FGC:Episode 08 Scene 03

A nightmare

Commentary Navigation
<< Back to Scene 02	Episode #08 Scene List	Continue to Scene 04 >>

Screenshots	Cut #	Description/Dialogue	Commentary
	065	Inside the elevator. Misato and the others packed together like sushi. A number of trusses pass by in the foreground. KAJI:“Accompanying her. I'm on a business trip from Germany.” Misato's expression is of annoyance and regret. MISATO:“(Talking to herself) I was careless. This was a fully conceivable situation.” MISATO & ASUKA:“Hey! Don't touch me!” KAJI & TOJI:“I can't help it!”	Line: Cartoonish hilarity continue to ensue in the elevator.... UrsusArctos: How the heck did they manage to cram themselves in that tight? It shouldn't be physically possible. For what it's worth, Shinji's face is squeezed against Misato's chest and he's plainly not enjoying it. And the only happy person is Kensuke, who has a 1000-watt smile on his face as he videotapes...the elevator? Mr. Tines: This whole scene really--Shinji clearly has only pure thoughts regarding Misato, though familiarity with her slatternly habits may be to blame here.
	066	The officer's mess. There is food on the table. Everyone is silent, owing to Misato, who is frowning with her arms crossed and looking away to the side. Kaji is making advances at Misato under the table, poking her feet with his. IN-SHIP ANNOUNCER (FEMALE - RIGHT CHANNEL):“The 3rd Squadron has taken off as scheduled. Will the squadron on duty, the 7th Squadron, please come up to deck number 2.” SE <<Background noise, the sound of a television program (LEFT and OFF)>> KAJI:“Seeing anyone now?”	UrsusArctos: An officer's mess, eh? They're being well-treated, I must say. Kendrix: Note that he’s trying to play footsie under the table. She isn’t withdrawing her feet from his range tho, even though her upper body is turned away. His question here will become relevant later (We later learn that she told him she had a new bf when she dumped him, but that was an excuse)
	067	Misato, disgruntled, with Kaji's head in the foreground. She does not meet his gaze. MISATO:“Is that any of your business?” (Dialogue continues up to Cut 77) An American sitcom-type TV program (background noise). Please make it upbeat and fast-paced. Theatrical play-like. (BGM B-17) MAN:“Ah, why are you so cold?”	UrsusArctos: Pay attention to the TV show dialogue throughout the scene. It gets especially funny towards the end. Zusuchan: Yes, the TV show dialogue is a very thorough examination of what Kaji's and Misato's relationship and feelings towards each other are right now ( if you can get past the over-the-topness of it all).
	068	Kaji speaks in an exaggerated manner while drinking his coffee. KAJI:“(Cheerfully) Oh? That's cold of you.” MISATO:“......” Underneath the table, he tries to move his foot along her leg. Misato moves her legs away. Asuka, Toji, and Kensuke are suspicious of them. Shinji is uncomprehending. WOMAN:“Because my feelings for you have gone cold.”	Kendrix: His very chillaxed, draped-all over body-language wastes no time in creating an impression.
	069	Kaji, with Asuka in the foreground. He leans forward and speaks to Shinji. KAJI:“So you're living together with Katsuragi?” MAN:“Despite it being another sweltering summer day outside, and the temperature more than 40 degrees... What is this!? This freezing cold!”
	070	Shinji, with Asuka in the foreground. SHINJI:“Y-yes.” WOMAN:“My feelings have dipped below freezing. Even this beer has frozen. (Artificially) Oh! It is cold! I need a coat.”
	071	Kaji, his elbows resting on the table, speaks lightly but meaningfully. KAJI:“Her tossing and turning at night, has that gotten any better?” — Pause — SE <<Clatter>> MAN:“It's only your heart — its air conditioning is too effective. Why don't you turn the thermostat up a little?”	Line: Kaji is such a charmer *crushes on him* Your Kaworu is showing, Kaji!
