Shugo Chara Doki 53 - Are we there yet?

So, here's how I imagine the pitch for Shugo Chara Doki went:

Random Employee 01: The first season was an entire week ago! We should start the season with a recap episode so viewers will remember what happened.

Boss Guy: Good idea, but I'm worried that we don't have enough time in one episode to recap fifty-one episodes.

Random Employee 02: Well then, why don't we have TWO recap episodes IN A ROW!

Random Employee 01: That way, they'll definitely be excited about the new season!

Boss: Good good, now we are cooking people. Anything else?

Crazy Fangirls: GIVE US IKUTO OR WE BURN YOUR OFFICE DOWN!

(Different) Crazy Fangirls: GIVE US TADASE OR WE BURN YOUR OFFICE DOWN!

Boss: And throw in some Ikuto vs. Tadase for good measure.

Random Employees: Right away, boss!

In case you haven't figured it out, this episode was essentially another recap episode. D: On the bright side, there were vague snippets of plot. Random Amu/Ikuto moment in the rain, then interrupted by Tadase who proceeds to start a fight with Ikuto. Amu tries to stop them, and the Humpty Lock begins to glow. Then she does chara nari with Ran, and it's really exciting for some reason. In the meantime, Lulu arrives at the airport and hangs around looking evil.

So uh...two recap episodes in a row. How the snet is that a good idea? Oh right. It's not. This might be the weakest opening to a series ever. From the looks of the preview, Lulu's power transforms chara eggs into "? Eggs" and people do all sorts of weird transformations with them. Probably under some sort of evil influence. With that and Amu's upgraded transformation, I'm already starting to feel like this is just a remix of Sailor Moon. Even the search for the Embryo is like searching for pure star seed. Blah. I never liked Sailor Moon. -_-

Here's hoping we actually have some plot advancement next episode.

--Ou-bento