This episode picks up slightly after where the last one left off, with Eren now en route to the scout regiment's old headquarters. It turns out to be an abandoned castle. It's remote location meant that it wasn't very practical as a base of operations, but makes it a perfect setting to see what Eren (and his titan form) can do.
We never actually see any such exercises or simulations as the elite team of titan killers spends a majority of the episode...tidying up. Not joking at all.
Again, we're introduced to a new batch of characters, only a couple of whom leave any sort of lasting impression. Petra, a young female scout is at least somewhat amiable. Beyond that, I really couldn't tell you anything about any of them. Eren goes through a mental roll call, listing the scouts' names and their respective stats, so we know that they are, at least, good at killing titans.
Hange, who was introduced in the last episode, probably leaves the most lasting impression, as she tells Eren about the experiments that she has been performing on the titans that were captured after the Trost battle.
You'd think that the people would have no sympathy for the test subjects, but Hange goes out of her way to try and reach them. She talks to them, names them, even gets within chomping distance. Yeah, the monsters are tied and nailed down, but she still has a few close calls.
Even when the experiment is to determine if titans can feel pain, Hange shows a surprising amount of empathy, screaming in anguish as if she were on the receiving end of it. Considering how easy it would be to dehumanize these things, I suppose it's to her credit that she carries herself the way she does.
Her experiments aren't without results either. She explains to Eren that titans feed on sunlight and become lethargic if they are deprived of it for substantial amounts of time. Incidentally, the titans themselves are much lighter than their immense size would seem to indicate. Hange notes that the creatures shouldn't even be able to walk upright. It does add an extra alien element to these creatures, as they seem to defy conventional science.
Alas, the experiments are cut short, as somebody has murdered the two captive titans. Not only is this a blow, as humanity is deprived of the chance for further study, but Hange takes it especially hard. As if that weren't enough, one of the scouts suggests an intentional act of sabotage from somebody within.
Sadly, this episode really didn't bring much to the table. It dragged and there wasn't enough to keep the viewer engaged. I found my attention wandering elsewhere rather frequently and was rather glad to see the "to be continued" card finally pop up on the screen.
I don't expect every episode to have a big action sequence, but you have to bring something to the table. Have the characters do something notable or brainstorm or have a philosophical debate. This episode did next to nothing and the result is a chore of an episode. I could easily see this being the weakest episode of the entire season. To its credit, it wasn't painful like the Arale episode of 'Super', but still, this was not a pleasant viewing experience.
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