No, I loved the flashback. It was well-placed. It really hit all the right emotions. And it wasn't just a flashback to what Takatora remembers - it's what he wanted to be. A supportive brother, rather than a harsh one.

Though I still have to say the episode itself was very poorly done from a production stand point, it definitely had an effect on me because I am still thinking about it right now. Every time I think about it, it hurts more. So they succeeded in that sense for sure. I definitely feel bad for Takatora. And the development of Mitchi is phenomenal.

I think this episode I would appreciate more a second time-around marathoning the series. Cause I said before - the pure writing and content surrounding it is fantastic.

So right now Micchy turned away anyone that may support him, in other words no one supports him now.

- Takatora (if he regains consciousness) will know about his "true" self after relenting and yet get slashed.
- Kota will know about what Micchy this and be more convinced that Micchy cant be forgiven.
- Redue? She is just a troll lol.

And this episode highlighted that difference. Takatora is older, and amongst other more obvious things, this is the reason he was able to hold back his sword. Kouta is young, and embraces the freedom his youth provides in his ideology - not trying to be pessimistic but if he was older, he'd be much more tired and wouldn't have such a sunny outlook on everything. Takatora is basically Kouta without his youthful freedom.

Micchy and Kaito want to both grow up too fast, but both are going in opposite directions and I like watching how each one develops they only grow further apart.

The only problem I had was the flashback at the conclusion of Micchy and Takatora's fight. From all that we've seen of Takatora's character, him thinking back to a good memory of Micchy actually should have pushed him to take that strike rather than hesitate. It should have given him that resolve to stop this thing he made that isn't his brother anymore. The Takatora we know wouldn't have stopped.

And maaaybe Kaito's wound could have waited and the Kaito/Mai stuff too... But it does just show a lot is going on right now.

But that wasnt the point of his Story Arc. The whole thing with Takatora up to this point was that he didnt want to be that person anymore. The old Takatora would have sacrificed Micchy in an instance the same way he sacrificed Hase.

The Takatora that lost against Micchy isnt that person anymore. He was done making sacrifices. In a way he became much more like Kouta in that in the final moments of the battle he saw what his Brother was before all this nightmare started. He remembered the humanity inside the monster Micchy had become so he couldnt finish him off.

That episode!
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...66/409/b76.gif
I know this is expected of Urobutchi but I'll still say "UROBUTCHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Agreed.

One thing I love about Gaim so far is that it seems like the main four Riders all play off of each other in some way, where there's key differences in their ideology that set them apart from the other 3. It's an interesting dynamic.

I pray to the goddess Madoka that Takatora is still alive.

Fun fact: Just noticed that the "flashback" is not a flashback, but Takatora's realization of what kind of brother Micchi wanted him to be...

Yeah thinking back to that scene its pretty obvious that its not an actual flashback.

Excellent episode. Not much I can say that others have not.

That said, has anyone watched any of the episodes that have the Overlords' language translated? I finally found where Aesir uploads those on Youtube and watched a scene or two from this episode and last translated and...well the only revelation I got out of it was something I already kinda expected.

It really is like I suddenly see the characters you guys have seen from the start. Can't wait to watch this show from the beginning once it finishes.

So now I really want a great death for Mitchy. Man this end better be good.

Okay, now I really fuckin' hate Mitchy. He should've gotten his ass kicked. Hard.

The dude never killed anybody. For someone who never killed, people sure do want him to rot in hell.

I've made it a rule to have my expectations for Kamen Rider finales ROCK BOTTOM low. That way if it ends up sucking - as they do more often than they should - I'm not so surprised, and if it all pulls together in the end I'm much more impressed.

Nah, he needs to live. He needs to live and deal with all the consequences of his dickishness.

Micchy can die now.

So, I'm just realizing how crazy this would be.

But what if Micchy, in his desperation, decided to become an Overlord? Then you have Kouta transforming steadily, and now Kaito has his thing going on with his arm.

Making Micchy the Dr. Maki to Kouta's Eiji.

But where does Kaito fit in then?

Except Micchy is a credible villain.

Words fail when fruits collide. Even though I had a bit of a spoiler moment, it wasn't even close to actually watching the episode. Just not enough good things to say about the characterizations going on.

I honestly think that we're going a bit KR Blade with the series seeing how even Kaito is now turning into an Overlord. We already know how this is progressing for Kouta. The bit with Mai though has gone well past forced. (Hey! Look at me all you monsters of Helheim! I'm dancing! Look at me!)

