[Enchilada645]

So, I get why and how people would be upset by this episode, and I understand this is not exactly the most solid of things given how rushed it had to be. Since well, they did say they were going to lead into a Thouser redemption Arc but that had to get truncated because well... Covid. That's basically what all the losses were leading up to this point, Gai just pushed to the breaking point where he sort of... just kind of... reevaluates things?

The one thing that makes this stick for me is the aftermath, we're not there yet but I'll make it clear on why I'm actually fine with this sort of turn with Gai in general.

Anyway while I do love how merciless the Ark feels in action. I think the highlight of this episode is the Hiden Office fight. Just like the entire interaction where we see Aruto use the secret passage again, Aruto just belittling Gai's childish actions, and Gai deciding "Today is a good day for murder" while the Hiden Exec's just start yelling as he transforms. And then just the very claustrophobic battle with all the boxes and everything, real good stuff.

Also good on Aruto just going directly for the belt! I feel like we don't see that too often. Aruto was not looking to humiliate Gai, just disable him as fast as possible.

Anyway we get to Thouser one of my favorite characters in Zero-One. It's just a delight and the fact that Sony lent the crew their pristine robot dog is hilariously wholesome.