I also thought that Asuka was simply human... or that they were all touched with some celestial. I came to that conclusion after Shinji sported an AT field in the Third Book.

Hmmm... I suppose Asuka may not be simply human after all... I might give it some thought.

Otherwise, due to Celestial politics... I suppose I was at first surprised to see Gabriel as a woman. I know the angel of the trumpet is not shown in the Bible as either man or woman, but then again, angels are oftentimes shown as either masculine or genderless. It struck me as odd, especially how the Bible is also against women head leaders. I've yet to come across a church that has a female head pastor. Still, I guess Gabriel isn't the head of the council... that's indeniably God... or for the moment, Michael. I like the part about them all looking modernised. ^_^

Hmmm... I'll leave to conspiracy theories to Gryphon. He seems much better at them thatn I am. ^_^