So was Ryouma's actor on vacation for this episode? Seemed really odd that he was transformed that whole time completely away from any fight.

It seems obvious Ryouma is now putting his plan into full effect, and doesn't want to be left "vulnerable." I mean, his actor still voiced him.

That seems intentional, though, as i think Urobuchi wants to keep the characters vague enough so that they can constantly switch sides in a way that's surprising yet not totally inconsistent with what we do know about them.

Well, after what Sid did to Hase, I think it was only fitting that he met a similar end

At the start of Gaim I kept saying it was JUICY!, who knew all this time that Juice was really Blood.

Wow. Never thought of that.

*raises hand*

Maybe, but it's not a device I particularly like.

In an otherwise very well realised story, and world, having such unclear motivations for pretty much the whole cast minus the main Rider for the sake of characters flip flopping ideology which doesn't break their character as they don't actually have one is just really cheap.

I would've preferred having Sid get smacked around with a sword and then get owned like normal.
http://www.heroshock.com/wp-content/...1170537972.jpg

I disagree. Sid was by far the least complex and interesting of the Energy Riders. He's pretty much just a bland thug with a mad-on for Kouta. He served a bigger purpose earlier in the show, but at this point I don't think we're losing anything.