Episode 59, Beyond the Walls
The tone of this season finale left me with a somber feeling. It wasn’t that there weren’t any happy moments, but they were always tempered by a realization that left the characters sadden. This is typical for Attack on Titan. I didn’t expect for any more revelation in this episode and we didn’t really get it. This isn’t a complaint, just an observation. Regardless, I think it was a perfect ending to the season. During the Paradis government meeting. Historia decides that the people are to be informed the truth regarding the Titans and what’s beyond the walls. Unsurprisingly, some believe the story others not so much.
Regardless of whether they believe the story, at least the people know. Hitch arrives at the ceremony to honor the fallen solders, Floch tells her that Marlo was a hero. Most importantly he raises the question that Erwin should have been chosen over Armin. It’s an odd that Floch feels it’s necessary to make sure Armin knows that he basically wanted him to die. It’s going to be awkward regardless but Floch went too far in my opinion. When Historia touches Eren hand he has a flashback of Fritz memory. After the attack on Trost District and the refugees are returned Wall Maria.
The Scout’s finally get to see the wall where Grisha was transformed into a Titan. They finally get to see the ocean. This was a happy moment, as the Scouts played in the ocean. Everyone was having a good time until Eren became a buzzkill, reminding them that they won’t have any freedom until they kill all their enemies overseas. As I stated, I think this was a perfect ending. While, the joy was brief, they did get a moment of it. With Eren reminding the Scouts and us that trouble still remains. Overall, this season departed from what the previous one did. This was for the better I think. We got to see other characters (mainly Levi) become more 3 dimensional.
Eren and his friends to a backseat. At the same the world of Attack on Titan got a major expansion. The amount of new details could be overwhelming but I think was necessary. While, I’m sure Titan fights won’t end, I think we now will see them as victims more than perpetrators. As forced weapons, resulting from the bigotry of “humans.” This doesn’t make them less dangerous, but it does make killing sadder. It seemed like when Eren accepted that he wasn’t alone and part of a larger group he was going to happier. However, realizing that “freedom” isn’t close has resulted in him becoming more dreary than before. As always, I look forward to the next season in 2020.