Marriagetoxin Ep.11 - I guess this was the backstory building episode

Episode 11 of Marriagetoxin delivers what I can only define as a filler episode, showing some backstory development for Dougo and Byakko and how their relationship came to be. This felt fine, as it provides motivation for the villain, but the entire segment with Piichi instead felt completely superfluous.

Dougo and Byakko's backstory was the most formulaic among those I have seen this series deliver. Byakko's mother dying on a mission, her resentment toward the world and the group that caused it, Dougo giving her a chance to change, and the start of their partnership, it is reasonable, but it doesn't do much to make me feel more sympathetic toward him, though.

Now that's a beautiful girlfriend that Piichi has. Feels a bit pointless for story building at this late stage, but eh I guess it works.

Dougo Toushiro was really a template villain, both in actions and backstory. Honestly I'm expecting him to shift sides in the future and become an ally...

Honestly, it is framed in a way that makes me think he is going to reappear in the future of the story, perhaps as an ally after some redemption arc. I genuinely do not want that to happen, but somehow he has the kind of personality that seems to fit that role.

Nakagawa Piichi is the real question here. I thought back to the scenes that have happened so far in this story and realized that his presence could be entirely cut, and there would be basically no practical difference in the story's development, except perhaps for Dougo taking a different approach in luring Gero to the island.

Why is he being pushed this hard? The only thing I can think of is that they want him to be a recurring ally character to break the monotony of the cycle of "new heroine, Gero comes in, saves the day, rinse and repeat," but I genuinely do not see him as an interesting character, so...

In the end, Gero triple-dosed himself with his toxin, risking his life. He seems to be fine right now, but that will surely take its toll after the fight. I don't see how Kimie fits into this whole exchange, though. Is Gero going to be defeated regardless? Because her intervention must be intended to help, but that kind of undermines the usage of the triple dosage.

Admittedly she has a great smile, the series makes a great job showing these. I think I've loved every single smile I've seen

Ushio didn't have much presence this week, but I still think she's quite a nice heroine. Hope we see a full chapter with her in the future of the story.

Next episode is titled "Heart and Soul," which is almost surely the end of this arc with Dougo's defeat at the hands of Kimie and Gero. The real question is what comes after; we still have an episode after that, so what can they deliver in the final episode to make people wish to buy the manga and continue the story?