I finally watched the episode and I have a lot of emotions to express. Now I'll admit that thanks to spoilers, I was prepared for all of the moments that happened this episode but I still died over it all with my friend. Even so, there is plenty to unpack.
I think we finally have a concrete grasp on Victor's character. He's controlling and manipulative but there is an earnest and sweet guy there as well. He genuinely wants to see Yuuri improve is skills as a skater but the biggest "if" has always been "to what end?" While that is still unclear, the manipulative side of Victor can be easily seen in how he touches Yuuri.
For example: the hugs. When Yuuri first initiated a hug back in episode 3, he did it because he wanted some kind of emotional support from Victor. It grounded him in that moment, but Victor seems extremely disconnected from the whole thing. His eyes were distant and unmoved. The hug after the performance in that episode was initiated by Victor, joyously allowing the press to memorialize the moment.
And now in episode 5, we see that Victor has learned how to use this to Yuuri's benefit. Give the kid a hug and it'll wash the nervousness away. When he hugs Yuuri the first time in this episode, again he seems emotionally distant in his eyes. The hug before Yuuri goes out to do his free program is just as hollow on his end, and I think Yuuri's own preoccupied return hug really emphasized how cold Victor's hugs are.
All of these hugs are done with the intent to motivate and center Yuuri. They are constantly done in front of the press to put attention on his and Yuuri's relationship. It gets people talking. It makes them notice Yuuri as a skater and Victor as a coach by adding a narrative to their story. Something the public can latch on to.
Rather than these hugs being used to express some kind of emotional connection between the two, they are instead meant to show where Victor's manipulative side comes in play. Instead, I think it is the moments when Victor watches Yuuri skate or make choices on his own that really show the more honest, loving man that lies underneath the masks.
Every time Yuuri begins to improve or take charge on things, Victor's is drawn to him like a moth. Victor's expressions loosen up from being calculating and cold to being emotional and enraptured. I don't think Victor even realizes it in those moments, and I think this his how Victor will fall in love with Yuuri and it will surprise him when it gets down to it.
Victor will believe he is in control until he isn't any longer and it will be glorious.
/rant
Animation was great this episode. Yurio's precious face is precious. Needed more of him and Mila. <3
MINAMI IS THIS BALL OF CUTE. I thought the animation of his dance was great, but I hated the music and dance moves and outfit so much. It fit his personality to a T but it was so youthful and fun and I couldn't handle it xD
Yuuri's a fucking dork.
He confessed his abstract love of Victor (and his friends and family) on national television and I'm forever dead. And what does Victor say? THAT HE'S GONNA THROW HIS UGLY TIE AWAY. OKAY. SURE.
WHY IS IT NOT NEXT WEDNESDAY ALREADY?
by then we'd have a new president and I could either celebrate with YOI or drown my sorrows in YOI
Also, here is a great article from ANN if y'all care. (it's actually a really great look at LGBT representation in anime)
What's So Gay About Yuri!!! on Ice? - Anime News Network