User blog comment:TheNewProtagonist/Episode *8 Review: Well that's ONE way to end an arc./@comment-9090085-20130906032631

When you think about it, Weiss being the one to initiate teamwork is foreshadowed by her admitting she's not perfect to Ruby in the last episode: She understands, intellectually at least, that she has problems - she just has trouble working out what those problems are and how to fix them.

Oh, the episode? What is there to say? Awesome combat is Awesome. But there are little details I really liked:

1) The Nevermore and Deathstalker working together: It isn't obvious, but these two monsters seem to be cooperating in this episode. First, the Nevermore sends a rain of feathers to pin Ruby but just flies off afterward - I feel it expected the Deathstalker to finish her off; later, it flies infront of the students to cut off their retreat, buying time for the Deathstalker to arrive; and of course breaking the bridge, dividing the group so the Deathstalker can corner and take out some of the group while the Nevermore deals with the rest.

2) Forcing Teamwork: Every time someone fights these monsters on their own, they accomplish little to nothing; It's beaten into us that these two monsters cannot be defeated with individual strength. I like this.

3) The Little Mess Ups: Things like Nora bumping Blake off the bridge help remind us that this is pretty much the first time these people have worked together; there are bound to be a few problems - speaking of which...

4) Blake and Ren getting knocked around: I know that sounds like flame bait, but bear with me. It might be easy to "write off" Blake and Ren as quiet, unstoppable baddasses - especially with Ren defeating 2 fast, strong giant snakes. Quiet badasses they may be, but unstoppable they are not; by having Blake get slapped back when cornered by the Deathstalker, and Ren take a heavy hit after crippling the Deathstalker's tail, we are reminded that they are human too and need to work with their team to survive this battle. Don't get me wrong, they're both awesome.

5) Image Spot: when both teams have decided on a course of action, Yang stand and watches Ruby go; Blake asks her what's wrong, and we are treated to Ruby standing on a rock in a suspiciously similar way to the statue Jaune is looking at in the Opening. Foreshadowing or generic heroic pose? You make the call.

What else is there to say really? Every-one got a chance to shine, and Ruby and Jaune show some natural talent for leading. And of course, Roman reminds us that he is the antagonist for this season.