This series is never satisfied. Just when you think it's wrung the last depths of emotion from its characters and audience, it does something even more jarring.

Over the past four episodes the status quo for the series has dramatically changed three times. From Lelouch's battle with his father in dreamland to the revelation that his mother's consciousness was still alive to Lelouch's rejection of both of them and his taking of the Britannian throne, to Lelouch and Suzaku versus the world, things have changed so drastically that it's impossible to tell where they're going.

I've stated before my theory of the innocents in the series--those characters who live according to a peaceful ideal but are destined to meet tragic ends, and who are the only characters I can really root for in the series. Karen is still alive, though she's had her heart broken at least one too many times. Euphemia and Shirley are dead, and until the cliffhanger of this episode Nunnally seemed to be as well. Now, it seems she's not only alive, but that her status among the innocents may need to be revoked, depending on what Schneizel has planned for her. Of the remaining innocents, Ohgi and Viletta may have a chance at happiness, assuming the war lets them live, Milly has lost just about everything, while Rivalz may have temporarily gained a bit of happiness defending Nina (assuming either one of them survive, but this is a Sunrise series......).

It's gotten to the point that I don't know who to root for. I can't support Lelouch or Suzaku; both are too bloodstained. There was never any question of my supporting Charles; he was far too bloodthirsty for my taste. It's gotten to the point where I find myself rooting for Schneizel simply because he seems to go about things in the least bloody and most honest manner. He may not be a "good guy" in the traditional sense, but he's not the backstabbing sadist that dictator's ambitious sons usually are in Sunrise series. I could be proven wrong in the final three episodes, but right now he's the closest thing to a hero we've got.

Obviously I'm going to have to watch the series to the end; otherwise it's like stepping off a roller coaster mid-run. Besides, the "train-wreck" theory holds; not that this is a bad series, but more that the characters' plans constantly go awry because of the most unexpected reasons.