I know it's been a while since we've had a KR series adapted for Western audiences, but out of all of them, this would be the one I think would work so well. Betrayal, love, fruit.

Also, I've come to a realization. What's the one thing we've never seen Kouta's character do except for the introduction? DANCE. It's like the premise was totally gone out the window fifteen episodes in. That's not a bad thing, but ironic considering how upbeat it started out. Also, I miss Sagara. And strangely enough, Sid.

Man, I saw that ending coming from so far away...

Too bad you didn't tell Kouta. He's still running.

Something tells me Sagara is more the Maki in this situation. Unless Ryoma randomly becomes an Overlord, too... Hell, let's just turn everyone into Overlords. :lol

Man I hope Takatora survives. He is far and away my favourite character in this show, and a great representation of what heroes can become if they are too trusting of the wrong people.

And here I thought we were getting Jimba Zangestu.. :cry

That would be sweet.

I call bullshit! Takatora should have won.

Some interesting stuff this episode.
Did anybody notice from that pan up that Redue's skirtpiece looks a lot like Ryugen's? Probably more of a coincidence but it's kinda cool if it isn't.
Does anyone know if Takatora will show up in the movie tie-in next week? That could explain why he hasn't been sent off with flowers yet.
Also Jonnouchi finally got some more lines. That's nice.

It's what happens when you pit two brothers against each other, and one of them is morally dead.

He'll be in the movie, the movie-tie in and, according to the next episode summaries, will appear as some kind of hallucination to Micchi, so yeah, I guess that's why he got no flowers so far.

I can't believe you're all still talking about that. Those of you who don't think the final battle has anything to do with how it will end up are kidding yourselves. The series is about the four main riders equally. I highly doubt they'd kill off one of them so maliciously. On top of that, there's got to be a reason why Kouta never got Jimber Melon.
Want to know why Takatora never got flowers? Because HE'S NOT DEAD.

RULE #86 OF TOKU: If a character falls into water; presumed dead, THEY'RE NOT DEAD. How many times did that happen in Kabuto? Too many. A few times in Agito and Blade, too. Along with many more. Too many more to count.

This is not Kabuto, nor Blade or Agito, this is Gaim. We had two riders die already and Takatora almost died already once. Urobuchi might stick with the trope, but he also might do the opposite. Besides, we had main characters die quite often the last few years. Not main riders, but back then we only had two riders in most shows anyway. Also, Jinber Melon is just a rumor so far, it was never made a fact so far.

Personally, I would like it more if he were dead. Not because I dislike Takatora, hell no, it's quite the opposite, but because that would make the scene even more meaningful.

RIP Dyudyuonshu.

May you exact your revenge on Mitchy for killing you. :lol

Mitchy deserves to get demolished though.
______________________________________
He basically did the following things:

Threatened Sid for a Sengoku Driver (Ep 4)

Stopped Kouta from saving people being attacked by Inves (Ep 12)

Stopped Kouta from seeing the truth of Yuuya (Ep 15)

Had Kouta's sister kidnapped and most likely killed if it weren't for Oren (Ep 17)

Prevented Kouta from telling the truth to Mai and guilt-tripped him (Ep 23)

Almost got Mai injured by summoning a shit ton of Inves and blames Kouta (Ep 26)

Shoots Kouta in the back (Ep 26)

Masqueradesd as Zangetsu-Shin and attacks a defenseless Kouta (Ep 28)

Lured Kouta in another attempt to kill him (Ep 29)

Killed Dyudyuonshu (Ep 33)

Tried to manipulate Rat and Rica to be Adam and Eve (Ep 35)

Tried to make Mai doubt Kouta (Ep 35)

Adhered to Redyue's reasoning of killing your family off first as it is the best "thrill" of seeing betrayal in their face. (Ep 36)

"Saa, omae no tsumi wo kazoero!"

Just one correction: Rat and Rica were never called "Adam and Eve". The story he told them was about Noah's Ark, which has nothing to do with Adam and Eve.

Well, screw you Urobutcher. First you make me feel sorry for Micthy by showing me acute version of him, and then you have him kill Takatora. For the second time. . And then you don't kill Redyue. I know you need her alive, but I want her to die so much. ANd I was just planning to tell Oren that his melon is alive

So they're more like Shem and Japheth then?:p

This. We really hadn't felt anything for Takatora until he was betrayed, and even then there hadn't been any mention of his relationship issues with Mitsuzane save for their passing conversations until they gave us this episode. The fact that it resonated so well because of how it was set up works for Gaim. Keeping his death as fact would be way more meaningful to the story.