History Recap / NeonGenesisEvangelionEpisode18Ambivalence

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about the things he learned from his conversation with Kensuke; namely Unit-04 and the incident at NERV’s second branch and Unit-03's imminent arrival in Japan. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after him and Asuka in the meantime. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit-03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to a tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit-03.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about the things he learned from his conversation with Kensuke; namely Unit-04 and the incident at NERV’s second branch and Unit-03's imminent arrival in Japan. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after him and Asuka in the meantime. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit-03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to a tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit-03. Later, as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit-04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit-03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after him and Asuka in the meantime. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit-03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to a tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit-03. Later, as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

The dummy system proceeds to completely annihilate Unit-03 in the most brutal fashion imaginable. After choking it and breaking its neck, the dummy system throws Unit-03 down, pulverizes its face, and proceeds to rip apart and mutilate Unit-03 as all the NERV personnel watch in horror. Shinji, forced to see and hear everything, begs his father to stop even as Unit-01 lifts up Unit 03's entry plug in its hands but Gendo simply watches with grim satisfaction as Unit-01 crushes the entry plug.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit-03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit-03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. Both Shinji and Asuka, however, quickly question this order, noticing that since their target is an EVA, there is still is a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka notices that Shinji still haven't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel takes out Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to engage the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to strike, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel wrestling Unit-00 to the ground. The Angel then tries to infect Unit-00 too by dripping its fungus-like material on its opponent's arm, but Gendo orders the EVA's arm blown off. The resulting shock from the pain leaves Rei utterly incapacitated, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

As Shinji lies down at night, he asks Kaji about his father since he seems to be around him. Kaji replies that Fuyutsuki is the one who really knows Gendo the best, but even then, people can barely understand themselves so how much can they understand each other? Kaji states that this is why humans spend so much time thinking about those things and that is what makes life interesting.

As Unit 03 is being transported via air to Japan, a warning is delivered about a strange cumulonimbus cloud formation in its flight path. The pilot acknowledges and decides to fly through after an analysis indicates that there is no danger. However, as the EVA flies through it, a very brief but massive spark of electricity arches through the could.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit 03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after him and Asuka in the meantime. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit 03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to a tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit 03. Later, as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

The next day at school, Toji doesn’t show up, leaving Hikari disappointed. Kensuke notes with great sadness at how EVA Unit 03’s pilot must have already been chosen. He remarks that it might be Toji since he’s absent. Shinji dismisses that as being impossible.

At Matsushiro, preparations are going smoothly as the Fourth Child is brought to the site. Misato watches on with a downcast expression. Ritsuko reminds her that this EVA unit will be under her command once it is activated, which Misato acknowledges weakly. Phase one of the activation goes smoothly. As the procedure shifts to phase two and once the pilot goes past the absolute border line, Unit 03 starts rejecting the pilot. The unit begins to move on its own and its revealed that an Angel has infected it. This makes it the thirteenth Angel, Bardiel. Soon after it breaks free of its restraints, the facility explodes.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. Both Shinji and Asuka, however, quickly question this order, noticing that since their target is an EVA, there is still is a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka notices that Shinji still haven't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel takes out Unit 02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to engage the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to strike, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel wrestling Unit 00 to the ground. The Angel then tries to infect Unit 00 too by dripping its fungus-like material on its opponent's arm, but Gendo orders the EVA's arm blown off. The resulting shock from the pain leaves Rei utterly incapacitated, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

Unit 03 jumps against Shinji, who sees the entry plug, confirming to him that there is a person inside it. The Angel's arms suddenly jump forward, and grasps Unit 01's neck, and starts chocking the life out of both the EVA and Shinji. Yet, Shinji does not actively resist. Gendo asks him over the radio why he refuses to fight, telling him that the life of Unit 03's pilot is "irrelevant." Shinji responds that he refuses to risk killing the person in Unit 03, and would rather die himself than allow that to happen. In a complete matter-of-fact manner, Gendo orders Shinji’s connections cut off and the control transfered over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

The dummy system proceeds to completely annihilate Unit 03 in the most brutal fashion imaginable. After choking it and breaking its neck, the dummy system throws Unit 03 down, pulverizes its face, and proceeds to rip apart and mutilate Unit 03 as all the NERV personnel watch in horror. Shinji, forced to see and hear everything, begs his father to stop even as Unit 01 lifts up Unit 03's entry plug in its hands but Gendo simply watches with grim satisfaction as Unit 01 crushes the entry plug.

