What a way to kick off Umineko's second half.
Newcomers Erika and Dlanor both bring such life to the story, and brilliantly underpin the story's central theming. The increased focus on Bern and Lambda makes the story's world feel larger and more complete. Natsuhi returns in full force after her remarkable showing in the first episode. And many other returning cast members fill fitting and unique roles.
But, unsurprisingly, the real treat is none other than Battler himself. All his development culminates in an absolutely breathtaking climax that goes above and beyond my expectations for the first episode of Umineko's second half. I'm even more in love with the story prior than I was when I read it, and I am so looking forward to whatever comes next. I expect great things from Battler and Erika's rivalry.

i think despite everything, despite all my myriad issues with this series so far, despite the hours and hours of filler and bloat, despite the (at times) kind of cringe and overdone "anime"-y character design and writing (it's fine in the battle of wits scenes, its iffy in the action scenes, and it sucks ass in the SoL scenes (which thankfully don't show up too often)), despite the constant "final act of death note"-ing where at least a couple random people no one gives a shit about keep showing up each episode, despite everything—

—i think this episode has finally convinced me that ryukishi07 knows what he's doing