Board Thread:Anime/@comment-27321453-20180812183035/@comment-24850639-20180813210403

There was a lot less adaptation inception going on this  episode, so mentally it was easier to block out some of the stuff I already knew and just appreciate the moments for what they were.

Jean's maturity - This extends to the 104th Cadet Squad as a whole, but I feel the group's development has so far best been captured in Jean. Sasha and Connie generally don't speak a lot unless the situation calls for it, and same for goes for the ever-aloof Mikasa. Although a bit arrogant at first, Jean has felt the most relatable to me: someone who is always terrified that they don't know enough, and could get someone else killed for it, but always willing to step up for the right reasons. He has had several moments of self-doubt that made me feel more endeared to him because they showed just how human he is. It goes all the way back to his talk with Marco for me, where he says that Jean isn't strong, but understands people better because of it and always makes the right choice. Seeing the impact Marco's death had on him, to realizing that Reiner and Bertholdt were traitors, to almost getting shot in the face by that MP, we've seen Jean, and his outlook, mature quite a bit. This episode really helped solidify that growth, as fighting other humans - let alone from a branch of government they may have initially wanted to join, must be quite the adjustment. Our little cadets keep growing up! :-(

The Ackerman Reveal - With the Ackerman Family history still quite the untapped story in the anime, I really appreciate the level of mystery that this adds to things. You can tell that this deeply disturbs Levi, though he quickly brushes it off to focus on the task at hand. Mikasa seems a bit jarred as well, though also quickly returns to her default state. Levi and Mikasa haven't yet discussed their backgrounds with one another, so this was one hell of a way for it to be brought up. Can't wait to see more of this.

Erwin - I honestly thought that this series had more than enough of the "stoic badass" character to go around just between Levi and Mikasa alone, but Erwin Smith continues to garner more respect from me. With him being responsible for so much, it didn't surprise me at all that we haven't seen him do a great deal of fighting. Knowing Levi's strength, I initially thought of this as some kind of nerf for Erwin for Isayama to protect him. I knew we'd see more of Erwin's strength from a tactical planning side, but his character just continues to blow me away. I gained a ton of respect during his "ADVANCE!!" moment when the titan had his arm in its mouth, but to then see him somehow escape said Titan and manage to still cut Eren free.....man. And now his tactial genius is ever-apparent as he's predicted the Government/Military Police strategem both before and during his capture. Erwin Taichou is a beast! This plan of his is truly something beautiful.