I think, on balance, that was the most coherent and competent episode of Hikari no Ou since the premiere.  There was a lot of exposition (that seems like a weekly deal) but it was handled in a fairly natural way, and the ep looked pretty decent.  If this is the level we get every week from here on out I think the series is in pretty decent shape, especially allowing that it’s going to be telling the novels’ story all the way to the end.

Koushi reveals to Touko that the “spies” are in fact shikigami created by the Gods, which is interesting, but most of the new info comes courtesy of the tree folk.  Koushi leads Touko to them as promised (with the help of one of their young ones, who gets a good scolding for it).  These tree folk aren’t able to offer her any medicine for Shouzou-san, though.  They’re rejects, the “successful” ones having been sent to live in the forests among the villages.  Exactly who did the selecting above and beyond their supposed divine status isn’t clear, though it’s easy to see why the capitol’s tree folk are considered failures.

The Millennial Comet is clearly the key to a lot of this, and it’s 100% confirmed to be some sort of satellite dating to before the collapse of human civilization.  What’s not clear is how much actual Gods-type stuff is going on here, and how much is just science gone wrong.  It’s now stated that the human inability to withstand natural fire is a result of biological warfare, but the identity of the “flickering flame” the tree folk revere as a God is a wild card.  Is it an actual God – and indeed one that could wipe out humanity capriciously (and indeed may be about to)?

Somebody – Gods or humans with vision – put the pieces in motion for humanity to survive its coming dark ages.  And the tree folk were one of those pieces.  However, they’re not much help to Touko now, so Koushi offers to have Hinako’s doctor treat Shouzou (who could clearly use the help).  Koushi elects to let Touko keep his father’s scythe, which he’s probably correct in assuming she’ll get more use out of than he will.  But Kanata is another matter, and I actually thought he was going to say the same thing about the dog.  But Kanata goes home with his old master (and he clearly wants to, judging by the way he grins), and Hinako is overwhelmed by the reunion (and the news her brother brings home).

That was rather cold, the way Touko’s grief got dealt with there – Kanata looked back briefly and kept on walking – though at least Akari showed sympathy.  It’s obvious she has certain maternal qualities to her, and Kun-kun has certainly bonded with her in the absence of his own mother.  He’s overcome with relief after having been worried this his bug familiar’s demise (paper beats bugs) meant Akari had bought the candle too.  For now the partnership between Touko and Koushi was surprisingly brief, but I have to think it’s going to be rekindled before too long.