Later that night, Misato comes to as the rescue team lifts her out of the remains of the Matsushiro facility. Kaji is at the scene, and he tells her that she and Ritsuko are among a handful of survivors, and about what happened to Unit 03. She calls Shinji, who still sits in the powered-down Unit-01, to try and reveal the pilot’s identity but still can’t bring herself to say it as she starts to break down sobbing. As Shinji watches the team pull out a broken but alive Toji from the wreckage, he begins to scream.

Later that night, as Misato comes to, she finds out that she and Ritsuko are among a handful of survivors. She is told by Kaji about what happened to Unit 03 and is distraught at having not told Shinji who the pilot was. She calls him to try and reveal the pilot’s identity but still can’t bring herself to say it as she starts to break down sobbing. As Shinji watches the team pull out a broken but alive Toji from the wreckage, he begins to scream.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit 03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after them for some time. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit 03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to a tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit 03. Later, as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit 03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after them for some time. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit 03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit 03. Later, as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit 03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors about the second branch's destruction are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. She goes on to tell him that she will be heading for Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, and that Kaji will look after them for some time. Shinji takes the opportunity and asks about the identity of Unit 03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that her words get stuck in her throat, leading to tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit 03. Later as Misato rides with Ritsuko in the UN convoy to Matsushiro, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, and Unit 03. Misato, although slightly hesitant, confirms that the rumors are indeed true, but quickly ensures him that it won't affect NERV HQ and there is nothing to worry about. Shinji finally presses the issue that really bothers him, the identity of Unit 03's pilot, but Misato suddenly finds that she neither have the heart to lie to him nor tell the truth, so she chokes on her words, leading to tense and awkward moment of silence between the two which is first broken when the doorbell rings. The door opens to reveal Kensuke, who desperately pleads to be chosen as the pilot for Unit 03. As Misato rides with Ritsuko to Matsushiro to oversee Unit 03's activation, she admits to Ritsuko that she couldn't figure out how to tell Shinji about the pilot. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, Unit 03, and the Fourth Child, all of which make Misato more and more agitated until Kensuke rings the doorbell, saving her from giving Shinji the identity of the Fourth Child. As she rides with Ritsuko to Matsushiro, she tells Ritsuko about her troubles. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian and that knowing how to reveal the truth is her responsibility.

As Unit 03 is being transported via air to Japan, a warning is delivered about a cumulonimbus cloud formation in its flight path. The pilot acknowledges and decides to fly through after an analysis indicates that there is no danger. However, as the EVA flies through it, a very brief but massive spark of electricity arches through the could.

As Unit 04 is being transported via air to Japan, a warning is delivered about a cumulonimbus cloud formation in its flight path. The pilot acknowledges and decides to fly through after an analysis indicates that there is no danger. However, as the EVA flies through it, a very brief but massive spark of electricity arches through the could.

Unit 03 jumps against Shinji, who sees the entry plug, confirming to him that there is a person inside it. The Angel's arms suddenly jump forward, and grasps Unit 01's neck, and starts chocking the life out of both the EVA and Shinji. Yet, Shinji does not actively resist. Gendo asks over the radio him why he refuses to fight, saying that the life of Unit 03's pilot is "irrelevant." Shinji responds that he refuses to risk killing the person in Unit 03, and would rather die himself than allow that to happen. In a complete matter-of-fact manner, Gendo orders Shinji’s connections cut off and the control transfered over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. Both Shinji and Asuka, however, quickly question this order, noticing that since their target is an EVA, there is still is a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka notices that Shinji still haven't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel takes out Unit 02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to engage the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to strike, she hesitates a second to long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel wrestling Unit 00 to the ground. The Angel then tries to infect Unit 00 too by dripping its fungus-like material on its opponent's arm, but Gendo orders the EVA's arm blown off. The resulting shock from the pain leaves Rei utterly incapacitated, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

