Attack on Titan 4x08 "Assassin's Bullet" reaction & review

So sorry you have to post twice!!! I can see both your comments but I know Patreon likes to randomly delete them for some reason! >.< I couldn't agree more with you about the moments between Eren, Armin and Mikasa and the moment between Jean, Sasha and Connie. Great point about the armbands still being a thing in Gabi's ideal future too!!! So sad. It's definitely the kind of rhetoric that she's brainwashed with that keeps wars going. I think you're right about the severe self-hatred in her case. Also thanks for clearing that up about Zeke!!! Yes, they can use the Founding Titan fully now, so scary!!! Definitely a turning point here for sure! Thank you so much, I'm so happy you enjoy my reactions and thanks about me being so upset!!!! It was a traumatizing ep for sure but so well done!!! Thank you ^_^

Melissa Moore

My comments are there for me but it looks like not for you so I may have to post all my comments twice for you to see them. Here's the comment for this episode My God this episode is so great and terrible at the same time. Reiner having no chance against Eren but still managing to be the protector as the armored Titan and managing to save Galliard is amazing. Also I would not have said this before but as Eren is now seeing him so confidently say see you later is ominous especially if he has more of a connection to the Paths stuff with Titans now that maybe is allowing him to see the past and especially the future like I think. I think there are 2 reasons besides having run out of stamina after 3 transformations for Eren not being able to kill Reiner he understands him too much now or this is not when he’s supposed to eat him yet for some unknown reason. Also I couldn’t tell but someone pointed out that every time Eren transforms his Titan form is smaller. I absolutely love the silent exchange between Eren, Armin and Mikasa. The look in A’s eyes to me says what you did was terrible and I vehemently disagree with it but him reaching out his hands is like saying I’m still there for you. He’s so hard to read right now but I think Eren hesitated before he grabbed his hand because he is not sure about trusting people after being on his own so long. Also callbacks to the “good old days” with Levi beating up Eren and it makes sense not only because he did this but he basically deserted/went AWOL from what is Paradis’s army so that just adds more on top of everything. If Levi of all people says you look dead inside you might want to reconsider your recent life choices. Seeing Armin hold Mikasa back and her just immediately stopping is something that never would have happened before and shows they know how serious and bad what he’s done is and Armin doing it means a lot considering Eren forced him into a position that made him a mass murderer of lowballing it 10,000 people. The friendship of Jean, Sasha and Connie is so heartwarming but that hug was so telling for what was going to happen. Also yeah the Sasha/Connie ship is great. I’m fairly sure the author created Floch to make a realistic take on a redshirt that survives and to scream “do you want to be like this guy!?” To the audience. Although to be fair surviving the suicide charge could give anyone a messed up mindset. The conversation between Falco and Gabi is so incredibly well written. Seeing him have these realizations is so amazing about the truth of this world. Also it’s very important in my mind that we got more of her reasons for doing the things she does and then the indoctrination rears its ugly head again. I think there is a undertone of unconscious self-hatred around the Eldians in general but particularly Gabi. Also how messed up is it that even in her ideal future she feels they should still be treated as different with the armbands? The way they got up to the airship and Falco going with her is so good and bad at the same time he cares so much also poor Colt not being able to stop them. If you think about Sasha showed mercy to Gabi and it got her killed and Jean showed mercy to Falco and it saved him. The brutality and tragedy of everything that follows is so well-written but hurts. Also Gabi is the poster child for the cycle of violence. As soon as I saw it was Sasha my heart just sank because I wasn’t even surprised because people are going to die in the final season but it’s just so perfect for it to be Sasha with the type of character she was I’m sure glad which she didn’t die in season 2 it’s much more impactful here and it’s going to so important to the future I think. I was surprised to be fine with it at 1st but then over the course of the episode I just got sadder I’m sorry you were so distraught. Also remember the theory I said I would tell you about if it was confirmed… Yeah it was the Zeke traitor theory which works in multiple ways. 1st he might have always been a double agent against Marley and just went so deep undercover or they converted him and he’s a triple agent or most unlikely in my opinion he’s tricking Eren. There were hints like saying the baseball stuff was from family, Zeke saying the Marley military was listing in, encouraging Reiner to go with Falco and not questioning Yelena. Also he may have actually set Willy up. It looks like they have been recruiting people to their side by capturing the scout ships possibly with an inside job by Yelena. Also there were 32 of those ships and a lot of Marley’s military is Eldians so maybe not as hard to convert although they definitely brought Marleyens to their side. I’m still convinced they have allies in other nations because of that Eastern woman. The death was so tragic and heartbreaking especially the finality of the announcement. Also Mikasa of all people crying hits so hard. The fact that everyone else is reacting more to the death than Eren might say something about where his head is at. Also with him and Zeke they can use what amounts to a nuke and that’s insane and terrifying. The way Zeke says that seems very much like saying “it was worth it tho? Right?”. You might not have been able to notice being so upset but when E hears Sasha’s ironic/fitting last words he starts laughing disturbingly and this is the most disturbing thing in the entire show and that’s saying something. And does this because of the happy memory and then immediately gets sad/angry when he realizes her dream and life is gone forever all the conflicting emotions are amazing from an animation standpoint. I think him laughing is to cope with the despair or just laughing at the insane world. Eren as a character needed these consequences and I’m still convinced he’s playing a long game that will lead to peace by becoming the villain because he can see the future in some way. Also Falco and Gabi going to Paradis is so important because they will have both sides of the world in them after this hopefully at least. The dialogue was so good this episode. So much great music as well especially the instrumental version of a song played a good amount in the show called call your name which has really fitting lyrics which you’ll probably remember most as the end credits song for the lost girls OVA’s. All the voice acting was incredible but the best were definitely Falco, Gabi and Zeke. This is a turning point for the series and I am so interested in where it is going next and terrified. You are so right about hatred and violence leading the characters here and it needs to stop I just don’t know how. Your reactions are always amazing I’m sorry you were so upset this episode. Keep up the great work. :-) <3

