Recap: Tensions rise as every girl on base not-so-secretly wants to get in Yuuya’s pants. While the harem continues to multiply, Leon and Team America put on a strong Blue Flag outing with their stealth TSFs.

Jel’s Thoughts: I feel like the writers of Total Eclipse, while writing the story, time traveled to last week, read my thoughts, and decided to do EXACTLY what I was complaining about. I tried to dismiss Cui so what did we get? MORE CUI! I’ve been whining about Yui obsessing over Yuuya and so what happens? SHE’S A BORDERLINE STALKER! I worried Cryska would be transformed into another mindless haremette and what is our final scene? CRSYKA LONGINGLY WHISPERING YUUYA’S NAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!

And despite all the harem hijinks Total Eclipse continues to be 100% DEADLY SERIOUS. The opening flashback tries so hard to be “artistic” with it’s Film School 101 tricks. I’m sorry but film grain and color flowers on black and white images are not enough to overcome moments like this. They even pulled out the dramatic ED featuring scenes from the episode we JUST WATCHED like they were some kind of important, unforgettable moments. It’s a shame too since Cryska’s backstory was the only hope I had left, even it does turn out to be the emotionless super soldier story I’m pretty sure it will be.

I will admit I did find the alcoholic orange juice joke kind of funny, even if it was unnecessary since Yui is a grown woman. And in better hands I’d be a total sucker for this whole love triangle thing. There’s still a part of me deep down that wants to like this, all the pieces are there. We are well past the point of redemption however, as I’m sure this Blue Flag thing drag on a few more episodes and who knows how they’ll wrap things up at this point. All I can do now is just hang on and finish the job.