As Asuka and Shinji sit by the TV at night, Asuka finds out that Shinji doesn’t know about the Fourth Child either. However, even she can’t bring herself to reveal the Fourth’s identity.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. As the Angel moves forward, it takes out both Units 02 and 00, leaving 01 as the only surviving combatant. Shinji, however, can’t bring himself to attack the EVA, as he knows that there there is still a pilot inside it, and he could easily end up injuring or even killing that person. As it starts choking him and as Shinji still refuses to fight, Gendo cuts off Shinji’s connections and transfers control over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

The dummy system proceeds to completely annihilate Unit 03 in the most brutal fashion imaginable. After choking it and breaking its neck, the dummy system throws Unit 03 down, pulverizes its face, and proceeds to rip apart and mutilate Unit 03 as all the NERV personnel watch in horror. Shinji begs his father to stop even as Unit 01 lifts up Unit 03's entry plug in its hands but Gendo simply watches with grim satisfaction as Unit 01 crushes the entry plug.

* CaptainObviousReveal: The reveal of Toji as the Fourth Child probably isn't the biggest surprise to the viewer, as both this and the previous episode telegraphed it pretty heavily. Of course, it could be easily argued that it is a very intentional example as the true drama in the situation comes from Shinji's lack of knowledge.

As Unit 04 is being transported via air to Japan, a warning is delivered about a cumulonimbus cloud formation in its flight path. The pilot acknowledges and decides to fly through after an analysis indicates that there is no danger.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. As the Angel moves forward, it takes out both Units 02 and 00, leaving 01 as the only surviving combatant. Shinji, however, can’t bring himself to attack the EVA, as he knows that there there is still a pilot inside it, and he could easily end up injuring or even killing a person. As it starts choking him and as Shinji still refuses to fight, Gendo cuts off Shinji’s connections and transfers control over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

Later that night, as Misato comes to, she finds out that she is among a handful of survivors. She is told by Kaji about what happened to Unit 03 and is distraught at having not told Shinji who the pilot was. She calls him to try and reveal the pilot’s identity but still can’t bring herself to say it as she starts to break down sobbing. As Shinji watches the team pull out a broken but alive Toji from the wreckage, he begins to scream.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. As the Angel moves forward, it takes out both Units 02 and 00, leaving 01 as the only surviving combatant. Shinji, however, can’t bring himself to attack the EVA, as he knows that there there is still a pilot inside it, and he could easily end up injuring or even killing another person. As it starts choking him and as Shinji still refuses to fight, Gendo cuts off Shinji’s connections and transfers control over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. As the Angel moves forward, it takes out both Units 02 and 00, leaving 01 as the only surviving combatant. Shinji, however, can’t bring himself to attack the EVA. As it starts choking him and as Shinji still refuses to fight, Gendo cuts off Shinji’s connections and transfers control over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant, saying the dummy system is still buggy, but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

* CaptainObiviousReveal: The reveal of Toji as the Fourth Child probably isn't the biggest surprise to the viewer, as both this and the previous episode telegraphed it pretty heavily. Of course, it could be easily argued that it is a very intentional example as the true drama in the situation comes from Shinji's lack of knowledge.

* ColorCodedCharacters: Toji's unit has the same colors that he wears to school: Dark purple/black with white and light purple.

* ColorCodedCharacters: Toji's unit has the same colors that he wears to school: Dark purple/black with white and light purple.
* MoralEventHorizon: While he had always walked the line before, after this episode it's going to be hard for anyone to feel sympathetic towards Gendo.

As Unit 04 is being transported via air to Japan, a warning is delivered about a cumulonimbus cloud formation in its flight path. The aircraft acknowledges and decides to fly through after analysis indicates that there is no danger.

