Attack on Titan Episode 79: Memories of the Future

Eren and Zeke observe a memory of their father, Grisha Jaeger, holding a baby Eren. Zeke expresses resentment, noting Grisha's apparent happiness despite having lost his previous family and friends. He hopes this memory will show Eren how Grisha brainwashed him.

Zeke then guides Eren through more of Grisha's memories, revealing Grisha's efforts to infiltrate powerful circles as a doctor to locate the king and the Founding Titan. Eren concludes that Grisha was willing to sacrifice his family to restore Eldia, a conclusion Zeke anticipated. Zeke, unfazed by Eren's claim of no longer being brainwashed, continues to show him memories.

They witness Grisha's investigation, which leads him to a church built over an underground chapel. Both Eren and Zeke are surprised by how quickly Grisha finds it, given that this is a much younger Grisha and Eren is still a toddler. Grisha locates a trap door to the cavern below but hesitates, closes it, and returns home to hug his young son. Zeke is astonished to realize Grisha delayed his mission out of love for his second son.

In another memory, set in the Jaeger family basement, Zeke and Eren watch Grisha sleeping at his desk. Eren notices a photograph of Grisha and his first family. Grisha stirs, muttering an apology to Zeke, then opens his eyes and looks directly at Zeke, confused. He questions if it's truly him, then dismisses it as a dream. Eren opens a door behind Grisha and suggests they move to the next memory.

By the time they reach memories of Eren at nine years old, Zeke admits that Eren doesn't appear to have been brainwashed and was allowed to grow freely. He questions why Eren betrayed him, noting that Eren was forced to inherit a Titan and followed Grisha's plans despite knowing nothing. Zeke asks about Eren's intentions with the Founding Titan.

As they observe a memory where Grisha discovers Eren after he killed Mikasa's kidnappers, Eren tells Zeke that he misunderstands him. Eren states that he would rather steal someone's freedom than have his own stolen, a trait he was born with, not taught by his father. He asserts he won't be the weak younger brother Zeke expected. Eren views Zeke as unable to move past his dead father's dream, but Zeke expresses gratitude, believing he can now save the world from Eldia. Zeke prepares to move on, but Eren pauses to look at his younger self, who is wrapping a scarf around Mikasa.

In another memory, as Grisha medically examines a child, Zeke claims he can execute the euthanization plan at any time, being connected to the Founder. However, he wants to save Eren before saving the world.

They return to the basement, where Zeke watches Grisha write a message for Eren, stating that humanity outside the Walls still exists. Grisha places the photo of his first family in his journal and locks it in his desk drawer. As he lifts the key, he stares directly ahead, where Eren stands.

In the ground floor of the Jaeger home, a younger Eren and Mikasa bring in firewood. As Carla Jaeger cooks and Grisha sits at the table, the children learn Grisha will be away. Mikasa reveals Eren wants to join the Scout Regiment. Grisha, unlike Carla, asks Eren why. Eren explains his desire to understand the outside world and honor those who died exploring. Grisha, understanding, promises to show Eren the secret in the basement upon his return. As he speaks, he looks not at the younger Eren, but at the present-day Eren.

As Grisha leaves home, he is plagued by a terrible vision. On the day Wall Maria falls, he returns to the underground chapel where the Reiss family is gathered. Grisha declares himself an Eldian and Subject of Ymir from outside the Walls, begging the current king to stop the Titans before his family and others are devoured.

The vow to renounce war affects Frieda, who coldly states they must accept their sins. She believes the Power of the Titans, especially the Founder's, must not fall into other hands to prevent another Great Titan War. To save the world, they must accept their destruction. Zeke realizes he and Frieda share a similar goal but also that Grisha will kill her and her family. He recalls Eren's disgust at this memory and turns to ask if it was a lie, shocked by Eren's intense expression.

Undeterred, Grisha pleads for his family, whose house is near the Wall's breach. He argues that the people she is abandoning know nothing of their ancestors' sins due to the king erasing their memories, questioning how that can be atonement. Frieda states that nothing they do can be enough repentance, so her focus is preventing deaths outside the Walls. If Eldians remain ignorant and accept the world's hatred, only they will die.

Grisha is horrified and looks over his right shoulder at Eren, who is seething with rage. Frieda, oblivious, continues that arguing is pointless, and even if he took the Founding Titan, he couldn't use it. Grisha acknowledges this, explaining that each of the Nine Titans has a special trait, and the Attack Titan has never bowed to anyone. He believes this is because the Attack Titan is meant to fight against the king's self-righteousness. The Attack Titan can glimpse memories of its future inheritors and, through them, know the future. These memories led him there.

Frieda has never heard this, and Grisha is aware. He also knows the vow to renounce war prevents her from using the full power of the Founding Titan. He declares he will eat the Founding Titan and end the royal bloodline, stating the future is already decided.

Grisha takes out a scalpel to stab himself, causing the Reiss family to scatter. However, seeing the panicking children, he drops the implement. Groaning, he falls to his knees, stating he cannot kill children as he is a doctor meant to save lives. Zeke is shocked, as this is not what happens, and the past cannot change.

Meanwhile, the Reiss family urges Frieda to transform and kill him. Reluctantly, she gathers her courage and prepares to bite her hand.

Eren looks down at Grisha and tells him to stand. He asks if Grisha has forgotten his purpose: to avenge his sister, his first wife, and his comrades. Eren urges Grisha to keep moving forward, reminding him that he started this story.

Grisha picks up the scalpel and stabs himself with a scream. The Reiss family dies. These details had been revealed to Eren when he kissed Historia Reiss's hand.

Zeke is aghast at Eren's manipulation of Grisha through their shared memories. Grisha flees the destroyed chapel, exiting his Titan and staggering away with a syringe of Titan spinal fluid, horrified by his actions. Grisha falls to his knees, shouting that he killed everyone except the father, just as Eren wanted. He asks if Eren is happy and if this will truly save Eldia. Grisha wishes Eren had shown him everything, but he only knows about the Wall falling and the day it happens, not if Carla is safe.

Grisha, still looking at the ground, senses Zeke nearby and asks if he is there. He tells Zeke that things won't go his way and that Eren will get everything he wants. Grisha knows the next stage of Eren's plan, and it is terrible. He looks up, surprised to see Zeke standing in front of him. Sobbing, Grisha apologizes for being an awful father and tells Zeke he loves him. He embraces a startled Zeke, wishing he had spent more time with him. Moved, Zeke tears up and calls him "Father."

Grisha asks Zeke to stop Eren, but as he does, Zeke sees Eren standing behind Grisha, staring intently at him. Suddenly, Zeke is knocked off his feet, and they are back in the Paths. Though chained, Eren calmly looks down on Zeke.