Supermonaman

My God this episode is so great and terrible at the same time. Reiner having no chance against Eren but still managing to be the protector as the armored Titan and managing to save Galliard is amazing. Also I would not have said this before but as Eren is now seeing him so confidently say see you later is ominous especially if he has more of a connection to the Paths stuff with Titans now that maybe is allowing him to see the past and especially the future like I think. I think there are 2 reasons besides having run out of stamina after 3 transformations for Eren not being able to kill Reiner he understands him too much now or this is not when he’s supposed to eat him yet for some unknown reason. Also I couldn’t tell but someone pointed out that every time Eren transforms his Titan form is smaller. I absolutely love the silent exchange between Eren, Armin and Mikasa. The look in A’s eyes to me says what you did was terrible and I vehemently disagree with it but him reaching out his hands is like saying I’m still there for you. He’s so hard to read right now but I think Eren hesitated before he grabbed his hand because he is not sure about trusting people after being on his own so long. Also callbacks to the “good old days” with Levi beating up Eren and it makes sense not only because he did this but he basically deserted/went AWOL from what is Paradis’s army so that just adds more on top of everything. If Levi of all people says you look dead inside you might want to reconsider your recent life choices. Seeing Armin hold Mikasa back and her just immediately stopping is something that never would have happened before and shows they know how serious and bad what he’s done is and Armin doing it means a lot considering Eren forced him into a position that made him a mass murderer of lowballing it 10,000 people. The friendship of Jean, Sasha and Connie is so heartwarming but that hug was so telling for what was going to happen. Also yeah the Sasha/Connie ship is great. I’m fairly sure the author created Floch to make a realistic take on a redshirt that survives and to scream “do you want to be like this guy!?” To the audience. Although to be fair surviving the suicide charge could give anyone a messed up mindset. The conversation between Falco and Gabi is so incredibly well written. Seeing him have these realizations is so amazing about the truth of this world. Also it’s very important in my mind that we got more of her reasons for doing the things she does and then the indoctrination rears its ugly head again. I think there is a undertone of unconscious self-hatred around the Eldians in general but particularly Gabi. Also how messed up is it that even in her ideal future she feels they should still be treated as different with the armbands? The way they got up to the airship and Falco going with her is so good and bad at the same time he cares so much also poor Colt not being able to stop them. If you think about Sasha showed mercy to Gabi and it got her killed and Jean showed mercy to Falco and it saved him. The brutality and tragedy of everything that follows is so well-written but hurts. Also Gabi is the poster child for the cycle of violence. As soon as I saw it was Sasha my heart just sank because I wasn’t even surprised because people are going to die in the final season but it’s just so perfect for it to be Sasha with the type of character she was I’m sure glad which she didn’t die in season 2 it’s much more impactful here and it’s going to so important to the future I think. I was surprised to be fine with it at 1st but then over the course of the episode I just got sadder I’m sorry you were so distraught. Also remember the theory I said I would tell you about if it was confirmed… Yeah it was the Zeke traitor theory which works in multiple ways. 1st he might have always been a double agent against Marley and just went so deep undercover or they converted him and he’s a triple agent or most unlikely in my opinion he’s tricking Eren. There were hints like saying the baseball stuff was from family, Zeke saying the Marley military was listing in, encouraging Reiner to go with Falco and not questioning Yelena. Also he may have actually set Willy up. It looks like they have been recruiting people to their side by capturing the scout ships possibly with an inside job by Yelena. Also there were 32 of those ships and a lot of Marley’s military is Eldians so maybe not as hard to convert although they definitely brought Marleyens to their side. I’m still convinced they have allies in other nations because of that Eastern woman. The death was so tragic and heartbreaking especially the finality of the announcement. Also Mikasa of all people crying hits so hard. The fact that everyone else is reacting more to the death than Eren might say something about where his head is at. Also with him and Zeke they can use what amounts to a nuke and that’s insane and terrifying. The way Zeke says that seems very much like saying “it was worth it tho? Right?”. You might not have been able to notice being so upset but when E hears Sasha’s ironic/fitting last words he starts laughing disturbingly and this is the most disturbing thing in the entire show and that’s saying something. And does this because of the happy memory and then immediately gets sad/angry when he realizes her dream and life is gone forever all the conflicting emotions are amazing from an animation standpoint. I think him laughing is to cope with the despair or just laughing at the insane world. Eren as a character needed these consequences and I’m still convinced he’s playing a long game that will lead to peace by becoming the villain because he can see the future in some way. Also Falco and Gabi going to Paradis is so important because they will have both sides of the world in them after this hopefully at least. The dialogue was so good this episode. So much great music as well especially the instrumental version of a song played a good amount in the show called call your name which has really fitting lyrics which you’ll probably remember most as the end credits song for the lost girls OVA’s. All the voice acting was incredible but the best were definitely Falco, Gabi and Zeke. This is a turning point for the series and I am so interested in where it is going next and terrified. You are so right about hatred and violence leading the characters here and it needs to stop I just don’t know how. Your reactions are always amazing I’m sorry you were so upset this episode. Keep up the great work. :-) <3

