The revolution will not be televised…because this world doesn’t have TVs.

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

As the gallows made to kill him are constructed, Erwin pleads his final case before King Fritz and the highest nobles, saying that disbanding the Scout Regiment will only harm humanity in the long run if another wall breach were to occur. If that happened, the residents of Wall Rose could revolt against Wall Sina for control of their resources, and then the nobles would be doomed for sure. And even then, the drastic food shortage may force the Wall Rose citizens to invade anyway. The nobles remind him that this meeting is not about any of this, as they are convicting Erwin of treason for hiding Eren for so long. He is sentenced to death.

As they discuss this, horrible news comes in: the Colossal and Armored Titans have returned and broken Wall Rose and the citizens have nowhere to go. While Pixis, who has been observing this meeting, orders his men to evacuate the refugees, the nobles tell them to seal the gates and let the people of Wall Rose be devoured. They can’t risk a revolt at a time like this, and the government must retain its absolute power!

That’s when Premier Zachary arrives to reveal that this attack was nothing more than an illusion planned by Pixis to test the nobles’ reaction and gauge if they are truly fit to rule over humanity. He was even willing to let Erwin die if they used their knowledge of Titans for the benefit of the people, but it’s clear now that they would let everyone die to help maintain their rule. And what’s more, their actions prove they are more of a threat to humanity than Erwin ever could be, and so they’re all arrested.

Word travels fast to Levi’s team that everything is under control and they’re no longer targets, with Erwin even giving the news from the gallows built to end his life…and yet Erwin is still uneasy about the path ahead. Though at least now, his dream to tell the people the truth is one step closer.

But even with all of this accomplished, Eren and Historia are still being held on Rod Reiss’ estate. As Hange and Levi Squad make their way there, she recounts a mysterious history behind the place that may be connected to the Titans. Meanwhile, Eren awakens in a gigantic crystal cavern and chained to pillars with Historia standing below.

OUR TAKE

Viva la Resistance! Guess all that set up for Erwin’s big plan was worth it because that was a damn good mind game he and Pixis played on the guys upstairs. It probably is good we wrapped up their involvement this early since they were essentially just four old crusty guys who were acted as this show’s version of the Illuminati. I think this is sufficient pacing to lead to this point. First we had a couple episodes to establish how the threat is internal and coming after characters we know and like, then have one to show how they’re adapting, then another to focus on the brewing dissonance in the minor characters to show our heroes aren’t in the wrong, and now this episode to bring it all to a climax. And by doing so, we have the most appropriate display of the needs of the many being prioritized over the needs of the few.

…or do we? See, in Erwin’s talk with Zachary (that I didn’t have room to put in the Overview), there seems to be more than a little jab at implying that this revolution wasn’t entirely powered by selfless altruism, and at least partly due to personal vengeance. Zachary, being at that age where he just speaks his mind and doesn’t care who’s offended, points out he couldn’t care less about how all this helps humanity, and probably would’ve tried a coup himself before he died. Likewise, Erwin says he wants the people to know the truth they wouldn’t let his father say, and that’s probably part of it, but the core of that is a little boy who wants those who killed his father to pay, and now it may be sending all of mankind on a more treacherous path than ever. I don’t know if I can necessarily call this being “grounded” or “realistic” in regards to military morality, but it is appreciated to see this show’s characters be aware of themselves and their positions every once in a while.

Though that still leaves all the stuff left to learn about intelligent Titan powers, and specifically where Eren got his if this process is to be believed. Armin has started putting pieces together, and it seems Eren and Historia are necks deep in all the Reiss Family mystery, which will illuminate a large portion of this. With Historia the top pick for the new ruler of the species, I wonder what learning all of this will teach her in taking on this role.

Score 8/10