I finally found out how it is that I had episode 21 on tape when I got four episodes per rental tape and only got five tapes: episode 16 was missing. I randomly pulled it up off of the disk that hoshikage sent me. What a pleasant surprise: an episode I hadn't seen before and it's not even Saturday yet. And I rather liked it. The poor little Earthlings got to solve their own problem without any Ultraman help for once (more or less). And funky samurai dude was, well, dude. Giant funky alien samurai dude. With prehensile hair. What's not to like?

I am now a good deal less cranky about today than I could be. New Ultraman episode, and friends, and Dr. Who, and new Smallville (since Smallville has been rocking lately), and I only work an eight hour day today since I have to leave in order to shimmy up the East Bay. There is much potential for coolness.