[Locke]

So I just watched Begins Night, I loved it so much I wanna start W from the start to get the most out of the show. Are there any arcs between the first episode, and episode thirteen, which can be entirely skipped without ramifications or do they all have some kind of lasting importance to them?

I loved the tone, with all the noir trappings, but also that it focused on a mystery, rather than just a fight. Best of all though, were the characters. I love how Shotaro is basically no one, but rises up on strength of character alone to be someone. And that ultimately, we learn why Shotaro and Phillip are the perfect duo. So Phillip was the creator of all the memories? Or is that something that'll become clearer by watching the show?

I love how by all regards, Kamen Rider Skull shouldn't work in his context, but they embrace the ridiculous nature of this pulp hero Kamen Rider so fully he works anyway and becomes wonderfully awesome. About the only negative is his death, a) because he died but b) why do they keep drawing attention to the fact that none of the bullets connect, or is that the point? Even Akiko was pretty cool in this, especially considering I remember her being insufferable in the show.

Shotaro and Phillip are so flashy as W, and I loved seeing their rapid form changes and cool combinations. I also loved their first henshin, firstly because it was beautifully staged (well minus the dodgy cgi) but I also love that Shotaro literally spends the entire thing not knowing what the fuck is happening. Also wasn't expecting Philip to take the reigns as some kind of werewolf Kamen Rider. Guess what SIC two pack I just nabbed off of Mandrake! Well, it might be out of stock, I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

That climactic battle at the end as well. Shotaro, WHAT A BADASS! Did you see his hand when he pulled it away? I love how they didn't even try to draw attention to it, that is how hard-boiled he is. All of the big bad Dopants turning up, W stoicly beating the not-Chief into the floor. I'm guessing that the special effects and fight choreography wont be this good in the show?

So wait it ends on a cliffhanger? Does it wrap it up in the movie, or does it wrap it up in the show? Wasn't planning on watching the crossover or Decade stuff!