This episode introduced Stresemann, a  famous (and perverted) German conductor. He is going to be teaching at the school for a year, and starts an orchestra made up of people he hand-picked. Also, Chiaki decides to request a transfer into the conducting department. However, having a severe and irrational dislike for Chiaki’s idol, Viera, Stresemann tears up the request in Chiaki’s face after making it clear that whatever he says, goes. Nodame, in an effort to prevent Chiaki from leaving the school, pleas with Stresemann to approve Chiaki’s request. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Nodame having to decide whether or not to kiss Stresemann, the condition he gave for allowing Chiaki’s transfer.

I didn’t think this episode was as good as the previous ones; while it did further develop the existing main characters a bit (most notably Chiaki’s desire to transfer and apparently greater feelings for Nodame), it didn’t feel like much actually happened in the episode, and I found only a couple of the attempts at humor funny. That said, I still can’t wait for the next episode ^_^

P.S. If anyone recognizes the song Nodame was playing early on in the episode, please let me know. Thanks.