My initial impression of this episode: “Well… That was necessary, I guess.” I liked the episode, but it felt lacking somehow. That aside though, if it weren’t here that’d be weird. (Just like Misa’s episode.)
The Nao thing was very predictable. When I didn’t see Nao show up with the other two power rangers members, I figured she was hiding from his view or might already be there. The train scene was also a giveaway, considering how off-center Yuu looked given the range of the shot. (I didn’t connect Nao with the salad thing though… Nice catch @Kanon! I really should’ve noticed this.)
Random girl from the first episode… I don’t remember her name. Her being there seemed out of place. I didn’t analyze it too much, but when the two suits showed up later it made sense. (And then there was Yuu’s comment on it.) She probably did want to help a little bit as well. Considering Yuu’s state though…
I’m not sure what’s going to happen with those gangs Yuu beat up though. I feel like one of the people Yuu messed with is going to get revenge later on in the series, and that’s going to be really irritating. Like, “Yay! Everything’s going swimmingly. We just escaped and now we’re happy and free and… OH NOES! That person was just stabbed by one of the people I shouldn’t have messed with, who showed up randomly during this – the last episode!” (Ahem. Anyway…)
Angel Beats! references obliterated any chance of the two being connected, unfortunately. (@zetaFairlight also pointed this out in an earlier post.) I’m ashamed to admit that I only noticed when AB! was playing on TV, and completely missed the other references! Damn my lack of observation skills.
The Myusa (not a typo) thing happened. I’d like the theories on it to be true, but I’m not ascribing any significance to her wording right now. However, why wasn’t she surprised by her food falling? I suppose that might be further evidence for such a theory.
If Ayumi comes back I’ll be annoyed. I like imoutos I mean lolis I mean Ayumi as much as anyone else, but I didn’t see any hints that her survival was likely/plausible. This was the episode they would’ve needed to add such hints into for it to not come off as completely random. The only opening I see is in Yuu having been unconscious for (what seemed to be) several days. I didn’t see anything that indicated whether her body was or was not found either. (Since he was unconscious there’s possibility that he may not have been properly informed, or just “couldn’t” hear the explanation.) It would be odd for there to have been no mention of that anywhere though, or a hint for the viewers. (Sure, it could be explained away with “we planned it like this all along because reasons!” or “We already told you! You weren’t listening!” But that would be irritating.)
At this point I don’t have any predictions for what will happen next. But it sure will! (Whatever it is.)
TL;DR: Words! Was an okay, but necessary episode.