Only veteran Scouts who had survived for five years or more were briefed on this true mission to ensure that any potential mole was kept in the dark. A Game of Wits: Capture and Counter-Strike
Season 1, Episode 20, is widely regarded as one of the most defining moments for Commander Erwin Smith. It marks the transition of Attack on Titan from a story about survival into a high-stakes psychological game of wits and sacrifice. The Hidden Objective 20 : Erwin Smith: 57th Expedition Beyond the Wa...
While the official goal of the 57th Expedition was to secure a route to Shiganshina, Erwin’s true motive was a high-risk gamble to flush out a spy hiding within the military ranks. Only veteran Scouts who had survived for five
Realizing she is cornered, the Female Titan lets out a unique, deafening scream that attracts every Titan in the vicinity. The Hidden Objective While the official goal of
Erwin's willingness to sacrifice hundreds of soldiers for a chance at capturing the enemy proves that for him, the only way to defeat monsters is to rise above humanity's limitations. Aftermath and the Cost of Failure
Despite being pinned, the Female Titan hardens her skin, preventing Levi and Miche from cutting out the human pilot.
This episode highlights the brutal utilitarianism that defines Erwin's leadership. As Armin Arlert famously notes during the mission: