[Locke]

When this show is good, it's really fucking good.

Took me by surprise when Kouta just flat out told Mai in the cold open. I'm not complaining but I didn't expect him to just lay the cards on the table like that. It was really well acted too, it didn't need to be explicit in its intention, as the meaning between the words was clear enough through the performances. It kinda went in a more generic direction than I was expecting from the Butcher, but it does suddenly give Mai a purpose in the show again, which is nice.

I also loved Zangetu's stuck up arrogance, I can't wait for him to eat his words when he finds out he's being played for a bitch by those he believes to be beneath him.

Although I can't wait for any one to suffer more than Micchy, it's gotten beyond loving to hate now, now I really want to see him die an undignified, painful death. I don't think I've ever disliked a character, as much as I dislike Micchy - I mean I have hated characters more, but they are usually for critical and not personal reasons. My hatred for Micchy is purely personal, and I could watch Mai slap him for ten hours straight.

I may not always agree with Kouta's ideology, but his heart is always in the right place and it really hurts me - I can't say that I've ever been that emotionally attached to a series, heh - that the poor guy gets taken through the ringer so bad because he dares trust people. Fuck you Micchy, fuuuuuuuuck yoooooou.

Kaito may not be very strong, but he still gets all the bitches. And if you aren't fighting to acquire money, you're fighting to acquire bitches? Amirite?! *ducks and hides*

Actionwise, it was nice to see Gaim not just immediately default to his Energy and Triumphant seeds. Even if, for in story reasons, being overrun with Invess is probably the best time to use those seeds but whatever.

Speaking of Triumphant. Visually I really like it, and the weapon turntable thing is conceptually sorta neat. Especially given how the show started. But in practice the fights really lack a sense of flow and momentum when they have to keep stopping so Gaim can show off the newest toy.

I wouldn't have minded if this was isolated to the opening use, but every time he uses it the whole episode comes to a grinding halt so it can do a closeup of the gun as he cuts the vinyl and changes the pitch. Yawn. WE FUCKING GET IT. Is it possible the show has found a way to be even more boring than the Energy Riders?

So what is the dealio with Lemon Baron? He got a whole new Driver, it isn't a mix like Gaim's, so why has he still got the Baron base? Is it because he's still linked to the original driver? Either way, after the surprising boredom of Triumphant I couldn't quite believe myself when I found myself thinking a new Energy Rider is actually a breath of fresh air.

Going with good overall as Micchy was still alive at the end.