[Locke]

Blade 12.

A lot happened this episode, but somehow not a lot of it clicked. We at least, sorta, kinda, know a bit more about how the Rider system works. I have to say that if you allow a few logic leaps, Blade's mythology works really well, probably better than most Rider shows.

I mean a lot of Rider shows have more thought out mythologies, but their implementation and execution sucks. Blade's implementation and execution is so strong, it allows you to ignore and even forgive just how much of the core mythos lacks any logic.

Love the way Spider Ace uses his head, stopping them from using their cards. It's also nice to finally have an Undead who puts up a fight. His design is cool as well, the colours are a little flamboyant but I'm glad with both him and the Sea Undead they strayed away from the human in bondage gear with an animal mask design like most of the other Undead so far.

Ironically despite the fact that Chalice's fight is basically filler, his fight was way more impressive. I don't care for Hajime as a character, but I love him as a Rider. And I also loved the rapid cuts, and the way the camera snaked through the water, to really give the battle energy and to capture Chalice's wild savagery. Spinning Wave was fairly uninspiring though, as those sort of attacks always are in this show.

Hopefully as this Undead actually did damage, and not just a superfluous body count, may mean some impressive Undead may finally be on the way.