Episode 9 is a mixed bag. Zen's tragic backstory gives the episode a flicker of emotional weight, and the escape sequence has some momentum. But the animation is the worst it's been, the action is tensionless, and the epilogue feels like the show is wrapping up a season that still has three episodes to go . If you're invested in the story, this episode resolves the Cradle arc and sets up the journey to Mia's homeland. If you're not, it won't change your mind.