Recap: Operation-Pacific Surprise Attack

Previously on Code Geass R2: the Black Knights celebrate their freedom because they’re idiots. 

The students are surprised that Suzaku is back; because they’re idiots. The Knights of Round think commoners go to school in castles because they’re idiots. Rivalz is an idiot. Believe me, this is more honest and succinct than the recaps they’ve been having.

Mercifully, however, we aren’t treated to more! Glory to behold!

Sadly; we are not so fortunate for the rest of the show, as Lelouch is still incredulous that his sister contacted him; as is the audience. Also, Suzaku is under the impression that his memory is still gone. Suzaku; you’re making your Code MENT counterpart seem smart! Go back and try again! 

Lelouch realizes he’s been had; and plots his next move.

He doesn’t want to reveal his secret; but he also doesn’t want to lie to Nunally. Jeez, Jim Carrey would have made a better choice than this! 

I CAN'T LIE!

Of course, Rolo is there. What do you want, a cookie? A ride home?

He Geasses Suzaku long enough for Lelouch to think about his next move. The time limit is still stupid; and I’ve made more sense of San Dimas time than this.

Then, he just tells Nunally to play along for the time being. Does Geassing everyone involve giving them a full-frontal lobotomy?! I still cannot fathom that this setup would work under any other circumstances!

Yet, it works! I’m an elk! Shoot me!

It also turns out that Britannia has a base in California! Now let me make something perfectly clear. I don’t like you muscling in on my old stomping grounds. I don’t like your jerk-off faces, I don’t like your jerk-off behavior; I don’t like your jerk-off names, and I don’t like you; jerk-offs. Do I make myself clear?

STAY OUT OF MALIBU, BRITANNIA! STAY OUT OF MALIBU, DEADBEATS!

Keep your ugly fucking goldbricking asses out of my old stomping grounds.

They start formulating a plan to deal with Zero; and I hope to birkenstock that it doesn’t involve taking his mask like last season.

They are also under the impression that he’s dead; despite obvious evidence to the contrary! Guys, the number of plot holes in the story keeps growing.

Oh goody, we get the appearance of Lloyd. One of the key reasons why I hate him is that snide demeanor of his towards his work. In essence; he is not an eccentric tinkerer, but a sadistic; vindictive Josef Mengele type that takes great glee in making everyone’s life a living Hell to varying degrees of torment!

More than that; he casually talks down to superiors solely because he’s the emperor’s subordinate! Hell, even Darth Vader had the tact not to mouth off to Emperor Palpatine; only Lloyd doesn’t have any mystical powers like so many others in this dog doo! 

As for Prince Schneizel being involved: we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. All I will say before we move on is that in any other series; Lloyd would have gotten a bullet in his head a long time ago.

Once again, that insipid J-pop opening plays. Once again, I’m putting something else on over it.

Yet, even though this episode is more action-oriented than the same one in the first season; things will not get better. The action scenes and special effects didn’t make the story in Pacific Rim better either.

It gets even more insane when Nunnally, under her new role as governor; is being brought into Area 11 under intense secrecy; to the point where the public doesn’t know her name. Maybe it’s because how politics in Japan are different; but when our governor stepped down and a new one took his place, we not only knew her name; but her education, credentials, family; and sexual orientation. Even if the new regime is found out to be an asshole; I at least like to know they’re not 100% a dick. 

We get yet another scene with the Chinese Federation that was most likely a catalyst to China banning the series outright there. Honestly, these guys make Ming the Merciless seem sensitive, and he was an homage to a character that didn’t know any better! Here, their presentation is played entirely straight!

Thankfully, it’s brief as we cut back to Lelouch being informed a supply pickup in Nigata went smoothly. Unfortunately, he also finds out Nunnally’s role as governor. Didn’t we go over this in the last episode’s end? I feel like the time change has really done a number on the show. 

Space has warped, and time is now bendable!

