The episode title references "The Plot to Assassinate Girhen", a spin-off manga series for the OG Gundam, which in turn is a reference to the movie "The Plot to Assassinate Hitler".

No robot fight, and most of it was exposition and table setting, but this is the good kind of exposition and table setting cos I can't wait till next episode to see how everything comes together for the climax. Last week I complained about too much teen angst and not enough politics, but this week I'm practically drowning in it. I'm not even mad that Kycillia's cameo wasn't even 2 seconds lol. Two whole Zeon factions (Kycillia and Gihren), Side 6 itself and the motherfucking TITANS?!?

I didn't expect them to show up at all- repurposed in this timeline as the Space CIA (the official description on the show's website for Bask Om is that he is "Preparing to create a Far-right Special Forces unit" lmao). I am a bit worried if all the super deep-cuts to Gundam lore is alienating new viewers (Gates Capa? Really?), but so far it's relatively self-evident in-context and I think everything going on with the main trio + Challia is compelling enough (Goddam Mr. Bull certainly knows how to make an entrance).

Speaking of the main trio- I'm really happy with how they decided to handle Machu + Nyaan. Machu screaming "That's my space!" is probably the rawest, most realistic thing a teenager could say there, and I'm glad they didn't drag out the interpersonal conflict beyond this episode, because while they might not be overly interested in politics, politics has certainly taken an interest in them.

we Eva now

Sidenote: there are college entrance exam books alongside immigration procedure manuals on Nyaan's bookshelf in her apartment, so we probably know her motivation now (thank you Japanese speaking fans for pointing that out)

Next week: In Universe in the OG Gundam timeline, the Second Neo-Zeon War (the events of Char's Counterattack) is also known as Char's Rebellion.