Fate/Stay Night so far

I have lamented, either on this blog but most certainly in my mind, that the series is draaaaaaging. Saber has been sitting on the sidelines for four episodes (including this one) and Shirou has been acting baselessly arrogant. Episode 8 was another one of those "building up the plot" episodes, when it seemed from the previous episode that Shirou and Shinji (Rider's Master) would get into a nasty fight.

Conclusion: No nasty fight between Shirou and Shinji (neither physical, magical or vocal). Shinji, candid enough to admit that he is just as inept a Master as Shirou tries to slither in an alliance between the two of them to screw over Rin. Shirou wisely (IMHO) disagrees. (IMNSHO, anyone who would betray She With The Awesome Legs has his head up his ass).

Shirou is now quite the player. Rin somewhat surprisingly and rudely makes herself at home at Shirou's place and this makes Sakura feel upset. (It also makes Shirou's teacher upset but I never really cared for filler comic relief characters in serious series). Saber finally has the nerve to tell Shirou that he has his head up his ass (at least when it comes to the Holy Grail War, not, as I said before, when it comes to siding with Rin) and does things her own way. We are also introduced to two new Servants, Caster and Assassin. (Technically, Caster was in episode 4 but she doesn't really do anything). The preview promises a huge battle involving Caster, Saber, Assassin and Rider. I hope it's good.