Supermonaman

Richard, it looks like Patreon randomly deleted comments again and I can't see yours anymore! :( But I got it in my email and I'm so glad you enjoyed my reaction and were moved :) It's crazy to think we won't be seeing her again right?!!?! My best girl...!!!!

Melissa Moore

Exactly!!!! Definitely not emphasizing any camp or goofiness on this show to a great extent, but that's what made the little glimmers of it so enriching. It does bring you back to the harsh reality after the initial celebration of seeing everyone again. So true that this is the reason (amongst others I'm sure) that we were made to care for the "other" side so deeply this season! It's so natural for us to take sides and overlook violence and destruction in the name of our "heroes" or "cause". It really highlights the dysfunctional and even gruesome nature of that. Interesting that so many reacted with hatred toward Gabi, it almost kinda goes to prove the point!!! You're absolutely right that this really makes you think about real-world current issues that run along these same lines!!!! It's part of why I love AoT but it just weighs on me so heavily, I think you could see it here at the end of my outro when I start to talk about hate and whether or not we can ever overcome it. Yes, I'm talking about the show, but it's hard not to equate it to real life too!!! Heavy stuff. :( You're definitely not being a downer, just bringing up some very fascinating philosophical points!! Thank you!

Melissa Moore

I hear what you're saying! Having her killed way back when by a mindless titan definitely would have felt more insulting to her character in a way. She got to live past her teens which is more than other characters got. Hmmm, interesting reasoning about Gabi, I can definitely see initial anger because, well, Sasha.....but I think part of what makes this even more gut wrenching is that it's so hard to have a "bad guy" we can just root against and have revenge on. I hate the choice Gabi made here, and I hate the way she sees things. But I really can't hate her. Thanks for all the info!

