing staff must’ve got a kick out of this one. After 13 episodes of intense internal monologue, it was a hoot to witness Lelouch’s bubble get burst so brusquely when this Mao guy hears and responds to everything he’s saying in his head. It does bring up the interesting question of how you could ever fight somebody who can read your mind, though. Is any offensive fundamentally futile in that scenario, or is there something to be said about the reflexive speed of physical violence? That is, if you’ve sharpened your instincts enough that your muscles are doing most of the thinking, does it really matter if your opponent can see the punches coming when he isn’t physically fast enough to dodge them?
Let it never be said that this isn’t a thought-provoking show!
The ending makes it seem pretty clear that “Lulu” used the geass on Shirley to make her forget everything she knew about him. It happened so quickly that I suppose I haven’t really decided yet if it was a cruel or merciful thing to do. I’ll guess that Lelouch’s days at the academy are finished (as they would’ve been, even if he hadn’t wiped her mind.) He’d have to blank every student, teacher and janitors’ brains too for Shirley’s oddly-conspicuous amnesia to not stick out to anyone. So, now, he’ll have to push her along to go wander Japan aimlessly while he returns back to class and shrugs any time she’s brought up. Rebellion or no, that’s still a mighty nasty thing to do a girl you dated.
Watch this episode "Geass vs. Geass" below, decide for yourself and then read my comments on the previous episode here.
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon here & here . Follow him on Twitter: @tompinchuk
