Hahaha, sorry, I was exaggerating for humor's sake. I don't consider it murder, either. If anything, protecting yourself or your friend is probably the only thing that makes killing unambiguously a good act.
Yeah, poor Armin. He's been brave and attentive in this chapter, but his reward will be only pain. Well, maybe Jean will finally get his head out of his ass and thank him for what he did. It's long overdue, especially since Armin has saved him now the third time. (Or fourth if you count Armin's hand in liberating frost HQ way back.)
I don't know a lot about it, but in RL, you gotta train to kill someone (especially mentally), since crossing this line is genuinely hard for most people. So I don't fault Jean for it either. Add the fact that he is still the most sheltered member of the 104th and it's hard to deny that this was the most believable outcome.
Right now I have no idea if Jean will really become some sort of leader, but if so he's got a lot to learn (which is good, since it means that he'll hopefully live longer or maybe even survive the series). But then again, Marco's comments would be a waste of space and ink if Jean's character arc will not eventually culminate in this way.
Add the fact that he is still the most sheltered member of the 104th
Never thought about it that way but you're right, when I think of the formative experiences of the rest of the 104th — or Connie's experiences returning to his old village.
But then again, Marco's comments would be a waste of space and ink if Jean's character arc will not eventually culminate in this way.
Also, there was that bit of foreshadowing in the Forest of Giant Trees, when Jean glares at Levi from a distance and mutters about commanding officers being killed by their subordinates.
Man, I hope that's ultimately not foreshadowing about what happens to Jean himself.
Well, Sasha and Connie had it better than the trio, but they had it still worse than Jean. Sasha had to deal with starvation and her way of life being threatened by people from the outside. Plus it was established that she used to fear the world beyond her little community/tribe. And Connie's whole family and village were recently killed except for his mum who became a titan. If we take the 2nd OVA as canon Jean still has both parents and judging by the house he lived in they were fairly well-off, too.
I always feared that this foreshadowed Jean killing an incompetent leader (maybe to save his friends?) and as a result making so many enemies that it leads to his death. Dunno about Jean becoming such a bad leader himself, but it's an interesting idea. As of right now, he seems to represent the idea of a humane and compassionate leader and we'll see how that goes in the future.
Back in the day, people predicted that he might try to kill Erwin, but yeah, with the current developments people's predictions have shifted to Levi. I suppose we'll have to wait and see how Jean's relationship with Levi unfolds after this. One way I could see it go even worse would be if Historia really joined her father's side. Jean would probably blame it on Levi's treatment of her.
ARYT - Or he might try to kill Hange, who will assume command of the Corps if Erwin dies in prison. But I find your speculation compelling - he has no animus toward Hange, whereas Levi's treatment of Historia angered him.
Hange would be interesting, too, but I agree that it's unlikely given that he hasn't even interacted with Hange yet.
Levi would be the worst possible target for Jean, though, since he has no hopes of ever winning a fight against him. But it's currently the most likely one. Wonder what plot purpose it would serve, if it happens.
Jean wouldn't necessarily have to win a fight with Levi. All he'd need would be proficiency with firearms, the element of surprise, and a willingness to pull the trigger when his life isn't being threatened.
But, yeah, I'm not sure how it would further the plot either.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 08:44 am (UTC)(link)Yeah, poor Armin. He's been brave and attentive in this chapter, but his reward will be only pain. Well, maybe Jean will finally get his head out of his ass and thank him for what he did. It's long overdue, especially since Armin has saved him now the third time. (Or fourth if you count Armin's hand in liberating frost HQ way back.)
I don't know a lot about it, but in RL, you gotta train to kill someone (especially mentally), since crossing this line is genuinely hard for most people. So I don't fault Jean for it either. Add the fact that he is still the most sheltered member of the 104th and it's hard to deny that this was the most believable outcome.
Right now I have no idea if Jean will really become some sort of leader, but if so he's got a lot to learn (which is good, since it means that he'll hopefully live longer or maybe even survive the series). But then again, Marco's comments would be a waste of space and ink if Jean's character arc will not eventually culminate in this way.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 12:33 pm (UTC)(link)Add the fact that he is still the most sheltered member of the 104th
Never thought about it that way but you're right, when I think of the formative experiences of the rest of the 104th — or Connie's experiences returning to his old village.
But then again, Marco's comments would be a waste of space and ink if Jean's character arc will not eventually culminate in this way.
Also, there was that bit of foreshadowing in the Forest of Giant Trees, when Jean glares at Levi from a distance and mutters about commanding officers being killed by their subordinates.
Man, I hope that's ultimately not foreshadowing about what happens to Jean himself.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)And Connie's whole family and village were recently killed except for his mum who became a titan. If we take the 2nd OVA as canon Jean still has both parents and judging by the house he lived in they were fairly well-off, too.
I always feared that this foreshadowed Jean killing an incompetent leader (maybe to save his friends?) and as a result making so many enemies that it leads to his death. Dunno about Jean becoming such a bad leader himself, but it's an interesting idea. As of right now, he seems to represent the idea of a humane and compassionate leader and we'll see how that goes in the future.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)Or not necessarily a bad leader but a leader in strategic conflict with one or more of his subordinates. Or with traitors in the ranks.
But if that bit of foreshadowing wasn't a red herring, it's more likely that Jean will kill, or attempt to kill, Levi.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)no subject
(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)no subject
(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)Levi would be the worst possible target for Jean, though, since he has no hopes of ever winning a fight against him. But it's currently the most likely one. Wonder what plot purpose it would serve, if it happens.
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(Anonymous) 2014-06-10 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)But, yeah, I'm not sure how it would further the plot either.