Steins;Gate - Episode 21 Discussion / Poll

[Klashikari]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Steins;Gate, Episode 21.

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[gecd]

build up episode
just there is something weird
if the setting of S;G is 2010 and that's means the comiket is C78
so how come Blue Rose Cosplayer appears there?

3 episodes left
with this pace
can S;G delivers a good end?

[Midonin]

S;G 21 - Surpassing every, reason or rhyme

It appears that like everyone else, Mayuri is aware of her own fate. In the form of dreams, sure, but she still has knowledge. After the summer of D-mail reversals, a return to the slower pace felt at the start of the show, coupled with watching it from the place where it all began, leaves one with a familiar feeling. Looks like Rintaro's still trying to tell destiny exactly where it can shove it, and how it can shove it there, but there doesn't really seem to be a way to just yet. But if it's magic or technology, I think there is a way. Lots of long shots and slow music this week. Very atmospheric.

Three weeks to set things right.
But all the time in the world.

[Sheba]

Hanazawa's performance in the accident scene and the cemetary scene is the motherfucking tearjerker.

[Saturn Beaver]

Ahh, this one is really a tearjerking episode, especially the first half...things are going just as we predicted it would, with Okarin unable to do anything with his dilemma, at least he managed to tell Kurisu though. That undoubtedly brings problem to her, but if Okarin's going to find a third option and save them both, he definitely can't do it alone.

Well, although this episode didn't go far in terms of plot, it really gives quite a development for Mayuri's character, especially her past and relation with Okabe. There's another interesting thing revealed as well: Mayuri remembers each time she was murdered in a dream. Now then, is this 'ability' specific to Mayuri, or does everyone else have some vague recollection of other timelines as well? Andhow exactly does she do this? I have a feeling this will play a key part in finding the solution for this dilemma.

Oh, and another mystery: what exactly happened that Kurisu see right before the ending?

[Jean Claymore]

Hm... the ep's still good as always, but I kinda feel like filler due to slow plot development. It was nice to see Mayuri's past and brief explanations what events they where experiencing until now and how exactly was Mayuri's death date has been changing. I guess that pretty much gives us a cliffhanger for next ep since they'll be going through Kurisu's approval. Man, and I was hoping we had an answer from Kurisu when Okabe and Mayuri finished talking at cemetery... Anyways, it was nice overall though part of me wanted a little more of plot develpments if I were to criticize . I just find the series climax's being putting off too long. Wish it doesn't spoil up rushing the ending for the last 2~3 episodes.

@Saturn Beaver We may consider everyone who was involved with Time Machine has this little recording on there heads, so they could remember them every time Okabe undid the messeges. Not only Mayuri, but also Faeris and Ruka seemed to have some knowledge and remember what had happened in there alpha worldline. As to your mystery it's most likely Kurisu's going to remember how she was killed by going to the murder scene... yet we don't exatly know how did Okabe's first messege sent to Daru saved her. That's one of the most illogical mysteries I find till now

Argh.. 3eps left. Jeez, I wonder if I'll be able to replace other series when S;G ends.

[Riga92]

Immediately after his realization, Okabe stops the cracking from proceeding. Wanting to find a solution to save Mayuri without switching timelines, Okabe willingly tried to die, only for Mayuri to save him...

Mayuri's monologue at the grave was truly heartwrenching. She remembers all the previous timelines in her dreams, and she can see how much Okabe is suffering for her.

Kurisu finally knows her fate in the beta timeline. We don't know her thoughts on it yet...will she be willing to sacrifice herself for Mayuri's sake? Will Okabe find a way to save both of them?

[Reckoner]

Great episode, though plot wise not much was done, merely a lead up episode to let the gravity of the situation sink it, and the emotional turmoil Okabe is feeling sink in.

There is one detail still bothering me that will probably come into the picture here.

Okabe said the first time he felt reading Steiner was when he got really sick as a kid.

HMMM!?!?!?!?

One thing that was nagging me during this episode actually was how little we actually know about Okabe himself. He seemed like quite the lonely fellow without Mayuri. It's easy to see why he values Mayuri so much, because she was the best friend he had for so many years with no one else really.

[ars89]

Never thought i'd hear Okarin admit he made up his act. Well at least Kurisu knows the truth, the problem is what she will do about it. Why do they have to keep showing Mayuri die, i can't take it. So sad at the end when Mayuri was at the cemetery. So she actually knows of her deaths but in the form of dreams.

