EPISODE CONTEXT

Positioned as the third-to-last episode, this follows 'The Prince in Sheep's Clothing' and continues escalating the character dynamics and personal stakes heading into the series finale stretch. It directly sets up Episode 24, 'Eye of the Typhoon, Straying,' suggesting a two-part structure where this installment establishes the emotional groundwork before the next episode delivers the payoff. This is deep endgame territory — the show is pulling its threads together after 22 episodes of building Sunako's journey and the group's relationships.