Episode 12: Difference between revisions

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{{Episode Infobox
{{Episode Infobox
| number = #12
| number = #12
| japanese_title = The Value of a Miracle is...
| japanese_title_k  =  奇跡の価値は
|japanese_title_r = Kiseki no Kachi wa
| japanese_title_e = The Value of a Miracle is...  
| english_title  = She Said, "Don't Make Others Suffer for Your Personal Hatred."
| english_title  = She Said, "Don't Make Others Suffer for Your Personal Hatred."
| image =  
| image = [[Image:Misatos_Intuition.jpg|260px]]
| written_by = [[Hideaki Anno]], [[Akio Satsukawa]]
| written_by = [[Hideaki Anno]], [[Akio Satsukawa]]
| directed_by = [[Hiroyuki Ishido]]
| directed_by = [[Hiroyuki Ishido]]
| first_aired = 12-20-1995
| first_aired = 12-20-1995
| video_release    = 7-5-1996 (Japan-Video/LD), 2-13-2001 (US-DVD)
| angels    = [[Sahaquiel]]
| angels    = [[Sahaquiel]]
| eva_sorties = [[Evangelion Unit-00|Eva-00]], [[Evangelion Unit-01|Eva-01]], [[Evangelion Unit-02|Eva-02]]
| prev = [[Episode 11]]
| prev = [[Episode 11]]
| next = [[Episode 13]]
| next = [[Episode 13]]
Line 13: Line 17:


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Misato Katsuragi|Misato]] has been promoted to Major, but the celebration is cut short when the next [[Angels|Angel]] appears, in Earth orbit.  Is there any way to stop a multi-ton enemy from hurling itself from space onto Tokyo-3?
[[Misato Katsuragi|Misato]] has been promoted to Major<ref>Misato is promoted from Captain to Major as of this episode.  For practical purposes, this doesn't really change any character dynamics in the series:  she was already head of the Tactical Operations division of Nerv, and she doesn't now outrank anyone we know of that she didn't before.</ref>, but the celebration does not last long. A monstrous Angel appears in Earth orbit right when [[Gendo Ikari|Gendo]] and [[Kozo Fuyutsuki|Fuyutsuki]] are away, leaving her and the children to deal with a colossal kamikaze threatening to drop itself right on top of Tokyo-3.


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
The episode begins with a flashback, as [[Second Impact]] occurs at Antacrtica.  Misato's father, [[Dr. Katsuragi]], saves her life by shoving her into an escape capsule as [[Adam]], in [[Giant of Light]] form briefly appears.  Giant wings appear over the cloud vortex over Antarctica as the capsule floats to safety.
The episode begins with a flashback: as [[Second Impact]] occurs at Antarctica, [[Misato]]'s father, [[Dr. Katsuragi]], saves her life by shoving her into an escape capsule. [[Adam]]<ref>Adam is seen as a "giant of light", bearing an unmistakable resemblance to an Evangelion and glowing all over except for its [[core]] and eyes (normally, the core and eyes are the ''only'' bioluminescent parts in Angels and Evas).</ref>, in [[Giant of Light]] form, is briefly seen, and giant wings appear in the cloud vortex over Antarctica as the capsule<ref>The survival pod that Misato's father put her into looks somewhat similar to an Entry Plug: it is possible that this was an earlier technology which was later developed into the Entry Plug.</ref> floats to safety<ref>Twin pillars of light are seen rising at the end of the flashback. These may or may not be the base of Adam's wings of light. In [[Evangelion: Death and Rebirth]], the wings of light are also seen with red dots of light flying around them.</ref>. Misato watches it all unfold from a distance, clutching a bleeding injury at her right side.<ref>The origin of Misato's scar, first seen in [[Episode 10]], are now fully explained. Her sternum is wounded and bloodied over the region where the scar is later seen.</ref> Back in the present day in [[Tokyo-3]], Misato regards a large scar on the right side of her abdomen in a mirror, a permanent reminder of Second Impact.  


Back in the present in [[Tokyo 3]], [[Toji Suzuhara|Toji]] and [[Kensuke Aida|Kensuke]] drop into Misato's appartment to take shelter from the rain. Kensuke notices that Misato has been promoted to Major, (a fact which has completely escaped [[Shinji Ikari|Shinji]] and [[Asuka Langley Soryu|Asuka]]), and he and Toji congratulate her.  Misato thanks them and remindes Shinji and Asuka that they have a harmonics test that day.
[[Toji Suzuhara|Toji]] and [[Kensuke Aida|Kensuke]] drop into Misato's apartment to take shelter from the rain. Kensuke notices that Misato has been promoted to Major, (a fact which has completely escaped [[Shinji Ikari|Shinji]] and [[Asuka Langley Soryu|Asuka]]), and he and Toji congratulate her.  Misato thanks them and reminds Shinji and Asuka that they have a harmonics test that day.


