[Layton13]

Ah, yes, the episode resolved by overhearing a random conversation at the right time that hand delivers you all the info you need. Man, I was fuming at that back in the day. It's just... so goddamn lazy!

Seriously, this is awful, and would singlehandedly tank this episode if the rest of the material was any good, which it really isn't.

It's basic, stock, and just, like you said, doesn't hold up to the slightest bit of scrutiny.

This show simultaneously cares way too much for the MotW plots with how much of a focus they have been while not caring at all for them with how basic and stock pretty much all of them have been. Which kinda becomes a running theme with this show at times.

They try to make them emotionally resonant but just don't develop or give them enough time to even have a chance of being compelling.

As for Hiromi, yeah, I think he's fine. Really nothing stands out, minus a few scenes later that really grind my gears, but that is later.

For now, I never really got why he's so beloved, I mean, I heard the reasons, but still, he sure is there, and I don't hate him. That's really all I can muster for him. Glad for the actor, though!