For example, apparently the Guild has an important rule—the terminus mandate—where council members have to eventually give up their arching ways under certain extreme circumstances. This episode explores this surprising moment of turmoil and even though it feels a little manipulative that this new rule essentially comes out of nowhere, it leads to the development of a powerful, cathartic story.

With the Guild’s Council of 13 essentially in shambles (the Council of 5 would be a lot more apt at the moment), the remaining members turn to the Guild’s original charter for guidance. The doctrine states that the remaining council members can form a new council, but they also must retire as active villains as a result. This leaves Dr. Mrs. The Monarch and the rest of the council at a real crossroads that forces them to think about their futures. Accordingly, this culminates in all of the council members receiving one final opportunity to take on their arch-nemeses before their retire. This is their final evil hurrah.

This conflict gives “The Terminus Mandate” a straightforward trajectory, but it’s not exactly clear why Dr. Mrs. The Monarch can’t just rewrite the Guild charter in the same way that the Sovereign did to avoid this unfortunate situation that they’re caught up in. The fact that they’re all traditionalists who want to respect the Guild’s original intentions still works in and of itself, but it does feel a little flimsy as far as reasons go.

Even outside of Guild bureaucracy, this important decision also causes unrest with Dr. Mrs. The Monarch’s marriage. The whole argument boils down to classic issues like career versus family and it’s satisfying to see the full weight of these choices weigh down on every aspect of these characters. It’s easy to forget that at one point Dr. Mrs. The Monarch was The Monarch’s number two, but through the years she’s experienced a career that even puts his illustrious accomplishments to shame.

They’ve gone down different, albeit similar, paths and the events of “The Terminus Mandate” push this to the extreme. Their relationship takes on yet another new wrinkle and is forced to adapt, just like everything else in this show.