Archer you f*cking liar!
Anyway, with that out of my chest, here's my real impressions.
It was certainly a cool episode. Most recognition for me goes to Lancer, who has been quite phenomenal in these last two episodes and it goes to show that Ufotable / Nasu knows how to interpret heroic figures in a nuanced fashion, which they managed to do both in terms of his dialog and his facial expressions. Cu Chulainn is after all revered both for his noble deeds as much as his violent behavior, and it is nice to see that both were reflected; with Rin and how he expressed qualities that he admired in her, and with Archer in his battle prowess in addition to his bestial nature. The show managed in only two episodes (well admittedly, four actually if you take into account his behavior in Episode 0 and 1) to showcase what kind of a character Lancer truly is and is an appreciated quality that I never expected the show to pull. I've come to terms with the fact that since the show is based on the VN with three separate paths, it managing to characterize individuals with more minor roles in such a subtle fashion with so many of its cast, is something that I highly appreciate. I wouldn't sing praises to many, but for a story that generally revolves around a protagonist and an ever changing world for him, the series have managed to stay credible in its execution, utilizing vital aspects to make the show stand on its own when it comes to TV entertainment.
Caster and Souichiro's death took me by surprise. I have to thank you guys for derailing me earlier here, since I actually thought they'd survive. Much obliged!
A tad bit disappointed with Caster, personally. Not about her being taken out, but more about her motivations, which ended up about her and Souichiro being together. Well it's sweet, and it adds further to the concept that was brought earlier with Illya and Berserker--about people being used by their own benefits (this seems to have turned into a running theme for the show). But by all Caster's talk in the previous season, the conclusion seem rather hollow on my part and her earlier words rather trivial. But then again, it ultimately does add credibility in humanizing her as an individual and it is not simply about the Grail. It actually hit me just now that more and more people are less interested in the Grail than what the show would have the viewer to believe of the premise, and more interested in something personal affecting them along the journey (or having been established earlier). It is quite an intriguing narrative approach from Zero, wherein everyone craved for the Grail and having us as the viewer seen what the Grail truly is, it is quite ironic how the characters shy away from it in Stay Night (experiencing the show as a sequel here).
Souchiro getting more characterization in these last two episodes was appreciated as well. While I wouldn't rank him high in my list of characters that I like (I mean he is an emotionless shell, so not much depth to that really) but at least the show portrayed him as an actual character in the end, for what little it was worth. Admittedly what made him more compelling was his interaction with Archer in the previous episode; he doesn't feel anything and is content with it, but Archer (or the impression I get) seems to be filled with anger and regret, and is taking it all on Shirou. I've always wondered how Archer would react about him being Shirou, and his determination came both as a surprise and as a logical set piece that I had been pondering about. This is mere speculation on my part, but judging from Rin's comments about Archer in her dreams and Archer's own words; he is a guardian of humanity in some capacity and the reason for his cynical behavior is due to him growing disillusioned of the world and how people are unable to evolve. I don't know what his purpose is and how it is related to the Grail, but it adds a very intriguing aspect that I am very much looking forward to witness further.
Also, Shirou having inner monologues? It is certainly a welcome, and a much needed aspect for the show to further convey him as an individual. For a show that revolves around him alone (well for the most part), these are quite vital for obvious reasons. I was at first surprised by why the only turned up now (aside from the opening of Ep 13) but it does show through the series that Shirou is actually growing after the incidents and becoming more level headed when facing dire situations. If one compares it to his meeting with Berserker, his actions in the shool and further on the bridge with Caster, this has been a very genuine build up and I am hoping it only gets better from here on.
Retour en haut
But I just finished the day 9 school scene in the Fate route and *that* made the last few days being info dumps totally worth it. Shirou in badass mode is amazing. 
I don't think my brain is calm enough to say much beyond sfjpodgpsoghpsgh. but totally worth it. 
Going to click back and see what bad ends I might have missed but I felt it was time to finally gush in thread since that was fantastic.
