It's been a year since the second cour began, time flies really fast. Though the anime series ended and I catched up with the english release of the light novel too, this series still have a big impact on me.

I rewatched some scenes and this scene made me ponder again. Whenever I check out the discussions Theo's rant always came up and people have quite different opinions about it. It’s really complex theme. Probably won’t write anything new and just stating facts. It’s just my ponderings about this situation

This scene is quite important for me too, because it was the turning point for me, when I really began to love this series. The first two episode were good too, but didn't had so big impact on me. I continued mainly because I was curious about Lena, I saw a lot potential in her. At that point I wasn't really attached to the other characters. But this scene changed everything and not just I began to care more about the other characters and Theo too, but the story got a lot more interesting for me and actually it was a catalyst for Lena too. Actually this was the point where the episodes got better and better. I see a lot different opinion about this situation. That’s sure both of them were fault too, but at the same time both of them are the victims of this crazy system.

If we see things from Theo's POV, it's understandable, why he got so emotional and called out Lena. He had a hard life since young age. He don't have family or friends and he need to fight day by day for his life, while his comrades die and who know when he will be the next one. Then came Lena, who try to communicate with them/reach them, but it's quite obvious she is really naive and idealist, plus from their POV she maybe just play with them or get bored and leave, so of course they don't trust in her. Kaie's death had a big impact on everyone since she was really open and friendly, she had a big sister like role in the team. Lena had the same feelings like the 86, but at that point she was just a part of a republic for Theo and the others. And actually the Republic was the one, who sent her to die. And that makes it things more worse that Lena a little bit remind him of his first captain, this is why Theo can't hold back and let out his feelings even if Lena is an Alba.

From Lena's side it's understandable too. She had a quite sheltered life. (We don't know anything about her past expect that one memory where her father died and Rei saved her. But we can assume that she probably didn't really interacted with anyone aside of her family.) She try to be different, but at the same time she grown up in this crazy system so even if her father showed the 86 sector, even if she try to treat the 86 the same way of course it's impossible. She don't know the real truth at this point, since the Republic gloss over a lot thing. She knows their situation is really bad, but since she isn't there, don't see what happening with them, didn't really talked with them, of course she can't fully understand their real situation or their feelings. For example at this point she still believes they can leave the army after 5 years. Plus that didn't help she probably didn't really meet with any 86 aside of Rei. And let's be honest Rei said a lot idealistic thing himself when they meet so I wouldn't be surprised if Lena would have a heroic image about the 86. Like it's quite obvious even later too that she really respect them and look up at them. But in the end they're humans too not heroes from a tale. So yeah, her environment and their negative ideas stuck on her unnoticed even if she try to fight against it and her idealistic image didn't help either.

Theo's rant was so special because it can really make the viewers rethink a lot things and it's actually show us both sides and the fact that we can't talk about "right" and "wrong" in this situation. Both Theo and Lena didn't know each other at this point and had a totally other image about each other. But this definitely need for both of them and for the story too. Even if Theo called her out mainly because the situation, it was the first time when someone from their side geniuely tell their feelings and their horrible situation. This was the point where the 86 really interacted with Lena and not just stayed quit or laughed at her how big "white pig" she is. This opened Lena's eyes and realised her faults and actually it shows how strong Lena is, because she didn't escaped from the situation thinking she can't help or never will understand them, but she tried to make things right and really understand them. From the other side Theo realised too that his way wasn't right and the whole case and the fact that Lena still tried to interact them made him a bit more open for Lena.And the same goes for the others too, they began to realise maybe Lena is really different than the other Albas they meet so far. The whole scene when Lena reconciled with the 86 was so nice to see. Their relationship wasn't equal at that point either but it was the first geniue since the beginning.

Plus it made me really love Theo and Lena's friendship too. It began really rocky way, but it was quite obvious they began to care for each like Theo was obviously concerned because he talked that way with Lena. And I don't want to spoil anything for anime only fans, but later too their friendship is simply cute.

I just love this light novel/anime and the themes.