you leave behind.

And why Jean's fantasy isn't necessarily a death flag but character evolution.

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We all know the trope; character in the midst of a battle or a difficult situation dreams of what they will do once they're done fighting. They have a peaceful life, everything is good, they'll be by their loved ones' side, retire or just do really cool things. This is often a blatant death flag (much like pre-battle promises), the tragedy being that said character will never get to fulfil any of their dreams. Whatever it is awaiting is far different.

In this case Jean's fantasy isn't presented as a post-war wish, it's presented as him battling with his what ifs if he joined the yeagerists.

If I let this go I'll get a cushy life spending my days drinking wine by the balcony. My children and grandchildren will have a peaceful future. We will be fine. Isn't this what I always wanted?

The imagery of this fantasy has Jean separated by his wife and children by sitting outside the window, like he's looking in. The rest is hazy; his wife's face and eyes are completely hidden, we can only guess the woman is Mikasa because of the scar. It's a fine dream, but feels out of reach.

This fantasy is interrupted by Hange bringing Jean back to the real world. She shares with him how she desired to stop fighting and live the rest of her days in the forest with Levi, but couldn't let it happen. There are people she feels she owes to keep on fighting, all those comrades that fell before her. This is paralleled with Jean, who also hoped to be able to let go, but through Hange's words he's reminded of Marco. He also has someone he feels he owns to keep on fighting for.

Jean's arc this chapter culminates with him facing what happened to Marco. He grieves again. He lashes out. He's broken. He walks into the forest in anguish, he doesn't want to deal with any of this. But then he comes out of the forest both physically and metaphorically, and makes his choice. He will help out. He's leaving the old Jean and his dreams behind, to follow his moral code and become the man Marco always encouraged him to be. It's character growth, and he needed this last push towards his development.

This has been a theme for a bunch of characters in the last few chapters, what I selfishly want for myself vs what I feel in my heart is the right thing to do. Connie similarly had to face the situation about his mum, only to realise that the best way to honour her isn't to burden her by becoming a titan, but to be the best soldier he can possibly be like he promised her.

Are the reasons to want to save the world always selfless and perfect? No, as Yelena points out they all (some more some less) contributed to this situation. They all have their personal reasons (AM want their friend back, Annie wants to see her dad again, etc). But it is worth fighting nonetheless.

If I'm wrong and it is a death flag then I'm sorry in advance, but this is what I saw in the story...