History Recap / NeonGenesisEvangelionEpisode18Ambivalence

As Asuka and Shinji sit by the TV at night, he tries to not-so-subtly probe her about who the Fourth Child is by wondering out loud who is going to pilot Unit 03. Asuka is surprised to discover out that he doesn't know yet, but even she can't bring herself to reveal the Fourth’s identity, and she hastily claims that she doesn't know either. Kaji then enters the living room, and immediately senses the weird tension between Asuka and Shinji; he joking asks if they are always like this when Misato is away. Asuka apologetically tells Kaji that she wishes she could be happy and smile more because he is over for a visit tonight, but she simply can't do that right now. Kaji replies that he understands, and suggests that it might be a good time for everybody to head to bed, saying that going to sleep early is often a good solution in situations like these.

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

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. Misato hopes that the new pilot might tell Shinji himself, but Ritsuko highly doubts that the Fourth Child would ever brag about being chosen. He wasn't enthusiastic at all when he was informed that he had been selected, and only asked for one thing: that his sister would be transferred to NERV HQ's medical center.

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

* 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 intention is to high light the DramaticIrony in Shinji's lack of knowledge.

At school, Asuka arrives late even though she left early and when asked why by Shinji along with some teasing by a slightly distracted Toji, explodes in a fit of anger. As lunchtime comes around, Toji leaves class for the roof, something that puzzles Kensuke. His absence and odd behavior are both also noted by Shinji. Rei 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 only one who doesn’t know. He adds that it’s fairly rare for Rei to care for others like Shinji and remarks that she has feelings for him. 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 for haphazardly battling the third Angel. Hikari later walks with Asuka, and voices her concerns about Toji and Rei. Asuka reassures her, saying that someone like Rei could never get in an intimate relationship. She just has one question for Hikari: What exactly is it she sees in Toji? With a sight blush and a wistful smile, Hikari answers that it is his kindness. Asuka finds this hard to believe, but doesn't say it out loud.

At school, Asuka arrives late even though she left early and when asked why by Shinji along with some teasing by a slightly distracted 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 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 only one who doesn’t know. He adds that it’s fairly rare for Rei to care for others like Shinji and remarks that she has feelings for him. 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 for haphazardly battling the third Angel. Hikari later walks with Asuka, and voices her concerns about Toji and Rei. Asuka reassures her, saying that someone like Rei could never get in an intimate relationship. She just has one question for Hikari: What exactly is it she sees in Toji? With a sight blush and a wistful smile, Hikari answers that it is his kindness. Asuka finds this hard to believe, but doesn't say it out loud.

Meanwhile at school, Toji hasn'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 even be Toji since he’s absent. Shinji dismisses that as being impossible, but can't completely shake off a nagging hunch.

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.

Shinji sits back in utter surprise as his control over Unit-01 is suddenly relinquished and the pressure on his neck disappears. As the dummy system assumes control over Unit-01, the Eva immediately goes on the offensive and soon gains the upper hand over Unit-03, and it proceeds to annihilate the Angel 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. A stunned silence falls over Central Dogma. "Eva Unit-03, no, I mean, uh... the target is completely silent," declares Aoba hesitantly.

At school, Asuka arrives late even though she left early and when asked why by Shinji along with some teasing by a slightly distracted 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 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 only one who doesn’t know. He adds that it’s fairly rare for Rei to care for others like Shinji and remarks that she has feelings for him. 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 for haphazardly battling the third Angel. Hikari later walks with Asuka, and voices her concerns about Toji and Rei. Asuka reassures her, saying that someone like Rei could never get in an intimate relationship.

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. Shinji then asks him if that is why Kaji's relationship with Misato is so complicated. "Women will always be on the distant shore of a great gulf of misunderstanding," Kaji waxes poetically in response to his question. "The current dividing men and women is deeper than the ocean." "I don't understand what being an adult must be like," says Shinji after considering Kaji's words.

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 even be Toji since he’s absent. Shinji dismisses that as being impossible, but can't completely shake off a nagging hunch.

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. As Misato is currently missing in action, Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed Eva Unit-03, Gendo orders the entry plug ejected, but the Angel's infection has covered the plug in a web of fungus-like strands, which keeps it stuck inside 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 another Eva, there must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still hasn't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue Eva, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

* WhamEpisode: Arguably the first in a long sequence, signalling the onset of CerebusSyndrome.

