Attack on Titan 3x18 "Midnight Sun" reaction & review

My little boy is a big boy now, literally!!! :P For real though, what a crazy and fantastic season!

Melissa Moore

Here we go colossal titan Armin ! This season is way to crazy T.T

Obi_wan_jabroni

Oh lord!!! That's heartbreaking about Bertholdt! I think your analysis of Smith is really interesting too, excellent point that he'd probably choose his own goals/revival if he had the choice, since that's how he lived his life. WHOA!!!!!!! I never, EVER thought about that, that the basement is dark, insular, etc. vs. the open, expanding, hopeful realm of the outside world!!!! And great point that who knows what Smith would be like after reaching those goals, he could become totally erratic after a life of self-torment. Hahahah glad you liked my gasp!!! :P I was so sure he was dead at that point, it just about knocked me outta my chair!!!! These three eps are a masterpiece for sure! Thank you so much for your compliments, I'm so happy you loved my reaction!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

Melissa Moore

I'm gonna put this right at the top since it's heartbreaking: when Bertholt wakes up and gets grabbed by Pure Titan Armin, he sees Eren and the others nearby. In a half-second shot, you can see him make an expression that kind of looks like relief. Some people have theorized that, in his injured and delirious state, he thought he was still undercover as a survey corps member at that moment, and fully believed his friends would come help him. Not at all canon, but makes sense to me. Hooray for rubbing salt on the wound. I think my favourite part of the Erwin/Armin choice is that even outside of relieving Erwin of his burden, there's still a kind of cold logic to the choice as well. Personally, I believe Erwin would want himself revived if given the choice. He literally said he'd choose finding the secret of the basement over humanity's victory. Pretty selfish - and don't get me wrong: understandable. Erwin also made it clear that he contemplated suicide "many times", but his promise to his father kept him going despite the pain and guilt; and therein lies the logic beneath the genuine empathy Levi showed. What would a guilt-ridden and to some extent, self-loathing individual do after reaching their long sought after goal? One that they considered killing themselves during its pursuit instead of enduring more pain? Sure, it's possible, and probably likely that the newfound responsibility of being a Titan Shifter would encourage them to fight on, but... would their heart truly be in it? I don't think all of this ran through Levi's head in the moments before giving Armin the injection or anything, but it's easy to infer all this from what we're shown in this episode. Erwin's determination/actions after reaching the basement would be highly unpredictable because it's obvious that Erwin's life goals end at the basement. Whereas Armin has a dream that inspires hope, rather than pain. Also, a reactor who literally just finished AoT S3 this week made an excellent analysis of this scene that had me slapping my forehead: Erwin's dream of reaching the basement is one of the most insular, tunnel-vision goals one could have. Not only is it simple and based largely on Erwin's desire to "prove his father right", it's also LITERALLY insular, being located in a dark basement in the middle of a deserted town. Armin's dream, conversely, is outward facing and almost childishly hopeful. It's simple like Erwin's, but it's based in a genuine hope for the future. Armin dreams about the sea simply because it should be hopeful by nature, because of what it represents: limitless possibility and freedom. On the other hand, Erwin's dream of the basement is, fittingly, kind of a gamble. Whatever they find in the basement will fuel humanity's drive for the foreseeable future, for better or worse. Perhaps what they find in the basement won't be good at all, but that again refers to my earlier point: that might not matter to Erwin, because he probably doesn't have post-basement goals; "everyone had to be drunk on somethin' to keep pushing on". Great reaction. Your gasp when Armin, uh... gasped was very funny and heartwarming. The trilogy of episodes of Perfect Game, Hero, and Midnight Sun is one of the best 60 minutes of fiction I can think of. It's also a crazy rollercoaster of positive and negative emotions. Oh, man.

