[Fish Sandwich]

There's a part of me that feels like this is an unusually understated penultimate episode, and another part of me that feels it did an excellent job putting everything in place for a thrilling conclusion.

I'm not really sure if those two feelings are even at odds with each other? I phrased that opening in a way that vaguely implies the "understated" part is a flaw, because it seems like it should be, based on how these shows are generally structured? The overall scale and complexity of the plot are ultimately not much grander than usual for Gavv, and the ultimate evil plan is basically already thwarted before the finale. And yet, none of that feels wrong to me? On the contrary, it feels very *right* for Gavv to be using its remaining time like this.

It's like the opposite of how I felt about AmazinGummy last week. Fuwamallow Form floating up in the sky like a candy cloud saving the day with sugary sweet raindrops is an idea that's absurdly specific to this particular series, and I love that about this episode. I love seeing an old suit suddenly thrust back into the spotlight. I love that it's an act of heroism that doesn't require violence. I love that it becomes this microcosm rebuttal to everything Lango believes, by way of encapsulating everything Shouma believes. It feels like a story that could've happened as any random weekly plot, but that's exactly the beauty of it. Shouma saved the world by having fun eating tasty candy with his friends, and that's the same way he's *always* saving people. That's exactly why he's so sure his plan will work! It sounds silly, but silly things have a way of bringing happiness to people.

So that's the little thing that's secretly maybe a huge thing, but there's also the material in here that more obviously drives the story towards a big crescendo, and I can say with even less hesitation that all that stuff lands super well. I've made note of how rare it is for all three Riders in this show to actually all be fighting in a group at once, and suggested there's sort of an implication these guys are simply *that* tough put together. As such, I'm really liking the idea of deliberately isolating each of them to their own final battle, rather than having another big team-up fight where they gang up on Lango. This show is about togetherness and companionship and all that, yes, but it's just as much about personal growth and self-actualization. Creating a final episode where each Rider gets to shine as an individual, first and foremost, is liable to end up being smarter than anything I would've guessed. We've already got some sick Vram action out of the decision, so here's hoping these various groupings all end up delivering a conclusion that feels properly meaningful.

In the moment, at least, the biggest complaint I have with this one is honestly just that Vram should've been using Pudding Custom at first if he was going to transform into A La Mode Mode later anyway. Because of course that's what I'd complain about. I mean, come on, while we're already bringing back Fuwamallow, Chochodon, and even Surprised Lango In His Chair, you know?

[Zolda]

I have several new hypotheses:
- Lango Mango would very likely gonna be killed by Shouma/KR Gavv in episode 50. At the moment of his defeat, he'd say a cheesy line such as "I can't believe I'm defeated by the power of humans' hApPiNeSs!", or "It's impossible! There's no way I'm defeated by the power of humans' hApPiNeSs!", etc before blowing up and be sent to hell for good.
- Or perhaps, Lango Mango would still be killed, but he'd be redeemed right at the moment of his death, and he'd say even cringier line such as, "So, this is the power of humans' hApPiNeSs? Now I understand why you're strong, Shouma!", etc. If it's true then it'd be cringey to the max, haha.
- Like I hypothesized in my 1st post in episode 42 thread here, there quite a high possibility that Lage 9 would be elected as the new leader of the Granutes after Bocca's defeat/death. Lage 9 would be exposing all the corrupt practices of Bocca's regime and Stomach corporation's Dark Snack operation to the entire Granute public, and the expose could likely seriously damage the political trust in Bocca's remaining oligarchs/cronies and cause his remaining regime to crumble. Given how very very very nonsensical this atrocious story is, it's quite likely that a total nobody like Lage 9 is able to seize power and be elected as a leader without political consolidation with the existing political structures at all. No political turmoil would happen, no political consolidation would be needed, everything would happen smoothly as usual. Lage 9 as the Granutes' new president would then make a presidential decree to seal the so-called Door Room to break the connection between the Granute world and the human world to end the Dark Snack problem once and for all, although he could be reopening it for V-Cinext so that he could appear for the plot. How convenient, haha.
- Jeebh/KR Bitter Gavv v3.0 would likely be killed along with Liselle, although Liselle could be spared and be redeemed for V-Cinext. Or perhaps she'd appear in crappy side contents like Girls Remix and be turned into a Rider who uses another copy of the Vrastum Gear.*vomit* I'm not sure what's gonna happen to these 2 useless characters that have overstayed their welcome for way way waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too long, especially Jeebh. Death is the best fate for Jeebh.
- Like I hypothesized in my post in episode 48 thread here, in the epilogue, Shouma would very likely live with him hApPiLy eVeR aFtEr, haha.

Mmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyybbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeee...