Attack on Titan Episode 52: Descent

The episode opens with a flashback to the Trost operation, where Reiner and Bertholdt watch Eren try to seal the wall breach with a boulder. Bertholdt worries Eren may be eaten before they can learn anything from him, and Reiner says that if that happens, he will have to act with his Titan.

In the flashback, Marco overhears enough of Reiner and Bertholdt’s conversation to realize something is wrong. Reiner catches him, and the situation escalates until Marco is immobilized and left helpless as Titan shifters and their allies abandon him to be eaten, while Reiner slips back into his soldier persona as Marco dies.

Back in the present at Shiganshina, the Scouts have just severely damaged the Armored Titan with Thunder Spears, leaving Reiner’s human body badly injured while he is still inside the Titan body. Reiner’s Titan roars, and the Beast Titan responds by throwing a barrel containing Bertholdt over the wall into the district.

Bertholdt bursts out of the barrel and sees Reiner in a desperate state. Armin tries to talk to him, but Bertholdt quickly realizes he is being stalled and refuses to be shaken by the sight of his former comrades. Mikasa attacks him, but he escapes the immediate confrontation and warns Reiner to brace himself before launching upward with his gear and transforming.

The Colossal Titan’s transformation detonates in a huge explosion that levels the surrounding area, destroys buildings, and sets Shiganshina on fire. The blast catches many Scouts in the affected area, and Armin realizes that they cannot wait for reinforcements or retreat safely; they must stop Bertholdt immediately, or they will be trapped between the fire and the Beast Titan.

At the end of the episode, Erwin stands on the wall looking at the Colossal Titan and then toward the Beast Titan, trying to understand what the enemy is planning next.