Meredith: For your first question regarding symbolism, GitS SAC 2nd gig is so FULL OF IT! The Major and Kuze were trapped in the rubble and as you can see they were all alone. Another hint are the apples, the Major gave Kuze one, and she held on to another. As she was about to bite into it, she stopped from putting it into her mouth because she heard the Tachikoma’s song. That scene is suggesting that they were like the Biblical Adam and Eve, Eve offers the forbidden fruit (maybe to take them to another level of consciousness etc) to Adam. The only difference is that it was Adam/Kuze and not Eve/Motoko who took the bite.

Also, another point to note is that when Kuze reaches for the apple, his palm has 3 bullet holes in it (he was shot by Batou by a burst from his assault rifle in episode “Embarrassment”) which alludes to the Stigmata of Jesus Christ! Kuze, to the refugees is like their Messiah or saviour, who will lead them to their “salvation”.

Another interesting thing to note is the way Batou carries the steel beam he uses to pry out Motoko and Kuze. It would appear that he is like Jesus Christ carrying the Cross on his way to Golgotha! This scene could be viewed two ways:
1. Batou represents Section 9 in their lonely fight to help save the world. Meaning, their actions are to help prevent/stop mankind from suffering another devastating and costly nuclear conflict.
2. Batou could be carrying his UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for the Major. It is obvious that he always gets out of his way to “assist” the Major even if it is unnecessary. Batou tries to express his feelings subtly to her but it is always never reciprocated! If you are familiar with Christianity you’d be surprised by the similarities considering this is a Japanese production.

For your second question Meredith, I think because Kuze bit into the apple which to me symbolizes “the first sin” or to the creators of 2nd Gig could be the next level where he proposes to take the refugees with him. Whether he was successful in reaching the net, I honestly do not know too and I think we may never really know.

I hope I was able to assist you with your questions. Oh, and by the way, I too really love everything about Ghost in the Shell! It is well written and intelligent and I never seem to tire of it.

I have a question though. I just finished watching the series again for the second time, and I realized that while many of my questions and confusions were answered, there still remains 2 that are not.

The first and most annoying to me happens in the last episode right as Batou breaks open the Major’s and Kuze’s tomb. They are holding each other about to bite into an apple. What does that mean? I have this feeling that there is some kind of symbolism with their actions but I can’t seem to figure it out. It also shows that Kuze actually took a bite of his while the Major did not. It’s very interesting.

And also the last scene after the Major jumps out of the window to go save Kuze, you see him on the floor with the guy about to inject him and he says that he’ll go first. Did he release himself into the net or what? Or did he die because the guy already injected him?

These two questions leave me unable to appreciate the ending as much as I’d like too. So any insight or answers would be VERY much appreciated! ^_^

At the end of the final episode where the Major shot Goda (which by the way felt good), Batou said to that man with glasses “It’s that prick…” and then the Major realised that they were going to kill Kuze. Can someone please tell me who the heck was that prick Batou referred to? I couldn’t remember where he play a role in the conspiracy.

Thanks.

@Mochi: It’s a rare occurence but it looks like the UK release date is around the same time (possibly a day earlier). It goes without saying I’ve preordered it but hopefully I’ll get to see it early at the Sci-fi London weekend next month. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take the story next, because it looked like Section Nine had been restructered or something, judging by the uniforms and the ‘Fuchikoma’ tanks they were using.