Ep 22. Turn 22 - Emperor Lelouch

In "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" season 2 episode 22, titled "Turn 22 - Emperor Lelouch," the series reaches a critical turning point as Lelouch assumes the mantle of emperor and begins to forcefully implement his vision for a new world order.

Picking up where the previous episode left off, Lelouch has just declared himself emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, ascending to the highest position of power in the land. With the Black Knights and the UFN left reeling from this stunning turn of events, Lelouch wastes no time in setting his grand plan into motion.

In a series of bold and decisive maneuvers, Lelouch seizes control of the military and begins to systematically eliminate any and all obstacles to his rule. His first order of business is to neutralize the Black Knights, whom he now views as a potential threat to his authority. Lelouch orders his forces to attack the Black Knights' hideout, forcing the rebel group to retreat. He then sends Kallen, one of his former allies, to assassinate their leader, Zero.

As the episode progresses, we see Lelouch consolidating his power and asserting his authority over his subjects. He creates a new council of advisors to help him govern the empire, but quickly realizes that he cannot trust anyone but himself to carry out his vision. He dismisses his council and begins to issue orders directly to his subordinates.

Despite Lelouch's ruthlessness and ambition, there are signs that all is not well within the empire. As he tightens his grip on power, he also angers and alienates his closest allies, including his sister Nunnally and his childhood friend Suzaku. Both are deeply troubled by Lelouch's brutal tactics and the lengths he is willing to go to achieve his goals.

As the episode draws to a close, tensions within the empire are reaching a boiling point. The UFN is preparing to launch a massive assault against Lelouch's forces, while the Black Knights are regrouping and plotting their revenge. Lelouch, for his part, remains determined to succeed at any cost, even if it means sacrificing all that he holds dear.

"Turn 22 - Emperor Lelouch" is a tense and well-crafted episode that explores the ramifications of one man's single-minded pursuit of power. It is a compelling and thought-provoking installment that raises important questions about the nature of leadership, loyalty, and the costs of achieving one's goals. As the series hurtles towards its climactic finale, viewers are left wondering what fate has in store for Lelouch and those around him.