While the plot does not advance, the relationship between Kagome and Inu Yasha finally grows beyond furtive glances and stray thoughts. Both know what their hearts want though they still have yet to give it voice. After so much, it is difficult to be teased yet again, but it was an entertaining, if not predictable, diversion from chasing Naraku.

Sesshomaru fans can rejoice as the episode revolves around his growth of a new arm and as a greater demon. However, the overall story suffers from the introduction of the duality of spirits within the Jewel. The evil spirit will stop at nothing to retain its hold over the Jewel, but the good spirit seems content to sit idly by and be defiled. It is a difficult leap to make this far in the series, but it might be something that was lost in the manga to anime translation. And I am trying to not even think about why Naraku has held off so long enlisting the aid of this spirit. Quite the frustrating episode for the story, but it did manage to provide some decent action.

Kagome was placed in a difficult, no-win situation; rather than having her character grow through ingenuity, we are instead given a convenient power that Kagome has had since birth but apparently forgot about until now. It was a disappointing finish to what was shaping up to be an enjoyable episode. It evens out though by ending with a small but intriguing mystery.

It may have been a predictable battle between the half brothers, but it was one that encompassed the bulk of the episode. Whisking them away from the peanut gallery allowed the story to focus squarely on the battle for Tetsusaiga. It may not have been a radical departure from the norm, but it was unique enough to allow the minutes to fly by.

While it is enjoyable to see Inu Yasha and the group work together, it is also a stinging reminder that this is done very seldom despite all they have been through. The episode manages to inch the plot forward but fails to provide a decent balance between action and exposition. It would have benefited from trimming a few minutes from the exposition to really let the battle heat up.