Pretend Like It's the First Time

Won't even kid this might be the best episode of television I've ever seen. I'm no snob and I probably haven't watched enough for that claim to have any actual weight but for real this episode is perfectly executed and beautiful. No matter who you are, you have to acknowledge that love is at the very core of everything we are as human beings, and this episode is the pure embodiment of that concept to me. Every single aspect brings together this heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a love that never was. The music is some of the best to come out of this show, and the animation is gorgeous as usual, but certain painted backgrounds and stylized sections of animation are especially worthy of praise here. Even though I agree with some folks that the episodes after this had a few fails, I seriously think that the experience this single episode gives a viewer is, on its own, enough of a reason for the entire show to exist.