[Tokumonkey]

Another solid episode, although Win has brought with him the cringey humor from other recent Rider shows. He's got long-term cast member energy, though, so I don't see him going anywhere. With Michinaga, we've now got two Riders who are effectively villains.

Keilow... (is there a cross-language pun involving "owl" there?) I'm assuming that he'll either be killed in the next episode or somehow win this DGP against all odds, to be replaced by a young-adult actor. Man, the ageism in this episode is laid on thick.

I'm very curious about the comment the Game Master made about "the culling." Is numerous Riders being killed in round one part of the game's design? Maybe a mass sacrifice in order to achieve some unknown effect? The DGP continues to be as ominous as ever.

The episode's check-in with Keiwa seems to indicate that, yep, the show has settled on a core of 4-5 Riders (I wouldn't even guess at PunkJack's staying power,) so we may be moving away from Rider-elimination being a regular story occurrence. Keiwa's sister - who we've seen surprisingly frequently for a supporting character - once again appearing makes me continue to wonder whether she'll eventually become a Rider. Keiwa is still in the opening credits, and the staging (him and Ace looking off-screen at one another) still proudly implies he's our other main character.

Speaking of the opening sequence, there are a couple of beats (one at the beginning, the other before Ace) where other current-Rider faces would appear. Neon will slot into one of them, and I'm assuming Tycoon will join her eventually. Presumably, Letter will get scratched-out for the next arc.

The show still isn't directly addressing the question of why the DGP seems to be able to re-write reality, but can't get rid of the Jyamato. Come to think of it, no Rider desires we've seen have included "eliminate the Jyamato threat permanently." For new Riders, I understand that, but seriously, none of the returning Riders have even tried it...? Something doesn't smell right about that.

The show is starting to buckle (pun unintended) a little under the weight of the toy lines. Wow, Beats and that guitar/axe got a ton of screen time.

The show continues to be terrific at intrigue, and is still the most watchable Rider series in years. (Given that I thought Build and Zero-One were great, that's saying something.) I only hope it continues to live up to its narrative potential.