Somebody brought up that CC’s pretty much analogous to Ryuk in this show and, even at the risk of getting excessive with the DEATH NOTE comparisons, I’m going to concur because it’s simply unavoidable. We’ve maybe only seen one or two cards dealt from the hand she’s holding, but she nevertheless comes across as some kind of goddess or spirit who’s removed from these human affairs, yet idly curious about seeing what sorts of interesting things can unfold once she stirs the pot just the little. The major difference between her and Ryuk, conceptually, is that some of these events have already gotten too hot for her to handle. And there’s some definite sexual tension between her and Lelouch that doesn’t resemble anything that existed between Light and Ryuk (outside of maybe some skeevy lemon fanfiction. And I’m suuuuuuure there’s a lot of that somewhere.)
This is also starting to resemble the third quarter of DEATH NOTE when logic and motivations took some bigger leaps to accommodate what had been plotted. I really don’t see how the one Britannian officer went from wondering about some faceless dude on the battlefield to a pretty certain conclusion that it’s an otherwise unremarkable prep at a boarding school. It also just seems far too convenient that Shirley would get instructed to follow “Lulu” around and then get to spy on a major mech battle at the docks without being injured or discovered and then have a loaded pistol slide right next to her foot just as the object of her scorn falls about five feet away for her. To further the poker metaphor, that’s like getting a full house on the first dealing.
Also, while I’m not going to gripe about how I want the old theme song back, I’m going to cooly comment that this show’s crew seems to be consciously picking intro and outro music that doesn’t fit the theme of the show in the slightest. Intentionally low-fi garage rock might scream on its vocals, but it doesn’t scream “political-charged melodrama” to me.
Watch this episode "Shirley at Gunpoint" 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
I understand your feelings on the far too convenient occurrences in this series but that's just another trope of anime. Also, if such things didn't happen, a number of events would have never happened and things would have drug on longer. You'll forget all about this trivial stuff when the real shit starts going down.
Oh, I think we get some very nice fanservice in the next ep (if I remember correctly)!!
As for Viletta (the officer who figured out it was Lelouch), well, that's not too ridiculous a conclusion. If you'll remember, she was the one Lelouch stole the Knightmare from in the second episode. Over the next few episodes you only saw her at Jeremiah's side, as his loyal confidant. So when he started spouting how he lost his memory after Zero's first appearance, Viletta saw a connection between what happened to her during Shinjuku (they both lost all memories of when Lelouch used Geass on them). Then when she was informing Shirley about her dad's death, she saw a picture of Lelouch, who she recognizes as the boy she was talking to right before she lost her memory in Shinjuku. So she just puts two and two together and figures out that Lelouch is somehow involved with the Black Knights.
So basically this chick figuring out Lelouch is with the Black Knights is the continuation of a subplot that started in episode 2 (and this is not the end of that subplot). Also, it's not like she figures out everything. She had no idea that he was actually Zero, she just thought he was involved with the Black Knights, and didn't expect that he was leading them. And she has absolutely NO idea that he's actually an exiled prince.
EDIT: As far as random lucky coincidences that seem to come out of nowhere? Honestly there isn't a lot of that in the first season. In fact, i can only think of ONE major plot twist that you can't find sufficient foreshadowing for, and even that has some foreshadowing, just not enough. And it was NOT lucky. At all.
Quoted for truth, and because it was my main problem with this show, and why I didn't watch it all the way through the first time. It gets worse on this front from here and especially in the second season. The ride is worth it though, I won't say anything about cc but you haven't seen anything yet.
Also, I thought the Britannian officer was right for coming up with that reasoning after what happened to her, but I don't think the writers should have made her so SURE about it. This isn't Detective Conan.
Agreed. Fiction characters rarely seem to be unsure about things of this nature. They are either convinced one way or the other.
Oddly enough, the insane amount of suspension of disbelief is what got me through this show. It wasn't Gurren Laggan nuts, but I recall laughing my ass off in some moments of the show that called for more sentimental emotions.
I'd like to take this opportunity to name myself Defender of the Plot of Code Geass. Basically, if anyone reading this has a problem with what appears to be contrived or random or illogical plot points, message or reply to me! I will justify it using other plot points and implications from the series. I challenge anyone to come up with a part i can't justify.
EDIT: oh, and this just applies to the first season. Even a defensive zealot like me has to admit that the writing in r2 gets weak.
EDIT2: Actually, on second thought, I'd prefer r2 plot holes, more challenging to fill.
I had never heard that term before you said it. By "that term", I mean the one from your Spoiler tags. I like it! It's that moment where the Spider Man reference of "With great power, comes great responsibility," comes in.
Note DO NOT read my spoiler tag tom...I want your unknowing reaction to when this happens...
I kind of agree with your Misa-Kallen analogy, but I think C.C. is only equivalent to Ryuk for the first half of season 1, since after a while (as we can see now, even) she becomes a bit more intimate with Lelouch.