Well, I liked this ep. It had a calming effect as it gently gave us more info about Aono and Koyuri.
I agree with the dolls = memories theory especially with the way she smiled at the first one.
I don't think that Yorito is a doormat. He isn't going to be giving Aono too much grief either since she's the eldest and also sick. Mana is a substitute Aono, so if he wants to eat well he can't give her too much grief either.