Derrick C. Shields

Gotcha! I wondered for a second haha, but it makes more sense that he wasn't aware. The flashback does kinda cement that! It was just perfect timing since that kind of triggered Levi to reconsider. :)

Melissa Moore

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I'm glad you liked what I said about Smith being haunted by the lives that were lost on his watch. And very true that Levi making the decision for him actually set him free. I think you might be right that not taking the serum wasn't intentional, but rather served as a moment for Levi to realize what Smith had been through. Thank you so much for the encouragement!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Melissa Moore

I never even though of this but you're so right!!!!!!! They both had their goals/ideals to be "drunk" on, just like Kenny said!!!

Melissa Moore

For real!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh God, I would have gone insane if they had both died. I would have demanded that Eren turn into a Titan and spin the world backwards to turn back time like Superman!!!! :P LOL!!!

Melissa Moore

Yes!!!!! So true, despite all we know about Bertholdt, it's really hard not to feel sorry for him in that moment....just how he felt sorry for Eren when they were sharing about what happened to him! Definitely turning of the tables! Oh boy, I'd better prep myself for some info drops!!!! Yikes!!!! Thanks for the heads up!

Melissa Moore

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! This is such an epic episode - the lack of music really adds to the effect! Thank you so much for the compliments on me figuring out what was going to happen!!! Yay!!!! You know, I didn't even recognize the scene from that preview......it really worked out well, I wasn't spoiled at all! And oh yeah, I did call Zeke and Reiner getting away haha, poor Bertholdt, he didn't make it....! Very true, I was wondering why he called out the others' names!!! He must have forgotten where he was for a moment :( So tragic! Oh man, I would have never believed anyone who said Armin was going to be a Titan, the Colossal Titan, no less!!! Poor Moblit!!!! Even though he was never front and center as a character, he has had Hange's back this whole time! Oh lord, how did you ever wait to find out Levi's choice?!?! I'd be dying!!! I can imagine there were many arguments about the logic of it all haha. Thanks for the offer on the eps I'm watching this week! I'm sure that having some discussion of it all with you guys will really help if it's densely packed with info (which is what I hear)!!!

Melissa Moore

Thank you so much!!! I agree about the voice actors, they really put 150% into this one! Every moment's intensity was all the acting. I hear you about Bertholdt!!!! Even though he was the enemy, we still knew him as such a human character and his death was pretty tragic! Thanks for the heads up about episodes 20 and 21!! And for the reminder about Zeke! I knew we had heard the name, just couldn't remember where/when. Also, you're right that he's been controlling the Titans when we've seen him! Thank you so much, I'm so happy you liked my reaction!! Armin is most definitely Best Boy!!!! <3333 So glad he's okay!

Melissa Moore

it definitely wasn't intentional, I always think it's bizarre when people believe Erwin somehow, despite being unconscious, knew about the whole situation with the serum, that it was him or Armin, and tried to reject it. the anime even added in the flash of his arm raising so it was more obvious he was unconscious due to blood loss and thought he was still in school as a child

tom

Its like what u said a few episodes back. Erwin is carrying a huge burden, and kinda feels responsible for many casualties. He's haunted by those soldiers who died for humanity under his command... Which might make him look like a heartless man or a "Devil" to lead soldiers to their deaths or make the call to expose Annie within a major city, or using the scouts to flush out a Titan (Annie) in the woods. After Levi took the decision for him to die to beat the beats Titan, Erwin THANKED Levi (which wasn't shown on ep16 btw) he relieved him somewhat of the guilt, since Erwin felt he needed the result to make those sacrifices count and Levi gave him the peace of mind to die at that moment... When Erwin pulled away his hand I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, many people looked at it that Erwin subconsciously didn't want the serum, but I think it reminded Levi of the burden Erwin was carrying around for so so long, and decided to revive Armin instead. This is all my interpretation so I might not be 100% right lol. as always keep up the good work ;)