[[Ritsuko Akagi|Ritsuko]] reveals after the test that Shinji's [[Synch Rate]] is rapidly rising and he will soon catch up to Asuka.  This doesn't seem to impress Asuka, who reacts angrily.
[[Ritsuko Akagi|Ritsuko]] reveals after the test that Shinji's synch rate is rapidly rising and he will soon catch up to Asuka.  This doesn't seem to impress Asuka, who reacts angrily. Later, as Misato drives home with Shinji, he belatedly congratulates her on her promotion. Misato thanks him, but admits she honestly isn't too thrilled about it. Shinji replies that he can relate; he might have done well in the harmonics test today, but he doesn't care all that much about it, and all he really seemed to get out of it was making Asuka upset. Misato tells him that he worries too much about what other people think of him.


When they arrive home, they find that Kensuke has arranged a party to celebrate Misato's promotion.  Toji wonders why [[Hikari Horaki|Hikari]], the Class Rep, is there, and Asuka replies that she has invited her. Asuka then begins to wonder why [[Ryoji Kaji|Kaji]] is late.  [[Rei Ayanami|Rei]] has turned down her invitation. Meanwhile, Shinji whispers to Misato that he's uncomfortable around that many people. When Shinji asks her why she joined Nerv, Misato claims to have forgotten. When Kaji finally arrives, he has Ritsuko with him, causing Misato and Asuka to both react jealously.  Kaji comments that Commander [[Gendo Ikari|Ikari]] and Vice Commander [[Kozo Fuyutsuki|Fuyutsuki]] must have a lot of faith in Misato to go away and leave her in charge.
When they arrive home, they find that Kensuke has arranged a party to celebrate Misato's promotion.  Toji wonders why [[Hikari Horaki|Hikari]]<ref>As previously seen in [[Episode 9]], when Hikari comes over for the party she is having a lot of fun playing with [[Pen Pen]]:  when Misato has to send Pen Pen away from Tokyo-3 for safekeeping in [[Episode 24]], she says she's sending him to stay with Hikari's family.</ref>, the Class Rep, is there, and Asuka replies that she has invited her. Asuka then begins to wonder why [[Ryoji Kaji|Kaji]] is late.  [[Rei Ayanami|Rei]] has turned down her invitation. Meanwhile, Misato notices that Shinji looks uncomfortable, and asks him if he is okay, to which he admits that he isn't used to be around this many people. Shinji turns the subject back to to her promotion, saying that it most mean that people are noticing the good work she has been doing. Misato replies, that while she is a little happy that her efforts are acknowledged, getting praise from her superiors wasn't the reason why she chose to work for Nerv. Puzzled, Shinji asks why she joined Nerv in the first place, to which Misato claims that it was so long ago that she has forgotten. When Kaji finally arrives, he has Ritsuko with him, causing Misato and Asuka to both react jealously.  Kaji comments that Commander [[Gendo Ikari|Ikari]] and Vice Commander [[Kozo Fuyutsuki|Fuyutsuki]] must have a lot of faith in Misato to go away and leave her in charge.


In Antarctica, Gendo and Fuyutsuki are onboard an aircraft carrier in a sea of orange.  The surrounding area has become incapable of sustaining life; Fuyutsuki comments that it is the true Dead Sea.  Also on board the deck is a mysterious long object in wrappings. Just then they receive a message that the next Angel has begun its attack.
In Antarctica<ref>The reason for Gendo and Fuyutsuki's trip to Antarctica is not revealed in this episode, however, they bring back a large [[Spear of Longinus|mysterious object wrapped in tarps]], which is longer than an aircraft carrier's flight deck.  This will be seen again in [[Episode 14]].</ref>, Gendo and Fuyutsuki are onboard an aircraft carrier in a sea of red.  The surrounding area has become incapable of sustaining life; Fuyutsuki comments that it is the true Dead Sea.  Also on board, the deck is a mysterious long object in wrappings. Just then they receive a message that the next Angel has begun its attack.


