Theory and Analysis:Ritsuko's Interrogation: Difference between revisions

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{{Snc}}
One of the most discussed aspects of Neon Genesis Evangelion is [[Ritsuko|Ritsuko's]] extreme reaction to her interrogation by Seele, which lead to her betrayal of Gendo and the destruction of the Reiquarium.  Was Gendo's sending her to be interrogated in Rei's place in and of itself sufficient to provoke such a reaction, or did something else happen that is not explicitly stated?  This article makes the case for the theory that Ritsuko suffered through a sexual assault off screen before her interrogation.  The opposition argument will also be stated.
 
 
=The Proponents' Argument<ref>Based in large part upon Shin-seiki's original statement of this theory in this thread:  [http://forum.evageeks.org/viewtopic.php?t=3759]</ref>=
==Cat Scene==
==Cat Scene==
===Transcript===
===Transcript===
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|title  = Phone Call From Grandmother
|title  = Phone Call From Grandmother
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The significance of this scene will come into focus when it is, in a sense, continued in the second half of [[Episode 23]], so the Cat Metaphor will be elaborated upon at that point in this article.  
The significance of this scene will come into focus when it is, in a sense, continued in the second half of [[Episode 23]], so the Cat Metaphor will be elaborated upon at that point in this article.  


It is interesting to note how Ritsuko refers to the late cat as "that child" (you can distinctly hear her say "ano ko"); there is likely some significance to her choice of words.
It is interesting to note how Ritsuko refers to the late cat as "that child" (you can distinctly hear her say "ano ko")<ref>ADV's original Subs had:  "So, the cat died."<br> The dub has:  "Yeah, so even cat's can die..."<br>Platinum has:  "So, she died."<br>The Literal Translation Project has:  "So, that cat died."</ref>; there is likely some significance to her choice of words.


==Seele and Gendo==
==Seele and Gendo==
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|title  = Seele Questions Gendo
|title  = Seele Questions Gendo
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Ikari... Does he intend to betray Seele?  
Ikari... Does he intend to betray Seele?  


From the beginning of the series, we see that the rest of the Committee seems to have it in for Gendo, but Chairman Keel seems more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. In the EVA 2 game, we're told that Yui Ikari was the daughter of a high ranking Seele member, thus Gendo effectively 'married into' the organization. There are also a few hints that there was a more personal relationship between Gendo and Keel than with the others.  Note, for instance, how [[Episode 21]]' (and [[Death]]) has the two of them in effect sharing a good laugh at the expense of the the Katsuragi Team scientists who unwittingly do their dirty work in initiating Second Impact (while Gendo, of course, knew enough about what was in store to leave Antartica the day before), and how we see Gendo hobnobbing with Keel during the subsequent cover-up:  
From the beginning of the series, we see that the rest of the Committee seems to have it in for Gendo, but Chairman Keel seems more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. In the EVA 2 game, we're told that Yui Ikari was the daughter of a high ranking Seele member<ref>[http://wiki.evageeks.org/Classified_Information#Yui_Ikari Classified Information]</ref>, thus Gendo effectively 'married into' the organization. There are also a few hints that there was a more personal relationship between Gendo and Keel than with the others.  Note, for instance, how [[Episode 21]]' (and [[Death]]) has the two of them in effect sharing a good laugh at the expense of the the Katsuragi Team scientists who unwittingly do their dirty work in initiating Second Impact (while Gendo, of course, knew enough about what was in store to leave Antartica the day before), and how we see Gendo hobnobbing with Keel during the subsequent cover-up:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/JP6F567M9T23OUPLD4OGBK1CE-12.jpg
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==After Armisael==
==After Armisael==
===Transcript===
===Transcript===
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/7B17RAI386DDF6G214B7OJU52-01.jpg
{{MontageBox
|float  =
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|title  = Unit-00's Entry Plug is Salvaged
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''From left to right''
*Radio A: The 16th Angel's constituent material is still undetected. In the process of resuming the current search.


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/1QE1AR5H41RT9HG2GJLB97L3M-02.jpg
Radio B: EVA-00's core parts are heavily damaged from the high pressure resulting from the heat.


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/M77JCRBG1R9029C1SAV041TBB-03.jpg
*Radio C: The Level C contamination zone is spreading towards the southwest. Maintain the curfew for the next 48 hours.  
 
Radio A: The 16th Angel's constituent material is still undetected. In the process of resuming the current search.
 
Radio B: EVA-00's core parts are heavily damaged from the high pressure resulting from the heat.
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/ED781HRHTUVCSB3DOEBF9KTC1-04.jpg
 
Radio C: The Level C contamination zone is spreading towards the southwest. Maintain the curfew for the next 48 hours.  


Radio D: Announcement D16 acknowledged. From this point forward, please carry out the processing independently, without the SSDF's approval.  
Radio D: Announcement D16 acknowledged. From this point forward, please carry out the processing independently, without the SSDF's approval.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/M68MEB4TC7JHKHMRDJ297DPCV-Hand_TN.jpg
*Man: Dr. Akagi!
 
Man: Dr. Akagi!
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/DV2V0S2Q4U3RTMCDLKGOFCO39-06.jpg


Ritsuko:  
*Ritsuko:  
What happened here will be classified top secret.  
What happened here will be classified top secret.  
Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else.  
Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/82861M3N4OVCCRRQ4AQAU5PO4-07.jpg
*Man:  
Roger that.  
Let's get to work! Quickly!
}}
{{-}}


Man:
Roger that.
Let's get to work! Quickly!
===Analysis===
===Analysis===
As you can see, I skipped over the battle with Armisael, because it doesn't bear directly on the topic at hand, but this scene just made the cut, because I felt that it illustrates an interesting point about Ritsuko's role at NERV.  
This scene illustrates an interesting point about Ritsuko's role at Nerv.  


If you look at the translation (from the Renewal script) of the background radio chatter provided by Reichu, and the new sub translation of the line in question ( "Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else."), it is apparent that Ritsuko's job here was to retrieve Rei's mortal remains, which were required for the process of investing her soul in a new body. As Reichu mentions in her comments above, the radio chatter seems to indicate that, while there is no trace of Armisael, there were bits of Zerogouki lying about, and it seems that that is what Ritsuko is referring to with "Dispose of everything else".  
If you look at the backgound radio chatter and the sub translation of the line in question ( "Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else."), it is apparent that Ritsuko's job here was to retrieve Rei's mortal remains, which were required for the process of investing her soul in a new body. Furthermore, the radio chatter seems to indicate that, while there is no trace of Armisael, there were bits of Zerogouki lying about, and it seems that that is what Ritsuko is referring to with "Dispose of everything else".
 
All through the series, up to this point, when Gendo has important, secret jobs to carry out to further his own agenda, there are two loyal and devoted minions that he can turn to: Rei gets the heavy lifting jobs; as in Episode 14, and Episode 22<ref>Impaling Lilith with the Spear of Longinus, and using it against Arael, respectively.</ref>, while Ritsuko has a hand in just about all of NERV's nefarious and morally compromised undertakings, as we see, for example, in Episode 07, and Episode 17<ref>Confirming the sabotage of Jet Alone, and chosing Toji as the new pilot, respectively</ref>. Here in Episode 23, Ritsuko gets the job of cleaning up the aftermath of Rei's self-sacrifice, but, with time running short for both Gendo and Seele, it will prove to be her last such task, as she is about to find out the hard way that, between Rei and herself, she is the more expendable...


All through the series, up to this point, when Gendo has important, secret jobs to carry out to further his own agenda, there are two loyal and devoted minions that he can turn to: Rei gets the heavy lifting jobs; as in Episode 14, and Episode 22, while Ritsuko has a hand in just about all of NERV's nefarious and morally compromised undertakings, as we see, for example, in Episode 07, and Episode 17. Here in #23, Ritsuko gets the job of cleaning up the aftermath of Rei's self-sacrifice, but, with time running short for both Gendo and SEELE, it will prove to be her last such task, as she is about to find out the hard way that, between Rei and herself, she is the more expendable...
==Seele Discussion==
==Seele Discussion==
===Transcript===
===Transcript===
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/ADROIJ9EN56VIB1JU2V41LU8R-01.jpg
{{MontageBox
 
|float  =
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|title  = Seele Conspires
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/HJ126ABU4VR4G0LO9EEHT8TIC-04.jpg
|colour  = lightblue
 
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/ADROIJ9EN56VIB1JU2V41LU8R-01.jpg
SEELE:  
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/VMBLLESU5Q5OL59ONOV5Q7ITA-02.jpg
|image3  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/HJ126ABU4VR4G0LO9EEHT8TIC-04.jpg
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|image5  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/HMLS5R1NURKE4CMINVHVQ4R19-06.jpg
|image6  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/MVD9VC15ALPV4TJP2C4NCEB83-07.jpg
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''From left to right:''
*SEELE:  
At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.
At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/1H0UQRDV5HKFHLM6BL80I1M5B-05.jpg
*SEELE:  
That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.


SEELE:
*Keel:  
That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/HMLS5R1NURKE4CMINVHVQ4R19-06.jpg
 
Keel:  
The promised time is near.  
The promised time is near.  
Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.  
Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.  


SEELE:  
SEELE:<br>
Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.  
Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/MVD9VC15ALPV4TJP2C4NCEB83-07.jpg
*SEELE:  
 
SEELE:  
We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.  
We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.  


SEELE:  
SEELE:<br>
That man is smart enough to know the significance  
That man is smart enough to know the significance  
of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.  
of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/HTHJVN9P9R2FS2EIHO2O2MRK1-08.jpg
*SEELE:  
We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.  


SEELE:  
Keel:<br>
We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.  
And we need someone who knows the truth.
}}
{{-}}


Keel:
And we need someone who knows the truth.
===Analysis===
===Analysis===
This scene is a prime example of the spare and economical style of writing that Anno often resorts to, especially towards the end of the series. These few lines are packed with significance, but, in some cases are so subtle and cryptic that it is easy to miss their full import . SEELE, on this and other occasions, tend to refer to very dark and grim matters obscurely and euphemistically; they know what they're talking about, but it is necessary for us, the audience, to subject their words to close examination in order to divine the true meaning.  
This scene is a prime example of the spare and economical style of writing that Anno often resorts to, especially towards the end of the series. These few lines are packed with significance, but, in some cases are so subtle and cryptic that it is easy to miss their full import . Seele, on this and other occasions, tend to refer to very dark and grim matters obscurely and euphemistically.  They know what they're talking about, but it is necessary for the audience, to subject their words to close examination in order to divine the true meaning.  


The scene starts with a visual countdown of the Angels, 3 thru 16 (I chose not to post screen-caps of the whole sequence, to save space), to emphasize the point made in the dialog, that the scenario contained within the Dead Sea Scrolls is coming to a head, and time is running out. Both Gendo and SEELE are aware of this, and that is why the (barely) polite facade of having a common agenda, that had prevailed between them for most of the series, is really starting to crumble by this point. As indicated in Scene 02 above, when Gendo deliberately put the Lance out of reach, it was obvious even to Chairman Keel that he was up to something. The shortness of time, and not quite knowing what Gendo is up to, is making the Committe feel as tho events might be starting to slip out of their grasp, which explains the ruthlessness that they will resort to presently, in order to ascertain just what it is, that Gendo is trying to get away with...  
The scene starts with a visual countdown of the Angels, 3 thru 16 (mostly omitted to save space), to emphasize the point made in the dialog, that the scenario contained within the Dead Sea Scrolls is coming to a head, and time is running out. Both Gendo and Seele are aware of this, and that is why the barely polite facade of having a common agenda that had prevailed between them for most of the series is really starting to crumble by this point. As indicated in Scene 02 above, when Gendo deliberately put the Lance out of reach, it was obvious even to Chairman Keel that he was up to something. The shortness of time, and not quite knowing Gendo's intentions, is making the Committe feel as though events might be starting to slip out of their grasp, which explains the ruthlessness which they will resort to presently, in order to ascertain just what it is, that Gendo is trying to accomplish...  


So, let's take at the dialog here, and see what sort of meaning and revelations we can extract:  
Some conclusions can be drawn from an examination of the dialogue:  
SEELE:
At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.


SEELE:  
''SEELE:  
That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.


Keel:
''At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.  
The promised time is near...
 
This is pretty straight forward stuff, tho the use of the phrase "the promised time" is worth noting, as a relatively innocent-sounding reference to the Apocalypse that SEELE is seeking to bring about.
 
Keel:
...Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.
 
SEELE:
Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.
 
SEELE:
We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.
 
Previously (in #20), when the other Committee members suggested that perhaps it was a mistake to have given Gendo control of NERV, Keel answered "But, he was the only one who could achieve all our goals". Gendo has had a certain job security, as long as there were Angels to be defeated, and the phrase "all our goals" is no doubt a reference to the Human Complementation Project, the fulfillment of which is NERV's true purpose, and which Keel seems to think only Gendo can accomplish. So, they're not going to dismiss him just yet, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been willing to take some actions intended to 'send a message" to Gendo that he was under suspicion, and that there was a price to be paid for insubordination.
 
SEELE:
That man is smart enough to know the significance
of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.  


Frankly, in the past this line sort of wizzed right by me, but then suddenly, as I was going back over this scene, these words just leapt out at me, and I was like WTF! Since when did SEELE allow Fuyutsuki to return?! But there it is, in black and white: according to SEELE, they let Fuyutsuki go... What's more, look at the rest of the sentence: "That man (i.e. Gendo) is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely." This indicates that there was a message for Gendo implied by the fact that he got Fuyutsuki back alive (and the fact that they seem to regard Fuyutsuki getting out of that situation alive as a special circumstance sort of implies, doesn't it, that the "default" expectation would have been that Gendo would have never seen Fuyutsuki again). This naturally puts the scene in #21, when Kaji tells Fuyutsuki that "the guards are asleep" in a new light. Presumably, if SEELE had been serious about retaining custody of Fuyutsuki, Kaji would have never got anywhere near him...
''SEELE:


That brings us to the next line:
''That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.  
SEELE:
We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.  


Talking about a "human sacrifice" in connection with Fuyutsuki's kidnapping and "rescue"... That would be Kaji, of course. I mean, think about it: who else could they mean?
''Keel:  


In all the endless discussion of "Who killed Kaji", on this and every other other Eva forum, I have never seen these lines referenced (probably because they show up two episodes after Kaji buys it), but I think that a crucial piece of that puzzle is staring us in the face here: not who killed him (as Anno himself has stated, it was not a series character, but some anonymous goon), but why he was killed. If you put these two lines together, what they seem to be saying was that Gendo was allowed to get Fuyutsuki back, but at a price that was to be paid in blood. Fuyutsuki's life was bought with that of Kaji. This is what I believe the "message" was, that SEELE was signaling by returning Fuyutsuki alive, that Gendo was presumably smart enough to understand:
''The promised time is near... ''
"We still need you, because no one else can carry out NERVs true mission (HCP), and we will even let you have your right hand man back, BUT: just to let you know that we are serious, and are playing for keeps, one of your other minions, who has betrayed us (on your behalf) more than once, will be eliminated, so you don't get the idea that we let Fuyutsuki go out of the kindness of our hearts."


