Dance with Devils

Episode 9

I suppose we viewers have an unfair advantage over the characters in the show in that we've been watching it – we know more about everything that's going on than they could possibly hope to. On the other hand, there are moments when you feel like screaming into the screen, “Haven't you been paying attention to anything?!” This episode has a couple of those moments, with the stand out being when Lindo takes Ritsuka to the Exorcists' headquarters after Azuna's death (leaving her corpse out in the street, incidentally). As far as “mysterious orders of mystics” go, the general rule of thumb in fiction seems to be that the more elaborate the ceremonial garb and the deeper the hoods, the more afraid that they're secretly insane you should be. The Exorcists are clearly at the top of that list, something Lindo appears to be blissfully unaware of, even when, after letting him tuck Ritsuka into bed, they begin burning his back with holy water to “cleanse” him. He appears the be the only one surprised when they pull his sister/cousin back out of bed in order to torture her to death to rid the world of the Grimoire once and for all. Clearly brains do not run in the family.

Actually, it's interesting in terms of the romance plot that the devils have been much kinder to Ritsuka from the get-go than the so-called “good guys” like Lindo and the Exorcists. Rem and his gang have consistently explained things to Ritsuka rather than imprisoning her with no reasons offered, and they've certainly never tried to kill her by chaining her to a chair and stabbing her with a box full of pointy objects. In fact, all four of them seem to genuinely like her, even without factoring in Rem's deeper attachment. After the vampire attack they're all actively searching for her, and Rem explicitly states (in song) that he wants to keep her safe. Granted, that's also what Lindo wants, but at this point Rem frankly has the better track record.

Speaking of this week's song, it's a fight song between Rem and Lindo as they battle for Ritsuka's hand, because the best way to win the girl is to try to beat up her beloved sibling the same day she watched her friend die in front of her. Rem seems genuinely confused when Ritsuka yells at him for trying to kill the boy she considers her brother and last remaining family member. That she's doubtless feeling some emotional confusion compounds the issue – moments before, Lindo revealed what we've suspected from episode one: that he's her first cousin and a dhampir (half vampire) before telling her that he loves her romantically. We don't get much other reaction from Ritsuka to his declaration(s); in fact, she barely tries to evade him when he leans in for a kiss, but the poor girl has had a really bad night.

In terms of filling in the plot, this is actually quite a good episode. We learn exactly what Lindo is and where his attachment to Ritsuka came from, as well as the circumstances behind his mother's death. More importantly, it becomes clear that his father is the major threat to Ritsuka as the vampires begin attacking more in earnest: it looks like next week the primary vampire we've been seeing is going to play a much more important role. It seems a bit late in the season for that, so it's entirely possible that he'll just be a motivating factor in Lindo's and Rem's ongoing fight for Ritsuka and her safety. But his appearance could also clarify the other devils' stake in Ritsuka – whether they're more invested in her or the Grimoire – as well as a stronger test for Lindo against his own blood since he has removed himself from the protection of the Exorcists. Things are definitely heating up in both the romance and the main plots, and while the show maintains a level of ludicrousness that is appealing, it also is trying to advance the story in a more serious way. Whether or not it succeeds will be seen in a few weeks, but for now, the burning questions remain: Who will survive? Will Ritsuka choose Rem or Lindo? And now that Lindo's no longer affiliated with the Exorcists...will he take off that shirt?

Rating: B

Dance with Devils is currently streaming on Funimation.