Seriously, the story has become so needlessly convoluted that Code MENT’s explanation actually makes more sense; and that’s a parody!

VV was also apparently the first ally of the emperor. Then why was he never mentioned; at all, before this season?! Damn it, Taniguchi; this is the reason why he’s such a big Voodoo Shark!

Even worse; they’ve made a pact to kill gods. Let’s face it guys: you’ve officially gone off the deep end. Also, I know a few gods that would have some objections to that.

The Black Knights have also gone missing; much to the shock of the Knight of Round. Just as well; I’ve really lost all ability to give a damn about these people.

The first major action scene of this episode has planes dangle Knightmare Frames into the sky. Yes, you read that right. 

Oh look! It's not often you see the stupidest thing you've ever seen!

Then, they actually drop onto the ship and take out its AA guns for an assault on its bridge! 

Get this, they’re trying to hijack the freighter Nunnally is on in mid-air! This is one of the principal problems with R2! When they’re not recycling elements from the first season; they’re pulling stunts that utterly maim willing suspension of disbelief!

Zero then boards the ship and Geasses the guards into killing themselves. We haven’t had enough of that, have we?

As this pilot brings up a legend that might have made a better anime; just imagine that I could be watching Battle B-Daman instead of this.

Conveniently, Guilford shows up with reinforcements in the sky.

Lloyd even makes a statement about mass production being fun. Oh yes, as much fun as watching paint dry! 

It'll be fun for approximately 3.7 seconds!

He also casually mentions that he billed Prince Schneizel for everything. I imagine when he finds out; he’ll send some very nice people to cut off your pretty little fingers!

Zero enters the ship; and we’re barely halfway through this thing.

Sony Music isn't going to be happy about this!

As the battle outside grows more and more incoherent; I’m honestly trying to determine whether this or “The Stolen Mask” is worse.

Even inside; a potentially dramatic scene is ruined by a lack of buildup and atmosphere; as well as the fact this is one of many detriments to retconning the ambiguous ending of season 1.

Zero tries to tell Nunnally she’s being played; but she will have none of it.

The other Black Knights wish to get inside to help Zero; but rationalize they can’t! You have a sword! Just cut through the wall!

Gino also claims he doesn’t like to bully the weak. This from the man who spent the better part of the last episode talking down to “commoners,” so he called them! Pot, kettle, black!

At that moment; Suzaku is delivered Lancelot to take the stage!

Get this: there’s also tracking systems in the wheelchair! That’s almost as insane as M. Bison’s armor having a life-support system inside it!

By the force, the ass pulls just don’t stop! Even when Kallen is shot down, she gets an upgrade that enables her to fly!

Go! Power Rangers! Fly! Power Rangers! Win! Power Rangers!

So, this thoughtful mecha series has now devolved into just another anime; becoming the very thing that the first season was deconstructing!

At the very least, at least Anya has her suit closed up this time. Yet, Kallen is still given the treatment that makes her spine contort to show her boobs and ass in the same shot! Again, why can’t they sit normally like the male pilots and eliminate this dumb double standard?

After a bit of technobabble; the ship is about to crash into the ocean. Zero is also awestruck at the fact that Nunnally is willingly helping the Empire. You know, it doesn’t hurt to set plot points like this up. You can’t make every single development a plot twist and expect the audience to have the same amount of surprise every time!

Suzaku then crashes through the roof of the garden and kidnaps Nunnally! I refer you to the ending of my last paragraph for this.

There is nothing surprising about “Operation: Pacific Surprise Attack!” The episode is easily a microcosm of everything wrong with R2! It’s the moment where the anime threw up its hands and said, “I just don’t know!” It even makes me wonder if I even liked the first season all that much to begin with; which really isn’t a good sign when I started my recaps of the franchise with “The Stolen Mask!” It’s time for me to do another mecha recap while I’m still good and angry! Next time is my recap of IGPX!