I like to think a lot of Kamen Rider Wizard's problems was due to playing it safe.

I don't know if there's just one cause for Wizard's problems. I tend to think that a part of it due to the show having to be mangled to fit into the Den-O pattern, which had clearly worn out its welcome. Part of it was due to the show's most pivotal character being largely absent for most of the show's run. Mostly, though, I think it was a case of the show having a split personality: part of it wanted to be a serious action drama, part of it wanted to be a screwball comedy, and both parts clashed horribly with each other.

Watched X Episode 3, and man this is gruesome. Hercules was a very brutal foe to even make Keisuke bleed. However I love how brutal X Rider was to combat Hercules and even knocked him to the ground, he is one badass Rider. I am really enjoying this so far.

Blade episodes 25-27
I'll save that for the disscussion

Gaim 5

Oh.... Kota.. you're back!

Wow, they really fleshed out Micchy in the 2 episodes he had his origin story. Baron's kind of a dick, and this episode potrayed him as not the good kind. I also liked that Baron used the 2 Acorn lockseeds to summon nondescript Invess, so maybe later on, Riders will probably be using 3 lockseeds at once, a lockseed for transformation, a lockseed for Musou saber and a lockseed for an Invess fighting with them.

That last thing makes it kinda like Ryuki with the contract monsters

Nah, Wizard definitely played it safe. We should have gotten to see SOMEONE turn into a Phantom, just once. It would have made far more sense for that to be the plot that gives Haruto Infinity instead of Koyomi since she didn't even do anything for 20 episodes straight at that point.

BTW, has X actually been subbed beyond the first episode?

The first 6 are subbed, the rest I hear have some problems to them I'll see when I get to them.

Watched X episode 4 and still loving it. Medusa was very creepy and very dark for a villain, all of G.O.D. is so far. Also the action is really good here too, nothing like beating down a foot soldier with a metal staff. Keisuke is a really nice and awesome character, he seems to befriend people easily. Also doesn't mind throwing a foot soldier into a car-crusher thing that's name escapes me at the moment.

Watched Episodes 5 and 6 of Kamen Rider X and they were awesome. Keisuke met Tachibana for the first time and this is my first time meeting this character (I think) but I know he's a big part of the Showa Era. Keisuke is totally awesome and I am so in love with this series. I am intrigued with the look-a-likes of Kiriko and Ryoko and what's going on there. I love how G.O.D. contacts their generals with random objects that blow up, reminds me of Inspector Gadget, lol. The Ridol is such an awesome weapon and very effective forms.

Watched episode 7 just now and this the change to the bad subtitles, and man these are in broken english, however the video quality is really nice. It's going to be a bit difficult but I still enjoyed the episode and great to learn a little more from the Kiriko/Ryoko thing. Man, G.O.D. is dark, I'm glad Keisuke kicks their ass. Also great to see new moves and great use of the Ridol Rope.

Fun bit of X Rider trivia: the actor who played Keisuke and the actress who played Ryoko/Kiriko got married in real life. Their son even auditioned for the lead role on Kamen Rider Agito.

The more I watch Ryuki, the more I'm starting to like Kitoaka. He's just so entertaining to watch in all of his egotistical assholeliness.