The 10th Angel, Sahaquiel, is colossal in size and one of the most bizarre Angels in appearance, looking like a gigantic amoeba with a huge central eye. Its strategy is to zero in on Nerv, dropping pieces of itself onto the Earth to calibrate its aim. Each piece has its own A.T. Field, which, combined with very high kinetic energy, cause devastation wherever they strike.  It is believed that once the Angel finds its target, the main body will plummet to Earth.  Even a near miss will convert Tokyo-3 into an extension of the Pacific Ocean .  Misato orders all civilians evacuated in a 50 KM radius, and concocts what seems to be an impossible plan.  Using their [[A.T. Fields]] at full strength, the three Evas will catch the falling Angel with their hands and then destroy it. Ritsuko accuses Misato of putting her quest for revenge ahead of the mission.  
The tenth Angel, [[Sahaquiel]], is colossal in size and one of the most bizarre Angels in appearance, looking like a giant amoeba with a huge central eye. Its strategy is to zero in on Nerv, dropping pieces of itself onto the Earth to calibrate its aim. Each piece has its own [[A.T. Field]], which, combined with very high kinetic energy, causing devastation wherever they strike.  It is believed that once the Angel finds its target, the main body will plummet to Earth.  Even a near miss will convert Tokyo-3 into an extension of the Pacific Ocean.  Misato orders all civilians evacuated in a fifty-kilometer radius<ref>Misato mentions that if Tokyo-3 and Nerv HQ have to be evacuated, they will move the [[Magi]] supercomputers to [[Matsushiro]].  Matsushiro is on the outskirts of [[Tokyo-2]], and later in [[Episode 18]] we will see that Nerv has a secondary testing facility there.
*Special order "D-17", which can be declared under Nerv's authority, is the order to evacuate all civilians within a 50-kilometer radius of Tokyo-3.</ref>, and concocts what seems to be an impossible plan.  Using their A.T. Fields at full strength, the three Evas will catch the falling Angel with their hands and then destroy it. Ritsuko accuses Misato of putting her quest for revenge ahead of the mission<ref>Another instance of Misato and Ritsuko clashing. Ritsuko is a highly logical thinker, and she strongly disagrees with Misato's placement of the Evas on pure guesswork.</ref>.  


Misato briefs the pilots on the mission. They all decline to write a will. She then promises them a steak dinner if they succeed. Rei passes on the steak because she dislikes meat. When Misato is asked how she determined where to station the Evas (the potential impact zone is miles across), she replies, "intuition." Shinji tells Asuka that Misato has never won the lottery.
Misato briefs the pilots on the mission. Asuka points out the extreme danger of her plan, and the improbability of it succeeding, but when Misato tells them that they are free to refuse the mission, none of them do. Misato then informs that due to the danger associated with the mission, she is required to offer them the opportunity to write a will; they decline this too. She then promises them a steak dinner<ref>Due to the hardships caused by Second Impact, Misato thinks of a steak dinner as something quite extravagant.  (As it is in Japan today, even without Second Impact.)</ref> if they succeed. Shinji and Asuka feign enthusiasm about this at first, but when Misato is out of earshot, they both admit that is a petty reward for such a dangerous mission. Rei, meanwhile, passes on the steak because she dislikes meat. When Misato is asked how she determined where to station the Evas (the potential impact zone is miles across), she replies, "intuition." A concerned Shinji tells Asuka that Misato has never won the lottery.


On their way to their evas, Shinji asks Asuka why she pilots. She replies that she wants to prove something to the world. When she throws the question back at him, he doesn't have an answer.   
On their way to their Evas, Shinji asks Asuka why she pilots. She replies that she wants to prove something to the world. When she throws the question back at him, he doesn't have an answer.   


We are then shown a flashback to a conversation Shinji and Misato must have had a short time before. She admits that she joined Nerv to avenge her father, even though she had hated him for neglecting her and her mother.
As the pilots are stationed in their Evas at their designated points, Shinji has a flashback to a conversation he and Misato must have had a short time before. She refers back to his earlier question about why she joined Nerv. She tells him at her reason has to do with her father. He was a distant and emotionally unavailable man, who neglected his family in favor of his work, and in her childhood, Misato hated him for making her mother cry all the time. When her mother finally requested a divorce, her father was shocked, but she was happy about it, because she believed he deserved it. But then he selflessly sacrificed his own life to save hers during Second Impact, and then she was no longer sure whether she loved or hated him. Misato finally admits that her real reason for joining Nerv might be because she wants revenge on her father, and she hopes that by destroying the Angels she might be able to finally free herself of him. Shinji recognizes a lot of himself in Misato's story, as her complicated relationship with her father reminds him of his own with Gendo.


The time comes at last. The Evas race to the impact spot, Shinji arriving first. He struggles to hold up the Angel until Rei and Asuka join him. Rei '''cuts through Sahaquiel's A.T. Field''' with her [[Progressive Knife]], and Asuka uses hers to destroy the Angel's core.  Another mission has been successful against tremendous odds. Gendo calls, and when Misato tries to apologize for the damage done to [[Evangelion Unit-01|Unit-01]], he tells her she did well.  He then specifically asks to speak with Shinji and tells him, "Good work."  The pilots have mercy on Misato's pocketbook and go to a ramen place instead of a steakhouse.  Even Rei goes along, ordering garlic ramen with no pork.  Shinji tells Misato that he pilots because he wants to hear words of praise from his father. 
The time comes at last. The Evas race to the impact spot, Shinji arriving first. He struggles to hold up the Angel until Rei and Asuka join him. Rei proceeds to expose Sahaquiel's core with her [[Progressive Knife]]<ref>First and only time that Eva-00's prog knife is seen: it is only seen briefly, but it appears to be visually identical to the knife used by Eva-01.</ref>, and Asuka uses her knife to stab the now vulnerable core, causing the Angel to self-destruct; another mission has been successful against tremendous odds.


