Episode 13 – Shirley at Gunpoint
Opening theme song
Kaidoku Funou.mp3
Everyone attends Shirley’s father’s funeral. When his coffin is about to be buried, his wife freaks out, begging them to not put him through any more suffering. Lelouch is visibly upset the entire time. Shirley also remembers when her father told her that he would support her when she falls in love with a man, so long as that man loves her as well. Kallen then apologizes for Shirley’s loss, as does Rivalz, who asks for forgiveness for ever harboring any interest in the Black Knights. Milly reminds Shirley that she will always be there for her, and Suzaku brings ideology into the somber situation, saying how horrible Zero and the Black Knights’ methods are, yet again. Milly then leads everyone away, leaving Lelouch and Shirley alone. Shirley apologizes to Lelouch for the kiss in the last episode, saying that it was not a real kiss, due to the circumstances, and runs off.
Lelouch broods in his room with C.C. reminding him of the choices he has already made. We also get to see some blatant product placement for Pizza Hut multiple times. Not only is the logo everywhere on the pizza C.C. gets, but that stuffed animal is apparently the company’s Japanese mascot. To me, that “mascot” just looks like a funky-colored blob with a hat, but maybe people find that cute. Lelouch gets mad at C.C., and C.C. tells him not to disappoint her. Lelouch then runs off to angrily take a shower, having flashbacks to some of the important moments of the previous episodes, like his talk with Suzaku after rescuing him in disguise as Zero, and the moment before he murdered Clovis. Rather than express his sadness in the typical anime way, which would be screaming at the top of his lungs, Lelouch instead quietly bangs his fist on the shower wall over and over. Not really sure if that is any more therapeutic for you than screaming, but Lelouch does like to do strange things at times. Lelouch then calls Ougi, C.C. lies on Lelouch’s bed by herself AGAIN, Kallen reminisces, looking at old photos of her family, and Shirley gets into a strange car.
Elsewhere, Lloyd tells Suzaku that he is going to be a part of Cornelia’s next operation to wipe out the remnants of the JLF and demonstrates once again his lack of skill at polite human interaction. Zero plans his moves against Cornelia, and we find out that Diethard has finally officially joined the Black Knights. Actually, the guy is nothing more than a massive Zero groupie, as you see later in the episode.
Darlton briefs Suzaku on the operation, continually insulting him by calling him “kisama,” which is translated as “bastard” or “scum.” However, he does mention to Suzaku that Suzaku has a chance to be promoted here, proving that he is not just a jerk. Suzaku rather pointlessly says, “Yes, my lord” in actual English, and Lloyd makes a great and highly apt reference to the historical practice from the Tokugawa Period of stepping on pictures, statues, etc. of Jesus and Mary to prove that you were not Christian.
At the same pier area in which the upcoming battle is to take place, Shirley shows up, hoping that Lelouch is not a member of the Black Knights. The car she went into was Villetta’s car, and Villetta is trying to use Shirley to find out how Lelouch is related to the Black Knights. Shirley does not want to believe that Lelouch would do such a thing, and Villetta is determined not to follow Jeremiah into disgrace and death (even though he is actually still alive, unbeknownst to her).
Kallen talks to Zero about her reasons for killing, and Zero reminds her of the resolve she must have, of the sacrifices others have made, inspiring her to keep fighting. Meanwhile, C.C. cryptically goes about another job Lelouch has for her, and the creepy guy with white hair pops up again. Shortly later, Cornelia’s attack on the JLF begins, Britannia’s aquatic mobile suits dive underwater (the point of which is driven home by someone screaming in English, “Dive, Dive, Dive!”), and Suzaku moves into position as land support. Shirley is afraid of what is going on just nearby, and Zero tells Ougi not to move yet.
The leader of the JLF wonders where Toudou is (this seems to happen often), and the moment Knightmare Frames board the JLF’s ship, Lelouch activates a bomb he planted under the ship earlier that episode, destroying the ship and all the highly volatile liquid Sakuradite onboard. Lelouch lies to the Black Knights, saying that this was a suicide move by the JLF to take out the Britannians and finally orders his forces to move out. Diethard leaves his post and continues to act like a Zero groupie, and Lelouch’s forces attack as the Britannian land forces try to get in their Knightmare Frames.
He and Kallen manage to hold off Suzaku long enough to pin down Cornelia, but when Lelouch is prepared to pull the trigger, he finds that Shirley is standing in his line of fire. Suzaku uses this moment of hesitation to completely destroy Lelouch’s mobile suits, and both Lelouch and Suzaku have a little “destined rivals” moment, complete with different colors for each of the characters. Lelouch ejects his cockpit from his Knightmare Frame, but he is knocked unconscious when it lands.
Zero unmasked
His gun falls out of the cockpit, and Shirley picks it up, prepared to kill the man who was responsible for the death of her father. However, just as she is ready to do so, Lelouch’s Zero mask falls off. And… cliffhanger.
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