Code Geass R2

Zero and the Black Knights make off with the Empress, but their escape is blocked by Xingke. I am of the opinion that the writers for the series are secretly taking a long break in Hawaii and the current story arc is actually being written by the office janitor.

Summary

Code Geass R2
Seriously… What does the hair do?

Zero backstabs Xingke and kidnaps the Empress. His cunning plan is to create a new federation of states of which the new Japan is to be a member. He has the backing of the Indians and he believes that Mongolia will be supportive of the move.

Code Geass R2
Just why the heck does that yellow blob thing wear a hat?

Unfortunately, before Zero can make his getaway, Xingke shows up in his brand new Shenhu (Divine Tiger) Knightmare Frame and proceeds to massacre Indian-made Akatsukis, resulting in much death and destruction. He manages to capture Kallen and defeat Zero with superior strategy. Considering Zero’s jarring drop in IQ in recent episodes, it’s not too difficult.

Code Geass R2
This looks nothing like a tiger

Outwitted by Xingke in battle, Lelouch escapes to Tiandi Bashiba Ling (天帝八十八陵), a fictional resting ground for dead emporers, where he has set up a stronghold to hold out against the Chinese and Britannia forces that are coming for him.

Code Geass R2
Evil(er) clone?

Also, Lelouch has the power to teleport. o_o

Thoughts

The writers seem to believe that 合衆国 (a translation unique to United States) and 連邦 (federation) are different things. Zero says that he wants to set up a 中華合衆国 (literally a Chinese United States) to which the Empress replies, “But we are a federation (連邦)…” Zero then makes the absurd statement that the federal system is outdated.

Code Geass R2
She’s annoying

This shows a blatant lack of understanding on the writers’ part. The United States is a federation and the term 合衆国 was created simply because America likes to have a unique name. The political system itself is essentially the same thing: a federation.

Moving on.

The build-up in this episode is essentially non-existent. Just like how Xingke’s coup d’état was planned, revealed and crushed in just one episode, Zero’s escape plan is over in a flash. It lacks suspense and impact.

Code Geass R2
Brilliant tactic: drive straight

Lelouch’s plans are supposed to involve a series of seemingly unrelated preparations during which the audience is left to wonder what his actual strategy is going to be. The final unveiling is supposed to make every small element click together in a satisfying manner, until something unexpected crops up and much drama ensues. Recently, the writers have decided to forego the clever part and just jump straight to the drama.

Code Geass R2
It’s hard to deal with the fact that your classmate is a terrorist

And a final note… According to a forum post on a Chinese forum, Tiandi Bashiba Ling is an allusion to Ming Shi San Ling. Since they don’t look anything like each other, I’m not sure where that comes from. I wonder what the Chinese nationalists feel about what’s been shown in Code Geass thus far.

Screencaps

Code Geass R2
Kinky

Code Geass R2
Dopey, Grumpy, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy

Code Geass R2
Seppuku

Code Geass R2
It’s not China if there’s no panda…

Code Geass R2
Get a hair cut you hippie

Code Geass R2

Code Geass R2
Seriously disturbing

Code Geass R2
No one notices C.C. thanks to the brilliant disguise

Code Geass R2

Speaking of teleporting: David Copperfield’s Portal illusion.

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