[Mesnick]

The meeting with Liesel made an impression on Shouma, making him expect trouble. But the closest enemy has a very indirect relation to the president's daughter. Improved by the black Gavv, Magen is used as a hunter of hunters and his first victim is the poor fellow Hanto. Still, there is a departure from the typical distribution of roles and the most unfortunate is still the secondary rider.
In Magen himself, his Granute-Scolopendra power is much more impressive than his rider abilities. Most likely because he doesn't show anything new. However, he doesn't need it, because in this episode the focus is shifted to Gochipod. Created by Denta at the cost of his own health, absorbing many Gochizo and brought by the caring Sachika, Gochipod contains everything Shouma has achieved during his stay in the human world. The only thing left out is his relationships with other riders. Getting Gochipod itself elevates it to a very high level for me, but the possibilities of the form are no less impressive.
I really like the contrast with the Gavv's base form. If one begins to fall apart from blows, the other does not feel even a flurry of the strongest enemy attacks, even one of which is before this de-henshin Valen. Also the final powerful blow. I remember more effective and more emotional presentations of forms, but since the time of Kuuga I do not recall such a frightening demonstration of power. But with this Gavv does not forget about balance. For all its power, Gochipod Over Mode is very slow and Shouma can barely move in it. I imagine that a faster opponent could become a serious threat to him. However, Master Mod will probably come in handy for such cases. But in any case, I am very interested to know what happens next.
Another interesting thing: Lango directly accused Nyelv of betrayal, receiving a response in the style of: "I will not say what I do, but believe me, it is for the common good."Also in this episode Nyelv shows emotions for the first time outside of the usual detached contemplation. And that is also very interesting.
Overall, a very simple intermediate episode, but not bad. It fulfills the main function: it makes you look forward to the next one. And the opportunity to see Shouma's new powers in full glory.