The Day a New Demon was Born (episode)

The Day a New Demon Was Born is the first episode of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

Summary
On August 10, 2010, a.t.b., Japan was conquered by the Holy Empire of Britannia. Seven years later, teenage student Lelouch Lamperouge finds himself pulled into a battle between anti-government terrorists and the Britannian Army in the Shinjuku Ghetto. In the midst of the conflict, a mysterious, green-haired girl saves him from death by granting him "the power of the king," which allows him to compel others to do his bidding.

Plot
The episode begins with the image of Suzaku and Lelouch as kids, playing in an almost fairytale environment of nature, with the figure of C.C. apparently watching them. A swarm of bees is shown next, adter which C.C.'s voice announces the event of the world, the conquering of Japan and Lelouch and Suzaku in the middle of it, to see everything. While Suzaku seemed detached but sad, Lelouch was angry and vowed to destroy Britannia.

Seven years later, in 2017 a.t.b., Britannia is shown to have complete control of Former Japan, now Area 11, but for a minor fraction of Japanese Freedom Fighters which they consider terrorists. The military is shown in direct pursuit of a hijacked vehicle, which underlines the militaristic thoroughness and vigilance of the conquering power. On TV, propaganda is related about the "terrorist group", with the spokeswoman being of obvious European heritage.

The TV announcing the news is closed in a room where a chess match is apparently over, close to winning by a Britannian noble. At that time, Lelouch and his friend Rivalz enter the room, with Lelouch claiming he can turn the situation on the chess table in under 9 minutes. He starts his move with the King, which would be a pivotal point later on.

At the Ashford Academy, Milly, Nina and Shirley are discussing Lelouch's gambling habits, with Shirley showing highly disapproving of it. Milly hints that Shirley likes him, while Nina stays out of the discussion.

Next is a parallel scene between the hijackers lamenting at the fact that their comrades got them followed by not following the established plan, while the noble is surprised to have been beaten at chess by Lelouch. Rivalz compliments Lelouch on his victory, and is happy that the ego of the nobles will force them to pay, which he notes also make them loose. Rivalz also makes a hint on the difference between Elevens and Britannians (most likely in a prerogative manner), but as they walk out, they are interrupted by Clovis' "heart-breaking" speech which turns out to be an act, which he boasts to the other nobles gathered where he transmitted from. He is however surprised by pressing news and bursts, under the vigilant eyes of Diethart. Clovis orders all Knightmare pilots to recover the missing cargo now in the hands of the terrorists. Gottwald and Valleta enter their Knightmares.

On the road, Rivalz accidentally cuts the way of the terrorists, resulting in their vehicle's crash. People gather, but to Lelouch's disgust, they're more interesting in putting blame than helping, prompting him to go and assess the situation, he hears a voice, but is then thrown in the back of the truck, as Nagata, one of the hijackers, puts it in reverse for an attemptive getaway. Seen that they are followed, Kallen gets in a Knightmare to facilitate their escape, to Lelouch's horror that he is trapped in a terrorist getaway. Kallen is outmatched against Jeremiah's Sutherland, while Lelouch plans to await and assist the military for his freedom.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Earl deduces the military's mission is to track the terrorist back to their hideout and exterminate them, and offers his help, and he is told the terrorists gave captured a poison gas capsule which may be used as a weapon. Elevens are sent to retrieve it, with the promise of being made Honorary Britannians. Among them, Suzaku finds the vehicle and confronts Lelouch, who he believes is a terrorist. Nagata opens the capsule, and quickly puts his own gas mask on Lelouch's face. The capsule opens, but it's not gas, as Suzaku expected, but a restrained C.C. Before they get answers, Suzaku's superiors come and ask him not to question his briefing, and to shoot the "terrorist" Lelouch. When he refuses, he is promtly shot in the back.

Clovis, believing they have eluded them, orders the purge of the entire Getto. The old and children are killed in this massacre, with Lelouch and C.C. taking the opportunity to escape. Just as they seem to have evaded detection, Lelouch's phone rings, giving him away. As they're about to kill him, C.C. jumps in front and is shot in the forehead. A desperate Lelouch now thinks of his impending death, the last though being of Nunnally. He is grabbed by the hand by C.C., which proposes a contract which would allow him to live. He accepts, and stands up reinvigorated, ordering his pursuers to kill themselves, which they do with a smile.

He then retroactively contemplates this moment, noting his life is a lie, but that he accepts it as long as he has the power from it.

Other names
The Day the Evil was Born

Quotes
"Our beloved Lulu is actually a serious guy"? How cute.