Pinochle once again took center stage.

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Complex plot elements showcased the intricate nature of the plot this season. Offers of information, mistrust and misinformation, and doubt led to complex situations for antagonists and protagonists alike.  Pinochle’s puzzle offer attempted to elucidate that back story of Freecell, while Mizerka’s dissemination of information to Doubt only led them both to doubt the Orpheus Order. With this misinformation from their leaders, should they have left the Orpheus Order or continue to follow its orders? 

Puzzle time with Freecell continued to remain a theme that the story didn’t want us to forget. It seemed that since the idea was introduced in episode two or three, that now, seventeen episodes later, we are not even one step closer to finding out what the “real” puzzle time with Freecell is. Could it be achieved after all of the Orpheus Order is defeated? Or would Herbert Muller have to be removed from his place and Klondike give the order for it to occur?

Continuing the trend of not having any two puzzles alike, the color wheel puzzle tower, or “Infel Tower” as it was called, served as our main attraction this episode. It was a rather simple puzzle at first; however, as the levels increased, it became harder and harder. It’s often difficult to keep track of these puzzles, but I imagine that is one of the goals of the anime. If they made it too easy, then it would be hard to believe that children of the Phi Brain or those that posses upgradable replica rings, like the Gamma Ring of Pinochle, would be necessary to solve them.

Emotions tried to sway Kaito. However, he had experience with the tricks of Pinochle before and managed to pull through. The apology card he played worked well on getting Pinochle heated up as well as getting Kaito focused back on the game. Fans were probably glad as they didn’t want to have to see Kaito go through the depressing situation for several minutes like they did for numerous episodes during the first half of this season.

The puzzle’s conclusion was just what one would expect from the anime. No one has actually died or faced death in the puzzles Kaito has solved, and of course this one was the same. Kaito shocked us by bringing Pinochle back to the real world with the touch of friendship that he is known for. Unfortunately, Hoist didn’t like this outcome and resorted to typical Giver tendencies: that is, to cheat and blow up the puzzle for his own outcome to come to pass. It was actually a pretty good event in the way Kaito saved his from falling into the furnace. Through this process and the imminent post puzzle scene, one more was recruited into Kaito’s growing league of puzzle-solving friends. I wonder if Pinochle will continue to stick around and join them at the school or go off on his own, like Rook.  

The episode was enjoyable and emotional. The provision of friendship moments was actually great to have and a nice change of pace from what we have seen in the past. Introducing the Klondike idea to Kaito at this stage was interesting and left room for speculating about what they will do once they meet him.

GO Rating: 4/5