[DreadBringer]

The penultimate episode.

So the stakes for fighting Lango is about him controlling his victims, thus fighting him head on will have the victims getting processed. I guess for this one, working together with a villain isn't a good idea, as Bocca's plan that Lango takes over involve mass collateral damage, despite Lango not being stronger than the final form. Still if Shoma is losing in the next episode preview, I wonder what'd cause Lango to be able to almost defeat Shoma, as he previously completely lost to the final form.

Masaru figures it out that Shoma, Hanto, and Rakia are Riders, due to how they're safe despite the dangers they're in. Shoma confirms it, but not for bringing up about their familial relation and Michiru. Probably Shoma keeps it secret due to how him being a Rider is related to Masaru's death, but I guess he doesn't need to talk about how they ended up becoming Riders about losing a loved one to the Stomachs. By this Masaru contributes by being more knowledgable to make snacks than Sachika.

Dealing with civilians don't require strongest form, so one of Gavv's earlier base forms Fuwamallow returns, to free the brainwashing of the civilians by raining antidotes. A good excuse to bring back weaker forms that'd be irrelevant for fighting the endgame threats. I wonder though if Gochizos can be used by at least Valen, where it's more appropriate for Shoma to confront the strongest threats (Lango and his Agents) while Hanto and Rakia deal with civilians on Earth.

I don't know what's the deal with Jeebh now that he seems to realize his mistakes in getting revenge to Shoma and also the other Stomach siblings, thus he doesn't oppose Lango anymore, but he still fiercely attacks those who disturb the Stomach's operations like Hanto. Maybe now Jeebh just wants to live with Lizel, of which Lango allows him to keep her. Lizel genuinely loves her father to mourn over his loss, dunno how'd she fare for only one episode remaining.

Now the Agents actually operate in mook-like way to have loads of them attack a Rider. Rakia seems to go on sacrificial path to hold off the Agents so Hanto can save the Hitopresses. By this it may seem that, like Dente, people can paint Rakia as a saint for this sacrifice and justify his crimes by blaming the Stomachs only to put him on pedestal. Vram A La Mode doesn't seem to be able to properly take down Lango's Agents even individually, unlike Over/Master Gavv to Bocca's Agents.