Attack on Titan 3x22 Reaction Extended (YT link below)

The scouts were far too dependent on Erwin. He was an amazing man who made very smart decisions, but his shining qualities were his honesty and gambling. He simply had the resolve to make tough decisions in the moment despite the cost or possible outcome. They usually turned out well, but even he was was living or playing it moment by moment. There was no guarantee that he would live the next encounter the scouts had, die by some accident, or even succeed in his plans. They hinged everything on him because he seemed to have all the answers and make all the right moves, but what would happen if he just died randomly instead of the way he did in the scenario we got? It's also quite short sighted to say he was their make or break or their last greatest hope. There are many other people with shining qualities and the ability to be great as well. The scouts are just too scared and naive of the world/situation to even think about that or want to risk it. They're no longer comfortable or trusting now that his leadership is gone.

Chris

Episode 1 of S3?idr if it was Part 1 or 2 though @.@

Brimmy

I completely agree! The reality that Eren came to the realisation of is so heavy and cruel that the beach does not matter to him. How can he enjoy the beach when the truth is that the world is coming to torture and destroy them?

Yusuf

Freedom and peace come from the mind. Eren will never be free because he doesn't understand that he is his greatest enemy.

Yusuf

Not sure if you caught this, but I'm pretty sure that part of the scene with Eren looking at the sea was in a "dream" sequence earlier in the show. Can't remember what episode though.

jdthebud

0/10 beach episode, Mikasa's not even in a bathing suit :(

Lulu

Watched this episode super sleep deprived last night and had a theory about the way the "paths" and the coordinate are connected to memory. Since memory, and especially muscle memory, are the result of repeated action through neural pathways, is there some literary connection between the "loop" you've noticed and the shared memories? Is is the repeated action of those who wield titan powers that allow for the memories to be transferred, or are ALL titans slaves to their ancestors the way the royal family was to the wishes of the old king?

Nick Lasure

A+ he said

DarkshadowDX

jUst An eIghT plUs?

Chestnutkun

ERen kisses historias hand and looks horrified from the heavy shit he saw. Goodwin: laughs. Me knowing what’s to come: oh dear

Sean Carroll

NAh crackers are really important because they provide nourishment and belief. If they didn’t eat the crackers they wouldn’t have had the energy to move on and eren would never have been saved, he would have been brought back to Marley and would have been in danger. Crackers are really important bro. (Of course I am being sarcastic)

Sean Carroll

So obviously the enormity of the sea and the salt in it .....represents the enormous amount of salt that Eren is feeling after everything lol

BubbleTea

Just reading that... the mental image is soooo clear lmao

BubbleTea

Berries and Cream? Not He-Man?

Brimmy

Can't wait to see the face of confusion on the first few minutes of the new season hahahah

When I first read this chapter in the manga, my take on Eren at the sea was that they fought SO hard and lost SO much, just to get here and essentially, discover they made it to the starting line. Also, their new threat is not a bunch of mindless, large zombies and a handful of intelligent ones. But rather, an entire state that ACTIVELY wants their destruction and an entire WORLD that passively wants it. All the metaphors in the world about what the sea "represents" aren't gonna help someone get over that feeling of enormity. I always loved this finale. It takes such a bright-eyed and hopeful analogy - arguably, the difference maker in the Armin vs. Erwin decision - and turns reaching it into a bittersweet, depressing cliffhanger. Beautifully tragic.

Derrick C. Shields

I think eren wasnt able to enjoy the sea because in his head, he still had some doubt of the memories he saw from his father. He still felt like if just one little thing was inaccurate then the problem of the world wishing for their death was also inaccurate. Thats why he says "every part of this is exactly like what i saw from my dads memories." Because once he sees the sea, and the wall where they send eldians to paradise, and everything else, it is all being confirmed for him and hes trying to take it all in.

Sent Pain

I agree, it almost feels like an entirely different show at times, but I believe that S4 is where Isayama's really gets to reveal the story's major themes and character moments.