This should put to rest any theories that Gendo had Kaji killed, or worse, killed him himself. Kaji's murder, as far as those who ordered it were concerned, was an act that was directed at Gendo, as a warning, a "shot across the bow"...  
This is pretty straight forward, though the use of the phrase "the promised time" is worth noting, as a relatively innocent-sounding reference to the Apocalypse that Seele is seeking to bring about.  


Finally let's look at these lines together:
''Keel:  
SEELE:  
We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.


Keel:
''...Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.  
And we need someone who knows the truth.  


Since the events of #21, Gendo once again has been a bad boy, particularly by getting rid of the Lance, which has really got the Committee riled up, and convinced them that he is pursuing some unknown agenda of his own, thus they are contemplating "another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.
''SEELE:


A favorite trick of Anno as a director is to segue from one scene to the next by having someone refer to a character indirectly, without mentioning their name, then start the next scene with a close-up of the person in question. He resorts to this technique dozens of times, but one example will suffice:
''Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/3J7J987O47HD4MTDHK4F6VQN3-09.jpg
''SEELE:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/46PBNMAO0N93A99NMHA359II2-10.jpg
''We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.''


and we see the same thing going on here:
Previously (in #20), when the other Committee members suggested that perhaps it was a mistake to have given Gendo control of NERV, Keel answered "But, he was the only one who could achieve all our goals". Gendo has had a certain job security, as long as there were Angels to be defeated, and the phrase "all our goals" is no doubt a reference to the [[Human Instrumentality Project]], the fulfillment of which is Nerv's true purpose, and which Keel seems to think only Gendo can accomplish. So, they're not going to dismiss him just yet, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been willing to take some actions intended to "send a message" to Gendo that he was under suspicion, and that there was a price to be paid for insubordination.


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/D0NADH2N2ADVJKN5MK147JLKQ-11.jpg
''SEELE:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/7K9SE0LTOGBNE7T0ACMDESIJG-12.jpg
''That man is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.''


It should be obvious that the "someone" that they want to talk to ascertain "the truth" is Ritsuko. It is not clear how much they got out of Fuyutsuki, but there is one other person close to Gendo that they haven't talked to yet, and, given the ominous context of "We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari", it would seem that they have something unpleasant in mind...
This line often causes viewers to scratch their heads; in Episode 21 Kaji is shown to have ''rescued'' Fuyutsuki.  But there it is in black and white: according to Seele, they let Fuyutsuki go.  What's more, examine the rest of the sentence: "That man (i.e. Gendo) is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely." This indicates that there was a message for Gendo implied by the fact that he got Fuyutsuki back alive (and the fact that they seem to regard Fuyutsuki getting out of that situation alive as a special circumstance sort of implies that the "default" expectation would have been that Gendo would have never seen Fuyutsuki again). This naturally puts the scene in Episode 21, when Kaji tells Fuyutsuki that "the guards are asleep" in a new light. Presumably, if Seele had been serious about retaining custody of Fuyutsuki, Kaji would have never got anywhere near him.  
==Memories==
===Transcript===
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/T4K79C4RLUKAE93R819RFKUEN-01.jpg


''Ritsuko's office.''
That brings us to the next line:
''The cat ornaments on her desk.''


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/2KN64IIPUVCM9717R6HHMP7O4-02.jpg
''SEELE:  


''Ritsuko resting her chin on her hand up.''  
''We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.''  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/87LCTO7P4ILKHFFQ7CDG42OEU-03.jpg
Talking about a "human sacrifice" in connection with Fuyutsuki's kidnapping and "rescue" could only mean Kaji.  


''Her gaze shifts.''
There has been much discussion of "Who killed Kaji", on every Eva forum, but these lines are not quoted often enough (probably because they show up two episodes after Kaji's death).  A crucial piece of that puzzle is staring the viewer in the face here: not who killed him (as Anno himself has stated, it was not a series character, but some anonymous goon), but why he was killed. When these two lines are put together, what they seem to be saying was that Gendo was allowed to get Fuyutsuki back, but at a price that was to be paid in blood. Fuyutsuki's life was bought with that of Kaji. This is what the the "message" was, that Seele was signaling by returning Fuyutsuki alive, that Gendo was presumably smart enough to understand:
''"We still need you, because no one else can carry out Nerv's true mission (HIP), and we will even let you have your right hand man back, BUT: just to let you know that we are serious, and are playing for keeps, one of your other minions, who has betrayed us (on your behalf) more than once, will be eliminated, so you don't get the idea that we let Fuyutsuki go out of the kindness of our hearts."''  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/2LT4OF1GC09JKU8OCMEJGM53I-04.jpg
This should put to rest any theories that Gendo had Kaji killed, or worse, killed him himself. Kaji's murder, as far as those who ordered it were concerned, was an act that was directed at Gendo, as a warning, a "shot across the bow"...  


''She presses the Return key on her BOOK computer.''
Finally examine these lines together:


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/BK3GF6N2OS97SR35UQO88IEBM-05.jpg
''SEELE:  


''Ritsuko's head in front. A photograph of Ikari, her mother, and Ritsuko as a senior high school student is displayed on the screen.''
''We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/L91G2R53ULBCFQ742OHTMAB47-06.jpg
''Keel:  


''Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.''
''And we need someone who knows the truth.''  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/PLFG481TGHJ1BQDH282AKVVV3-07.jpg
Since the events of Episode 21, Gendo once again has been treacherous, particularly by getting rid of the Lance, which has really got the Committee riled up, and convinced them that he is pursuing some unknown agenda of his own, thus they are contemplating "another human sacrifice" to counter Ikari.  


''Ritsuko gazes, resting her chin on her hand.''
A favorite trick of Anno as a director is to segue from one scene to the next by having someone refer to a character indirectly, without mentioning their name, then start the next scene with a close-up of the person in question. He resorts to this technique dozens of times, but one example will suffice:
{{MontageBox
|float  =
|columns = 2
|title  = ''Who Could They be Talking About?''
|colour  = lightblue
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/3J7J987O47HD4MTDHK4F6VQN3-09.jpg
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/46PBNMAO0N93A99NMHA359II2-10.jpg
|image3  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/D0NADH2N2ADVJKN5MK147JLKQ-11.jpg
|image4  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/7K9SE0LTOGBNE7T0ACMDESIJG-12.jpg
|image5  =
|image6  =
|image7  =
|image8  =
|image9  =
|image10 =
|image11 =
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|caption =
Here we see them employ the same technique when talking about Kaji, then later about Ritsuko.
}}
{{-}}


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/3KC6K48VUGRALO9V1I62N8MEG-08.jpg
It is evident that the "someone" that they want to talk to ascertain "the truth" is Ritsuko. It is not clear how much they got out of Fuyutsuki, but there is one other person close to Gendo that they haven't talked to yet, and, given the ominous context of "We need another ''human sacrifice'' to counter Ikari", it would seem that they have something unpleasant in mind...


''Likewise, Ikari and her smiling mother. ''
==Memories==
===Transcript===
{{MontageBox
|float  =
|columns = 5
|title  = A Nostalgic Photograph
|colour  = lightblue
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/T4K79C4RLUKAE93R819RFKUEN-01.jpg
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/2KN64IIPUVCM9717R6HHMP7O4-02.jpg
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|image6  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/L91G2R53ULBCFQ742OHTMAB47-06.jpg
|image7  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/PLFG481TGHJ1BQDH282AKVVV3-07.jpg
|image8  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/3KC6K48VUGRALO9V1I62N8MEG-08.jpg
|image9  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/PS3JC4HHHHKAMO7TR2F38KB38-09.jpg
|image10 =
|image11 =
|image12 =
|caption =
''From left to right:''


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/PS3JC4HHHHKAMO7TR2F38KB38-09.jpg
*''Ritsuko's office.''
''The cat ornaments on her desk.''
*''Ritsuko resting her chin on her hand up.''
*''Her gaze shifts.''
*''She presses the Return key on her BOOK computer.''
*''Ritsuko's head in front. A photograph of Ikari, her mother, and Ritsuko as a senior high school student is displayed on the screen.''
*''Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.''
*''Ritsuko gazes, resting her chin on her hand.''
*''Likewise, Ikari and her smiling mother. ''
*''Ritsuko's back, the picture pulls back''
}}
{{-}}


''Ritsuko's back, the picture pulls back''
===Analysis===
===Analysis===
This scene starts with the same shot of the cat figurines that ended Scene 01 from the first half of the episode, thus linking the two scenes visually and thematically. Also, following immediately upon Scene 04, in which SEELE indicated that they intended to target "someone who knows the truth", on order to "counter Ikari", this scene is setting us up for what is about to befall Ritsuko by subtly hinting that her relationship with Gendo is more than just a professional one. That the two of them were lovers only becomes patently obvious later on, as she breaks down at the end of this episode, but Anno is establishing at least a hint at the relationship here, since it will presently serve SEELE as a vulnerability to exploit in prying information out of Ritsuko that, of course, was not applicable in Fuyutsuki's case.  
This scene starts with the same shot of the cat figurines that ended Scene 01 from the first half of the episode, thus linking the two scenes visually and thematically. Also, following immediately upon Scene 04, in which Seele indicated that they intended to target "someone who knows the truth", in order to "counter Ikari", this scene sets up the viewer for what is about to befall Ritsuko by subtly hinting that her relationship with Gendo is more than just a professional one. That the two of them were lovers only becomes patently obvious later on, as she breaks down at the end of this episode, but Anno is establishing at least a hint at the relationship here, since it will presently serve Seele as a vulnerability to exploit in prying information out of Ritsuko that, of course, was not applicable in Fuyutsuki's case.  


This scene has no dialog, so whatever hints and clues are to be gleaned here will require a careful consideration of the images presented. To me, what stands out about this scene is how it is showing Ritsuko gazing, a bit nostalgically, at an old picture that shows her with Gendo back when she was a schoolgirl. What are they trying to tell us here? That is, to establish that there was something personal going on with them, they could have just shown a more recent pic with the two of them side by side or whatever, so I suspect that the choice to present an image that goes back to when Ritsuko was still a teenager has to have some significance. After thinking hard about it, my conclusion is that the point is to let us know that her romantic feelings for Gendo go way back, and started out as a schoolgirl crush. Now, I suppose some of you are probably thinking that that is a pretty bold assertion to make on the basis of one measly pic, but I say "O ye of little faith!" Do you think I would go out on limb like that, if I didn't have plenty of evidence to back it up?!
This scene has no dialog, so whatever hints and clues are to be gleaned here will require a careful consideration of the images presented. What stands out in this scene is how it shows Ritsuko gazing, a bit nostalgically, at an old picture that shows her with Gendo back when she was a schoolgirl. What are they trying to tell us here? That is, to establish that there was something personal going on with them, they could have just shown a more recent picture with the two of them side by side, thus the choice to present an image that goes back to when Ritsuko was still a teenager has to have some significance. The likely reason is that the point is to let us know that her romantic feelings for Gendo go way back, and started out as a schoolgirl crush. There is also further evidence in composition of the photograph to back this up.


First, let's look at the image itself:  
First, let's look at the image itself:  
Line 346: Line 385:
''Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.''
''Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.''


Interesting choice of words to describe her here, huh?  
Is she sulking because of Naoko's presense?  


However, the evidence that Ritsuko's feelings for Gendo were present from the start is apparent in a couple scenes from earlier episodes (once you know what to look for):  
Once you know what to look for, the evidence that Ritsuko's feelings for Gendo were present from the start is apparent in a couple scenes from earlier episodes:


As Ritsuko and Misato were unwinding with a cup of coffee, after defeating the 11th Angel, Iruel, Ritsuko makes a rather startling personal admission:
As Ritsuko and Misato were unwinding with a cup of coffee, after defeating the 11th Angel, Iruel, Ritsuko makes a rather startling personal admission.


13 (Platinum Edition subs)  
Episode 13 (Platinum Edition subs):


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/84V4A6PB51U84JLOKIGFG5Q7G-10.jpg
{{MontageBox
|float  =
|columns = 5
|title  = Ritsuko's Feelings About Her Mother
|colour  = lightblue
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/84V4A6PB51U84JLOKIGFG5Q7G-10.jpg
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/URITL9A1AMFAH33SDBMS4Q5BI-11.jpg
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''From left to right:


Ritsuko:  
*Ritsuko:<br>
The night before she died, my mother told me  
The night before she died, my mother told me  
that the MAGI are three aspects of herself:  
that the MAGI are three aspects of herself:  
Line 365: Line 422:
I don't think I'll ever be a mother, so I don't understand her as a mother.  
I don't think I'll ever be a mother, so I don't understand her as a mother.  
I respected her as a scientist.  
I respected her as a scientist.  
 
*<u>However, as a woman, I even hated her.</u>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/URITL9A1AMFAH33SDBMS4Q5BI-11.jpg
*Misato:<br>
 
<u>However, as a woman, I even hated her.</u>
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/4205LM1T5NIIHVJV84914VVG5-12.jpg
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/IHVG6VAL4QMO73C9NQQ061I6D-13.jpg
 
Misato:  
You're rather talkative today.
You're rather talkative today.
 
*Ritsuko:<br>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/84V4A6PB51U84JLOKIGFG5Q7G-10.jpg
It's been known to happen.
 
}}
Ritsuko:  
{{-}}
It's been known to happen.  
   
   
As always, it's instructive to pay attention to Ritsuko's expression and body language. Also note that in #05 she takes a swig of coffee after revealing the stuff about the Angel's pattern matching 99.89 percent of human DNA; it's like a cue to the audience to "pay attention to that last line, 'cause it's going to turn out to have some important pay-off later"...  
As always, it is instructive to pay attention to Ritsuko's expression and body language. Also note that in [[Episode 05]] she takes a swig of coffee after revealing that the Angel's pattern matched 99.89 percent of human DNA; this is a cue to the audience to "pay attention to that last line, because it's going to turn out to have some important pay-off later"...  


Whenever I watched this scene, that one line would really stand out; "I hated her" is pretty harsh, and I couldn't quite figure out why she would say such a thing, especially as all the flashback scenes in #21 that show the two of them together seem to indicate that she was relaxed and friendly around her mom.  
The line that really stands out here, "I hated her" is pretty harsh, why would she say such a thing, especially as all the flashback scenes in Episode 21 that show the two of them together seem to indicate that she was relaxed and friendly around her mother.  


