REVIEW: ‘My Happy Marriage’ Season 2 Episode 7 — “A New Year’s Commotion”

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7, “A New Year’s Commotion,” puts Usui’s (Yûya Uchida) recent attack behind Kiyoka (Kaito Ishikawa) and Miyo (Reina Ueda) as they take some time off to celebrate the new year. But as The Gifted Communion grows bolder in its recruitment efforts, there’s not much time to spend relaxing.

Warm and safe vibes open this episode as Miyo and Kiyoka enjoy a quiet night together. Bathed in moonlight, the pair look back at the year behind them. Despite the many unfortunate events that have come to pass, they both view the year as a good one. After all, it is the year they found each other. As the camera fixes on the couple’s shadows, Kiyoka leans in to give Miyo her second kiss before cutting away.

This gentle opening sequence in provides a nice baseline from which the narrative can be built. It helps wash away the stress from the last episode and showcases that, despite all the problems in their lives, the characters are still finding the time just to sit and enjoy each other’s company.

Stepping away from comfort, My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 jumps to Prince Takaihito (Akira Ishida, Raven of the Inner Palace) as he holds a small council. He decides to have the military rest its people as his visions have foreseen a coming tragedy requiring them all to be at their best. It feels mildly irresponsible to send troops home when you know danger is coming. Then again, if his visions are reliable enough, he knows that they have time.

Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Takakura inquires about what precisely the prince has seen in his visions. This question goes unanswered, with the prince’s only response a knowing look. This lack of information feels strange, given how much the prince seems to work towards positive outcomes. It would be nice to know if there is a good reason for his unwillingness to talk about his visions, such as bad things happening if the future is shared. As it stands, the scene leaves an air of suspicion hanging around Takihito, though it’s unclear if it’s intentional or not.

Miyo and Kiyoka celebrate the New Year with personal growth. 

From here, My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 follows Miyo and Kiyoka as they head out to celebrate the new year. Taking advantage of the Prince’s decree, they move among the sights and sounds of celebration. As the duo passes the day, Kiyoka asks how Miyo spent previous New Year celebrations, though he quickly recants the question.

Surprising her betrothed, Miyo admits that looking back on those days no longer brings her sadness. She has made peace with what came before, likely choosing to view those times as a stepping stone to what she has now. She admits she’s never been to a New Year celebration that she can remember, though she was told her mother took her to some before she passed.

This small moment feels far more profound than a glance may suggest. The fact that Kiyoka is taking Miyo to do something that she links directly to her mother feels powerful. Until recently, her mother was the only positive influence she’d ever had, and most of what she knows of her is secondhand. Connecting that distant past with her hopeful future can provide a sense of continuity for those two bright points in her life.

My My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 disrupts the pleasant moment, as the couple stumble upon a group of Gifted Communion members holding a recruitment presentation. To the shock of all, the presenters reveal a small grotesque. Those without spiritual powers can’t usually see grotesques, begging the question of how this could be. It remains unclear whether they found a way to show people the grotesque or if this unfortunate creature is another of their human experiments.

Declaring that the government is hiding the creatures that prey upon the populace from them, the Gifted Communion members declare that they can arm people with the ability to protect themselves. They demonstrate by showing one of their own, setting the creature on fire with his spiritual abilities. They promise the onlookers could do the same if they join them. Before things can go further, the military shows up and arrests the group for holding an unlawful gathering.

The Gifted Communion disrupts My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7. 

This demonstration scene does a great job of highlighting how complex the perceptions of a group can be. Any random person in the crowd could see the Gifted Communion as looking out for them. If/when the government is forced to come clean about the existence of grotesques, it will further validate their speech. The fact that the group is using a piece of truth to make everything they say look equally valid while withholding some vital information about their methods is an element of the group the casual observer cannot know.

The clear ramping up of The Gifted Communion’s work abruptly cancels the rest of Miyo and Kiyoka’s plans. Once Kiyoka meets with some of his colleagues, he learns that he and Miyo have been invited to stay at the Imperial Palace as guests of Prince Takaihito. If the palace can’t ensure Miyo’s safety, then where can it?

That night, Miyo has another strange dream, one in which she sees her mom and Usui together. As she watches the two talk, Usui becomes aware of her, turning directly to stare at Miyo, causing her to awaken in fright. The way the moment changes tone is highly effective. The moment feels peaceful and calm, but the sudden turn of Usui’s head and the death stare he levels at Miyo chills.

What may be even more important than the fact that Usui realizes Miyo’s presence is when he acknowledges it. Just before his head turns, Miyo’s mother asks him not to use violence to protect her or their clan. Is Usui upset that Miyo has invaded this private moment, or is it the revelation that his actions betray his supposed love for his cousin that upsets him?

While traveling to the palace, Kiyoka takes a moment to try to steady Miyo’s nerves. He knows she is highly intimidated by staying so close to the Emperor, and does his best to buoy her spirits. But he also does so with a tenderness that signals he is well aware of what can be realistically expected of her. Happily, despite how busy Kiyoka is likely to be, Miyo won’t be wanting for company.

Arata’s arrival spells potential trouble in My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7. 

As they arrive at the imperial residence, Miyo is delighted to find Yurie (Houko Kuwashima, Noir) and Hazuki (Yôko Hikasa, Is it Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon?) awaiting their arrival. The pair of familiar faces bring instant joy to Miyo. Shortly thereafter, the group is also joined by Arata, who promises to serve as Miyo’s bodyguard since Kiyoka will be too busy to fulfill the role.

With Arata’s arrival comes an ominous moment as something unspoken passes between him and Kiyoka. It is unclear whether the series is hinting at Arata’s potential betrayal, or if the two have a deeper plan to use Usui’s approaching him for their own ends. But something unclear happens in this moment that is impossible to miss.

After a couple more scenes of everyone getting acclimated to their new situation, My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 closes on an alarming note. With the help of some sort of long-distance communication mirror, Kiyoka speaks with the recently transferred Kaoruko Jinnouchi (Haruka Tomatsu, Violet Evergarden), who brings disturbing news. The origins of the orders that moved her father out of sight so Usui could trick her into serving him can’t be confirmed. They existed, her father still has them, but exactly where they came from can’t be traced. This leaves only one possibility, one or more moles inside the military working for Usui.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 delivers a mix of warmth and foreboding through its narrative. While allowing some time for its characters to breathe, it prepares for the next fight to begin. Hopefully, it’ll go better for the protagonists than the first round did.

My Happy Marriage Season 2 Episode 7 is streaming now on Netflix.