End of episode.
At the debriefing, Gendo calls in, and when Misato tries to apologize for the damage done to [[Eva-01]], he tells her she did well. He then specifically asks to speak with Shinji and tells him, "Good work."<ref>Gendo's audio-only transmission from the end of the episode says that he is transmitting from a ship designated "DDG-099", which is the real-life designation of the ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer USS ''Farragut'' although [[Warships_in_Evangelion#DDG-099_Farragut|this ship did not exist when the show was in production]].</ref> Shinji is very surprised by this.
 
Misato takes the pilots on an evening trip to New Miyanoshita for their promised dinner. Misato privately frets over the costs, but the pilots say that they will show mercy on her pocketbook. Asuka has found a ramen place instead of a steakhouse, which offers a vegetarian option too, so that Rei can also join them for dinner. As the group sit down to eat, Shinji muses on the words of praise he got from his father earlier. He admits to Misato that his reason for piloting might be because he wants to hear those words from him.


==Notes==
==Notes==
*Misato is promoted from Captain to Major as of this episode.  For practical purposes, this doesn't really change any character dynamics in the series: she was already head of the Tactical Operations division of Nerv, and she doesn't now outrank anyone we know of that she didn't before.
*The message written in three lines on the sign put on the door to Misato's apartment for the party, written in Japanese characters says: "Congratulations On Your Promotion/Celebration Spot/Reserved Today"
*Although Second Impact has been referred to as a historical event since the second episode, in this episode an extended flashback is given of Misato's first hand experience during Second Impact while in Antarctica.
*Misato is wearing a sash at the party the kids throw for her, with writing on it that translates as "Congratulations on your promotion to Major".
*The origin of Misato's scar, first seen in [[Episode 10]], are now fully explained. Her sternum is wounded and bloodied over the region where the scar is later seen.
*Misato is seen drinking "Boa" brand beer again, last seen in [[Episode 10]], as opposed to her favored [[Yebisu]] brand from [[Episode 02]] (possibly as a result of the network that the series first aired on complaining that they didn't want to give the real-world Yebisu beer company unpaid publicity).
*Adam is seen as a "giant of light", bearing an unmistakable resemblance to an Evangelion and glowing all over except for her [[core]] and eyes (normally, the core and eyes are the ''only'' bioluminescent parts in Angels and Evas).
*Twin pillars of light are seen rising at the end of the flashback. These may or may not be the base of Adam's wings of light. In [[Evangelion: Death and Rebirth]], the wings of light are also seen with red dots of light flying around them.
**The imagery of twin pillars of light is seen during the battle against the Angel Ramiel.
*The scenes depicting Second Impact bear some parallels to the historical bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. In particular, the body damage suffered by Doctor Katsuragi (melting skin, burning clothes, etc.) strongly resembles actual accounts of nuclear bomb victims.
*A.T. Fields can oppose each other and act as a barrier to each other as well - Eva-01's A.T. Field blocks Sahaquiel's A.T. Field and keeps the Angel suspended in the air (although demanding a lot of physical strength from the Eva itself) before the other two Evas arrive.
*First and only time that Eva-00's prog knife is seen:  it is visually identical to the knife used by Eva-01.
*As Fuyutsuki notes, Sahaquiel has found a new way to use an A.T. Field, actually using it offensively to crush satellites observing it.  Some later Angels will also use their A.T. Fields as weapons, and even the Evangelions will eventually use them this way.
*The reason for Gendo and Fuyutsuki's trip to Antarctica is not revealed in this episode, however, they bring back a large [[Spear of Longinus|mysterious object wrapped in tarmac]], which is longer than an aircraft carrier's flight deck.  This will be seen again in [[Episode 14]].
*Rei states that she "dislikes eating meat" (which is what the official English dub also says, though some translations have gone as far as having Rei say that she "hates" eating meat), which seems to indicate that she is a vegetarian.  Series creator [[Hideaki Anno]] is himself a vegetarian.