	072	Shock. Asuka, Toji and Kensuke are posed in a state of shock and surprise. Shinji, obtuse and uncomprehending, is smiling. Misato leans backwards. She moves back with each stutter. MISATO:“Wh... wh-!” WOMAN:“You are that air conditioning. You are like an outdoor unit — you alone become warm. What idiocy. No more — stop cooling my heart.”	UrsusArctos: Ah, those gloriously exaggerated facial expressions! Zusuchan: I appreciate how even the script specifically says that Shinji is entirely uncomprehending of the implication in Kaji's question. Kendrix: Ah, so the intention here was that innuendo went over Shinji’s head. I thought his response was just meant to be more subdued.
	073	Misato bursts menacingly into frame. (Her face is all red) MISATO:“Wh-wh-what are you saying?!!” SE <<The sound of cups colliding - clatter clatter>>	UrsusArctos: Funny, eh? Misato's face changes color like a cuttlefish and distends like a balloon. Kaji, in contrast, remains as cool, handsome, and charming as ever ::D . silvermoonlight: I genuinely miss the theme that older anime and manga had with the exaggerated faces as to me it really helped humanize the character, I hope one day they will go back to this as I think it's a brilliant way to show intense emotion while still being hilarious. Plus the greatest strength of NGE was how it could balance its humour and serious tone flipping it like a switch on and off when ever needed.
		Kaji watches Misato's reaction with enjoyment. He asks a question of Shinji. KAJI:“...She hasn't changed, has she? Shinj-kun.”
		Misato looks towards Shinji with sudden embarrassment. MAN:“Let us warm your frozen body, the two of us together!”
	074	Shinji, with Asuka, frozen in shock, in the foreground. (He doesn't understand the meaning of what Kaji has said) SHINJI:“R-right. Huh? How do you know my name?” KAJI (OFF):“Of course I know it.” WOMAN:“Too bad. It isn't you who takes a lighter to my heart, who throws on kindling, who pours on gasoline.”	Kendrix: cf. A similar exchange/line when Kaworu is introduced. Part of it that Shinji, having no great confidence, isn’t likely to toot his own horn, but part of this also comes from his role as an outsider who had nothing to do with Nerv for most of his life. Also, it’s kinda hilarious how Asuka just stays frozen there like a statue. UrsusArctos: That's a really good observation, I completely forgot that Kaworu called Shinji by name first and got a similar response. It's another of those subtle details that show the similarity between Kaji and Kaworu (and Dr. Katsuragi).
	075	Kaji, with Asuka, still frozen, in the foreground. He speaks with an aloof manner. KAJI:“Seeing as you're famous in this sphere.” ASUKA:“... (Looks at Shinji)” Asuka drops her reaction pose, and her face becomes serious. KAJI:“The one who operated an Eva in actual combat without any training whatsoever, the Third...” MAN:“Who is it? Who's the lucky man? Don't tell me it's that man...”	Zusuchan: Asuka drops her reaction pose at the exact moment Kaji calls Shinji famous, which for her translates to him calling Shinji more important than Asuka. Kendrix: The characterization of Kaji as ‘aloof’ is interesting, like he might be holding something back. Though like Misato, he has this immediate urge to mentor the lost kids, telling Shinji to be more confident & apparently having acted as a parental substitute to Asuka. This might be read as sharing some common values or experiences, I guess. Like general extroversion, cultivating a charming veneer, wanting to make up for their survival guilt through good deeds or something etc. Since the Manga gives him this backstory as a war orphan, my headcanon has been that all the kids remind him a bit of either his younger self or his dead brother (if he exists in this continuity) UrsusArctos: Since you brought up meeting Kaworu in the last cut, I actually see why Kaji is characterized as 'aloof'. Kaworu straight-up tells Shinji "Not to be rude, but I think you should be aware of your position" while Kaji gives the explanation without directly telling Shinji what he thinks he should do (resulting in Shinji being embarrassed/slightly defensive in the next cut). And Shinji is later shown to be highly dependent on people who care about him or who are above him to tell him what to do.