As Shinji gets ready to go to school, he finds that Asuka has already left. Misato tells him its probably because she doesn’t want to face them right now, leading Shinji to question why. Misato waves away an explanation by saying that teenage girls are hard to understand. Shinji then asks her about Unit 04, NERV’s second branch, Unit 03, and the Fourth Child, all of which make Misato more and more agitated until Kensuke rings the doorbell, saving her from giving Shinji the identity of the Fourth Child. As she rides with Ritsuko to Matsushiro, she tells Ritsuko about her troubles. Ritsuko reminds her of who was the one that volunteered to be Shinji’s guardian.

At school, Asuka arrives late even though she left early and when asked why by Shinji along with some teasing by a slightly dazed Toji, explodes in a fit of anger. As lunchtime comes around, Toji leaves class for the roof. His absence and odd behavior are both noted by Shinji. Rei soon finds Toji, who confirms his suspicions about who knows about him. Rei admits she knows and Toji’s fairly sure Asuka knows too, making Shinji the one who doesn’t know. He adds that it’s fairly rare for Rei to care for others and remarks that she has a thing for Shinji. Rei acknowledges that as probably being true. The two are seen by Hikari, who grows concerned. Toji later skips class, sitting outside, musing on his first talk with Shinji where he beat him up. Hikari later walks with Asuka, and voices her concerns about Toji and Rei. Asuka assures her, saying that someone like Rei could never get in a relationship.

As Asuka and Shinji sit by the TV at night, Asuka finds out that Shinji doesn’t know about the Fourth Child either. However, even she can’t bring herself to reveal the Fourth’s identity. As Shinji lies down at night, he asks Kaji about his father since he seems to be around him. Kaji replies that Fuyutsuki is the one who really knows Gendo the best, but even then, people can barely understand themselves so how much can they understand each other? Kaji states that this is why humans spend so much time thinking about those things and that is what makes life interesting.

At Matsushiro, preparations are going smoothly as the Fourth Child is brought to the site. Misato watches on with a downcast cast expression. Ritsuko reminds her that this EVA unit would be under her command once it is activated, which Misato acknowledges weakly. Phase one of the activation goes smoothly. As the procedure shifts to phase two and once the pilot goes past the absolute border line, Unit 03 starts rejecting the pilot. The unit begins to move on its own and its revealed that an Angel has infected it. This makes it the thirteenth Angel, Bardiel. Soon after it breaks free of its restraints, the facility explodes.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit 03, Gendo has the entry plug ejected but it is stuck fast to the unit. Since the pilot cannot be retrieved, Gendo changes the mission to one for which the goal is to eliminate Unit 03, reclassified now as the thirteenth Angel. As the Angel moves forward, it takes out both Units 02 and 00, leaving 01 as the only surviving combatant. Shinji, however, can’t bring himself to attack the EVA. As it starts choking him and as Shinji still refuses to fight, Gendo cuts off Shinji’s connection and transfers control over to the dummy plug. Ibuki is hesitant but proceeds to follow Gendo’s order.

The dummy system proceeds to completely annihilate Unit 03 in the most brutal fashion imaginable. After choking it and breaking its neck, the dummy system throws Unit 03 down and proceeds to rip apart and mutilate Unit 03 as all the NERV personnel watch in horror. Shinji begs his father to stop even as Unit 01 lifts up Unit 03 entry plug but Gendo simply watches with grim satisfaction as Unit 01 crushes the entry plug.

As Misato comes to, she finds out that she is among a handful of survivors. She is told by Kaji about what happened to Unit 03 and is distraught at having not told Shinji who the pilot was. She calls him to try and reveal the pilot’s identity but still can’t bring herself to say it as she starts to break down sobbing. As Shinji watches the team pull out a broken but alive Toji from the wreckage, he begins to scream.

The dummy system proceeds to completely annihilate Unit 03 in the most brutal fashion possible. After choking it and breaking its neck, the dummy system throws Unit 03 down and proceeds to rip apart and mutilate Unit 03 as all the NERV personnel watch in horror. Shinji begs his father to stop even as Unit 01 lifts up Unit 03 entry plug but Gendo simply watches with grim satisfaction as Unit 01 crushes the entry plug.