Ahmed Alnajar

Now then this is how I've always seen the Erwin or Armin debate and after 3 years my opinion still hasn't changed Logically Erwin was the right choice. This really shouldn't even be much of a debate imo, his experience and leaderships skills were practically unrivaled and the only reasons the SC had ever made it as far as they had. Hell there wouldn't even be much of a story if Erwin hadn't stood up for Eren in court in Season 1 and managed to gain custody of him so he could join the Survey Corps. HOWEVER! Narratively Armin was the right choice. From a story perspective Erwin's character was finished, he had given up on his life long dream that he'd been obsessed with achieving. The guilt Erwin felt for what he thought was him sacrificing soldiers for his selfish dream was crushing him and in his last talk with Levi, Levi relieved him of all that guilt and gave him the push he needed by making the choice for him so that he could die selflessly for humanity alongside all his soldiers and in the same fashion all his previous soldiers had died under his command. Proving that Erwin wasn't just a selfish man who would sacrifice anything for his dream, but a very selfless commander who was able to abandon his dream and willing to die to even give humanity the slightest chance at victory. Erwin's death was perfect and he died a hero. Whilst Armin although he survived now has to face the horrifying reality that he's left with. The manga author Hajime Isayama said in an interview once that he believes that dreams are best being unfulfilled and I think this is shown perfectly with Erwin and you'll see how it links in with Armin later on. Also Floch gets a lot of undeserved hate from this scene from some people. Especially since as a soldier Floch did literally everything right, he went on the suicide charge with everyone else, managed to survive, found the commander, carried him over the wall all the way to Levi so he could get the injection and save his life. Then when he gets to the roof he finds 2 children (Eren and Mikasa) who are disobeying their superior on a decision that they don't have a say in at all, and even attack their captain and try to take the serum from him by force. Floch did not sign up for this shit!

Doccyy

The way I see it is that 'Serumbowl' which is the nickname these chapters were given ever since this happened 3 years ago in the manga, it really was a situation that was almost entirely dictated by the characters own personal emotions. Nobody in the situation was truly thinking about what's best for humanity even though they definitely all cared about that, their own personal feelings for the people were what dictated their actions and decisions. Eren and Mikasa were so torn up over Armin dying that they disobeyed military command and physically attacked their superior and even tried to take the serum from Levi by force when it was his decision to make in the first place. Everything Levi did this episode was swayed by his own personal emotions, from wanting to save Erwin to then letting him rest, his final decision was made on behalf of Erwin not for humanity or Armin. Floch was traumatized after the suicide charge and was fanatically raving about how humanity needed a demon aka Erwin, ironically his words that he was saying to save Erwin ultimately ended up playing a part in Levi's decision to let Erwin rest, seriously look at Levi's expression when he hears Floch call Erwin a demon. If I had to say anyone it was Hanji who was really the most calm and rational person during the whole situation, breaking up the fight, she never became hysterical with emotion like the others, listed the reasons why they still need Erwin to Mikasa and talked her down by emotionally comforting her. That's what I love about this scene though, everything about it is all so human, there's just so much raw emotion in it, in a situation where the fate of humanity is on the line, everyone still lets their personal feelings intervene and cloud their judgement because they're human beings and they can't always be completely rational when the fate of somebody they love is on the line. Even Levi's last decision was decided off his own personal emotions. He didn't save Armin because he thought he was the best choice for humanity, he chose to let Erwin die so he could finally rest after all the hell he had been put through. He literally put what was best for Erwin over what was best for humanity. It was a selfish choice he made for someone he loved. And that's why I love everything about this whole scene so much!

Doccyy

Another thing with Levi's decision - Kenny was majorly important. "Everyone has to be drunk on something to keep pushing on." Erwin was drunk on his need to find the truth, what was in the basement. That dream was about to be achieved now they've won the battle. What would he have left to push him forward? Armin however - he's drunk on his wonder to see the world. The ocean, deserts, volcanoes, tundras. It's a dream that he can be drunk on his whole life, pushing him on.