	076	Shinji, embarrassed. Asuka looks at him scornfully. KAJI (OFF):“...Child.” SHINJI:“Oh, no... it was just by accident.” KAJI (OFF):“Accident is a part of destiny. It was talent, your talent.” ASUKA:“......” WOMAN:“It isn't. It's this puppy!” SE <<Yap yap (If possible, have it emulate the sound of the woman's voice)>>	Sailor Star Dust: Asuka immediately refusing to lose to wanko-kun... dzzthink: This bit also has a closeup zoom to Asuka's face, which I think really highlights her envy and possibly foreshadows there is worse to come. Kendrix: Shinji is immediately uncomfortable with the hero/ chosen one treatment. For one thing, it really was luck (or the work of Yui) & given all the stuff he’s been through it probably didn’t feel like winning. But there’s also probably a shade of Jonah Complex/ Imposter syndrome here & being unable to imagine himself as an important person, & being uncomfortable with attention (which is unfamiliar and might – or, in this case, explicitly does attract ill-will)
	077	Kaji stands up. Kensuke and Toji remain frozen in place. Misato is out of step with the conversation. KAJI:“Well, see you later.” SHINJI:“Okay.” MAN:“What are you saying? Have I lost to this cute little puppy?”
	078	Misato is muttering with her head in her hands. MISATO:“(Muttering something)” WOMAN:“Yes, you have. This puppy isn't fussy the way someone I know is.” SE <<"Wa ha ha ha ha," laughter plays on a television program (an American sitcom).>>	UrsusArctos: The background dialogue in this scene has been a source of nonstop hilarity, but here comes a hidden clue as to why Misato likes Shinji so much. He's not fussy, he's not messy, in many ways he's exactly the opposite of Kaji, and that makes him someone to adore in Misato's eyes.
	079	Kaji and Asuka on a port side walkway on the outside of the ship. Asuka is playing around on the railing. KAJI:“What do you think of Shinji Ikari?” ASUKA:“He's a boring kid. To think that that's the chosen Third Child. I'm disappointed.” KAJI:“And yet, in a real combat, without preparation, his sync ratio easily exceeded forty percent.” WOMAN (ANNOUNCEMENT):“5th Squadron has departed. They are expected to return on schedule.”	Line: Oooh beware Asuka, to not fall off the railing! Javi2541997: She is always showing off something. This time she is making physical exercise in the bars while speaking with Kaji. Kendrix: There are many scenes that casually show her to be very fit (as expected of someone who had military training), she will often do kicks and jumps and quick impulsive movements without effort. For all that she superficially acts more ‘normal’, we can’t really forget that she had a very un-normal upbringing. This helps to create a sense of fearsomeness or dominance about her especially for the characters her own age, but it goes beyond that to a basic sense of being very at home in her physicality – she gestures a lot, she points, she takes action quickly, moving bold & decisive with little reluctance, in a way that Shinji & Rei very much don’t, as both have more in-your-head, in-their-own-world sort of personality types, probably with a tendency to tune out both the world and certain parts of their internal processes & being more disconnected from their instincts and wants. UrsusArctos: How much of it is military training and how much of it is athletic training? Asuka certainly has had some (para)military training from Nerv and we see her demonstrate her tactical knowledge in Episode 11. However, her tendency for insubordination is decidedly not military.
	080	Asuka, expressing a reaction. ASUKA:“No way.”	UrsusArctos: This one little reaction hints at the one thing Asuka truly values: piloting. She equates herself to her skill as a pilot, and she extends that assessment to Shinji. Line: ...And "No way!" to how this poor railing can support your such huge ego, Asuka :) SEELE-01: The first real confrontation Asuka had with the idea that being an Eva pilot was something truly special that set her apart, instead of the Freudian nightmare it really was. To Asuka, it is not that Shinji (and later, by extent, Rei) are as good as her: it means she is as "bad" as the other two. Kendrix: It is important that they let us see his honestly startled response in a ‘private’ conversation – without this, the next scene would probably look a bit different.
