The team manages to flesh out Kubo's vision excellently. The story between Kyoraku and Nanao was touching and instead of having a boring aura fight we got something much more poignant. The last attack being effectively off-screen was a nice touch, defusing the tension and belittling the messenger of God. Finally, the relationship between captain and lieutenant is shown to be crucial to the duo's success (same as in the Mayuri battle), instead of just being an arbitrary ranking to add more characters and battles to the series. I do not understand the remarks about the plot not progressing, Bleach was always more about aesthetics and short side-stories that depict the character's convictions and struggles.

Finally, after 8 year, we get the fight between Ichigo and Ishida. Talk about payoff.

Did the episode start somewhat abruptly? In the previous chapter there is the ending poem that is about Ukitake, but this one starts immediately with Ukitake entering the science chamber and saying he's gonna do the thing.

Other than that, the episode was 10/10, this is Kubo doing his best.