// Episode Guide
This serves as a quick reference guide for those people with a specific episode or event in mind, but who cannot remember which episode that was. Episode plots are completely given away, so please don't proceed if you want to be surprised. Spoiler-free story summaries can be found on Wikipedia.
Stand alone episodes are called "Stand Alone". Episodes linked by a common storyline, the Laughing Man conspiracy, are called "Complex".
** SPOILERS GALORE! **
// #24 ANNIHILATION
Type: Complex. Title: Sunset in the Lonely City - ANNHILATION
- Secretary Yakushima creates a smear campaign against Section 9. Aramaki strikes a deal with the Prime Minister expose Yakushima, but in return, Aramaki must sacrifice Section 9 so that the Prime Minister can win popularity in the coming elections. Another sickening example of how politics limits the administration of justice. Section 9 attempts to escape the Umibozu Black Ops team that comes to the building to destroy them.
- In a move of clever information leaking, Pazu passes on data sent by the Major to her bartender by hiding a chip in a cigarette.
- Viewers find out that the Tachikomas were sold off after being released from Section 9. At least one works a hospital or elderly home.
- Batou and the Major have a conversation regarding her decision to stay in a female body and the value of sentiment.
// #25 BARRAGE
Type: Complex. Title: Smoke of Gunpowder, Hail of Bullets - BARRAGE
- Section 9 escapes the attack on their headquarters, but are soon captured in various places around the city, except Batou and the Major. Batou goes on a mission to the Major's safehouse to get her favorite watch, where he fights more of the Umibozu.
- Apparently, the Major has a sweet mansion on the outskirts of town.
- Return of the Tachikomas in action! The three remaining Tachikomas run away from their locations and band together to save Batou, intentionally sacrifcing themselves to blow up an armored suit.
- Movie homage: The Major shows up in a remote controlled child's body, as she did at the end of the Ghost in the Shell film.
- There is a scene between Batou and the Major at her city apartment with significant sexual tension.
- Ending: The Major is shot in the head as she boards a plane to escape the city.
// #26 STAND ALONE COMPLEX
Type: Complex. Title: Public Security Section 9 - STAND ALONE COMPLEX
- After the Section 9 mop up, the Prime Minister initiates the investigation on Yakushima, as agreed. Togusa goes a little crazy trying to figure out whappened. Before he attempts to murder Yakushima, he is caught by Batou, who reveals takes him to the new Section 9. The entire team has been released and reformed as a secret unit.
- Mind blowing conversation between the Major and the Laughing Man (Aoi) at the National Library. Among a flurry of philosophy quotes, they discuss individuality and human curiosity.
- Aoi reveals that he has the fatal cyberbrain disease, and that the information about the consiracy was found elsewhere. Thus, he is not the true laughing man. The series' title "Stand Alone Complex" refers to copies that form without an original, which is what both Aoi and the Major have exhibited in the series.
- Aramaki attempts to recruit Aoi to the team (which would have been amazing) but is rejected because Aoi isn't a team player. Aramaki decides not to arrest Aoi.
- Film homage: In the last scene of the season, the Major jumps off a building into the dark metropolis, as she did at the end of the Ghost in the Shell film.