Recap: Kaiki accepts Senjougahara’s request and begins gathering as much information on Nadeko as he can. Slipping back into town, he quickly finds himself confronting the goddess herself.

Jel’s Thoughts: I’ll admit it was pretty cool seeing Kaiki go clean cut and Sherlock out on us, or I guess in his case this is more like sizing up a job in a heist movie… and the stolen goods are the suspension of disbelief of a middle school girl that turned into medusa? OK, this analogy is falling apart fast. Point is, I enjoyed seeing him go to work with his Super Con Man intellect. I also found it amusing that we STILL don’t get to see the horrors Nadeko had locked in that closet in her room. Maybe more astute viewers will remember if they ever said what’s in there, but I’m just going to assume it’s lots of dead snakes, bloody awls, and one of those super creepy photo shrines of Araragi.

I was pretty much at peace with never seeing Nadeko again, but I also must admit I enjoyed her appearance as well. If there was any question before that she has gone TOTALLY INSANE, that question is now answered for us. Her cute voice and total airhead attitude contrasted with her desire for MURDER makes for a pretty terrifying mix, and I am totally OK with that. Once again, I was left remembering Kanbaru calling her the “final boss” back in Nisemonogatari and I think I’ll be disappointed if they back off and decide to redeem her somehow.

It was also kind of interesting that, of all people, Kaiki managed to sympathize with her, but that kind of leads me to my next point: I didn’t sign up for Koimonogatari expecting to see Kaiki Deshou: Ace Detective. I really want to see more of Araragi and Senjougahara together before this thing is over. Have they even been on screen together this season for more than a few seconds? I get that Kaiki’s actions are ultimately affecting the two of them, but their relationship and on screen chemistry was always the solid foundation the series rested on. Even though I’ve enjoyed these past two episodes, we’re going to need more of that if this arc is really going to be a success.