Backplot:
-Shinji has been learning the functions and mechanics of the Evangelions to better pilot them. Normally the EVA runs off of electricity, supplied by an "umbilical cable" that plugs into its back. If this cable is cut off, the internal battery kicks in, which has a life of 1 minute at full power and a maximum of 5 minutes using only necessary functions. This is due to NERV's current limitations on battery technology.
-The resulting explosion from Shinji's first battle ("Angel Attack") most definitely injured or killed some people. Misato's reference to a cover-up from NERV ("The Beast") is reflected when Hikari says that the television report said that no one was injured, when in fact that is not the case.
-The student population at Shinji's junior high school has dropped considerably, probably due to fear over Shinji's battle in the city with the Angel.
-Toji's little sister was seriously injured when falling debris crushed her. Their dad and grandfather cannot leave their posts to see her, and so Toji has been visiting her daily in order to keep her company. Toji blames the pilot of the EVA for his disregard for innocents during the battle.

Interesting Notes:
-Ritsuko is apparently a regular smoker.
-The Second Impact changed weather patterns on earth irreversibly. Where there were once four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) of varying weather conditions, there is now a permanent stretch of warm and hot weather, with no snow - at least in Japan. Aquatic life has also been slowly recovering from the disaster for the past 15 years.
-According to school textbooks, a giant meteor slammed into Antarctica in 2000 (Second Impact). This melted the ice caps (causing ocean levels to rise), threw the earth off its axis (causing a change in weather patterns, see above), and killed off several thousand species and half the human race.
-It has been only three weeks since the last Angel attack.

Unanswered Questions:
-Why is NERV being so secretive about recent events and what are they hiding?
-How serious are Toji's sister's injuries?
-Where was Gendo?
-What will be the consequences of Shinji disobeying a direct order, even though he won the battle?
-Why did an Angel attack so soon after the last one?
-What really happened 15 years ago?

Analysis:
-Obviously some strings are being pulled here. The censorship of the media and television is a recurring event in this episode, as we are able to see things from the perspective of "civilians" (Toji and Kensuke). Perhaps NERV thinks it best that some things are not said - if the truth about the injured and/or killed were revealed, it might cause a country-wide, even global, panic. People like Kensuke ("X-Files" types who want to know the real truth) appear to be few and far between, as there have been little inquiries into the last incident with an Evangelion. The council of old men ("The Beast"), however, may also have their reasons for authorizing this censorship.

-Gendo might have been conferring with the council on some matter relating to them, which may explain his absence. Shinji, however, asks himself why he is even piloting the Evangelion when his father isn't there. This may suggest that on some level, Shinji wants support and acknowledgement from his father - his outburst at his father's reason for calling him back in "Angel Attack" supports this. On the other hand, Shinji may truly hate his father and merely want to prove his self-worth, thereby proving his father wrong about abandoning him.

-Speaking of which, Shinji's problems of self-worth and confidence seem to depend directly on his interaction and dialogue with others. This is ironic, considering Ritsuko postulates that Shinji doesn't interact with others because he is afraid to be hurt, no matter how much he wants to be sociable (Hedgehog's Dilemma). Shinji in fact -does- interact with others - it's just that whenever it happens he is met with negative emotion or pain, which translates onto his performance as a pilot. Fear and repressed anger over his interaction with Toji may explain his actions in this battle.

-Rei is shown paired with Shinji in scenes relating to his interaction (or lack thereof) with others. Perhaps Rei has the same problem as Shinji, the same "Hedgehog's Dilemma" (since it is apparent that she, too, does not have any friends). But if it's affecting her piloting or testing, she doesn't show it.

-It is interesting to note that Ritsuko comments that Shinji can only do what he's told, when in fact in the course of the episode, Shinji does not do what he is told and disobeys. In that case, it does show that Shinji has a threshold for his passiveness. Another interesting thing to note about Shinji's disobedience is that last time, it was the EVA who goes "berserk". This time, Shinji seems to go "berserk" (with a conveniently timed color association of red) in a battle. Whether or not the two are related remains to be seen - but considering we never see shots of Shinji as the EVA goes berserk against the first Angel he battles, perhaps it is Shinji that ultimately is the reason for the EVA's unusual behavior.

-Hyuga mentions that "last time, they gave us a 15-year break", referring to the Angels. Again, the censorship plays a part - earlier, the schoolteacher had said that 15 years ago, a meteor was the cause of the Second Impact. Part of the real truth, it seems, is that an Angel was involved somehow. In any case, it is still unknown as of yet why this Angel attack came so soon - perhaps it was because an Angel was defeated for the first time at the last battle (though the event of 15 years ago, while disastrous, may have been a victory against an Angel).