Attack on Titan Episode 56: The Basement

In a dream, a skeletal Colossal Titan sheds a tear as Armin watches. Armin then wakes up on top of Wall Maria, finding Sasha severely injured beside him. He asks what happened, and Levi explains that Armin was given a Titan injection over Erwin and then ate Bertholdt. Armin is shocked that only nine Scout Regiment soldiers remain and struggles with the fact that he was chosen.

When Armin asks why he was given the injection, Levi states that Eren and Mikasa were willing to fight for him. Hange says Eren and Mikasa will be disciplined for their insubordination, which they accept. Levi admits the final decision was his, and he chose this place for Erwin to die. Armin expresses misgivings, and Hange agrees that Erwin might have been the better choice, but Erwin had entrusted Levi with the injection. Levi assures Armin that he doesn't expect him to replace Erwin, but believes Armin has a unique quality and wants to ensure Eren and Mikasa don't regret their actions. Hange consoles Armin, saying that as the next commander, they are in a similar position and both must accept their new roles.

With Armin confirmed to be alright, Hange, Levi, Eren, and Mikasa go to investigate the Jaeger family basement. Eren remembers his mother telling him his father kept work tools there and that he was never allowed inside. He and Mikasa recall happier times in Shiganshina District and the Titan invasion. They arrive at their overgrown former home.

Eren, Mikasa, Hange, and Levi clear debris from the basement hatch and descend the stairs. Eren's key doesn't open the door at the bottom, so Levi breaks it down. Inside, they find a room resembling a doctor's study. Hange comments that it looks exactly as Grisha would want people to perceive it, and Levi agrees, noting that anything valuable to the Interior Police wouldn't be left in the open.

Mikasa accidentally knocks over a cup and discovers a small keyhole in the side of Grisha's desk. Eren uses his key to open a secret drawer with a false bottom, revealing three books. Eren and Mikasa open the first book, finding a portrait of a family on the first page. Eren takes it out, and Hange examines it, finding it too detailed to be a drawing. Mikasa points out Grisha's writing on the back, which Hange reads, explaining that the portrait is not an illustration but a photograph—an imprint of reflected light on special paper.

In Trost District, Nile Dawk reminisces about Erwin's childhood questions and his search for answers. He recalls Erwin insisting the government hid the truth when they were in the Cadet Corps, which Nile didn't take seriously then, but now believes Erwin was right. Dhalis Zachary tells Nile he will have to apologize to Erwin when he returns. Anka Rheinberger then announces that the Scouts have returned, having successfully taken Wall Maria. The people of the Walls celebrate the Scouts' victory. The Scouts stand on Wall Rose above Trost, with Hange carrying the three books from the basement.

The photograph is explained to be a technology not available within the Walls. Grisha's writing states he came from a place beyond the Walls where humanity lives in elegance and has not perished.

Years ago, Grisha and his sister ran out of their house to see an airship, almost forgetting their armbands. Their mother warned them not to go outside the walls. When the airship passed beyond their neighborhood wall, they stopped, unable to follow. His sister hoped to ride one if she became rich, but Grisha was more realistic. Sensing her disappointment, Grisha grabbed her hand and ran for the security gate, knowing from his teacher that airships landed nearby. His sister expressed concern about going outside the walls against their mother's instructions, but Grisha pushed through the gate, telling a uniformed guard they would be right back. In his later writings, Grisha stated that day was when he learned the truth of this world.