Taking the time to look back and see how far you have come in the story is important. It helps to reinforce how the characters have changed and grown throughout the course of the storytelling. And after recent events in Attack on Titan, it’s definitely important to take stock.
Thanks to the intervention of the Colossal Titan, Eren ends up losing the fight with the Armored Titan (he so had him on the ropes) and being kidnapped. Mikasa and Armin are left with the painful fact they were unable to do anything to stop Eren from being abducted and feel terrible because of it. They start to flashback to a time before the Titans disrupted their lives and they lived relatively carefree lives as children. It helps to remind the audience just how deep the trio’s bonds run and how they have always been there for each other.
There is a nice bit of a character showing off as the military police talk about wishing Titans were actually in the area so they could have a shot at them. Unfortunately, Levi is there and is quick to suggest they join him on his next expedition. The braggers on the Military Police stop talking because they know deep down they wouldn’t last a minute in a real Titan encounter. It’s amusing to think they even could as they are cowards compared to an intense warrior like Levi.
Despite this episode far less action filled than the previous one, it still serves a purpose. It helps the characters and the audience to take a breather and remember it has been a long journey for them and they still have a long way to go. The main theme to take away is growth. The characters have grown but they are who they were from the beginning. In the case of Mikasa, Eren, and Armin, it’s a reminder these three are family and will do anything it takes to keep one another safe.
Attack on Titan: Season Two is streaming on Crunchyroll.
