u/CCV21

What did you all think?

This episode was much better than the last one.

I think I figured out why episode 6 felt off to me. There was a lack of background music in scenes that could have used it.

Pacing was decent.

Yuri showed a lot more initiative this episode. Yuri got reinforcements, saved civilians and rallied the people of the city to the Hittites. Her best moment was flipping the script against Nakia. Yuri lied through her teeth, but it worked because of their victory. Oftentimes people will accept after the fact justifications if the results are worth it.

Also to note, if the princes were stripped of their titles, Yuri becomes a lot more vulnerable to Nakia.

Yuri getting ambushed by a soldier only for Kail to save her was contrived. It did give us insight into how Kail is feeling. Kail once again feels inadequate because he failed to protect Yuri. This instance particularly stings because it was his brother, one of the people he trusts most in the world. Kail knows better, but it's not something you can get over immediately.

Kail's immediate reaction is that he wants to lock Yuri away in his palace. Even going so far as to say that he wants no man to see her. Then his reflection at the end of the episode. Yuri is going to leave, so he can't get any closer to her. The way he is treating Yuri is rather cold.

Yuri is at first concern. Yuri doesn't want to be a burden. Yuri's concern turns to frustration as Kail refuses to budge. It's refreshing to see Yuri respond like this. She fee.s like her feelings aren't being taken into consideration, which is true. Yuri thinks it's because Kail doesn't care for her, but it's the opposite. 

What did you all think?

This episode was much better than the last one.

I think I figured out why episode 6 felt off to me. There was a lack of background music in scenes that could have used it.

Pacing was decent.

Yuri showed a lot more initiative this episode. Yuri got reinforcements, saved civilians and rallied the people of the city to the Hittites. Her best moment was flipping the script against Nakia. Yuri lied through her teeth, but it worked because of their victory. Oftentimes people will accept after the fact justifications if the results are worth it.

Also to note, if the princes were stripped of their titles, Yuri becomes a lot more vulnerable to Nakia.

Yuri getting ambushed by a soldier only for Kail to save her was contrived. It did give us insight into how Kail is feeling. Kail once again feels inadequate because he failed to protect Yuri. This instance particularly stings because it was his brother, one of the people he trusts most in the world. Kail knows better, but it's not something you can get over immediately.

Kail's immediate reaction is that he wants to lock Yuri away in his palace. Even going so far as to say that he wants no man to see her. Then his reflection at the end of the episode. Yuri is going to leave, so he can't get any closer to her. The way he is treating Yuri is rather cold.

Yuri is at first concerned. Yuri doesn't want to be a burden. Yuri's concern turns to frustration as Kail refuses to budge. It's refreshing to see Yuri respond like this. She feels like her feelings aren't being taken into consideration, which is true. Yuri thinks it's because Kail doesn't care for her, but it's the opposite. 

I watched the episode. The first half was a little stilted. The banquet just seemed a little muted. The scene where Nakia was mocking Yuri’s outfit seemed plausible to me. Nakia focused on Kail being the one to be made into a fool by how Yuri was dressed rather than Yuri. This made Yuri vulnerable and made her change into a new dress because she didn’t want to harm Kail’s image.

The new dress Yuri wore for the banquet was quite fetching. I think it was a great look. It was elegant and made everyone turn their head. Yuri thought she looked foolish because she still feels like an outsider to almost everyone.

The scene where Zannanza abducted Yuri was a bit clunky though. Yuri had to deal with another ally who turned against her. Rather than trying to kill her Zannanza was obsessed with keeping Yuri to himself and would use violence to do so. This is a harder thing to combat. Yuri tried reasoning but saw it wouldn’t work. Yuri took a gamble with that drop kick and it paid off.

I think the episode picked up more when the city was being attacked. I will say that the anime is not shying away from the bloodier aspects of war. It’s not gratuitous, but it’s enough.

I did enjoy that Yuri is becoming more active. She has trained in how to use a sword and was able to use those skills.

We also have the introduction of another antagonist who has certainly earned a fierce reputation.

Altogether I’d say this was a good episode. It showed how Yuri’s growth and then provided new challenges.

I watched the episode. The first half was a little stilted. The banquet just seemed a little muted. The scene where Nakia was mocking Yuri’s outfit seemed plausible to me. Nakia focused on Kail being the one to be made into a fool by how Yuri was dressed rather than Yuri. This made Yuri vulnerable and made her change into a new dress because she didn’t want to harm Kail’s image.

The new dress Yuri wore for the banquet was quite fetching. I think it was a great look. It was elegant and made everyone turn their head. Yuri thought she looked foolish because she still feels like an outsider to almost everyone.

The scene where Zannanza abducted Yuri was a bit clunky though. Yuri had to deal with another ally who turned against her. Rather than trying to kill her Zannanza was obsessed with keeping Yuri to himself and would use violence to do so. This is a harder thing to combat. Yuri tried reasoning but saw it wouldn’t work. Yuri took a gamble with that drop kick and it paid off.

