Yuri!!! on Ice Episode 8 Discussion

Sangcata said:
I'm so sad after watching this episode.
I don't know what bummed me out more - my sweet and vulnerable baby Yurio's Grandpa not showing up for his performance (in his HOME COUNTRY, at that!), or Maccachin's life being in danger..

Between that, the fact that Victor has to leave before Yuuri's second performance, the focus on the other skaters and their unsettling personalities [Mr. Xenophobic-grumpy-gus, Mr. Narcissism-that-rivals-Giacometti's (which I didn't even think was possible, and also I'm slightly ashamed to share a country with him), and Mr. Unhealthy-relationship-with-sister], the scarcity of Yuuri & Victor scenes, and the distinct lack of gay in this episode.. it left me feeling all morose and dissatisfied.

CarrotSaysYum said:
Felt the episode was a little flat compared to the last couple, but luckily I decided to rewatch it because I picked up more things the second time through and it improved my overall opinion.

I'm glad we got to see a bit of Yurio and his grandpa outside of flashbacks. We know his grandpa is obviously very important to him and at first I was a little confused as to why Yurio's performance fell when he did Agape. I mean, he got a second in the first part of his competition, so I thought it was odd that he was once again letting the absence of his grandpa get to him. Realised the second time through that they are in Russia and that's likely the entire point: unlike Japan and the first comp there is NO real reason why his grandpa shouldn't be there, especially when he picked him up from the airport and knows Yurio's competing. I hope there's a reason given for his absence.

I didn't like JJ at first glance, but he grew on me. Guess I'm just happy to see a Canadian who isn't stereotypically too kind and apologetic. Plus, the guy's from a skating family - world champion ice dancing parents and siblings in the juniors, so I guess (alongside the fact that he had a pretty kickin' routine) that he gets to be a little cocky.

Not a fan of Mickey, even though I adore Maeno as a VA. His sister complex creeps me out a bit, but I felt the same about Georgi's weird obsession with his ex and then the episode after had her do that awesome live rejection and made sure the whole thing was seen as inappropriate, so I hope the next episode has Sala doing the same like she started to in this episode.

And of course Victor and Yuri. Man, they were so domestic this episode it was funny. I was kind of hoping they would address the kiss in the last episode, but this is a sports series first and foremost, so the skating must continue. The ease in which they interacted in this episode and Yuri throwing that kiss (I assume to Victor) at the start of Eros makes me think though that there's no tension between them. They seemed so happy together this episode and I was really glad they instead focused on the two supporting Yurio.

As for the Makkachin drama, I think I'm going to have to wait and see how they play their cards next episode. If this is just a cheap insert to get Victor out of the picture I will be a little miffed, but I also think it has the potential to be much more. Hopefully we get a glimpse at Victor's past and why Makkachin seems to be his only close friend/family member when he's so big and adored in Russia. I find it odd that he hasn't been seen with any other big supports in his life, so this could be a good way to explore that. Even more so if Makkachin does pass away and Victor sees that Yuri (and Yuri's family/friends too) is there for him. A great contrast would be if Makkachin doesn't make it and Victor goes to watch Yuri's performance on TV and witnesses Yuri standing up for him in front of Yakov (who I am convinced will spend every minute of his screen-time next episode dissing Victor left and right to Yuri's face regardless of if he agrees to Victor's request). Alas, we'll see.

In terms of comments I've seen as to why the people in Russia (and people in general) are just overlooking the events of the last episode and Victor and Yuri's closeness in this episode, I kind of think that's the entire point of this series. This a sports anime, not one trying to make a big statement about homophobia in real life. I have a feeling the reason the anime skims any criticism that Victor and Yuri might get and has everyone acting completely normal around them and their relationship is because that's what the writers want us to see and reflect. Nobody in the show makes any comments because they shouldn't need to. The two are very likely gay and in a relationship. Who cares? <- I think that's what the writers are trying to portray. This nice world where nobody cares because there's nothing to get all upset about: they're just two people who love each other.

All in all, this seems like a light/meh-ish episode compared to all of the others, yet I felt the same about episode 4 right after the first Eros performance but that turned out to just be a nice episode before things got more intense. I hope this is the same and we'll see a similar build-up through each remaining episode until the Grand Prix finale and what I am willing to bet a lot of money on will be a pair skate between Victor and Yuri.

