I find it appropriate that Sidhe shows up in an episode with a borderline cat fight. Anywho... here's my general impressions:
`I was trying to pin down how I felt about this episode, since I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but I think it comes down to a bit of transitional shock. After the one-dimensional world of Fourze and the straightforwardness of OOOs, having a show that's subtle and multidimensional like Wizard's an interesting experience. Ultimately, I like it.
`Didn't care so much for Shunpei's pratfalls this time around, but you can't win them all. Koyomi's reaction to the whole coffee-in-the-face bit mirrored my own almost perfectly.
`Rinko, however, redeems herself a bit by being helpful to the situation. Funky.
`So Koyomi's an animated doll, eh? Interestin'. And other people can recharge her batteries or suck them dry. I wouldn't be surprised if she's having a bit of an existential crisis over what she is. It also makes me wonder why the White Wizard hooked her up with Haruto. Curious.
`And the victim of the week has more of a bit part to the arc... I wonder if this will be usual fare or if it's just because everything is still being introduced. I kinda like not having the victim of the week taking center-stage. It gives off the feel that the heroes are going out of their way to help them instead of just being there to magically save the day.
`I like that they're trying to balance everything out by playing up the heroes weaknesses and liabilities as well as their strengths. Haruto only has a reserve of magic, Rinko isn't effective on the offensive, and Koyomi can be shut down with a wavy magic vine. It'll be interesting to see if this sticks around or gets dropped after a few mentions.
`I think the Donut Shop Guy is my new favorite character. Seriously.