However, there is one scene #21 that brings into focus why she would hate her mother "as a woman":  
However, there is one scene #21 that brings into focus why she would hate her mother "as a woman":  


21' (Resurrection DVD subs)  
Episode 21' (Resurrection DVD subs):


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/47EIOJ7N0Q8EJCP7Q6KME6TU0-30.jpg
{{MontageBox
 
|float  =
Naoko:  
|columns = 5
Are you really sure?
|title  = Caught In the Act
|colour  = lightblue
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/47EIOJ7N0Q8EJCP7Q6KME6TU0-30.jpg
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/O0FEHO71QB9PDLI68LH70RVAB-31.jpg
|image3  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/VEUPLJG9QH7T6NFE0RD6S2169-32.jpg
|image4  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/AKJ69D4DS5QBE581JC2PFJC3S-34.jpg
|image5  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/U0HLDEJ034D64RI1J97INHPBC-35.jpg
|image6  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/N7RRBUHJ50RJ0CO7GMO9UQJ0D-36.jpg
|image7  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/IMF9PK732ALJVVV8115R51TBN-37.jpg
|image8  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/UMSERQ1MNNLC49R4UTPEK4026-38.jpg
|image9  =
|image10 =
|image11 =
|image12 =
|caption =
''From left to right:


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/O0FEHO71QB9PDLI68LH70RVAB-31.jpg
*Naoko:<br>
 
Are you really sure?
Gendo:  
*Gendo:<br>
Yes, I have no regrets concerning my work.  
Yes, I have no regrets concerning my work.<br>
 
Naoko:<br>
Naoko:  
Liar! You can't just forget about Ms. Yui, right?  
Liar! You can't just forget about Ms. Yui, right?  
*Naoko:
But I don't mind.
}}
{{-}}


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/VEUPLJG9QH7T6NFE0RD6S2169-32.jpg
Here we learn to reason for her harsh words. That distressed look on Ritsuko's face in the last cut seems to indicate her bitter realization that, while she's been off getting a PhD in anticipation of what would be a dream assignment for her to work at Gehirn alongside Gendo, her own mom has been taking advantage of Yui's tragic demise to move in on the Chief.  
Her "hatred" of her mother stems from the fact that she turned out to be a rival for the affections of Gendo.  


Naoko:
Furthermore, consistent with the principle that thematically significant situations always seem to repeat themselves in NGE, there is this scene, which, while it came earlier in the series, occurred later chronologically than the flashback, and is analogous to the scene in Episode 21 in terms of the basic situation being depicted.  
But I don't mind.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/AKJ69D4DS5QBE581JC2PFJC3S-34.jpg
15 (Platinum Edition subs):  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/U0HLDEJ034D64RI1J97INHPBC-35.jpg
{{MontageBox
 
|float  =
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/N7RRBUHJ50RJ0CO7GMO9UQJ0D-36.jpg
|columns = 5
 
|title  = Another Loss to a Rival
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/IMF9PK732ALJVVV8115R51TBN-37.jpg
|colour  = lightblue
 
|image1  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/RB6MHMUQHQE0RMBT5A1L2FLF9-15.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/UMSERQ1MNNLC49R4UTPEK4026-38.jpg
|image2  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/GDF4EQ2JGLNEQ4JTCJO14HPEO-16.jpg
 
|image3  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/9IDH173ORIEICF7QQDFEOV0EE-18.jpg
See what I mean? That distressed look on Ritsuko face in the last cut seems to indicate her bitter realization that, while she's been off getting a PhD, in anticipation of what would be a dream assignment for her, to work at GEHIRN for "ano hito", her own mom has been taking advantage of Yui's tragic demise to move in on the Chief.  
|image4  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/V3QHIIEQR1N7K1R5F9UTL9HO1-19.jpg
Her "hatred" of her mother stems from the fact that she turned out to be a rival for the attentions of Gendo.  
|image5  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/KANR5HCV34MM125JDMS63U80I-20.jpg
 
|image6  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/MDIAABBT58UIUCPTCSTIP23M6-23.jpg
Furthermore, consistent with the principle that thematically significant situations always seem to repeat themselves in NGE, there is this scene, which, while it came earlier in the series, occurred later chronologically, and is analogous, when you think about it, to the scene in #21 in terms of the basic situation being depicted:  
|image7  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/6TU8SISKM751VN0C7VIH99DB4-24.jpg
 
|image8  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/DS7EEHUQ1N1ERGIBG4VM6FQ0P-25.jpg
15 (Platinum Edition subs)
|image9  = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/1VRRQA63JTJR0MN5JEBR6JPTS-26.jpg
 
|image10 = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/JLV61CM79HTCA23GACGRO2BBP-27.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/RB6MHMUQHQE0RMBT5A1L2FLF9-15.jpg
|image11 = http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/F36LJKMQK3CKL7TFCOQOJAJJK-28.jpg
 
|image12 =
Asuka:  
|caption =
Mr. Kaji!
''From left to right:''
 
*Asuka:<br>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/GDF4EQ2JGLNEQ4JTCJO14HPEO-16.jpg
Mr. Kaji!
 
*Kaji:<br>
Kaji:  
Well, I'll be leaving now.
Well, I'll be leaving now.
 
*Asuka:<br>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/9IDH173ORIEICF7QQDFEOV0EE-18.jpg
Why don't you stay with us, Mr. Kaji?
 
*Kaji:<br>
Asuka:  
Why don't you stay with us, Mr. Kaji?  
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/V3QHIIEQR1N7K1R5F9UTL9HO1-19.jpg
 
Kaji:  
I'd be laughed at if I went to work in this.
I'd be laughed at if I went to work in this.
*Asuka:<br>
It'll be okay.
*Asuka<br>
Hey, c'mon Mr. Kaji, it'll...
*Kaji:<br>
Later!
*Asuka:<br>
He smelled of lavender.
}}
{{-}}


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/KANR5HCV34MM125JDMS63U80I-20.jpg


Asuka:
It'll be okay.


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/MDIAABBT58UIUCPTCSTIP23M6-23.jpg
 
Hey, c'mon Mr. Kaji, it'll...
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/6TU8SISKM751VN0C7VIH99DB4-24.jpg
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/DS7EEHUQ1N1ERGIBG4VM6FQ0P-25.jpg


Kaji:
What makes this scene analogous to the one in #21 is this:  
Later!
In each case you have a young woman (Ritsuko/Asuka) coming to the sudden, unwelcome realization that the charismatic older man (Gendo/Kaji), on whom she has a serious crush, is already "taken"; that is, is in a more age-appropriate intimate relationship with another, older, woman (Naoko/Misato), who happens to have a maternal (in Misato's case, quasi-maternal) relationship with the younger woman.  
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/1VRRQA63JTJR0MN5JEBR6JPTS-26.jpg
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/JLV61CM79HTCA23GACGRO2BBP-27.jpg
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/F36LJKMQK3CKL7TFCOQOJAJJK-28.jpg
 
Asuka:
He smelled of lavender.
 
What I had in mind describing this scene as analogous to the one in #21 is this:  
In each case you have a young woman (Ritsuko/Asuka) coming to the sudden, unwelcome realization that the charismatic older man (Gendo/Kaji), on whom she has a serious crush, is already "taken"; that is, is in a more age-appropriate intimate relationship with another, older, woman (Naoko/Misato), who happens to have a maternal (well, in Misato's case, quasi-maternal) relationship with the younger woman.  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/BT57VN3OGN3T0GK00DKFNME2R-39.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/BT57VN3OGN3T0GK00DKFNME2R-39.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/712C3AP4G5TUM3BME1AETJBQ8-40.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/712C3AP4G5TUM3BME1AETJBQ8-40.jpg


The similarity of the expressions here is what got me thinking about how these two scenes relate to one another... Notice too the lack or deficiency of father-figures in their lives: Ritsuko was raised without one entirely, while Asuka despised her father for abandoning her mother and taking up with another woman. This made them likely candidates for falling for an attractive, "older guy" type that shows up in their lives in their teen-age years.  
The similarity of the expressions also demonstrates that these two scenes relate to one another. Notice too the lack or deficiency of father-figures in their lives: Ritsuko was raised without one entirely, while Asuka despised her father for abandoning her mother and taking up with another woman. This made them likely candidates for falling for an attractive, "older guy" type who shows up in their lives in their teen-age years.  


It is not rational or logical for this situation to inspire hatred of her mother on the part of Ritsuko, but there it is: jealousy is simply an innate aspect of her character. As she herself is fond of pointing out, matters involving relations between men and women aren't logical. Her heart wants a certain man, and any woman that comes between her and the one she has set her heart on will be the object of her hatred, even her own mother.  
It is not rational or logical for this situation to inspire hatred of her mother on the part of Ritsuko, but there it is: jealousy is simply an innate aspect of her character. As she herself is fond of pointing out, matters involving relations between men and women aren't logical. Her heart wants a certain man, and any woman that comes between her and the one she has set her heart on will be the object of her hatred, even her own mother.  


As for Asuka, it will be noted that from that point on, her attitude towards Misato becomes steadily more negative and resentful. In #16, she berates Misato for her "indecent relationship"; in #18, she's avoiding face-to-face contact with her; and by #22' , she complains bitterly about having to "breath the same air" as Misato and Shinji.  
As for Asuka, it will be noted that from that point on, her attitude towards Misato becomes steadily more negative and resentful. In [[Episode 16]], she berates Misato for her "indecent relationship"; in [[Episode 18]], she's avoiding face-to-face contact with her; and by [[Episode 22]], she complains bitterly about having to "breath the same air" as Misato and Shinji.  


With all that in mind, let's take a look at this little scene from #21  
With all that in mind, examine this little scene from Episode 21.


21'(Resurrection DVD subs)  
21'(Resurrection DVD subs"):
Naoko:  
 
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*Naoko:<br>
Oh, Professor Fuyutsuki.  
Oh, Professor Fuyutsuki.  


Fuyutsuki:  
Fuyutsuki:<br>
Akagi, you too?  
Akagi, you too?  


Naoko:  
Naoko:<br>
Yes, this is the best place to research the fundamental theories  
Yes, this is the best place to research the fundamental theories  
for the bio-computers of the future.  
for the bio-computers of the future.
 
*Fuyutsuki:<br>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/KM6J1AA7JS67M11L41MC1SMG2-41.jpg
 
Fuyutsuki:  
I see.  
I see.  


Naoko:  
Naoko:<br>
I intend to name it Magi.  
I intend to name it Magi.  


Fuyutsuki:  
Fuyutsuki:<br>
Magi? After the three wise men from the East?  
Magi? After the three wise men from the East?  
Is this what you wanted to show me?  
Is this what you wanted to show me?  
 
*Naoko:<br>
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/OJHQQKCP3PLOTDKSQKK9O6GTP-42.jpg
 
Naoko:  
No, this way, please.  
No, this way, please.  
Ritsuko, I'll be right back.  
Ritsuko, I'll be right back.
}}
{{-}}


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/8BHVUPA14BONFFUDG2QNGUIQ7-43a.jpg
Now, there are many plausible reasons why a teenage girl might be hanging around her mother's workplace, but considering the indications of Ritsuko's feelings offered in some of the other scenes as described above, the likely reason is that she was lurking around down there in order to catch a glimpse of Gendo.  


Now, there are plenty of plausible reasons why a teenage girl might be hanging around her mom's workplace, but considering the indications of Ritsuko's feelings offered in some of the other scenes as described above, I tend to favor the notion that she was lurking around down there in order to catch a glimpse of the tall, dark, and handsome Chief (I know, I know, but hey, two out of three ain't bad...)
The cat ornaments on her desk seem to be a sentimental representation to her of her relationship with Gendo. Ritsuko is obviously what is known as a "cat person":  
 
As for the cat ornaments on her desk, my theory is that they are a sentimental representation to her of her relationship with Gendo. Ritsuko is obviously what is known as a "cat person":  
Ritsuko admits she doesn't think she'll ever be a mother.  
Ritsuko admits she doesn't think she'll ever be a mother.  
Misato states that Ritsuko is hiding her loneliness with pet cats.  
Misato states that Ritsuko is hiding her loneliness with pet cats.  
She refers to her late cat as "that child".  
She refers to her late cat as "that child".  
Reichu mentioned that her Newtype character profile states that her hobby is collecting cat ornaments.  
Her Newtype character profile states that her hobby is collecting cat ornaments.  


I'd say she's a prime example of "Cat Person Personality Syndrome"  
I'd say she's a prime example of "Cat Person Personality Syndrome"  
Line 527: Line 588:
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/T4K79C4RLUKAE93R819RFKUEN-01.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/T4K79C4RLUKAE93R819RFKUEN-01.jpg


I think that the white one is supposed to be her, and the black one is Gendo.
Ritsuko has, with the exception of Rei, the fairest complexion of any female character in the show (and she emphasized that by bleaching her hair), while, as you can see, Gendo has the darkest complexion among the main characters. Thus, white cat = Ritsuko, and black cat = Gendo.  
Ritsuko has, with the exception of Rei, the fairest complexion of any female character in the show (and she emphasized that by bleaching her hair), while, as you can see, Gendo has the darkest complexion among the main characters. Thus, white cat = Ritsuko, and black cat = Gendo.  


Interestingly enough, a cute image of a pair of cats shows up in #26:  
Interestingly enough, a cute image of a pair of cats shows up in [[Episode 26]]:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/6PAURBR5CRMGHNC17J3G7QNP6-44.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/6PAURBR5CRMGHNC17J3G7QNP6-44.jpg


The cuteness factor of the cat ornaments might seem to be a little out of character for someone like Ritsuko, but that sort of thing is quite typical of a Cat Person. And while Ritsuko is probably the only person in the world to whom it would make sense to represent her relationship with Gendo with something so cute, it is worth remembering what Yui, who knew him better than anyone, had to say about him:  
The cuteness factor of the cat ornaments might seem to be a little out of character for someone like Ritsuko, but that sort of thing is quite typical of a Cat Person. And while Ritsuko is probably the only person in the world to whom it would make sense to represent her relationship with Gendo with something so cute, it is worth remembering what Yui, who knew him better than anyone, had to say about him:  
"Oh, Fuyutsuki-sensei, he's such a cute man, it's just that no-one knows it."  
"Oh, Fuyutsuki-sensei, he's such a cute man, it's just that no-one knows it."
 