Aura Y

okay this really isn't relevant or matters I don't think, but you said "did you not get the same speech we did?" when floch was complaining about recruiters not telling the truth which made me think about the timeline of when the new recruits were recruited. they must have been recruited while erwin was recovering, or while he was detained. either way he couldn't give the recruitment speech. which to me explains why there were so many recruits, they got propaganda instead of erwin. that's just speculation though idk

Keegan Brakhage

That is great, I need more! :D

Alex G

The line from Eren about how "this is all exactly like what I saw in my father's memories" kinda seems frightening when thinking about it. I see it as though Eren didn't want to believe everything he'd learned. He wanted the freedom he had always yearned for, and so the moment they reach the sea was something he was probably anticipating a lot. When he saw that the memories were real, and that everything he'd learned was real, it must have hit him hard.

Aaron Ong

I know you already started it, but season 4 is absolutely balls to the wall. It gave me whiplash when I watched it. It almost feels like seasons 1-3 are the prologue to Attack on Titan, and season 4 IS Attack on Titan- from a narrative standpoint.

QuillerKeen

No spoilers-There is one standout side character who doesn't have quite as much power or screen time, but I can see you liking him almost as much as Erwin. He somehow takes the horrors of the world he lives in and sticks to noble principles with a decent outlook on life.

Sean D

I also didn't get the vibe that he wanted to kill anyone, he just seemed lost by the possibility that it was his only choice.

Jack Cas

Eren just wants the people he cares about to live in peace. and he thought he would achieve that once the titans were dead, now he finds out the whole world wants his loved ones to die. everyone knows that but eren saw it through his fathers memories. essentially he saw it with his own eyes. which is why he is despairing at the end. just my interpretation of the scene

Jack Cas

Berries and cream! Berries and cream!

MikeWest

There's some truth to that mentality that you mention, but life is complex. Everyone's living the same world of things that happen, but everyone lives with different truths of what they make of it. I think the way nature is so contrasted against against the violence of human strife is similar to the contrast of the degree of existential satisfaction between Armin and Eren. You can be aware of the horrors of the life, and still create a happy life based on where you put your focus. (Next paragraph contains a spoiler for season four) Sasha's dad is probably the most actualized in this regard.

Sean D

Ever since I first saw Armin I've been thinking about that commercial lmao

Alex G

I think it was less eren wanting to kill people his enemies but more that he's fed up and doesn't want to fight anymore but he believes he has to in order to finally live freely. This contrasts the first episode when eren swears he will kill the titans in order to be free, because that time he wanted to kill them and had drive - this time he wanted it to be over.

I guess not being on the island that his people have been tormented on by the rest of the world, contained within walls.

Tommy Nguyen

The beach scene is such a depressing scene everytime I watch it I feel so empty and want to cry. After three season of death and loss and pain to find out the enemies weren't titans and that they were fighting their own people this whole time just broke me. And Eren being so defeated saying, "if we kill everyone on the other side will we finally be free," which parallels his "I will kill all the titans and be free" rhetoric he was saying for three season was so devastating. I really love and hate that scene.

meg

What I find interesting is what Eren thinks freedom is. What does Eren's true freedom even look like? Endless nature montages and frolicking?

Logan Bradford

I had to google the Berries & Cream Boy reference you made. I was not disappointed. Thank you for that.

ComicalSkate

Guess that's the attack titan speaking. Constantly fighting for freedom.

Nick

But they already have unlimited salt on Paradis. It's Floch!

Nick

armin: eren we finally realized our dream and made it to the s- eren: maybe i should kill everyone across the sea. that'll make me free right?

joe martin

This is pretty much how I feel. I personally prefer Season 4 part 1 over Season 3, but it's a matter of taste. I also agree that season 4 might be the most packed in terms of his thoughts.

Nick

THe end there is kind of the example of the mentality that is better to just hold on to the dream and fantasy rather the truth cause it just killed all the hope that they could have a happy life.

