4x20 Memories of the Future

Anime-onlys, are you alright guys?) We been there it's confusing, but kinda awesome.

Just in case, if anybody actually confused with how exactly Grisha saw Zeke. Grisha simultaneously saw the scene in the basement through Eren's eyes and his own. That's why he saw only Zeke and not Eren. He couldn't see Eren in the person. He could see himself through Eren's eyes. That's why Eren was always behind Grisha, in the moments when Grisha did looked at Zeke. Like with Frieda in the mirror back in season 3 or ch. 53
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0053-020.png

And yes, incredibly enough in the 1st episode of season 1 or in ch.1 Grisha wasn't looking at young Eren when he talked about the basement. This small detail was already there all this years ago, back in 2009!!!
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-040.png

So, neither Zeke nor Eren were physically* there.
They couldn't change the past either. It's more like self-fulfilling prophecy. Like Terminator's plot (first one) if you will. They couldn't say or do anything that would have gave them a different outcome. Or else they wouldn't be there in the first place. Or alternatively they only were there, because this specific plotline happened and that specific plotline happened this way, because they were there at the time. Chicken or the egg - type of situation.

*Nobody freaking knows how the hell hug worked... I guess they both hugged air or old excuse of "paths working in the mysterious ways". Hell, maybe anime would give us a more concrete answer... in the future? :wink:

As for episode itself. It was amazing! All my expectations were blown away. Grisha's voice actor did a fantastic job.
Not slamming Eren and Zeke voice actors, I'm just used to them doing fenomenal job every single time. It's a given at this point.

Eren's character and his consistency
I don't know would it be as divisive as it was with the manga. But I feel like this episode reception would be hinge upon willingness to embrace a new titan's power and what this episode did to Eren's characterisation.

I started to actually like Eren back in the Chapel, when he realised what a horrible thing his father did. How he doomed them all. And Eren was ready to sacrifice himself for the good of everyone else. It changed his worldview. Before, Eren was fine with the sacrifice in his name, because he was a chosen one. He was Humanity's last hope.
Now, realising that he would be the one to push Grisha to do those horrible things. He still went through with that. Seemingly not having such a difficult time convincing Grisha and himself (if he need it at all) that this is the only way forward.

And I think the episode/chapter delivered a final blow to his past. Recontextualized his actions. Eren had a normal loving family, he wasn't brainwashed. He didn't grow up in the Underground. Neither he was raised by Kenny, mind you. And yet, his first reaction was not only to find and kill the kidnappers. But think how to go about it. He even prepared improvised weapons and didn't hesitated to use them. At 9-year-old! He didn't felt remorse at the action itself, he wasn't shaking by what happened. Grisha was more horrified that he ever was. And we knew that, we saw it, we didn't question it much. Because he is the main character and they were the monsters.
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-039.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-041.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0001-044.png
https://official-complete-2.eorzea.us/manga/Shingeki-No-Kyojin/0112-022.png

TL;DR And now Eren is back into believing that he is the chosen one and if he ever stops "Their Deaths" would be in vain. And he is the main character and the world does wants to annialate them. Situation didn't changed. And Eren sure as hell didn't. To me this character progression or deliberate stagnation felt earned. I know that, sadly, so many couldn't move past this development in the story. And felt like it was a badly executed drastic change that ruined his character. New titan's power worked as well as decision to give protagonist the power of hatred enemy, Coordinate power first use, basement reveal etc - I always thought that they were underwhelming and predictable. But the way they were excellent executed never failed to change my mind and see them as a better options for the story progression, overall.