Attack On Titan S4E2 Uncut Early Access Reaction

This was the episode I started seeing Reiner differently. Now he is one of my favorite characters in aot and maybe any series. God, that poor man has been through so much trauma

Salla

Had to cop the patron after I saw you’re uploading s4 on YouTube now

Adan Contreras

This show is soooo much to take in (in a good way) I didn’t realize who that character with the crutch was either at first in relation to titans. Don’t worry about missing things. I had to rewatch this series for sure and it was so fun to rewatch

Ophelia

Another thing I really like about this anime is the fact that it subtly presents certain information about a character. However, even if you didn't realize it at the moment, they will show you later.

Aiscrim

Love the aot + jjk double upload. Definitely do more of that if at all possible. Start of season 4 and the shibuya incident, idk if there’s a better spot to be in rn.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO WATCH THE AFTER CREDIT ON EPISODE 4

Jonathan Arevalo

Fair it’s just my interpretation, I did reference Marley could be listening in just not in regards to the shutters. Could be both

Russell Gambardella

I don't think the closing of the shutters was as metaphorical as that, just more that anyone could be listening, something even shown minutes later

Eoin573

Want to reiterate a comment from another user on not stressing too much about missing things. Enjoy the ride, you've proven you have a better grasp on the story than many fans. Even if there's stuff you miss, it seems like the overwhelming majority just want to be politely informative rather than toxic, altho this might be more because of how a lot of the jjk fans have been treating you, but i encourage you to just sit back and appreciate the show and not take people explaining things as an L, you've been great!

Eoin573

Very well said :) and yeah this episode is definitely underrated

Russell Gambardella

Man, this is a really great comment! I think one of the things I enjoy the most about this anime is Reiner as a character and all the struggle with trauma, even since the first seasons. To watch how he had to convince himself about the island people being "devils" and how he fragmented as we saw in Marco´s death. Also, how he tries to tell how horrible people was and just retelling one of the funniest moments of the series. I think Reiner is the character you can analyze and really understand the depths of childhood trauma, being a kid thrown into war and also trying to leave all that behind

Aarón Álvarez

Falco and Colt are related to Grisha's friend who was crying on top of the wall before he got kicked off as a human and chased by all the pure titans

Matthew Valentine

I'd say based off ages he's probably not his father, Falcon would likely be older

Max Power

Loving these reactions and analysis. There’s so many layers to this show, it’s truly brilliant. Even small details like Gabi yelling “BOOM!” as she tells her heroic war effort is shown the scene after the Marley military officer yells “BOOM!” to make the Eldian soldiers with PTSD fall down - a clever juxtaposition to show the cycle of hate/propaganda is being passed down. As you noticed during the dinner scene, Reiner’s mentioning of Sasha sharing a potato during the entrance ceremony stood out. He opens his speech by calling everyone on the island a “savage and heartless devil,” yet the best example he could come up with was Sasha stealing and then offering to share a potato. He then proceeds to mentions actions and behaviors of those you’d find in friends all while the dramatic music is playing and slowly zooming in on his face. As the window shutters burst open at the end, it shows his Mom shocked as she just heard these supposed devils described as normal people. Right after Gabi asks, “what do you mean there were all sorts of people (not devils) there?”Reiner’s mom appropriately closes the shutters, symbolizing that way of thinking in Marley is like letting a storm into your house. It’s sad, especially since Reiner wants to talk about his experience on Paradis, but can’t be honest about it as we know Marley can be listening in at any moment which would endanger his family (which is also why he seems to pridefully freak out at Falco’s remarks on the train, but all it is is a way to warn Falco to not think like that publicly). As a result, we get his imbalanced story about devils only to be backed by examples of normal human behaviors and traits.

Russell Gambardella

Beautifully said! And funny you say that as well, because as I commented, in his reaction of the very first episode he actually DID raised up a parallel between the whole setup/world building and "Japan's island history of being under constant threat and attacks" in his very own words, tbh that is still WILD to me I can't lie 😭.

As usual, great stuff. You've got a handle on everything and are picking up on plenty of subtext as well. You could have figured out the 4 years in the future thing from the first episode and probably would have on a second watch but that's not important at all--anyone frustrated if you don't understand everything immediately can kick rocks. My favorite aspect of this ep that you didn't really touch on is how effectively it communicates Reiner's trauma. He's having nightmares about the battle of Shiganshina, he looks at the warrior cadets and sees his dead friends in their faces, he tries to tell a story about the island devils but ends up stream of consciousness describing all the friends he made there. He cares about these kids around him but at the same time feels the need to threaten Falco's entire family to remind him the stakes of insubordination in their society. This incredible characterization happening on top of all the world-building that is effectively the answers in the basement we've been waiting for for seasons make this arc legendary and this episode relatively underrated.

hman70

Funny that you recall of the first interesting points the show raised. On your reaction of the very first episode, with your allround knowledge of japanese culture and cinema, you legitimately ended up making rather INTERESTING parallels, notably the one were you associated the reclusion behind the idea of living inside ACTUAL walls, to Japan's history as an ISOLATED ISLAND... I kid u not... The VERY first reaction, I knew you were not the average reactor and couldn't wait to follow more of your journey on this masterpiece that is Attack on Titan. Like im sorry but 60 EPISODES BACK AND YOU CAME UP WITH THE WHOLE PLOT ?? Actual madman....

Grice was the surname of one of Grisha’s comrades from the Eldian Restorationist. I believe he’s Flaco’s father or just might be related.

Armando

Isayama is a genius. And it’s so satisfying watching you connect the dots

I agree with you but people commenting is apart of the internet, so it’s to be expected.

Armando

Please try not to be too hard on yourself worrying about what people will say in the comments, it makes me sad you're not just enjoying the beautiful show and have the commentors in the back of your mind! AOT is complicated, everyone got confused at points watching it, but all will be explained in due time :)

Zak