WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 18 of Attack on Titan: The Final Season, "Sneak Attack," now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll & Hulu.
The first episode of Attack on Titan, Season 4, part 2, left fans wondering. Was the young girl who saved Zeke Ymir or some other being connected to the Eldians? Will Eren's friends agree to help save him from the Titan shifters, or will they allow him to face the repercussions of his actions?
It would seem Armin wants to help Eren. His belief was never wavering; even after the lies and deceit, Armin has faith that Eren is using Yelena and Zeke for his purposes. With Zeke's royal blood, Eren has the opportunity to start a mini rumbling and protect Paradis for at least 50 years. Allowing the island to catch up with the rest of the world's technologies. Hopefully, Armin's speech persuades the group to help Eren, or he might succumb to the Titan Shifters.
"Sneak Attack"
Jean and the other soldiers agree to help Eren with Marley back in prison. Connie and Jean do not want Eren to die before they have the opportunity to confront him, and Mikasa wants to hear the real reason why he said he hated her. The scene cuts to the battle. Eren barely keeps the Armored and Jaw Titan off of him. At the last second, in his Beast Titan form, Zeke arrives to help Eren, saying to leave the rest to his big brother. Like in previous battles, Zeke uses the Beast titan's incredible aim to take down the Marley troops.
Below Armin and the others gather the troops that ingested Titan spinal fluid free. Commander Pixis addresses these soldiers, explaining that the ODM gear would be used only by those without black armbands, while those who drank the contaminated wine would fight on the front lines. Mikasa and the others with ODM gear witness Marley's blimps crash into the ground on the roof. Yelena explains that it's Zeke's doing, shocking the group. To them, it means that Levi and Hange failed to take down the Beast Titan. Still, they have no choice but to help Eren.
Falco spots his brother and Gabi attempting to save him from the military police during all this. Nile spotting them, explains that he will take Falco somewhere the Marleyian troops wouldn't find them. Instead, he releases Falco to Colt and Gabi, wanting Falco to go home. With Falco back, the three hide from the people of Paradis. During this time, Gabi realizes that the people behind the walls aren't devils. Falco also takes the time to proclaim his love for Gabi, explaining that he didn't want to be turned into a Titan without telling her.
At the end of the episode, fans watch while Eren stumbles towards Zeke and keeps the other Titans off Eren. Thinking Pieck's Cart Titan had been killed, Zeke lets his guard down. Allowing General Magath to shoot Zeke down. The fans are left watching while Eren attempts to reach Zeke's fallen body.
What Could This Mean?
Not much is provided in the way of plot points in this episode. Instead, the audience is shown further character developments, like with Mikasa. Still hurting from what Eren said about the Ackermans, fans can tell she is conflicted. She wants to help Eren, but is this because of the Ackermans? Are all the past choices that she's made due to this 'awakened power?' Struggling to find answers to this, Mikasa leaves the scarf Eren gave her behind. This not only symbolizes Mikasa's distrust of Eren but her attempt to make her dedication, even if it involves saving Eren.
The other character that has grown is Gabi. While hiding with Falco and Colt, Gabi hears Sasha's family discussing where 'Mia and Ben' (Gabi and Falco's fake names) are and if they made it out of the city. Gabi is surprised and emotional at the discovery that they cared about them. She realizes how Riener feels; the people behind the walls weren't devils. They are just people like themselves. For a moment, it appeared that Gabi was going to jump out but stopped hearing Kaya's hatred of her. Gabi killed Sasha, the woman who saved Kaya from the Titans and became an older sister to her. Gabi realizes that she killed another person, a family that deeply loved her.
Otherwise, not much is provided in this episode. It would seem that "Sneak Attack" was used as a setup for episode 19, "Two Brothers." Will fans finally see Eren and Zeke meet to start the Rumbling, or will Reiner and Porco stop Eren in his tracks? Along with this, fans might have to wait until episode 20 to find out what happened to Commander Hange since she threw herself and Levi's bodies into a river. Using this as an escape from the Jeagerists. Fans can stream Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu until then.