==Sending Ritsuko==
==Sending Ritsuko==
===Transcript===
===Transcript===
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Gendo:  
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|title  = ''I have offered something else to Seele's old men.''
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''From left to right:''<br>
*Gendo:<br>
That's right. The First Child will be maintained in her current condition.  
That's right. The First Child will be maintained in her current condition.  
There is no need for new restrictions.  
There is no need for new restrictions.  
The same goes for the Second and the Third.  
The same goes for the Second and the Third.  
The only need to be watched.  
They only need to be watched.  
*Fuyutsuki:<br>
But Chairman Keel and the rest will raise a fuss when they learn that Rei is alive.
*Gendo:<br>
I have offered something else to Seele's old men.
We needn't worry.
}}
{{-}}


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/JIK54FMM0NA16FV3A6CMTMV99-02.jpg
Fuyutsuki:
But Chairman Keel and the rest will raise a fuss when they learn that Rei is alive.
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/9S6DCGOVRSVJT70RT7BHVGVPK-03.jpg
Gendo:
I have offered something else to Seele's old men.
We needn't worry.
===Analysis===
===Analysis===
Gendo's lines about keeping an eye on the three pilots serves as a reminder that the Children are, and have been, under constant surveillance. This comes up later when Ritsuko "calls off the dogs" when she contacts Shinji later in this episode, and in the next one, when NERV Intelligence supposedly loses track of Asuka for a whole week, then conveniently "finds" her in the nick of time.  
Gendo's lines about keeping an eye on the three pilots serves as a reminder that the Children are, and have been, under constant surveillance. This comes up later when Ritsuko "calls off the dogs" when she contacts Shinji later in this episode, and in the next one, when Nerv Intelligence supposedly loses track of Asuka for a whole week, then conveniently "finds" her in the nick of time.  


Fuyutsuki correctly anticipates that the Committee's suspicions will (quite naturally) be aroused by Rei's rather improbable "survival" of the blast that vaporized Tokyo 3, but Gendo's response implies that he has already heard from them about it:  
Fuyutsuki correctly anticipates that the Committee's suspicions will (quite naturally) be aroused by Rei's rather improbable "survival" of the blast that vaporized Tokyo 3, but Gendo's response implies that he has already heard from them about it:  
Line 568: Line 643:
Those lines taken together indicate that a deal has already been struck.  
Those lines taken together indicate that a deal has already been struck.  


Rei is the indispensable key to Gendo's own secret agenda, so there is simply no way that he is going to allow SEELE to get their hands on her. However, the situation as it stands at this point between Gendo and the Committee is not such that he can get away with blatantly defying them; in order to preserve the necessary fiction that he is still operating under their authority, he has to give them something to satisfy their demand. Scenes 04 and 05 above have tended to indicate that, in fact, it was Ritsuko that they were really interested in, but that raises the question: if, as seems at least probable, the Committee's demand to see Rei was mostly a feint, how could they count on it being Ritsuko that would be sent in her stead? I don't think that is really much of a plot hole, when you think about it: the precedent was already established (in #17, with Misato standing in for Shinji) that NERV could get away with sending an adult as a proxy rather than subjecting the young pilots to interrogation by the wily old men of SEELE. Among Gendo's top people, the Committee had already interrogated Misato and Fuyutsuki, so whom did that leave? In that sense, it was Ritsuko's turn. Once Gendo had nixed the idea of turning over Rei, I would imagine that all SEELE had to do was drop a hint or two that Dr. Akagi would be a satisfactory substitute, and Gendo would have been happy to oblige them, since, keeping Rei out of their clutches was his sole priority in this situation.  
Rei is the indispensable key to Gendo's own secret agenda, so there is simply no way that he is going to allow Seele to get their hands on her. However, the situation as it stands at this point between Gendo and the Committee is not such that he can get away with blatantly defying them; in order to preserve the necessary fiction that he is still operating under their authority, he has to give them something to satisfy their demand. Scenes 04 and 05 above have tended to indicate that, in fact, it was Ritsuko that they were really interested in, but that raises the question: if, as seems at least probable, the Committee's demand to see Rei was mostly a feint, how could they count on it being Ritsuko that would be sent in her stead? This doesn't really seem to be much of a plot hole; the precedent was already established (in [[Episode 17]], with Misato standing in for Shinji) that Nerv could get away with sending an adult as a proxy rather than subjecting the young pilots to interrogation by the wily old men of Seele. Among Gendo's top people, the Committee had already interrogated Misato and Fuyutsuki, so whom did that leave? In that sense, it was Ritsuko's turn. Once Gendo had nixed the idea of turning over Rei, one would imagine that all Seele had to do was drop a hint or two that Dr. Akagi would be a satisfactory substitute, and Gendo would have been happy to oblige them, since, keeping Rei out of their clutches was his sole priority in this situation.
 
Given Gendo's demands in Episode 24 that Ritsuko explain her actions, it is doubtful that Gendo had any guilty foreknowledge of what was in store for Ritsuko; rather, it seems that he thought he was simply foisting the Committee's demand off on her, with the idea that she would basically serve to keep the old men off his back for the time being. He almost certainly thought that he could trust Ritsuko to handle this task, believing that she was intelligent and loyal enough to stand up to Seele's questions without giving away anything important.  If he thought there was any chance that she would be broken and betray him, he likely would not have sent her, and just taken his chances with Seele's next step. 
He was, of course, playing right into their hands, and failed to take into consideration Seele's extraordinary cunning; but it would be the unfortunate Ritsuko that would pay the price...


I don't think that Gendo had any such guilty foreknowledge of what was in store for Ritsuko; rather, I suspect he thought he was simply foisting the Committee's demand off on her, with the idea that she would basically serve to keep the old men off his back for the time being. I imagine that he probably thought that he could trust Ritsuko to handle this task, since he figured that she was intelligent and loyal enough to stand up to SEELE's questions without giving away anything important.
He was, of course, playing right into their hands, and failed to take into consideration SEELE's extraordinary cunning; but it would be the unfortunate Ritsuko that would pay the price...
==Ritsuko's Interrogation==
==Ritsuko's Interrogation==
===Background Info===
===Background Info===
Well, folks, we're about there: the key scene, the one I particularly had in mind when I stated in the introduction to this thread that the truth about Ritsuko, Gendo , and SEELE would, thanks to the new subtitle translation by ADV, come into focus. Before I get to that, however, I would like to set the stage by examining a couple scenes that occurred earlier, that give us some hints concerning just what sort of organization SEELE is, and how they operate. The series keeps the background and true intentions of SEELE pretty much a mystery, at least until EoE, when they start chanting like lunatics, praying for the world to end, and it becomes apparent that they are, in fact, an apocalyptic death cult. The manga, on the other hand, spells things out a bit more clearly:  
We have now reached the key scene, where the truth about Ritsuko, Gendo, and Seele finally comes into focus. First however, the stage must be set by examining a couple scenes that occurred earlier, that give the viewers some hints concerning just what sort of organization Seele is, and how they operate. The series keeps the background and true intentions of Seele pretty much a mystery, at least until EoE, when they start their maniacal chanting, praying for the world to end, and it becomes apparent that they are, in fact, an apocalyptic death cult. The manga, on the other hand, spells things out a bit more clearly:  


From Manga Vol V:  
From Manga Vol V:  
Line 581: Line 657:
"Seele, that's the name of the organization behind your father. They're a secret society. Some people think they've been running the world for hundreds...thousands of years. They paid for Nerv. Built it. Seele possesses the "Dead Sea Scrolls." The scrolls serve as their Bible...among other things. In some way the scrolls too- or the secrets within them- are older than people believe...as old as humanity itself. If what I've turned up is true...the entire history of the human race is written there. Just so you understand...by "entire" I mean our present and future as well- not just a record of the past. Seele, working with your father, laid out a certain plan, based on those prophesies. I've never been able to figure out if they're using him, or he's using them...but this whole battle with the Angels is only the initial phase...of that plan."  
"Seele, that's the name of the organization behind your father. They're a secret society. Some people think they've been running the world for hundreds...thousands of years. They paid for Nerv. Built it. Seele possesses the "Dead Sea Scrolls." The scrolls serve as their Bible...among other things. In some way the scrolls too- or the secrets within them- are older than people believe...as old as humanity itself. If what I've turned up is true...the entire history of the human race is written there. Just so you understand...by "entire" I mean our present and future as well- not just a record of the past. Seele, working with your father, laid out a certain plan, based on those prophesies. I've never been able to figure out if they're using him, or he's using them...but this whole battle with the Angels is only the initial phase...of that plan."  


I'm particularly intrigued by the suggestion that they're a secret society that has been operating behind the scenes for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, controlling the world by manipulating individuals and institutions.  
Of particular interest is the suggestion that they're a secret society that has been operating behind the scenes for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, controlling the world by manipulating individuals and institutions.  


In Colombia, and other places in that part of the world afflicted by powerful drug cartels, there is phrase that describes how they get their way with police, judges, politicians, etc. : "plata o plomo", that is, "silver or lead". You're given the choice between a bribe, or a bullet. There are indications that this is SEELE's way of doing things, too.  
In Colombia, and other places in that part of the world afflicted by powerful drug cartels, there is phrase that describes how they get their way with police, judges, politicians, etc. : "plata o plomo", that is, "silver or lead". You're given the choice between a bribe, or a bullet. There are indications that this is Seele's way of doing things, too.  


21 (ADV's original subs)
21 (ADV's original subs)
   
   
''Fuyutsuki:''  
''Fuyutsuki:''<br>
''Your organization, SEELE or whatever it's called,''  
''Your organization, Seele, or whatever it's called,''  
''is at the base of many ugly rumors.''  
''is at the base of many ugly rumors.''  
''I don't like the way it manipulates the <u>committee by force.</u>''  
''I don't like the way it manipulates the <u>committee by force.</u>''  


''Gendo:''  
''Gendo:''<br>
''You're still too scrupulous.''  
''You're still too scrupulous.''  
''No completely chaste organization can survive in this day and age.''  
''No completely chaste organization can survive in this day and age.''  


And, a bit later, an indication that SEELE takes care of those who serve them and their interests:  
And, a bit later, an indication that Seele takes care of those who serve them and their interests:  


''Fuyutsuki:''  
''Fuyutsuki:''<br>
''I've checked into your finances as well.''  
''I've checked into your finances as well.''  
''Bringing up a child and educating him is expensive,''  
''Bringing up a child and educating him is expensive,''  
''but isn't this a bit much?''  
''but isn't this a bit much?''  


''Gendo:''  
''Gendo:''<br>
''Very impressive, Professor Fuyutsuki.''  
''Very impressive, Professor Fuyutsuki.''  
''Perhaps you should be teaching economics.''  
''Perhaps you should be teaching economics.''  
Line 613: Line 689:
21' (ADV's new DC subs)  
21' (ADV's new DC subs)  


''Fuyutsuki:''  
''Fuyutsuki:''<br>
''I have already handed the data over to Ikari.''  
''I have already handed the data over to Ikari.''  
''It's not something that can be accomplished by an individual after all.''  
''It's not something that can be accomplished by an individual after all.''  
Line 620: Line 696:
''Getting rid of me couldn't be easier for them, it seems.''  
''Getting rid of me couldn't be easier for them, it seems.''  


The only reason that Fuyutski is even alive here is because Gendo, and especially Yui, wanted him on the team at GEHIRN. If he had been some Joe Blow, loudly proclaiming his intention to expose SEELE's complicity in bringing about the catastrophe of Second Impact, he would certainly have ended up face down in a ditch somewhere in the middle of nowhere...  
The only reason that Fuyutski is even alive here is because Gendo, and especially Yui, wanted him on the team at Gehirn. If he had been anyone else, loudly proclaiming his intention to expose Seele's complicity in bringing about the catastrophe of Second Impact, he would certainly have ended up face down in a ditch somewhere in the middle of nowhere...
 
And, of course, we have the more recent example of Kaji; as MDWigs so aptly put it,
 
''"SEELE had him killed, not in an important way, they just sent a security agent to shoot him..."'',
 
basically, as it turns out, just to "send a message" to Gendo. So, the obvious point is: Seele are Not Nice People. They attach very little value to individual human life, and are utterly ruthless in pursuit of their aims and agenda.  


And, of course, we have the more recent example of Kaji; as MDWigs so aptly put it, "SEELE had him killed, not in an important way, they just sent a security agent to shoot him...", basically, as it turns out, just to "send a message" to Gendo. So, I guess my point is: SEELE are Not Nice People. They attach very little value to individual human life, and are utterly ruthless in pursuit of their aims and agenda.  
As for Ritsuko, unfortunately her prospects in this situation are pretty grim: Seele knows, given how loyal she is to Gendo, that there is no way she could be persuaded to betray him through any sort of bribe or other non-coercive means; coercion, in this case, is required to yield the desired result. But probably only an organization that has had centuries of practice at manipulating people could conceive a scheme of such breathtaking cynicism and cruelty as what they will implement here, in order to "flip" her, that is, to put her into a frame of mind where she will willingly betray him. And then they will send her back as if nothing has happened, but her heart will be seething with bitterness at her (perceived) betrayal by him, and her keen mind will be contemplating how best to exact her revenge...


As for Ritsuko, I'm afraid that her prospects in this situation are pretty grim: SEELE knows, given how loyal she is to Gendo, that there is no way she could be persuaded to betray him thru any sort of bribe or other non-coercive means; coercion, in this case, is required to yield the desired result. But probably only an organization that has had centuries of practice at manipulating people could conceive a scheme of such breathtaking cynicism and cruelty as what they will implement here, in order to "flip" her, that is, to put her into a frame of mind where she will willingly rat him out. And then they will send her back as if nothing has happened, but her heart will be seething with bitterness at her (perceived) betrayal by him, and her keen mind will be contemplating how best to exact her revenge...
===Transcript and Analysis===
Upon realizing what was really going on in this scene, one of our in-house translators was asked to examine the original Japanese script that was included in the Renewal release.  She very helpfully whipped up a full, cut-by-cut treatment, which can be found here:
[http://www.avians.net/rkc/14daughters/scripts/episode-23/episode-23_+ritsuko.html]
(the page includes a couple other scenes from #23'; scroll about a third of the way down to get to Scene: Ritsuko's Interrogation)


===Raped===
This scene amounts to a sort of grotesque "Good-cop/Bad-cop" routine, but the audience only sees the "Good-cop" half of the equation here; the "Bad-cop" part that preceded this isn't shown, but is left to be inferred by the audience.
Not long after I got my hands on the new Directors' Cut: Resurrection DVD, I found myself transcribing the new DC subtitles for this scene, in order to argue some point with our resident troll/pest/gadfly Fuzzy Chickens. As I typed up the lines, a certain word caught my attention, and got the wheels turning in my mind:  
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/V3VV5EU80NSPTGNAJURTC1337-01a.jpg
 
''Ritsuko, firm in manner, in the nude,...''
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/GBNCQHIJELVPQND7REV14BTMP-02a.jpg
 
''Ritsuko (backside) standing in front of monolith,''
''...making no attempt to cover her body.''
 
Keel:<br>
''"We would like for things to proceed smoothly.''
''We do not wish to subject you to anymore degradation and suffering."''
 
When Keel says "We would like for things to proceed smoothly...", the sinister implications of his words reveal what a vicious old thug he actually is, despite his "gentlemanly" manner. It's similar in implication to what he says in Episode 25':
SEELE 01:<br>
''"I had hoped to solve this peacefully, but they leave me no choice.''
''Take over the entire headquarters directly, at once!!"''
 
