Darling in the FRANXX - Episode 7 (Review)

By: MithrandielMiss my review last week? You can find it here!Darling in the FRANXX has rewarded its steadfast fans this week with the long-awaited beach episode! Following the hectic battle last week, the high command sees it fitting that the kids get to take a break at a conveniently located beach nearby. There are some murmurs from the secretive "council of old men" surrounding Hiro and Zero Two's partnership, with more details sure to be revealed in the episodes to come. For the time being, there's some very important plot elements that need to hap-Yep. The beach episode is in full effect! The boys are all caught up in seeing their partners in swimwear, with Zero Two being the most forthcoming in her relationship with Hiro.The boys hear about the magic of a "kiss", and what it means when mouths touch. Kidnapping Hiro and whisking him away, they try to get him to spill the beans on his kiss with Zero Two. During all of this, Zorome gets a bit overzealous and asks for a demonstration...Ichigo stumbles upon their session, blushing and hesitant as they ask about her experience with kissing. Of course, she and Hiro shared a moment that was less than ideal - the remnants of her failed connection with him still bugging her.In the midst of all the shenanigans, Mitsuru and Ikuno discover some strange ruins, and lead the other kids on an adventure through an abandoned world.This is our first peek behind the curtain on the world that used to be, and I'm certainly interested to learn more about what circumstances led to the society they now find themselves in. After discovering some interesting relics of this world-gone-by, including a "What to expect when you're expecting" pamphlet, the group returns to the beach for some kabobs and conversation around a campfire.They wonder aloud what may have led humanity away from the cities they had built, with Hiro reflecting on the beauty of the real world vs the cold environment within the Plantations. Zorome rejects that, claiming that the scientific wonder of the Plantations outshines living in the real world. He's also invigorated by the latest battle, feeling as though they can continue to show their worth.The episode ends with Ichigo waking up to see Hiro about to go on a late-night hike. The two share a quiet moment under the stars as she asks him if he remembers the promises they made to one another when they were children. Hiro recalls these memories, leading Ichigo to feel both flustered and relieved, and then tosses her hat in the ring to be his partner by challenging him not to ignore her.Overall, a solid entry as Darling in the FRANXX marches on. At some point I think they ran out of death flags to hand out, as moments of brief and happy respite in shows like this are typically followed by a tragic loss. We'll see if the upcoming episodes break with that tradition. The continued development of the various characters, and the love triangle between Hiro, Zero Two and Ichigo provides a balanced amount of drama and tension.Episodes 8 & 9 are here, along with my reviews!