This weekend’s episode of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has been action-packed, and full of the valor, burning passion, and forthright struggle we have come to expect through eight episodes largely comprised of excellence. This week, the series passes a major milestone, a waypoint that anybody could have seen coming, but one that feels like it came all too soon. The pacing and craftsmanship of Gainax shows through in this episode, as it wrenches the faithful viewer though emotional peaks and valleys, wrapping up with a poignant, appropriate ending.

I’m not in the habit of posting spoilers, but I’ll be flying my Gurren Dan flag at half mast this week.