In both cases, we see Seele's thuggish, all-or-nothing mind-set: resolving the situation "peacefully" means giving them everything they want, while refusal means, in Ritsuko's case, the prospect of more "degradation and suffering", and in Episode 25', sending in the JSDF against Nerv, with orders to just kill everyone...
 
When this scene was translated, what was discovered tends very definitely to validate the conclusion that Ristuko was subjected to outrages against her person; as our translator points out in her translation notes for cut 260, the definition for ryoujoku, the word translated variously above as "disgrace", "shame', "insult", and "degradation", is given as "insult, disgrace, rape..." That "disgrace" and "rape" would turn out to be shared connotations of the same word would be considered, by modern Western standards, an appallingly old fashioned, patriarchal way of looking at things, but would not be unusual in Japan.
 
The script comments are very revealing here:
''"Ritsuko, firm in manner, in the nude,..."''
tends to confirm the interpretation of Ritsuko's body language in this scene. Despite the horrors she has been subjected to, she is standing tall, with her head up, glaring in defiance at her tormentors.
 
"Ritsuko (backside) standing in front of monolith
''"...making no attempt to cover her body."''
Obviously the point would seem to be that she is NOT trying to cover herself, but rather, is standing before the old villains with pride and defiance, not wishing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cringe or cower.
 
Ritsuko:<br>
''"I do not feel humiliated whatsoever."''
 
Ritsuko's only available strategy to cope with this horrible situation she finds herself in here, is to try to tough it out..., and note that Ritsuko deliberately replies to Keel's "ryoujoku", disgrace or humiliation with a connotation of rape, with a different word, "kutsujoku", which lacks that connotation.  She simply says that what they had put her through did not make her feel ashamed, i.e., it didn't work.
 
SEELE:<br>
''"A stong-willed woman.''
''I can understand why Ikari would want you by his side."''
 
Again, more "Good-cop" role playing here, offering a compliment, perhaps genuine; for it truly is remarkable, under the circumstances, that she isn't on her knees here, crying in anguish (that comes later, of course...)
"I can understand why Ikari would want you by his side" is a sly tip off that Seele knows all about her intimate relationship with Gendo, which has everything to do with why she is here; it give them a unique vulnerability to exploit, as shall be revealed by what comes next:
 
SEELE:<br>
''"But the person who handed you to us...''
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/68ACF7IP75VVJFFNJ5V6I09BF-03.jpg
 
''..is none other than Ikari."''
 
[[File:23 ritsuko interrogation UP 2.jpg|150px|left]]
{{-}}
''The same blank face, but she can no longer hide her unrest and finally yields the slightest expression''
 
Ritsuko:<br>
''"!..."''
 
All the hell they put her through before was just "preparation", or set-up, for this, the moment when the trap is sprung. The insidious perfection of their plan, which Gendo, in his eagerness to keep Rei out of their clutches, managed to play right into, is made plain by the fact that at this point, they don't have to lie to Ritsuko; the truth will serve their purpose here better than any lie they could come up with.
 
This is a wonderfully directed moment, as we see Ritsuko's eyes flash ever so slightly, just at the precise moment when the French Seele member utters the word "Ikari-kun". Ristuko's "acting" in this episode, thanks to the subtlety of the character animation and Yuriko Yamiguchi's amazing VA is impecable.
 
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/4ICMH0JO6CJT5D1VOABH9UDQ5-05.jpg


Keel: "We would like for things to proceed smoothly.  
Monolith No. 01
We do not wish to subject you to <u>anymore</u> degradation and suffering."  
Keel:<br>
''"He refused to hand over the pilot of Unit-00 for questioning.''
''He sent you as a substitute, Dr. Akagi".''


So I'm like, hmm, let's see... "anymore"... "subject you to <anymore> degradation and suffering"...
This is the final, decisive whammy: it is the notion that Gendo chose to hand her over to Seele's tender mercies in favor of Rei that makes this whole nefarious plan work.  
Wait a minute...  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/C3UTSH05GD4T6IQ753C4Q90JJ-mad0010.gif
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/VKGLMN1U82I0R1RFNCPKVGE2S-06a.jpg


So what the hell had they been DOING to her, ''up to this point?!''  
''Ritsuko reacting to the present state of affairs with an entirely cold expression, side profile close-up''


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/UHA9GUKG44NSCTQ8DI6L05FPJ-mad0137.gif
Ritsuko:<br>
''"I was sent in place of Rei?"''


You see where I'm going with this?
Normally, Ritsuko is a very logical thinker, but her natural jealousy, compounded by the outrages she has just been made to endure, seem to be negatively affecting her thought processes here, because she seems to uncritically accept Seele's crafty insinuation of Gendo's complete complicity in what has happened.


If not, then let's allow Ritsuko's own words spell it out:  
===Raped===
"I only needed to think of him and I could endure any kind of humiliation!
One word particularly stands out in the above scene:
I didn't care <u>what happened to my body!</u>


and (from #24')
Keel:<br>
"Why don't you just <u>have your way with my body?!</u>  
''"We would like for things to proceed smoothly.''  
Like you did that time!"  
''We do not wish to subject you to <u>anymore</u> degradation and suffering."''


.  
... "anymore"... "subject you to <anymore> degradation and suffering"...  


.
So, what had they been doing to her, ''up to this point to justfiy the word "anymore"?''


.


.
Ritsuko's own words spell it out:
"I only needed to think of him and I could endure any kind of humiliation!
I didn't care <u>what happened to my body!</u>


They ''raped'' her...
and (to Gendo in Episode 24')
"Why not <u>have your way with my body?!</u>
Like that time!"


I don't mean the Committee personally, of course. They're not physically present here, they're just holograms. I mean they ordered one of their goon squads to kidnap, rape, and abuse her, for God-only-knows how long, before what we see going on "on camera" with her standing before the Committee.  
The conclusion is clear:  Ritsuko was sexually assaulted.  


Many people, with only ADV's old translations to go by (the dub of this scene is especially misleading), have concluded that somehow, having been interrogated by SEELE under humiliating circumstances, and perhaps due to some previously unsuspected mental instability, Ritsuko just loses it and goes completely nuts. But can the humiliation of being made to stand naked before the old farts really plausibly account for the way she subsequently behaves? How much more believable is it that being raped, and then being told that her lover arranged that fate for her, would have brought her to this state:  
Naturally, this wasn't done by the Committee in person; they're not physically present here, they're just holograms. The rape would have been carried out by the Seele minions who actually have her in their custody to prepare her for her interrogation by the Committee.
 
From this, it becomes understandable that she is in this state:


''"Kill me if you want to.''
''"Kill me if you want to.''
''No, <u>I'd be happy</u> if you did."''
''No, <u>I'd be happy</u> if you did."''
Some might raise the objection "Oh, come on! How could they have something so crucial to the plot as that happen off camera?!" Leaving the likely relevant issue of censorship aside, I should point out that this is not the first time Anno has utilized this elliptical narrative technique: in #09, there is a similar case of where a key part of the narrative is skipped; instead, it is left to the audience to figure out why Asuka's demeanor inexplicably goes from this, to this, seemingly in the blink of an eye. (Clueless Shinji wonders what's gotten into her, too..)


I think that it is also necessary to put what happens to Ritsuko here in the proper context, which is the very grim turn that the story as a whole takes in the last few episodes. First off, after Misato and Kaji resume their love affair at the end of #20, Kaji is uncermoniously killed off in #21:  
It also pays to put what happens to Ritsuko here in the proper context, which is the very grim turn that the story as a whole takes in the last few episodes. First off, after Misato and Kaji resume their love affair at the end of [[Episode 20]], Kaji is uncermoniously killed off in [[Episode 21]]:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/AQOHQJAFTJ8SI45ELMIUUQO1O-07.jpg
http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/AQOHQJAFTJ8SI45ELMIUUQO1O-07.jpg


Then, in #22, Asuka suffers a mental invasion, or Mind-Rape:  
Then, in Episode 22, Asuka suffers a mental invasion, or Mind-Rape:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/C930K63CBC2NQJGPQGFK19J21-17.jpg
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Line 684: Line 832:




Next, in #23, Rei undergoes Assimilative Angelic Tentacle Rape:  
Next, in Episode 23, Rei undergoes Assimilative Angelic Tentacle Rape:  


http://www.evageeks.org/ANF-Archive/images/AO3HPQ8KHM5EC83GTLU4N93NN-25.jpg
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Line 690: Line 838:
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Each of the main female characters has now been hit where it hurts the most.
=The Counter Argument=
While the above has become the majority view, there are still some who strongly object to the Ritsuko rape theory, arguing that the evidence is insufficient and that the surface interpretation of the above incidents is more likely.  This section will state their objections. 
==Dialogue Interpretations==
''"We would like for things to proceed smoothly. We do not wish to subject you to any more degradation and suffering"''
The opponents of the theory do not believe that this line refers to some terrible thing that had already been done to her, but rather it refers to her nudity, and insinuates that the interrogation has not begun in earnest yet, a thinly veiled threat that they are prepared to use any means necessary to get the answers they want from her.  i.e., They may very well be ''threatening'' sexual abuse, but none has already occured.
''"I do not feel humiliated whatsoever"''
In the opposition view, this refers to her being sent before them stripped naked. Of note here is that her demeanor corraborates her words that this humiliation is of little consequence to her and only a humiliation in the conventional sense. She is not emotional about it whatsoever.
The surprise and twitching that Ritsuko exhibits when told that Gendo had sent her are only in referrence to her being sent before Seele by Gendo in lieu of Rei; she has been scorned and is now forced to fully realize his utter lack of concern and feelings for her.
''"I only needed to think of him, and I could endure any kind of humiliation!"''
Is argued to be just a reference to her demeanor before Seele because of her devotion to Gendo. It could also be a referrence to her having always harbored the knowledge that he didn't care for her at all, the fact that their relationship was essentially a secret which would of course lead her to feel as if he were ashamed to be seeing her,
''"I didn't care what happened to my body!"''
Is seen by the opponents as a referrence to being used by Gendo for sex or simply for manipulation, not to her treatment by Seele.  Even if she was passionate for the other person and thus enjoyed the sex, when a woman finds out that she has been used, she may reasonably consider it a type of abuse and violation of her body and her trust.
''"But he... He..."''
Is once again argued to be a referrence to his having been only using her all along and then discarding her at his convenience to Seele in lieu of Rei, not a reference to something too terrible to mention.
''"If you want to kill me, do it. No, I would be happy if you would do it."''
The opposition agrues that her despair over having lost to Rei and being used all along by Gendo, is sufficient to trigger this reaction; It further demonstrates how invested she was in him.  Assuming a rape during her interrogation is not neccessary.
''"Why not have your way with my body, like that time?!"''<ref>The controversy over this line has been exacerbated by translation difficulties.  The original line in Japanese omits the subject and has no pronouns at all.  ''"Why not (have ones way with) my body, like that time?!"''  This is an impossible sentence in English, and must be corrected by changing ''"have one's way"'' to ''"have your way"''.  However, many translations go beyond this and render the line as, ''"Why don't you have your way with my body, like you did that time?!"''  The superfluous "you"s add specificity where none exists in the original.  i.e., in Japanese it isn't clear who abused her "that time".  Normally, this would just be a harmless choice in wording, but in this case it is improper because it makes the translation sound more like she is refering to Gendo than is justified by the Japanese wording.</ref>   
Once again it is argued that this refers to Ritsuko's relationship with Gendo, not to her interrogation.  It likely refers to some unrelated occasion in the past where ''Gendo'', not Seele sexually abused her.
==Plot Based Objections==
The opponents to the Ritsuko rape theory also object that so pivotal an incident would never be simply hinted at in Evangelion.  While some things are not directly stated, but instead are left for the viewer to piece together from clues and hints, such as Rei 1 as Unit-00's soul, Lilith as Rei's soul, Seele having Kaji shot, ect., this is not the case with formative incidents about important characters.  It is explicitly stated that Shinji saw his mother absorbed by Unit-01, that Misato's hated father died to save her, triggering her conflicting feelings, and that Asuka found her mother's body hanging from the ceiling.  An incident that informs all of Ritsuko's actions for the rest of the series and EOE would likewise be explicitly stated.
It has also been objected that Seele is botching the standard good cop/bad cop routine.  In real life the good cop shows up in the nick of time to save the suspect from the bad cop; the grateful suspect then spills his guts to the good cop.  Once the bad cop does his worst, in this case raping Ritsuko, it is argued that the good cop's arrival would have no effect.  Wouldn't this just turn her against Gendo and Seele?  Why would she do Seele's bidding after this sort of ordeal?
=The Counter-Counter Argument=
These objections are, of course, not without validity.  Thus the response made by the proponents of the Ritsuko rape theory must be examined. 
==Dialogue Interpretations==
Here the proponents argure that the opponents are wrong to insist on a surface interpretation.  If there were only one or two clues, a case might be made that they are inadvertant.  But when there are close to a dozen, you can't just dismiss them.  The opponents seem to be willfully ignoring the evidence.  The proponents also argue that Gendo's sending her in Rei's place ''would not'' be enough per se to invoke this reaction.  Ritsuko already knows how important Rei is to Gendo.  They site the scenes in [[Episode 17]] and other episodes of her glaring at them when they are together.
[[File:17 C041a.jpg|left]]
{{-}}
Gendo has already refused to let Seele question Shinji; he plainly won't give them Rei, a much bigger prize.  As they've already questioned Misato and Fuyutsuki, this leaves Ritsuko.  She had to know this, and would not have been shocked.  What brought her position home to her was the ''extent'' to which Gendo favored Rei over her.  He knows he's dealing with a ruthless evil orginization that has already threatened to kill Fuyutsuki, and actually has killed Kaji.  Even Yui had to escape into Unit-01 to avoid assassination.  To Ritsuko's mind, Gendo ''should have known'' that they would do whatever it took to break her.  She considers Gendo responsibile for the violation she suffered; in effect he is the one had his way with her body. 
==Plot Based Objections==
Proponents have a couple of objections to the "Anno wouldn't just hint at this" theory.  The first is that ''Evangelion'' was a prime time show; he wouldn't have ''been allowed'' to deal directly with a rape.  Hints are the best he could do.  Also, they say, those who object in this manner are putting themselves into the director's chair and making pronouncements about what Anno would or wouldn't have done, instead of dealing with the evidence that shows what he actually did do.
They refute the "it doesn't work like this in real life" argument simply by pointing out that Evangelion ''isn't'' real life.  Also, it's not necessarily the case that Seele ordered her to destroy the Reis or blow up Nerv HQ; they could simply have turned her against Gendo, learned what they wanted, and then sent her back to do her worst. 
=References=
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Theory and Analysis]]
[[Category:Ritsuko Akagi]]
[[Category:Seele]]
[[Category:Theory and Analysis of Characters]]

Latest revision as of 04:56, 1 March 2021

One of the most discussed aspects of Neon Genesis Evangelion is Ritsuko's extreme reaction to her interrogation by Seele, which lead to her betrayal of Gendo and the destruction of the Reiquarium. Was Gendo's sending her to be interrogated in Rei's place in and of itself sufficient to provoke such a reaction, or did something else happen that is not explicitly stated? This article makes the case for the theory that Ritsuko suffered through a sexual assault off screen before her interrogation. The opposition argument will also be stated.

