The following contains spoilers for episode 5 of NieR Automata Ver1.1a, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The YoRHa androids' lives are no longer in danger, but that doesn't mean they're off scot-free, either. Lily tasks 2B and 9S with delivering oil to a machine village. Along the way, 9S makes small talk and suggests that they're now close enough for nicknames. 2B again reminds him that emotions are prohibited, though that still doesn't stop him from excitedly exploring the surrounding area when they enter a shopping mall. As the two reach the machine village, they meet Pascal, the village chief, who thanks them for their work and encourages the two androids to familiarize themselves with the villagers, before making any judgments.
Upon the discovery of an underground tunnel beneath the village, 9S and 2B stumble across a strange mask, with the former deciding to hack into it, until being booted out by his own system, stating that it's "forbidden knowledge". Meanwhile, the two machine androids from episode 3, now calling themselves, Adam and Eve discuss human etiquette based off literature.
Knowledge Is Power
The biggest theme of this episode is the importance of knowledge and the dangers of ignorance. This can be seen when Adam and Eve are discovering and imitating past human behavior, such as wearing undergarments and eating. Additionally, Lily's decision to help the machine village, by building a rapport is beneficial for a mutual understanding. But everyone here tackles knowledge differently. Pascal states that reading is his favorite pastime, and so his ability to communicate is much more advanced. For 9S on the other hand, his thirst for knowledge goes much farther. Upon their encounter with the mask stuck in the tree (who we will later on discover is Emil from NieR: Replicant), the first thing 9S does is boast about his opportunity to show off his skills, and hacks right into it, despite not needing to do so. And what he discovers is quite curious.
Game veterans will recognize that 9S is peaking into the past of the previous game, but as far as everyone else knows, he is simply experiencing the past. Yes, the YoRHa androids are aware of the existence of humans, but technically this is their very first opportunity to actually see one. Yet before 9S can explore any further, he is booted out by his own system. Something is being hidden from him - and he knows this. But what happens when we're told something is a secret? Seek it out even more. But unlike the machines who have the freedom to accumulate knowledge, the androids are clearly being restricted here. So now we're left to ponder, who here is actually free?
Peace Over War
The YoRHa androids are living their lives in accordance to what they are told and to seek a "just" cause. But the machines we've met so far have disconnected from their network, and decided to be passive on their own, instead. This implies that perhaps the two sides are not really "natural" enemies.
As 2B and 9S are exposed more to the machine village, they witness a skirmish between three machines fighting over a music box. 9S takes note of how despite their decisions to no longer fight, the machines still have disagreements just like everyone else. When 21O contacts him for his regular check-in, 9S states that he has nothing to report. There is something that is missing, and 9S is determined to find out. 2B however, seems to know something he doesn't - and wishes to keep it that way. Knowledge is power, yes. But they also say that ignorance is bliss.
