>>280291901
This is what must have happened with Eren in his first death, establishing the tone of the story and the message: don't get attached to the characters, passing the perspective to a new MC, Mikasa or Armin, and so on, no mysteries or conspiracies, just survival in a hostile environment.

Watching each of the cadets die, until the few survivors become tutors for the next generation of cannon fodder. It wouldn't have been as high-profile, but it would have had a more decent ending without all the hype and disappointment.