RITSUKO:“If Shinji's lost, it's your fault. Don't forget that!”
UrsusArctos: This episode went from Ritsuko's friendly ribbing of Misato to genuine hostility between the two of them. The slap marks the end of their friendship, although it doesn't truly hit its nadir until Episode 23. Truly, it isn't just Shinji's psyche that is subject to stark extremes here.
