My overall reaction the episode: It was very epic, although not necessarily unpredictable. The past 5 or so episodes have been very rushed (maybe with the exception of 24, which was kinda okay for me), but I think this ending really made up for it. The high points of the episode, IMO:
Suzaku vs Kallen: What I REALLY loved about this fight is how they brought back the epic ground 1 vs 1 fights from Season 1. Seriously, since episode 6 of R2, we have almost NEVER seen a single fight on the ground between Knightmare Frames. Everyone was freakin equipped with Float Systems or Air-Glide Wings. This battle really brings a full circle between the two best Knightmares in the show by going back to the basics with landspinners and slash-harkens.
Jeremiah vs Anya: Really, this battle was far more epic and I had originally thought it was. When I first saw Siegfried explode, I thought the writers really went crazy killing off Orange-kun so easily. But then out comes the Orange Sutherland inside, and I was like
. Seriously, Knightmare inside Knight-Giga Fortress AND THEN a cyborg inside that? Very epic.
Suzaku killing Lelouch: Alright, I think quite a few people saw this coming. What really amused me was that a LONG TIME ago (before R2 was released), I remember someone (I forgot who, or if the person is even part of these forums) post a joke speculation of Lelouch conquering the Empire through Geass, and Suzaku becoming Zero and killing him to serve justice. I must say, that guy must be some kind of prophet, since that's more or less what happened, aside from it being all a "Just as planned." It was carried out pretty well, and the ZeroZaku dodging bullets seemed as if he was from Nightmare of Nunnally, where Zero destroyed Knightmares with his bare hands.
Lelouch's Death: Well, I wouldn't say I particularly want him to die, but if that's the writer's intent, then so be it. Really, his death is somewhat left ambiguous, with all the speculation of the cart-driver and all. I think this open-ended conclusion to his death is fitting. Those who prefer to have him die repenting for his sins can enjoy his death, and those who prefer to have him live with CC forever can enjoy speculating that the driver is actually Lelouch in disguise.
Relationships between characters: Most of the relationships in the series turned out fine. Ougi x Villeta (even if everyone wants those two to die), Toudou x Chiba (even though those two had a huge death flag), Guilford x Cornelia (even though one of them should be DEAD), and presumably Lloyd x Cecile by the wedding picture. Orange with Anya in the end seems to come out of nowhere, even if they aren't really a couple. It seems likely that Suzaku/Zero would end up with Nunnally, given how she is the only he is close to now who would know his identity. In this way, he also fulfills Lelouch's wish to be Nunnally's knight, which is a fitting end.
Finally.... onto the much hated Gino x Kallen. Personally, I don't see how this is so bad. It wasn't as if the two of them haven't gotten any development. Gino was pretty nice to her throughout her prison days and even saved her life as she is falling after the final battle with Lancelot. Sure, it wasn't as developed as Kalulu or even SuzakuxKallen, but Lelouch is likely dead at this point (even if not, he would be eloping with C.C.) and Suzaku has to hide his face forever under the guise of Zero. Gino would, therefore, be the closest thing to a possible love interest for her, and I could definitely see them together from a future perspective. Of course, luckily for all you Gino x Kallen haters, such a future would not be canon, so I guess we can all take it whichever way we want.
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