So, the politician from earlier? Yeah, turns out he showed up and offered to make all the problems go away...for a certain "Donation" and they created The Laughing Man themselves to cover up this whole thing. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Back to the modern day and the two go over the events that happened, namely how events spiral out of control, how people got caught up...and how everybody decided to keep the secret of the micro machines rarely working. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Sure enough, the minute The Laughing Man let go of the hack, Serano said "SUCKER" and that's when the events of six years ago happened. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

So, he agrees to a compromise: He'll act on his own and if everything checks out, he'll tell the press everything. The Laughing Man agrees...but then remembers one thing: Serano is a CEO, meaning 95% chance of lying his ass off. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

As a reminder, the brain hardening is rare but it happens...BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT the supposed "Cure" working is even RARER, but it's the placebo that's making the government bank. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Six years ago, Surano actually developed the Micro Machines and thus was the closest connected person for The Laughing Man to get for one goal: Get him to tell the world the machines are more or less a placebo... #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Ah, yes, the WILLING mind jacked hostage. God, just how much trouble would've been avoided if the Laughing Man asked for an audience and he said "Ok?" #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

So, six years ago, The Laughing Man hacked Surano to kidnap him and talk about the events with the brain hardening, the vaccine, and the micro machines. Surano in response to this...actually willingly WANTED to debate this with the guy. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Section 9 is on the hunt for the two, while Surano and the Laughing Man decide is now the perfect time for Starbucks.

Well, "Star Child," the future is still copyrighted. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

In short, the very thing the higher ups did to make sure this wasn't discovered...lead to the bigger discovery over the Murai Vaccine. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

It looks like the Laughing Man came literally right into Surano's home and using the same hacking trick to make sure nobody, or no cameras, spot him.

No, not sure why nobody thinks "Maybe we should higher people who are not cyberized." #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Well, there's no legal way to say a government goon with power did it, there's no evidence that can link him, and the guy who took the Murai Vaccine happened to be his golf buddy...that was offed a few eps back.

Let's go right to the next best thing: Surano. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Up next, this all started six years ago with an attempted kidnapping...so what happens when it looks like it's deja vu? "The Other Side of Good and Evil – EQUINOX" #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Of course, we get the Tachikoma Days short with three of them saying they miss section 9 as they're still watching the TV that shows what section 9 is like outside of work. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Is it weird I find it very hot when the Major kicked the fake doctor into that window?
#GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex #Episode22 #AnimeRetroRewatch @digiranma.bsky.social

One of the things that helps turn any version of Ghost In The Shell into a franchise is nothing is one and done. We actually do see consequences and complications of both Section 9's work and doing the right thing by it, which this ep shows perfectly. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Aramaki's brother is revealed to be alive and kicking, so there's SOME good news...and this chaos has given him a "THE SPIRITS HAVE DONE IT ALL IN ONE DAY" POV as he realizes family, no matter who it is, is important.

Yeah...'cause...THAT was a plot... #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

The Laughing Man downloads his memories into the Major while giving her a few moments to redownload herself into her old body and knock out the fake doc...just in time for Batou to say they got to the old man...and the government asshole be offed. #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

"I'm gonna tell you the whole story behind the laughing man incident..." Why, when I was a young warthoooooooog... #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex

Batou gets Aramaki out in time and takes out the two assholes.

Meanwhile, the Laughing Man is helping the Major deal with her assassin. Also, considering who plays the Major and who plays The Laughing Man...is it wrong I'm smiling? #GhostInTheShell #StandAloneComplex