[Layton13]

So, yeah, kinda already indicated that this was the first episode I actively disliked.

Primarily down to how badly they botched the MotW plot.

First thing first, never really was a fan of the "fixer" job Ikki and the bathhouse advertises because of the deadman. It never read more than a convenient way for them to get MotW plots, which, in and of itself, is fine, but I really question the kind of person who goes to a bathhouse for legal trouble. It's just a bit too out there, even for a Rider show, at least for me. But clearly, you see some thematic resonance here, so, very fair.

Second, man, these two were bad at being crooks. Like, laughably bad and a miracle that they weren't busted before.

I'll just quote myself from back in the day:

Quote:

Like, "Let's discuss our evil plan with an unlocked door in an office building. Cleary won't bite us!" or, "Oh, sure, leave your obvious phone in your lap, pointed at me. Nothing wrong with that!" Like... Wow, were these two idiots.

It doesn't make Ikki look smart; it makes the writing come off as contrived and like it bends over backward to make the heroes succeed, making me far less interested in rooting for them since they clearly won't have to struggle; things will just work out for them. Hilariously enough, kinda undermining the villainous outburst here since... clearly, hard work pays off with the world just making everyone else dumber for your sake, at least if you are the protagonist. Or does that underline his point? I'm really not sure, but it kinda pays havoc with the show's intended moral in some way.

Using this, this show has a real problem with making characters incredibly stupid, not when it makes sense for their character, but when the plot demands it. Mixed with a very low intelligence level in the show in general, Fenix being probably one of the stupidest organizations in the franchise, certainly made for a rather frustrating viewing experience from time to time.

Last criticism, the episode felt rushed. Things just wrap up far too neatly and quickly in the end. It really would have benefited from another episode just to make things just... flow better.

But yeah, the first bigger rant. Probably not the last, but I'll try to restrain those till good opportunities arise to not drag down the threat and taint your viewing experience of the show.