	081	An escalator going up. TOJI:“I just can't stand that captain.” Seen from below. MISATO:“He's a man of great pride.”	UrsusArctos: As far as I know, no warship uses an escalator, and there's a variety of reasons for that. I guess this was artistic license to avoid the complexity of depicting the characters clambering up ladders and through hatches, at the same time keeping things more serious than the previous elevator scene. Kensuke, true to form, thinks even an escalator is worth obsessing about if it's on an aircraft carrier.
	082	The scene from above. Misato puffs out her cheeks. When Kaji's name comes up she quickly becomes angry. MISATO:“That leads him to want to make a few sarcastic remarks.” SHINJI:“He's an interesting person, full of life. Kaji-san, I mean.” MISATO:“He's always been like that, the idiot.”	Kendrix: Aaand Asuka can’t tolerate Kaji's praise even for a moment & must immediately assert her dominance. People with that sort of narcisisstic and/or domineering streak can be extremely predictable in that sense. Note how she avoids using his name, putting the emphasis on his title instead. It kinda goes with how she tends to assign people predetermined roles in her own narrative, projecting stuff onto them (ep 25: “You are looking for yourself in others”) more than she really gets to know them. So she calls them their titles or mean nicknames (“Honor student”, “Baka”) more often than their names cause she’s literally seeing them as caricatures (D& R booklet “those two must be beneath her”) Additional Commentary   Kendrix: Of course this is because all her life, she’s been preparing for this, training & exercising while most other kids were playing outside, & now comes the time that is supposed to justify all of this, make it so her suffering & deprivation wasn’t in vain, to give her life value & meaning, so she’s very invested in seeing it all go like the narrative in her head. At first, she appears to love the job & be proud of it in total contrast to Shinji, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t suffer. She may not complain like Shinji does but that’s only cause she doesn’t want to see herself as a victim or otherwise helpless (like a child) even when she objectively is. We don’t get a pilot who actually likes it until the Rebuilds. In Shinji’s case she sort of starts to use his name after Misato makes them move in (though it’s often part of mockery – “bake Shinji”, “invincible Shinji-sama” etc.) - by contrast I don’t think Asuka and Rei ever use each other’s names outside of some spinoff video games that weren’t consistent with this. Rei calls her “the pilot of unit two” which doesn’t quite have the same vibe as citing the Marduk designation like a title/identity, but it suggests a cool, purely professional relation & no interest in changing that which Asuka tends to parse as deliberate diss or superiority, a very common introvert/extrovert misunderstanding especially among young ppl with limited experience or social skill.
		Shinji, called by Asuka, turns around. ASUKA (OFF):“Third Child!” SHINJI:“?”
	083	Asuka standing at the top of the escalator, blocking the way.	Kendrix: This is probably the first instance of Asuka’s very consistent habit of putting herself in a position of superiority (often deliberately standing on higher ground) when relating to others, a really forced need for dominance. If she were a guy we would probably describe it as “macho” or “wannabe alpha male”. But while society may enable its excess in boys & punish it in girls, this is more down to upbringing + personality type than gender. It’s probably no coincidence that she’s so popular in the USA which has a very unforgiving, success obsessed, “every man for himself” culture. The dumber fans like her because she seems to act like that ideal (just like there are people who idolize Tyler Durden, Rick Sanchez, the Clockwork Orange guy…there’s a significant overlap with the “Shinji is a pussy” crowd), the more intelligent ones emphasize with the great suffering and isolation that this ultimately self-destructive attitude causes her because they probably relate to it.
	084	Close-up of Asuka at a slightly low angle. She has a domineering manner. ASUKA:“Come with me!”	UrsusArctos: She is so domineering because she is impressed with Shinji and fearful of losing her status at the same time. Classic Asuka. We'll get to see plenty more of this! Javi2541997: First time Asuka challenges Shinji. We will see this during the anime a lot! I guess she believes in him since the beginning.

Commentary Navigation
<< Back to Scene 02	Episode #08 Scene List	Continue to Scene 04 >>