The Proponents' Argument[1]

Cat Scene

Transcript

Phone Call From Grandmother

(From left to right)

  • Nerv HQ. Late at night.

The sounds of rush construction work resonate. The exterior is almost as it was before.

  • An ashtray on a desk. Full of cigarette butts (with lipstick on them).

Ritsuko (on phone) I see, so she passed away.

  • Cold coffee and a coffee maker

Yes, probably, even cats eventually reach the end of their lives.

  • Her office desk. Ritsuko's backside.

Don't cry anymore, Grandma. I will. When I get some time, I'll come home for a bit. I haven't visited Mother's grave in three years either. I'll call you next time. Okay, I'm hanging up now.

  • She switches the phone off.

SE <<BEEP>>

  • Although she is growing weary, she speaks matter-of-factly.

So, she died.

  • Ritsuko's office.

The cat ornaments on her desk.


Analysis

This scene is simple, and, at the same time, enigmatic. Its 'surface' meaning is straight-forward enough; Ritsuko's grandmother calls her to let her know that her cat had died. The question is, "Why was this scene included?" The cat was only vaguely alluded to one before in the previous episode: ...Misato: "I won't listen to this from someone who conceals her loneliness with pet cats."... It's fair to say that this scene must bear some some symbolic or metaphorical weight, otherwise it would not be here. Anno obviously intends it to mean something, because the first thing out of Ritsuko's mouth in Episode 24, in her confrontation with Gendo, is "My cat died..." The significance of this scene will come into focus when it is, in a sense, continued in the second half of Episode 23, so the Cat Metaphor will be elaborated upon at that point in this article.

It is interesting to note how Ritsuko refers to the late cat as "that child" (you can distinctly hear her say "ano ko")[2]; there is likely some significance to her choice of words.

Seele and Gendo

Transcript

Seele Questions Gendo

From left to right

  • SEELE:

It is impossible for us to recover the Lance of Longinus.

SEELE: Why did you use it?

SEELE: We still do not have the planned number of the Eva series.

  • Gendo:

I made destroying the Angel my top priority. It was an unavoidable situation.

SEELE: Unavoidable, was it? You should make your excuses more convincing than that.

SEELE: Your recent actions have become intolerable.

(SE) [phone rings]

  • Gendo:

Fuyutsuki, I'm in conference... Understood.

  • (hangs up phone; shuts drawer)
  • An Angel is curently drawing near.

Let us continue this at another time.

  • SEELE:

If your seat is still waiting for you, that is.

  • (Gendo's hologram disappears)
  • Keel:

Ikari... Does he intend to betray Seele?


Analysis

The reason this scene is included, even though it doesn't include Ritsuko herself, is that it adds the necessary context of Seele's increasingly suspicious and antagonistic relationship with Gendo by this point in the story. As Fuyutsuki anticipated in the previous episode, the Committee is in an uproar over Gendo's decision to use the Spear of Longinus against the Fifteenth Angel (and thus conveniently get rid of it):

SEELE: It is impossible for us to recover the Lance of Longinus.

SEELE: Why did you use it?

SEELE: We still do not have the planned number of the Eva series.

Note how both the Lance and the Eva Series are brought up here at the start. This touches on the divergent ends and means that Seele and Gendo had in mind for initiating Third Impact and it is beyond the scope of this presentation to get into all the details thereof. But it is clear that Seele had been counting on utilizing the Lance, and that Gendo needed to eliminate it from the equation. Thus Seele was ultimately obliged to go to 'Plan B', which entailed using the Eva Series.

Gendo: An Angel is curently drawing near. Let us continue this at another time.

SEELE: If your seat is still waiting for you, that is.

Also note this:

Keel: Ikari... Does he intend to betray Seele?

From the beginning of the series, we see that the rest of the Committee seems to have it in for Gendo, but Chairman Keel seems more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. In the EVA 2 game, we're told that Yui Ikari was the daughter of a high ranking Seele member[3], thus Gendo effectively 'married into' the organization. There are also a few hints that there was a more personal relationship between Gendo and Keel than with the others. Note, for instance, how Episode 21' (and Death) has the two of them in effect sharing a good laugh at the expense of the the Katsuragi Team scientists who unwittingly do their dirty work in initiating Second Impact (while Gendo, of course, knew enough about what was in store to leave Antartica the day before), and how we see Gendo hobnobbing with Keel during the subsequent cover-up:

JP6F567M9T23OUPLD4OGBK1CE-12.jpg

However, after the events of Episode 19 (EVA-01 acquiring an S^2 organ), Episode 21' (Kaji suggests that Seele may already be catching on to his complicity in stealing the Adam Sample), and Episode 22, (the Lance ending up in lunar orbit), even Keel is starting to get wise to Gendo's apparent perfidy. The events of Episode 23 involving Ritsuko are basically about Seele's ruthless determination to find out Gendo's true intentions...

After Armisael

Transcript

Unit-00's Entry Plug is Salvaged
7B17RAI386DDF6G214B7OJU52-01.jpg 1QE1AR5H41RT9HG2GJLB97L3M-02.jpg M77JCRBG1R9029C1SAV041TBB-03.jpg ED781HRHTUVCSB3DOEBF9KTC1-04.jpg M68MEB4TC7JHKHMRDJ297DPCV-Hand_TN.jpg
DV2V0S2Q4U3RTMCDLKGOFCO39-06.jpg 82861M3N4OVCCRRQ4AQAU5PO4-07.jpg

From left to right

  • Radio A: The 16th Angel's constituent material is still undetected. In the process of resuming the current search.

Radio B: EVA-00's core parts are heavily damaged from the high pressure resulting from the heat.

  • Radio C: The Level C contamination zone is spreading towards the southwest. Maintain the curfew for the next 48 hours.

Radio D: Announcement D16 acknowledged. From this point forward, please carry out the processing independently, without the SSDF's approval.

  • Man: Dr. Akagi!
  • Ritsuko:

What happened here will be classified top secret. Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else.

  • Man:

Roger that. Let's get to work! Quickly!


Analysis

This scene illustrates an interesting point about Ritsuko's role at Nerv.

If you look at the backgound radio chatter and the sub translation of the line in question ( "Take back the plug. Dispose of everything else."), it is apparent that Ritsuko's job here was to retrieve Rei's mortal remains, which were required for the process of investing her soul in a new body. Furthermore, the radio chatter seems to indicate that, while there is no trace of Armisael, there were bits of Zerogouki lying about, and it seems that that is what Ritsuko is referring to with "Dispose of everything else".

All through the series, up to this point, when Gendo has important, secret jobs to carry out to further his own agenda, there are two loyal and devoted minions that he can turn to: Rei gets the heavy lifting jobs; as in Episode 14, and Episode 22[4], while Ritsuko has a hand in just about all of NERV's nefarious and morally compromised undertakings, as we see, for example, in Episode 07, and Episode 17[5]. Here in Episode 23, Ritsuko gets the job of cleaning up the aftermath of Rei's self-sacrifice, but, with time running short for both Gendo and Seele, it will prove to be her last such task, as she is about to find out the hard way that, between Rei and herself, she is the more expendable...

Seele Discussion

Transcript

Seele Conspires
ADROIJ9EN56VIB1JU2V41LU8R-01.jpg VMBLLESU5Q5OL59ONOV5Q7ITA-02.jpg HJ126ABU4VR4G0LO9EEHT8TIC-04.jpg 1H0UQRDV5HKFHLM6BL80I1M5B-05.jpg HMLS5R1NURKE4CMINVHVQ4R19-06.jpg
MVD9VC15ALPV4TJP2C4NCEB83-07.jpg HTHJVN9P9R2FS2EIHO2O2MRK1-08.jpg

From left to right:

  • SEELE:

At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.

  • SEELE:

That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.

  • Keel:

The promised time is near. Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.

SEELE:
Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.

  • SEELE:

We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.

SEELE:
That man is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.

  • SEELE:

We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.

Keel:
And we need someone who knows the truth.


Analysis

This scene is a prime example of the spare and economical style of writing that Anno often resorts to, especially towards the end of the series. These few lines are packed with significance, but, in some cases are so subtle and cryptic that it is easy to miss their full import . Seele, on this and other occasions, tend to refer to very dark and grim matters obscurely and euphemistically. They know what they're talking about, but it is necessary for the audience, to subject their words to close examination in order to divine the true meaning.

The scene starts with a visual countdown of the Angels, 3 thru 16 (mostly omitted to save space), to emphasize the point made in the dialog, that the scenario contained within the Dead Sea Scrolls is coming to a head, and time is running out. Both Gendo and Seele are aware of this, and that is why the barely polite facade of having a common agenda that had prevailed between them for most of the series is really starting to crumble by this point. As indicated in Scene 02 above, when Gendo deliberately put the Lance out of reach, it was obvious even to Chairman Keel that he was up to something. The shortness of time, and not quite knowing Gendo's intentions, is making the Committe feel as though events might be starting to slip out of their grasp, which explains the ruthlessness which they will resort to presently, in order to ascertain just what it is, that Gendo is trying to accomplish...

Some conclusions can be drawn from an examination of the dialogue:

SEELE:

At last, we have defeated up through the 16th Angel.

SEELE:

That leaves only one Angel described in Seele's Dead Sea Scrolls.

Keel:

The promised time is near...

This is pretty straight forward, though the use of the phrase "the promised time" is worth noting, as a relatively innocent-sounding reference to the Apocalypse that Seele is seeking to bring about.

Keel:

...Our journey has been long and the sacrifices have been great.

SEELE:

Indeed, first the Lance of Longinus, and now the loss of Unit 00.

SEELE:

We have more than enough reasons to relieve Ikari of his command.

Previously (in #20), when the other Committee members suggested that perhaps it was a mistake to have given Gendo control of NERV, Keel answered "But, he was the only one who could achieve all our goals". Gendo has had a certain job security, as long as there were Angels to be defeated, and the phrase "all our goals" is no doubt a reference to the Human Instrumentality Project, the fulfillment of which is Nerv's true purpose, and which Keel seems to think only Gendo can accomplish. So, they're not going to dismiss him just yet, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been willing to take some actions intended to "send a message" to Gendo that he was under suspicion, and that there was a price to be paid for insubordination.

SEELE:

That man is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely.

This line often causes viewers to scratch their heads; in Episode 21 Kaji is shown to have rescued Fuyutsuki. But there it is in black and white: according to Seele, they let Fuyutsuki go. What's more, examine the rest of the sentence: "That man (i.e. Gendo) is smart enough to know the significance of why we allowed Fuyutsuki to return safely." This indicates that there was a message for Gendo implied by the fact that he got Fuyutsuki back alive (and the fact that they seem to regard Fuyutsuki getting out of that situation alive as a special circumstance sort of implies that the "default" expectation would have been that Gendo would have never seen Fuyutsuki again). This naturally puts the scene in Episode 21, when Kaji tells Fuyutsuki that "the guards are asleep" in a new light. Presumably, if Seele had been serious about retaining custody of Fuyutsuki, Kaji would have never got anywhere near him.

That brings us to the next line:

SEELE:

We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.

Talking about a "human sacrifice" in connection with Fuyutsuki's kidnapping and "rescue" could only mean Kaji.

There has been much discussion of "Who killed Kaji", on every Eva forum, but these lines are not quoted often enough (probably because they show up two episodes after Kaji's death). A crucial piece of that puzzle is staring the viewer in the face here: not who killed him (as Anno himself has stated, it was not a series character, but some anonymous goon), but why he was killed. When these two lines are put together, what they seem to be saying was that Gendo was allowed to get Fuyutsuki back, but at a price that was to be paid in blood. Fuyutsuki's life was bought with that of Kaji. This is what the the "message" was, that Seele was signaling by returning Fuyutsuki alive, that Gendo was presumably smart enough to understand: "We still need you, because no one else can carry out Nerv's true mission (HIP), and we will even let you have your right hand man back, BUT: just to let you know that we are serious, and are playing for keeps, one of your other minions, who has betrayed us (on your behalf) more than once, will be eliminated, so you don't get the idea that we let Fuyutsuki go out of the kindness of our hearts."

This should put to rest any theories that Gendo had Kaji killed, or worse, killed him himself. Kaji's murder, as far as those who ordered it were concerned, was an act that was directed at Gendo, as a warning, a "shot across the bow"...

Finally examine these lines together:

SEELE:

We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari.

Keel:

And we need someone who knows the truth.

Since the events of Episode 21, Gendo once again has been treacherous, particularly by getting rid of the Lance, which has really got the Committee riled up, and convinced them that he is pursuing some unknown agenda of his own, thus they are contemplating "another human sacrifice" to counter Ikari.

A favorite trick of Anno as a director is to segue from one scene to the next by having someone refer to a character indirectly, without mentioning their name, then start the next scene with a close-up of the person in question. He resorts to this technique dozens of times, but one example will suffice:

Who Could They be Talking About?
3J7J987O47HD4MTDHK4F6VQN3-09.jpg 46PBNMAO0N93A99NMHA359II2-10.jpg
D0NADH2N2ADVJKN5MK147JLKQ-11.jpg 7K9SE0LTOGBNE7T0ACMDESIJG-12.jpg

Here we see them employ the same technique when talking about Kaji, then later about Ritsuko.


It is evident that the "someone" that they want to talk to ascertain "the truth" is Ritsuko. It is not clear how much they got out of Fuyutsuki, but there is one other person close to Gendo that they haven't talked to yet, and, given the ominous context of "We need another human sacrifice to counter Ikari", it would seem that they have something unpleasant in mind...

Memories

Transcript

A Nostalgic Photograph
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From left to right:

  • Ritsuko's office.

The cat ornaments on her desk.

  • Ritsuko resting her chin on her hand up.
  • Her gaze shifts.
  • She presses the Return key on her BOOK computer.
  • Ritsuko's head in front. A photograph of Ikari, her mother, and Ritsuko as a senior high school student is displayed on the screen.
  • Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.
  • Ritsuko gazes, resting her chin on her hand.
  • Likewise, Ikari and her smiling mother.
  • Ritsuko's back, the picture pulls back


Analysis

This scene starts with the same shot of the cat figurines that ended Scene 01 from the first half of the episode, thus linking the two scenes visually and thematically. Also, following immediately upon Scene 04, in which Seele indicated that they intended to target "someone who knows the truth", in order to "counter Ikari", this scene sets up the viewer for what is about to befall Ritsuko by subtly hinting that her relationship with Gendo is more than just a professional one. That the two of them were lovers only becomes patently obvious later on, as she breaks down at the end of this episode, but Anno is establishing at least a hint at the relationship here, since it will presently serve Seele as a vulnerability to exploit in prying information out of Ritsuko that, of course, was not applicable in Fuyutsuki's case.

