Highlights
- This episode of Spy x Family focuses on Yuri Briar and reveals a more sympathetic side to his character, adding depth to his personality.
- Yuri undertakes a mission to spy on reporter Franklin Perkin, who is suspected of propagating anti-Ostanian content, leading to his arrest.
- The episode also includes a collection of lighthearted gags, showcasing a mock episode of Bondman and Loid's attempts to parent Anya.
The following contains spoilers for Episode 3 of Spy x Family Season 2, "Mission and Family/The Elegant Bondman/The Heart of a Child/Waking Up," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
This week's episode of Spy x Family is a bit oddly structured, with the latter half of the episode composed of a collection of short gags. However, the main meat of the episode is focused on a character we don't see very often; Yuri Briar, Yor's overprotective and obsessive brother.
The episode follows Yuri as he goes about his job as a member of the State Security Service. Though Yuri has often been portrayed as creepy and clingy when with Yor and aggressively cruel when interrogating traitors to his country, this week shows us a more sympathetic side to him that the audience hasn't seen yet. Though he has the potential to be a big thorn in Twilight's side, he is also part of his family, and this story gives him a bit more depth to his personality.
Spy X Family Season 2: Precious Days
Here's what Spy x Family Season 2 episode 2 had in store for the fans.
Secret Observation
The episode begins with Yuri helping bust a group of spies trying to trade information. With the arrest successful, Yuri is given another mission: to spy on former reporter Franklin Perkin, who is suspected of writing anti-Ostanian propaganda and sending it to publish in Westalis. Yuri eagerly takes the job and spends the next few days meticulously gathering as much data on Perkin's daily life as possible. Though Yuri's reports are detailed, his superior can tell that he is running himself ragged. He tells Yuri to take a break, but Yuri shrugs off the idea.
After being nagged by his landlord for rent, Perkin heads out with his camera to look for something to write on. As he takes pictures of the things he sees while walking around, Yuri and his boss tail him. He eventually encounters some children playing with a Bondman pistol and gets an idea. He grabs the pistol from one of the boys and throws it into a nearby dumpster. The boys immediately run to retrieve the pistol, and Perkin snaps pictures of them digging in the trash as they do, planning to use it to sell an article about children being so poor they have to dig in the trash for food.
Spy x Family: Who is Yuri Briar?
Yuri Briar is Yor Forger's younger brother, who is also keeping a secret identity. Read on for more.
For The Sake Of Family
Back at home, Perkin finally finishes his article when his elderly father comes in. He worries that Perkin has been getting involved in dangerous matters, and Perkin insists that he is only trying to make ends meet. Perkin's emotional outburst makes Yuri wonder if he is only doing what he's doing because he needs to care for his family, but quickly dismisses the thought from his mind. The next day, Yuri watches as Perkin delivers his article secretly through his work at the local post office, confirming his complicity in creating this propaganda.
Soon, Yuri and several SSS agents arrive at Perkin's home to arrest him. Seeing them from his window, Perkin resigns himself to his fate and goes down to be arrested. Despite this, he still tries to get one last jab at Yuri and asks which of them was more pathetic, the dog or the man who fought for his country. Yuri simply says that he would never make his family unhappy, and in a small show of sympathy, tells Perkin that his father will be provided for. His job done, Yuri decides to go see Yor at the Forgers'. She immediately notices that he isn't as spirited as he usually is, and he admits that he just came by to see her face. Yor gives him a pat on the head to reassure him, and he is soon back to his overly passionate, sister-obsessed self.
What Makes Spy x Family So Popular?
When a slice-of-life spy comedy trumps Attack on Titan in rankings, it must have something special to offer.
A Little Levity
The remainder of the episode is dedicated to a handful of extra gags. The first involves a mock episode of Bondman, in which he uses his charismatic persona to snag a collection of beautiful lovers. However, they grow disenchanted and frustrated with him for constantly picking up women, and beat him up soundly at the end. After the credits, we get another bunch of short clips featuring Loid trying to be a parent to Anya, whether it be letting her ride a polar bear ride or taking her to the pool.
The core of the episode, of course, is the main section featuring Yuri. It's the first time in a long while that focuses entirely on Yuri's character, and one that is deadly serious compared to the more laidback tone of the series. While there have been episodes where the series has been a bit darker, this story is entirely solemn and focuses on fleshing out the world of Ostania and allowing the audience to see more of what kind of society the country is. It also humanizes Yuri quite a bit; while he may have a merciless position and is obsessive to a fault, he does have his moments of humanity and sympathy.