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I'm aware that the TL is oversaturated by AoT discourse and I don't want to add to it unnecessarily, but I wanted to share my twopence on why I consider this to be the worst chapter of the series and why it ruined what I loved about the series.
You're free to disagree.
I'm aware that the TL is oversaturated by AoT discourse and I don't want to add to it unnecessarily, but I wanted to share my twopence on why I consider this to be the worst chapter of the series and why it ruined what I loved about the series.
You're free to disagree.
Very brief thoughts
One of the central themes of AoT is that there's no Devil or God, no stringent definition of evil and good, right or wrong, black and white, only humans who take decisions based on their environment which might result in positive or negative repercussions.
One of the central themes of AoT is that there's no Devil or God, no stringent definition of evil and good, right or wrong, black and white, only humans who take decisions based on their environment which might result in positive or negative repercussions.
It all circles back to what Levi told Eren, "No one knows the right answer. You just have to choose what you will regret less and face the outcome of your decision." From a grounded monoidealist perspective, peace was never achievable.
Now coming to why I disliked 137.
Now coming to why I disliked 137.
Resolution of rumbling is not only poorly written, but completely discards the "no heroes" idea too. There was a semblance of it since 135 but 137 solidifies the contradictory thematic. Conflict is multi sided. The moment a certain side is portrayed heroically, it's done for.
The greyness from the moral duality and it's eminence in humanism is reduced to a dull black and white philosophy.
This is done by betraying another of the fundamental AoT themes of death being irreversible and the weight of consequences. All stakes are disregarded and the utilitarian principles are discarded for a fairy tale conclusion.
Hope Isayama proves me wrong in the next two chapters.
Hope Isayama proves me wrong in the next two chapters.
Armin and Zeke's ideological exchange is probably the most superficial thematic discourse I've ever seen. Armin appealed to one of the perpetrators of the entire anarchy by saying that there's more to life than Zeke's cynical and overly pragmatic view.
Armin didn't refute Zeke's ideas, his fundamental beliefs and dogma, but merely stated that Zeke's not viewing in the right way. What kind of convincing is this? Makes a mockery of the nuanced approach Isayama himself took in Marley.
Zeke's writing is the complete antithesis of Eren and Gabi, in a bad way, and I can't say I love AoT anymore.
My rating for 137 is 2.5/10.
AoT as a whole now is 7/10.
My rating for 137 is 2.5/10.
AoT as a whole now is 7/10.
Not looking for arguments telling me how I misinterpreted the chapter, if I did, you're welcome to share your thoughts but I don't want to further discourse. Credit to you if you were able to see quality in this turn of events. Unfortunate for me, I was unable to do so.
Thank you to everyone who remained respectful in the comments and quotes 