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. Misato suggests that the new pilot might tell Shinji himself, but Ritsuko highly doubts that the Fourth Child would ever brag about being chosen. He wasn't enthusiastic at all when he was informed that he had been selected, and only asked for one thing: that his sister would be transferred to NERV HQ's medical center.

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. Misato suggests that the new pilot might tell Shinji himself, but Ritsuko doubts it. The Fourth Child wasn't very enthusiastic about being chosen, and only asked for one thing: that his sister would be transferred to NERV HQ's medical center.

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, but can't completely shake off a nagging hunch.

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.

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, but can't completely shake off a nagging hunch.

* WhatDoesSheSeeInHim: Asuka asks Hikari this exact question.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three Eva units to deal with the situation. As Misato is currently missing in action, Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed Eva Unit-03, Gendo orders the entry plug ejected, but the Angel's infection has covered the plug in a web of fungus-like strands, which keeps it stuck inside 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 another Eva, there must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still hasn't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

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. As Misato is currently missing in action, Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit-03, Gendo orders the entry plug ejected, but the Angel's infection has covered the plug in a web of fungus-like strands, which keeps it stuck inside 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 must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still hasn't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, 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.

Shinji sits back in utter surprise as his control over Unit-01 is suddenly relinquished and the pressure on his neck disappears. As the dummy system assumes control over Unit-01, the EVA immediately goes on the offensive and soon gains the upper hand over Unit-03, and it proceeds to annihilate the Angel 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. A stunned silence falls over Central Dogma. "Eva Unit-03, no, I mean, uh... the target is completely silent," declares Aoba hesitantly.

In response to the event, NERV launches all three EVA units to deal with the situation. As Misato is currently missing in action, Commander Ikari takes personal control of the operation. As the target is revealed to be the possessed EVA Unit-03, Gendo orders the entry plug ejected, but the Angel's infection has covered the plug in fungus-like strands, which keeps the it stuck inside 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 must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still hasn't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

Shinji sits back in utter surprise as his control over Unit-01 is suddenly relinquished and the pressure on his neck disappears. As the dummy system assumes control over Unit-01, it starts actively resisting Unit-03's stranglehold. Unit-01 soon gains the upper hand, and it proceeds to annihilate the Angel 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 must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still hasn't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

Shinji sits back surprise as his control over Unit-01 is suddenly relinquished and the pressure on his neck disappears. As the dummy system assumes control over Unit-01, it starts actively resisting Unit-03's stranglehold. Unit-01 soon gains the upper hand, and it proceeds to annihilate the Angel 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.

Shinji falls back in surprise as his control over Unit-01 is suddenly relinquished and the pressure on his neck disappears. As the dummy system assumes control over Unit-01, it starts actively resisting Unit-03's stranglehold. Unit-01 soon gains the upper hand, and it proceeds to annihilate the Angel 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 must still be a pilot inside it. Just then, Asuka picks up that Shinji still haven't been told who the Fourth Child is, but just as she is about to say it, the Angel attacks and incapacitates Unit-02 in the short moment she is distracted. Rei attempts to snipe the rogue EVA, but just as she is about to take the shot, she hesitates a second too long, also noticing that there is a person inside it, leading to the Angel leaping against Unit-00 and wrestle it 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 unable to fight, and so Shinji is the only one left to face the Angel.

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.

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. Shinji then asks him if that is why Kaji's relationship with Misato is so complicated. "Women will always be on the distant shore of a great gulf of misunderstanding," waxes Kaji poetically in response to his question. "The current dividing men and women is deeper than the ocean." "I don't understand what being an adult must be like," says Shinji after considering Kaji's words.

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.

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. Shinji then asks him if that is why Kaji's relationship with Misato is so complicated. "Women will always be on the distant shore of a great gulf of misunderstanding," waxes Kaji poetically. "The current dividing men and women is deeper than the ocean." "I don't understand what being an adult must be like," says Shinji after considering Kaji's words.

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. Shinji then asks him if that is why Kaji's relationship with Misato is so complicated, to which Kaji answers that "there's a river dividing men and women, deeper and wider than the ocean." Shinji notes that he "don't understand adults."