There are two things I noticed early with this episode. One, that it feels very scattered, and two, that there is limited follow-up to the preceding events. Despite its flimsy basis, a kid and digimon partner going their separate ways is a big development, so it's strange that there isn't more of a focus on that. The clumsy editing during the first half doesn't help that the subplots don't complement each other very well (Rika's continued hate, Henry's struggles with fighting, Takato's newfound arrogance, Hypnos and Musyamon, etc.).
Now, what do I mean by that? While there's definitely ambition here, seeing as how something is provided for each kid to deal with, these subplots get in each other's way when they should construct a story that flows properly. Consider the scenes with Rika or Renamon. They don't lead to anything and only serve to remind us of the conclusion of the previous episode, which only emphasizes how intrusive everything else is.
Of course, intrusive isn't a fatal misstep. "Opposites Attract" of the second season also fits that description, yet it's still an exemplary episode of the franchise. What really seals the failure of Henry and Takato's subplots is that they have no weight. Both are pervaded by a feeling of going through the motions and only result in perfunctory lessons for both boys, lessons that were conveyed much better in the original series with Mimi and Tai. Henry is once again disapproving of Terriermon being involved in battle and continues musing over the notion that there must be a deeper reason for their becoming digimon tamers. Both of these matters are mere examples of this show's current complacency with attempting a deeper spin on old aspects of digimon, but not using them to motivate the main characters to any type of action. Henry's been contemplating these things since the third episode, so you think by now he would have actually TRIED to discuss his thoughts with Terriermon or TRIED to figure out the mystery. Takato's ego trip feels especially obligatory, seemingly only done to veer the character a bit closer to Tai's temperament; any potential repercussions it leads to are minimal. Even the brief discussion between Henry and Renamon feels off; you'd think she would go to Terriermon or Guilmon instead to get insight on her situation.
The one significant thing that comes from all of this is that Yamaki finally learns of these guys, but considering how this is accomplished there is really no reason for this to not have resulted from several earlier incidents.
Musyamon is portrayed as somewhat more dangerous than in the second season, but, once again, the fact that the fight with him takes place in a digital field hinders the animation considerably. Gargomon, whose off screen overcoming of his power-drunk problem is still unearned, doesn't even get Henry to bat an eyelash at his reflexive loading of Musyamon's data (so much for "I don't want you to load his data"). This hazard with evolution, which peaked in spontaneity and interest at the end of "To Fight or Not to Fight", could have provided a good growing experience for this fighting duo with effort and practice, but has instead been reduced to a springboard for an obvious development. Once again, the word "unfortunate" is associated with Henry, because following this episode he will primarily serve the role of a talking head rather than an engaging individual.
Now, what do I mean by that? While there's definitely ambition here, seeing as how something is provided for each kid to deal with, these subplots get in each other's way when they should construct a story that flows properly. Consider the scenes with Rika or Renamon. They don't lead to anything and only serve to remind us of the conclusion of the previous episode, which only emphasizes how intrusive everything else is.
Of course, intrusive isn't a fatal misstep. "Opposites Attract" of the second season also fits that description, yet it's still an exemplary episode of the franchise. What really seals the failure of Henry and Takato's subplots is that they have no weight. Both are pervaded by a feeling of going through the motions and only result in perfunctory lessons for both boys, lessons that were conveyed much better in the original series with Mimi and Tai. Henry is once again disapproving of Terriermon being involved in battle and continues musing over the notion that there must be a deeper reason for their becoming digimon tamers. Both of these matters are mere examples of this show's current complacency with attempting a deeper spin on old aspects of digimon, but not using them to motivate the main characters to any type of action. Henry's been contemplating these things since the third episode, so you think by now he would have actually TRIED to discuss his thoughts with Terriermon or TRIED to figure out the mystery. Takato's ego trip feels especially obligatory, seemingly only done to veer the character a bit closer to Tai's temperament; any potential repercussions it leads to are minimal. Even the brief discussion between Henry and Renamon feels off; you'd think she would go to Terriermon or Guilmon instead to get insight on her situation.
The one significant thing that comes from all of this is that Yamaki finally learns of these guys, but considering how this is accomplished there is really no reason for this to not have resulted from several earlier incidents.
Musyamon is portrayed as somewhat more dangerous than in the second season, but, once again, the fact that the fight with him takes place in a digital field hinders the animation considerably. Gargomon, whose off screen overcoming of his power-drunk problem is still unearned, doesn't even get Henry to bat an eyelash at his reflexive loading of Musyamon's data (so much for "I don't want you to load his data"). This hazard with evolution, which peaked in spontaneity and interest at the end of "To Fight or Not to Fight", could have provided a good growing experience for this fighting duo with effort and practice, but has instead been reduced to a springboard for an obvious development. Once again, the word "unfortunate" is associated with Henry, because following this episode he will primarily serve the role of a talking head rather than an engaging individual.
