I'm not as high on this episode as everyone else, but it's still exceptional and lays the groundwork for the wild finale. The first half is mostly filler about Annie and the Military Police. Some enjoyable stuff. The second half was really interesting. I predicted from the beginning the Female Titan was Annie, but that didn't ruin how awesome the reveal was. Very well done scene, and the little detail with Annie's ring was fantastic.
Attack on Titan (TV Series)
Smile: Raid on Stohess District, Part 1 (2013)
User Reviews
Review this title11 Reviews
Amazing
TheFirst0126 January 2021
The reveal of Annie
thefoochie10 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was one of the most intense episodes of the series, despite having little to no violence. The reveal of Annie was incredibly well executed, and the slow buildup of tension made the episode so much better. Annie's laugh still sends chills down my spine. This episode does not deserve a 9.0 rating, 9.5 sounds better.
Female Titan!
Luisvtw26 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
We finally see who's the female Titan! Now it comes to the big finale and I can't wait for it!
Recap: Following the disastrous results of the 57th Expedition, Eren is to be brought to the King's palace for a court martial. Armin, desperate to save Eren from certain execution, enlists the help of an old friend to assist with an escape plan.
Recap: Following the disastrous results of the 57th Expedition, Eren is to be brought to the King's palace for a court martial. Armin, desperate to save Eren from certain execution, enlists the help of an old friend to assist with an escape plan.
Identity unmasked
shaunryan-3937330 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I had a break after the last episode for a few days but I came back and this is yet another crazy episode it starts off slow but since its from Annie's perspective we can already guess that she's the female titan we get to see the inside of the mps before the main conflict of the episode begins Eren Mikasa and Armin need to escape the mps so they tell the truth and a lie at the same time to get Annie to go with them Annie saw right through them and tge small detail of the ring comes into play Annie transforms and now thr the survey corps are in trouble
9/10.
A glimpse of Isayama's brilliance
benjaminsll30 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Don't read any further unless you have seen Attack on Titan Final Season Part One
When I first watched this I thought the first half of the episode was mostly filler, but after learning about Annie's backstory and the world she came from in Final Season, it changes my perspective so much on this episode. A lot of quotes that went over my head the first time but makes a lot of sense now in a second watch. "Isn't that how normal humans are?" shows Annie comparing the "devils of Paradis island" to the "normal humans" of Marley. "I just want weak people trapped in the flow to be considered normal humans too". The "weak people" referring to the Eldians. Just brilliant world building and foreshadowing all around.
When I first watched this I thought the first half of the episode was mostly filler, but after learning about Annie's backstory and the world she came from in Final Season, it changes my perspective so much on this episode. A lot of quotes that went over my head the first time but makes a lot of sense now in a second watch. "Isn't that how normal humans are?" shows Annie comparing the "devils of Paradis island" to the "normal humans" of Marley. "I just want weak people trapped in the flow to be considered normal humans too". The "weak people" referring to the Eldians. Just brilliant world building and foreshadowing all around.
Masterclass in Characterization and Building Tension
liammc-7327417 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Annie is officially revealed to be the Female Titan. It's not incredibly shocking as we see Armin and Eren discover key clues in earlier episodes (female titan reacting to any exclamations Armin makes related to Eren, female titan's fighting style, etc.), but it's still executed well.
The first part of the episode illustrating the corruption of the Military Police lends credibility to the relative ease with which Annie is able to operate effectively as the mole, while also introducing side characters that take on a larger role later in the show. We see Annie's character develop extensively here. Her need to be appreciated and truly seen by her father is effectively conveyed. Her motivations become even more nebulous, and the Levi-Eren parallel with her and Marlo was executed perfectly (the shot with the background channel's current flowing against a broken Marlo was really effective). We really get a sense that she's been through hell, and the only thing keeping her on task is the desire to return to her father and live out some semblance of a normal life.
The second part is a masterclass in building tension through dialogue. Each line is layered and complex, with the main trio attempting to subtly manipulate Annie into a checkmate and Annie -cornered once more - trying desperately to weasel her way out of it. We also get more subtle foreshadowing through dialogue (fallen warrior, returning home, "normal people", etc.). Once Annie comes to terms with the situation she's found herself in the tension only continues to mount, as she laments the main trio's betrayal while radiating the animosity of a cornered beast. Her laugh really is bone-chilling. Armin and Annie's character dynamic throughout this exchange is super compelling, and foreshadows the further deepening of their relationship much later on in the show. The spurred ring was also a really neat idea. All in all it's one of the better episodes of the first season that you can appreciate even more after watching Season 4.
