spoiler
The rumors fly about a Titan fighting on the side of humanity, as Eren remains chained in his prison cell. Some see him as a savior, but others think he’s a demon. The Military Police would like to just get rid of Eren and not give him to the Survey Corps. The Garrison Commander meets with the Survey Corps Commander in secret to discuss Eren. Pixis is told by Erwin that Eren will have to face a military tribunal to find out his fate and Commander-in-Chief Darius Zackley will have the final say. Pixis would hate to see Eren die, but Erwin still has a proposal to offer.
Armin and Mikasa are discussing Eren’s fate as well. They have been called as witnesses to Eren’s inquisition. Eren’s guards consider him a monster and he’s just as confused as they are. The only people that aren’t afraid of him are Armin and Mikasa, and Eren wonders where his friends are now. It’s been days since Erwin and Levi spoke with him and he has no idea what’s going on in the outside world. Eren wonders if he will be stuck in his prison forever.
Hanji Hanji, a Survey Corps squad leader, comes to free him, but he still has to wear manacles. She and another squad leader, Mike Zacharius, and his two Military Police guards escort Eren to his trial. Eren receives no explanation as he is taken into the courtroom by his Military Police guards. Eren is stunned to see where he is as his guards push him forward at gunpoint. They have him kneel and chain him to the floor before the bench. Eren looks around at the sea of faces and wonders just what is going on. He sees Armin and Mikasa there too just before Zackley enters and begins the inquiry.
Zackley verifies Eren’s identity and lets him know what is happening and that his fate lies in Zackley’s hands. Both the Military Police and the Survey Corps want custody of Eren, but for very different reasons. The Commander of the Military Police, Nile Dawk, is asked to present his case first. He would like to see Eren executed. Dawk acknowledges that Eren did help to save them, but now his very existence could begin a civil war. They would like Eren to share whatever information he has, and then die for the sake of humanity – a noble sacrifice. How arrogant this Dawk is! Priest Nick, a “Wallist” calls for Eren’s immediate death and is called to order for his outburst.
The Commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith, speaks next. He proposes to have Eren join the Survey Corps and use his power to help retake Wall Maria. Erwin has nothing further to say. Now the protests begin. A merchant makes his case to seal up all the gates and Levi shoots him down. The Wallist protests that the walls were a gift from God and should not be touched by human hands. Zackley is forced to call the court to order once again. Zackley speaks to Eren directly and asks him if he can serve as a soldier and use his power to “benefit humanity”. Eren eagerly answers in the affirmative, and Zackley quickly brings up the fact that he attacked Mikasa when he was a Titan.
This is the first time that Eren has heard this and he looks at Mikasa in shock. But she knows that he doesn’t remember losing control. Zackley turns his attention to Mikasa and asks if his report is true. Mikasa looks at Eren and considers lying, but is advised against it by Riko. Reluctantly, Mikasa admits that the report of Eren losing control and attacking her is true. While Eren is stunned that he tried to kill Mikasa, the others in the courtroom have just had their worst fears regarding Eren confirmed. But Mikasa isn’t finished speaking and mentions the times that Eren saved her – and Armin - while he was a Titan requesting that those facts be considered as well.
Dawk protests that, saying that Mikasa’s positive comments are because of her personal attachment to Eren. Dawk tells of how Mikasa was taken in by the Jaeger family and raised by them when she lost her parents. Dawk also mentions the killing of the robbers that once tried to kidnap Mikasa. Even though it was self-defense, both Eren and Mikasa killed at the age of nine, so how can Eren be trusted now? This causes more commotion in the courtroom, many thinking that Eren was a Titan pretending to be a child in order to infiltrate them. Then one points his finger at Mikasa and accuses her of being a Titan as well. Another demands that Mikasa should be dissected. Eren vehemently protests Mikasa’s innocence, but his protest only serves to make Mikasa appear guilty in the eyes of the spectators.
Eren pulls against his restraints as more people get fired up. This shocks them into silence and Eren calms down. He tries to explain that they are making up theories to fit whatever situation they may imagine. Eren knows he’s probably saying the wrong thing to the wrong people, but keeps talking, saying that most of them have never even seen a Titan. He’s determined to convince them that he can help them fight for survival, but he goes too far when he calls them cowards. The onlookers are shocked by his outburst and Dawk orders his men to take aim at Eren. But Levi takes matters into his own hands and brutally beats Eren to a pulp, the first blow causing a tooth to fly out of Eren’s mouth. This beating probably saved Eren’s life, but it was still very disturbing to watch. Mikasa wants to go to his aid but is stopped by Armin.
Levi stands with his foot on Eren’s head, telling the court that the best way to train someone is with pain, and that Eren needs to be trained as a dog and not a man. He continues to beat Eren senseless as everyone silently watches. Even Dawk wants Levi to stop now, saying that Eren may get angry enough to turn into a Titan, but Levi just kicks Eren again and pulling him up by the hair, asks if Eren should be dissected. Levi remarks that Eren the Titan once killed twenty other Titans before collapsing. He says that if Eren is their enemy, then his intelligence makes him even more dangerous and he asks the courtroom if they really think they can kill Eren.
Erwin raises his hand and is given permission to speak. He says that Eren’s power is uncertain and therefore dangerous, so he proposes that Levi take responsibility for controlling Eren. He’d like to send an expedition, that would include Eren, outside the walls immediately, but this would really be a test to see if Eren can control his power or not. Zackley considers this and asks Levi if he can control Eren, but Levi only says that he’s positive that he can kill Eren, telling Zackley that he probably can’t do anything less. Levi glances over to the angry Mikasa still being held back by Armin and then looks at Zackley. Zackley announces that he’s made his decision and the screen goes blank!
In a sparsely furnished room, a sympathetic Hanji treats the injured Eren. The other Survey Corps members are in the room as well and Erwin apologizes to Eren, but tells him thanks to what happened, they got custody of him. I guess the beating was part of Erwin’s plan all along, as he tells Eren that the pain he suffered actually helped Erwin get Eren turned over to him. Erwin now kneels in front of Eren and holding out his hand, tells Eren that he has his respect and that he looks forward to working with him. The surprised Eren takes the offered hand and thanks Erwin. But then Eren flinches when Levi sits next to him.
Levi asks Eren if he resents him, but Eren says that he knows why the beating was necessary. But Hanji tells Levi that he still took it too far and that Eren has lost a tooth. She shows Eren his tooth and calls it an “important sample”. Levi mentions that it’s better than getting dissected by someone like Hanji and she protests that she isn’t like the others – she wouldn’t kill him! Hanji asks Eren to open his mouth for her and he complies, but then Hanji is shocked to see that the missing tooth has already grown back. I hope that doesn’t give her any “dissecting” ideas!