==Analysis==  
==Analysis==  
*[[Sahaquiel]] is the first Angel to appear in orbit. However, it seems unlikely that Second Impact simply blew Sahaquiel's egg into orbit- [[Sandalphon]] emerged from its cocoon in [[Episode 10]] at full adult size. Assuming Sahaquiel to be the same, it seems impossible that an object so huge could go undetected in Earth orbit for so long, while Sahaquiel was in a pupal state.
*It seems unlikely that a chrysalis large enough to hold Sahaquiel stayed undetected in orbit for 15 years.<ref>See [[Theory and Analysis:Angels' Origins]] for details.</ref>
**Since it is never revealed where any of the Angels directly come from (except Sandalphon), Sahaquiel's cocoon was probably somewhere else on the Earth, perhaps in the desolate southern Indian Ocean near Antarctica, in orbit over which it was first discovered, and where it could simply have launched itself into orbit undetected.
*Adam's shoulder pylons are similar to those found on the Evangelions, and thus seem to be artificial restraints added by the research team (just as they are not biologically part of the Evas, either). A still-shot of the Katsuragi expedition digging up Adam (seen in the extended opening given on the ''Renewal of Evangelion'' Test-type disk) shows Adam lying face down, skewered on the [[Spear of Longinus|Spear]], and lacking shoulder pylons.<ref>[http://wiki.evageeks.org/Image:Full-op_C234_adam-spear.jpg Adam immobilized by the Spear]</ref>
*The unusual darkness of the core might indicate that Adam's soul is no longer present inside, or it might be symbolic of extreme power, as seen in End of Evangelion. The [[Lilith]] superbeing in End of Evangelion first appears in Rei's form, with glowing skin and dark eyes while herself being in a state of extreme power.
 
*"Wings of light" are also symbolic of power. Unlike the Lilith superbeing's wings, Adam's wings do not appear to be physical. When [[Eva-01]] first sprouts wings, they are eerily similar to Adam's own wings.
*Adam's shoulder pylons are artificial restraints, similar to those later seen on the Evangelions, and not part of her natural body. These may be related to the contact experiment mentioned in [[Episode 21]].
*Another instance of Misato and Ritsuko clashing- Ritsuko is a highly logical thinker, and she strongly disagrees with Misato's placement of the Evas on pure guesswork.
*Misato's true motives for joining Nerv are explained. Her hatred of the angels seems to drive her to any length to destroy them, even though it may not be the most sensible of methods. Conversely, in both this episode and in [[Episode 5]], Misato's determination has saved the situation in spite of extremely low odds.


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
*(Shinji wonders why his improved performance Angers Asuka)<br>'''Shinji:''' "I wonder why she got mad.  What did I do wrong?"<br>'''Misato:''' "That bothers you?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Yes."<br>'''Misato:''' "That's because all you ever do is worry about what other people think."  
*''(Shinji wonders why his improved performance angers Asuka)''<br>'''Shinji:''' "I wonder why she got mad.  What did I do wrong?"<br>'''Misato:''' "That bothers you?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Yes."<br>'''Misato:''' "That's because all you ever do is worry about what other people think."  
*(Ritsuko confronts Misato about her plan)<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "You're going to do this, seriously?"<br>'''Misato:''' "Yes, I am."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "You're going to throw away all three Evas with your selfish decision? The chance of success is only 0.00001%. That's not even one in ten thousand!"<br>'''Misato:''' "It's not zero; I'm just banking on the Evas."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "Major Katsuragi!"<br>'''Misato:''' "I am currently in charge. I want to do whatever I can. Destroying Angels is my duty."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "Your duty! Don't make me laugh, This is for your own sake, isn't it? Your revenge against the Angels!
*''(The readouts from a synchronization test show that Shinji's synch ratio is improving at a remarkable rate)''<br>'''Maya Ibuki''':  "His harmonics and synch ratios are approaching Asuka's."<br>'''Ritsuko''':  "Is this what you call a gift, I wonder?"<br>'''Nerv technician''': "It's like he was born to pilot an Eva."
*(The pilots prepare for their mission.)<br>'''Shinji:''' "Say."<br>'''Asuka:''' "What?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Asuka, why do you pilot an Eva?"<br>'''Asuka:''' "To exhibit my talent to the world, of course."<br>'''Shinji:''' "You mean to prove that you exist?"<br>'''Asuka:''' "Yeah, something like that."  (Looks at Rei)  "You're not going to ask her?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "I've asked Ayanami before."<br>'''Asuka:''' "Mmmm...My, how intimate the two of you are."<br>'''Shinji:''' "It's not like that."<br>'''Asuka:''' "Then what about you, Shinji?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "I don't know."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You don't know?  What are you, stupid?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Maybe I am."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You really are stupid."
*'''Misato''': "Miracles have value only when we make them happen"
*(The characters celebrate their victory over Ramen.)<br>'''Shinji:''' "Say, miss Misato?"<br>'''Misato:''' "What?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "When I heard my father's words earlier, I think I finally understood what it's like to feel happy when you're praised and I also realized that maybe I pilot the Eva because I wanted to hear those words from him."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You're piloting for something like that?  You really are stupid."
*''(Ritsuko confronts Misato about her plan)''<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "You're going to do this, seriously?"<br>'''Misato:''' "Yes, I am."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "You're going to throw away all three Evas with your selfish decision? The chance of success is only 0.00001%. That's not even one in ten thousand!"<br>'''Misato:''' "It's not zero; I'm just banking on the Evas."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "Major Katsuragi!"<br>'''Misato:''' "I am currently in charge. I want to do whatever I can. Destroying Angels is my duty."<br>'''Ritsuko:''' "Your duty! Don't make me laugh, This is for your own sake, isn't it? Your revenge against the Angels!
*''(The pilots prepare for their mission.)''<br>'''Shinji:''' "Say."<br>'''Asuka:''' "What?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Asuka, why do you pilot an Eva?"<br>'''Asuka:''' "To exhibit my talent to the world, of course."<br>'''Shinji:''' "You mean to prove that you exist?"<br>'''Asuka:''' "Yeah, something like that."  (Looks at Rei)  "You're not going to ask her?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "I've asked Ayanami before."<br>'''Asuka:''' "Mmmm...My, how intimate the two of you are."<br>'''Shinji:''' "It's not like that."<br>'''Asuka:''' "Then what about you, Shinji?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "I don't know."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You don't know?  What are you, stupid?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "Maybe I am."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You really are stupid."
*''(The characters celebrate their victory over Ramen.)''<br>'''Shinji:''' "Say, miss Misato?"<br>'''Misato:''' "What?"<br>'''Shinji:''' "When I heard my father's words earlier, I think I finally understood what it's like to feel happy when you're praised and I also realized that maybe I pilot the Eva because I wanted to hear those words from him."<br>'''Asuka:''' "You're piloting for something like that?  You really are stupid."


