I literally just finished the episode and usually I like to let it simmer and give a re-listen before I go posting anything but I literally can't wait this time because WHAT ?!?!?!? WHAT ARE YOU JOKING ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME

Please forgive my absolute brain vomit below:

LOVE Verge in this episode holy shit.  I feel like this is such a new side we see from them -- it's not new that they're angry with Leif or that they're scared of what his presence might mean for their own survival, but the vulnerability and tenderness from which all of that is approached in this episode feels so different.  I'm so used to seeing suave, confident, defiant, and strong Verge that this episode feels kinda surreal and just SO interesting for their character.  It's just the absolute tenderness that they move through the world with now after working Deirdre into their life is incredible.  That's not to say verge was only one thing this episode- absolutely not.  We definitely still see that anger and fear we would expect out of them, but everything is filtered through this softer contemplative frame now and it's just so beautiful to see them grow actively and willingly with Deirde and become a fuller version of themselves.  Verge was just so fucking good this episode I'm obsessed.

AND LEIF HOLY SHIT.  This entire season is just feeding us so well in terms of Leif content.  First, the whole dark cloud that Trinkett keeps alluding to??  It's probably the Cowcatcher tbh, but the way this dark cloud was all talked around makes me wonder if there is yet another incident or trauma of some kind that we haven't been privy to quite yet??  The more I think Abt it tho it's probably the Cowcatcher, and I am desperate to see how people start reacting to it and what he's created

but that ending - holy mother of fuck.  I did NOT see that coming.  FANTASTIC stuff.  I love that only Leif is good enough to be on the same level as Leif, always a great moment when that happens.  But I am fascinated by this topest-dog pirate version of Leif and also so scared.  I REALLY need to see them interact more thoroughly asap.  Plus- it's deeply satisfying to hear so clearly the differences between each version of Leif and their personalities.  Somehow it's made so clear just in the delivery of their lines who is who and their entire respective life stories-- the inflections and emotions that differentiate each Leif run so deeply in the delivery of each syllable it's fascinating and amazing to behold from a performance perspective.

also random side note - idk why I had the idea that Leif jumped on the Diner off Neeso?  Glad to get corrected here but I have no clue where I got that impression from now lmao

Ignore frank he needs a trim