It's a pity that there's no 'refreshing' contest or Misuzu...
I guess now that Misuzu's been cut there's little chance for Mei to appear, too...
Or maybe they can still introduce Mei as the daughter of Ranka's friend? I wonder how Haruhi will realize her feelings for Tamaki if there's no Mei... In the manga, Haruhi made the realization after reading the magazine given by Mei, right? I'm not sure whether I would like it if Haruhi just 'knows' her feelings for Tamaki in the live action.
I think both Tamaki and Haruhi being slow to understand their own feelings is cute, even part of the appeal of this pairing...
But viewing this episode separately, I still like it.
I don't think the problem is 'too fast', just 'too little'. My favourite part must be the stalkers team, oh their costumes!!!
As for KyoHon, I don't know... I think for Kyoya to wear those clothes is somewhat OOC, as he and Haruhi are practically the only sane characters in the host club. LOL But it provides such comical moments, so I can let the problem pass - this time. At least the Shadow King still has his chilling poker face on even when he's stroking a crossdressing guy.
As for Honey... well I know he has it somewhere in him.
The episode does speed up TamaHaru a little, but I guess that's inevitable since the live action is so short.
I'm neither a TamaHaru nor HikaHaru supporter (in fact I'm not interested in the 'who ends up with Haruhi' question at all...
I support yaoi!
) so I accept whatever the arrangement is as long as it isn't completely out of the blue, and it isn't. I think Haruhi's attitude towards Tamaki already changed in the end of episode 5. In episodes 1-4, Haruhi always put up an annoyed expression in the end, but in the end of episode 5 when every other hosts is making fun of Tamaki's 'SM tendency', Haruhi still has that look of softness or even appreciation. And then there's the Fujioka household episode. So I think it makes sense that Haruhi's starting to rely on Tamaki.
My only real problem with this episode is a minor one: Haruhi being able to hear what Tamaki's saying with her (meaning Hikaru's) headphone on! I was like, 'isn't the headphone supposed to be blocking the sounds of THUNDER?' I mean, Hikaru also talks when Haruhi's wearing the headphone, but I don't think he intends for Haruhi to know what he's saying anyway (Haruhi has even closed her eyes then), so it's ok. But Tamaki and Haruhi are clearly conversing, so... That's a minor problem, but I just can't get it over. I kept thinking, 'Hikaru you're rich. Get a new headphone!!' LOL
I'm more interested in the episode 10 preview, though. It seems the news club will be making trouble and there'll finally be some shining moments for Honey and Mori. There's even a shot in which both are wearing costumes from the Shogun era LOL, so I guess the episode will find ways to fit in Honey and Mori's relationships and, hopefully, their reasons for joining the host club. Now if they could fit in 'And so Kyoya Met Him' into episode 11!!!
That's my favourite episode in the anime!!! It also ties as my favourite manga arc along with the sports competition. I guess there's no hope for the sports competition to make it into the TV episodes, though...
Maybe the movie?
LOL Such a long post... Sorry for the rambling!