Ramon Cintron

Unlimited salt sounds pretty fucking great to me ngl

benj

Season 4... one of the most divisive seasons of AoT, the series changes so much and it gets morally complex, definitely more niche in its audience because of that, some don´t like the season at all because of that, specially coming from people who loved attack of titan because of his first season. (Action heavy, dramatic, mistery focused), while Season 4 has this things, they are toned down a lot in exchange of going deep to complex themes For me season 4 its second best season and very close to S3P2 in some moments. And I think you will enjoy it, In fact I think that Season 4 its the best season for you, seeing how much you dissect the episodes. Looking forward to it (:

Sh3nx

Lol I know what you mean. I've had situations where people are trying to calm me down only to get offended themselves. She didn't like to be told that she had given up... understandably.

Alex G

So I will choose the next show, but I still haven't decided :D Then the show after will be chosen by poll, so that will happen either when MHA ends or when the show I choose ends, depending on which one takes longer.

Alex G

Truth be told it's less about the show and more that I actually have been a bit under the weather recently between a handful of vaccines and preparing for this trip I'm on.

Alex G

Also lol my Armin theory comes from this midroll card being exactly the kind of questions that he would be writing (although Hange likely thinks similarly?), and we know he is very much into retaining and sharing knowledge and is super introspective (also like Hange?). But unlike with Hange, the person who voice acts Armin also voice acts the narration for the show. Not sure if it's intentional, but that's why its a theory! That being said I really hope Armin isn't the final survivor that would be really sad for him

a. tree

At 9:13, I know it's not supposed to play this way (Mikasa's just sort of recoiling in shock), but it's kind of funny how Mikasa puts her hand on Eren's shoulder to hold him back, then Floch offends her too and she takes her hand off Eren's shoulder again. It almost feels like, "Yeah, ok, nvm, fuck him up bro"

Xylen

Isayama made a comment about the ocean scene as one of his favorite scenes and how he really tried to highlight the core trio's different reactions to seeing the sea. Particularly between Eren and Armin, Armin's drive was always his intellectual curiosity — he literally wanted to see the sea and learn about this new outside world. We see him staring intensely at this conch shell, and try to share it with Mikasa, who gives that quirky cute smile because she as a person is most focused on what her friends are experiencing, and then he tries to share it with Eren. But we can see his arms fall when Eren won't even turn around to look at it. For him, according to the author, he always knew that yes, the sea is a real thing that exists; his drive was not so much seeing the sea, but the fact that it is so close yet he was not *allowed* to see it and the outside world. Now he's finally at the sea, but the "enemies" are preventing him from going any further, exercising his "birthright" like he said in an earlier episode. So of course, his focus is straight ahead as always. Isayama said the scene reminded him of "a group of friends graduating high school" and going off to college/jobs/etc. with the way that they all, particularly Eren and Armin, are focused on different things. Like for example, I doubt Armin would want to kill all the enemies on the other side of the sea, he probably wants to meet the people of the world for the same reason he wanted to visit the ocean (related to your midroll card question - I have a theory since seeing this episode that the cards were all written by Armin). These kids have been friends practically their whole lives, but they are very different people at their core and that only becomes more apparent the further their journey goes.

a. tree

yes I was going to say the same thing with your second point

Katrina Vieira

I was wondering if there was some explanation. It seems unlikely that that whole scene exists for no reason..........

Alex G

A very AOT beach episode! Yeah Floch seems to be coming from a place of trying to tell the truth as he sees it, which is fair. Then on top of that there's some panic, fear, and hindsight bias which is also understandable.

