This post addresses sensitive topics. Please be warned.
This scene is a silent indictment of Gendo’s character.
The implication here is easy: Shinji finds Gendo’s glasses on Rei’s nightstand. He puts them on (the metaphorical act of seeing the world through his father’s gaze, how Gendo sees) only to immediately fall on the sight of Rei, nude. Rei, angry now, tries to take the glasses back. Shinji falls on top of her and grabs her boob.
Those who try and say this metaphor isn’t sexually charged (worse: random, accidental, meaningless, or innocent) are deluding themselves. The argument is spineless and self-defeating: the implication is there, but it doesn’t mean anything and we’re not supposed to assume anything out of it. So why the implication?
Eva persists with more chilling glimpses into Rei’s horrific life with Gendo - the many times Gendo is depicted silently gazing at Rei’s naked body alone, plus that time Ritsuko, his jealous lover, is shown glaring daggers into his back as he stares, the EOE scene of Gendo groping Rei’s breast (like his son accidentally did in Episode 5), but also venturing lower to penetrate the vagina that forms in her womb as Rei is depicted cringing in agony.
People will say, “But the pilots have to be naked so NERV can conduct tests on them!” The only time the pilots are depicted naked is in Episode 13, where Ritsuko asks that Shinji, Asuka, and Rei submit to a harmonics test before Ireul unexpectedly attacks. But notice how the pilots are sequestered behind privacy panels. Notice how Ritsuko apologizes and reassures them that the visual feed will be turned off, preserving their dignities despite how uncomfortable they may feel. There are protocols in place, even if the pilots have to be naked by some odd prescription of authority. Gendo doesn’t care for any of those formalities to make Rei feel more comfortable - he’s depicted many times with a naked Rei without these protocols. Outside of them. Because it’s not about conducting tests or making her feel comfortable - Rei is, after all, the underage replica of his wife, and Gendo wanted it that way.
