Sorry about the long break folks. I'll try and get caught up in the next few days with more ToHeart, some dvds, and of course, Suzuka. I've kept up to date with the episodes, writing down thoughts and ideas, but I just couldn't get to posting. And now, the episode of Suzuka I disliked the most....

Summary:
The episode opens with Honoka arriving to see Yamato, not realizing that he is not back from his hometown (remember, he was suppossed to be back the night before). His aunt tells her that he'll be back with Suzuka at noon. Honoka is of course worried. Saotome passes by and teases Honoka that something might have happened, and implies that its Honoka's fault for not confessing her heart sooner. Meanwhile, on the train, Yamato thinks about Suzuka from the faux confession during the fireflies. He invites Suzuka to go eat when they get off the train, but then Yamato notices Honoka waiting for them. Suzuka walks off, leaving Yamato and Honoka. At this point, Yamato understands that Honoka must have been worried, but he assures her that he wouldn't do anything with Suzuka while he has her. Honoka is greatly relieved, and Yamato kisses her. The next day, the new semester begins. Yamato's aunt tells him that she'll be home late and that he'll have to get his own supper that night. During lunch, Yasu asks Yamato whether they have "done it" yet. This of course leads to an amusing scene the two. Yasu tells him that sex is what a relationship is about, and that if he doesn't act, Honoka and Yamato will just become good friends. Yamato thinks about his words and wonders how to invite Honoka over. As he decides to give up and go get supper, the doorbell rings. Honoka has come over to cook Yamato dinner..... uh oh... Yamato goes into fantasy mode where he imagines that this is what being a newlywed is like.
Everything goes much like a date, until Yamato thinks for a moment that Suzuka won't have any dinner. As he thinks this, he realizes who is in front of him, and pulls Honoka to the bed, pushes her down, and begins to kiss her. Honoka is scared, and runs off, bumping into Suzuka, who notices her crying. Yamato follows, and Suzuka asks what happens, but Yamato basically gives her the cold shoulder. The next day, Honoka is absent, so Yamato goes to her house to apologize. Honoka tries to blame herself, saying it was her first time, but Yamato refuses to accept that, saying it was his fault. They make up (in an amusing way as only Honoka can do). Yamato heads home and sees Suzuka waiting outside. She asks him if they made up, and when he says "Sort of", she pretends to be happy for Yamato. Yamato is confused by her reaction, and leaves her, while she stands outside thinking to herself: "What am I doing?"

--------------------

I'm not thrilled about this episode, although I've heard the manga went much much worse for Yamato. I'm not sure what the anime is trying to make us feel: are we suppossed to be understanding of Yamato's situation and what he does?

The problem with the episode is a problem in Suzuka eps of late - it seems to merely exist to put some space between Yamato and Honoka. It seems they're destined to break up, and the anime would have a far better plot to show us why the two are incompatible rather than using plot stunts to drive wedges. At this point, we don't have a lot of reason to root for Suzuka and Yamato, in fact, we've been given more reasons to root for Honoka and Yamato.

I had a hard time mustering up any like for Yamato in this episode. I hope the anime gives him more room to grow. Explain who he is, who Suzuka is, and why Honoka can't be with Yamato. Don't make it an obvious predestined plot direction, please.

Next up, "Boyfriend".... hmm... who?