83, 85, and 87 are all so transparently curated down to story elements to get jon out of hiding and into chasing avatars. 83 - “drawing a blank” is about noticing ‘odd’ happenings and trying to ignore them, not seeking it out in any way, and then the monster gets your friend/colleague instead. obviously intended to make jon worry about putting georgie at risk by staying in hiding. 85 - “upon the stair” is a reminder that the avatars will hurt you because it’s their nature but also that you are turning into one and its in your nature to continue what you’re doing. 87 - “uncanny valley” is an interesting one, it’s a very good comedic setup episode about nikola not being able to scare the plumber (sebastian SKINNER lmao) because she targeted the most comically unobservant guy in town, but when you get down to it it’s a statement about voluntarily walking into danger because you have a job to do, you care very much about the job. and. crying. jon internalised all that and immediately got out of hiding once he heard the calliope outside georgie’s flat to directly confront an avatar that might give him anything to work with re the stranger. the opening of 89 with jude laughing at him is also very jude laughing at the plumber in 87 when he voluntarily goes to nikola’s warehouse a second time, “oh this idiot is WILLINGLY strolling into the slaughterhouse. what fun”
