While an acceptable conclusion to the schism between Rika and Renamon, this rather rushed resolution would have benefited from greater breadth. The main hamper is that, like in the last episode, there are simply too many subplots competing for screen time. Considering the situation, the focus really should have been on both Rika and Renamon. Absent for the middle portion, Rika's part of the story is underplayed. The build-up to her big moment at the end only amounts to some advice from her grandmother that, while good advice, isn't entirely applicable to the given situation. Remember, the relevant issue isn't her aloof demeanor, but her distrust towards Renamon's evolutions. However, this does speak volumes about the matriarch, who actually tries to communicate with one of the younger characters, an area in which the other adults are essentially inept.
Renamon has a larger role, but her questioning of the necessity of a human partner isn't exactly compelling, partially because it lacks conviction; considering the past, it's exceedingly obvious that she's not going to get far without Rika. Beyond that, I had difficulty feeling for her, because she hardly seems to feel anything. She's just her usual stiff self when she should seem remorseful and discomforted by confusion, maybe even angry; that wide-eyed look of shock from "The Icemon Cometh" conveyed a stronger emotional response than anything in this episode. There was real opportunity for Renamon to demonstrate a newfound compassion for Rika in a resonant manner, but all we get are subdued realizations of the emptiness of her pursuits, a theme that will be done much better with Impmon.
All of this aside, the other subplots manage to provide actual developments instead of just showing a bunch of inconsequential, random acts. Takato showing Guilmon to Jeri is perhaps the first moment between the two that works completely, because it plays off of the fact that Takato has a fledgling crush on her. Impmon's scenes finally reveal something about the roots to his current behavior, and Yamaki's first encounter with the two boys is appropriately brief (though I find it very odd that he would just let them keep their digimon).
The fight with Harpymon is a lot better than the one with IceDevimon. Sure, her screeches are grating, but she displays a brutality and ruthlessness that the frozen fiend would envy. The exchange after the fight is nicely understated and marks the transition from "Mean Rika" to "Nicer Rika".
Renamon has a larger role, but her questioning of the necessity of a human partner isn't exactly compelling, partially because it lacks conviction; considering the past, it's exceedingly obvious that she's not going to get far without Rika. Beyond that, I had difficulty feeling for her, because she hardly seems to feel anything. She's just her usual stiff self when she should seem remorseful and discomforted by confusion, maybe even angry; that wide-eyed look of shock from "The Icemon Cometh" conveyed a stronger emotional response than anything in this episode. There was real opportunity for Renamon to demonstrate a newfound compassion for Rika in a resonant manner, but all we get are subdued realizations of the emptiness of her pursuits, a theme that will be done much better with Impmon.
All of this aside, the other subplots manage to provide actual developments instead of just showing a bunch of inconsequential, random acts. Takato showing Guilmon to Jeri is perhaps the first moment between the two that works completely, because it plays off of the fact that Takato has a fledgling crush on her. Impmon's scenes finally reveal something about the roots to his current behavior, and Yamaki's first encounter with the two boys is appropriately brief (though I find it very odd that he would just let them keep their digimon).
The fight with Harpymon is a lot better than the one with IceDevimon. Sure, her screeches are grating, but she displays a brutality and ruthlessness that the frozen fiend would envy. The exchange after the fight is nicely understated and marks the transition from "Mean Rika" to "Nicer Rika".
