Lachesis actually pointing out the very hypocritical wrist to wanting to destroy the Chemies even though they're only for him to reveal the reason why but keep it as a secret that we don't find out until later in the episode actually makes the reveal of his intentions make more sense in hindsight.

It is funny, watching gang members actually try to fight teenagers and none of them give a crap.

The alchemist union has always been more of an obstacle than fully flushed characters which has bothered some people. It doesn't bother me too much because they're just gonna spot out the same dribble and they work better since part of Gotchard are their own individuality and these guys maintain the status quo.

But his plan to Transmutate all 101 Chemies onto himself and slay the remaining Kings on his own. It's actually a very clever call back to in episode 38 where Gigist was able to transmute multiple Chemies into the fantastic Malgam. Even if a human body can't survive the strain., which means he wipe himself out and get rid of both the Chemies and the Kamen Riders. He did say in a previous episode that in order to attain a peaceful world there wouldn't be a need for Kamen Riders or Chemies. And it doesn't make sense he would ultimately decide on this. His entire existence is based on combat. So if he dies, as the hero he's always wanted to be, he'll be satisfied. It's at least consistent with his character, but it is selfish because he's not thinking about his death is going to affect everyone else.

Even Geryon called it a tantrum typical of an abandoned child.

It was weird he sent Atropos out only for Clotho to just kidnap her because Gaelijah has plans for her next episode, but when you remember their dynamic, it's just really bizarre. Again, the brawler of the three sisters has been showing a lot more agency now that she's not being recklessly in control.

It's always nice to get more Tamami, easily one of the best characters in the show. Yeah her son kept secrets from her, but she knows that has something to do with what he's passionate about. Blame everything that happens because it would be better if the Chemies were destroyed, but the big problem with that mentality is going to the other extreme and just killing them, so other monsters can rain supreme and spread enough malice that they could summon their own kings. Getting rid of kids is not gonna stop world hunger. so I like the fact that even though her shop got mostly wrecked, she is still gonna do her job because well a that's all she can do. She's not into hatred like everyone. This show is about humanity over malice, comparison to zero one which wanted to show how malice affects both the dangers of technology and the humans that seek to use it.

Also, Rinne's been lowkey getting as a fighter within the show, something I wish the show could've touched upon outside of the V-Cinema. Her grabbing an umbrella to almost beat the smack of any intruders and Hotaro just going along is just really funny in retrospect since in earlier episodes, he'd be the gungho one, even if it's just Kajiki. And he got Mr. Asahi back!

So glad he went to check on his tag partner and hear him out, because Houtaro has always been determined and has his own dreams. So it's up to him to preserve his own dreams and show Spanner his own determination in contrast.

How fitting Spanner's ultimate decision to graduate from life is in the same place where he graduated and became a A-Class Alchemist. As much as he is a tool, just having him apologize to Madwheel, GutsShovel, Gekitocopter, Daiohni, Jyamatno Otochi, and Angelead before sacrificing all the Chemies to translate was a good call to acknowledge he's grown to see them as comrades in some respect.

Though it's kinda funny to see the seniors and Rinne take on grown men with Minato: granted, they've gotten the training to do so.

And then we finally get the rematch that's been building up since episode threeL Houtaro vs Spanner:

Who comes in straight with a sucker punch to the freaking face, completely angry and letting out his frustration in one of his more furious examples, taking even Spanner's punch in the face, even calling back to episode six where he asks him if it's an excuse to look cool.

But we get a line none of us were expecting:

"Don't get it wrong! I'm not on my own. My parents died so I could be saved, so I'll do the same, I'll die to save my friends, my world!"

And while Houtaro's response is pretty common of him, it makes sense: he wants everyone in his life to achieve their dreams without sacrificing himself for it, but it puts Spanner's actions and treatment of them into consideration. He's softened up to them as people he does care about, but he seems himself as the adult making the selfless decision.

"This is exactly what I've always hated about you, the way you want us all to go along with yout superficial ideals," because he genuinely believes to make progress, sacrifices have to be made along the way.

But Hotarou's also right in a sense. Spanner is his friend, rival, and sacrificing yourself, your mental health and life isn't the answer either. Everyone makes sacrifices, but there's only so much one can do on their own and recognize the ramifications. Spanner's intentions are pure, but sacrifices do not always mean death and hurting others, especially innocents who never meant to cause harm in the first place: question is, are we talking about Spanner or the Chemies?

How fitting both of them use the Gotcha Ignitor to transform, a device only gained to them because of Houtaro looking back at his childhood strength his resolve and fight his doubts, and the technology was transmuted to help Spanner gain an new evolution he could only use once he came to terms with his origins.

But the fight from an action standpoint is great: Valvarad using the Black Flames to enhance his attacks and counter Fire Gotchard's speed by pinning him down, Houtaro going Rainbow and using Appare's weapon in tandem with the ExGotchardCalibur, forcing Valvarad to transmute another Valvarusher or use Lachesis' depending on who you ask.

Rainbow using Alchemy to counter Valvarad use of his form changes as he asks Spanner if he finally recognizes his strength, but Spanner admitting he always knew how strong this kid was, and admitting his selfishness comes out of a desire to protect finally reflects on Spanner that he also had goals to be a super A Ranked alchemist and protect the whole world, even in the past wanting to transmute a world where every living thing can be happy until his childhood and memories were tainted away by Geryon's influence.

And when Hotaro says his ideal world is for everyone to happy, including Spanner in that world, Spanner only calls himself a ridiculous child as they fight like children going hand to hand punching and throwing low blows at one another before one final punch clash between them breaks Spanner's mask off and both of them ending in a Rider Kick clash, both barely able to stand before Spanner's Gotcha Ignitor breaks, deciding the match, it makes you wonder if he's always saying the same thing about himself.

The transition to him walking through the flames while Lachesis and Clotho stay worried about him after he tells Houtaro to follow his own path while he finishes his own means he's finally accepted him as a proper rival, but he still has one more thing that needs to be done, accepting his loss.

Meanwhile, in villain land, Gaelijah slaps Clotho's concern away to admit to Atropos her untapped potential as a Homunculus is because she has modeled after a specific human being, and our Queen King plans to drain her model of strength and siphon that into her at the cost of the human model, transforming her into the supreme artificial lifeform devoted to her alone:

Rinne Kudou, who coughs on the floor from the same crest and emblem as Atropos looks shocked. Granted, last episode hinted that, but everyone's been wondering about the motivation for Atropos to target Rinne for multiple reasons.