[FlareKnight]

It really is a horrible position that Okarin is in. How is he really supposed to choose between these two options? He's got to find some third way that things won't go so badly. Yes, SERN is an important point of the choice being made here, but it's not the only thing to consider.

Interesting that Mayuri has been seeing her deaths in dreams. Certainly something that will mess with you badly. Makes sense that she's being really thrown off by these events just like Okarin.

Of course Kurisu learning this information is now going to really be affecting her. Not sure what she's going to do. Not a good situation.

[Triple_R]

It was a good episode... but part of me questions having such a plot-inactive episode in a show with a pretty complex plot, this late in the game. Should the following episodes not feel rushed, and meet with a satisfying conclusion, then this episode is fine. Otherwise, I'll be wondering if it was wise to spend an entire episode to hammer home, once again, the awful nature of Okabe's current situation.

I mean, it's not like we learned much in this episode that we didn't already know. It just fleshed out Okabe and Mayuri's background and relationship a tiny bit more, and showed us how Kurisu reacted to the knowledge that her life is on the line too.

This episode also veered a bit into melodrama territory for me. It wasn't horribly overwrought, but I felt that things might have been laid on just a touch too thick.

Again, it's not like we haven't seen very emotionally distraught and numb Okabe before. In fact, he's been almost constantly in that state for the past several episodes.


On a positive note, though, it was interesting to see Okabe be so divided over his "Mad Scientist" persona, calling it 'crap' to Kurisu in one scene, while he nonetheless plays it up to Mayuri in several other scenes. It's also good to see Okabe try to re-connect with the Mayuri right in front of him, instead of just focusing on saving her while ironically ignoring her.

All-told, I give this episode a 8/10.

[miroku2192]

Oh goodness, now I know why Okabe might be screaming in the first episode. Please don't tell me Kurisu tells Daru to go ahead with the cracking and then undos the first d-mail without okabe's permission...and he's flung back into the alpha time line...and he uses the time machine, only to find that he's still too late at somet point or something like that :x

[xellos2099]

It is kind of ironic the position that he is in right now. Before he is trying desperate trying to save Mayuri that he is willing to give up t his friends happiness. Now when it come to his own happiness, as he is sort of in love with Kurisu ... he is really doubting himself. Should he give up his best friend or his love... very tough choice...

[maplehurry]

Should he give up his best friend or his love... very tough choice...

hoe b4 friend obviously.

[satomianzaki]

a sad episode...kurisu...

can't really wait for the next episodes...

[TimeSkip]

Kurisu is probably going to come up with the third option. Cancel the first D-mail. Of course, She dies. Then have Okarin convince Suzuha to let him use the time machine to go back and save her. This way SERN won't know about them because they never send any D-mail, but this might not work if the timeline isn't shifted enough.

[Hooves]

How can she convince someone if she dies without any ability like Okabe's "Reading Steiner" to keep her memories of the world lines?

[Reckoner]

If I had to guess, I bet Kurisu sends the D mail herself to cancel everything herself. Leaving Okabe in despair. Saving Kurisu will become the new goal.

[Guardian Enzo]

I can't disagree more with those who decry the relatively slow pace of the episode. This was both earned by 20 episodes of great character building and a necessary raising of the emotional stakes for the finale.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Jean Claymore

As to your mystery it's most likely Kurisu's going to remember how she was killed by going to the murder scene... yet we don't exatly know how did Okabe's first messege sent to Daru saved her. That's one of the most illogical mysteries I find till now

Well, from what I understand, the first D-Mail created this alpha timeline since it was detected by SERN's computer. With the detection, everything started to fall into place for SERN to become the ultimate power. In their timeline, Kurisu was an integral part for SERN's development into power. Hence, they would have found a way to save Kurisu's life.

If they use the IBN 5100 to erase that first D-Mail, then SERN never realizes anything, and they never controled time.

As for why Kurisu dies, I suspect that an agent from the future killed her, with Suzuha being the most likely candidate.

For me, if I was Okabe, I would memorize the method on how to create Kurisu's "time machine". I would then go back 2 days in time, create another one, go back 2 more days, etc., until I reach Kurisu's death day. On that day, I will try to prevent her death from happening, but also have the D-Mail erased from SERN's database.