The amount of negative reviews for this episode is baffling. Nothing is allowed to be unique anymore. Subversion of expectation is lazy storytelling and not relating to the plot makes it filler, apparently. Actually not liking the episode is one thing, but every negative review just boils down to "I don't like it because it doesn't have Spear & Fang" which is a child's way of thinking and proves a complete lack of patience in the audience, which isn't the show's fault.
The episode itself is outstanding. Engaging storyline, beautiful animation, and wonderful dialogue considering that it's the first time English has been spoken the entire series. I was captivated from the very first frame of the episode, and couldn't look away until it was over. But, unfortunately, it has the gall to be different than what people were expecting, so it's currently the lowest rated episode of the entire series.