WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 28 of Attack on Titan: The Final Season, "The Dawn of Humanity," now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll & Hulu.
The final episode of season four, part two of Attack on TItan has finally been released. Fans are taken back to before the attack on Marley and the Rumbling to when the scouts first saw Marley. The experience is surreal, seeing the group together once more and experiencing the outside world first.
When preparing to watch this episode, fans probably weren't expecting a light-hearted flashback. The scouts are all together one more time. Even Sasha is alive to experience the wonderful food of Marley. What can this journey tell viewers about current events in the narrative? Are there any secrets that can be uncovered regarding Eren's true plan, or will Eren destroy the world he fought so hard to see?
"The Dawn of Humanity"
The first half of this episode follows Mikasa's thought process before Eren left. She wonders if there is anything that she could have done differently back then. The day that the scouts arrived at Marley for the first time, they were amazed at the technology, and Sasha couldn't get enough of ice cream. The group's mission was to see what Marley would do to Paradis, so they meet with Kiyomi Azumabito to discuss Paradis's safety and Zeke's plan. During this, Eren sneaks out he finds a group of refugees from the war. They invite Eren and the others for celebrations since they saved the young boy from punishment. The following day, Mikasa watches Eren walk out after hearing the speech of a Marleyan man calling the islanders devils.
The second half of this episode is from Eren's perspective. It shows him telling Floch and Historia the truth of his plan. He discusses what he'll do about Armin and Mikasa with Zeke, and how he injured himself during the war at the beginning of season four-part one. Every step of the way, Eren points out his desire to end the pattern. To completely stop the cycle of revenge by wiping out humanity beyond Paradis. As for Mikasa, he only has four years left to live. He knows that he has no future with her or his friends. All he wants is for them to live happy lives, even if that means he's not there.
At the end of the episode, fans watch while the Marleyan army shoots the Colossal Titans, who are swimming through the water like projectiles due to their steam. None of this matters because the sheer number completely burns the fleet. The rumbling emerging from the water decimates Marley with Eren is in his Founding Titan form watching.
The End (For Now)
After waiting so long for the second half of the season, fans still don't have all the answers. Attack on Titan season four part two has set up the Rumbing, devastation, and the unlikely group who've banded together to stop Eren. But they haven't done much yet. No, instead, fans get a small glimpse into the past and the setup to everything that happened in season four so far. Other than a couple of fun moments like Sasha eating ice cream, the group getting drunk, and Eren's conversations with everyone, not much is revealed.
Instead, this episode focuses more on Mikasa and Eren. Mikasa wondered if she could have done something differently. Perhaps if she had told Eren something different when he asked what he was to her, he wouldn't have started the Rumbling. Sasha wouldn't have died if she had stopped Eren from leaving, but fans know that this wouldn't have been possible. Eren, having the Attack Titan Power knows the future. Everything that has happened was planned out and is fated in a way.
On the other hand, Eren is reminiscing on all the steps he took to get to this point. Almost like he is trying to remember why he chose global genocide. It isn't just about saving Paradis Island anymore. It's about stopping the endless cycle of death and revenge that the Eldians and Marleyans have gone through. It's saving Historia and her descendants from having to devour their family to keep the Founding Titan. Most of all, Eren wants to keep Armin and Mikasa safe, so they can live happy lives. To Eren, this is the only option he has to save this reality, but what if this isn't Eren.
Many fans have pointed out that Eren became different after kissing Historia's hand. Not only did he receive all the memories of past Attack Titans, but he also saw the future. What if Eren is being blinded by the future he saw and the drive to fulfill it that comes with the Attack Titan. Now, this isn't to say that the Attack Titan is controlling Eren, but the entire premise behind this Titan is its fighting for freedom. Perhaps the drive for freedom has clouded Eren's judgment. Currently, anime fans don't know, and they won't get answers until 2023 with season four part three releases.
Until then, fans can rewatch all the Attack on Titan episodes on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.