Unless you’re a severely naïve individual that falls on the Goku scale of gullibility, it shouldn’t be a big surprise that Future Trunks’ timeline is still just as much of a dystopia as it’s always been—in fact, it might even be more dystopic. Goku Black and Zamasu are still alive, vindictive, and well, in spite of how Beerus put his God of Destruction powers into motion in the previous episode.

“Into The Future Again” largely structures itself around one big, final feast as everyone prepares to say farewell to Future Trunks. Future Trunks is hesitant to give in and just enjoy the food and the fun, but the atmosphere eventually caves his stony demeanor. It’s hard not to smile when this hardened warrior who hasn’t gotten to have much of a life outside of fighting for survival finally kicks back and allows himself to have fun. The episode plays the entire scene straight like this truly is the last that everyone will see of the character.

Dragon Ball Superdeserves some credit for carrying out the typical, relaxed beats of a “goodbye” episode only to pull the rug out from under its characters’ feet at the last minute. The audience may understand how narratives like this work so they’re ready for the reversal, but in spite of that it’s still powerful to see the episode play with tension and release. The build up to Future Trunks’ devastated expression when he learns that nothing has changed and they’re back to square one on the hopelessness scale is strong, yet painful, storytelling. Even though the heroes are currently out of plans, the gang feels more renewed than ever to not be defeated and to figure out a new solution to their problem.

Before Goku, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Bulma (yeah, it’s a little cramped in the ol’ time machine) head off to investigate the state of their handiwork, there’s a bit of a disconnect on what should be the next plan of action. Goku’s obliviously confident that the gang will be Teflon this time because he’ll remember to pack the Senzu Beans (although he nearly forgets). By the way, after the bean they give to Future Mai, the team is only left with four Senzu, which really isn’t a lot split between Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks.

Goku’s Senzu safety net is a funny aside, but Vegeta’s not so quick to diminish the threat at hand. The Saiyan Prince takes a reserved attitude here and insists that they should form a proper plan for their next rendezvous with Goku Black. This is evidently the right approach and Vegeta finds himself with quite the axe to grind against Black and Zamasu. “Into The Future Again” positions Vegeta to headline the next episode in an attack that first targets Goku Black and then takes on Zamasu (that’s the current strategy).