#pacing issues

Hi, anon, I am not someone who pays super close attention to the chronology of canon (as in, exactly what day/date things happen) partly bc I care more about the overall story and themes and the characters than minutiae like that. Not bc I think people who do are dumb but bc I’m more of an AU creator than canon so knowing the details like that to extreme doesn’t really benefit me much so it doesn’t interest me to spend the time doing it. (Though I know at least one person did come up with a timeline through a certain point in the manga years ago, which you may find if you do a google search.)

But what I can tell you is Ciel comes home from the Campania before Easter and arrives at Weston presumably after that holiday, so likely in March or April. (I could probably find out exactly when Easter happened in 1889 but I honestly could care less lol.) We also know from McMillian that he is joining mid-term. It’s actually a clever way for Yana to have the school “begin” in Spring (which is familiar/nostalgic for Japanese audiences, where school years begin in April, usually) while still reconciling with the Western tradition of beginning in the fall.

We also know the cricket tournament takes place on the 4th of June—probably a day Yana picked since it plays with the theme of four (four houses, four prefects) in the arc but also because the number has an association with death in Japanese.

This means that Ciel is not a student at Weston for very long at all—only 2-3 months at most—since the midnight tea party happens after the cricket completes and presumably marks the end (or close to it) of the school year/term.

Honestly, until the last episode I think the anime has been perfectly paced with the manga. They’ve really made only minor shifts and mostly expanded things, so they’re following Yana’s vision fairly closely.

The one major thing is that this episode shoves most of two chapters into one, when it really could have been done in two. But that would mean 12 episodes. and I suspect the team was worried if they didn’t get the cricket part over fast, they might risk losing/boring their core audience.

One huge change they did was take out the explanation of the game itself and its basic rules, which Bard explains in the manga. This was likely done for time/space reasons but also because they may have figured most viewers don’t care and they can communicate enough for people to understand and follow along even if they don’t understand the rules of the game itself.

This is partly perhaps because the cricket part of the arc was not well received in Japan and was one of the least popular chapters, supposedly. It’s why I was shocked they turned it into a musical a couple years ago.

I was a bit disappointed to lose all that not only bc we lost a nice scene with Bard and the servants (they cut a scene with them where they have lunch, though it’s possible that could make it into next episode, but I won’t hold my breath), but also bc I’m like the ONE person who genuinely enjoyed the cricket part of the arc, and it’s one reason this arc is my second favorite in many ways.

I LOVE seeing Ciel and Seb working together in devious ways to get their mission accomplished, and how far Ciel is willing to go to win. Ofc we can still appreciate it anyway, but the fact that he so carefully works within the limits of the rules— and in fact, I learned in commentary on the arc that some of the rules Ciel takes advantage of were actually changed not long after this period of time, which is a fun detail.

So it could be things feel like they’re moving fast because in a sense they are, but it also could be you’re sensing that urgency from how rushed this last episode was. But I suspect when all is said and done, and you watch the entire thing, it probably won’t feel as off. Book of Murder took place over only 3 days, and Seb and Ciel were not at the circus long at all. I can’t be sure but maybe only a week or two? And ofc the campania adventure was also only a few days. In fact, this may actually be the longest mission in the series to this point. So it seems like most missions don’t take too long.

Downfalls of Min-hwan, Su-min, Yu-ra, and maybe Min-hwan's mom (who just disappeared)

Mr. Lee & Mrs. Yang get together or at least set up to do so (she's not even divorced yet)

The chef and the sister get together (going to be mad if we don't get at least one cute scene with them together!)

there are two episodes missing between 2x5 and 2x6

we needed a couple more fruity sidequests in order to handle some of this trauma and it feels like we skipped way ahead instead

anyone have any thoughts what those eps would have had in them?

A Regency era gothic romance, the story follows Elizabeth Cantrell as she attempts to travel to take up a new position as a housekeeper, her baby son Isaac in tow. When her carriage crashes after an encounter with a highwayman she’s caught up in a plot involving secret messages and French spies, and somewhat to her own bewilderment ends up married to Adrian, Lord Torrington… the older brother of her erstwhile lover. Arriving at Adrian’s estate, Middlecrest Abbey, Elizabeth soon discovers the house party gathered to celebrate the wedding of Adrian’s eldest daughter conceals dangerous secrets - secrets which turn deadly for one of the guests.

Alone in a house full of strangers, Elizabeth has no idea who she can trust, but as it quickly becomes obvious both she and her son are in danger, she’s determined not to sit back and passively wait for things to happen. Her growing feelings for Adrian complicate things, as do the secrets they’re both keeping, all of which are slowly revealed over the course of the story.

I had my suspicions about the murderer from early on - there were a few clues which didn’t quite add up - but the reveal still had a few surprises, including some sad ones (trigger warnings for stillbirth of a child apply). I did feel annoyed by Elizabeth’s failure to come clean with Adrian about her son’s parentage earlier; she literally sat on her hands about it until the truth ambushed both of them, something any sensible person should have seen coming a mile away. It’s frustrating when the author makes otherwise intelligent and sensible characters make such an obviously dumb decision for the sake of the plot.

Historical accuracy wise, this was pretty good; I do wish authors would check out when special licenses were actually appropriate and how difficult they were to get, because you don’t just ‘nip out’ of an inn one morning to get one and get married before lunchtime. You had to go to Doctor’s Commons in London and apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury, a busy man who didn’t hand the licenses out to just anyone; it was a tricky and expensive endeavour. Especially considering that Adrian resided in a nearby parish and could just get a vastly cheaper and simpler common license.

Overall, these were pretty minor niggles. The pace of the story was a bit on the slow side for much of the book before picking up to breakneck right at the end, making it feel a little uneven, but it was still a good read and I did enjoy Adrian and Elizabeth’s romance. I’ll give it four stars.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is available now.