Melissa Moore

D':

Melissa Moore

I could totally see them getting together!! The group hug was so sweet. You put it perfectly about Gabi - it's likely that (if she lives) she will feel that same crushing regret that Reiner does now. And Eren is sure to feel the weight of his actions too. I hear you about Willy, but applaud your forgiving spirit! At this point I don't wanna hate anyone cause hate is what got us here. :( AWWWWWW yes RIP Sasha, enjoy your endless buffet in Heaven <3333

Melissa Moore

Wow! Great point about Eren and Reiner! So well said - a safety net/light of hope. It just feels like some of the joy we had left just died along with her! So true about the moment of embrace between the three - she was just enjoying it and not focusing on the harsh reality, now that concept is truly gone. I'm so scared for Connie!!! Yes, I could definitely see Eren starting to "crack" from his cool new exterior following her death, too. I don't think he was counting on losing her or anyone close to him. He may not have fully thought it through though! Thank you so much, your support, encouragement and comments are truly appreciated!!! And hope you love my Hunter x Hunter reactions!!!! ^_^

Melissa Moore

I think you're right!!! Yikes, thanks for not letting on. It was a shock! I can see how this angered people lol but it's still hard for me to hate anyone knowing that hate is what got us here. I just wish more of our characters could see that. :( Oh lord!!! Good to know I still have stuff coming haha. Ohhh thanks for clearing that up about Yelena!!! Appreciate it! I got confused by that scene at the end.

Melissa Moore

Not that Attack on Titan was full of innocence and funny slice of life hijinks before. But the death of Sasha marks a definitive culmination. It is an urgent impertinence to shake us all out of the apathy and normalcy of watching and enjoying and celebrating that our heroes have returned to win the fight after inflicting so much carnage on the enemy that did the same to them. It is why Isayama structured this part of story by changing our "narrator" perspective from the Scouts to Marley from the beginning of this season. It is why he made us care for the new characters and their perspectives and burdens and shed light on their motivations, without whitewashing their sins and faults either. It is not only about both sides being the same and equal, but rather it all screams at us that Isayama is calling out the sins of violence and our enjoyment of it. He spoke through Sergeant Gross in last season's episode "That Day," He spoke straight to the viewer as Gross explains his remorselessness to Grisha, that they want to see Titans eat people and violence against others because it's in our nature to seek death, because PEACE does not fulfill our innate instincts. Of course, most people know and feel this, and strive for our better humanity, to go beyond civility, but many nonetheless will give in to their justified hatred for Gabi now, to vent or for fun. THIS goes on about a cartoon, of course the real world is in so much turmoil. Think about North Korea, ISIS, Syria, the genocide of Uyghurs now in China and the Rohingya in Myanmar and now its current coup....the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank by the Israeli government and the consequent terrorist retaliations, the civil war in Yemen with certain governments backing factions... Saudi king assassins sent to murder a journalist and getting away with it, no accountability due to politics and economic gains....the failed systems in Venezuela, Russia's shenanigans, our deadly fiasco in the Capitol building and a divided country. And so much more. I bring it all up not be a downer or to equate a show to real issues, but to say that the message Isayama is urgently getting across to us is universal to all. We are all the same.

David Caine

😢

Manny

Reading this part in the manga, I couldn't help but be strangely... happy that Sasha wasn't killed off some 40 episodes ago in Season 2. As crushing as this death is, the human drama resulting from this moment is infinitely more interesting to me than Sasha being merced by some mindless Pure Titan; I don't care how sad that first death scene was. After learning that there are multiple Titan Shifters, who are all sapient and have their own agendas, any important characters killed off by, basically, zombies feels rather anti-climactic. Even the ones who are killed by Pure Titans: Miche, Nanaba, and Gelgar etc, are done in in such a way that it's kind of more the Beast Titan's kill because he orchestrates their deaths, and so it still serves to develop him as a villain. But as far as I know, Sasha's death was just supposed to be "and then a mindless titan ate her." I know it's maybe cold comfort right this moment, but I, for one, am happy that one of my favourite characters gets to continue influencing the story through her past life. And yes, I guess I am making the assumption that she wouldn't really be doing that if she had died in S2 - at least not to the extent that she already has here. On that subject, I'm actually worried about watching too many reactions to this episode, considering when these chapters dropped in the manga, some people H A T E D Gabi for what she did. Like the kind of vitriol you'd expect saved for Griffith or what have you. Plenty of people who fully support Eren's attack mind you; yet who consider it morally wrong that a soldier killed another soldier during wartime. Hmm...

