i wasn't spoiled for the time loop so i assumed the flashbacks were an earlier incarnation (or something along those lines that would pass censorship), and - I WAS NOT PREPARED. it whammied me so, so hard. i may never recover.

This was my experience, too. I had a few theories that kept changing as the series progressed but time travel was NOT one of them and WOW!

I just started a rewatch of History3: Trapped. Really enjoying it!