This isn't about empathizing with 'heroes' and 'villains'. It's not about catharsis. This (entire second half of this season) is about the conclusion to a set of events and decisions (made by all sides) that have apocalyptic repercussions. The tension in this fight/operation was outlined from the start- protect the engineers and the airship or this is a failure. No doubt the Jagerists are outmatched, but they have an advantageous win condition.Originally Posted by MFauli
I think you're saying that they should never have tried to do this bloodlessly due to the stakes. Two counter points: first, the deception afforded them the opportunity to get into range to disable the bomb. Second, this builds on the previously demonstrated themes of the show. In season three, Armin wanted to talk to Bertholt before it came to (more) violence, and just last episode at the camp fire, everyone was reminded that Marco died begging for a chance to 'talk it out'. Armin (and Connie) are kind enough to put their lives on the line to try and spare their former comrades, but it doesn't work out.
Matter of fact, they only succeed because Thomas and Daz didn't want to kill them in the first place. The weight of their duty compelled Connie to finally pull the trigger when Daz (and arguably Thomas) didn't because of friendship. They did realize it was 'right to kill their friends over it', but that decision wasn't made in a sociopathic vacuum. That's why the human drama in AoT is so compelling. It never loses sight of both the good and bad parts of how people are and how they are affected by the cruelty of this world.
Never have I thought someone was as screwed as when Annie and Reiner both transformed behind Floch, but somehow he's still kicking. Revolutionary as he is, as far as I can tell he's just a normal person with monomania and his trauma from the suicide charge.
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