Thematically, I think it’s extremely important to remember that what stops Reiner’s suicide in his moment of hopelessness is listening to Falco.
In the scene before that, Eren is confronted and talked to by Reiner with his fear that all of his suffering, hard work and bravado will lead to absolutely nothing. Which has been Eren’s primary fear of his character for a long time, the absolute helplessness he feels in the most important of situations.
Reiner’s advice to this is to keep moving forward.
What he doesn’t provide though is a reason to keep moving forward. For Eren and Reiner at this point, it’s entirely for it’s own sake. They have nothing left to do except for the hope that there might be something else.
Falco is what brings Reiner back though. Reiner who thought he had nothing to do but move forward. These kids are actually, thematically, extremely important characters. Their introduction and their ties up an important thematic question. “Why is it that we fight?”
Eren answers it at the end of the chapter, it’s because they see something on the other side of that hell. However, the something specific that they see, what we’re meant to see from Reiner’s conclusion to keep on living is the future that belongs not to them, but the next generation.
Therefore I can’t see any of the young titan kids dying, at least not the important ones because they are the primary reason both Eren and Reiner are fighting for. Thematically a failure to save them would be a failure to their cause, because both of them are fighting because they believe there is an escape, there is something better than just “The endless nightmare” that Reiner describes their lots in life to Falco to motivate him to surpass Gabi early on.
DISCLAIMER: This is my personal opinion. In no way am I stating what I say here is canon or completely accurate. if you disagree with my opinion, that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has a different interpretation, but if you are going to send me messages trying to argue points of view with me or send me hate messages; please do us both a favor and just don’t even bother with it.
I’m inclined to agree with you. I don’t think Eren wants to see Falco harmed by his own hand or anyone else’s. Mainly for this reason:
Eren obviously used Falco but, I don’t think his intention was ever to hurt him. So keeping him there in the basement while the show goes on above, especially considering Eren seemed to know what was going to be said, makes me think he’s either protecting him or wanting to see how he’ll react to something he personally has planned.
Bear in mind that Falco told Eren he wished to be the inheritor of the Armored Titan, and now he’s stuck in a room with the man whom he’s trying to replace, and the potential enemy he’d have while trying to walk in those shoes. It’s an interesting circumstance Isayama has depicted here. I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen but, I doubt Eren kept Falco there out of malice.
Okay so I just need a little minute to totally mindlessly fanboy about Eren here, and wanna preface this that this is 100% irrational, subjective and really unfair to like every other character involved and is only the result of my own emotional bias and I’m totally aware of that, so please dont take this as some sort of objective statement or whatever, its just me losing my shit, and you can totally ignore it if you like.
But anyways.
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD EREN GODDAMN JAEGER
I expected a ton of stuff from this chapter but not this and I’m way happier about it than I probably should be. But holy fuck is was gratifying.
I don’t think I have the words to describe what emotions this chapter is making me feel, so before anything, I’d recommend listening to this piece of music from Hiroyuki Sawano, which, in my opinion, captures the feel of this sequence perfectly.
We’ve spent years and years with Eren, always struggling, always weaker, always in a worse position, never having any sort of control or power over whats really going on, and whilst seeing the struggle against these odds has always been a joy, seeing him losing and defeated over and over by his enemies or the world could be damn frustrating.
THESE DAYS ARE GONE NOW
Unlike basically every confrontation he’s been in back on Paradis, he’s completely composed and stone cold and it pays off.
Fucking look at this dude. Missing an arm and an eye, and yet he is in total and utter control of the room. That’s Reiner in front of him, the armored titan, one of Paradis’ greatest foes. How does he handle him?
Like…remember the last time these two were talking? Back in ch 46 in the trees? THIS IS NOW. FEEL OLD YET?
His threat about blowing up an entire building with innocent civilians is delivered so subtly and lacking any emotion and my goddd is it chilling. And straight up answering “Yes” to Falco like…he doesn’t even give a fuck.
