REVIEW: ‘Delicious in Dungeon’ Episode 17 – “Harpy/Chimera”

The last episode came to a close with tensions running high. Shuro’s (Shinji Kawada) rage over Marcille’s (Sayaka Senbongi) use of black magic to resurrect Falin drives the warrior to put his sword to Laois’s (Kentarô Kumagai) throat. Before the situation can be resolved, though, Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17, titled “Harpy/Chimera,” sees the group confronted with a terrifying new foe.

Picking up right where the last episode ends, the episode’s opening moments see the situation between Shuro and Laois de-escalate. As swords are pulled away, we learn more about several players in the current scenario. We get more about Shuro’s time with the main party and why he is reacting to the news surrounding Falin as he is.

We also get a deeper glimpse into Kabru’s (Wataru Kato) mindset. The young adventurer is surprisingly deft with his words, guiding Shuro’s mind to conclusions without directly speaking them. While he continues to provide aid throughout the trials of Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17, there is a disquieting element to the character that never allows him to feel trustworthy.

The initial discourse concerning Laois’ action is interrupted by Chilchuck (Asuna Tomari), who raises the alarm about a harpy attack. The design of the harpies is fantastic. There have been many takes on the half-human/half-bird monsters in fantasy, but these designs stand out. The greater focus on the avian side of the monsters gives them a more functional look than many. Which works perfectly with how hard the series strives to treat its environment as a living ecosystem.

Despite their fearsome appearance, Shuro’s retainers can easily get the upper hand on their airborne enemies. While the mopping up takes place, Chilchuck takes the opportunity to catch Marcille up on what is transpiring with Shuro. The potential problems that may come from Shuro’s knowledge of her actions strike home especially hard for the mage.

As the one who cast the black magic spell, she would be held responsible should Shuro decide to take his knowledge to the authorities. This moment comes to a grinding halt when the lifeless body of one of Shuro’s retainers comes crashing down next to the duo.

This is where the tone of Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17 radically changes. Where the battle was well in hand moments before, broken bodies and death now litter the scene. Standing above it all is Falin. But not the loving mage viewers recently met. Rather, she has become a form of chimera herself. With her upper torso grafted onto a half-bird/half-dragon body, she proceeds to make brutal work of the adventurers.

The way Studio TRIGGER reveals Falin’s new form is expertly handled. The character’s pose, how the camera moves to show her, and how indifferently she tosses around her victims all make her truly terrifying to behold. This phenomenal presentation is unfortunately undercut by one character’s reaction to the gruesome scene.

Leave it to Laois to ruin an impactful moment. Upon seeing the gruesome scene before him, the fighter’s reaction is, “It’s so cool.” He is not struck by the grotesque amalgam his beloved sister has become nor the dead adventurer hanging from one of her clawed hands. Just how cool it is to see a dragon/bird hybrid.

Thankfully, at least no comment is made about wanting to know what it would taste like. This complete disregard for a serious event taking place once more pushes Laois’ character too far. That he can tune out all that is awful within the scene just to see the hybrid creature’s “coolness” ruins the moment and hurts his character.

The ensuing battle is a brutal affair. Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17 drives home the fact that Falin is not in control at all. The forcefulness of her assaults is indiscriminate and direct. She doesn’t shy away from endangering former friends or strangers, leaving no room for interpretation about her willingness to kill them all.

The pivotal moment in the battle comes from Kabru. Sneaking up on Falin from behind, the warrior plunges his dagger repeatedly into his opponent, hitting where several vital organs should be. While the attack doesn’t prove lethal, it enrages the creature, causing it to lash out with one last area-of-effect attack before retreating. The scope and damage of this final magic assault serve as a greater ending note for the fight. However, how Falin prepares to launch this final volley clashes with the moment.

Screaming in pain and rage, Falin throws Kabru from her back. Then, as her cries continue, Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17 makes a significant show of the monster ripping off her shirt. Revealing breasts mostly covered by feathers, the moment feels bizarre and out of place.

Rending a shirt in rage is a classic trope, but the clear emphasis here is not Falin’s anger. This focus on her breasts is as out of place as her brother’s ill-chosen reaction to seeing her. Another misstep that holds back a largely excellent sequence.

Once Falin retreats, the group begins to take stock of what has happened. Mages start trying to heal/resurrect the fallen, with Marcille not being allowed to participate in the latter. While everyone else tries to pull themselves together, Laios and Shuro get into a physical confrontation. At odds over how to proceed, the two come to blows. This fight doesn’t feel truly dangerous or threatening to either party. They don’t seem to truly be trying to hurt each other, more just blowing off steam.

Once everyone is put back together and tempers have calmed, a quick meal is had. The parties then split up, going their separate ways. While the main group will dive deeper into the dungeon in the hopes of defeating the Lunatic Mage, thus (hopefully) freeing Falin, everyone else heads for the surface. Some semblance of peace is made between Laois and Shuro as the groups part.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17 delivers many fantastic elements as it presents the most brutal moment of the series. While much of the terror of the scene is delivered flawlessly, small choices manage to hold back this episode from being the masterpiece it could’ve been.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 17 is streaming now on Netflix.