==References==
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{{Episode List}}
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[[Category: Neon Genesis Evangelion Episodes]]
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Revision as of 10:19, 4 June 2022

Episode Information
Episode #12
Title 1: 奇跡の価値は
Kiseki no Kachi wa
The Value of a Miracle is...
Title 2: She Said, "Don't Make Others Suffer for Your Personal Hatred."
Written By Hideaki Anno, Akio Satsukawa
Directed By Hiroyuki Ishido
First Aired 12-20-1995
Video Release Date 7-5-1996 (Japan-Video/LD), 2-13-2001 (US-DVD)
Angel Appearances Sahaquiel
Eva Sorties Eva-00, Eva-01, Eva-02
Episode chronology
← Previous Next →
"Episode 11" "Episode 13"

Overview

Misato has been promoted to Major[1], but the celebration does not last long. A monstrous Angel appears in Earth orbit right when Gendo and Fuyutsuki are away, leaving her and the children to deal with a colossal kamikaze threatening to drop itself right on top of Tokyo-3.

Synopsis

The episode begins with a flashback: as Second Impact occurs at Antarctica, Misato's father, Dr. Katsuragi, saves her life by shoving her into an escape capsule. Adam[2], in Giant of Light form, is briefly seen, and giant wings appear in the cloud vortex over Antarctica as the capsule[3] floats to safety[4]. Misato watches it all unfold from a distance, clutching a bleeding injury at her right side.[5] Back in the present day in Tokyo-3, Misato regards a large scar on the right side of her abdomen in a mirror, a permanent reminder of Second Impact.

Toji and Kensuke drop into Misato's apartment to take shelter from the rain. Kensuke notices that Misato has been promoted to Major, (a fact which has completely escaped Shinji and Asuka), and he and Toji congratulate her. Misato thanks them and reminds Shinji and Asuka that they have a harmonics test that day.

Ritsuko reveals after the test that Shinji's synch rate is rapidly rising and he will soon catch up to Asuka. This doesn't seem to impress Asuka, who reacts angrily. Later, as Misato drives home with Shinji, he belatedly congratulates her on her promotion. Misato thanks him, but admits she honestly isn't too thrilled about it. Shinji replies that he can relate; he might have done well in the harmonics test today, but he doesn't care all that much about it, and all he really seemed to get out of it was making Asuka upset. Misato tells him that he worries too much about what other people think of him.

When they arrive home, they find that Kensuke has arranged a party to celebrate Misato's promotion. Toji wonders why Hikari[6], the Class Rep, is there, and Asuka replies that she has invited her. Asuka then begins to wonder why Kaji is late. Rei has turned down her invitation. Meanwhile, Misato notices that Shinji looks uncomfortable, and asks him if he is okay, to which he admits that he isn't used to be around this many people. Shinji turns the subject back to to her promotion, saying that it most mean that people are noticing the good work she has been doing. Misato replies, that while she is a little happy that her efforts are acknowledged, getting praise from her superiors wasn't the reason why she chose to work for Nerv. Puzzled, Shinji asks why she joined Nerv in the first place, to which Misato claims that it was so long ago that she has forgotten. When Kaji finally arrives, he has Ritsuko with him, causing Misato and Asuka to both react jealously. Kaji comments that Commander Ikari and Vice Commander Fuyutsuki must have a lot of faith in Misato to go away and leave her in charge.

In Antarctica[7], Gendo and Fuyutsuki are onboard an aircraft carrier in a sea of red. The surrounding area has become incapable of sustaining life; Fuyutsuki comments that it is the true Dead Sea. Also on board, the deck is a mysterious long object in wrappings. Just then they receive a message that the next Angel has begun its attack.

