I love how Stalk now just lounges around in the Seito PM's office. I know this is such a pointless thing to talk about, but with everything else about this episode being so consistently good. I really can't add much to the conversation other than just ramble about that scene.

The brief shot Stalk just lazing around on a couch in a generic office building during the middle of the day like he's someone's kid who got stuck there because it was a "bring your child to work" day, it all just made me burst out laughing when I first saw it.

I just laughed out loud when Banjou was going "Protein and Ramen. Best Match!"

another INTENSE episode

but Evol is the final boss and he's appearing in Ep 32 - doesnt that seem way early?

From the teaser it seems like he's strong enough to smash Rogue

EDIT:
We're gonna need SHF Magma to come with ALOT of effects. Looks like flames AND rocks

I mean, not necessarily.

Stalk/Evolt is the main villain, and he's already been in the show for 30 episodes. As a Rider he may have a different name, but it's still the same guy. If he continues to operate in a similar capacity that shouldn't be a problem.

Not to mention, he still has 4 more forms after this. There's still a ways for the true final form to appear--like the preview says, it's still just Phase 1.

Tell that to Dan Masamune

Anyone else notice they've been humanizing Rogue lately? There's letting the hostages go, telling Sento about stuff last episode and in the Rogue spin off, it's apparently established he enjoys karaoke and strawberry parfaits

It doesn't come as a surprise, honestly, given that it looks like he'll finally be becoming a hero imminently (as he was always destined to, really).

This perhaps makes his eventual descent into Mad Rogue all the more heartbreaking?

No, Mad Rogue is almost certainly his heroic form at this point. Names are sometimes just names.

I can't help but wonder about ol' crocodile tears Rogue and how he's gonna get the chip out of him. It's fairly apparent though that his turn to Team Nascita is gonna be soon since he's in the OP the way he is.

Banjou....you keep making me want to disregard you as a meathead, and then pull me back in with your backstory, your amazing upgrade suit, and your ability to kick ass. No fair.

So yes, while Rogue keeps getting humanized (agree with previous posters), Stalk is getting more and more alien in his characterization of disregard for life. He's definitely a cross between Ryoma Sengoku and Banno, he wants power, and to unleash the same fate on Earth as Mars, but at the same time, is doing it in an almost clinical fashion.