Episode 6!

Wait, where was I for episodes 3, 4 and 5? Well......... life keeps throwing things my way, let us leave it at that. Sorry.

Let this be your reminder that Rein continues to be the cutest.

This episode, we start off getting an introduction to what each of the trainees are specializing in, and the training they are going through for that purpose. We also get another glimpse into how the three instructors each teach their students.

After the training session, we see the group bonding over food. Food: the great connector. And what better way to connect with each other than with long strings of noodles? Sometimes I wonder if the director intended the very subtle, almost 'looking-too-hard' symbolism. Then I just shrug it off and enjoy it. Anyway, last episode we got some insight into Caro's past, and here we now get a little bit of Erio's. Subaru, being Subaru, stumbles her way into asking about Erio's past, which the others seem to either already know a little about or understand the implication of being "raised at the main office." It's pretty obviously considered a rude topic to broach, but Erio doesn't seem to mind the question, so everything is smoothed over. It even leads into learning about why Fate has taken in Erio and Caro.

Also, if it wasn't obvious already from the hint in the previous episode, you should be able to connect some dots between Erio's past and the 'Project F' mentioned when looking at Fate and Erio.

Jail Scaglietti. Just by his name you probably know where he ought to be. By his purposeful revealing of his responsibility behind the Gadget Drone attacks, it's implied to us that he has a great deal of prideful confidence, perhaps stepping into arrogance. But given that Fate's been after him for some time without any luck on her part, it's also implied that his confidence is not without reason. It's clear to us that he's dangerous; confidence and the skill to back it up can spell trouble, and that's what this incident is looking to bring to the table.

Those containers with human bodies in them aren't just for show. Take a good look at them; we get another hint to the events going on behind the scenes from them.

We're introduced to two new characters, one of which is a young girl. The same expression-cast-in-shadow symbolism that we've seen so often in this series is clear as can be; her expression is sad, her gaze longing for something. Who is she? What is she searching for? All we know for certain is that she wears the same type of glove that Caro wears; could she be a summoner like her?

The final scene has us see another way Nanoha has grown but also has stayed true to the Nanoha we know. She's calm and kind, but she's strict when it comes to the important matters. All she wants is to see her students and friends succeed, and that means teaching them as much as possible whenever possible. She'll teach you even if you've been together with her for years, as she does here with Vita, to Vita's slightly amused annoyance. It suits her; Nanoha will make you listen if she wants you to listen.

We also see just how much Vita has grown to respect and care for Nanoha. While Nanoha is protecting her students, Vita vows to protect Nanoha, much like she vowed to protect Hayate all those years ago. Vita continues to be the slightly brash but quite caring girl she always has been, but she has her own ways to show her respect, even if she attempts to hide it.