[Switchblade]

Very good episode. There was a lot of cool stuff with the supporting cast that really did make it feel like the show was taking Shinnosuke's death seriously and not rushing to his revival. It reminds me a lot more of when this happened on Kuuga than Fourze, since you have time to see all of the fallout. I really like how Nira seems to be folding into the main cast, too; he's been a major pain in the ass, but it's cool to see him coming around and helping out... -ish.

I liked the resolution of the Gou plot, too. The show did a nice double bluff there, with him obviously being brainwashed but Chase trying to comfort Kiriko by lying and saying that he was secretly undercover... only for him to actually be secretly undercover. Did not see that one coming. It really raised my respect for Gou... until he threw a hissy fit and almost tossed Brain's tablet into the river. Stay moronic, my friend.

As for Type Trideron... meh. I'm not really feeling it. The bottom part is so solid that it reminds me of pajamas and the helmet is awful. If it had cool powers that would be one thing, but the composite tire gimmick looks really dumb (and I honestly thought the show had abandoned tire changes months ago). I did like its debut fight overall, though.

I am so happy with how this show has been evolving. I think I've hit the point where most of the stink of the first half is washed off for me and I am legitimately enjoying the show a lot now.