James Simpkin

oh my god.. :D omg.. they were taking their sweet time choosing Armin or Erwin.. :D imagine both of them died before they inject one.. i could totally see that happen.. :/ then what lol.. :D

Dethrox

Bertholt’s death always reminds me of what he said to Eren in season 2 when Eren asked him what he felt when he told him about his mom. Bertholt was a threat to humanity and he needed to die to save Armin, but in that moment, I can’t help but feel sorry for him. Talk about tables turning, am I right? Also, you thought the first half of season 3 dropped a ton of information? Prepare yourself

Jaeger

haha I thought last episode I had a lot to talk about but as I was watching your reaction I was actually typing notes in the comment to flesh out when I was done haha. I just think it's such a great episode and I love how it all comes together, also noticed there's no opening as well as no music in this one first of all I have to take my hat off to you, good job in figuring out the conflict regarding the serum and how Armin would be brought back. it's even more impressive you weren't even thinking about the preview of this scene from the S3P1 ending, a lot of people thought it would spoil you but you figured it out purely through your denial of Armin's death ahahahaha. also I was just thinking how before you watch the episode you were worrying about if the scouts would let Reiner/Bert/Zeke get away and then... haha. though like you said, one down, even if it feels sad because Bert in the end was crying out for Annie and Reiner. what's even sadder is when he woke up he must have forgotten where he was and what happened temporarily because he calls out for Eren, Mikasa Jean etc to save him before realising he has nobody there for him... but despite how sad it is it definitely is a plus for humanity. imagine if somebody told you back in season 1 that Armin is the Colossal Titan, how far we've come... Floch is an interesting character, the way I always think of him is through the phrase of "what if a background character lived too long". like he just joined the SC recently and should be among the people who died but by pure chance he lived beyond what he reasonably should have and as a result it shows us what people go through who aren't attached to the main group of characters. he doesn't have any attachment to Armin so obviously he is going to think Erwin is deserving of the serum because of what he and the other scouts went through on the other side of the wall. essentially he is trying to be a voice for those dead soldiers and give their life meaning by giving HIS life meaning, in reviving Erwin. it's always so sad to me with Moblit's death, basically all the scenes he is in ever since season 1 he calls Hange "Squad leader" or "commander", using the respectful title until the last moment in the episode where he goes "Hange!" and he pushes her into the well to save her life at the cost of his... I know the manga is its own thing so talking about the manga is weird but I just wanted to say this episode was split into two chapters, so the halfway point after we find out Levi has to choose between Erwin and Armin was the end of a chapter. and then we had to wait A WHOLE MONTH to find out which way it would go!! so the fandom had so many arguments and fights between Armin fans and Erwin fans and Bertholdt fans hahaha, oh lord I do not miss those days... by the way when you get around to next week's two episodes, let me know if you need any explanations on what's gone down so you can know everything before the final episode, other than that can't wait for Wednesday's!

tom

Great reaction, this episode in my opinion is ranked in my top three episodes. The way the voice actors were able to put there heats into the actual positions of the characters was amazing and also how Betholt was crying out for Annie right before his death hoping she would come and save him was so sad. He was all alone in that moment and it gets me every time regardless if he is the enemy. I’m also leaving this here in case you haven’t reacted ep 20 and 21. The next three are going to be packed with a lot of info. I highly recommend watching 20 and 21 two or three more times after your initial recording just to make sure you don’t miss anything. And here are two pieces of info to keep in mind before watching those episodes: the name of the beast titan is war chief Zeke (S3 Ep15) and throughout the season you see him controlling titans, giving them commands just like that time Eren did in season 2. Overall this was a fantastic reaction to one of my favorite episodes, no one was prepared for what this episode dropped. Armin = Best Boy ❤️

RippleEffect

I'm so sorry!!!! It's not that I didn't notice, but with everything going on, I failed to mention it in my discussion!! >.< For someone who was never a main character, he was still always there by her side like you said. May he RIP!!!! :(