Reiner is having the mental breakdown of his life and Eren creeps into his face looking like that–jesus fucking christ dude. And its not just Eren’s behavior that’s so incredibly chilling to watch, but everyone’s reactions to him.
Reiner completely losing the rest of any sanity still left in him and his body straight up failing to even function properly, without Eren moving as much as a muscle. Dear fucking god dude.
Poor Falco going from “yay friendly reunion!!1” to oh my god what have I done” in a matter of minutes is both hilarious and terrifying.
Most of all, on the outside, as everyone in the cellar is listening, Willy is explaining to representatives of the entire human species that Eren Jaeger is their greatest enemy to ever exist, what does the man in question do?
Calmly sitting on his chair not giving a single fuck.
Honestly, regardless of the grey morality of the scene and the questionable effects Eren’s presence has on many characters here, this entire thing felt like the kind of fanservice Ive personally wanted since the start of the series and DEAR WALLS I can’t wait for 100 its gonna be incredible.
You would think the ending line for last chapter, “the curtain rises,” would imply that action happens at some point during the following chapter, but the literal curtain still has yet to rise. By the very end of this chapter, it continues to be teased for next time. Zeke even alludes to the exact same phrasing.
So supposedly the curtain won’t rise until next chapter. That didn’t make this chapter any less entertaining for me, though.
Plot points are being set into motion, some deathflags are raised (as usual), and I can’t properly begin to predict what next chapter will entail.
I have two theories for his words there but, I really feel like it’s a combo of both.
DISCLAIMER: This is my personal opinion. In no way am I stating what I say here is canon or completely accurate. if you disagree with my opinion, that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has a different interpretation, but if you are going to send me messages trying to argue points of view with me or send me hate messages; please do us both a favor and just don’t even bother with it.
Theory number one is that Eren is referring to returning to the SC after learning the state in which the Eldians of Libero, specifically the Warriors, are living in and how they’re treated:
It’s not very different to how he grew up. Trapped behind walls and condemned simply for being born an Eldian. After asking himself the question of whether or not killing the enemy across the sea would free them all; seeing his not-so-easy answer first hand must be pretty heart wrenching and hard to swallow.
Not to mention, he’s obviously learned what being a Warrior means and what choosing to walk that path means considering he asked Falco about it outright. He seems to be aware of how becoming a Warrior works and of the basic processes behind their purpose. So, for the first time ever, Eren is seeing a hell different from his own. He’s seeing how RBA live(d), and the hell theyexperience(d).
Theory number two is that it’s all part of an elaborate act meant to test if Falco is reliable enough to be entrusted with the letter:
I’m 90% sure the letter he sent out is being mailed to the location of the Survey Corps soldiers who accompanied him to Marley. Most likely telling them where he is and what information he’s gathered. Such as Reiner’s whereabouts and that soon his titan power will be granted to a different warrior. How Eldians in the area are living, and so on.
I know a lot of people are thinking that maybe Eren is there without the knowledge of the Survey Corps, but in my opinion, logically speaking, I believe that is impossible. I do not see how he would have gotten from Paradis to Marley by himself. I also don’t think Eren would injure himself or sit on a bench in a hospital for no apparent reason other than the fact that he doesn’t want to return to the Survey Corps. He is there for a reason. An elaborate purpose most likely pertaining to a plan cooked up by Hanji or Armin.
I’ve also seen theories stating the letter is for Zeke which I will not rule out. But personally, I do not think that is the case. Mainly because that is super risky for a lot a reasons, but that is for a different meta entirely lol.
Now, the reason I believe his words are a combination of both is because I do believe what he says is part of an act meant to test Falco, but I also believe there is truth to what he is saying. He isn’t lying to Falco, so to speak. He’s simply not revealing the true meaning behind what he’s saying. Allow me to elaborate my thoughts here, and please keep in mind that this is just a theory.
midnight-in-town 