Kamen Rider Kabuto Episode #44

Kabuto, how far you've come. I remember seeing the first episode back when it originally aired, and...oh wait, this isn't the last episode yet. But it could have well been, it was pretty spectacular, and gives me yet more hope for the finale.

Grandmother said this: Spoiler Warning!

When we last left off, things were looking pretty grim for the good guys. An army of Worms is headed straight for Area Z, where the Masked Rider System Project began all those years ago. ZECT is losing ground fast, and the seemingly invincible Nogi/Cassisworm (whose name makes me think of the drink...long story) is knocking down Riders like they were dominoes. On top of this, Dark Kabuto has been runnin' around looking to meet his non-evil counterpart and "erase" him. And even though Kabuto just defeated his knock-off, Hiyori showed up to announce that she likes it better in EVIL! Tendô's blissful green world, and has no desire to ever return to this world again.

Needless to say, this is the final straw for our hero, and his fighting spirit (which he just regained after a period of self-doubt last time) goes out the window yet again. After Gatack saves him from getting shot by the slowest-moving beam ever, Tendô decides that despite his best efforts, there is nothing more he can do, since the only way for Hiyori to be happy is to run off with the fake.

Renge then arrives and reveals that the entrance to the other world seems to be tied in with an eclipse, but Tendô repeats that his inability to convince Hiyori has made it all for naught anyway. Kagami however is not convinced. After Hiyori and her new best friend took off, Tendô found the two pieces of Hiyori's drawing (which EVIL! Tendô had ripped in half last time) and Kagami believes there is some further hidden meaning in the drawing. Back on Earth-2, or wherever it is, Hiyori & EVIL! Tendô share a fond little moment, although she does not seem as sure of her decision now.

Who wouldn't be? Just look at the expression on her face there. It's a look that says "Get the heck away from me, you creepy little man."

Meanwhile, all Hell is still breaking loose as the Nogi-led Worm Army continues their push towards Area Z. As usual, the Zectroopers get their butts kicked big time. I mean look at this:

It's an all-time low for ZECT. Yaguruma and Kageyama watch the chaos, and Kageyama wants to go out and help fight the Worms, but is dismissed by his "brother" for being weak and wanting to give in and be "an ally of justice."

Tendô heads for Area Z, and despite telling him to return to the hospital, grudgingly allows Kagami to join him. As they speed to the scene, Cassisworm Gladius has once again broken through the lines, and is after Misaki. Tsurugi appears to save her, and, knowing that he cannot defeat Cassisworm himself, instead transforms only to shield Misaki from harm. Cassisworm savagely attacks Sasword, damaging even his Masked Form.

They manage to get away, and as Tsurugi is taken away for medical attention, Kagami (who has since arrived with Tendô) realizes that, just as Tsurugi sought to protect Misaki, so too is Hiyori trying to protect Tendô in a way. Deep in her heart, she does want to return to this world, even if she's trying to convince herself otherwise. Tendô, moved by his words and examining Hiyori's drawing once more, agrees, and his faith is renewed yet again. They decide to deal with the Worm army first however, and deduce that only a simultaneous attack by two or more Riders can defeat Cassisworm, as he then can't absorb the attacks and copy their moves. They transform, but just as Kabuto goes Hyper, Renge contacts him and reports that a solar eclipse is happening again. Kabuto and Gatack agree to split up for now; Kabuto will go to the other world and save Hiyori, and Gatack will fight Cassisworm alone.

The assault has pushed all the way to the last line of defense, and there are literally thousands of Worms plowing through the Zectrooper ranks. Gatack arrives and, despite Tadokoro's pleas, engages Cassisworm in combat. Kageyama suddenly appears, dressed in his old clothes, and reveals that he has TheBee brace. He summons TheBee Zecter and transforms, entering the fray.

However, he impulsively attacks Cassisworm with a Rider Sting before Gatack can also connect with a Rider Cutting, so the Kaijin simply absorbs both attacks and turns them against the Riders. Yeah, nice one, Kage.

Tendô reaches the other world by flying into the eclipse (yeah...um...) and as you can probably guess, EVIL! Tendô is not a happy camper. Tendô keeps his cool though.

Knocked right out of his transformation, Kageyama pleads for TheBee Zecter to return to him again, but you already know how well that works out. Yaguruma arrives and all but flips the attention-deficit Zecter off before scowling at his partner in crime once more. Man, you'd think the Hoppers would have split by now with all the teamwork crises they keep going through.

Tendô manages to win Hiyori back with a little smooth-talkin'. Well okay, he reveals that despite her being a Worm, he has realized that all Worms are not the enemy- the enemy is simply all who wish to do wrong on the world, Worm, human or whatever. When asked by his other-worldly counterpart if he can live up the promise of "always being by Hiyori's side", Tendô admits that he can't. But he can, and he will, continue to protect her with all that he's got. And, as Skyrider would say, "Isn't just that good enough?"

They return to our world, leaving a crushed EVIL! Tendô behind. Tendô then speeds off, as while all this has been going on, Gatack has been getting his ass kicked! Seriously, Cassisworm is leaving dents in him left and right, and ZECT, realizing just how bad things have gotten, prepare to blow Area Z sky high- killing them, the Worms, and nearly anybody else who's been in this episode so far. Kabuto arrives first, and comes to Gatack's aid. Yaguruma also shows up, stating to Cassisworm that "You're the one who laughed at my pal? Laugh at me too." He then changes to Kick Hopper and joins Kabuto and Gatack in a Triple Rider Kick, which overwhelms Cassisworm.

The tables now turned, Kabuto goes into Hyper Form for the Coup de grâce.

Maximum Hyper Cyclone! Kabuto completely blows away Cassisworm and the Worm army. If I was a Zectrooper, I'd probably want to go strangle him since he could have done that in the first place and saved countless lives, but then again, they're just Zectroopers, who seem to have no life beyond shooting things and getting killed, so I guess it's no big loss. A happy ending follows as Tendô helps an injured Kagami, Kageyama and Yaguruma make up once again (well, okay, Yaguruma doesn't kill Kageyama, which I guess means they're buddies again) and Hiyori is reunited with Tendô and OH SNAP it's EVIL! Tendô instead!

Yes! Transforming into Dark Kabuto, he seemingly knocks Hiyori out and stands over her, stating that he will "Destroy this world!" Nogi then appears, followed by...Nogi again! The Double Nogi's and EVIL! Tendô stare each other down.

To be continued...