[DreamSword]

Act 13

So are we just doing two-parters from now on, or...?

Because yeah, this is the start of another one, but unlike episode 11, I think there's quite alot that makes this episode work as a standalone.

Coming off that, had you told me that this episode was written by Toshiki Inoue, I'd totally believe you due to just how similar this story ended up being to a specific episode from Kamen Rider Kiva.

The premise being that Serena and Darien run into an amnesiac, and decide to try and help him recover some of his lost memories. Not all is as it seems, however, as the man with little memory ends up being Malachite, the last of Beryl's' Generals for the Dark Kingdom.

And on the note of Malachite, I'm a bit peeved that Zoicite ended up looking like Malachite, while Malachite ends up looking like Nephlite, and Nephlite looks totally different from any sort of design that I'm familiar with. Given how much Jadeite looked like his anime counterpart, why couldn't they keep the designs for the other Generals consistent too?

Regardless, this episode was rather sweet. Sure, "Shin" and his missing memories are the goal and catalyst, but what this episode is really about is once again not only showcasing Serena's' empathy, but allowing Darien to see it for himself, and to that extent also allowing Serena to see Darien's' softer side. It's a big move in characterization for them both, and only serves to highlight just how cruel Queen Beryl really is, given her role in all of this.

I do legit want Malachite to find redemption after this, and given time, I might feel the same of the other Generals too.