Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 20 Full Reaction

The show is so dense with dialogue that the subtitles can be hard to keep up with. It is something that I had to go back several times to really understand, most of the time just having a surface level understanding of what was going on that would get me through the episode then later on having to go back to specific scenes to really get a deeper understand of what was going on. I really feel for you girls because this really is an amazing show but it really suffers from being 23mins long and having to stuff so much information. I'd seriously recommend looking up the English scripts online, and reading the episode you're on after you're done watching. Its better than just skimming through the episode trying to find specific scenes.

"I will never forgive them. They will destroy this boy." And stepping back from the surface of the plot, to the metaphor of the themes, as I saw it and thought was intended by the creators, piloting the Eva becomes a symbolism for coming to life, to being born, to living life and piloting your existence. Shinji in his psychological battle within himself is trying to come to terms with finding his purpose in a life and existence where he was unwanted, abandoned, intentionally (by his father) and unintentionally (his mother's death), and people only find his worth in what he can do for them, saving them from the Angels. In other words, he sees that love and affection is only conditional, not unconditional, not purely because he exists. No wonder his psyche is all messed up and he fails to see the worth in fighting just to keep on walking on a tight rope, like Asuka who is unraveling not being able to be the best at everything to find her worth for own herself. The cognitive dissonance for these children is beyond their capability to handle it, to handle life, as we all experience it, and many people manifest the symptoms of existential depression and want to withdraw from life. As Shinji withdraws into the essence of the Eva, it is only when Misato tries and cries in desperation that Shinji sees some love beyond the conditional, a purer expression of affection and love than what he is used to, more similar or closer to a mother's love, a type of love that is what his father fails to show for him.

I guess you've got the new Avatar series "Avatar: Seven Havens" on your radar. I'm totally hooked so far! I hope you get the chance to react to it soon!

Speaking of the hopeful lie of the music, you guys should try the producer’s extended cut. There is an undercurrent of something unsettling in the score. The extended version has an ethereal chorus and a metal guitar riff in the middle that made it absolutely clear the cheerful tune was a veneer.

A really great episode psychologically