The first two episodes are basically just setting the tone and introducing you to the characters. A couple of the other episodes end right at what should be the climactic moment (one of these episodes, the 450 million year old trap, which is about a kaiju of all things, and represents a sudden but intriguing shift in scope and tone for the show, actually acknowledges how anti-climactic the ending is. The other one is episode 6, the 2nd episode of SV2's Longest Day, which is all the more disappointing because of the 2 episode buildup).
Episodes 4 and 7 are pretty charming, self contained stories that exemplify everything good about the show. Since we know the characters by now, we get right into the story, and each of these has its unique little twist on what would otherwise be a pretty straightforward narrative. They're just clever enough to hold your attention, and we get to enjoy experiencing them through the vibrant (though somewhat underexplored) characters, and with some great visuals and direction.
Episode 4 is also one of the best looking episodes. I love the overhead shot of the bath filled with "blood," and the intense use of color to create different moods throughout the episode; perhaps most notably when Shinohara is breaking down the details of the tragedy that happened at the training grounds a couple years prior for the rest of the gang, all drenched in stark amber light and bold black shadows. I also love how the whole cast is in frame for this scene, but none of the members are looking at each other as he delivers the story in somber tones.
Then there's the scene in episode 5 wherein Shinohara is sitting on the bridge, listless, alone, thinking about giving Noa a call, and we see only the trails of the red and white lights of the cars passing by underneath. I really enjoyed that whole lonely subplot of Shinohara going from place to place, spending a bit of time with some of the other members of SV2, humbled at finding they've all got their own families to spend time with on the holidays, while he hasn't really got one. Perhaps he realizes he could be a little warmer and more vulnerable with his coworkers, open up a bit more.
Just as he settles in at Noa's place, where it was rather obvious he would end up eventually despite their clashing personalities, they've gotta hit the road for Tokyo, where a rebel military faction has just tipped its hand and seized control of the city. It's great, but it doesn't leave much time to resolve the story in the next episode, which ends on that bizarre, cheesy freezeframe of the bad guy's face basically the same moment SV2 bust in to stop him.
Despite a few highlights, the series is mostly a bunch of setup that goes nowhere. You don't really get to spend enough time with the characters, who seem like a decent bunch, but they're not quite charming enough that you don't notice what shitty cops most of them make. The stories tend to end too quickly or in a none-too-satisfying fashion. There's not much more to say. There are plenty of good pieces on the board, but somehow the show fails to do much with what it's got. At least it looked great doing it.
