Ugh, I'd refused to comment on the recent episodes because they were so meh. However, this is the last episode. So I figured I'd come back and comment. Hope you all don't mind that I lurk every once in a while.
I was overall
disappointed. I couldn't get any sleep waiting for this episode to come out. Now I wish I'd taken that "will be bad ending" to heart. It bored me a little. It was the same talk as before. However, the end... I almost cried. Not just because it was bad on so many levels but Shu and Inori...
There was almost no character development added to the important characters. Gai is still the same as ever, however, if the directors thought explaining his motives would add development, it was too late to do so. And I feel sorry for the VAs here. They've become likely attached to their characters only for some of them to fall into a hole like Gai did. Still, I must admit that Shu showed some development that's been growing for the last three to four episodes: he understood his role and the burdens of everyone around him. He could've been like before and given up but instead he stood, even though it was only a ghost of Inori. Impressive. Still, too late.
Um... why didn't Arisa get to die? She kinda deserved it. Less if they make a sequel and she retains a better personality. It's kinda sad that she got to survive and Hare did not. Yoshino, that was just wrong... And they shot her in the heart (unless I'm seeing the angle wrong).
I cried because Inori died. She had finally shown the character development I had hoped for. Then she went and died. Though, finally I understand the "take it" line from the first episode. I wonder if that was given for foreshadow or if the directors just went along as they pleased and that was the only piece they could come up with. Overall, it would've been better had both died together. Yes, it would be sad and bittersweet, but it would flow better. For one, how the hell did Shu get out alive? Especially if he's blind after the final clip of him in the tower? It leaves a lot of plot holes. What gets me is that even though Inori is dead, he doesn't mourn for her. For a girl he loved, he's awfully cold about it. I just can't take the ending seriously, albeit the moment she actually does sacrifice herself - THAT was hardcore and sad, especially if I was in Shu's place. Otherwise, the ending was both a disappointment and sad. However, as for the blindness, I think they pulled an FMA on us: give up something in order to attain something. In short, Inori gives him the blindness she has in exchange for taking all of his illness and king's power, then dies. I have a feeling that's why the whole screen turns white near the end. That's my take on it at least. I don't know if that helps anyone understand the piece.
I'm hoping for a sequel, at least to explain certain holes in the plot.
One thing I loved about this episode was Daryl helped into an elevator shaft to escape. Hopefully if they make a sequel, Daryl will meet Tsugumi.
Well, hopefully I'll see you all if a sequel is made.
(Though, inwardly, I think they should just remake this to have a good story and plot. It seems to spiritual for normal people to get. The whole basis of this plot was mostly about the soul: which is what Gai was trying to say when saying the crystals hold the memories of the world. 90% of those who watched GC didn't seem to get the similarity of spiritual symbolism the story had. That made it hard for certain people to get what was going on.)
I haven't seen a major character get screwed so bad since I watched Madoka Magica. 