Melissa Moore

Ah yes!!! It is recorded but no worries, I remembered to stick around! Thank you!!! :D

Melissa Moore

Exactly!!!! Tactically I can absolutely see the logic in that argument....but of course, there's the emotional element like you said. What you explained about Smith and Armin is so beautifully worded!!! In the end, it was Levi's choice, and he decided based on what was best not only for the future of the world, but for Smith himself after all his suffering. I hear you about Floch, it was a surprising and interesting development for him to despite Smith, and for that to be the basis for exactly why they needed him back in his mind. I know, poor Bertholdt!!! Even after everything, it's hard not to see all the humanity in him. Awwwww I'm glad you loved my reaction and that it even moved you to tears after so many re-watches!!!! :D Thank you!!!!!!

Melissa Moore

Exactly!!!! So well done! Yes, sorry for not mentioning Moblit!!!! So much happened in this ep...! I know, Bertholdt's death was a very heavy scene! You know what? I never once put it together that this was THAT scene!!!! :O But you're right, kudos to them for putting something that important in part 1, dang! It's a huge game changer for sure to have the Colossal Titan on our side....we'll see what happens with that! You are so welcome and thank you!!!!!!!

Melissa Moore

No mention for my boy Moblit in the discussion. May he rest in peace : ( Reining in Hange’s craziness since season one, and risking it all to protect her.

Fizzle

Remember there's an after credits on the next episode! Although I'm sure it's already recorded haha Thanks for the reaction!

NFM NFM

Erwin was the obvious choice if we’re talking logically. It makes the most objective sense to bring him back than a newbie recruit who just a couple of episodes ago completely froze and freaked out. But, of course, Eren, Mikasa, and even Levi have the direct emotional element involved too. Eren and Mikasa obviously want Armin back for their own personal reasons, but the choice was Levi’s. A few episodes back when Erwin didn’t know what to do and Levi made that decision for him, we saw the look of relief and the solemn smile from Erwin- this episode they extended the scene to show Erwin thanking Levi. Erwin’s dream has tormented him all his life and left him alone and feeling guilty for all the people he’s killed. Meanwhile, Armin’s dream has only brought him hope and inspiration. Levi realises that bringing back Erwin would only keep him suffering and that after they reached the basement, the future was unclear- Erwin would still have all of his regrets and pain. And remember Erwin’s words from the OVA- ‘the moment you let others make your choices for you, all that’s left for you is to die’. But bringing Armin back brings back nothing but hope and a childish sense of wonder. Floch (the dude with the weird haircut) comes across annoying at first but I actually like his reasoning and way of thinking. He hates Erwin for what he’s done but still wants him back so they have a chance of winning. In a few more episodes we see a bit more of Floch’s thinking and I actually think he has a very realistic and grounded way of looking at things- especially as an outside observer who isn’t emotionally connected to any of these people. Also R.I.P Bertholdt. He never got to make it home after all his suffering. Thank you for your awesome reaction! After seeing this episode so many times in both Japanese and English, I was sure that I was over it but seeing you cry had me tearing up again 😅

Liam Bracken

Almost no music during this episode, and yet, so much emotions. The voice actors are that good... Also, for our boy : F Respect for Moblit ! The poor guy was always here, beside Hange since the beginning. And he died saving her... And I'm with you here, I can't help but feel bad for Berthold, dying screaming for his friends, dang. You probably see why their was people who didn't want you to watch the end credit of the last episode of part 1. This is exactly this scene (minus some dialogue of course). It was a bold move to put that on part 1. Now, Armin is in possession of the colossal titan. The greatest ability of all, according to Reiner. That could be game changer... Thanks for the reaction !

Oh yes, I agree with this rating!!!!!!!!!!! XD

Melissa Moore

Story : 10/10 Music: 10/10 Voice Acting/Emotions : ∞/10

Czar