[HKim]

Spoiler for Episode 9:

Up until this point, we did not know what Suigintou was going to do in regards to the Alice Game, though we did suspect that after Barasuishou's manipulation, she would again try to defeat the other dolls.

The 9th Episode clearly established Suigintou's position as well as that of Souseiseki and Suiseiseki. We already knew Shinku's pacifist ideology and this knew what she would do in the fight.

What's is interesting to note is that Suigintou has clearly regained some sense of her original personality that was absent in the earlier episodes. Perhaps this reflects the time she has had to think over the Alice game and the other dolls. It is my guess that she was awake quite some time before Shinku woke up with Jun in the first season. Her focus on numbers and the Alice Game simply reflect how long she had to wait and how long she thought upon the subject until it drove her to take action, literally.

I'm not sure, but I think that Suigintou actually was questioning father's motives during her battle with Souseiseki. Although she didn't say it outright, certainly it would be logical for her to wonder about father despite her new situation. In many ways, that battle was between the two dolls that cared for father the most.

Originally I believed that with Shinku being a pacifist, Suiseiseki would take the spotlight with Hinaichigo in terms of battling. Shinku would only fight if Jun or the other dolls were in danger (and only if it was not possible to run away as we saw in episode 9). I have no doubt that Suiseiseki would be quite willing to fight to protect Jun and the others, though that might change with Souseiseki's death. It would either harder Suiseiseki's resolve to not fight, or make her determined to defeat her enemies, especially Suigintou who destroyed her twin. Episode 10 will be the indicator.

If Barasuishou and Suigintou continue to work together, I would say it would be pretty difficult to defeat their combination. When this season started, Barashuishou, Shinku, and Souseiseki were certainly the strongest three dolls. Of course, this has changed with Suigintou's rebirth, Kanaria's introduction, and Souseiseki's death. Now the only two I feel that could stand up two this axis of evil are Shinku and Suiseiseki (and only if Shinku uses her full force). Undoubtedly without Shinku, there will be definite need for Kanaria and Hinaichigo. Heh, poor Jun, he'll be quite spent after that battle.

As for Enju, I have very little doubt that he is the dollmaker, or the dollmaker in a different form. His own philosophy of smashing imperfect dolls fits so well with the Alice Game. Certainly he's mysterious enough and his connection with Barasuishou (who is trying to start the Alice Game), does support the link. Of course, Barashuishou may not know that is father.

The only unknown element in all of this is Jun, surprisingly enough. Jun possesses the rare talent to repair dolls, like father. Thus, even though Shinku should have been disabled at the end of season 1, she was in fact spared thanks to Jun. Jun is in fact the foil (the opposite) of father/Enju. He believes that the Alice Game is pointless and accepts all the dolls despite whatever imperfections they may have. It is Jun that will be the ultimate factor in the end with, if not the skill of father, the raw ability to make a difference and bring back those who are gone to help those who are still here.