GangsterCat said:
so, yuri will play eros and yuri on ice for the rest of the series? that's sooooooo boring. more variation pls.

mpdissonance said:
JJ's arrogant af, not a fan.

Yurio's acting like a fifteen year old would act in that situation, but I'm glad we finally got to see a non angry/angsty human side to him with his grandpa.

Really disappointed with how they didn't follow up with Yuri/Viktor's relationship in this episode, but I guess the focal point of the series has always been the skating so it's understandable.

Also, anyone find it odd that if Viktor and Yuri are really developing a relationship to the point that they're quasi-kissing at public events there's no public outcry from Viktor's homeland, which is notoriously homophobic? Might be something too dark for the tone they're trying to strike in this anime and take away from the focus on the skating, but it would be an interesting angle that they've thus far ignored.

TaryTrayTwins412 said:

Within a competition, figure skaters skate the same SP+FP throughout the competition, trying to refine it to near-perfection.

So I did a little calculating and for Phichit to advance to the Finals, he will need at least one of the top rankers (Yuri, Yurio, Seung-Gil) to place either 4th, 5th or 6th (JJ has to place 5th or lower since if he gets 4th and brings his total to 24 points, he will probably beat Phichit in total Program scores). So that way, even if they tie at 24 GP points, Phichit gets "priority" because he has a gold medal.

KashiBien said:
I found this weeks episode rather weak. Especially the end. The dog choking on buns...I don't know, but it feels rather cheap. Flying to Japan won't help the dog, considering it will take like 10hrs at least plus booking time, getting to the airport and later on getting to Kyushu. Normally the dog would be either perfectly fine or dead.
Also Viktors reaction seemed to be...more annoyed than worried.
Asking Yakov to be his stand in...sorry, but that is really unnecessary.

JJ was even more annoying than Chris and the Korean guy is like the unfriendliest parrot I've ever seen.

I fear for the next episode.

Helenus said:
Well, it was predictable that they wouldn't mention the 'kiss' again.

I'm curious if this will ever brought up again.

Frigyesur said:


I doubt. I doubt they will bring up. And doubt it was a kiss after the fact they didn't mention or didn't change anything
I don't care anymore there is a BL between them or e.g. Viktor was originally a girl but underwent sex reassignment surgery and Yuuri born as intersexual which makes impossible to describe this mess, just clear up the highly debated "kiss" to let me move on this question :@ :DDD

Between the Japanese's stories one of the most annoying traits: they love the open endings, questions ...

Frigyesur said:
PS: If Yuuri&Viktor' relationship was beyond coach-student relationship, Yuuri probably wouldn't worry he'll be left behind after his loss. I'm more and more sure that it is not beyond admiring.

Ishikatsu said:


Plenty changed between them, though. If you look at how they interact, they seem much more comfortable with each other, more casual. Yuuri used to blush heavily at the slightest hint of touch and suddenly he's totally okay with Victor kissing his skate. Visibly pleased, but not flustered. Almost like something happened to make him not nervous about it anymore.

And don't forget that the episode started from Yurio's POV. Who says they didn't discuss what happened off camera? Now this would be a cop-out if this was a romance series, but don't forget that it's still a sports anime. The focus is on skating, so it's entirely possible for them to save further romantic development for later.

But hey, that's just the way I see it. It's entirely possible I'm just being delusional because I like those two together way too much to be objective, haha.

Frigyesur said:


When I wrote changes, I meant

Right now Viktor acts on his very own accord as usual and Yuuri isn't surprised about it anymore :D

But you know, the story about what they show us. Everything they leave out, it lead to our own YoI and I quite dislike this option in any series :))

Okay, I appreciate you admitted you are biased and that's all, so we can communicate in normal tone instead of stfu-style :)))

Demikuzunoha said:


He didn't say that Victor will leave him. He simply said that it would be the last time he could skate the Eros program with Victor by his side.

Ishikatsu said:


I get what you mean, I'm a bit annoyed about the ambiguity as well, but honestly, it's just episode 8. At this point, it's a bit too early to complain about it since I imagine that they want to save the biggest emotional impact for the last episodes. And if absolutely nothing happens in the end, well, then I will admit I was wrong, but until then, I'll keep on interpreting it the way I currently do, haha.

Yeah, no problem, I'm also glad for the civil discussion :) People do get a little too passionate about their anime sometimes.