Alex G

PAIN

I love how Levi tells Hange to be careful cause Moblit isn't there to tell her. </3

mr_wordcraft

when will we get a new poll for the next show?? I'm a new patreon I haven't voted on a poll before I'm excited hehe

yeah pretty much lol

Well, dropping the show years ago have been a blessing in disguise it seems. Now you are experiencing it without having to wait (mostly) and with a lot of people to share it with. Eren feels like a whole different character in this episode. And Yuki Kaji (his voice actor) delivers as always. Also this just may be me misunderstanding since sometimes I can't read your emotions very well, but in the last 2 episodes you seem a little bit under the weather. Is it because you think the show will go more about the dark themes instead of the uplifting ones like Erwin's ? I feel like you get much more from positive and empowering themes in shows, so does a show having characters that choose more negative and dark roads and adding to the evil they fight feel unsatisfactory for you ? Just wanted to ask since I can't tell if it is just the heavy last 3 episodes or your expectations of the themes show will tackle going forward.

Mert

This might be spoilers, but does she yell "Ereh" when calling pure titans? I haven't watched Season 4 in forever.

MooTuu

I feel like Eren wasn’t excited about seeing the sea in comparison to the others because 1) for the reasons you listed but 2) because he had technically seen the sea already through his fathers/the owls memories. He was already in a cynical mood and I know when I get like that it can paint the world in a lacklustre way

RationallySassy

Well AOT the prequel is finally finished get ready to start the actual show 😂

hays collins

Nah season 3 is incredible but if part 2 NAILS it and has a spectacular ending then it might out weigh season 3. Season 3 was just so perfectly weighed between part 1 and part 2. Part 1 was so human oriented and part 2 was SUPER BATTLE

hays collins

Minus the fan service. I mean come on, Mikasa could've at least taken her scarf off.

MooTuu

I love the Eren analysis this episode. I honestly can't say that I'd fair much better than him if I've experienced all that he's gone through. The weight of being "chosen one" in any world would be incredibly heavy, but especially in this one where your race is treated with so much fear and hatred. As always, Attack on Titan can never seem to end on a very happy note, but I'm grateful for Season 3 entirely. Look forward to the Other Side of the Sea :)

Aura Y

No I wanna see him confused plus he’s already seen the episode he’s probably 2 episodes ahead

hays collins

Yeah, we are all looking forward to the Mikasa = Female Titan reveal. AOT really takes its time sometimes. Excited for the Final Season!

DennisAnimeFan

season 4 was definitely my favorite season.

Tommy Nguyen

Its not an anime without a beach episode

R'Mani Leavell

omg season 4 next!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Gabriela Benavides

@A Goodwin TV I'm just curious if you would be interested in doing a reaction to the Season 4 part 1 trailer? I know you're a few episodes in by now, but it's a fantastic trailer. You could potentially watch it after you finish the season Videos on it also seem to get views often

Nick

This is AOT you can’t have happy endings haha

hays collins

It's been theorized that the crawling titan towards the end of the episode was actually an infant who had been titanized because of its short limbs and inability to walk.

vee

So excited about season 4, it has my favorite OST, the animation is so different (in a good way), the story... You're going to feel almost like you started a new anime

Carlos Salazar

Goodwin description: what's on the other side of the sea? s4 e1 title: the other side of the sea. So much hype for s4, my fave season and OP! S3 finale aka SNK does beach episode!! Also Floch represents a very interesting and necessary viewpoint of a supposedly unimportant character/Zeke fodder who has no emotional attachment to our MCs and separate from the attachment they have towards each other which can make his opinions and actions hard to stomach as viewers who love our character but ultimately have more truth in them than we'd like

malikparah

I don't want to have to wait lol...

Alex G

Even if the sea was yesterday's news, it's still more impressive than Crackers.

One more half season and then your all caught up how does it feel. Are you kicking yourself for not watching this earlier or are you glad you got to watch it all together like you did

hays collins

Haha yeah..... Solid prediction :D

Alex G

Oh my god your gonna be so confused for the first 5 minutes of the next episode haha

hays collins

HIII OMG S4 NEXT LETS GOOoO

YESSSS SEASON 4 on THURSDAY SO PUMPED

hays collins