Maybe he's waiting to be a deus ex machina...
Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.Like, in a more fast paced show, this might fly. Heck, in a manga you might be able to pull this shit. Ending things by subverting expectations was how, for example, the first arc ended, heck, it's how a lot of DB arcs ended really well.
But it's not appropriate for this one because the twist isn't being set up properly.
"And when the last law was down and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, the laws all being flat?"Yup it is totally reliant on the viewer just completely forgetting Freeza is there. Even though we have more than established what happens when someone is knocked out with both the godpad and them appearing in the stands.
It is the same type of writing mindset that led to all of the "oh no he has zero energy," but is perfectly fine moments. They seem to think they can lead us to the conclusions they want by just putting cool explosions over the bad writing.
I guess my thing though is what final thing can Freeza pull off now? Like, even if he is biding his time to try to pull some shenanigans after the tournament, he'd just get erased/hakai'd on the spot.
What I could see is Goku and Jiren's fight ending in a draw, but U7 wins by default since technically Freeza is still in.
Yeah the rules mean there is going to be no way to surprise us with Freeza. He can't be eliminated and he can't be dead, as both of those would need to be addressed. So he's obviously still in, and it's really poor writing to have the characters pretend otherwise or try to make a twist with it.
Anyway, there were some cool moments this episode - the moment where Goku starts to counterattack, the ease with which Goku dismisses Jiren's super stronk attack, the galaxy-like aura that UI formed, Vegeta's speech (did not like referencing the other forms as set up for complete UI, because they were poorly handled, but I did like him pointing out that it is silly to write Goku off if he's still got potential to improve).
But man, the recycled animation is really jarring this episode. Especially the parts they just took from the opening, and recycled multiple times within the same episode. It's a real drag.
I actually liked Vegeta's little moment. It felt like a very appropriate character beat. I do wish he had followed it up with a bit about how Goku in particular stood above every saiyan, I think that would have been nice. note
"And when the last law was down and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, the laws all being flat?"
X6
Anyway...nice fight. Gotta say, the true Ultra Instinct is hype. Makes me wish Toriyama had come up with this years earlier. I actually think it would have been a better thing for him to have than then actual Super Saiyan to be honest.
edited 3rd Mar '18 7:31:12 PM by HandsomeRob
One Strip! One Strip!

What I'm saying is the writers are clearly trying to make us not think about Freeza being there for a dramatic last minute reveal. Problem is that it is incredibly obvious he still is, but they have shown a very low opinion of us, the audience, so far anyway.