Recap: With tensions between the competitors running high, the commanding officers overseeing Blue Flag decide to send everyone on a hike to relieve some stress. The hike leads them to a natural hot springs, where the girls find themselves in competition for Yuuya’s attention.

Jel’s Thoughts: URRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! Look, I don’t necessarily have a problem with the hot springs/pool/bath house fan service episode. They can be fun and clever while staying in context with the show, or at the very least flash some skin if that’s what you’re looking for. To no one’s surprise, NONE of those things happen in the Total Eclipse version of this particular anime staple.

For starters, there is ZERO attempt to put any of this in context with the story or even basic logic. It’s already dumb enough they’re doing these Blue Flag games while people are getting eaten by aliens, tossing in a trip to the hot springs takes the stupidity to the next level. Then you throw in gratuitous shots like the three girls that never talk randomly fantasizing about Yui and Cryska making Yuuya grope her for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON and it’s clear the writers are waving the white flag on plot on this point. Seriously, if you HAD to have an accidental groping scene you couldn’t just make her trip or something? Or are we supposed to believe that poor Cryska has got the Yuuya Virus so bad that she just couldn’t stop herself from grabbing his hand and putting it on her breasts? It’s infuriating!

Now I understand the hot girls are part of Total Eclipse’s appeal and all but even that aspect was ruined by the copious amounts of mysterious light and steam. Sure, that will be removed for the disc release, but is anyone really going to buy this trash at this point? The worst of it all though was the reveal that this whole thing was set up – and filmed – by the commanding officer, as the episode closes with him watching the footage with his shirt unbuttoned. I’m sorry but that crosses the line from creepy or pervy into flat out disgusting. All this from a show that has demanded we take it seriously, from the horrors of war to the “relationships” between the characters. Any sliver of credibility they had is now completely gone.

On top of all of that RAGE, it appears next week will be a RECAP CLIP SHOW, WHO DOESN’T LOVE THOSE??? Can they think of anything else to throw at us to make me stop watching before the show ends?