Ep 8. His Butler, Training

In Black Butler season 1 episode 8, titled "His Butler, Training," we see Ciel Phantomhive, the young master of the Phantomhive estate, struggling with his training to become a proper noble and leader of his family's business. Despite his young age, Ciel is aware of his duties and the expectations that come with his status as a member of the aristocracy.

To help him in his training, his loyal butler Sebastian Michaelis accompanies him to a social event being thrown by Lady Francis Midford, an influential member of society who is known for her exquisite taste. Lady Midford is hosting a garden party in honor of her son's birthday, and Ciel has been invited as a guest. This is an opportunity for Ciel to prove himself to Lady Midford and gain her favor, which would be a significant boost to his family's reputation.

However, things do not go as planned. Ciel struggles with his etiquette and social skills, causing Sebastian to reprimand him for his lack of grace and decorum. Ciel is embarrassed and frustrated, feeling as though he is not living up to his family's expectations. To make matters worse, he soon discovers that Lady Midford's son is a bit of a troublemaker, causing chaos and destruction wherever he goes.

Throughout the episode, we see Ciel's determination to improve. Despite his setbacks and struggles, he refuses to give up. With Sebastian's guidance and support, he begins to make progress and hone his skills in order to better represent his family and its legacy.

As the episode progresses, we see a deeper side of both Ciel and Sebastian. Ciel's desire to live up to his family's expectations is rooted in his intense loyalty and love for his parents, who were tragically murdered when he was a child. He wants to ensure that their legacy lives on and that he can make them proud. Sebastian, meanwhile, continues to be the stoic, unflappable butler we know and love, but we catch glimpses of his true feelings and devotion to Ciel.

Overall, "His Butler, Training" is a compelling episode that highlights the challenges and pressures faced by members of the aristocracy, particularly young ones like Ciel. It also delves deeper into the complex relationship between Ciel and Sebastian, and the lengths they will go to support each other. Fans of the show are sure to enjoy this episode's mix of drama, humor, and character development.