REVIEW: ‘Spy x Family’ Season 2 Epiosde 12 — “Part Of The Family”

Arsonists are running amok, and there’s still ongoing tension between the rival nations of Westalis and Ostania. Still, for now, Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 12 ends on a note of peace. In an episode dedicated to the simple existence of the Forger family, the series offers yet another reminder of why we care so deeply about this family. For all that Loid (Takuya Eguchi) tries his best to mentally hold Anya (Atsumi Tanezaki) and Yor (Saori Hayami) at a distance, viewing them primarily as a means to a greater end, his affection for them becomes more evident by the day. In “Part of the Family,” the Season 2 finale, we see this through how he behaves with the family dog, Bond.

Any Bond-focused episode is bound for hilarity as we take in the world through his point of view. He and Anya share a trait of believing that any wrong move could have them losing this new, precious existence, as seen in Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 12 as Bond tries to help passersby while on a walk with Loid. Moments earlier had seen Loid, with Franky’s help, trying to train Bond in case he ever needs to be on the defense of an attack. Franky astutely points out that Bond came from a facility where dogs were prepared from a young age to be nothing short of weapons, making this training uninteresting to Bond. It feeds into their following walk as Bond does anything he can to impress Loid, resulting in the two discovering an apartment caught up in flames, with Bond running straight into it.

The reveal that the ‘Daisy’ Bond saw in his premonition was a puppy makes for a sweet moment between Bond and Loid, the latter of whom had run into the burning building after the former. The two working together offers Loid a low-stakes chance to demonstrate his considerable survival skills again, even in a somewhat inconsequential episode of the series. It also once again demonstrates the talents of the animators who are able to infuse the series with maintained fluency in action. Loid and Bond bursting through the window to escape the smoke and flames possess the same level of textured dexterity in motion as bigger action set pieces.

The best moment, however, comes after they’ve both arrived on the ground safely. In a silly yet effective gag, Bond is doused in water after realizing a spark has landed on his fur. The result is skinny Bond, who loses all of his mass when wet, which only Yor knows as she bathes him. It’s a hilarious image that both works for the character, who is often seen as just a big ball of fur, and better for dog owners who know the sometimes ridiculous nature of owning a pet. But even still, the best part doesn’t come until Loid looks at him and almost breaks into laughter, something we’ve never seen from the character and something he’s quick to stifle.

It’s lighthearted and doesn’t add to the overall plot, but moments like Loid’s aborted laughter and following message to Bond about being careful since he’s part of their family further develop the depth of these characters and add layers to their interactions. They care about one another, even if they don’t all fully know how to voice that or if they’re even allowed to.

Anya is the only one to know of their real adventure once they return home, and Bond is still soaked. In another sweet moment, she presents Bond and Loid with her fake stellas that she had been working on all day. It’s a nice gesture that captures her youth beautifully in the details. From the way she beckons Loid to bend to be at her height so she could place the star on his chest to the dents and crinkles in the arms of the star, it’s all clearly the efforts of a child. Clumsy but heartfelt.

Ending on a montage that checks in on other supporting characters, the real closing moment sees Anya, Loid, and Yor all enjoying dinner together. On the one hand, it represents the image Loid wants to depict to outsiders— the perfect family, one that no one would second guess if they were to walk by. On the other hand, it honestly illustrates their dynamic, the one he’s yet to realize — that this is a real family, imperfect but functioning and loving. It’s a lie revealing the truth in plain sight.

Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 12 isn’t the series’ most ambitious or significant installment, but its sweetness overwhelms us all the same. Packed with heart and humor, the season ends on a note of familial comforts. The Forger family continues getting to know one another as they pursue their plights and mini adventures.

Spy x Family Season 2 is available now on Crunchyroll.