Of all the profound thematic material explored in this first part of season 3, what we see emphasized here is undoubtedly the most potent in my opinion. After an introduction where we see Historia adopting a matriarchal role of her own volition, and Eren gloomily accepting his own role as a simple cog in a machine to help discover the truth of humanity, we arrive at Commandant Sadies. Through a recently uncovered memory, Eren realizes that Sadies might be able to shed some light on his father's motives and actions.
We watch as the commandant recounts his life as a scout and his relationship with the Jaegers. After seeing him as a pillar of strength and discipline early in the first season, it's startling to see the jealous and petty underbelly of his personality. His journey from prideful hubris to a demoralized husk of his former self mirrors what we've seen Eren go through. However, he leaves Eren with a message from his departed mother that shifts his entire frame of mind. After receiving scathing insults from a broken Sadies returning from another failed expedition, Carla responds calmly with an impossibly pure and profoundly important thought: no one has to be innately special or talented to lead a purposeful life. It's so poignant and relevant not only only to Eren as a character but the story as a whole, and I just melt every time the ED begins to play underneath this beautiful expression of a mother's love.
Sadies' perspective fills in spots in our timeline and poses even more questions about Grisha's past and the world outside the walls. While there are many episodes that can be considered masterpieces in this first part of season 3, this one will always hold a special place in my heart.
We watch as the commandant recounts his life as a scout and his relationship with the Jaegers. After seeing him as a pillar of strength and discipline early in the first season, it's startling to see the jealous and petty underbelly of his personality. His journey from prideful hubris to a demoralized husk of his former self mirrors what we've seen Eren go through. However, he leaves Eren with a message from his departed mother that shifts his entire frame of mind. After receiving scathing insults from a broken Sadies returning from another failed expedition, Carla responds calmly with an impossibly pure and profoundly important thought: no one has to be innately special or talented to lead a purposeful life. It's so poignant and relevant not only only to Eren as a character but the story as a whole, and I just melt every time the ED begins to play underneath this beautiful expression of a mother's love.
Sadies' perspective fills in spots in our timeline and poses even more questions about Grisha's past and the world outside the walls. While there are many episodes that can be considered masterpieces in this first part of season 3, this one will always hold a special place in my heart.