Ep 13. The Town Where Everything Began

As the third season of Attack on Titan draws to a close, episode 13 - "The Town Where Everything Began" - takes us back to the beginning, exploring the origins of the series' central conflict.

After the revelation that Eren's father Grisha was a member of a rebel group, we return to the town where it all began - Shiganshina. The episode opens with a hauntingly empty version of the city, showing us just how much has changed since Eren and his friends joined the Survey Corps.

Exploring the past

Throughout the episode, we get a glimpse into Grisha's past, seeing him as a young man living within the walls. We see him becoming disillusioned with the government's handling of the Titans, and meeting a group of freedom fighters who believe they can change things for the better.

Through Grisha's interactions with the rebels, we get to learn more about the wider world beyond the walls. We see glimpses of technology and culture that are vastly different from what we've seen so far in the series, helping to flesh out the world of Attack on Titan even further.

A deeper understanding

One of the strengths of this episode is how it deepens our understanding of some of the story's key players. We see Grisha as a flawed but well-intentioned man, struggling with feelings of guilt and a desire to protect his family. We're also given a chance to learn more about the rebel leader's motivations, and what drives him to take such extreme action.

All of this helps to add more shades of gray to a series that's often been characterized as black and white. It's no longer as simple as "Titans bad, humans good" - there are nuances and complex motivations driving both sides.

A look at the future

The episode also hints at some of the events to come, with scenes that tease future conflicts and raise questions about what's really going on beneath the surface of this world.

We see brief glimpses of characters we know will play a bigger role in the story going forward, and hints at some of the more insidious forces at play. It's clear that the story of Attack on Titan is far from over, and this episode does an excellent job of laying the groundwork for what's to come.

A haunting tone

Overall, "The Town Where Everything Began" is a strong entry in the series, offering a deeper understanding of the world and fleshing out some of the show's key players.

It's also an incredibly sad and haunting episode, with a melancholic tone that runs throughout. We see characters struggling with pain and loss, and there's a sense of crushing hopelessness that hangs over the whole thing.

This isn't an episode that will leave you feeling uplifted - but it is one that will stay with you long after the credits roll. For fans of Attack on Titan, it's a must-watch.