Neon Genesis Evangelion/Recap/Episode 22 Don't Be

The episode opens on the night before Asuka and Kaji's arrival in the Japan. The two of them are stargazing, as Asuka tries to not-so-subtly flirt with Kaji. As he remains unresponsive to her advances, she goes all out, telling him that he is the only one she loves, and that she is ready for "kissing and the stuff comes after!" Kaji cuts her off, telling her that she is "still a child."

The narrative flashes further back in time and memories from Asuka’s childhood is shown. This includes her mother, Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu, cradling a doll she calls Asuka, while she calls the real Asuka "that girl over there", the sound of her father flirting and having sex with her mother’s doctor, and Asuka refusing to cry at her mother’s funeral.

Back in the present Asuka is told that her sync rate is still declining. Risuko is concerned about this, as Unit 01 is held on freeze, which could result in Unit 00 being the only combat ready EVA.

Misato continues Kaji's search for the truth about Nerv and SEELE, and is told by Hyuga that the production of EVA Unit 05-13 has begun in several locations around the world. He speculates it to be means of defense against multiple Angels attacking at once, but she suspects that there is more to it.

Waiting on a train platform, Asuka tries calling Kaji, but is told that the number no longer exists. She then spots Shinji on another platform, engaged in a casual conversation with Rei, and expresses her annoyance, feeling that she has once again lost to Rei.

Back home at Misato’s apartment, the household sits down for a meal together, but there rests an oppressive silence over it. It is interrupted by a phone call from Asuka’s stepmother. Shinji asks about their conversation, and Asuka goes as far as admitting to him that she only talks to her to keep up appearances, before realizing that she is confining in him, and reverts back to shouting at him.

The same night in the bathroom, Asuka almost breaks completely down, screaming that she hates Misato, Shinji, and Rei, and everyone in general. Misato silently overhears the whole thing.

Back in Nerv for another sync test, Asuka's rate has declined even further. Misato tells Ritsuko that Asuka is having her period, but she dismisses it and says the problem must be something deeper, and considers finding a replacement core for Unit 02.

In a bathroom, Asuka laments having to go through her period when she "doesn't even want kids." Heading back, she runs into Rei in a elevator. After a long period of uncomfortable silence, Rei tells her that the EVAs have souls and her EVA "won’t move unless you open your heart." Refusing to be helped by Rei, Asuka becomes furious, slaps her, and storms out the elevator.

Later, Asuka talks to Unit 02, telling it that it is her puppet, and therefore has to do what she says, but decides that what she is doing is stupid. In the same moment, another Angel appears.

The Angel is floating in far orbit, limiting Nerv's means of attacking it. Misato plans to send out Rei first, with Asuka as backup. Asuka, however, is angry about Rei getting chosen over her, and goes out alone on her own incentive. Misato lets her. Ritsuko makes an aside comment to Maya that they should start to look for a replacement pilot for Unit 02.

Once outside, Auska repeatedly attempts to target the Angel, but cannot a clear shot. The Angel notices her presence, and a beam of light suddenly descends upon her, while all warming sensors go off.

Asuka and her EVA soon start squirming in agony, while her psychograph gives off unusual readings. Ritsuko concludes that the attack must be of a psychic nature. This is confirmed as Asuka starts to beg the Angel not to enter and "rape" her mind, as her suppressed memories start bubbling to the surface. Misato orders her to retreat, but she refuses, preferring death to another defeat. Rei manages to land a direct hit on the Angel, but the AT-Field proves too strong.

As her mind is unraveled by the Angel, Asuka is forced to face the memories of her mother's suicide, her hatred towards her father and stepmother, her wish to be an admired, independent individual, her fear of being just a face in the crowd, her loss of Kaji to Misato, and her resentment towards Shinji for his failure to respond to her flirting and show warmth and affection towards her. Asuka is soon reduced to a wreck, and sit curled up in the entry plug, asking Kaji what to do.

As Unit 02 starts to shut down and Asuka's vital signs starts fading, Shinji begs be allowed out to save her. Gendo refuses, claiming the risk is too great, and sends Rei down into Central Dogma to retrieve the Lance of Longinus. Misato questions this, stating that contact between an Eva and Adam can cause Third Impact, but as Gendo responses with silence, she realizes something; it was another lie. Fuyutsuki asks Gendo if they are not getting ahead of themselves, but, referring to SEELE's latest moves, he tells him that it is the perfect chance to advance their own schedule.

Rei retrieves the Lance, and throws it at the Angel. After some resistance, the AT Field collapses, and the Angel is ripped apart. The Lance continues its travel into space, and ends up in orbit around the moon.

Shinji meets up with Asuka, trying to comfort her. But she shouts angrily back at him. Being saved by Rei is yet another massive humiliation for her, and once again she shouts that she "hates everyone!"

Tropes

 * All There in the Script: The Angel of this episode is Arael, designated the Fifteenth Angel.
 * Mind Rape: Trope Namer.
 * Shoo Out the Clowns: In short cutaway; Kensuke and Hikari comments that Shinji, Asuka, and Rei's absence from school must mean that things are getting serious.