How would you rate episode 33 of

Attack on Titan (TV 2/2017) ?

After two months of nonstop suspense and action, not to mention a veritable parade of twists and reveals, we finally get a genuine breather episode of Attack on Titan. This is the first opportunity the show has had all season to stop for a moment, take stock in what lies both behind and ahead, and prepare for the final act of this story arc. So this isn't the most exciting episode we've gotten, but that's okay, because we do get an important refocusing for the show in both plot and tone. This episode feels very much like a throwback to the AoT of yore, back when it was a few scrappy kids against a world filled with uncaring bureaucrats and monstrous Titans.

I think this throwback feeling is a good thing, because it really reinforces the core of this story being bound together by the relationship between Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. We got a good bit of that last week, but any focus on the trio's relationship understandably played second fiddle to the slam bang MMA throwdown that went down between Eren and Reiner. Even though there's some general plot progression happening with General Pyxis, Hange, and company, the bulk of this week's episode puts that core trinity of friendship front and center, giving this episode some emotional weight when it could have easily been an exposition infodump.

The extended flashback to the group's pre-Titan years is easily the best part of the episode, because it musters a surprising amount of nostalgia for a time we barely ever got to see for ourselves as viewers. The fact that these characters' interpersonal dynamics work well enough to support flashbacks to a past we never got to know speaks to the strength of the writing. I will admit that the brawl that breaks out in the middle of the market is a little on the long side, but it's well-animated and manages to sneak some action into an otherwise dialogue-heavy entry. Besides, I'll take any opportunity I can get to see Mikasa indulge in a good old fashioned ass-kicking.

I've spoken to a fair number of people who find Armin and Mikasa's devotion to Eren to be their least favorite part of the show. I can understand, but I have to respectfully disagree myself. I find their unwavering devotion to Eren endearing, especially in the face of his unending stubbornness. So much of this second season has been about reinforcing the trauma of war, the unending horror that sets in once the adrenaline rush of those first few battles has worn off. The emotions and loyalty displayed by Armin and Mikasa may be a bit over-the-top, but that level of fierce and even dangerous devotion is needed when the stakes are this high. Many of the best war stories are beloved precisely because they're able to spin that level of suicidal devotion into something worthy of admiration.

Even old Hannes shows up again to remind Armin and Mikasa that they've got the short end of the stick relationship-wise, but the warmth in his voice reminds us that he cares for Eren too, no matter how much of a dumb hothead he can be. That one little beat summed up why this quieter episode is absolutely necessary. As our heroes prepare to pursue the traitors and their hostages into Titan territory, we feel both the urgency of the plot and the more personal urgency propelling Armin, Mikasa, Christa, and the rest forward. Without an episode like this, the following confrontation would still make sense from a storytelling perspective, but because AoT allowed everyone time to reflect on everything that's happened up to this point, the next few episodes are going to have that much more impact.

Rating: B+

Attack on Titan is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation.

James is an English teacher who has loved anime his entire life, and he spends way too much time on Twitter and his blog.