Welcome back to our Yuri!!! on Ice rewatch roundtable! Last time, we covered Episode 2, where Victor arrived in Japan, Yurio made his explosive debut, and Yuuri began to confront his self-doubt. Now, in Episode 3, “I am Eros, and Eros is me,” the stakes escalate as both Yuris prepare for their exhibition skate—and Yuuri finally discovers what fuels his performance.
As a reminder, the jellyfish emoji represents redbeanjelly and the cake emoji represents redbeancake!
🪼: Here we go! Episode 3, “I am Eros, and Eros is me”!
🍰: I’m sorry, I’m too mesmerized by Victor’s skating.
HAHA. Victor going, “Yeah, sorta something like this?” at the end of the routine, and Yurio going, “Yep. I gotchu.”
YUUKO, the nosebleed is so relatable.
You don’t get the kind of unhinged comments like Yuuri’s “It’s so eros it can get me, a man, pregnant!” anymore. This is where everyone on AO3 decided that “Yes, we must do an omegaverse AU for YOI. It’s not a want but a need. A must. A requirement.”
🪼: I misread your original comment and thought you meant you didn’t understand Yuuri’s comment, and I audibly gasped. I’m so glad it was just me being illiterate because the idea of you not understanding or appreciating that kind of unhinged comment left me absolutely aghast.
🍰: Yuuri, how do you not know Victor is into you? What kinda coach touches your lips, PULLS DOWN YOUR BOTTOM LIP, LEANS IN CLOSE, FOREHEAD TOUCH, AND SPEAKS IN THAT LOW VOICE?!
🪼: The forehead touch is SO intimate! YOI is truly peak BL because honestly, it showcases true intimacy without any fwopfwop. Like, sharing that closeness is so natural for them and just so beautiful.
🍰: I think I said this before, but I do love how Yuuri is slowly opening up and becoming more confident. Episode 1 Yuuri could have never conceived the concept of even coming close to Victor’s level, let alone surpassing him, and here in Episode 3, Yuuri’s already thinking about how to get better than him. Yakov has his doubts about Victor’s ability as a coach, which are warranted, but I think even if he might not be a great coach, he’s the best coach for Yuuri.
Food being the way you lose your composure and reasoning… I get you, Yuuri.
🪼: Yuuri running away, declaring they find his ideas too immature is so relatable. I swear I spiral over this kind of shit all the time. But, you know, even though his idea was a little… um… unconventional, I think ultimately whatever motivates you is good enough. It doesn’t have to be sophisticated or mature, as long as you like it and it gives you confidence.
🍰: Did we ever find out what happened to Yurio’s mom? Did she die? Did she leave?
🪼: More likely than not, she probably left. After all, not every anime character can have a dead mom. Some need to be bums that ran away.
🍰: Haha.
This is the great thing about training with other people! You push each other to be better. Yurio is such a nice kid.
🪼 Yurio is my BABY. I will defend him with my dying breath. He’s bristle-y on the outside, like a hedgehog, but he’s actually a huge softie who cares about others.
🍰: I love how Yuuri picked the junior competition outfit. Long-haired Victor did things to him (hence this is the perfect outfit for eros).
🪼: Yurio saying some of the costumes look stupid reminds me of you. You really keep me humble. Lol.
🍰: I know. It’s a gift. I am a gift.
🪼: Maybe that’s why I like him so much. He reminds me of my platonic wife. LOL.
Victor forgetting his promise is too funny and just perfect for his character. I actually relate to that a bit. Sometimes I get so caught up in what I’m doing that I forget what the end goal is, or at least, it feels that way.
🍰: Random side note, but the animation when Yurio’s skating reminded me of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle because of the long limbs LOL.
🪼: That’s so funny. I’m sure it was an artistic choice to make them seem more elegant in motion.
🍰: Going back to your point—that it doesn’t matter how unconventional something is, as long as it motivates you—I love that Victor doesn’t make fun of Yuuri for it. He just goes along with the idea. So katsudon is your eros? Great, I love katsudon!
🪼: Unlike a certain soulmate who made fun of my Chiikawa addiction. SMH.
🍰: I’m suddenly blind. I am blinded by the shiny gems on Yuuri’s costume.
🪼: I thought you were going to make a joke about Victor’s big, shiny forehead. LOL.
🍰: I wasn’t there yet! I had to go back to watch Yuuri’s routine again. Speaking of unconventional, Yuuri breaking gender norms by taking on the role of the seductress is crazy, especially in 2016. Even now in 2026! YOI was really ahead of its time.
🪼: Honestly, it still is. Although we’ve come a long way with queer media, I feel like YOI is truly one of those perfect iterations of media.
🍰: Is it still unrealistic that a skater would tack on a quad-triple combo at the END of a routine? Yes. Yes, it still is.
NAWWWW, poor Yurio! I want to give him a hug (even though he’ll kick me and probably break my legs).
🪼: Dasvidanya, Yurio! We’ll miss you, but it won’t be long till we see you again!
Episode 3 is where Yuri!!! on Ice truly hits its stride. Yuuri’s journey to find his “eros” is both hilarious and deeply relatable—a reminder that motivation doesn’t have to be sophisticated to be powerful. Victor proves he’s not just a legendary skater but the right coach for Yuuri, pushing him without judgment. And Yurio, despite his prickly exterior, continues to steal every scene he’s in.
The episode also showcases what makes Yuri!!! on Ice so special: its portrayal of intimacy, its willingness to break gender norms, and its understanding that vulnerability is a strength. As we move into the next episode, the question isn’t whether Yuuri can surpass Victor—it’s whether he can finally see himself the way Victor sees him.
Next up: Episode 4, “Like Yourself!” Stay tuned for our next roundtable!
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