As this episode starts out we see a number of young women who look exactly the same kill themselves. One jumps off a building, another grabs a live wire in a power station, the last simply walks into a lake, drowning herself.
Kusanagi, Aramaki and a Tachikoma are visting the Genesis Andross factory, a place that makes androids. It turns out that for some reason, one of their models has begun commiting suicide (which is what we saw in the opening scene.) Aramaki says he'll talk to the man in charge of the factory, while Kusanagi and her Tachikoma should check out the production line. They have a look around, while Aramaki is able to chat with the owner. It turns out that the model in question is known as the GA07-JL "Jerry" type android. An older, outdated model, no longer in production. The company only sells parts and does serviving on them now. Meanwhile, Kusanagi finds out that a Jerry being serviced at the factory contains a virus. This is no doubt what caused the mass suicides, when the android connected to the internet, it was able to infect every other Jerry.
Done at the factory now, Aramaki heads back to headquarters, while Kusanagi goes to investigate a list of Jerry owners - possible creators of the virus. She's also sends the list to Batou, who's working with Togusa, and Paz who's working with Borma. She sends the Tachikoma back home to headquarters, the Tachikoma thinks it should get a present for doing so, and Kusanagi says she will tell it all the details of the case when she gets back.
Meanwhile, Aramaki talks to Ishikawa while driving back. Ishikawa has investigated the virus, and finds it isn't similar at all to the one in the capital. He did notice something interesting though, built into the virus is program protection code. This means that whoever built the virus probably has his own Jerry, and didn't want it infected. This is good, since Section 9 has already started investigating Jerry owners. Aramaki compliments Ishikawa on a job well done, much to the discomfort of the humble natured Ishikawa.
In an apartment somewhere, a young man is typing on his computer. He is the virus writer, and is worried that the police might be able to track him. The young man turns to his Jerry android, saying he can't live with out her. He suggest they go to Italy together, and they leave in his car. He says how sadness is meaningless, and he'd rather live with nothing instead of sadness.
Batou and Togusa are out checking top suspects. Togusa is watching a news show which is interviewing a sociologist about the recent androids commiting suicide. They talk about how some people are thinking maybe the androids developed ghosts - the sociologist things this is ridiculous. Batou tells Togusa to focus on the investigation and turns the show off. Togusa complains about how this case should be left for regular cops, and not for the elite Section 9. Batou explains how because of the incident in the capitol, even though this only has a very small chance of being related, it needs to be investigated. That small chance is worth it.
They start with the first address on their list, that of the person deemed most likely to have the skills and resources to commit the crime. Batou breaks the door down and the two go in to investigate. The apartment is the right spot. It belongs to the young man we saw earlier, but of course he has already left. Batou notices all the old and new movie equipment in the apartment, there are stacks and stacks of film strips, and old reel to rell projector, and lots of other equipment. Togusa checks the computer, and finds the virus. They now know who the suspect is. Batou contacts Kusanagi, Paz and Borma (who are investigating some sort of sex droid service) to let them know their search is over.
Ishikawa finds the information on the young man. His name is Marshal McLachlan, the son of the Canadian Ambassador. Aramaki says he will negoticate with Canada in order to remove any immunity he has. They track his car, he is driving along the coast. They can tell from the IR system's photos that he is riding with a Jerry. Aramaki tells Kusanagi, Batou and Togusa that they should guide him off the highway and corner him when the time is right.
Kusanagi is riding alone, but keeps in contact to Batou and Togusa. She remarks how creating an ideal girlfriend out of an android is such a macho thing to do, saying he probably makes her stay at home and do laundry and cooking. Togusa wonders why Kusanagi is saying all this stuff, not realizing it's probably not a good idea to get into an argument with a woman like Kusanagi over this kind of thing. Togusa and Batou have their own little conversation. Togusa wonders why this young man would keep such an old android. Batou remarks that sometimes people get caught on nostalgia over old devices, being not so subtle about Togusa's old revolver. Togusa snaps back about Batou's love for his old car.
In Marshel McLachlan's car, he is talking to his Jerry. They speak in a weird sort of way, short sentances back and forward. The Jerry asks if McLachlan belives in souls, he responds that he only believes in kindness. The car's computer interrupts them, noting the road they want to go on is under construction, so they pull off the highway to go another way.
It is revealed that The Major overrode the GPS systems and created the fake message in order to get McLachlan off the road and into a dead end alley. Batou and Togusa follow and box him in, but McLachan and the Jerry escape into a wooded area. Aramki lets Batou know the boy's immunity has now been revoked due to his crimes, and he can be brought in. They follow him through the woods, McLachlan can't run very fast because the Jerry isn't designed for it. Suddenly, The Major shows up, blocking McLachlan's way. McLachlan is surrounded, with no way out. He tries to use his diplomatic immunity, but quickly discovers it is gone. He says he and his Jery just want to be alone together, and pulls out a gun. Section 9 backs off a bit, but then the Jerry grabs McLachlan. He asks her what she is doing, and has she gone insane. She says no, but then corrects herself, saying yes. She remarks she no longer wants to go with him, she doesn't want to love him anymore. Batou notes that this outdated android talks more then the other guys at Section 9. She falls on MaLachlan, she now says she is sorry, and she really <[i>did love him. The Major, Batou and Togusa are all a little confused.
Later, The Major and Batou are at a bar together, talking about the case. Batou explains how incomprehensible he found it. Kusanagi says it wasn't so difficult, they proved it had nothing to do with the incident at the capitol... the rest doesn't seem important to her. Kusanagi suggests that maybe McLachlan wanted to destroy all the other Jerrys so his would be unique. Batou wonders why the Jerry went insane in the end, and went against McLachlane. Surely it couldn't be doing that to try and help McLachlane, as she was just an android, and had no ghost, no way of making that judgement call.
Kusanagi is not paying much attention to Batou by now, she's looking at her watch. She mentions a time in her childhood where she crushed a doll, unable to control her new cyborg body. Batou remarks how she is now one of the world's best cyborg body users.
Togusa arrives home to his wive and child after the day's events. His wife is watching an old movie. Togusa overhears what the people on it are saying, and quickly rewinds the tape. The lines are the exact same ones that were said by McLachlane and the Jerry. The man in the movie asks the woman if she has gone insane. The woman says no, but then corrects herself and says yes. She says she no longer wants to love the man anymore. Togusa rewinds the tape, and listens to more dialoge. Almost everything that McLachlane and the Jerry said to each other came from this movie. The two of them acted it out. But something is missing; The movie ends without Jerry's final words - her proclamation of love for McLachlane.
Trivia/Did You Notice?:
This is the first episode with the new computer generated opening titles.
The opening scene with the android killing herself by jumping off a building is similar to a scene in Mamoru Oshii's Patlabor movie. Mamoru Oshii is the director of the Ghost in the Shell movie. Some people also liken it to Serial Experiments Lain.
This is the first appearance of Batou's car, which is run by an internal combustion engine.
It can be argued that the name "Marshal McLachlan" is a very funny sterotypical Canadian name. It is probably based on the famous Canadian, Marshall McLuhan.
Many film canisters at Marshal's apartment are those of french director Jean-Luc Godard, Marshal's Jerry Android bares a strong resemblence to Jean Seberg, who was in Godard's film A Bout de Souffle (this film is one of the canisters Batou picks up.) A Bout de Souffle is about a couple on the run from the law, trying to make their way to Italy. Sound familiar?
