Code Geass R2
This happens way too little in real life

After last week’s break, episode 9 is finally here! I find this episode’s plot logically defective but the character interactions melodramatically delightful, so on the whole the episode is sufficiently entertaining. Hey, it’s like I just described 90% of Sunrise’s works.

Summary

The Chinese Federation leases Horai, an artificial power generation island, to Zero to house the one million Japanese who have escaped Area 11.

Code Geass R2

Judging by the rudimentary map shown, the fictional man-made Horai is located off the eastern cost of Jiangsu, about 300km from Nanjing, which happens to be my hometown. Yes, I did check Google Earth.

Code Geass R2

Oh yeah, isn’t it interesting how Japan’s geographical outline appears so detailed in the map above, but China’s looks like a rough outline drawn in Illustrator? Artificial coastline due to geo-engineering, or lazy animators? You decide.

Code Geass R2
More hair = more powerful

The Black Knights get a timely resupply, including brand new Knightmares from India thanks to Rakshata. Apparently India is actually part of the Chinese Federation, which I find quite interesting. I always assumed it was part of Britannia, what with Rakshata being Llyod’s former colleague in Britannia mainland and the whole real-world British colonial era thing.

Code Geass R2
A romance that transcends generations…

Unfortunately, before the Black Knights have time to bask on their new concrete island, a terrible news rudely interrupts their high spirits. The Empress of the Chinese Federation is to be married to the crown prince of Britannia, in a political arrangement by Schneizel and the Head Eunuchs. Britannia gets some land concessions and the Empress as their hostage, while the Head Eunuchs get Britannian titles and presumably the benefits that come with them.

Code Geass R2
Kaguya is too loli for my taste, but she sure is awesome

A party is held to celebrate this sham, and Zero takes the liberty to invite himself in as usual. Much drama and awkwardness ensue as familiar faces meet. Kaguya kicks Suzaku’s metaphorical butt and Nina predictably goes Eva-Berserk on Zero.

Code Geass R2
She carries a cutter around with her all the time?

Meanwhile, Xingke and his group of loyalists are shocked by the eunuchs’ action and a plan is drawn to save the Empress from that sad paedophilic excuse for a crown prince. Unfortunately, a surprising betrayal gets the better of everyone…

Code Geass R2
“Your assault rifles are no match for my antique sword!”

Thoughts

The whole episode pivots on the fact that the Head Eunuchs basically decided to trade the symbol of their nationhood, the Empress, in exchange for useless Britannian titles.

Code Geass R2
He’s like twice her height and thrice her age

This is the part that makes no sense to me. Why would the eunuchs want titles? They are corrupted, I get that. But isn’t there enough wealth and power to be had in the Chinese Federation already? Giving away the Empress, essentially the sovereignty of the Federation, just for some stupid titles makes no sense.

Unless perhaps the Chinese Federation is actually so weak that the Head Eunuchs intend to appease Britannia and accept its dominance before their impotence become apparent. (I kid.)

And another thing…

Spoiler Alert

Code Geass R2
DUN DUN DUN

Zero’s double-crossing in this episode is yet another logical loophole that bugs me. Xingke is anti-Britannia and has proven himself to be an honourable ally thus far. There isn’t any real need for Zero to intervene with the coup d’état as far as I can see. Maybe he has some larger goals in mind, but as it is, it seems to me that he has now managed to piss off both Britannia and the Chinese Federation…

Screencaps

Code Geass R2
Jeez, does he ever wear normal clothes?

Code Geass R2
“I’ll just stand on this unstable bit while Lelouch is below me and…”

Code Geass R2
“Oh wow. This is totally unexpected.”

Code Geass R2
“I want Tabasco…”

Code Geass R2
Just what race/nationality is Cecile anyway?

Code Geass R2
Nice… uh… hair style.

Code Geass R2
Anyone get the feeling that he is grooming her to be a ruthless killing machine?

Code Geass R2
Can’t a would-be assassin conceal a knife in his right hand behind his back?

Code Geass R2
Don’t ask, don’t tell

Code Geass R2
They stand no chance against Kaguya’s teasing power

Code Geass R2
Awkward…

Code Geass R2
Yup, still insane

Code Geass R2
What era is this again?

Code Geass R2
Oh yeah, Simplified Chinese was a communist invention

Code Geass R2

Code Geass R2
He’s not helping his own case with that orange accessory

By the way, some guy went on a stabbing spree in Akihabara today. 7 people are confirmed dead. Apparently it was a random act of violence and he only chose Akiba due to the high pedestrian traffic.

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