User blog comment:Forrestib/"Breach" was Brilliant, and Here's Why/@comment-5217560-20141031212333

Wow, nice pespective. Good reasoning, and you've made valid points! I can dig it!

However, I feel that as a second finale--especially to a volume that as a whole was superior to the previous-- there should be a step up from last one. While I do realize this entire episode was essentially a set up to next volume(akin what "Captain America" was to the "The Avengers"), that shouldn't excuse it from being a good ending to cap off a good volume. Out of the entire series, episode 8 from volume 1 was the only episode in my opinion that could be deemed as a proper finale, and that wasn't even a finale. Actually, episode 11 "No Brakes" would have been a marvelous ending to the volume. And it would have supported the same point you've made here. Consider the fact that the volume 1 finale was technically a mid season finale, which was good, nothing too stellar, because yes, it's mid season. It's purpose is to build up to the closing finisher. As a season closer, "Breach" should have been grandiose on some scale.

True, we were to be shown that RWBY aren't as good as they were intially portrayed, and that they have lots of potential, but that was established last episode. Sure, there's still a bigger picture here but that shouldn't subtract from the greatness of a set up episode. Look at Avatar the Last Airbender. Technically, the season 1 finale was a set up to next season issues, but the way in which they executed was phenomenal. While it clearly left the viewer with an understadning that it is only the beginning and that Aang still faced a huge threat, it still felt complete and well paced. And they only continued to build from that point. I'm not saying RWBY won't reach that point, but for now the closers are stagnate. I can only assume that the closer to Volume 3 will be superb and worthy of all the praise that I'm sure the fandom will besow upon it.

Personally, I wasn't disappointed by this episode. Underwhelming yes, but I had a feeling it would turn out this way. It was just hyped up too much. There were very good moments in it, and like you said, just put in perspective how "new'" our 1st year teams are in comparison to everyone else. I do like when the ball gets rolling, so I'm content with it. It just wasn't finale material in my opinion.

Great points, I enjoyed reading your blog!