This episode is the bridge to the finale. Gintoki and Takasugi finally talking is huge. They've been rivals for so long, and now they're on the same side. The fact that they're both still haunted by Shouyou's death is what makes this so powerful. They never got closure. They never got to say goodbye. And now they have a chance to change that. The Hijikata subplot is classic Gintama humor, but it doesn't take away from the emotional weight. Katsura as prime minister is absurd, but it fits the show's tone perfectly. The finale is coming. The pieces are in place. And I'm not ready for it to end.