I have mixed feelings on this one too. While I like silly episodes, a lot of this one felt like they were just putting in all the old jokes wherever they could- Airi acts like she's clueless of the danger, Ozaki makes silly faces, Hana hits Momotaros, Urataros reveals he's already done every girl in Japan (except Naomi & Hana, apparently), the good guys are comedically held hostage by another half-baked crook, and on top of that, the monster of the week has.......to........talk.........like..........this. And that cliffhanger... I dunno, but I like my cliffhangers to have the hero in danger of being killed or something, not some old fart we don't care about getting a cap popped in his ass by the hero of all people. But in spite of all that, I still liked this one a lot. Kintaros & Momotaros really saved the episode for me, they are my favorite characters in the show hands-down.
But they're going to have a real hard time selling Airi as a serious character to me if they plan to later. The way she announced that Ryôtarô was a hostage was funny, but at the same time it feels like he could get shot in the head and she'd just be like "Oh, look at that, Ryô-chan, you're getting dirty again. Here, drink this Mold Shake!" So if they're going to make her important in the story, being more Yui than Yui's Aunt, then please give us a reason to sympathize with her.
I dunno, I'm a guy and I like Den-O a lot, and I'm not opposed to having an out-and-out comedy Rider series, but if you're going to bring on the funny, than make it funny. Like, KinRyô-smashing-through-walls and UraRyô-waking-up-in-some-lady's-bed funny. Airi is supposed to be a funny character, but they've already hinted that she has some connection to the watch guy, who seemingly has some connection to the Imagin. If this connection is going to be important later on, I'd just like it if they established more to her than "The hero's clueless sister".