Backplot:
-Re-activation was successful for Unit-00, but due to the test being incomplete there is still a margin of feedback error for the pilot-EVA sync. Therefore, Unit-00 cannot take any combative action.
-The Strategic Self Defense Force of Japan has been developing new weapons, including an experimental Self Propelled Positron Rifle that has a high enough energy output to melt Angel material.
-The more the intended power output of the rifle, the more power that must be drawn. To defeat the Angel, at least 180 kilowatts of power is needed for the rifle.
-NERV has issued new plug suits that have improved synchronization capabilities.
-EVA Unit-00 has suffered severe heat damage and is melted on its outer layers.

Interesting Notes:
-A strong AT-Field will leave residue of spatial changes that are detectable by advanced sensors.
-From the surface, there are 22 special armor layers until the ceiling of the Geo-Front is reached.
-A positron beam doesn't fire in a straight line, due to magnetic and planetary conditions.

Unanswered Questions:
-How will NERV explain the reason for a country-wide blackout to the public? Will they cover things up yet again?
-What other weapons are in development for Evangelions?
-What is Rei's exact reason for piloting her Evangelion, and why does she call it a "bond" having to do with "all people"?
-What does Rei mean when she says she has "nothing else" but piloting?

Analysis:
-We are seeing more and more that NERV is not just your average private organization. It has real power and influence over the government and the country as a whole. While a blackout throughout the entire country will definitely be hard to "cover up" (especiilly since the battle was quite noticeable), one gets the sense that not much is beyond NERV's grasp. Of course this could be due in part to the influence of the council of old men ("The Beast") who appear to have even more hands in world events.

-Weapons made for Evangelions are obviously very costly and are hard on the budget, which is already quite tight. It can't really be imagined that beyond the conventional EVA weapons, there would be any more specialized ones made any time soon. Also, such special weapons would likely take up a lot of energy, like the rifle. Current technology may also advancement in Evangelion weaponry.

-Rei appears to have a martyr's complex, in that she cares almost nothing about what happens to her, as long as her purpose is fulfilled. In this case, it is to protect Shinji. Rei is a goal-oriented person, needing to have things laid out before her in order to pursue them in the most effective way. Unexpected occurences confuse her (as when Shinji was crying at the en dof this episode). The reason why Rei cares almost nothing about herself is still very unclear - whether it is part of her inherent personality or something else remains to be seen.

-There is slight tension between Ritsuko and Misato in this episode, which is interesting since they were joking with each other during the last episode. It goes to show that they keep their professional and personal associations separate - though it is a dangerous line that can easily be crossed or mixed at any time. On the other hand, this is contrasted by people who cannot or do not use this separation. Shinji lets his professional life interefere with his feelings personally, and cannot help doing so. Rei's professional life -is- her personal life, it seems. In particular, Misato's ability to do this may be partly based on her precept that someone has to learn how to" interact with others while distancing pain", a balance that she uses to describe what Shinji should be doing ("The Phone That Never Rings")

-Rei smiles at Shinji at his prompting at the end of this episode. It is the flashing image of Gendo smiling (the very first time we see any kind of of happy expression on his face) that causes Rei to imitate that smile for Shinji's sake. It is very interesting to note that Shinji takes the exact same action as her father when he opened a heated entry plug hatch to save Rei ("Rei, Beyond Her Heart"), and it is a sense of deja vu for us as we see that Shinji is perhaps more like his father than he wants to admit. Whether or not Shinji's action will have a lasting effect on the relationship between himself and Rei is something to be watched for in the coming episodes.