Ahhh its good to be back now that the ban is lifted. What can I say about this episode other then that I was feel... vindicated in my faith of Lelouch's character, I believed and found my interpretation of him to be the true one in the end, and as such it was all the sweeter to see my own beliefs in the future be brought about by him, I salute you Lelouch
Now of course, the question remains, is he still alive, and while I think it important that the question does remain as per Tanaguichi series I feel that under the current evidence supported and brought about by others, the context of the whole thing, that yes I personally do believe he is still alive, and if that is the case then it is highly likely that he is the cart driver towing C.C.
Three reasons actually, chiefly good old Jeremiah, he's a man with loyalty not to ideas anymore other then his code of chivalry and honor, and his whole reaction to the scene and his past actions. When once Lelouch acted erratically and made orders that put himself in danger, Jeremiah ignored it and placed his safety above all else during Turn 19, which provides a precedent. Also, for a guy who was so devoted he has the mark of assurance and confidence over either the grief of knowing the truth of who Lelouch really is or being fooled by his mask, I am of the opinion that he does in fact have reason to keep smiling in this sense. Also, at the same time, I feel the countryside context ending with him on the plantation with the followup of another countryside scene with C.C and the unknown cart driver leaves me more assured in this deduction.
Next, C.C, the first major part of this is in regards to her promise, of course from what we saw she was aware of all the details involved with Zero Requiem already beforehand, yet both she and Lelouch keep up this apparent dialogue about promises and his return to give her a smile. Why keep up the pretense on this aspect I wonder if that was not the case? Next we have the great context view of the cart scene, her dialogue as we know cannot be actually conversing with the dead over the World of C as already explained by Marianne about how she wasn't really dead but her lack of her body allowed her communication. Thus, only two things are viable, she is either simply speaking to herself or the cart driver, my reason to believe it is the cart driver derives from the fact that we never get to see his face in the first place but still get a close up shot of him nonetheless, and in the context of the scene where both the music stops and when she raises her voice on the "Eh/Right, Lelouch?" as if to make sure he can here her, it is the one part that draws the most significant attention throughout the dialogue.
Next, Nunnally, I'm sure you've all heard it before, but the memory transfer scene has only ever had one precedent beforehand in its example, and that was during interaction with a code giver/immortal. Something to keep of note.
Lastly, in terms of ambiguous endings I tend to always lean in favor of the direction in which contradicts the 'established' ending in the first place, least I wonder why they bother putting any of this at all unless to fuel doubt and add to suspicion of its context.
So anyway, 10/10 for the ending, 8/10 for the season as a whole, 9/10 for the entire series, and with one final say that I do believe Lelouch is still alive, and that I agree with what most people say concerning about how that doesn't diminish his sacrifice and his achievements in the slightest if he is. Overall, a superb finish to one of if not my all time favorite anime
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