This scene has no dialog, so whatever hints and clues are to be gleaned here will require a careful consideration of the images presented. What stands out in this scene is how it shows Ritsuko gazing, a bit nostalgically, at an old picture that shows her with Gendo back when she was a schoolgirl. What are they trying to tell us here? That is, to establish that there was something personal going on with them, they could have just shown a more recent picture with the two of them side by side, thus the choice to present an image that goes back to when Ritsuko was still a teenager has to have some significance. The likely reason is that the point is to let us know that her romantic feelings for Gendo go way back, and started out as a schoolgirl crush. There is also further evidence in composition of the photograph to back this up.

First, let's look at the image itself:

F6NN164QV14SCGUALMQPI3FAT-05a.jpg

Ritsuko's head in front. A photograph of Ikari, her mother, and Ritsuko as a senior high school student is displayed on the screen.

Note how the picture is composed with Naoko between Ritsuko and Gendo, and that Naoko is close to Gendo, rather than centered between them. One could even claim that Naoko has a slightly smug smile here, but that is a matter of interpretation...

L91G2R53ULBCFQ742OHTMAB47-06.jpg

Pull in on this. A sulky-faced Ritsuko.

Is she sulking because of Naoko's presense?

Once you know what to look for, the evidence that Ritsuko's feelings for Gendo were present from the start is apparent in a couple scenes from earlier episodes:

As Ritsuko and Misato were unwinding with a cup of coffee, after defeating the 11th Angel, Iruel, Ritsuko makes a rather startling personal admission.

Episode 13 (Platinum Edition subs):

Ritsuko's Feelings About Her Mother
84V4A6PB51U84JLOKIGFG5Q7G-10.jpg URITL9A1AMFAH33SDBMS4Q5BI-11.jpg 4205LM1T5NIIHVJV84914VVG5-12.jpg IHVG6VAL4QMO73C9NQQ061I6D-13.jpg 84V4A6PB51U84JLOKIGFG5Q7G-10.jpg

From left to right:

  • Ritsuko:

The night before she died, my mother told me that the MAGI are three aspects of herself: herself as a scientist, herself as a mother, herself as a woman. The MAGI is those three aspects struggling for dominance. She intentionally left in the dilemmas of human experience. Actually, each of the programs are slightly different. I don't think I'll ever be a mother, so I don't understand her as a mother. I respected her as a scientist.

  • However, as a woman, I even hated her.
  • Misato:

You're rather talkative today.

  • Ritsuko:

It's been known to happen.


As always, it is instructive to pay attention to Ritsuko's expression and body language. Also note that in Episode 05 she takes a swig of coffee after revealing that the Angel's pattern matched 99.89 percent of human DNA; this is a cue to the audience to "pay attention to that last line, because it's going to turn out to have some important pay-off later"...

The line that really stands out here, "I hated her" is pretty harsh, why would she say such a thing, especially as all the flashback scenes in Episode 21 that show the two of them together seem to indicate that she was relaxed and friendly around her mother.

However, there is one scene #21 that brings into focus why she would hate her mother "as a woman":

Episode 21' (Resurrection DVD subs):

Caught In the Act
47EIOJ7N0Q8EJCP7Q6KME6TU0-30.jpg O0FEHO71QB9PDLI68LH70RVAB-31.jpg VEUPLJG9QH7T6NFE0RD6S2169-32.jpg AKJ69D4DS5QBE581JC2PFJC3S-34.jpg U0HLDEJ034D64RI1J97INHPBC-35.jpg
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From left to right:

  • Naoko:

Are you really sure?

  • Gendo:

Yes, I have no regrets concerning my work.
Naoko:
Liar! You can't just forget about Ms. Yui, right?

  • Naoko:

But I don't mind.


Here we learn to reason for her harsh words. That distressed look on Ritsuko's face in the last cut seems to indicate her bitter realization that, while she's been off getting a PhD in anticipation of what would be a dream assignment for her to work at Gehirn alongside Gendo, her own mom has been taking advantage of Yui's tragic demise to move in on the Chief. Her "hatred" of her mother stems from the fact that she turned out to be a rival for the affections of Gendo.

Furthermore, consistent with the principle that thematically significant situations always seem to repeat themselves in NGE, there is this scene, which, while it came earlier in the series, occurred later chronologically than the flashback, and is analogous to the scene in Episode 21 in terms of the basic situation being depicted.

15 (Platinum Edition subs):

Another Loss to a Rival
RB6MHMUQHQE0RMBT5A1L2FLF9-15.jpg GDF4EQ2JGLNEQ4JTCJO14HPEO-16.jpg 9IDH173ORIEICF7QQDFEOV0EE-18.jpg V3QHIIEQR1N7K1R5F9UTL9HO1-19.jpg KANR5HCV34MM125JDMS63U80I-20.jpg
MDIAABBT58UIUCPTCSTIP23M6-23.jpg 6TU8SISKM751VN0C7VIH99DB4-24.jpg DS7EEHUQ1N1ERGIBG4VM6FQ0P-25.jpg 1VRRQA63JTJR0MN5JEBR6JPTS-26.jpg JLV61CM79HTCA23GACGRO2BBP-27.jpg
F36LJKMQK3CKL7TFCOQOJAJJK-28.jpg

From left to right:

  • Asuka:

Mr. Kaji!

  • Kaji:

Well, I'll be leaving now.

  • Asuka:

Why don't you stay with us, Mr. Kaji?

  • Kaji:

I'd be laughed at if I went to work in this.

  • Asuka:

It'll be okay.

  • Asuka

Hey, c'mon Mr. Kaji, it'll...

  • Kaji:

Later!

  • Asuka:

He smelled of lavender.




What makes this scene analogous to the one in #21 is this: In each case you have a young woman (Ritsuko/Asuka) coming to the sudden, unwelcome realization that the charismatic older man (Gendo/Kaji), on whom she has a serious crush, is already "taken"; that is, is in a more age-appropriate intimate relationship with another, older, woman (Naoko/Misato), who happens to have a maternal (in Misato's case, quasi-maternal) relationship with the younger woman.

BT57VN3OGN3T0GK00DKFNME2R-39.jpg 712C3AP4G5TUM3BME1AETJBQ8-40.jpg

The similarity of the expressions also demonstrates that these two scenes relate to one another. Notice too the lack or deficiency of father-figures in their lives: Ritsuko was raised without one entirely, while Asuka despised her father for abandoning her mother and taking up with another woman. This made them likely candidates for falling for an attractive, "older guy" type who shows up in their lives in their teen-age years.

It is not rational or logical for this situation to inspire hatred of her mother on the part of Ritsuko, but there it is: jealousy is simply an innate aspect of her character. As she herself is fond of pointing out, matters involving relations between men and women aren't logical. Her heart wants a certain man, and any woman that comes between her and the one she has set her heart on will be the object of her hatred, even her own mother.

As for Asuka, it will be noted that from that point on, her attitude towards Misato becomes steadily more negative and resentful. In Episode 16, she berates Misato for her "indecent relationship"; in Episode 18, she's avoiding face-to-face contact with her; and by Episode 22, she complains bitterly about having to "breath the same air" as Misato and Shinji.

With all that in mind, examine this little scene from Episode 21.

21'(Resurrection DVD subs"):

Visiting Day?
KM6J1AA7JS67M11L41MC1SMG2-41.jpg OJHQQKCP3PLOTDKSQKK9O6GTP-42.jpg 8BHVUPA14BONFFUDG2QNGUIQ7-43a.jpg
  • Naoko:

Oh, Professor Fuyutsuki.

Fuyutsuki:
Akagi, you too?

Naoko:
Yes, this is the best place to research the fundamental theories for the bio-computers of the future.

  • Fuyutsuki:

I see.

Naoko:
I intend to name it Magi.

Fuyutsuki:
Magi? After the three wise men from the East? Is this what you wanted to show me?

  • Naoko:

No, this way, please. Ritsuko, I'll be right back.


Now, there are many plausible reasons why a teenage girl might be hanging around her mother's workplace, but considering the indications of Ritsuko's feelings offered in some of the other scenes as described above, the likely reason is that she was lurking around down there in order to catch a glimpse of Gendo.

The cat ornaments on her desk seem to be a sentimental representation to her of her relationship with Gendo. Ritsuko is obviously what is known as a "cat person": Ritsuko admits she doesn't think she'll ever be a mother. Misato states that Ritsuko is hiding her loneliness with pet cats. She refers to her late cat as "that child". Her Newtype character profile states that her hobby is collecting cat ornaments.

I'd say she's a prime example of "Cat Person Personality Syndrome"

T4K79C4RLUKAE93R819RFKUEN-01.jpg

Ritsuko has, with the exception of Rei, the fairest complexion of any female character in the show (and she emphasized that by bleaching her hair), while, as you can see, Gendo has the darkest complexion among the main characters. Thus, white cat = Ritsuko, and black cat = Gendo.

Interestingly enough, a cute image of a pair of cats shows up in Episode 26:

6PAURBR5CRMGHNC17J3G7QNP6-44.jpg

The cuteness factor of the cat ornaments might seem to be a little out of character for someone like Ritsuko, but that sort of thing is quite typical of a Cat Person. And while Ritsuko is probably the only person in the world to whom it would make sense to represent her relationship with Gendo with something so cute, it is worth remembering what Yui, who knew him better than anyone, had to say about him: "Oh, Fuyutsuki-sensei, he's such a cute man, it's just that no-one knows it."

Sending Ritsuko

Transcript

I have offered something else to Seele's old men.
9FKKSPF6C9JOA8PLIIICBUOVP-01.jpg JIK54FMM0NA16FV3A6CMTMV99-02.jpg 9S6DCGOVRSVJT70RT7BHVGVPK-03.jpg

From left to right:

  • Gendo:

That's right. The First Child will be maintained in her current condition. There is no need for new restrictions. The same goes for the Second and the Third. They only need to be watched.

  • Fuyutsuki:

But Chairman Keel and the rest will raise a fuss when they learn that Rei is alive.

  • Gendo:

I have offered something else to Seele's old men. We needn't worry.


Analysis

Gendo's lines about keeping an eye on the three pilots serves as a reminder that the Children are, and have been, under constant surveillance. This comes up later when Ritsuko "calls off the dogs" when she contacts Shinji later in this episode, and in the next one, when Nerv Intelligence supposedly loses track of Asuka for a whole week, then conveniently "finds" her in the nick of time.

Fuyutsuki correctly anticipates that the Committee's suspicions will (quite naturally) be aroused by Rei's rather improbable "survival" of the blast that vaporized Tokyo 3, but Gendo's response implies that he has already heard from them about it: "I have offered something else to Seele's old men."

Later Keel tells Ritsuko: "He refused to hand over the pilot of Unit-00 for questioning. He sent you as a substitute, Dr. Akagi."

Those lines taken together indicate that a deal has already been struck.

Rei is the indispensable key to Gendo's own secret agenda, so there is simply no way that he is going to allow Seele to get their hands on her. However, the situation as it stands at this point between Gendo and the Committee is not such that he can get away with blatantly defying them; in order to preserve the necessary fiction that he is still operating under their authority, he has to give them something to satisfy their demand. Scenes 04 and 05 above have tended to indicate that, in fact, it was Ritsuko that they were really interested in, but that raises the question: if, as seems at least probable, the Committee's demand to see Rei was mostly a feint, how could they count on it being Ritsuko that would be sent in her stead? This doesn't really seem to be much of a plot hole; the precedent was already established (in Episode 17, with Misato standing in for Shinji) that Nerv could get away with sending an adult as a proxy rather than subjecting the young pilots to interrogation by the wily old men of Seele. Among Gendo's top people, the Committee had already interrogated Misato and Fuyutsuki, so whom did that leave? In that sense, it was Ritsuko's turn. Once Gendo had nixed the idea of turning over Rei, one would imagine that all Seele had to do was drop a hint or two that Dr. Akagi would be a satisfactory substitute, and Gendo would have been happy to oblige them, since, keeping Rei out of their clutches was his sole priority in this situation.

Given Gendo's demands in Episode 24 that Ritsuko explain her actions, it is doubtful that Gendo had any guilty foreknowledge of what was in store for Ritsuko; rather, it seems that he thought he was simply foisting the Committee's demand off on her, with the idea that she would basically serve to keep the old men off his back for the time being. He almost certainly thought that he could trust Ritsuko to handle this task, believing that she was intelligent and loyal enough to stand up to Seele's questions without giving away anything important. If he thought there was any chance that she would be broken and betray him, he likely would not have sent her, and just taken his chances with Seele's next step. He was, of course, playing right into their hands, and failed to take into consideration Seele's extraordinary cunning; but it would be the unfortunate Ritsuko that would pay the price...

Ritsuko's Interrogation

Background Info

We have now reached the key scene, where the truth about Ritsuko, Gendo, and Seele finally comes into focus. First however, the stage must be set by examining a couple scenes that occurred earlier, that give the viewers some hints concerning just what sort of organization Seele is, and how they operate. The series keeps the background and true intentions of Seele pretty much a mystery, at least until EoE, when they start their maniacal chanting, praying for the world to end, and it becomes apparent that they are, in fact, an apocalyptic death cult. The manga, on the other hand, spells things out a bit more clearly:

From Manga Vol V:

Kaji: "Seele, that's the name of the organization behind your father. They're a secret society. Some people think they've been running the world for hundreds...thousands of years. They paid for Nerv. Built it. Seele possesses the "Dead Sea Scrolls." The scrolls serve as their Bible...among other things. In some way the scrolls too- or the secrets within them- are older than people believe...as old as humanity itself. If what I've turned up is true...the entire history of the human race is written there. Just so you understand...by "entire" I mean our present and future as well- not just a record of the past. Seele, working with your father, laid out a certain plan, based on those prophesies. I've never been able to figure out if they're using him, or he's using them...but this whole battle with the Angels is only the initial phase...of that plan."

Of particular interest is the suggestion that they're a secret society that has been operating behind the scenes for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, controlling the world by manipulating individuals and institutions.

In Colombia, and other places in that part of the world afflicted by powerful drug cartels, there is phrase that describes how they get their way with police, judges, politicians, etc. : "plata o plomo", that is, "silver or lead". You're given the choice between a bribe, or a bullet. There are indications that this is Seele's way of doing things, too.

21 (ADV's original subs)

Fuyutsuki:
Your organization, Seele, or whatever it's called, is at the base of many ugly rumors. I don't like the way it manipulates the committee by force.

Gendo:
You're still too scrupulous. No completely chaste organization can survive in this day and age.

And, a bit later, an indication that Seele takes care of those who serve them and their interests:

Fuyutsuki:
I've checked into your finances as well. Bringing up a child and educating him is expensive, but isn't this a bit much?

