Ep 10. The Calm Interlude

The Calm Interlude is the tenth episode of the first season of Fate/stay night, a Japanese anime series based on a visual novel by Type-Moon. The episode follows the aftermath of the intense battle between Saber and Assassin at Ryuudou Temple, leaving both warriors injured.

The episode begins with Rin and Shirou looking after Saber's wounds, while Archer is also recovering from his injuries at a different location. After discussing the previous battle and Assassin's unexpected strength, the group decides to rest for a few days to recover and come up with a new strategy.

During this time, Shirou and Rin's relationship begins to evolve as they spend more time together, and Shirou opens up about his past and his motivations for becoming a mage. Rin also shares some of her own experiences and reveals her family's involvement in the Holy Grail War.

Meanwhile, Caster and her master, Souichirou, plan their next move. Despite their defeat at Ryuudou Temple, Caster believes that they still have a chance to win the Holy Grail War. Souichirou, however, is hesitant to continue, as he doesn't want to put Caster in danger.

The calm interlude also highlights the relationship between Saber and Shirou, as they have a conversation about their pasts and their desires for the Holy Grail. Saber expresses her wishes to obtain the Grail in order to undo her past mistakes, while Shirou believes that the Grail could be used to help others.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that not everyone is going to rest during the calm interlude. Assassin's master, Kuzuki, meets with Kirei Kotomine, the supervisor of the Holy Grail War, and discusses their next move. Kuzuki reveals that Caster instructed him to kill Shirou, which surprises Kirei and leaves him with more questions about Caster's motives.

In the end, the calm interlude sets the stage for the upcoming battles and the next phase of the Holy Grail War. The episode ends with a glimpse into the future, as Saber and Shirou prepare to face their next opponent and Caster and Souichirou prepare to make their move.

Overall, The Calm Interlude is a character-driven episode that explores the relationships between the main characters while also setting up the plot for the rest of the season. It's a necessary breather after the intense battle at Ryuudou Temple and provides insight into the motivations and desires of the characters.