The tenth Angel, Sahaquiel, is colossal in size and one of the most bizarre Angels in appearance, looking like a giant amoeba with a huge central eye. Its strategy is to zero in on Nerv, dropping pieces of itself onto the Earth to calibrate its aim. Each piece has its own A.T. Field, which, combined with very high kinetic energy, causing devastation wherever they strike. It is believed that once the Angel finds its target, the main body will plummet to Earth. Even a near miss will convert Tokyo-3 into an extension of the Pacific Ocean. Misato orders all civilians evacuated in a fifty-kilometer radius[8], and concocts what seems to be an impossible plan. Using their A.T. Fields at full strength, the three Evas will catch the falling Angel with their hands and then destroy it. Ritsuko accuses Misato of putting her quest for revenge ahead of the mission[9].

Misato briefs the pilots on the mission. Asuka points out the extreme danger of her plan, and the improbability of it succeeding, but when Misato tells them that they are free to refuse the mission, none of them do. Misato then informs that due to the danger associated with the mission, she is required to offer them the opportunity to write a will; they decline this too. She then promises them a steak dinner[10] if they succeed. Shinji and Asuka feign enthusiasm about this at first, but when Misato is out of earshot, they both admit that is a petty reward for such a dangerous mission. Rei, meanwhile, passes on the steak because she dislikes meat. When Misato is asked how she determined where to station the Evas (the potential impact zone is miles across), she replies, "intuition." A concerned Shinji tells Asuka that Misato has never won the lottery.

On their way to their Evas, Shinji asks Asuka why she pilots. She replies that she wants to prove something to the world. When she throws the question back at him, he doesn't have an answer.

As the pilots are stationed in their Evas at their designated points, Shinji has a flashback to a conversation he and Misato must have had a short time before. She refers back to his earlier question about why she joined Nerv. She tells him at her reason has to do with her father. He was a distant and emotionally unavailable man, who neglected his family in favor of his work, and in her childhood, Misato hated him for making her mother cry all the time. When her mother finally requested a divorce, her father was shocked, but she was happy about it, because she believed he deserved it. But then he selflessly sacrificed his own life to save hers during Second Impact, and then she was no longer sure whether she loved or hated him. Misato finally admits that her real reason for joining Nerv might be because she wants revenge on her father, and she hopes that by destroying the Angels she might be able to finally free herself of him. Shinji recognizes a lot of himself in Misato's story, as her complicated relationship with her father reminds him of his own with Gendo.

The time comes at last. The Evas race to the impact spot, Shinji arriving first. He struggles to hold up the Angel until Rei and Asuka join him. Rei proceeds to expose Sahaquiel's core with her Progressive Knife[11], and Asuka uses her knife to stab the now vulnerable core, causing the Angel to self-destruct; another mission has been successful against tremendous odds.

At the debriefing, Gendo calls in, and when Misato tries to apologize for the damage done to Eva-01, he tells her she did well. He then specifically asks to speak with Shinji and tells him, "Good work."[12] Shinji is very surprised by this.

Misato takes the pilots on an evening trip to New Miyanoshita for their promised dinner. Misato privately frets over the costs, but the pilots say that they will show mercy on her pocketbook. Asuka has found a ramen place instead of a steakhouse, which offers a vegetarian option too, so that Rei can also join them for dinner. As the group sit down to eat, Shinji muses on the words of praise he got from his father earlier. He admits to Misato that his reason for piloting might be because he wants to hear those words from him.

Notes

  • The message written in three lines on the sign put on the door to Misato's apartment for the party, written in Japanese characters says: "Congratulations On Your Promotion/Celebration Spot/Reserved Today"
  • Misato is wearing a sash at the party the kids throw for her, with writing on it that translates as "Congratulations on your promotion to Major".
  • Misato is seen drinking "Boa" brand beer again, last seen in Episode 10, as opposed to her favored Yebisu brand from Episode 02 (possibly as a result of the network that the series first aired on complaining that they didn't want to give the real-world Yebisu beer company unpaid publicity).

Analysis

  • It seems unlikely that a chrysalis large enough to hold Sahaquiel stayed undetected in orbit for 15 years.[13]
  • Adam's shoulder pylons are similar to those found on the Evangelions, and thus seem to be artificial restraints added by the research team (just as they are not biologically part of the Evas, either). A still-shot of the Katsuragi expedition digging up Adam (seen in the extended opening given on the Renewal of Evangelion Test-type disk) shows Adam lying face down, skewered on the Spear, and lacking shoulder pylons.[14]