Gendo:
Very impressive, Professor Fuyutsuki. Perhaps you should be teaching economics.

(Gendo has a pretty dry sense of humor...)

On the other hand, we see that a certain amount of coercion was utilized in bringing Fuyutsuki into the fold:

21' (ADV's new DC subs)

Fuyutsuki:
I have already handed the data over to Ikari. It's not something that can be accomplished by an individual after all. There won't be a repeat performance of the stunt I pulled earlier. And I've sort of received a warning. Getting rid of me couldn't be easier for them, it seems.

The only reason that Fuyutski is even alive here is because Gendo, and especially Yui, wanted him on the team at Gehirn. If he had been anyone else, loudly proclaiming his intention to expose Seele's complicity in bringing about the catastrophe of Second Impact, he would certainly have ended up face down in a ditch somewhere in the middle of nowhere...

And, of course, we have the more recent example of Kaji; as MDWigs so aptly put it,

"SEELE had him killed, not in an important way, they just sent a security agent to shoot him...",

basically, as it turns out, just to "send a message" to Gendo. So, the obvious point is: Seele are Not Nice People. They attach very little value to individual human life, and are utterly ruthless in pursuit of their aims and agenda.

As for Ritsuko, unfortunately her prospects in this situation are pretty grim: Seele knows, given how loyal she is to Gendo, that there is no way she could be persuaded to betray him through any sort of bribe or other non-coercive means; coercion, in this case, is required to yield the desired result. But probably only an organization that has had centuries of practice at manipulating people could conceive a scheme of such breathtaking cynicism and cruelty as what they will implement here, in order to "flip" her, that is, to put her into a frame of mind where she will willingly betray him. And then they will send her back as if nothing has happened, but her heart will be seething with bitterness at her (perceived) betrayal by him, and her keen mind will be contemplating how best to exact her revenge...

Transcript and Analysis

Upon realizing what was really going on in this scene, one of our in-house translators was asked to examine the original Japanese script that was included in the Renewal release. She very helpfully whipped up a full, cut-by-cut treatment, which can be found here: [2] (the page includes a couple other scenes from #23'; scroll about a third of the way down to get to Scene: Ritsuko's Interrogation)

This scene amounts to a sort of grotesque "Good-cop/Bad-cop" routine, but the audience only sees the "Good-cop" half of the equation here; the "Bad-cop" part that preceded this isn't shown, but is left to be inferred by the audience.

V3VV5EU80NSPTGNAJURTC1337-01a.jpg

Ritsuko, firm in manner, in the nude,...

GBNCQHIJELVPQND7REV14BTMP-02a.jpg

Ritsuko (backside) standing in front of monolith, ...making no attempt to cover her body.

Keel:
"We would like for things to proceed smoothly. We do not wish to subject you to anymore degradation and suffering."

When Keel says "We would like for things to proceed smoothly...", the sinister implications of his words reveal what a vicious old thug he actually is, despite his "gentlemanly" manner. It's similar in implication to what he says in Episode 25': SEELE 01:
"I had hoped to solve this peacefully, but they leave me no choice. Take over the entire headquarters directly, at once!!"

In both cases, we see Seele's thuggish, all-or-nothing mind-set: resolving the situation "peacefully" means giving them everything they want, while refusal means, in Ritsuko's case, the prospect of more "degradation and suffering", and in Episode 25', sending in the JSDF against Nerv, with orders to just kill everyone...

When this scene was translated, what was discovered tends very definitely to validate the conclusion that Ristuko was subjected to outrages against her person; as our translator points out in her translation notes for cut 260, the definition for ryoujoku, the word translated variously above as "disgrace", "shame', "insult", and "degradation", is given as "insult, disgrace, rape..." That "disgrace" and "rape" would turn out to be shared connotations of the same word would be considered, by modern Western standards, an appallingly old fashioned, patriarchal way of looking at things, but would not be unusual in Japan.

The script comments are very revealing here: "Ritsuko, firm in manner, in the nude,..." tends to confirm the interpretation of Ritsuko's body language in this scene. Despite the horrors she has been subjected to, she is standing tall, with her head up, glaring in defiance at her tormentors.

"Ritsuko (backside) standing in front of monolith "...making no attempt to cover her body." Obviously the point would seem to be that she is NOT trying to cover herself, but rather, is standing before the old villains with pride and defiance, not wishing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cringe or cower.

Ritsuko:
"I do not feel humiliated whatsoever."

Ritsuko's only available strategy to cope with this horrible situation she finds herself in here, is to try to tough it out..., and note that Ritsuko deliberately replies to Keel's "ryoujoku", disgrace or humiliation with a connotation of rape, with a different word, "kutsujoku", which lacks that connotation. She simply says that what they had put her through did not make her feel ashamed, i.e., it didn't work.

SEELE:
"A stong-willed woman. I can understand why Ikari would want you by his side."

Again, more "Good-cop" role playing here, offering a compliment, perhaps genuine; for it truly is remarkable, under the circumstances, that she isn't on her knees here, crying in anguish (that comes later, of course...) "I can understand why Ikari would want you by his side" is a sly tip off that Seele knows all about her intimate relationship with Gendo, which has everything to do with why she is here; it give them a unique vulnerability to exploit, as shall be revealed by what comes next:

SEELE:
"But the person who handed you to us...

68ACF7IP75VVJFFNJ5V6I09BF-03.jpg

..is none other than Ikari."


The same blank face, but she can no longer hide her unrest and finally yields the slightest expression

Ritsuko:
"!..."

All the hell they put her through before was just "preparation", or set-up, for this, the moment when the trap is sprung. The insidious perfection of their plan, which Gendo, in his eagerness to keep Rei out of their clutches, managed to play right into, is made plain by the fact that at this point, they don't have to lie to Ritsuko; the truth will serve their purpose here better than any lie they could come up with.

This is a wonderfully directed moment, as we see Ritsuko's eyes flash ever so slightly, just at the precise moment when the French Seele member utters the word "Ikari-kun". Ristuko's "acting" in this episode, thanks to the subtlety of the character animation and Yuriko Yamiguchi's amazing VA is impecable.

4ICMH0JO6CJT5D1VOABH9UDQ5-05.jpg

Monolith No. 01 Keel:
"He refused to hand over the pilot of Unit-00 for questioning. He sent you as a substitute, Dr. Akagi".

This is the final, decisive whammy: it is the notion that Gendo chose to hand her over to Seele's tender mercies in favor of Rei that makes this whole nefarious plan work.

VKGLMN1U82I0R1RFNCPKVGE2S-06a.jpg

Ritsuko reacting to the present state of affairs with an entirely cold expression, side profile close-up

Ritsuko:
"I was sent in place of Rei?"

Normally, Ritsuko is a very logical thinker, but her natural jealousy, compounded by the outrages she has just been made to endure, seem to be negatively affecting her thought processes here, because she seems to uncritically accept Seele's crafty insinuation of Gendo's complete complicity in what has happened.

Raped

One word particularly stands out in the above scene:

Keel:
"We would like for things to proceed smoothly. We do not wish to subject you to anymore degradation and suffering."

... "anymore"... "subject you to <anymore> degradation and suffering"...

So, what had they been doing to her, up to this point to justfiy the word "anymore"?


Ritsuko's own words spell it out: "I only needed to think of him and I could endure any kind of humiliation! I didn't care what happened to my body!

and (to Gendo in Episode 24') "Why not have your way with my body?! Like that time!"

The conclusion is clear: Ritsuko was sexually assaulted.

Naturally, this wasn't done by the Committee in person; they're not physically present here, they're just holograms. The rape would have been carried out by the Seele minions who actually have her in their custody to prepare her for her interrogation by the Committee.

From this, it becomes understandable that she is in this state:

"Kill me if you want to. No, I'd be happy if you did."

It also pays to put what happens to Ritsuko here in the proper context, which is the very grim turn that the story as a whole takes in the last few episodes. First off, after Misato and Kaji resume their love affair at the end of Episode 20, Kaji is uncermoniously killed off in Episode 21:

AQOHQJAFTJ8SI45ELMIUUQO1O-07.jpg

Then, in Episode 22, Asuka suffers a mental invasion, or Mind-Rape:

C930K63CBC2NQJGPQGFK19J21-17.jpg


OE3COSPBAM8QKQOPDETLB7BLT-16.jpg


Next, in Episode 23, Rei undergoes Assimilative Angelic Tentacle Rape:

AO3HPQ8KHM5EC83GTLU4N93NN-25.jpg

PJ3R0QSFHJ5KRMGK0APJKSH4S-45.jpg

Each of the main female characters has now been hit where it hurts the most.

The Counter Argument

While the above has become the majority view, there are still some who strongly object to the Ritsuko rape theory, arguing that the evidence is insufficient and that the surface interpretation of the above incidents is more likely. This section will state their objections.

Dialogue Interpretations

"We would like for things to proceed smoothly. We do not wish to subject you to any more degradation and suffering"

The opponents of the theory do not believe that this line refers to some terrible thing that had already been done to her, but rather it refers to her nudity, and insinuates that the interrogation has not begun in earnest yet, a thinly veiled threat that they are prepared to use any means necessary to get the answers they want from her. i.e., They may very well be threatening sexual abuse, but none has already occured.

"I do not feel humiliated whatsoever"

In the opposition view, this refers to her being sent before them stripped naked. Of note here is that her demeanor corraborates her words that this humiliation is of little consequence to her and only a humiliation in the conventional sense. She is not emotional about it whatsoever.

The surprise and twitching that Ritsuko exhibits when told that Gendo had sent her are only in referrence to her being sent before Seele by Gendo in lieu of Rei; she has been scorned and is now forced to fully realize his utter lack of concern and feelings for her.

"I only needed to think of him, and I could endure any kind of humiliation!"

Is argued to be just a reference to her demeanor before Seele because of her devotion to Gendo. It could also be a referrence to her having always harbored the knowledge that he didn't care for her at all, the fact that their relationship was essentially a secret which would of course lead her to feel as if he were ashamed to be seeing her,

"I didn't care what happened to my body!"

Is seen by the opponents as a referrence to being used by Gendo for sex or simply for manipulation, not to her treatment by Seele. Even if she was passionate for the other person and thus enjoyed the sex, when a woman finds out that she has been used, she may reasonably consider it a type of abuse and violation of her body and her trust.

"But he... He..."

Is once again argued to be a referrence to his having been only using her all along and then discarding her at his convenience to Seele in lieu of Rei, not a reference to something too terrible to mention.

"If you want to kill me, do it. No, I would be happy if you would do it."

The opposition agrues that her despair over having lost to Rei and being used all along by Gendo, is sufficient to trigger this reaction; It further demonstrates how invested she was in him. Assuming a rape during her interrogation is not neccessary.

"Why not have your way with my body, like that time?!"[6]

Once again it is argued that this refers to Ritsuko's relationship with Gendo, not to her interrogation. It likely refers to some unrelated occasion in the past where Gendo, not Seele sexually abused her.

Plot Based Objections

The opponents to the Ritsuko rape theory also object that so pivotal an incident would never be simply hinted at in Evangelion. While some things are not directly stated, but instead are left for the viewer to piece together from clues and hints, such as Rei 1 as Unit-00's soul, Lilith as Rei's soul, Seele having Kaji shot, ect., this is not the case with formative incidents about important characters. It is explicitly stated that Shinji saw his mother absorbed by Unit-01, that Misato's hated father died to save her, triggering her conflicting feelings, and that Asuka found her mother's body hanging from the ceiling. An incident that informs all of Ritsuko's actions for the rest of the series and EOE would likewise be explicitly stated.

It has also been objected that Seele is botching the standard good cop/bad cop routine. In real life the good cop shows up in the nick of time to save the suspect from the bad cop; the grateful suspect then spills his guts to the good cop. Once the bad cop does his worst, in this case raping Ritsuko, it is argued that the good cop's arrival would have no effect. Wouldn't this just turn her against Gendo and Seele? Why would she do Seele's bidding after this sort of ordeal?

The Counter-Counter Argument

These objections are, of course, not without validity. Thus the response made by the proponents of the Ritsuko rape theory must be examined.

Dialogue Interpretations

Here the proponents argure that the opponents are wrong to insist on a surface interpretation. If there were only one or two clues, a case might be made that they are inadvertant. But when there are close to a dozen, you can't just dismiss them. The opponents seem to be willfully ignoring the evidence. The proponents also argue that Gendo's sending her in Rei's place would not be enough per se to invoke this reaction. Ritsuko already knows how important Rei is to Gendo. They site the scenes in Episode 17 and other episodes of her glaring at them when they are together.


Gendo has already refused to let Seele question Shinji; he plainly won't give them Rei, a much bigger prize. As they've already questioned Misato and Fuyutsuki, this leaves Ritsuko. She had to know this, and would not have been shocked. What brought her position home to her was the extent to which Gendo favored Rei over her. He knows he's dealing with a ruthless evil orginization that has already threatened to kill Fuyutsuki, and actually has killed Kaji. Even Yui had to escape into Unit-01 to avoid assassination. To Ritsuko's mind, Gendo should have known that they would do whatever it took to break her. She considers Gendo responsibile for the violation she suffered; in effect he is the one had his way with her body.

Plot Based Objections

Proponents have a couple of objections to the "Anno wouldn't just hint at this" theory. The first is that Evangelion was a prime time show; he wouldn't have been allowed to deal directly with a rape. Hints are the best he could do. Also, they say, those who object in this manner are putting themselves into the director's chair and making pronouncements about what Anno would or wouldn't have done, instead of dealing with the evidence that shows what he actually did do.

They refute the "it doesn't work like this in real life" argument simply by pointing out that Evangelion isn't real life. Also, it's not necessarily the case that Seele ordered her to destroy the Reis or blow up Nerv HQ; they could simply have turned her against Gendo, learned what they wanted, and then sent her back to do her worst.

References

  1. Based in large part upon Shin-seiki's original statement of this theory in this thread: [1]
  2. ADV's original Subs had: "So, the cat died."
    The dub has: "Yeah, so even cat's can die..."
    Platinum has: "So, she died."
    The Literal Translation Project has: "So, that cat died."
  3. Classified Information
  4. Impaling Lilith with the Spear of Longinus, and using it against Arael, respectively.
  5. Confirming the sabotage of Jet Alone, and chosing Toji as the new pilot, respectively
  6. The controversy over this line has been exacerbated by translation difficulties. The original line in Japanese omits the subject and has no pronouns at all. "Why not (have ones way with) my body, like that time?!" This is an impossible sentence in English, and must be corrected by changing "have one's way" to "have your way". However, many translations go beyond this and render the line as, "Why don't you have your way with my body, like you did that time?!" The superfluous "you"s add specificity where none exists in the original. i.e., in Japanese it isn't clear who abused her "that time". Normally, this would just be a harmless choice in wording, but in this case it is improper because it makes the translation sound more like she is refering to Gendo than is justified by the Japanese wording.