Admittedly, we have been spoiled from watching episode 3. The show's full potential was thrown at us, not only in terms of aerial combat and special effects. It also showcased the importance of zooming in on decision-making, intense in-action dialogue and character development. And while episode 4 is by no means bad television, I can't help feel like a kid who got a bite of his favorite piece of candy, only to have it ripped out of his hand after said first bite.
Sure, episode 4 works to develop the overall show's plot and different character arcs. It highlights some of the characters' flaws and shortcoming, while simultaneously underlining their strengths. It just all feels rather... bland. The dialogue is your run-of-the-mill writing. The romances are seemingly of no importance. Emotions are tossed at you to instantly forget them.
While I can appreciate the effort of having an episode that so clearly wants to explain and set up for what will eventually be the show's plot, it definitely could've done so without having to grasp for cliché after cliché. Having to write these without any spoilers becomes particularly hard during these episodes, but let's just say that what Masters of the Air chooses to make you consume in episode 4 has a general "We all know how this is going to be turning out"-ring to it. Mix that with filler dialogue and nigh numbing emotions, the cold shower after our hot bath feels not rejuvenating, but just cold.
5 out of 10 knots, let's hope the setup is worth it.