WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 27 of Attack on Titan: The Final Season, "Retrospective," now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll & Hulu.
The traitors of Paradis Island are still locked in a heated battle with the Jeagerists. Can they defeat their enemies before they destroy the airship? Will it even matter after the devastating news that the maniacs give to Hange and Magath?
It now seems likely that it will be impossible to start up the flying machine in time. Eren and the Colossal Titans are well on their way to destroying most of the world. The only hope for humanity is to travel south to a nearby Marlean city, but will it already be in ruins by the time Mikasa, Armin, and the rest arrive? The group can hope that they'll make it in time because the only other choice is to let the world be destroyed.
"Retrospective"
Plans have changed. The new mission is to get the mechanics to the ship. The resistance group appears to be succeeding between the Titans and cadets, but Annie and Reiner are taking massive hits to protect those on the ground. Though, it's important to remember that both sides are fighting for their families so the Jeagerists themselves won't go down quickly. Falco and the others know that two Titans won't be enough to stop them, but Piek is carrying those who can't fight, and Falco hasn't transformed before. There is no time to think, Annie has fallen, and Riener is close behind.
The traitors have no time to hesitate with the entire world on the line. Changing for the first time, Falco joins the fight. His Jaw Titan form reveals powerful jaws and large claws. His appearance is similar to a beast. The battle is brutal and bloody, staining the sea red. The group successfully sets sales, but Magath stays behind to sink the other Marleyan ship that could catch up to his colleagues. Keith Shadis, having seen his students leave, trails the group and helps Magath destroy the boat. The two die blowing the ship up to save their students.
Racing the Clock
Every decision the group makes in this episode influences their likelihood of stopping Eren and the Rumbling. They do not have the luxury of time on their side. The fast passed nature of this episode reflects this dire reality. Throughout the episode, different scenes of combat, last-minute choices, and sacrifice were depicted. One of the most striking of all is when Falco joins the battle. It's here that the group has an edge against the others, with Annie and Reiner having already weakened their forces. The Jeagerists were not only unprepared but startled to see the Jaw Titan in action.
Whether the ship can reach Marley in time remains to be seen. At the speed that Eren and the Colossal Titans are moving, there is a chance that Odiha will have been destroyed. Is the group sailing to a city that can be saved or a pile of rubble? Though none of this matters because there will be no time to save Liberio, Annie, and the other's hometown. All that is left is to save the rest of the world. Considering Annie's reaction to the news, there is a chance that she won't fight. Everyone selling out to stop Eren has fought so much in their lifetime. Having to fight more of their friends has to be exhausting. So, how many of them will be left to see the world after all of this is done?
Perhaps this mission is a suicide mission that no one expects to return from. Magath and Shadis, having trained children to be weapons, seemed ready for the end; willing to give their pupils the chance to make it and hopefully be happy. Then again, if these soldiers died for this mission, how many more would be lost stopping Eren? How far will everyone go to see the end of this, the lot of all the fighting they've endured? There are no answers currently, but from the sneak peek for "The Dawn of Humanity," questions will be asked, and hopefully, fans will get some much needed answers.
How Eren anticipated everything that has happened, and even needed it to happen in order to start the Rumbling remains to be seen. Does this mean that everyone's actions have already been decided for them? This is certainly a possibility since Ymir Fritz looks to be holding most of the cards right now. Then, everything that has happened so far would have preplanned by Ymir herself. Was she trying to stop the Titans, or does she really want Eren to destroy the same world that destroyed her? Fans will have to wait at least one more week to find out.
Fans can watch Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.