Released this week, episode 81 of Attack on Titan premiered titled ‘Thaw.’ Continuing after Eren Jaeger speaks to all Subjects of Ymir explaining his decision to eliminate their enemies. Mikasa, Armin, Jean and Connie alongside a unconscious Falco talk about justifying Eren’s decision. Believing that it may help them in the long run, they also suggest feeding Falco to one of the transformed Eldians like Commander Pyxis. However, the group argues amongst each other but are interrupted when they become confused that the transformed titans aren’t being controlled by Eren or Zeke. Connie uses the moment to grab Falco in hopes of feeding him to his transformed mother. The rest are forced to help the Eldians trapped in the military fort, somehow calling back to events years ago. Elsewhere, Reiner had been severely injured and lost his titan’s armor. He’s helped by Gabi who takes him to a nearby building to allow him to recover in the meantime. Gabi decides to ignore Reiner’s request to warn the world of the oncoming Rumbling of Colossal Titans and search for Falco as her new priority. The Braus family are chased by a small titan and nearly gets Kaya, who is saved by Gabi. Firing several anti-titan rounds in an aerobic fashion in front of her. Mere moment Kaya believes she’s saved by Sasha, but is still grateful that Gabi returned to aid her despite Kaya’s attempt to kill her. At the fort, several young recruits are nearly killed by titans until Commandant Shadis quickly dispatches them. Reminding them of their training and to get nearby ODM gear to help fight them off. Mikasa, Armin and Jean arrive at the fort. Rallying able-bodied soldiers to the rooftop and equip themselves with thunder spears. Destroying wave after wave of titans, the three are distraught at the sight of Commander Pyxis now a titan. They tearfully fire thunder spears to allow him to finally rest peacefully. Afterward, Floch Forster arrives to the fort and tells Yelena to round up the volunteers for an unknown reason. Armin and Mikasa are led to see Gabi by Artur Braus, who pleas to them to help her find Falco. Explaining what happened to Reiner’s Armored Titan losing its armor and himself recovering from the fight. Armin is shocked to hear believing the de-armament of titan hardening also led to… Annie’s shielded cocoon being removed. Which turns out to be the case as we’re left to end the episode there.
‘Thaw’ continues the growing tension and chaos with Eren unleashing the Rumbling. Believing there’s justification in Eren being in the right to protect the ones he loves no matter what may be the consequences. The loss of Zeke Jaeger with a defeated Yelena and Onyankopon being left bewildered that the plan went awry. Reiner somewhere in the ruins of Shiganshina recovering after losing a lot of energy trying to fight and heal. Hopefully he’ll quickly recover in time to help Gabi and defend himself. Connie did after all take Falco to hopefully feed him to his own mother to return her to normal. Doubt that Armin and Mikasa would get the same idea to use Reiner for someone they believe would help. Armin did mention that he wants no further tension with Marleyean forces and the remaining Warriors. Annie having been released from her cocoon is about to enter an upside down world after two years. What will she decide to do?
It earns a 4 out of 5.
Leave a Reply