After the very tense Goku Black and Zamasu arc that just concluded in the previous installment, it’s only natural for Dragon Ball to loosen up from the doom a little bit and kick back with some light filler. Master Roshi even comments on how dull things have gotten. This is typically what Dragon Ball does after wrapping up something heavy. That being said, there are nine episodes of filler ahead here, so brace yourselves. They cover a range of interesting topics (including an assassination plot on a character and an episode that I consider to be the best filler episode from any Dragon Ball series), but those that are eager for the next big saga to kick in are going to have to remain vigilant. If only you guys had access to Bulma’s time machine…

On the topic of time machines, Bulma is actually hard at work to make her remaining time travelling vehicle operational again, yet it’s going to require a rare mineral from the Earth’s core to complete. Bulma’s motivation here doesn’t come from wanting to reunite with the alternate version of her son, but there’s in fact a more complex reason. Bulma directly addresses the fact that she’s know that time travel is “a sin,” but she’s also a scientist and she can’t deny her need to experiment and improve the world around her. It’s nice to see Dragon Ball remember that there are other strengths that characters can posses rather than literal strength. Bulma’s intelligence and capacity to create might not be the focus of the episode, but in an entry like this that has a more relaxed feel it makes for a strong counterpart to everyone else’s goals.

Accordingly, “Come Forth, Shenron!” raises the valid question of what a good wish to Shenron actually looks like. Many different priorities are put on the table here. Everyone—from Goten and Trunks, to Android 18, to Master Roshi—wants to ask Shenron for something, but the problem is that they all plead a strong case and seem to be on relatively level ground with their wishes. That being said, it maybe would have been nice for everyone to gather the Dragon Balls while Future Trunks was still around so he could rightfully get rewarded for his instrumental help in defeating Merged Zamasu. Then again, he’d probably just wish for grown-up Gohan to stop being so lame and clearly the series can’t let that happen.

– While a lot of the wishes that are considered here are mostly frivolous, Goku actually does bring up a worthwhile wish that’s continually been ignored for decades throughout the series. Countless warriors and even villains have been wished back to life throughout Dragon Ball—some have even been resurrected multiple times—and yet King Kai still remains dead. This has basically turned into one of Dragon Ball’s longest running jokes and it was even addressed (and then promptly forgotten) the last time that these characters had a “spare” wish.

In spite of this, the one thing that is given the priority and automatically gains the spot of one of their two wishes is some impulse health care for Pan. Apparently baby Pan is sick and so she inexplicably gets a wish to make her feel better. Seriously? Just pop her a freaking Senzu bean, guys! Besides, 95% of doctors from West City all say that Senzu beans are non habit-forming and won’t cause developmental problems in infants. Not only that, but after Gohan gets his wish, he just leaves and doesn’t even stick around for the rest of the festivities. Can’t he at least support what’s going on here and have some fun? This is supposed to be a celebration, after all!