Derrick C. Shields

I always hoped that Connie & Sasha, would get together. The group hug was a really nice a powerful moment. I feel so sad for all of these characters, even Gabi. I feel feel sad for the regret she may feel later in her life for the things she's done, after she learns that everyone is the same. I feel sad for the burden, Eren, must feel to use the power he was given in the most effective way, never knowing for sure whether he should have faith in his friends, or if hesitation will get more people killed. I basically forgive almost everyone, because from their individual perspectives there just aren't good options. It's still hard to forgive Willy, for not trying diplomacy, but maybe he was haunted by memories of Eldian, Tyranny that I am not privy to, & couldn't respond to the present with a clear head. Anyway, RIP Sasha, I hope you get to enjoy all the meat; potatoes, & left over rolls of bread you like:)

TheMoonKingdom

Well said:)

TheMoonKingdom

I don't usually comment, but after this episode I just wanted to share some thoughts... SPOILER WARNING to anyone who can't help reading comments before watching the reaction. While I do believe a major reason that Eren ended the fight in the beginning was because he was out of energy, I think he also registered the resolve that Reiner still held to protect those around him. Considering Eren saw Reiner break down in front of him and wish for death, the sudden display of determination from Reiner may have actually been the first time someone has been able to disrupt Eren's "rhythm" (I don't have a better word for it) since this incident began. Also note that Reiner passes out once Eren departs, almost indicating that he wasn't holding on to much except to absolutely ensure the safety of Galliard's life. Like the saying goes, "At the end of everything, hold onto anything." But the main reason for my post was to support your reaction to Connie announcing Sasha's death. When the scene played out for me, it also felt like a safety net of light/hope was officially taken from the show. There was something so relatable to how awkward and transparent Sasha carried herself throughout the show. Be it failing to read the atmosphere while offering a drill instructor a piece of food, posing like the karate kid, or saving a little girl's life while trying to keep her wits about her...Sasha has always been Sasha. The biggest hit for me this episode is looking at the trio's faces as Connie pulls them in for a hug. While Connie had a look of stressed relief and Jean still looked like he was reflecting on the future some, only Sasha seemed to embrace and enjoy the moment with her friends for simply what it was. Of course being who they are it still broke down to comedic banter, but boy was that needed with everything else that went down. With Sasha gone there is a prominent feeling like we won't ever get a genuine chance to laugh or smile again and that hits in a way that left me emotional by the end. I'm already stressing about how Connie will cope going forward. Lastly, going back to the disruption of Eren's "rhythm", I think Sasha's death is another visible crack in his cold attitude toward the entire execution of his plan. Not sure what he plans to do, but whatever prep was done clearly did not ready him for the loss of Sasha. Feels like in a moment of vulnerability he is right there with us in our emotions. Your reactions are truly appreciated and can't wait for more. Avid Hunter X Hunter fan here, excited to see your reactions for that too!

I think at some point you had said "as long as i don't lose sasha" and this was ages ago and i was like... uh oh, because Sasha got killed a while ago in the manga, so i've known. This really made people hate gabi. people hated her before but this put them over the edge. People also hated this new Eren. Oh... btw, the fun bits haven't happened yet. Also, i think they are implying that the eldians they sent to scout the island defected , hence Yelena.

Adam Stinnett

I mean..I don't hate Gabi, but I definitely don't like her after this regardless of her reasons. :|

Darth Danker

And Zeke also said now We have a Titan with Royal Blood & the Founding Titan & I just realised what this meant when reading this, together with Zeke, Eren should be able to control all Titans now

MagnusVD

OK I have seen the reaction now. And it seems it's not different countries they have alliance with (as far as I know) but they managed to recruit people from the first scout ships instead. Also that hug with Sasha, Jean & Connie felt like a foreboding that something would happen to one of them. The show is saying did you forget this is Attack on Titan and no one is safe? I think you had one misconception Zeke isn't caught Zeke is definitely working with them. Levi pointed out that when their plan (survey corps plan ) to catch Jaw & cart fail, then Zeke improvised. Zeke wasn't restrained it just looked like his limbs has been cut off probably due to when Levi & Zeke faked the beast titans death.

MagnusVD

I hope you like my reaction!! Yeah, you were absolutely correct...!!! Dang, I just still can't believe it. I'll never be able to say or hear "meat" again without breaking down. :(

Melissa Moore

yeah I haven't seen the reaction yet but after seeing the latest attack on titan episode I thought that this one would hit hard for you

MagnusVD