Cirus running into Asuka allows him to more properly and sincerely apologize, and it shows Asuka's shifting personality as well. Cirus, of course, is startled by her change, and realizes Shinji probably something to do with his most recent break from her usual personality.
The following scene is nothing more than actually showing Ritsuko making her discovery about the Angel's telekinesis rather than just jumping to the briefing with her discovery. Seemed a better flow to me at the time, if a little fluffy.
And the briefing itself simply establishes the plan for the next battle within character-fitted dialogue. I thought Ritsuko being excited about telekinesis actually existing fit, but the matter is easily debatable, and I wouldn't really defend the idea to the death. And, of course, Ikari and Fuyutsuki remain aloof, almost too unconcerned.
Lots of fluff and generic plot boil down to a very important scene focusing on Ayanami-sama. Of course, finding out that Ikari has a new plan for her is a vicious blow to her just emerging outlook on life. Gendo simply leaves, and we get to see the shock's physical toll on poor Rei. Cirus happens upon her, and Rei, instinctively trying to keep Cirus from getting hurt by her loss, pushes him away. This also is important because it shows that, though he's devoted to her completely, he will give her space if she asks for it, and do so without hesitation. He would never force himself on her, he only wants what's best for her. Of course, the abruptness of the change tips off his red-flags, and he wants to know more once he recovers a bit from the emotional damage.
The details of the battle fade into the background despite being the focus of the scene when Rei and Cirus are in the room. I enjoyed having Ritsuko and Misato each react to the pair, especially Misato, who perhaps sees a bit of herself and Kaji in the pair (a point that becomes more explicit later.) With the tension revved so high, it's time for the battle to start round two.
The battle starts off rapidly, and the Angel is obviously not going to drop easily. Naturally, Cirus isn't about to stop protecting Rei, and so when she and Unit 00 are in danger of serious harm (both legs snapping), Unit 14 is in the way. Of course, Asuka is also in danger, and he charges in to help he as well. Shinji is driven to rescue the red-haired girl himself, and the Angel is right in the middle.
The fight continues, until Rei tries to rescue Shinji, only to get a deadly spear aimed at her chest. Unit 14 gets in the way once more, impaled through the middle. Cirus' pain-tolerance and capacity for injury shows through once more, but I do try to keep a certain realism to the fantastic ability he has to recover. Almost vomiting from pulling a spear through his own gut seemed a good touch. Unit 14 only continues to be pummeled, driving Rei to defend him, proving to the reader, if in doubt, that she still cares about him just as much. Her thought dialogue makes her position more explicit ("I'm sorry, Cirus...").
Of course, the tension is always raised when Ikari decides to use an Angel to his advantage. Rei isn't expendable, and getting rid of Cirus will keep her firmly in his clutches. Once Rei is ejected and sees what's still happening, her heart is all but broken. Again, the true villain of the story is Gendo Ikari, not the Angels. Read on.