[Tokumonkey]

Given that there's been a running theme of Tycoon being easy to underestimate, I suspect the degree to which he kept falling into traps in this episode was a deliberate means of drumming up audience sympathy. This round is supposed to go to the most popular Rider, which is easy to lose track of.

I question whether it'll get that far, however. The writers' MO so far has been to indicate that they'll zig in the next episode, then zag really hard, so I'm thinking the DGP itself may end, to be replaced by whatever actual war Team Rocket (I mean Jyamato) is fomenting. Also, I have a suspicion that the Disastar plotline may be rendered moot by way of Team Rocket killing our current producer.

EGADS! Yet another new Rider who is also not a player in the DGP, using the Glare widgets? I fear we've hit the Too Many Riders threshhold. (Although at least this means we may get a froggy Rider.)

I do like that perennial nice-girl Na-Go has been given a juicy conflict, and room for character growth with it. I'm hoping she realized that her desire is both unworthy compared to Keiwa's and something she doesn't actually need supernatural help for. Maybe part of her long-term character arc will be developing a worthier desire.

Oh, and this episode confirms the "oh, we're developing a rival Rider team" thing, but the series seems a little low on still-relevant heel characters. PunkJack would fit, but he's a little dead at the moment. I suppose they could bring back DaPaan or Merry? Or Giroli, for that matter? I dunno. I'd like to see more of Lopo, but definitely not as a villain.