Shin-seiki: (021~025) This mysterioso, WTF sequence has always confounded NGE fans. Much later, it becomes apparent that a very profound point about the paradoxical nature of Rei's existence is being subtly established right from the get-go, when we (and Shinji) first lay eyes on her. Of course, at this point, we don't even have any idea who this is.
The birds are a nice touch, BTW. There are two reasons why the cut with them fluttering away is there: one, to give Shinji a reason to avert his gaze from Rei; and two, to anticipate the immanent arrival of Sachiel (the birds sense that something is up before Shinji does). Contrary to what I myself have considered in the past, the birds do NOT symbolize anything...
HeWhoPostsStuff: I'm in the minority on this, but I've always been of the opinion that Rei is not "actually" in that shot (C-022). I tend to interpret her appearance there as more of a symbolic thing (which I can mention more about later…). I say this because Shinji seems to take almost no note of her presence, both at this point AND when he sees her again in the same manner much later on. Then there's the whole symbolic aspect of the birds to go along with it. Of course, there are plenty of valid arguments against my viewpoint too, but I figured I might as well throw that bit out there.
Additional Commentary
Reichu: Since this particular instance of Anno playing mind games with us comes in two doses, you're going to have to wait until next time before we try bringing some degree of closure to this pesky matter. Cruel of us, I know.
