EPISODE CONTEXT

Coming off 'City of Rain,' which pushed Jiro and Mitsuko through immediate external danger, this sixth-of-thirteen episode pivots inward to examine the emotional and existential fallout of their shared experiences. It occupies the series' midpoint, making it a natural place for the show to deepen its core question about the boundary between humanity and artificial intelligence. 'Negative Fragments' directly sets the stage for 'Afterglow of Regret,' suggesting the introspective threads introduced here will carry emotional weight into the second half of the season.