You know, I'm really kicking myself now that I decided to spoil myself on most of the solutions after the first series ended, thinking at the time that there'd never be a second series. I think what makes Higurashi such an exciting ride is the elaborate mystery, and, unfortunately, knowing a lot of what's going to happen next really spoils it.
Anyway, great episode. Needless to say, it's great that Rika got the focus in this episode and will possibly be getting much of the center stage for the rest of this arc. I really think this ep did an outstanding job of bringing a human side to the character and showing the subtle (but important)
she struggles with.
I reckon the art and animation has improved out-of-sight compared with the first series. Although, it's one of a few things that's seemingly improved over the first series, IMO