Quotes

  • (Shinji wonders why his improved performance angers Asuka)
    Shinji: "I wonder why she got mad. What did I do wrong?"
    Misato: "That bothers you?"
    Shinji: "Yes."
    Misato: "That's because all you ever do is worry about what other people think."
  • (The readouts from a synchronization test show that Shinji's synch ratio is improving at a remarkable rate)
    Maya Ibuki: "His harmonics and synch ratios are approaching Asuka's."
    Ritsuko: "Is this what you call a gift, I wonder?"
    Nerv technician: "It's like he was born to pilot an Eva."
  • Misato: "Miracles have value only when we make them happen"
  • (Ritsuko confronts Misato about her plan)
    Ritsuko: "You're going to do this, seriously?"
    Misato: "Yes, I am."
    Ritsuko: "You're going to throw away all three Evas with your selfish decision? The chance of success is only 0.00001%. That's not even one in ten thousand!"
    Misato: "It's not zero; I'm just banking on the Evas."
    Ritsuko: "Major Katsuragi!"
    Misato: "I am currently in charge. I want to do whatever I can. Destroying Angels is my duty."
    Ritsuko: "Your duty! Don't make me laugh, This is for your own sake, isn't it? Your revenge against the Angels!
  • (The pilots prepare for their mission.)
    Shinji: "Say."
    Asuka: "What?"
    Shinji: "Asuka, why do you pilot an Eva?"
    Asuka: "To exhibit my talent to the world, of course."
    Shinji: "You mean to prove that you exist?"
    Asuka: "Yeah, something like that." (Looks at Rei) "You're not going to ask her?"
    Shinji: "I've asked Ayanami before."
    Asuka: "Mmmm...My, how intimate the two of you are."
    Shinji: "It's not like that."
    Asuka: "Then what about you, Shinji?"
    Shinji: "I don't know."
    Asuka: "You don't know? What are you, stupid?"
    Shinji: "Maybe I am."
    Asuka: "You really are stupid."
  • (The characters celebrate their victory over Ramen.)
    Shinji: "Say, miss Misato?"
    Misato: "What?"
    Shinji: "When I heard my father's words earlier, I think I finally understood what it's like to feel happy when you're praised and I also realized that maybe I pilot the Eva because I wanted to hear those words from him."
    Asuka: "You're piloting for something like that? You really are stupid."

References

  1. ↑ Misato is promoted from Captain to Major as of this episode. For practical purposes, this doesn't really change any character dynamics in the series: she was already head of the Tactical Operations division of Nerv, and she doesn't now outrank anyone we know of that she didn't before.
  2. ↑ Adam is seen as a "giant of light", bearing an unmistakable resemblance to an Evangelion and glowing all over except for its core and eyes (normally, the core and eyes are the only bioluminescent parts in Angels and Evas).
  3. ↑ The survival pod that Misato's father put her into looks somewhat similar to an Entry Plug: it is possible that this was an earlier technology which was later developed into the Entry Plug.
  4. ↑ Twin pillars of light are seen rising at the end of the flashback. These may or may not be the base of Adam's wings of light. In Evangelion: Death and Rebirth, the wings of light are also seen with red dots of light flying around them.
  5. ↑ The origin of Misato's scar, first seen in Episode 10, are now fully explained. Her sternum is wounded and bloodied over the region where the scar is later seen.
  6. ↑ As previously seen in Episode 9, when Hikari comes over for the party she is having a lot of fun playing with Pen Pen: when Misato has to send Pen Pen away from Tokyo-3 for safekeeping in Episode 24, she says she's sending him to stay with Hikari's family.
  7. ↑ The reason for Gendo and Fuyutsuki's trip to Antarctica is not revealed in this episode, however, they bring back a large mysterious object wrapped in tarps, which is longer than an aircraft carrier's flight deck. This will be seen again in Episode 14.
  8. ↑ Misato mentions that if Tokyo-3 and Nerv HQ have to be evacuated, they will move the Magi supercomputers to Matsushiro. Matsushiro is on the outskirts of Tokyo-2, and later in Episode 18 we will see that Nerv has a secondary testing facility there.
    • Special order "D-17", which can be declared under Nerv's authority, is the order to evacuate all civilians within a 50-kilometer radius of Tokyo-3.
  9. ↑ Another instance of Misato and Ritsuko clashing. Ritsuko is a highly logical thinker, and she strongly disagrees with Misato's placement of the Evas on pure guesswork.
  10. ↑ Due to the hardships caused by Second Impact, Misato thinks of a steak dinner as something quite extravagant. (As it is in Japan today, even without Second Impact.)
  11. ↑ First and only time that Eva-00's prog knife is seen: it is only seen briefly, but it appears to be visually identical to the knife used by Eva-01.
  12. ↑ Gendo's audio-only transmission from the end of the episode says that he is transmitting from a ship designated "DDG-099", which is the real-life designation of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Farragut although this ship did not exist when the show was in production.
  13. ↑ See Theory and Analysis:Angels' Origins for details.
  14. ↑ Adam immobilized by the Spear



Episodes & Films
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The End of Evangelion: Episode 25' | Episode 26'

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