I think the episode picked up more when the city was being attacked. I will say that the anime is not shying away from the bloodier aspects of war. It’s not gratuitous, but it’s enough.

I did enjoy that Yuri is becoming more active. She has trained in how to use a sword and was able to use those skills.

We also have the introduction of another antagonist who has certainly earned a fierce reputation.

Altogether I’d say this was a good episode. It showed how Yuri’s growth and then provided new challenges.

What did all of you think?

RIP Toughie.

I said Episode 4 was a little underwhelming. This episode was good.

Yuri avenged Tito and gained the loyalty of the only clan that can do ironworking.

I enjoy how the series is revealing bits of the world.

Iron is a rare and valuable resource. It allows for strong weapons.

Case and point. I once saw a bronze/brass hammer in an ironworking shop. The purpose of this hammer was to do gentle work on the iron pieces. I wondered how that could be gentle. The hammer looked like a hammer. That was the new one. An old one was worn down to the hilt after only a few months. The difference in strength and durability between iron and bronze is significant.

Also, the stage is being set with the other warring powers.

Another note is that Yuri is actually getting involved. She picked her weapon and used it to great effect.

Kail feels guilt that he is dragging Yuri into his affairs and that he wasn't able to protect her from every threat. The scene where he is saying that he will separate from her only for Yuri to reject it was touching.

I will say that the scenes do feel a little rushed. The scenes also had more emotional impact in the manga series. I can still enjoy the series though.

What did you think?

I said Episode 4 was a little underwhelming. This episode was good.

Yuri avenged Tito and gained the loyalty of the only clan that can do ironworking.

I enjoy how the series is revealing bits of the world.

Iron is a rare and valuable resource. It allows for strong weapons.

Case and point. I once saw a bronze/brass hammer in an ironworking shop. The purpose of this hammer was to do gentle work on the iron pieces. I wondered how that could be gentle. The hammer looked like a hammer. That was the new one. An old one was worn down to the hilt after only a few months. The difference in strength and durability between iron and bronze is significant.

Also, the stage is being set with the other warring powers.

Another note is that Yuri is actually getting involved. She picked her weapon and used it to great effect.

Kail feels guilt that he is dragging Yuri into his affairs and that he wasn't able to protect her from every threat. The scene where he is saying that he will separate from her only for Yuri to reject it was touching.

I will say that the scenes do feel a little rushed. The scenes also had more emotional impact in the manga series. I can still enjoy the series though.

What did you think?

What was your take on it?

Here are my thoughts:

This episode was okay. It felt a little underwhelming compared to episode 3.

Episode 3 had such a bold ending. The events of episode 4 were just a little bit of a letdown.

Mainly highlight was Yuri trying to control a horse on the battlefield.

The tension with Tito's sisters and Yuri was pretty weak. I figure it's because they don't want to make them appear too antagonistic to Yuri.

I do know where this is going, so that's why I think it's slightly underwhelming.

Also, this is the first time an episode has ended where Yuri's life is uncertain. By the ending of the last three episodes Yuri's predicament had been resolved, so she wasn't in any immediate danger.

Also to note, Kail admitted he wanted Yuri to stay. Realizing that he's not able to protect Yuri as he thought and considering it nothing more than a selfish desire shows that he sees Yuri as a person and not an object.

Well the third episode has premiered and I just finished it. So far, I've enjoyed the last two episodes. Episode 3 is also really good.

First thing's first, Tito. >!They didn't shy away from his death or that he was skinned. Then the moment when Yuri puts two and two together about the new headwear that Kushaga is wearing.!<

I enjoyed that aspect. I think that it's trying to present the violence of the times in a way that is still palatable for general audiences.

Then the scene where >!Kail kisses Yuri to calm her down!<. I thought it was handled well. I get that they don't want to portray Yuri as hysterical.

I enjoyed it quite a bit when Yuri >!chooses to stay at least until she can get justice for Tito.!< Shows her claiming more agency in the story.

Then there's the exchange between Yuri and Nakia. This is the first exchange between them where Nakia doesn't have Yuri restrained or in her control. You can see the underlying tension between them. Nakia clearly doesn't care about Yuri's pleas and is taking joy in it. Yuri on the other hand is refusing to accept Nakia's excuses.

The end of the episode was superb. We're finally getting Yuri Ishtar. Yuri is regaining more and more of her own agency in the story.

What did all of you think?

Never been to Chicago before. It's going to be there for 7 days.

Not quite sure what I'll need when.

What will I need when it comes to clothes and other supplies?

Hello, I am flying to another place in the US and will be leaving on 8/15/26.

I looked into getting a real ID. They want a valid passport or a birth certificate to get it.

I have an expired passport from 2019. I figured why not get a new one.

Ideally I'd like the new passport to arrive by 8/10/26 which is 4 weeks from now, so i am not sweating bullets.

Do I need to pay for expedited service or is regular processing enough?