So, the drama hit. But not when I expected it. Not this soon. Definitely not so suddenly. And I didn't see it getting resolved so quickly. And it's all Mio's fault.
Who the hell kicks up a fuss because there weren't enough people in the crowd? That's not how this works. You brought it on yourself by peeking before the performance. And she thought she was gonna get the same reception as the first time with Mika? Listen, mate, there's a reason you were a back-up dancer then; cause you ain't Mika yet. And because of it she might have ruined herself. Luckily, she realised she dun goofed in the next episode and everything was OK. So don't worry, I reckon she's still great. Maybe the drama could have dragged on longer...but I'm told that kind of drama will have to wait till later.
And I have to ask, at what point did Mio get made leader anyway? I must have missed that. But what I'm sure I didn't miss was her literally saying Uzuki should be leader as oldest girl. Still, the way she's acted throughout she might as well be the main character, even if she isn't really. I suppose, in that respect she's like LL's Honoka gone right. She projects the good kind of energy, knows when to admit mistakes and she is - and this is important - really very charming. And yet at the end of the day she is flawed deep down. Which is fine. Cinderella Girls has 198 other imperfect idols, after all. Also we aren't being asked to believe she's the main character, unlike Honoka who we very much know is Love Live's main character, to her detriment and its own.
P.S. I also have to question putting the New Generations performance over the top of Love Laika's (excellent) song. Had me confused as hell until I worked it out.
Thoughts on a few other characters since I last talked about them:
Rin is basically Kimi Raikkonen. Can't get a word in edgeways but is still really cool anyway. I'm just expecting her to say 'bwoah' at this point.
Miku is a ****ing bitch. And I thought her catgirlness was bad enough as is. Turns out she's also an entitled whiner as well. Needed smashing over the head with a chair in Episode 5.
Anya is still a great person and a great performer with Minami. Bless her, she has to share a dorm with three mentalists. Must be like being the only sane person in a lunatic asylum. She has also said 'Harasho' at least once. Imposter! There is only room for one Russian idol here...
Ranko is still as mad as ever, but credit to her for doing a good thing in her big episode (8). Because, while she might be a full on chuunibyou, she also got a phenomenal song. No other series would dare to try something quite like her image song...I suppose I must mention, I reckon iM@s is a country mile in front of anything else for music and I've only heard about seven of its songs. The reason is, most of the songs I've heard have been terrific. So I suspect the many I haven't heard yet are up to a very similar standard.
So, yeah. Onwards I go. The series is picking up speed now. Good, I say.