The first part of the episode illustrating the corruption of the Military Police lends credibility to the relative ease with which Annie is able to operate effectively as the mole, while also introducing side characters that take on a larger role later in the show. We see Annie's character develop extensively here. Her need to be appreciated and truly seen by her father is effectively conveyed. Her motivations become even more nebulous, and the Levi-Eren parallel with her and Marlo was executed perfectly (the shot with the background channel's current flowing against a broken Marlo was really effective). We really get a sense that she's been through hell, and the only thing keeping her on task is the desire to return to her father and live out some semblance of a normal life.
The second part is a masterclass in building tension through dialogue. Each line is layered and complex, with the main trio attempting to subtly manipulate Annie into a checkmate and Annie -cornered once more - trying desperately to weasel her way out of it. We also get more subtle foreshadowing through dialogue (fallen warrior, returning home, "normal people", etc.). Once Annie comes to terms with the situation she's found herself in the tension only continues to mount, as she laments the main trio's betrayal while radiating the animosity of a cornered beast. Her laugh really is bone-chilling. Armin and Annie's character dynamic throughout this exchange is super compelling, and foreshadows the further deepening of their relationship much later on in the show. The spurred ring was also a really neat idea. All in all it's one of the better episodes of the first season that you can appreciate even more after watching Season 4.
Betrayal, Tension, and Ambiguity
sanadalsalt17 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Annie's revelation as the Female Titan isn't entirely surprising, given the earlier clues discovered by Armin and Eren. Nevertheless, it's well executed.
The episode's first part, showcasing the corruption within the Military Police, adds credibility to Annie's effective operation as a mole. It also introduces side characters who play a larger role later in the show. Annie's character development is extensive, effectively conveying her need for appreciation and recognition from her father. Her motivations become even more ambiguous, and the parallel between Levi-Eren and her-Marlo is executed perfectly. We truly sense the hardships she has endured, with her desire to return to her father and live a semblance of a normal life being her driving force.
The second part excels in building tension through dialogue. Each line is intricate, with the main trio subtly manipulating Annie into a checkmate and Annie, once cornered, desperately trying to find a way out. Subtle foreshadowing through dialogue adds depth to the narrative. As Annie comes to terms with her situation, the tension continues to mount, as she laments the main trio's betrayal while exuding the animosity of a cornered beast. Her laugh is truly bone-chilling. The dynamic between Armin and Annie throughout this exchange is compelling and foreshadows the deepening of their relationship later in the show. The spurred ring is also a clever idea. Overall, it's one of the better episodes of the first season, and its appreciation grows even more after watching Season 4.
The episode's first part, showcasing the corruption within the Military Police, adds credibility to Annie's effective operation as a mole. It also introduces side characters who play a larger role later in the show. Annie's character development is extensive, effectively conveying her need for appreciation and recognition from her father. Her motivations become even more ambiguous, and the parallel between Levi-Eren and her-Marlo is executed perfectly. We truly sense the hardships she has endured, with her desire to return to her father and live a semblance of a normal life being her driving force.
The second part excels in building tension through dialogue. Each line is intricate, with the main trio subtly manipulating Annie into a checkmate and Annie, once cornered, desperately trying to find a way out. Subtle foreshadowing through dialogue adds depth to the narrative. As Annie comes to terms with her situation, the tension continues to mount, as she laments the main trio's betrayal while exuding the animosity of a cornered beast. Her laugh is truly bone-chilling. The dynamic between Armin and Annie throughout this exchange is compelling and foreshadows the deepening of their relationship later in the show. The spurred ring is also a clever idea. Overall, it's one of the better episodes of the first season, and its appreciation grows even more after watching Season 4.
Rewatch, 9.75/10
dcdude-269885 October 2023
Honestly, this is the best arc that I have watched so far in anime history, cause I haven't seen the next three seasons. Everything about this arc was just perfection from beginning to ending. Right now, my favorite TV show of all time is Mr. Robot right now. This is my favorite first season of all time, and maybe a top 3 season of all time. If I watch the 2nd season and say that it's better than the first, I will admit that this show is the greatest and replaces Mr. Robot for being my favorite. Anyways, my favorite characters in this episode were Annie, Armin, and Eren. My favorite things about this episode were the storyline, the ending, and the antagonists.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
